Donna Young's Blog

I could help and post some things about you. :D

But, would you REALLY want me to do that?

— Appliejuice · Feb 25, 09:15 PM · #

She probably doesn`t want our help.

— Elaine · Feb 26, 12:32 AM · #

I might need help, it just depends on what you are going to say. :D

— Donna Young · Feb 26, 03:08 AM · #

Hey! You`re a real person! With a quirky sense of humor just like me!! I love it! I have been so blessed by your web page so imagine my delight to find a blog. Love your VitaMix!! :) I will be back to read your ramblings! You`re a lady after my own heart! Hee hee!

— Amy · Mar 12, 01:38 PM · #

I am real! :D I`ve been confused with some sort of an organization more times than I can count. it is even been suggested that Donna Young is not my real name.

— Donna Young · Mar 13, 01:51 PM · #

First, I must thank you for sparing us re-inventing the wheel so to speak. I wanted to email you but couldn`t find an address.

I am wondering if you have seen the new WWW 3000. I am seriously considering them but am hopeing they are an improvement over the dull ones you mentioned.
God Bless You and Your Family

— Cheryl · Apr 2, 01:21 AM · #

Hello Cheryl, :)
I did not know there was a new version of WWW 3000.

— Donna Young · Apr 2, 03:40 PM · #

"I am real!" We still think you are computer generated. :)

It is hard to believe your computer is already four years old. I remember when you bought it. That is one geeky computer.

— Michelle · Apr 4, 02:20 PM · #

I also like your blue computer; seeing as how I have benefited greatly from it is `output`.

— Sheri · Apr 6, 01:46 AM · #

Hello, I am a stahm of 7 with one on the way. We also have two who have flew the coop You, have no idea how much your website has blessed me this year in particular. Money is extremely tight this year and I was able to use so much. Thank you for all the hard work. Your blog page is geat too. You seem to have a great sense of humor. I finally looked at your link for the CD. Plan on learning more when it isn`t so late in the evening. Have a great weekend.

— Randi Sanders · Aug 10, 03:20 AM · #

Hi Donna, thank you for all the work you`ve put into this great website! Toni

— Toni Oizumi · Aug 18, 05:19 PM · #

Thank you. Your website is a blessing.

— Tlowery · Aug 21, 02:45 AM · #

Donna it has been quite a few years that I have been using stuff from your website. I refer people to your site all the time whenever the subject of "forms" comes up. I just started Weight Watchers and yours was the first place I thought of to plan my weekly menu - which I used to do but have since put "on the shelf" so to speak. Anyway I thought it was about time I said THANK YOU!!!!! I really appreciate all the time and energy you put into the things you do. I had no clue you had a blog but now that I found that I will be on here too. Too funny - it just occured to me that I have been telling people for a long time that I thought you were an artist and must do this on the side! So I assume the "Donna Young com" website must not be yours also?! I am a dork!!! :roll:
Well I am glad to read that you will keep things up and running even after your baby is out of the nest. We all depend on your fabulous stuff and appreciate you!!!!!!
Shelley

— Shelley · Oct 1, 01:26 AM · #

Just a quick thank you for the wonderful resources on your site! I am homeschooling my 4 children (we are expecting #5 in April!), and we travel ALOT> Your site is a blessing for making lessons on the road, as well as for supplementing our curriculum.
Ijust discovered your art lessons and am rather enthused about introducing them to my 8-year old daughter, who loves art! Thank you!

— Heidi · Oct 1, 12:06 PM · #

Donna,

I`ve really loved your website - especially the handwriting section. I do have a question: do you have any suggestions for teaching a left-handed child to write?

Thanks again!
Brenda

— Brenda Butler · Oct 2, 04:02 PM · #

Hi Donna...
I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for all the printable sheets.

Karen

— Karen · Oct 9, 03:18 AM · #

You`re the best.

— Donna · Oct 17, 05:09 AM · #

THANKYOU DONNA....IS..ALLLLL..I CAN SAY ...(and I am glad I stumbled upon this site to GET THE CHANCE..to say it!!..from homeschooling on down ..I MEAN..THANKYOU...Michele S. Murfreesboro TN (transplanted from NYC)

— Michele Swagemaker · Oct 23, 12:19 PM · #

I just wanted to say Thanks..

— Michele Swagemaker · Oct 23, 12:23 PM · #

You are welcome Michele! I am in TN also.

— Donna Young · Oct 23, 01:19 PM · #

I just want to say thanks. I am an american up in Canada, cut off from most homeschoolers, so this is great. You have helped us so much, my daughter`s handwriting is improoving! You and your husband have put so much time and we appreciate it so much. There is not too much out there where people give without wanting back. You are a tremendous blessing. We are on such a tight budget.

— Lisa · Oct 31, 11:15 AM · #

Hi Donna
I accidentally stumbled upon your website thru a google search for homeschool helps. I was specifically looking for book report forms. I was pleasantly surprised to find several forms that I can use. This is the first year for homeschooling for me and my oldest son. I am hoping that it goes well and that I can keep doing it. Thanks for the wonderful information.

Mimz (from KY)

— mimz · Nov 8, 05:26 AM · #

I found your website as I was looking for some new ideas that would be appropriate for my K-4 classroom. I teach in one of the larger urban cities and have a great need for any help as my class size grows larger every year (30 this year) and the children seem to have fewer skills. Many of my children haven`t held a crayon, do not know colors, and cannot recognize any letters or numbers nor differentiate them. Your website gave me some great ideas. Thanks! Joanne

— Joanne · Nov 10, 10:45 PM · #

Hello, I just wanted to stop by and say thank you. I am a happily married Father... who does the teaching for homeschooling when we have done it. I am looking at beginning again as the reality of middle schol and jr high have me greatly concerned, too much teach of the wrong sort going on in the classrooms and in the hallways...

Thank you for your site. I just found it so I will not say I have used it yet.

God Bless,

Emmett

— M. Emmett Townsend · Nov 29, 05:50 AM · #

Thank YOU BIG TIME!!!!
I have visited your site numerous times, and refered it. But just stumbled upon my problem solver by starting from scratch. Approaching your site like I had never been here before. Found my answer, never saw it before, or I just wasn`t in the right frame of mind. The quarter planner checklist, THANK YOU, IS Brilliant! Just absolutely BRILLIANT.

Keeping track of how we are progressing versus where I thought we were going to be, or seeing that we are ahead. When I read how to use it.. my light bulb went off like a spotlight. Bless you, bless you, bless you! It never occurred to me to track the progress in this way, were I can see each subject comparatively.

Am even thinking of adapting the concept to my household- cleaning of rooms, versus cleaning closets, washing windows... etc.. when was the last time I had done what. Not sure how.. but it is an idea will be turning over in my head. Thanks again.

— jj · Dec 15, 08:31 PM · #

JJ thanks for commenting.
The checklist and quarter planners were born from my planner frustration. My Kids loved the checklist. It tickled them to see their school day get checked off one by one.

— Donna Young · Dec 18, 02:13 AM · #

dear donna,
i just wanted to thank you for all the work you have put into your site for homeschoolers. most of us are on tight budgets and it is a huge blessing to be able to get already designed forms and pages for free. it is greatly appreciated. people like you make the world a better place!
c.g.

— caren gazley · Jan 19, 12:06 AM · #

Donna,

I have been so blessed by your website. I cannot even begin to tell you. I hope you will keep it around for a long time. It was so good to find your blog and see your face. If I could I would give you a hug. Thanks for giving of yourself to do this for free. By the way, my name is Amber, I live in Mississippi and this is our 6th year homeschooling. I have a son in the 10th grade and your high school pages are terrific!! Also, I am now looking at your home management pages. We were hit by Katrina in 2005 and are still repairing our home, while we live in it. So, your pages are a big help to me in making some kind of organization out of this. Thanks so much. May the Lord richly bless you and your family. Amber

— Amber Cosman · Jan 29, 05:34 PM · #

Thank you Amber and it is very nice to meet you.

— Donna Young · Jan 29, 08:41 PM · #

Hello, Donna!
We have often used your calendars for planning. Today I wanted to type assignments on a printed calendar but couldn`t. Do you have any on your website that allow a person to type in before printing?
Thanks,
Helen

— Helen · Feb 14, 12:59 AM · #

None of the pdf calendars can be typed on in the way that you want. I have typeable pdf lesson planners in "Sets" here:
http://donnayoung.org/forms/planners/portfolio.htm

Edit: I had several requests for a typeable calendar, so now I have them. A caveat - they are in doc format which requires software that opens doc. (such as Microsoft Word)
http://donnayoung.org/calendars/dated/index.htm

— Donna Young · Feb 14, 03:10 PM · #

Donna,
Do you have any grade programs for a 9 week course? I love your excel grade program but it is set up for 6 weeks.



Stacey, I emailed you.

Donna

— Stacey · Feb 29, 09:03 PM · #

Hi Donna,

I have been considering full-time home schooling for 2 years and am about to take the plunge. I have had your page book marked for a long long time. I am anxious to get a plan laid out for next year so I am thankful to you for doing so much of the leg work for me. I plan on utilizing a lot of what you seem to have poured your heart and soul into and can`t wait. I will keep you posted as I begin this journey!

Denise M. (Austin, TX)

— Denise · Mar 3, 01:34 AM · #

Hi Denise, welcome to homeschooling!

— Donna Young · Mar 4, 11:00 PM · #

I found your sites today and I am just in awe. We are homeschooling a first grader (and a pre-schooler) and knowing I will be so blessed by your sites, I pray that you are blessed in return!

Thank you LauraLee! Welcome to homeschooling! :)

— LauraLee · Mar 11, 01:04 AM · #

Hi Donna,

I just wanted to say a great big thank you for your site. I`ve only been home-schooling for a few months, and it was all a bit chaotic till I stumbled across your forms through a Google search! It has been a life saver! I have 5 children, and your site has inspired me in more ways than you can imagine! THANK YOU!

Rita, from London, UK

— Rita · Apr 6, 06:18 PM · #

Rita, you`re welcome! it is nice to meet you!

— Donna Young · Apr 7, 04:05 PM · #

Hi Donna,
I stopped by your site today - it is the first time I`ve seen it with its new look! I think it looks fantastic! Thank you so much for everything you`ve done over the years. You`ve definitely helped me teach my four girls by reading your site, and using some of your resources, and I am very grateful!
God Bless,
Michelle K.

 

Thank you Michelle!
Donna Young

— Michelle K. · Apr 30, 08:05 PM · #

Hi Donna --
Our first year of home school is almost over !! I have used your site several times over the past school year and want to say THANK YOU!
Our children, 7th and 8th grade, have been enrolled in an home school academy this year. Because of expense, we will be "going it on our own" this year. In the academy we used primarily the ACE curriculum. I added Apologia Science and Wordly Wise Vocab. I am currently trying to make choices for next year. I wonder what your opinion (and any one else reading this) is of the ACE curriculum? The kids like it, but it is been their only experience with home school curriculum. I have read some good things in my research, but also some not-so-good comments.
I would be very interested in what you have to say!
Thanks for your time and for your web site!
J.D.

— Jeanette Dutter · May 15, 11:55 AM · #

Hi Jeanette
Congratulations on your first year! Homeschooling is pretty awesome isn`t it

Like you, I have heard mixed reviews of ACE. I have never personally used it, so I can`t say anything from experience. Best wishes to you in your curriculum search!

Blessings,
Donna

— Donna Young · May 15, 01:11 PM · #

I just wanted to say, "THANK YOU". What a wonderful service you provide to homeschoolers. May the Lord richly bless you!

— Laura · Jun 12, 02:58 AM · #

Hi Donna,

My name is Tammy and I am a single mother of three beautiful, smart, and talented children. I am interested in a charter school of some sort for one of the daughters. She is an honor student and a gymnast who trains 25 hours a week. I work 36 hours a week, so homeschooling doesn`t work for us. She is usually up very late doing her homework and managing to get by, but I`d like so try and make it a bit easier for her. Gymnstics is a very important part of her life; and she hopes to earn a gymnastics / academic scholarship is UCLA. It is her goal to major is education and minor in fashion design. I know she is still young (only 12), but she`s got it going on. We live in Corona, California, and I was hoping you could suggest a charter school that may work for us. Thanks for your help.

Tammy Jerue
pround mother of 3


From Donna:
Tammy I am unfamiliar with California. I hope you can find a charter school for your daughter.

— Tammy Jerue · Jul 18, 02:39 PM · #

I am so happy to find your site today. I homeschool three of my four boys and needed to get pumped up about this coming year. I think finding your site did just that. Thanks. I hope you do not leave anytime soon now that your kids are done. I just found you...do not leave!
Heidi (hi-d)
Newnan, Georgia

— Hi-d · Jul 21, 06:24 PM · #

Hello Heidi and best wishes this coming year! :)

I hope to keep the site open as long as possible.

— Donna Young · Jul 21, 06:30 PM · #

Donna, I found your website while searching and hoping to find a few little spreadsheets.... I wasn`t expecting to find your site. I am thrilled and grateful. You have made my life easier. You are a blessing to many of the younger homeschooling moms like myself. I already had an order ready for CBD, but I am going to empty my cart and go back to their site using the link from your site. Is there anything else I should do to make sure you get the benefits of the link? Many blessings to you!

Allison

— Allison · Jul 22, 12:35 AM · #

Allison, thank you so much. Going through the CBD link ought to be enough.

Thank you for mentioning the spreadsheets. I need to gather up all of my spreadsheet links and put them on one page for easier access for those who prefer spreadsheets.

— Donna Young · Jul 22, 01:09 AM · #

Donna,
Just wanted to say thank you for the ruled school calendar page. I have used it for years and I can`t imagine doing my school planning without it. Thanks for sharing all your hard work with homeschoolers.
Here`s to you
Lisa

— Lisa · Jul 22, 12:41 PM · #

Yum coffee!

Thank you Lisa!

— Donna Young · Jul 22, 01:48 PM · #

Donna, we are also involved in CAP - 3 of our children are cadets. How do you keep a transcript record or give them academic credit for the aerospace and leadership curriculums that they complete in the Civil Air Patrol program?

— Dana · Jul 26, 02:45 AM · #

Hello Dana,

I did not record my son`s work in CAP for school credit although I could have, he already had enough credits for graduation. What we did do is we kept track of the other things that he did and counted it as extra-curricular activities.

If you want to count the aerospace educational program, I believe that would be one credit in science, but it takes around two years to earn that. Perhaps one of the senior members can confirm that.
Best wishes! My son is a senior member with CAP now. Time flies, enjoy it.

— Donna Young · Jul 27, 12:59 AM · #

Hi there, Donna!

Thank you for the time and effort that you`ve put in to your website. It has been such a blessing to me! Today, I printed out the 2-student lesson planner, as I am preparing for our upcoming school year. How fun! My one question.....is there a way of typing in some of my copywork on any of your pages? I know there`s a 4-day handwriting page that says "type here", but I couldn`t figure out how to get it to work. Do you have any tips for a person with limited computer knowledge? Should I be able to type on that handwriting page? Thanks for everything!!

Jamie B.
Home schooling Mom from Montana

— Jamie Barnosky · Jul 28, 05:03 PM · #

Hi Jamie,

The only completely typeable forms that I have are the ones that are made for a word processor. On the download pages, I usually call those doc format or rtf format. I have some spread sheet formats too. Many of my doc formats are on this webpage: http://donnayoung.org/forms/planners/rtfforms.htm

Regarding that handwriting paper pdf that says Type here: I have added an image to go along with that file. The image tells how to do it. I`ll link the page: http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/sm-pre-cursive.htm

— Donna Young · Jul 28, 10:00 PM · #

Donna, I have been using your site for quite a while now and I just wanted to take the opportunity to THANK YOU for providing such wonderful free resources to the homeschooling community.

You are a true saint. Thank you for your time and hard work.

— Janne · Jul 30, 01:13 PM · #

Hi Donna,

This is our first year homeschooling - 7th grade and K4. A friend encouraged me to check out your web site. All I can say is WOW!!! I am blown away by all the great worksheets and information you have put together for us.

Thank you so much for dedicating your time to benefit all of us newbies and pros alike.

You have truly blessed our family.

Donna I.
Summerville, SC

— Donna Ilderton · Aug 19, 12:31 AM · #

Donna,
I am a first time homeschooler(my son is starting Kindergarten) your website has helped me feel more at ease with getting started. I want to thank you for all your hard work!
Thank you
Melissa in Germany

— Melissa K · Aug 23, 06:04 AM · #

Janne, Donna Ilderton, and Melissa K you are very welcome and thank you for writing!

— Donna Young · Aug 23, 03:35 PM · #

Hi Donna-

I just found your website today and I was very impressed! You sure put a lot of work into that. I love some of your grading forms, but I do have some questions on them. I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this,but here I go! I love your grades and attendance points form under the weighted version. I was wondering is it possible to add more subjects on the information page and then add more sheets to match up with them? I was trying to do this, but I could not make the formulas work out.

Thanks for any help that you can give me.

Shari

— Shari Miller · Sep 2, 01:19 AM · #

Hello Shari, you asked .."is it possible to add more subjects on the information page and then add more sheets to match up with them?"

It is possible to do that, but it could take some time.

— Donna Young · Sep 2, 02:02 AM · #

I came across you website due to me trying to find vocabulary words for my now 4th grader. She was moved out of an excellent school, because of us relocating. The school she is in now is not the best. I want her to on track and/or maybe ahead. After viewing different sites, yours had the most helpful words that she could study at home.

I also have a seventh grader. If possible could you post a vocabulary list or anything helpful, that seventh graders should know or learn?

— Concerned Mom · Sep 11, 02:46 PM · #

What a surprise to open up this page to find this cute sassy homeschool mom smiling back at me! I am in my (about) 100th year of homeschooling, but because I was following a specific curriculum, I did not need any help (HAHA!). Starting this year, we have custody of a 14 year old who we rescued from the public school system in our town... PLUS... I am homeschooling a dear little 11 yr old boy from our church who is a product of a bad homeschool and Christian school experiences (read: very far behind also!). So, these kiddos needed to be hand fed and this tired momma needed planners, schedules, etc. I started making my own and viola! I found you. Thank you ever so much. I (kind of) envy you - your last year. Sigh. I have so long to go! God bless!

— Tracy · Sep 11, 08:03 PM · #

Donna, I could use your help with homeschooling forms. I could find not other way to contact you except this one....I hope you get this okay. Last year was my first year homeschooling and I downloaded your weekly planner form, but I really need something more detailed. Can you please contact me so I can explain what it is I need? Thank you so much!

— Beth · Sep 18, 11:12 AM · #

Beth, I will email you.

— Donna Young · Sep 18, 06:43 PM · #

Hi Donna!

I found your website when searching for penmanship on Google. What a wonderful resource! I have a 4 year old daughter who I am planning to homeschool, and we started your handwriting exercises yesterday. It gives me so much confidence to have found something that is free to try, rather than agonizing over all the options that cost more money. I won`t forget you when I make purchases from those websites.

Many, many thanks!

Melissa
Sydney, Australia

— Melissa · Sep 26, 08:57 PM · #

Hi Donna,

I would like to thank you for the incredible job you have done in putting together a website of incredible homeschool planning resources. I have been busy downloading forms this afternoon for use in our homeschool classroom. You have really made our job as homeschool parents so much easier by creating your website and offering the resources to us.

I looked all over your website for your contact information and could not find it anywhere. I hope that it is alright to contact you via your blog. I am interested in purchasing your Young Minds CD but when I went to process the payment through PayPal, I discovered that you do not accept non US payments. I live in Canada and I am wondering if there are any options available to me to purchase your CD? Please feel free to email me at the address that I provided when I went to post a reply in your blog.

Again, thanks for all that you have done for the homeschooling community. You have freed up valuable time that we can now spend with our children.

Sincerely,

Patty Wiens

— Patty Wiens · Sep 29, 07:28 PM · #

Dear Donna,

I read Philippians 4:13 under your name. No wonder!!! Praise God for you!!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
You have inspired me to continue in His strength.
Love,
Gaby
Texas

— Gaby · Sep 30, 02:18 PM · #

Dear Mrs. Young,
Thank you so much for the Apologia resources you have listed on your site. I especially like the bookmarks. Would it be possible for you to post or email me a file of the Apologia Physical Science 2nd edition bookmarks in Word format? The PDF text size is so small and Word lets me enlarge the font.
Thank you kindly,
Jason Stahl
Gildford Colony High School

— Jason Stahl · Oct 8, 02:14 AM · #

Hello Jason, the font on those are very small. I located my original doc files. I increased the font to 10 and deleted the extra ruled lines that spilled over into a second page.
The files are zipped into one package and you can download it from this link:
http://donnayoung.org/apologia/ecw08/phys/voc/phys2nd-bm-docs.zip

— Donna Young · Oct 8, 02:55 AM · #

What a blessing this site is. It is truly a God-send. We are in our 6th year of homeschooling. I enjoy it but have struggled, from the beginning, to find a system of record-keeping that worked for our family. I was visiting a friend the other day, who just started homeschooling this year, and I was blown away by her organization. She had forms for everything, and everything in its place. I asked her where she got so organized and she sent me here. I am delighted by what you`ve done. And, I am so excited to have found you!!

Thank you so much for all the time and energy you have put into this site. Praise the Lord that you have shared your God-given talent of organization with the rest of us. What a blessing it is!

Rejoicing in Him,
Tracey

— Tracey · Oct 13, 08:31 PM · #

Dear Donna,
I have used your site several times over the past several years. Every time I get a new computer I have needed to rewrite my bookmark list and everytime I needed your site it was able to be reached by googling lesson planners. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the home school community.
I am now using Phill. 4:13, too as my theme scripture. (2 Cor 10:3-5 are good also) I was a very dedicated Army wife, home schooling our kids for 15 years and now I am a single mom of six children. With no child support or hope for such, I am holding down two jobs, home schooling and attending school myself. My kids are master schedualers now thanks to your forms. I know without the stregnth of the Lord and your forms we would be lost. Please keep this site running for as long as you can and may the Lord Bless you for your efforts.
Thanks,
Jay Dena
FYI-I quilt as well when I can clear my calander a week at a time, the only way to quilt:)

— Jay Dena Hart · Oct 29, 05:24 AM · #

I love your site!!! I am new to homeschooling my 8th grader. I also have twin 4th graders in a B&M charter. I want to homeschool them, but my husband won`t let me yet. I also work as a nurse.
Your site is so helpful!!! Thanks and God Bless!!!!

— Joycelyn · Nov 8, 03:04 AM · #

Donna-
Thank you thank you thank you!
My kids and I decided to start home school in the middle of the semester- I was completely nervous and stressed out about where to start. I am sooo glad that I was able to get most of my information from your website. My kids are 6th and 11th and are really excited to start especially when we were able to create cool notebooks and organize organize organize!! Thank you so very much for the tools that you provide and ALL the helpful tips. Definetly saved to my favorites!
Thank you
The Touchette Family.

— Chanda · Feb 2, 08:05 PM · #

Chanda, I am glad to help and welcome to homeschooling!

— Donna Young · Feb 16, 09:08 PM · #

Donna,
Thanks so much... you keep me on track. Your resources are wonderful and truly a gift!

Sincerely,
Mychelle

— Mychelle Davis · Apr 25, 06:04 PM · #

Hi Donna…Just wanted to send you great thanks for your website…I’m a homeschooler rookie and wouldn’t know where I’d be without your very resourceful site….thank you so much…God Bless you.

— Priscilla · Sep 25, 07:38 PM · #

I recently discovered your website and i instantly loved it. I have a three month old and I’m on a leave of absence for a year. I was simply thinking about writing preparedness when i googled the phrase and your page came up. I intend to purchase your CD as soon as i can. May god continue to bless you and your family for providing such a valuable resource to families outside of your own.

— Melba Powell · Nov 10, 12:53 PM · #

I have been homeschooling since 2000. I don’t remember how or when I found your site (it has grown so much). I just wanted to say that you must be the most organized person in the world. I have used your planners when I was new and had very little idea of how I would ever homeschool my children. So Thanks and Thanks from all the others out there that I know exist that just didn’t take the time to say THANKS!

— Sheila · Nov 17, 11:22 PM · #