How to Organize Your Catholic Preschool Curriculum: Practical Tips for Little Lessons Homeschooling Success

Effectively organizing your Little Lessons curriculum can greatly enhance your homeschooling experience by reducing stress, saving time, and making your daily routine smoother. This guide offers clear, practical options for organizing, printing, and managing your materials and supplies, ensuring a streamlined homeschooling journey tailored to your needs.

Printing Options for Your Little Lessons Curriculum 📑

One of the greatest benefits of the Little Lessons curriculum is its flexibility. You have multiple printing options that fit your preferences, budget, and lifestyle:

Option 1: Print the Entire Curriculum at Once

If you prefer having everything prepared from day one, you can:

• Print the entire Lesson Guide (all 36 weeks).

• Print all the printables clearly labeled by week in the corner.

This method is convenient if you're looking to have everything bound professionally and ready to go from the start.

Option 2: Print by Unit

Breaking the curriculum into smaller chunks can make the printing process more manageable. With this option:

• Print the Lesson Guide just once (there's no need to reprint this for each unit).

• Print each unit’s printables individually (Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4).

This helps keep your materials well-organized and avoids overwhelming your workspace.

Option 3: Print Week by Week

If you prefer simplicity or have limited storage space:

• Print only the Lesson Guide pages for the current week.

• Print only the corresponding printables for that week.

This keeps your workload light and allows you to focus clearly on the current lessons.

Important Tip: You Don’t Have to Print the Lesson Guide 📱

To significantly reduce printing costs, remember that the Lesson Guide is designed to be digital-friendly:

• There’s nothing in the guide you need to write on.

• It's easy to access each week's plan directly from your phone, laptop, or tablet.

This allows you to save paper and ink, providing the convenience of easy digital access.

Taking Digital Further: Partially Digital Printables 📲

For even greater savings and convenience, consider doing some printables digitally:

• Choose specific weeks to print out physical copies.

• Complete other weeks digitally using PDF markup software such as GoodNotes, Adobe Acrobat, or similar apps on a tablet with a stylus.

This hybrid approach offers flexibility and substantial cost savings on printing supplies.

Effective Organization Methods 📚

Once you've printed your materials, here are several practical ways to keep them organized:

1. Disc-Bound System (Highly Recommended) 📒

The disc-bound system is the most versatile and user-friendly binding option. It’s easy to manage, child-friendly, and ideal for homeschool use:

• Easy to add, remove, and rearrange pages without bulkiness.

• Purchase a disc-bound punch and discs online or at office supply stores.

• Clearly label each week's section for easy reference.

2. Traditional Binder System 📁

If you're comfortable using binders, you have two practical options:

Separate Binder Method:

• One binder for the lesson guide.

• One binder exclusively for printables, divided by week or unit.

Combined Binder Method:

• Insert each week's printables alongside the corresponding lesson guide pages.

• Clearly label each section by week for easy navigation.

• Utilize the clearly marked weekly ribbons in the top-right corner to sort materials.

3. Folder System 📂

A straightforward, economical approach:

• Left pocket: Printed lesson guide pages.

• Right pocket: Weekly printables.

• Optionally color-code folders for clarity and quick identification.

4. File Organizer or Expanding File 🗃️

For those who prefer compact storage:

• Store each week's lesson guide and printables in labeled pockets of an expanding file organizer.

• Alternatively, keep the lesson guide digital and store only printables physically.

Practical Supply Organization 🖍️

Keeping your homeschooling supplies orderly is essential for efficiency. Here's your supply list and organizational tips:

General Supply List:

• Dry Erase Markers

• Laminator & Laminating Sheets (or page protectors)

• Glue Stick

• Kid Scissors

• Counting Manipulatives (pom poms, buttons, mini erasers, blocks, beads, etc.)

• Playdough

• Pencils

• Crayons or Colored Pencils

• Morning Basket or Storage Container for Reusable Items

• Access to Spotify & YouTube

Additional Tips for Supply Organization:

• Laminating Tips: Laminate frequently-used printables to reduce wear and tear, making them reusable for multiple children or future use.

• Clear Labels: Use clear labels or picture labels for younger children, making it easier for them to participate in clean-up.

• Dedicated Workspace: Set up a consistent workspace or homeschooling corner where all supplies are easily accessible, reducing transition times between activities.

• Backup Supplies: Maintain a small backup stash of essentials like glue sticks, crayons, and pencils to avoid disruptions if something runs out or gets misplaced.

• Weekly Prep: Take a few minutes each weekend to ensure supplies are replenished, printables are organized for the upcoming week, and laminated items are clean and ready to go.

• Portable Storage: Consider portable organizers, such as rolling carts or tote bags, especially if your homeschooling space needs to move throughout the day or week.

• Visual Checklists: Display a visual checklist of daily supplies needed to help older preschoolers independently gather their own materials, promoting responsibility.

Flexible Approaches for Every Family 🏡

Every family has unique needs. Feel free to mix and match these organizational strategies to find what works best for your homeschooling routine. Experiment and adapt your approach to suit your evolving needs throughout the year.

Ready, Set, Organize! ✨

Setting up your Little Lessons curriculum doesn't have to be daunting. With these practical strategies, you'll have an efficient, enjoyable homeschooling experience tailored exactly to your family’s needs.

Do you have a favorite organizational method or additional tips? I'd love to hear from you! Share your experiences or reach out with questions anytime. Don't forget to tag us on Instagram @allsaintsplay—we'd love to see how you're using and organizing your Little Lessons curriculum! 📸✨