The Organized Home Schooler

Let me say right off that if you are not a Christian, you will not like this book. On the other hand, if you are a Christian and want to become more organized, this is the book for you. It was invaluable to me! I am a pretty organized person, but with three small children (6, 4, and 2) and starting to homeschool, my organizational skills were definitely challenged. This has great ideas for organizing all your homeschool materials. She also challenges the way you think and your heart attitudes about things. She goes to the spiritual source that we need to start with. EXCELLENT BOOK FOR CHRISTIANS!!!

Probably the number one comment I get as a homeschool mother is, "Oh, you homeschool?! How do you ever do it?! I am not that organized." I have had many a friend tells me that they would consider homeschooling if they thought they could be organized enough to actually do it some justice. I think that not only with homeschoolers, all of us seek ways to improve our ability to manage the tasks we are faced with each day. Vicki Caruana, a former public school teacher and veteran homeschooler who speaks at conventions across the country, has done well in her book, "The Organized Home Schooler", to explain the desire we have for order in our homeschooling. She gets down to the root of the matter - the God who created us put inside us a need for orderliness! Using scripture, Vicki helps you see that the matter is not merely a matter of the mind, but of the HEART. Vicki adds wonderful bible verses and checklists at the end of each chapter for the reader to follow along. This book is not only a helpful tool to teach you new ways to get your school, home, and life more organized; it is a bible study for your soul! The book takes you through so many wonderful topics that most people overlook when trying to start a new time management system. Vicki starts first with, "Why Organize?" and follows with "Organize Your Thoughts". She continues with "Organize your Time" and "Organize Your Space". Some homeschoolers are given to remain shut in and others are so busy coming and going that they meet themselves along the way. Some homeschoolers are hands-on learners and others learn mainly from books and movies. Some homeschoolers use a boxed curriculum or a computer program and others are eccentric and own a little of everything on the market. We all have a responsibility to have an aim or goal in mind when educating, though. I loved her comment, "Everything we do within our homeschools should lead us to the goals we have set with our children. It is so easy to get distracted and get off track. You might receive a homeschool support group newsletter outlining all the field trips they have planned for the year, and you sign up for many of them. There's nothing wrong with going on field trips or engaging in activities on the spur of the moment. But I caution you to not make a habit of it. The more time we spend away from home, the less time we have to work on the business at hand. I strongly recommend that all, or as many as possible, activities relate to attaining the goals you have set forth." Vicki can be called none other than the Master of Organization! She gives a three step process she uses to stay focused on her homeschooling goals which can be used for her other topics as well. While discussing the organization of time, she gives a checklist test for you to find out if you are disorganized with your daily activities. I found this activity very helpful and insightful (even if I've flunked it almost every time I've taken it). She has many diagrams, checklist

As a self-proclaimed 'messie' I have been led to read many organizational books. It was so refreshing to find this book which combined the two desires of my heart; to one, transform myself spiritually not just physically, and two, minister to my family's specific needs as we homeschool. This book addresses the specific heart issues that can challenge you, and gives scriptures of encouragement to feed the soul. Vicki also gives many practical insights to inspire one to adapt to their families specific needs. As soon as I discovered it, I bought one for myself and promptly bought 2 more and gave them to friends. I highly recommend it.

I loved this book not just for the wise homeschooling principles/organizational guidelines, but also general, overall organizational tips.Vicki is helpful, informative, insightful and understanding. She even emphasizes organizing the home library and while step by step helps aren't given, it certainly gives food for thought. I am brand new to homeschooling and this book has given me confidence to step forward on this new path.

Vicki Caruana has hit the nail on the head with this book! It speaks directly to not just homeschoolers but everyone who needs help with the organization of daily life. Based on Biblical principles Mrs. Caruana has explained that God is the perfect organizer and expects us to be "in His image". Thank you Vicki for your timely wisdom in a very un-organized time.