Our 14 year old DS is very bright, but really needs help with time management. He's actually asked for planning systems to help him structure his time (he has inattentive ADHD). I'm thinking of something like Homeschool Planet this year. But what I really want are features thatwould send him text reminders and/or alarms. To help him know when to stop/start/get ready, etc. (I have no idea if Homeschool Planet or other planners have any feature like this.) Any good recommendations?

I posted earlier about homeschool planners (we need one!), but didn't really get a lot of feedback on individual ones. If anyone uses a homeschool planner (Homeschool Planet or ANYTHING else) -- would you mind giving me pros/cons or comments about specific features you liked or disliked?

I posted earlier about homeschool planners (we need one!), but didn't really get a lot of feedback on individual ones. If anyone uses a homeschool planner (Homeschool Planet or ANYTHING else) -- would you mind giving me pros/cons or comments about specific features you liked or disliked?

Our 14 year old DS really needs help with time management. He's actually asked for planning systems to help him structure his time (think very bright absent minded professor). I'm thinking of something like Homeschool Planet this year. But what I really want are features thatwould send him text reminders and/or alarms. To help him know when to stop/start/get ready, etc. (I have no idea if Homeschool Planet or other planners have any feature like this.) Any good recommendations?

I'm hoping to get an idea of what your 9th grade boy student looks like. If you have modeled organization over the years has your student figured out a way to organize themselves? If you set up a model for them have they followed it? We homeschool, so I'm not asking how kids who go to school handle it. Specifically looking for the homeschool boy about age 15 and how it looks in your home in regards to school work and organization. While I have tried to push into independence and letting my boy pick subjects and plan his week out, it's not working. I'm sitting here going through work from today and I'm just about to cry. There are piles of paper by his desk. Nothing in the notebook for the class it belongs. Papers all over the desk, none from the same subject. I just went through his work for today. Handwriting so bad I can't read a lot of it. Many misspelled words. Not every assignment is finished. Most questions for science require some thought, but he put down 1 thing when it's looking for 5-7 items. In fact, none are finished. Everything has a little bit more to do. He had an online class until 9:30am. At 11:30am he went to do lunch for an hour. At that point he had looked at math and we had talked about 2 problems. He didn't do them. We discussed them. He wasn't doing math for 2 hours. He was in the bathroom a good 45 min. And the math discussion was less than 20 min. He worked from 1-2:30 on everything else for today. Hence the lack of anything being done completely. I'm thinking I shouldn't need to sit in the room for 6 hours a day to keep him on task. However, me leaving the room leaves the mess I'm now sitting in. He's at the library for the next hour with friends. I have to go over this work when he returns and he probably has another hour of work minimum to finish today. Not really doing it all, but getting to the point it's manageable the rest of the week. Help. What is normal for this age? He's not an organized kid(his room has always been a disaster). I bought notebooks for every subject. He has a 3 hole punch...but apparently lacks the ability to use it. I am tired of nagging how to do school. What to have out for each subject. Where to look for the schedule. Today he had me write his schedule out. I wrote history, lesson 5. He has a detailed schedule in the notebook. Which lists 5 things to do for lesson 5. He did 2 of the 5. I'm so frustrated. I feel like I have to hold his hand every.step.of.the.day. If he didn't have life threatening allergies I would seriously consider some summer military camp to push him into better organization. I've never found a place that could take him.... Give me your best advice for how to put him on a better organizational track. I used to think going to PS would help...he would have to figure it out. But seriously, at this point I feel like middle school would be a better starting point it's that bad in the way of organization and getting things done. What do you suggest to get him on a better track? I know you all talk about brain fog at this age. He's definitely growing super fast right now. He's always been a little late on the growth spurts for his age...but it's here now. Will he suddenly put it all together in another year? Or do I need to sit back down and go over how to work through his daily assignments?

I've typically done to-do lists on Cozi for our kids. Our teen (just starting 9th) is super bright but has difficulty with planning and organization (to the point we do lists on post-its for even getting ready). He actually requested more of a schedule this year because we have a lot going on, rather than an ongoing to-do list. I looked into Homeschool Planet b/c of recommendations, and this looks good. But I'm wondering -- any others good to look into? I'm especially interested in ability for our children to look at their schedules, and also to set reminders (if possible). We all tend to get into doing one thing, and lose track of time. :) As an added bonus...do any moms use a planner like this to schedule their own time? I'm thinking this could be a good thing as well.

We have a 13 year old and will be getting him a phone for the first time. He has ADHD inattentive, as well as slow processing. He's extremely bright, but needs a huge number of reminders of tasks to accomplish, staying on track, etc. The plan is to start with something inexpensive -- hopefullly not a smart phone, but a less expensive phone (possibly a trackphone). So there would be some limits and also if it is lost there is not a huge out of pocket expense. I KNOW an iPhone or something would have lots of helpful apps. But what could we get that is not as expensive if lost or as hard to monitor usage (especially internet). Any ideas?

Several months ago I read a thread here about a type of binder where the rings come out and you can store things just in the rings. Am I imagining this? Can you help me with the name of the binders or that thread. Thanks.

Oh no! We had a broken pipe yesterday, and our storage space was flooded. The cardboard box containing our Christmas tree is ruined. Is it possible to buy plastic containers large enough to hold an artificial tree? I'd prefer rigid plastic to those cloth covers. It's a pre-lit tree, in three sections. I looked at the Container Store, and they don't carry anything that large. ETA: Actually, Container Store does carry them, but they're only available in-store, and there isn't a store anywhere within 250 miles of my house.

I have found quite a few toys, games and puzzles that are now too young for the kids, but I'm hesitating on whether to rehome them. How do you handle this?

I am considering dividing up the coming year's worth of lesson plans by week. To keep everything organized, I'd like to use a filing system. Does anyone have experience using such a method? What are the pros and cons? If you use such a system, do you have more than one child? If so, how do you divide among the children? What type of filing box or cabinet do you use? Any other advice? Thanks, Cindy

Okay....I am trying to declutter and organize again and I'm trying to decide how many toys need to be left out for play? I have one 3yr old and my other children are older so their "toys" are in their rooms. It has turned out that he has toys set up all over the house (by my doing). Not sure if I should consolidate to one area or have is spaced out like I do now. I do rotate toys but how much should be left out? What works for your kids? Also, do you have a set school room? I have one for my older kids but try to keep little one out do to them trying to study with peace and quiet.....Would love to hear ideas!

Both my daughter and I will be going back to college this fall and I am trying to decide between a backpack or messenger bag. I will be carrying my Mac-Book Air in addition to a book or two, and she will have her iPad in addition to a book or two. I will be riding my bike 2 days a week 3 miles each way so that should come into play. Please link to favorite brands or recommendations. Thanks!

I'm Copy/pasting this from the RightStart Yahoo Message board, where I originally posted this. I've been using RS for a few years it seems, but this spring I finally found a way that is the most efficient for me and my family. I find that our lessons go smoother (thus quicker) and I'm ready for anything. I have one large bin that is easy to carry to whatever room we are in. I typically just have my kids push it. (heavy work is good before doing seat work) Sometimes we work at the school table, kitchen table, or living room floor. Everything goes into that bin, except for: 1. math balance - sits beautifully on a low shelf that they can reach. 2. other abacuses - there is one in the said bin, above, but there is also one in each one of their personal boxes that has all their daily school tools. 3. the lesson manuals - they sit on a shelf with all my other teacher manuals/books, but the game book is in the said big bin. * I even have a pouch that contains, scissors, glue, dry erase and wet erase tools (b/c we laminate all the part circle sets, etc) and anything else i need to do whatever lesson we are on. PHOTOS OF THE LARGE BIN: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2011.59.37.jpg photo from above, open - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.07.04.jpg - what you see but might not recognize is a plastic base ten set, as well as linking colored centimeter cubes. I store all the small card boxes on top of the bin, they are not pictured in this one. photo from inside the side - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.07.47.jpg *the black rectangular piece in the bottom of the last picture is a plastic "till" filled with the toy money all separated out, the kids love it. PHOTOS OF HOW I ORGANIZED THE CARDS and how many boxes i needed: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.04.53.jpg https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.04.14.jpg https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.05.41.jpg - far left bottom is a containger holding game pieces for swim to ten, the far right bottom contains laminated shapes that they are to typically cut out and reuse, such as triangles, hexagons, etc. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-07%2013.06.07.jpg for fun two photos of my son doing level A https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-06-25%2008.15.33.jpg - we are using a "montessori" like "work space/mat" https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20147979/2014-05-16%2010.46.20.jpg - we carried our low/adjustable school working table into the living room for a change of scenery. Everyone has a different way of doing things. It's best to take what you like and leave the rest. :) This is just what works for us. :)

We are moving to PA September 1. I've already discovered the wonderful askPauline.com, and that has been hugely helpful in my planning. Is there a particular planner or organization system that you found particularly helpful with respect to putting together your end of year portfolio? For the past couple of years I've used the file crate system (combined with a Homeschooler's Journal for each child), which I think would work pretty well--just go through and cherry pick a few things from each week's folder at the end of the year--but I'm certainly open to any ideas you may have with respect to easing the administrative burden. (Oh, and my graphic design geek husband wants to know if any of you have submitted your portfolio electronically. I think he's itching to get creative with it.) Looking forward to your input. Thanks!

There was a recent thread on scheduling and encouraging excellence on the accelerated board where Nan in Mass wrote the following: "I should add that one of the focuses of middle school was academic and organizational skills. There comes a point (and if your children are accelerated, it will come sooner) when the child needs better writing skills, needs to know how to study, how to take notes, how to keep a calendar, how to organize his materials, how to do research, that sort of things.(continues)" As always, Nan got me thinking and wondering what you all do to systematically teach study skills, note taking, researching and the other skills that Nan mentions above to your logic/dialectic stage student. If you have favorite resources, please share those as well.

I seem to be getting worse at this as I go - and feel like I accomplish less and less. Even if I limit my board time, I'm not seeing huge increases in productivity (on my part)...corrections aren't always done, lesson planning falls by the wayside.... I used to do my best brainstorming at night, when the house was completely quiet. But then I wasn't always the most patient person. And now with early rising for driving, it's pretty impossible - besides wanting to have patience :-). When more kids were at home I did the "Managers of their Homes" type approach - scheduling every 15 min for everyone around me...over time that wore off.... I feel like I'm losing self-control somehow, for doing the most unliked tasks (like correcting geometry proofs)...and just never getting to planning very far.... How do you organize correcting time? planning time? teaching time? studying the subject you need to teach time? So how do you limit yourself - for online or email time? organizing activities for others? helping your neighbors? besides of course - cooking, cleaning, spending time with your spouse? I realize this could probably apply to parents for other ages but I wanted to specifically focus on parenting high school organizational skills... Thanks for any ideas! Joan

I think it would be helpful to hear where people keep different things in their home. Because we are home so much and use our home so much, I feel like organization is more challenging. I like to hear how other people have things organized. So I will start, and feel free to chime in with other questions about what you are interested in where other people keep certain items! :) Where do you keep markers and blank paper? Where do you keep onions? (I know, totally random, but I honestly have no place to store onions in my kitchen and always wonder where people keep them.)

One of the daily deals at Michael's Craft Store is a 10 drawer rolling cart. It is normally $74.99, but is selling for $29.99 for today only. I am considering purchasing one, but would love to hear from someone who owns it first. Is it sturdy? http://www.weeklyad.michaels.com/department/19 Thanks, Michelle

I found this (Classic Birch Tabletop Writing Center) on the Lakeshore Learning site and I'm really drawn to it, but feel it is really expensive, even with a 20% off coupon. So I wondered if any of you have this, if you are happy with it, feel it's worth the money, etc.? Also, if anyone knows of a cheaper alternative please share! I'm primarily attracted to the paper storage, especially the spot for the large construction paper. http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/p%7CJJ926~~.jsp

I'm considering a form of checklist for my 6th grader next year. We'll be doing some things together (history, science, Bible, art, p.e.) but everything else I would like for her to take responsibility and ownership in the process. Do you do this? How do you organize it? What does your checklist look like? Can I see? :)

I was recently blessed with an iPad and I'm considering doing my planning on it. Right now I'm all paper because our computer is not convenient to the kitchen table where we homeschool. But all the erasing (or the paper and ink if I print it, which I often do) makes me crazy. Favorite apps. Mine are all littles btw, 4 and 5.

I'm a big fan of poster calendars for planning purposes, since you can see a whole year (calendar or academic) at a glance. However, I have come to realize what I really need is 18 months at a glance -- the current half-year, plus the next two half-years. The reason is there are things for which you need to see the calendar year (planning vacation requests at work, etc.) and things for which you need to see the academic year (coordinating school schedules and such). My thought is that the perfect system would be to use 6-month at a glance poster calendars, but these are very hard to come by. Alternatively I can buy two of a particular type of calendar (calendar year or academic year), one for the current year and one for the coming year, but the timing of the release of the new calendars is always well past the time I want them. Currently I have a 2013 year-at-a-glance poster calendar. I can get the first half of 2014 by purchasing an academic year poster calendar and chop it in half. But I will want the 2nd half of 2014 around August 2013, and NO ONE releases any calendar (2014 calendar year or 2014/15 academic year) until the final quarter of 2013. In addition I hate wasting half of each calendar I subsequently buy. Any thoughts/ideas/resources you can think of? Anyone know of any place I can get a poster calendar designed for a custom date range? Most of what I'm finding online are instructions for setting custom date ranges for computer applications like Outlook (not what I need).

Deleted per 9/10/14 board guidelines.

I am up to my ears in paper. Anyone really good at figuring out what's important and what isn't? Some things: Utility bills (old and new) Loan statements School and Homeschool-related paper (everything from DD's assignments yesterday to stuff brought home from her enrichment program in October) MY school related stuff (law school) such as last semester's outlines and notes recipes DD's artwork DES communications (about food stamp/medicaid benefits) etc. Things that I know I should have I honestly am not sure where they are, they're buried in the clutter. It's in boxes, in bins, on desks, and on counters. I have no clue where to start or what to do with it all. I worry that if I just chuck it all in the recycle bin, the next week I'll need X or Y or DD will notice her precious Z is missing.