How I Prep for the Homeschool Year: Faithful Foundations & Peaceful Planning
The back-to-school season doesn’t look like bus rides or lunchboxes here. It looks like prayerful planning, curriculum catalogs, and pre-sharpened pencils stacked beside the sourdough starter. At Hawthorn Homemaker, our homeschool flows from a heart of intention and grace. Each year, I spend July preparing our home, our supplies, and my spirit for the season ahead.
Homeschooling is sacred work. And while it can feel overwhelming at first, I’ve learned that with a little prep and a whole lot of prayer, it becomes a rhythm rooted in peace.
You were chosen to lead your children in this way. That calling alone means you’re equipped. Trust the pace God has set for your family—and remember, you were made for this.
Curriculum: Planning with Purpose
In May, I place our curriculum order so it arrives well before our August start date. Whether it’s Abeka, The Good and the Beautiful, or Time4Learning, I begin by reading through the teacher guides and highlighting key materials or notes. I don’t try to lesson-plan the whole year—instead, I focus on being prepared to teach, not just check boxes.
I have tried a few different curricula since we began our homeschooling journey, and I am a firm believer in the thought that there are different curricula or lessons for each season of homeschooling. Yes, like many other things in life, homeschooling has seasons. When our son was in elementary school, Abeka was what worked best for our family. I love their strong foundation in grammar and language arts. Although I will say, I did the parent-led Abeka, and cut out all the “busy work” that is intended for the Christian school setting. Once he moved into middle school, we switched paces and moved to Bob Jones Online Academy. I am still able to pick and choose his work, but he is being taught by a teacher through lessons each day. On average, it takes him about 2-3 hours to finish his work for the day.
When July rolls around, I scan everything for supplies, bookmark important pages, and get my weekly prep rhythm ready. My goal isn’t perfection; it’s peace. I just want to begin the year with confidence and clarity. This prep work before the school year starts helps me to feel more prepared for the year ahead. Another thing I love about Bob Jones is that they have a kit for all of the science supplies the kids will need throughout the year. Having those supplies in an orderable kit has saved me countless hours trying to prep and order all of the necessary items.
Supplies: Stocking Up on Simplicity
Supply prep is where I spend the most time. I take inventory of what we already have, then order what we need.
Some of our must-haves include:
– Pre-sharpened pencils (bless you, Amazon bulk boxes)
– Spiral notebooks
– Dry erase board & markers
– Educational posters
– Kid-friendly dictionary
– My homeschool planner
– Hands-on learning tools like counting bears & sight word cards
I also keep the basics stocked: crayons, markers, copy paper, and of course, snacks!
Mental & Spiritual Prep: Pouring From a Full Cup
This part is often overlooked, but it’s the most important: preparing me. Homeschooling is a calling, and I want to enter the year full of joy, not burnout.
In July, I slow down even more. I move my body daily, fuel my body with nourishing food, and create margin to rest. I make space for hobbies that fill me—reading, journaling, watching a Christmas movie in July, or splashing in the pool with my kids. I also spend more time in the Word, anchoring myself before the busy rhythm begins.
Final Thoughts
There is no single right way to prep for homeschool. Every family, every child, and every season is different. My encouragement to you? Start early, start simple, and start with grace. Let the Lord lead your prep, and He will lead your school year too.
You were chosen to lead your children in this way. That calling alone means you’re equipped. Trust the pace God has set for your family—and remember, you were made for this.
