Get Ready for a Successful Homeschool Year with an Organized Binder System
Starting your homeschool journey with BookShark? Or maybe you’re returning and want a smoother experience this time around? Watch our Smart Starts video to learn how to organize your BookShark Instructor’s Guide binder for easy daily use.
This short, practical video walks you through a simple, effective setup that helps you stay on track and make the most of your BookShark curriculum.
In this video, you’ll learn how to:
- Set up your BookShark Instructor’s Guide binder step-by-step
- Use tabs and dividers to separate lesson plans and activity sheets
- Organize by subjects, weeks, or students—whatever fits your family best
- Maintain your binder all year for quick reference and less daily stress
A well-organized binder is the key to confident, consistent homeschooling. Let us show you how to get started the smart way!
Watch Now and Take the First Step Toward a Well-Prepared Homeschool Routine
Follow along as we demonstrate how to put together your BookShark Binder! We used the Instructor’s Guides from the Level B All-Subject Package for this example, but the process is the same for all of our packages.
How to Organize Your BookShark Binder
A Simple Guide to Setting Up Your Instructor’s Guides for a Smooth Homeschool Year
The BookShark D-Ring Binder is specially designed to help you stay organized and make daily homeschooling easier. Whether you’re new to BookShark or setting up for another great year, this step-by-step guide will show you how to arrange your Instructor’s Guides (IGs) for quick access and efficiency, for High school levels the package comes with 2 binders as the parent/teacher instuctor’s guides are separate from the student guides
What’s Inside Each Instructor’s Guide?
Each BookShark Instructor’s Guide is divided into four sections:
Section 1: Getting Started
- Table of contents
- Program overview
- Introductory tips
Section 2: Weekly Plans and Teaching Tools
- 36-week schedule
- Daily notes and teaching instructions
- Activity sheets and answer keys (for Language Arts and Science)
Section 3: Extra Resources
- Full book list
- Scope and sequence
- Teaching tips and background information
Section 4: Support for New Users
- How to use the schedule
- Tips for adapting the program
- Proof of Purchase page
📌 Tip: Section 4 is the same in every guide. Keep one copy in your binder and save the Proof of Purchase pages from the rest.
📝 Bonus Tip: Language Arts IGs are printed on different paper than History and Science—use this to quickly spot the section you need.
Step-by-Step Binder Assembly
Follow these easy steps to set up your binder:
1. Choose the Order
Lay out your guides in the order you want to use them—usually:
History → Language Arts → Science
2. Insert Section 1
Place Section 1 of each guide before the Week 1 tab.
3. Add Weekly Materials
For each subject, place Week 1’s schedule, notes, and activity sheets behind the Week 1 tab.
Do the same for Week 2 behind the Week 2 tab, and continue through Week 36.
4. Finish with Sections 3 & 4
Add Section 3 and Section 4 materials behind their labeled tabs at the end of your binder.
Only keep one copy of Section 4, but remember to save all Proof of Purchase pages.
With a well-organized binder, you’ll streamline your homeschool routine, reduce daily prep time, and stay focused on what matters most—learning together.