This review of The Ultimate Homeschool Planner – Blue Cover comes to you compliments Apologia Educational Ministries. Although I was randomly assigned the blue cover, this is my favorite of the three available covers.
Apologia Educational Ministries
The mission of Apologia Educational Ministries is to publish curriculum and resources and provide services that help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith.
The Ultimate Homeschool Planner is based on the planning system by veteran homeschooler, Debra Bell. This planner features plastic front and back covers. I can assure you this is a durable cover as I have not only used it here at the house but have also taken it with me several times to be able to plan while away from home; and it still looks brand new. There are also pockets on the inside of both covers.
The Ultimate Homeschool Planner contains:
- a detailed “How to Use the Ultimate Homeschool Planner System” section
- One year planning grid
- Student Goal Setter Pages
- Pre-planning Guides
- Monthly Calendars-each month has a different encouraging quote
- Weekly Planners
- Records for grades, reading lists and activities
- Teaching Tips including Making Memorable Moments, What I Wish I’d Known About Homeschooling, Learning Styles and Thinking Skills, and Parents’ Guide to the Study-Smart Student Toolkit.
- High School Planning Guide and Example
- Year in Review
- Blank pages for Notes
The Ultimate Homeschool Planner – Blue Cover
This is a page from the weekly planner which shows how it is laid out. (I use pencil in the planner which makes it a little hard to see in the photo.) The weekly planner is laid out as a two-page spread. The top left corner contains a space in which to put the date. Down the left side are blank spaces to place the student(s) name(s). I listed each child individually for those lessons that are specific to them. For the lessons that are same for two or more children, I listed their names together in a box. Along the top of the pages there are blanks to label the days of the week. On the weekly planner, there are spaces for six days. This is because there is a special page prior to each week for the Lord’s Day.
The Lord’s Day page contains a space for each of the following: Bible Plan, Battle Plan, Prayers, and Hospitality and Outreach.
What Did I Think About the Ultimate Homeschool Planner?
I have to admit I struggle with using a planner as effectively as I should. I really like the way this one is laid out and I especially like The Lord’s Day page. I am learning that when planning it is best if I admit to myself that somedays just aren’t going to go exactly like I have them laid out. For example, this morning I thought we would be getting an early start on school because we have a homeschool event to attend this afternoon. However, we started at normal time because I had to get cattle back in that decided to roam. Life just happens! Anyway, I have found that by using pencil and giving myself the grace to change the schedule as needed I don’t feel nearly as frustrated.
I like that there is a monthly schedule in which I can put those big events such as appointments, homeschool and 4-H events and other things that happen only occasionally. I also like that the weekly planner is a separate planner so that I can plan our weeks more closes.
I really appreciate the encouragement that the Ultimate Homeschool Planner contains. Not only is it a great planner, the explanations within it for how to best utilize it are very descriptive and easy to follow.
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Jennifer
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