8 Productive Things to Do Now to Get Ready for Your New Homeschool Year

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As the summer months roll in, it’s the perfect time to start thinking ahead and getting ready for the new homeschool year!

Whether you’re a veteran homeschooler with your own routine or a brand-new homeschool mom preparing for your first year, a little planning now can make a big difference when August rolls around.

These are the eight things I personally like to work through in June and July—spreading them out so nothing feels overwhelming. I hope sharing my routine helps you feel more confident and prepared too!

1. Clean and Organize Your Homeschool Space

This is always my first step. Over the course of a school year, things pile up—books, supplies, papers, and more. Taking the time to clean everything out gives you a fresh start and a blank slate for the year ahead.

• Toss or donate anything you no longer need.
• Deep clean your homeschool space (I even have my kids clean out their desks—yikes!).
• Set up an area for curriculum and supplies, especially if you’re homeschooling for the first time.

Also, now is a great time to think through how you’ll store your children’s work. File folders, binders, or even digital storage—find what works for you so you’re not scrambling mid-year or during portfolio season.

2. Plan Out Your Homeschool Year

Even if you’re more of a relaxed homeschooler, it’s helpful to sketch out your year:

• Choose a start date and a rough end date.
• Add in any planned vacations or breaks.
• Count up your available school days and see how they line up with your curriculum.

I use Homeschool Planet to organize everything digitally, but you can also use a simple year-at-a-glance calendar and colored pens. This isn’t about locking yourself into a rigid schedule—it’s about giving yourself a framework and peace of mind.

Prefer pen and paper planners? Check out this post for my top homeschool planner recommendations.

3. Take Inventory and Shop for Supplies

One of my favorite parts of homeschool prep is the school supply haul! But before you go shopping:

• Check your current supplies so you don’t overbuy.
• Review teacher manuals to see what’s needed for each curriculum.
• Make a list and keep it handy—especially for items you can’t purchase until later (like perishables for science).

4. Familiarize Yourself with Teacher Manuals

Even if your curriculum is “open and go,” it’s still helpful to read the teacher guides before you begin. You’ll learn:

• How lessons are structured
• How to assign grades
• What kind of prep might be needed

I usually do this about a week before we begin a new subject, so it’s fresh in my mind. Especially if you’re adding new curriculum this year, take a little time to prepare.

5. Create Your Homeschool Routine

Rather than a strict schedule, I prefer a daily rhythm that keeps us on track without feeling rigid. A loose routine helps:

• You stay focused and feel organized
• Kids know what to expect
• You manage multiple kids and subjects more easily

Write out what your ideal homeschool day looks like—and remember, flexibility is key. Also consider how your kids will track assignments. We use Homeschool Planet for this too, and I love that my older kids can see what’s expected each day and work independently.

Get my best tips for planning your homeschool year like a pro in this post!

6. Plan Book Baskets or Library Trips

When we used My Father’s World curriculum, it included a “book basket” time with recommended supplemental reading. Whether your curriculum suggests it or not, having themed books on hand is a great way to encourage reading.

• Look ahead and reserve books at the library.
• Add library trips into your schedule (pencil them in at least once a month!).
• Keep a rotating selection of books available at home for your kids to browse.

Libraries are a treasure for homeschool families—use them often!

7. Plan Your First Day of School

Even if you don’t do a full start-all-at-once approach, it’s fun to mark the first “official” day with a little celebration.

Here’s what we do:

• Special breakfast (funfetti pancakes or donuts!)
• First day of school photos
• “All About Me” printables
• Fro-yo after school—a yearly tradition!

Check out our first day of homeschool this past year in the video below, and be inspired to plan out your own.

Think about how you’d like to start your homeschool year—your own little first day of homeschool traditions can make it memorable for your kids.

8. Pray Over Your Year

This is the most important step, and really one to carry with you through the whole year.

Pray for:

• Patience and perseverance
• Your children’s hearts and salvation
• Wisdom in teaching
• Joy in the journey

If you’re not already in the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, now is a great time to set your intentions for the new year.

I love resources like Bible Study Fellowship and The Bible Recap, and I also invite you to join me every Monday for my Homeschool Prayer Challenge—a short devotion and prayer to lift up your homeschool each week.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to do all of these things to be a great homeschool mom. But taking time to prepare in advance, in a way that fits your personality and family rhythm, can make the transition into the new school year much smoother.

If you’ve got a tip for preparing for the homeschool year, I’d love to hear it—drop it in the comments!

Related Posts

• Homeschool Tracking Does NOT Have to Make You Crazy!
• How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum: Tips to Ease the Overwhelm
• 15 Homeschool Planners That Will Simplify Your Planning

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