How to Organize Your Homeschool Curriculum
5 Simple Systems to Help Your Homeschool Run Smoother!
When I first started planning to homeschool, I felt overwhelmed! So much to learn in so little time. I was desperate to figure out how to best set up our homeschool — & how to make it run smoothly!
I have tried various systems through the years as we've been homeschooling. Some things worked, other things flopped big time, & other things just needed a bit of tweaking. 😉
Well, I've finally found a great way to organize our homeschool curriculum. I know you will love it! You can always tweak it to make it work for your family if you need to.
Organizing Your Homeschool Curriculum
I've created a video that walks you through all 5 of my homeschool organizational systems. I'll briefly list them below along with the supplies you will need to get things set up.
Can I just say for the record that System #1 is going to rock your world? Well, it is! I've shared this with so many friends, & we all agree NOTHING makes our homeschool run better than this.
So, are you ready? I know so many of you have been asking for this post and video! I'm so excited to share it with you!
Okay, without further adieu — Here is System #1! Be sure to watch the video below for the full details!
#1: MY CRATE SYSTEM
Overview: You are going to love this! Basically, I organize our ENTIRE year in this crate! I sort it by week for each kiddo. I assign each child a color (I color code my kids with so many things). Then, are you ready for this? I tear apart almost all of our workbooks! Shocking! I know! I don't care if it's bound. I tear it apart and section it out by the appropriate number for pages for each week! Trust me, you'll thank me later!
Materials:
- Crate designed for hanging folders
- Hanging Folders
- 3 Tab Cutless File Folders — 1 box per color (kid)
- Extra Multi-colored File Folder
#2: MY BINDER SYSTEM
Overview: I love how this system has been refined through the years. I think I finally have it the way I like it. My binder has two sets of subject dividers. The first set is for any daily work that needs to get separated out for the system above. I usually have my kids divid up their weekly work on their own. I obviously help out the younger ones. The second set of dividers is for any subjects that I want stored in the binder. This section is for final drafts or special work. Our history notebook pages get stored here.
Materials:
- Large D-Ring Binder
- Pocket Tab Dividers: 5 Subject (for daily work) & 8 Subject (for other work)
- Page Protectors — These are AWESOME for creating “re-usable” work. You just stick a worksheet inside and use a dry erase pen! Great to use when you want to have subsequent children use the worksheets.
- Binder Pouch
#3: MY CHECKLIST SYSTEM
Overview: I got so tired of not having a checklist that work perfectly for all the “hodgepodge” curriculum that I use, so I created my own checklist this year. Be sure to watch the video to see and hear how I put together each checklist & have it bound. I add lots of fun things to it. The fun “Get to Know Me” sheets can be found on this post. Note: I usually print my weekly checklists off on colored paper for each kiddo. I forgot this year and didn't feel like wasting ink, so I just used subject separator tabs (see link below).
Materials: Well, this one I just created myself. I'll try to figure out how to create some printables for you that don't require customization. 🙂
- Binding System (or office supply store)
- Binder Cover Sheet & Backing (for added protection)
- Subject Separator Tabs
#4: MY HANGING FILES SYSTEM
Overview: This system is how we store the bulk of our core curriculum. The key thing that I mention in the video for this system is that I put one file folder in each hang folder for tests. This way at the end of the year I can just toss the day-to-day work & just keep the tests.
Materials:
- Hanging Folders (I usually get the colored folders for this system)
- Colored Tabs for File Folders (this links to one color, but there are a variety there, too)
- Multi-colored File Folder (you can use what is left from your extra box)
#5: MY FOLDER SYSTEM
Overview: This is a simple system. It works great for younger kids. I separate out work by subject not day in this system. This is a personal preference. You can try it out by day or subject and go with whatever works for you.
Materials:
Check Out My New Homeschool Organization Course!
Here is the Video That Makes This ALL Come to Life!
See More of My Homeschool Organization Posts Here!
- First Day of School Fun!
- Our Homeschool Curriculum Revealed 2015-2016
- Planning Out Your Homeschool Curriculum: How to Create a Course of Study
- The End of Our School Year & The Curriculum We Used
Other Resources!
- Watch more homeschool videos on my YouTube channel
- Visit my Simply Joyful Homeschool Page!
- Check out my Homeschool Resources HERE!
**Join me on Facebook Live for Homeschool Q & A most Fridays @12pm PST! **
Follow Me on Pinterest for Homeschool Ideas
Click Here to Follow Me! Follow “Simply Joyful Homeschool” Board on Pinterest.
Emilie Sellers says
August 26, 2015 at 10:43 amI was wondering how you separate workbooks that aren’t spiral bound nor perforated for easily taking the workbooks apart.
Kristi says
August 26, 2015 at 9:15 pmHi Emilie! So, for workbooks that don’t come apart easily, I use a razor blade or scissors to slice them out. Then I divid them as usual. It doesn’t always work to take workbooks apart. But I really do try. It leaves less guess work as to what needs to get done. I really want to take apart our Bible workbook, but the assigned pages bounce back and forth. It would probably complicate things more. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by! Hope we connect more!
Hollie says
September 22, 2016 at 9:48 pmFor books that go back and forth we make multiple copies ????
Esmeralda says
August 28, 2015 at 12:26 pmHi Kristi,
I am so blessed that I came across your youTube video on homeschool organization. I had been praying, asking the Lord to give me wisedom as to how to organize my homeschool. Then I found your video. I will be using the crate system. I really like your checklist, is there a template available?
Kristi says
August 28, 2015 at 2:06 pmHi Esmeralda! I’m so happy you found my video & my blog! You are going to love the crate system. As for the template, I need to put something together. 🙂 Everyone keeps asking me for it! 🙂 I have it REALLY personalized. I’ll try to figure out a way to make it workable for everyone. Thanks for stopping by. I hope we stay connected! Blessings! Kristi
Angie Teagle says
September 2, 2015 at 11:47 pmI am LOVING your blog! This is my second year homeschooling, but I’m going from schooling one kindergartner to TWO 1st graders (our adopted son finally came home) and a preschooler who is very close to Kindergarten level. We are also doing apologia for science and I’m wondering if you also pull those notebooks apart or leave them together? I feel like there’s very little independent work to be done with Apologia aside from the copy work! Thanks so much!
Kristi says
September 3, 2015 at 6:31 amHi Angie! I love that you are loving my blog! Congrats on your adoption! That is so exciting. You will be jumping right into homeschooling multiples. No baby phase for you — but also no toddler phase (that is a tough one). As for Apologia, I didn’t pull them apart this year. I have in the past. Definitely get the junior notebook for them. For that age, it might be a good idea to pull it apart and only do the pages you think will work best for them. I added pictures and other things to the pages that we didn’t do (the back sides of the pages we did do). Hope that makes sense. Really it’s up to you. Just don’t be afraid to tear it apart. I really like how my notebook turned out that I tore apart years ago (when my oldest were 1st and 2nd). It was small and less overwhelming. Hope that helps.
Blessings,
Kristi
Jenni says
October 21, 2015 at 11:34 pmThank you so much for this blog! I, too, have been praying desperately for some guidance on how to organize our school work! I think this just might be God’s answer!!
I’m just starting my second year of homeschooling with a 5th grader, 2nd grader and a busy toddler. I’ve tried several different methods of organizing our day and our work and nothing seems to really stick!
However, I was wondering how you deal with text books, novels and such… I was thinking you could just add a sheet of paper to each week with page to page reading assignments??
Kristi says
November 14, 2015 at 12:41 pmYay! I’m so glad you found my post! It takes awhile to really find something that works for your family and that will stick. 🙂 I use that checklist I showed here on the post. I’m about to put it on my blog since so many people have liked it. 🙂 All I do is write down the books and chapters we read on that week’s list or on the blank page that is opposite the week’s work (it’s the back of last week’s work). Hope that makes sense. I’m developing an eCourse right now for it. Seems like we weren’t alone on trying to figure it all out. 🙂
Jennifer says
November 11, 2015 at 2:13 pmI just stumbled on your YouTube channel (I subscribed!) and found your video about these organizational systems. I love them all. But I love your crate system the best so I put that together today to organize for my Kindergarteners. I’ll also be doing one for my 2 2nd graders for some supplemental things I want to do with them this year and in preparation for next year (they are in a university model school this year for most classes). I didn’t have different colored folders so I just took what I had and used highlighters to create the colored tabs. BTW, just wanted to give you a tip about the folders – since each box only comes with a certain # that are cut with the tab on the right, middle, & center – for the ones on the right & left, you can simply turn the folder inside out to create the opposite tab location. Then you have enough. 🙂
I’m looking forward to exploring your site and watching your videos! Thanks for the helpful info!!
Kristi says
November 14, 2015 at 12:43 pmSo happy you found me through YouTube! You will love the crate system!! It totally revolutionized how I do things!! & yes, I do know to flip the opposite tab, but it doesn’t work for the center tabs. : I also color code my hanging files, so I end up needing extra anyway. I do wish they’d just make boxes with 40 or each tab. 🙂
Hope the crate system helps!! 🙂
Blessings and joy,
Kristi
Ashley says
December 17, 2015 at 4:08 amOrganizing is the first and foremost thing need to be taken care. A perfectly organized homeschooling gives best results.
Kristi says
February 2, 2016 at 6:49 pmI love being organized in my home, but it’s not always perfect. Glad you liked the post. 🙂
AMY says
January 7, 2016 at 7:03 amI love this idea, but I am a little confused by the 2 crates. Is #4 for completed work?
…Nevermind 🙂 I rewatched the video!!
Kristi says
February 2, 2016 at 6:51 pmI love that you answered your own question. 🙂 I’m glad you were able to figure it out. Hope you are blessed by the crate system. 🙂 I just wrote more about it. I’ll link it below.
Roxanne says
January 23, 2016 at 8:03 amHi there,
I’m just wondering why the binder system and the hanging file folder (system #4) for completed work. Do you mean one or the other? OR does work get transfered from crate (system #1)to folder(system#2) to crate system.
I love your blog, simple solutions to help this first year homeschool mom get organized!!!! It seems to be the toughest part. And I like that you don’t have seperate daily planners to fill in……thats alot of work itself. I have 6 kiddos myself!!
Thanks
Kristi says
February 2, 2016 at 7:02 pmI love that you are enjoying my blog and my organization ideas. 🙂 To answer your question, we use the binder system for the years we are creating a “notebook” or are saving special work. I guess we could just stick it all in the hanging files with the other completed work. I just like that my kids get to keep looking at their notebook pages throughout the year vs. filing them away to never be seen again. We use the binder to review information. The hanging files are for the daily work like math and grammar, etc. We use either the binder or the folders. Folders work for younger kids. Crate stores all our “to-do” work, not “done.” Did that help? I am creating an eCourse for all of my homeschool organization. It will have printables and individual videos.
Jen says
January 27, 2016 at 6:42 amHi Kristi! I am new to your blog, but I am loving it. You have such great and practical tips. I was wondering if you had made up a homeschool/chore (basically a flow of their day that I can put on paper) schedule for your little ones. I haven’t really followed one up until this point. This year, however, I am truly seeing the need for one and struggling with trying to “get it all done.” My youngest is 8 months, then 2,4,6,8, and 10. I have gathered a few ideas from others but…am having a hard time pulling it all together. If you could offer me any advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much for your blog and may God bless you!
Kristi says
February 2, 2016 at 7:07 pmI don’t have anything written out on my blog yet. Like I mentioned in my comment above, I am getting ready to create an entire eCourse on how we organize our homeschool year. I hope that will bring you more help and encouragement. I’m hoping to roll it out late spring. I’m so happy you like my blog. I did write about how I break our day into routine/time blocks. It’s in my new book, Sanity Savers for Moms. If you are subscribed, you will have received it. It is free until tomorrow (Feb. 3rd). After that it will be on Amazon. I have one chapter on routines and a printable to help create a basic flow for your day. It’s not necessarily a homeschool day printable. I will have those in the eCourse. Blessings to you and all your family. 🙂 You are a champ!! That’s some stair-steps you have in ages. 🙂
Francine says
March 25, 2016 at 10:42 pmHi Kristi
You are amazing! Thanks for taking the time to share all your systems for us organizationally challenged people.
I think I understand it. So, for history, do you put the work-to-be-done in the crate system (#1)? That would include reading lists and notebook pages right? Then, when that work has been completed, it either goes into the binder (#2) (if you want to review the work) OR the hanging file system (#4) which gets dumped at then end of the year, except the tests? Is that right?
And the checklist is a summary of all the work on one sheet for each week?
Any help you can offer is much appreciated!
Thanks
Francine
Kristi says
May 3, 2016 at 7:39 amHi there! Sorry I missed your questions when they first came through. I’m creating a homeschool organization eCourse that will go through everything in detail. 🙂 Let me try to answer your questions here though. Yes, I put our history to be done in the crate. I create notebook pages that I want us to get done for the year and stick them in. When the work is completed–we put it in one of 3 spots. If it needs to be graded or checked, it goes in an inbox area for me (divided by child). These are just stackable trays. When the work is graded or just needs to be filed, then it goes in the hanging files. If the work is part of a notebook that we are working on (like our history…or a unit study), then we keep it in order and in protective sleeves in the binder. If work needs to be referenced, then it goes in the binder as well. I’m getting better at sorting through their work as we go through the year and getting rid of busy work that doesn’t need to be saved. But for the most part, yes, we keep most of the tests and dump the day-to-day. It really depends on the subject, curriculum, and your state laws. I really hope that helped. Sorry for the delay. 🙂
Amanda says
May 3, 2016 at 7:22 amDid you ever write about workboxes?
Kristi says
May 3, 2016 at 7:32 amHey Amanda! I have the printables ready to go to get my video ready. It will be part of my homeschool organization eCourse. I’m praying I can get it up and available by the end of this month. I’ll be releasing the workbox section first! Juggling homeschooling and the needs of my family often slows me down from getting some of my blogging to-do’s done. 🙂
Oksana says
May 30, 2016 at 5:31 pmHI Kristi!
You are such a blessing to our family! I’m so grateful that God has lead me to your blog. You are so encouraging to me and other homeschooling moms. I have found your video for organizing systems on Youtube and at that moment said that this is what I have to try out this coming school year. I’m a perfectionist, so tearing apart book will go against my personality but I’m Going To Do It!!! God has been teaching me a lot through my years of homeschooling my kids and I’m so glad He is. We just finished our homeschool year and I’m trying to get my planning out of my way so I could enjoy the summer. I am a pretty organized person however there is away room to get better and I do see this system helping us out a lot and teaching my children to be more independent. Trying to set up my crate box and was looking for the folders and wanted to ask did you buy multiple boxes of the multi color? Cause it looks like there is only about 5 folders of each color in a box. May God Bless you and your family. We enjoy your posts and videos always looking forward to them.
Kristin says
June 28, 2016 at 9:42 amHi Kristi,
What a great resource for us newbie homeschooling Moms. I had a question about the Math work. You mentioned in the video that you store it in a separate place. Did I miss you say where? I have divided weekly before and it was a mess for that same reason you mentioned so I would love any tips. Thanks so much!
Kristi says
June 28, 2016 at 10:11 amYes, I sometimes store math in the front of the crate in a hanging file with the child’s name & “math” (or in another hanging file area if the crate is too stuffed). I’ve started filing it in the folders, because I’m finding that they were not getting through their work if I didn’t. We have also pulled work forward if it was too easy…or moved it back to the next week. Hope that helps. 🙂
Angela says
July 12, 2016 at 3:33 amGood post.
MGmama says
July 26, 2016 at 6:43 amWhere can I get a copy of your checklist?
Kristi says
July 27, 2016 at 10:20 pmGreat question. 🙂 I actually have it available in my new eCourse: The Ultimate Homeschool Organization eCourse. It is available as an editable PDF on the course. Hope that helps.
Brenna says
August 9, 2016 at 2:13 pmWhere did you get the colored tabs on system #5?
Kristi says
August 10, 2016 at 12:28 pmHi there! I think you mean the colored tabs on the hanging file system. I got mine years ago at an office supply store. However, you can get them at Amazon, too. Here’s a link: http://amzn.to/2aWBbiP #aff Hope that helps. 🙂
Lindsay says
August 17, 2016 at 10:12 amWhere can I get the checklist? I think this would work great with my 4th and 6th graders.
Kristi says
August 19, 2016 at 10:34 pmIt’s actually part of my Ultimate Homeschool Organization eCourse. 🙂 So, you can see more about that. (It’s linked in my menu tab above). Hope that helps.
Leslie says
August 18, 2016 at 10:46 amWhere do I find your year at a glance? The one on the crate system video. I really like how it was layer out.
Kristi says
August 19, 2016 at 10:32 pmI created it. 🙂 I actually have it available on my Ultimate Homeschool Organization eCourse. 🙂
cecilee says
August 28, 2016 at 5:06 pmDo you have a printable for your system #3 checklist system? THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Kristi says
August 31, 2016 at 11:58 pmI do, but it’s part of my Ultimate Homeschool Organization eCourse. You can check it out the course if you’d like. Everyone has been really loving it! /homeschoolorganization
Lindy says
September 8, 2016 at 12:20 pmThank you SO much for sharing your organization system with us! I’ve been homeschooling for about 2 years now (my kids are still young) and have not been able to find the kind of system that will work for us! I have tried a lot, even online planners. But I have a feeling your system will be the best for the type of curriculum we are using – which is a little bit of everything. I like the fact that it is flexible too (I think the “Week 13B” idea is brilliant!!!) – I have a baby boy of 10 months, so my schedule HAS to be flexible. I’ve always wanted to be able to plan a whole year ahead, without having everything “set-in-stone” so I think your “Week 13B” idea just might solve that problem 🙂 🙂 Again, thanks for caring & sharing 😉 Looking forward to see your Workbox system as well as I have a little one of 4 who is reeeaallly busy all the time!
Kristi says
September 15, 2016 at 4:33 pmI’m so glad you like it. 🙂 Yes, I needed flexibility. Life happens and changes too much to be rigid. 🙂
Mara says
December 11, 2016 at 6:54 pmThanks so much! I have been drowning in this unorganized mess and failing my kids’ education while overwhelmed with all the many systems others use. This is so simple and straight forward! Heading to Walmart this afternoon for a crate and file folders (I’m pretty sure I have hanging folders already). I just stocked up on school supplies on clearance at Office Max. Folders for $0.14, binders (fancy ones) for $1, and a ton more. I think I spent about $20 and the receipt said I saved $71! Score. Crate system and organized homeschool, here we come!
Kristi Clover says
January 20, 2017 at 3:40 pmAwesome!! I’m so excited!! The crate system will change your homeschool life!!
Jenny Nygren says
February 18, 2017 at 5:44 amKristy I really love your videos, your energy, how positive you are. You are very inspirational for us, homeschool Mom. Thank you and God bless you.
Kristi Clover says
February 18, 2017 at 10:33 amThanks so much, Jenny! I appreciate hearing that. 🙂
Holly B. says
May 5, 2017 at 10:43 amI love your video! I have used similar systems, but yours is so much more simple. Thank you for reminding me to find the JOY!
Kristi Clover says
May 7, 2017 at 2:22 pmI’m so glad you liked the video! I really tried to simplify everything! I have a new course out on homeschool organization, too. It has even more simple tips. (It’s on sale right now.) It took me forever to really streamline all we do in our homeschool. 🙂
Holly B. says
May 11, 2017 at 10:05 amI LOVE all your systems!!! I have currently printed all the pages for our Family Studies in the fall!!! Thank you for that tip! I was watching the video where you show the actual lesson plans you have typed by week. I think these may be included in your planner. I would love to see up close what it looks like. I tried to pause and really study the paused image, but I can’t see much. Can you post that or email me a sample? Thank you so much for your organization video!!! I think my next school year is going to be great!!!
Chris James says
September 5, 2017 at 11:31 pmWe homeschooled 10years, now joined an online homeschool, but I still follow all the traditional methods. Yes, I would say that we are not organized but we always find success in what we are doing. Thanks for your article!
Kristi says
August 26, 2015 at 9:15 pmThanks so much for linking to my blog post! Hope your readers like it! Blessings! Kristi
Kristi says
September 10, 2015 at 3:33 pmThanks so much for the link and shout out! So blessed to hear that you liked it so much!! Blessings!!!