Jennefer@SSA Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 For the second summer I planned my own homeschool conference (link to blog post I did). I loved it and felt so encouraged and motivated when I was done. This all started because last year none of the sessions at my local conference addressed where I was in my homeschool journey. This year we were out of town. I just wanted to share because it was such a great way for me to take some time off and focus on getting MYSELF prepared for the upcoming school year. I have ordered and received all our curriculum; done all the copying; put notebooks together; cleaned, organized and arranged our schoolroom; and pre-read most of the books we will be using. But these two days were getting ready in a different way. It was to get my heart and head ready now that the physical aspects of our school are prepared. I listened to SWB's writing lectures. I used resources from SCM. I started a book I have been wanting to read and finished another. I wrote goals for both myself and my boys. I started work on my own teacher-planner as I cannot find a pre-made one that fits what I want. I wrote a personal mission statement to keep before me because last year I found myself too often ruled by "the tyranny of the urgent". This year I want to do better about me ruling my schedule and not having it rule me! I am home all the time but with a million interruptions I could never have gotten so much accomplished in two days. If you are interested, you can read the blog post I did. I truly hope this encourages someone else. Blessings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveBaby Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 That sounds wonderful!! What a blessing it will be to you this school year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 What a grand idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemykids Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Thanks for sharing! I hope to find more time to continue planning. I am trying to find time to clean, redecorate w/ new furniture, and organize; all amidst working part-time and continuing to homeschool lightly. Ugh. I hope I can get excited about starting school soon. :tongue_smilie:This helps, thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 What a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 This is great! I remember when you did it last year - this year it sounds even better. I should try for something like this before I start our hectic year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyPTN Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 What a wonderful idea. I was expecting this large conference with all the time it takes to organize location, place, time, people, food, etc. But WOW--Quiet time, by yourself, at Panera Bread with the absolutely best Cinnamon Crunch Bagel and Honey Walnut Cream Cheese is my type of bliss! I love this and definitely plan to do something similar in the future. Right now, I'm all over the Filing System/Full Year Organization Kick and am quite busy. Thank you for sharing! Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchfire Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I was inspired by your post about last year and planned myself a week of "in-service" this past week (we start our new year tomorrow!). I was able to take somewhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours each day to listen to mp3s, read, & reflect. I was/am feeling very sorry for myself, because our plan had been to have sold this house & moved into a new one by the start of 2010-2011 (and instead, we're not even on the market yet :glare:), but the in-service helped my attitude a bit. ;) So... THANK YOU for sharing, previously. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittysmom Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 What a neat idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishMama Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 What a fantastic idea! I need a school planning retreat major big time. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrightmom Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Jennefer, This is brilliant!! Thank-you for sharing about this. Home schooling these kiddos is a high calling . . . taking the time to prepare your own heart (and mind!) is wise! I am very encouraged in reading about this and my mind is abuzz with ideas. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poke Salad Annie Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 What a wonderful idea! I may have to try and put together my own day for some encouragement and planning. Just wish there was a Panera Bread close by, though...:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 What a neat idea! Off to read your post... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I recall your post from last year! I did something a bit similar. We took a long drive to the inlaws for a week. We have a new van with a DVD player. I brought some things for the kids to watch. I dumped SWB's plans for elementary and middle school, The Joy of Classical Education, Literary Analysis, and Independence onto a CD....along w/ Pudewa's how to teach boys who'd rather be building forts all day. I brought curriculum that I needed to read through. I brought my computer. I took about 12 pages of notes! I started writing schedules. I read WTM board as well as WTM2009 to look for schedules. The boys are still w/ their grandparents so it's just my DD and I. This week she will be at her soon-to-be pre-school for 3days, 2.5hrs each day for summer playtime. i will use that time as planning time. We are also moving house, and will be closing on this house in 2 weeks so I have to spend a few hours packing each day as well. We'll end up in a hotel for a week or two so I need to get as much planning done as I can now b/c by the time we move into our new house, it will be close to the first day of school. :w00t: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschooltoone Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 What a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I remember you posting about this last year. I love the idea! I am actually going to a homeschool conference with a friend. There are a few speakers I'll attend over those three days, but most of the time I have set aside for me time. I am going to finish plans, if I still need to do that and finish organizing things. I am going to read and get into the right mind frame to start this school year. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I remember your doing this last year. I've been working my way through the Peace Hill Press lectures and taking some real time to think and plan (which is different than web surfing for new curriculum). Such a great idea, even if you can go to a conference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Great idea! Thanks for Sharing!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehogs4 Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 that sounds like a great idea. i did something like that last year when the kids were in VBS. i may have to plan it a bit differently this year, but for me, i find that i reallllly need that focused time to get a vision for the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shehmeth Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 (edited) Jennefer, Thank you for sharing this - I was so inspire by reading your post (and the one for last year) - I'll be doing this for myself (Hope you don't mind if I join you and copy the concept). We were not able to go to any Conference this year - and although sometimes we tend to think that the purpose of the conference if the Curriculum purchase, we actually enjoy the workshops and lectures they offer here at FPEA- they help us to stay motivated. I found that Rhino Technologies has Lectures & Workshops recorded for many of the conferences, and many of from 2010 are on MP3 downloadable (no need to wait for the CD) and I do have some favorites at home I can always listen to (i.e. Teaching the Classics, Susan Wise Bauer's and Puweda's) and I can always review my notes and the handouts from the lived ones I attended in the past... I think the summer time is a perfect time to do one's own conference for motivation.... so a great idea for a planning retreat... Best, Kate Edited July 26, 2010 by shehmeth typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 I am thrilled to death that others have used this to springboard their own ideas. I find that in my homeschooling journey taking care of me gets pushed to the back way too often. This is just one of the ways I plan on fighting burnout and keep the motivation high (or at least higher than it has been) this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani3boys Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Thanks for sharing this! I think I will borrow some of your ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted July 27, 2010 Author Share Posted July 27, 2010 Thanks for sharing this! I think I will borrow some of your ideas. I feel like I gain so incredibly much from the members on this board; it makes me happy when I feel like I can give something back! :) Enjoy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.