How to Make Weekly Homeschool Assignment Folders

Jimmy and Shine each walked over to their school drawer and pulled out some books and a bright yellow folder. 

​Jimmy opened the folder, scanned a page, and closed it. Tucking the folder under his arm, he grabbed several books and workbooks out of his drawer.

​I turned toward Shine who was removing her schedule from her folder and looking at it with a puzzled look.

​"Is today Tuesday, Mom?" she asked, glancing in my direction.

​"No, it's Wednesday," I replied.

​She smiled. The puzzled look was gone. She scooped up her books and headed to the dining room table to start her math.

​Three things that make our school year flow smoothly are lesson planning in the summer for the whole year, making personal schedules for each child, and creating weekly assignment folders. After I finish lesson planning for the next school year, I make assignment folders for each of the children.

​Here's how I do it.  

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I use the information when I do lesson planning to map out a course for each child. Working subject by subject I map out the school year for them. 

​We start school in September, so assignments listing starts in September. I type the month in a bright bold color and then list all the subjects with assignments underneath, starting with Bible. 

​If there isn't a specific assignment I leave blank lines to be filled in. There are often blank lines for reading--the kids simply fill in the names of the books they read. 

​If I've already figured out that Jimmy needs to do four lessons per week in math, I write the name of the math book and "lesson #1-#4 next to it. On the next line, I write "lesson #5-#8. If there are four weeks, I make two more lines of math assignments. All these pages are underlined so they can be checked off as my children finish their assignments. The first week, Jimmy checks off "lesson #1-#4 when he finishes all four lessons. He does this each week for the whole month.

​After Bible, reading, and math, I list everything else subject by subject. If it is a unit study, I leave blank lines for the children to write in what they have done. 

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I fill out this chart month by month, keeping the classes in the same order so they get used to the pattern and know where to look for assignments. 

​I try to make the assignment list as pretty and colorful as I can so that it's attractive for them to look at each day. When I finish the entire list, I print it, 3-hole punch it, and put it into a 2-pocket/3-prong folder. Any writing papers or other assignments can be tucked into the pockets. 

​When it's time for me to check their work each week, I always grab these folders. One glance can tell me if they are caught up in their schoolwork. 

​These assignment folders have served us well over years and years of homeschooling. I don't have to figure out each week what everyone needs to be working on--the folders says it all. 

​There are so many ways to organize. I hope my method will be a blessing or at least motivate you to create a better method for your homeschool. 
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If you want more tips and practical advice on homeschooling with joy and success, you've got to read Joyful and Successful Homeschooling. You can purchase Joyful and Successful Homeschooling at Amazon. Purchase the E-book at Payhip and TeachersPayTeachers. Learn more here.

Full of tips, practical wisdom, and family stories from a family that's been homeschooling since 1991, Joyful and Successful Homeschooling has been a blessing to many homeschooling families with help on management, how to teach, educational philosophies, family dynamics, learning styles, how to keep your home running smoothly, and help to teach each subject with curriculum suggestions. 

Blessings to you and your family! 

Warmly, 
Meredith Curtis 

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