The new year is a time to reflect on life. It is a time to think and plan and look to the future. It is a time to dust the bunnies off of shelves, suck the hairballs from under desks, and clean up candy remnants stuck to the bottom of chairs. It is a time to cry alligator tears while you scrap curriculum that just doesn’t work for you, plan new subjects and studies that are sure to torture your kids, and contemplate how you’re out of pencils when you bought 500 Ticonderoga in August…

Homeschool is a living, breathing organism and no year is alike. I always like to evaluate everything before the new year and take a fresh look at things. Here are some things I do:

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Reflect and Review

This means face reality. I have scrapped curriculum that I paid good money for that just doesn’t work for us. I have had tough conversations with my kids about how they are handling certain subjects or activities. Homeschool revolves around the family, and is only successful if it works for the family.

• Assess what worked and what didn’t in the previous year.
• Gather input from your kids about what they liked or struggled with. My high schooler is struggling to keep up in some subjects. I am helping her implement some new strategies that will keep her on track.
• Reflect on your homeschool goals and adjust as needed.

Organize and Declutter

I like to refresh things before the new year. For me this means rearranging supplies, papers, bookshelves, and whatever else I can find. While I’m rearranging, I give everything a good cleaning. Moving things around always seems to make everything feel fresh and new for some reason. It is also a great time to take inventory of supplies and anything I may need for the next few months. Some things to refresh:

• Bookshelves are my #1 thing. My kids never seem to put books back on the right shelf, and my shelves probably need a good dusting anyway.
• Refresh desks or bins, or whatever your kids use to store their things. Mine each have a little rolling cart (love these). It’s just big enough for their Bible, pens, pencils, markers, etc. You wouldn’t think they would get absolutely disastrous, but here we are….
• Refresh any educational posters, pictures, or timelines on the wall.
• Make a list of needed supplies for science experiments, history projects, art supplies, etc. I am also ordering a few books that my girls will need to read to finish the year.

Refresh Your Schedule

Time changes things, and sometimes I need to take a long, hard look and see what is working, and what is not. Flexibility is the beauty of homeschool, and that means change is sometimes necessary. I like to look at our daily routine and see if I can tweak something to make our days go smoother. I look at our yearly plan which includes holidays, breaks, and field trips, and see if we are on track.

• Adjust your daily routine or weekly schedule based on your family’s current needs.
• Include time for breaks, family devotions, outdoor activities, and free play.
• Add a “flex day” or buffer time for catch-up or creative projects.

Read: Homeschooling with Intention: Schedule & Routine for Daily Success

Introduce Something New

The new year is a great time to start something new! We are starting a new subject for my 5th grader….ASL. She already does it casually with her older sister who is in her 2nd year of ASL (high school). Learn How to Sign has a new homeschool curriculum that we will implement. We have the lifetime membership which gives access to their courses and discounts for special ones. It will be great for them both to be able to learn and communicate with each other. We are also starting a new health curriculum which I will post more about later on. We are adding some short educational trips in the spring. Some things to consider in the new year:

• Trying a new curriculum or teaching method for subjects needing improvement.
• Incorporate hands-on projects, field trips, or interest-based learning.
• Start a new family tradition, like a weekly Bible study or a Friday fun day.

Examine

I am also refreshing myself during this Christmas break. I am checking my priorities in all areas of life. It is certainly not always easy to juggle the responsibilities we have as moms. I am praying that God will use me to influence my children in being lifelong learners of His Word. As I am evaluating things, I realize I want to do some new things that will help them (and me) draw closer to the Lord in their daily lives.

What are your some ways you reset your homeschool for the new year? Share your tips or goals in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you! And if you found these ideas helpful, don’t forget to share this post with your fellow homeschoolers. Let’s inspire each other to make this year the best one yet!

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves...
II Corinthians 13:5