Educational Plan

Write your educational plan in under 15 minutes

For most of us, the most intimidating part of homeschooling may very well be writing an educational plan. This sounds so formal and legal, rendering the experience ... a little scary, especially if you're new at homeschooling, and not even sure where to begin.

This is your road map to write a clear and thoughtful educational plan in 10 to 15 minutes. Keep in mind that I consider educational plan to be a living document, meaning that it should (and most likely will) change over the course of your homeschooling journey. Let's dive in!

the 15 minutes plan framework

Whenever a task feels daunting, in my opinion, the best approach is to break down into small manageable steps. Before you set yourself to the task, read through this page quickly. It will shape the vision of your educational plan.

STEP 1 - Identify your guiding framework.

Determine which grade your child should be placed at. 
As an example, a child in year 3, in NSW, would be in Stage 2. From there, aim at assessing if your child is indeed, working at that level, OR needing revision by revisiting stage 1, OR working at a higher level, and needing more stimulation, so your child would be then aligning with stage 3.

Find the key learning outcomes set by your local (state or territory) homeschooling authority, based on your child's current stage of development, as well as the school grade they would typically be placed in.

STEP 2 - Add your method & style

If you know which approach or methodology you will follow, write this down. If you are unsure, consider these questions:
               - Does your child/ren and family thrive more with an establish structure? or something more rhythmic? 
               - Would you prefer to work with pen and paper? or will you be predominantly digital? 
               - Is there a specific program you would like to follow? Is there a philosophy you adhere to (Montessori, Steiner, Charlotte Mason)? Or will it be a mixed of paid curriculum and specific philosophy?

STEP 3 - Map out the Key Learning Areas.

Now that you have your list of key learning areas, jot them down - adjust per your state, but roughly it would look like this:
English / Literacy
Mathematics
Science
Humanities and Social Sciences (HSEA)
Creative Arts
Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
Technologies

For each of this area, write 1-2 sentences, by answering the following questions:
               - What kind of activities or resources will you use?
               - How will you encourage learning in this area?
This is where your choice of educational philosophy comes into play.

Example 1 - English
We will support literacy through daily reading aloud or listening to audio books, independent reading, creative writing prompts, and simple grammar lessons. We will use age-appropriate readers, which we will source from our local library, and journaling. We may supplement with worksheets on specific concepts.

Example 2 - English
Resources we will use:
                 - Age-appropriate readers
                 - Excel workbooks
                 - worksheets from Twinkle

Example 1 - Science
For science, we have decided to invest into a paid curriculum [name the curriculum]. We will be undertaking science activities formally once a week. We will follow up with other hands-on activities when [child's name] shows a particular interest in a specific theme. 

Example 2 - Science
Resources we will use:
                 - Science kits, such as Kiwi Co
                 - Make science fun, by Jacob Strickling
                 - Outdoors observations and nature walks
                 -  Hands-on activities based on [child's name] specific interest

STEP 4 - Personalised Notes

If you have the time and the inclination, you could add a personal touch here. You might include a short outline of your goals for the registration period. This gives the assessors insight into your vision and your child's individual learning path, especially if it is your first time registering.

If your child is working at a different stage than what would be typically assigned by age, it's helpful to explain that here. This shows that you're responding to your child's actual development, and not just ticking boxes.
[Child's name] would ordinarily be placed in Stage 2 at school. However, based on our observations, we feel they are currently working at Stage 1 level. We will therefore focus on consolidating foundational learning before moving into Stage 2 outcomes.

Or, if your child is working ahead of the expected stage:
{Child's name] would typically be placed in Stage 2, but their current development aligns more closely with Stage 3. We will be using resources and activities that support this level of engagement and learning.

Finally, wherever your child is at, it's helpful to acknowledge their unique learning rhythm and support needs in your educational plan. This gives context to your choices and communicates that you're intentionally adapting the learning environment to suit them.
[Child's name] would typically be placed in Stage 2 at school. However, we recognise that their current learning needs are better supported through a focus on Stage 1 outcomes, especially for Math. We will be offering gentle, consistent support to help them consolidate foundational skills at their own pace.

OR
[Child's name] would typically be placed in Stage 2 at school. However, they currently demonstrate strengths in Stage 3 outcomes, particularly in Literacy, and require more time and support with Stage 1 and 2 outcomes in Math. Our plan is designed to meet them and to provide them for where they are.

If they require significant accommodations:
{Child's name} has very specific needs that affect how they engage with learning. We are prioritising emotional safety, flexibilty, and interest-led learning while gently working toward core outcomes. Adjustments will be made as needed to reduce overwhelm and support their wellbeing.


And this is it! Collate all your answers into a document and you have your educational plan written, Here is the link to "How to write your personal philosophy of education", the soul and the core of your homeschooling journey. But for now, take a breath and pour yourself a cuppa! Your plan is a start and enough, right now.

If you would like further help shaping your plan, you can always book a planning session with me.