First off, when I was in college working on my degree (Early Childhood Development) we had to do a whole month's plan as a part of the course. Yes, you read that right. A whole month! Perhaps it was because I was taking two of the hardest courses at the same time for two straight semesters that contributed to the stress (duh on my part) but it definitely helped further my disgust of them. Why the need for such craziness? I guess for those imaginary little darlings at some imaginary childcare center for some imaginary reason! Honestly, I think they thought it would be helpful. It was not. Every job would have had different standards and requirements and there was no way that could have been implemented (as the instructor suggested) and esp. so because the ages and abilities of the kids would have been different. I remember too, that those seeking a teaching degree had way more of those little puppies to produce. I bet there are a few of those folks still washed ashore my "For the Love of Miss Beadle-WHY?" Island. With those type of assignments, it set into motion my loathing of them. I get it was necessary to practice, but perhaps a week's worth with comments from the instructor on how to improve or remove non-necessities would have been so much more helpful. But I digress...
It literally took a long time to pull it together too. Back in the old days before the wheel was invented (ya know) we had no internet, no computers like today [insert gasp], so everything was done by actual hands-on research and the old hunt and find the materials manner. And let us not forget the fact that one would have to type it up on the ole typewriter. So, just to give you a bit more background here-because I am sure many reading this are unfamiliar with that technological advancement. When you use a typewriter, you had to advance the page quite a bit to find the back of the typewriter so you could successfully apply the liquid white out (eventually there came about the whiteout tape) to correct your mistakes. It looked terrible. Or for those like me-you would rip the darn thing out and start all over again. Talk about a time buster! And that is all based on whether or not the typewriter tape functioned, rather than jammed, rendering it completely useless. So yes-another seed in the garden of disdain.
There came a time when I said, "ENOUGH!" and never looked at the planners until I began homeschooling an older student. Then I knew I had to try again. I had transcripts looming and grading accountability to tackle. I had to do it-I just did. Well, that lasted all about 10 seconds. First planner was relegated to a grade keeper only. Done and done. Down the road I looked at and almost tried a few. I couldn't do it. My inner self said that I would waste my time-so I came up with an internal lesson plan maker in my mind which I followed it with a pretty good success rate. I just did it. Here and there I would jot notes and keep those about but mostly it was my gray matter that kept account of things. I just knew what had been done, needed to be completed presently and should be down the road. Weird as that may sound. I had 3-4 students during that time (one of them was a baby-kindergartner during many of those years) and somehow I managed. But then life got super busy. My mind aged a bit. Things just weren't getting accomplished. Life got more complex and I knew I had to try something. Later on, whilst on a review team, I tried their homeschool planner. It was OK. I did use it for a time and at first really liked it-but then old habits trumped my good intentions-I let it slide like cheese off of bacon.
Another annoying thing that could bring me almost to tears, during my attempts to be all scheduley, was how easy and frequently all those plans got messed up because of one or two little deviations. Poof! Hours of work and best intentions screwed up to the point where getting back on track was almost impossible. Even only penning in a week's worth was suspect and questionable at times. Maybe I just looked for a reason to toss those planners out the window...maybe it was just an excuse or maybe time and wisdom are trumping me now.
I had been slowly sliding into an abyss of barely making it (regarding my personal goals/standards for myself and our kid's education) and knew that I had to do something. Lots and lots of prayers to the Lord arose like church bells on a Sunday morn. Then tons of research and YouTubing have led me back to where I knew I was going to be stranded forever if I didn't make that change. That place called Going Nowhere. It was time to make my escape. Thankfully, the Lord sent a rescue boat. I am heading back to the Land of Accomplishment. I can see it's shoreline in the distance....little by little I am getting nearer and nearer...
SO-one step is to get a lesson planner going that will help keep me accountable and organized. I even dipped my toes into life planning with my brand new Erin Condren planner! Now I can be a well-rounded organized homeschooling mama.
BUT which type of lesson planner do I use? That is where I am stuck.
I have already penned a post and shot a video covering the planner choice conundrum. While I wait to decide, I chose to be proactive and make covers and dividers so they are ready and await my final decision.
I am sharing how I made them, to help inspire those who prefer the DYI version. Here is what I used to create mine:
front and back covers: both sides
(These are laminated so I had to jam them up on the white board to avoid the glare-LOL)
*FYI: The laminating items take you to Amazon.com
under my Amazon Associates link.
Cutting tool -preferably a paper cutter large enough to accommodate the 12x12 paper
Glue stick
Scissors
Laminator (or place to have it laminated): I use the Scotch laminator and Laminating sheets
Lamination pouches for the machine
Printer
Computer program for your title making (MS Word works for me)
Iron/Ironing board
Some type of binding ability-local office supply store or your own binding machine
Printed pages (I found the college lined ones here) for back sides of dividers, if not using scrapbook paper
Post it Notes: if you want to adhere them on the backside of the covers like mine
Options beside scrapbook paper:
*downloaded covers from various sources
*good quality art paper in which your child(ren) have drawn various pictures (remember to ask them to leave white space for labels) for your covers. Avoid crayons-supply colored pencils, watercolors or markers.
Decide on what size covers you want. If using your own laminator-be sure to allow for some sealing area all the way around the edge. If taking it to a store to be laminated, call ahead and ask what sizes are available-then plan accordingly. I suggest not making it too large. Remember to account for the inside pages which will probably be the standard 8 1/2" x 11" size. You should make the dividing pages smaller than the outside covers to protect them and allow for the tabs.
My covers are sized as:
*Front/Back: 8 3/4" W x 10 14/16" L
*Dividers: 8 1/2" W x 10 3/4" L
dashboard and book marks-front/back views
the notepad dashboard:
4 1/2" x 9 1/2"
I just used whatever size scrap I had that could accommodate the
sticky notes efficiently
Book marks were simply scraps trimmed to whatever size I wanted
4 1/2" x 9 1/2"
I just used whatever size scrap I had that could accommodate the
sticky notes efficiently
Book marks were simply scraps trimmed to whatever size I wanted
Page layouts Tips:
*Choose paper that is attractive and interesting to you. Pick a few others which compliment and add accents-mixing it up is a great way to add interest and dimension.
*Layout pages in interesting manners. I switched from vertical to horizontal lines and tilted a lot of the titles to keep it from being boring/uniform.
*Take the glue stick and lightly smear a wee bit in each corner [backside] to adhere the pages together. Many people do not do this and it can be troublesome. Esp. when placing them into the laminating sheet. It also helps you to trim and line up edges better. Don't go nuts with the glue-it will clump.
*Decide which way you want your main tabs to run along the page. Cut enough paper (1/2" or so) below where you want to have the title so that you can slide that down between the papers for extra security and strength. Adhere that with a tad of glue as well. Be sure the tabs will fit within the confines of the laminating sheet for extra durability. If running tabs along the right side, cut the width of the dividers down to allow for the tabs, so that they are not overhanging past the covers, unless that is the look you want. Cut the length of the paper if placing them on the top, altho my measurements allowed for squeezing them in.
Assemble and then run through the laminator once or twice. Then set iron at or near the rayon setting and run the tip all the way around the edges to ensure a good seal. Do NOT let that iron stay stationary-it will melt the plastic or ruin your iron (don't ask how I know this). Move quickly. Once the seal is good-allow to cool and then cut.
Leave a good edge of the laminating sheet free around the edges, then trim if necessary.
Now it is ready for the interior pages and binding. If I choose this route I will have an in depth post and video on those. If not, I still may make a video on the pages I am trying out and a post with all the links. Til then......happy planning.
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