Orientation is "introductory instruction concerning a new situation."  Your Orientation Week could accomplish some or all of the following:

1. Give an official start to your home school.

2. Start your year with a balance of fun and informative activities.

3. Introduce the various studies and activities you plan for the coming year.

4. Make your children feel settled and informed before the academic year begins.

5. Stir curiosity and provide motivation for learning specific topics.

6. Inspire efforts to reach goals.

7. Explain your expectations and procedures to your children.

8. Provide a special opportunity to discuss all aspects of your family's life -- what you will be doing, why, and how.

9. Establish your home-school routine to smooth the way for your child's enjoyment of his study experience.

10. Stir your child's excitement about the coming year.

Get Your Free Introductory Issue of Creation Illustrated Magazine! Next to the Bible, Nature Is the Greatest Teacher!     This Bible-Based Nature Journal comes with a Home- schoolers' Instructional Guide in every edition to help you teach character-building lessons from nature.     A 68-page, quality magazine for the whole family—every issue is a keepsake! See a list of features and read sample stories. Makes a great Curriculum Supplement! Order your subscription for only $14.95 (25% off) or try a free introductory issue.

 •  Choose a theme and Bible verse for back-to-homeschool Orientation Week and/or for your school year (e.g., "Study To Show Yourself Approved unto God," II Timothy 2:15).

 •  If you are going to do a unit study, you could use its topic for your theme.

 •  Or use your school motto or Family Mission Statement and Bible verse (e.g., "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," Joshua 24:15 or a variation of it, such as "Preparing To Serve").

 •  Have a planning meeting beforehand, gather ideas your children want to include, and assign each child a part.

 •  Gather your students for a prayer of dedication and a song chosen for your school or for this school year that reflects your theme or school motto.

 •  Have Dad make an official Welcome Speech after dinner as everyone sits in the living room.

 •  Dad can tell his family how happy he is that each one is part of his family and home school. Then he can present and explain his vision for the family and for this homeschool year. See Newsletter #80 on how to write your family's mission statement.

 •  Write out your family's rules and consistently require immediate, cheerful obedience.

 •  A few principles can cover most rules (e.g., Honor the Lord, Respect and Obey Parents, Be Kind to Siblings, do your work cheerfully).

 •  Explain the principles behind your rules from God's Word so that your children understand that they are obeying God, as well as you.

 •  Add and explain appropriate consequences for each broken rule and consistently apply them.

 •  See information about child training and discipline in Newsletter #45.

 •  See the biblically-based charts, such as the "If-Then Chart," at Doorposts.

 •  Some of these (brush teeth, practice the piano, help with dinner) can be added to your chore chart.

 •  Younger children are usually motivated by stickers or stars to help them establish good habits.

 •  Read about how to establish good habits in Newsletters #89 and #90.

 •  Walk through your home with your children, showing them the locations of study areas, reference and school books, supplies, and free-play areas.

 •  Make sure there are properly labeled places for all books and supplies.

 •  Help each child set up a notebook or section of a notebook for each subject or unit. In it he will keep his class syllabus (see #14 below), assignments, notes, etc.

 •  Pass out supplies to your children with any instructions for their use (e.g., messy art supplies) and their storage locations.

Inspire Your Son with The Young Men DVDs     These three DVDs provide God-honoring entertainment and encouragement for the young men in your family.     An American Adventure: The Living Legacy of Jimmy Gentry from boyhood to WWII military service and over 50 years as a renowned football coach.     Measure Twice, Cut Once provides kids of all ages with an introduction to essential carpentry skills.     Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story. His legacy as a man of resolute Christian character.     See information and view trailers for all our top-quality DVDs that set forth a vision of God-honoring family life. Franklin Springs Family Media www.franklinsprings.com

 •  Type up, tape to computer, and discuss rules for safe use of the Internet, including the length of time your child can sit at the computer.

 •  Filtered Internet service is a good start, but is only the first step in providing protection for your children.

 •  See 10 guidelines for safe computer use. The safest option is to keep Internet use in an open area, often frequented by family members, or be with your child when he is on the Internet.

 •  Discuss principles of how to study: concentration, preview, reading, note taking, review, drill of certain facts, etc.

 •  Show where to look up information in reference books in your home library or on the Internet.

 •  Explain to your children the benefits of working together, each doing his part on time and going the second mile. Find and memorize related Scriptures.

 •  Familiarize your children with your updated chore chart (with or without allowance attached) or take time to make one with your children. See Doorposts' "Service Opportunities Chart."

 •  Review expectations of exactly how and when each chore should be done.

 •  See "7 Ways To Teach Responsibility through Chores" in Newsletter #45.

 •  Assign one of your children to be Teacher's Assistant for each of your classes. Your assistant can be in charge of books, supplies, special activities, supplementary videos, etc. This will (hopefully) help you and get your child more involved as well.

 •  Dad and Mom could prepare one or more devotional times to share their goals for the spiritual growth of the family. Examples:

 •  Both Pensacola Christian College and Bob Jones University conduct Evangelistic or Revival Meetings as part of their Orientation Week.

 •  BJU's handbook explains that their rules are intended to help students by "promoting holy living by removing as much as possible the influences of worldliness and evil from a student's life while he learns to walk in the Spirit," so that the student may "develop in his likeness and usefulness to Jesus Christ."

These are great goals for Christian home-school families to adopt.

 •  Discuss goals and objectives, individually, with each child and explain how each fits into the big picture of his personal future.

 •  Ask each child what he thinks should be different in his life at this time next year.

 •  See information on setting goals and objectives in Newsletter #81.

 •  Present an overview of what your children should expect from each class.

 •  Preview the classes, discussing the purpose of the class (how the information learned will be used), the goals (what the student will learn), and the content (outline of topics).

 •  See a list in the left column, of practical uses and applications of knowledge in various subject areas.

Make it easy for your child to learn Addition, Subtraction, Division, and Multiplication Classical Math to Classical Music Series      Learning the math facts uses the time-tested principle of repetition, repetition, repetition! Now make it fun and easy with math facts set to classical music.      Bonus: Includes a mini-course in music appreciation as students learn about composers and their music.      Special Offer: 15% Off for Entire Set of Four See more than 900 products (with full descriptions and sound samples) that will make learning fun and easy for all your children at SingnLearn.com.  1-800-460-1973

 •  Introduce one of the year's courses each day during the week.

 •  Present a written syllabus that includes a course outline, book list, units/chapters, supplementary materials, assignments, and planned dates for units, tests, and activities as well as methods of assessment.

 •  If you don't have all this information now, write what you do have, especially for the first unit, and leave space to add more later.

 •  Go over your schedule (or take time to write out your "time budget") and explain the times for classes, meals, chores, family devotions, and Lights Out (regular bedtimes).  See Newsletter #220.

 •  Post copies of your schedule in several places where all can see.

 •  Explain your Master Calendar and the procedure to place an engagement on the calendar.

 •  Write out a list of activities for students to do when you are giving another student individual attention so that they can use their time constructively and work independently (e.g., older children can take turns supervising young ones or big sister or brother might do some of the tutoring).

 •  Give older children their own lesson plan books (Ferg n' Us) so they can carry on with assignments while you work with younger students.

 •  Present your collections of educational audio and video resources (such as those carried by Sing 'n Learn) to be used for occupying students' "down time."

 •  Have children practice their music (Piano for Life and Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class) or art (How Great Thou Art).

 •  Make a picture list of acceptable activities younger children can do when they are waiting for your help, such as puzzles, coloring, etc.

 •  Plan a dinner, a picnic, a special tea, a dessert reception, a pizza party, or anything festive that your family would enjoy together.

 •  This is a good event to share with another home-school family.

 •  Find a video that will both entertain your whole family and stimulate interest in your upcoming studies, e.g., history, science, or geography.

 •  See the DVDs offered by Franklin Springs Family Media that set forth a vision for the fullness of a God-honoring family life.

 •  Take photos of each child and your whole family together, frame, and hang them.

 •  Buy matching T-shirts, with or without your family's or school's name, motto, verse, or logo. These are great for field trips and to build team spirit!