About Donna
Donna Young @ 24 February 2007
Filed in Categories: Donna donnayoung.org
Updated: November 5th, 2007
You have landed at the about page for Donna Young. Donna keeps rewriting this page even though not much has changed.
I wouldn’t know what to tell you about myself, except that if you are a wife and mother then you might be interested to know this much: My husband and I have been married since 1978 and we live in Tennessee. We have two children and I have home schooled them since 1995.
Some moms like to count from the beginning and like those who do, I did make a conscience point of teaching my children from the beginning, so if one looks at it that way;
I’ve been homeschooling since 1987.
This year (2007-08) is our last year as homeschoolers. This time next year will be different for me! I am not planning to do anything drastic to donnayoung.org. Donnayoung.org will stay where it is and I plan to keep it for a very long time.
Donna Young
Philippians 4:13



But, would you REALLY want me to do that?
— Appliejuice · Feb 25, 09:15 PM · #
— Elaine · Feb 26, 12:32 AM · #
— Donna Young · Feb 26, 03:08 AM · #
— Amy · Mar 12, 01:38 PM · #
— Donna Young · Mar 13, 01:51 PM · #
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 · #
I did not know there was a new version of WWW 3000.
— Donna Young · Apr 2, 03:40 PM · #
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 · #
— Sheri · Apr 6, 01:46 AM · #
— Randi Sanders · Aug 10, 03:20 AM · #
— Toni Oizumi · Aug 18, 05:19 PM · #
— Tlowery · Aug 21, 02:45 AM · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
— Michele Swagemaker · Oct 23, 12:19 PM · #
— Michele Swagemaker · Oct 23, 12:23 PM · #
— Donna Young · Oct 23, 01:19 PM · #
— Lisa · Oct 31, 11:15 AM · #
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 · #
— Joanne · Nov 10, 10:45 PM · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
— Donna Young · Jan 29, 08:41 PM · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
— Donna Young · Mar 4, 11:00 PM · #
— LauraLee · Mar 11, 01:04 AM · #
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 · #
— Donna Young · Apr 7, 04:05 PM · #
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.
— Michelle K. · Apr 30, 08:05 PM · #
Our first year of home school is almost over
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 · #
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 · #
— Laura · Jun 12, 02:58 AM · #
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 · #
Heidi (hi-d)
Newnan, Georgia
— Hi-d · Jul 21, 06:24 PM · #
I hope to keep the site open as long as possible.
— Donna Young · Jul 21, 06:30 PM · #
Allison
— Allison · Jul 22, 12:35 AM · #
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 · #
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 · #
Thank you Lisa!
— Donna Young · Jul 22, 01:48 PM · #
— Dana · Jul 26, 02:45 AM · #
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!
— Donna Young · Jul 27, 12:59 AM · #
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 · #
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 · #
You are a true saint. Thank you for your time and hard work.
— Janne · Jul 30, 01:13 PM · #
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 · #
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 · #
— Donna Young · Aug 23, 03:35 PM · #
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!
Thanks for any help that you can give me.
Shari
— Shari Miller · Sep 2, 01:19 AM · #
It is possible to do that, but it could take some time.
— Donna Young · Sep 2, 02:02 AM · #
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 · #
— Tracy · Sep 11, 08:03 PM · #
— Beth · Sep 18, 11:12 AM · #
— Donna Young · Sep 18, 06:43 PM · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
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 · #
— Donna Young · Feb 16, 09:08 PM · #
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 · #
Hi, Donna, I had contacted you about making yellow striped paper for my son, and was so very grateful when you responded. Imagine my delight when I visited your site again and found all the different sizes of yellow lined paper!! My other children are benefiting as well. Thank you for your generosity. I love your site, and yes, it is a blessing and encouragement to see support materials for us moms. Bless you! :)
— Kathi · Dec 26, 07:20 PM · #
Hi!
Today I posted an entry on my blog with a link to you Daily Planner downloads.
I’d appreciate your letting me know if that’s OK.
Thanks,
Nancy Ward
http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com
— — — — —
Yes, it is okay to link to my website. Thank you.
— Donna Young
— Nancy Ward · Jan 6, 04:40 PM · #
Hi Donna, thank you so much for your website.
It has been a Godsend to me! : )
I was wondering if you would list some supplemental reading book titles for Sreams of
Civilization that you might have used. I thought this would be a great way to include literature at the same time.
Thanks a whole bunch!!
Cindy Gade
— Cindy Gade · Feb 2, 11:30 AM · #
Cindy that is a great idea. I will put it on my list. =)
— Donna Young · Feb 4, 08:59 PM · #
Thanks Donna!
When you decide to post the titles, where on the site will I be able to find it?
— Cindy Gade · Feb 18, 01:06 PM · #
Cindy, they will either be listed or linked on the Streams of Civilization page.
— Donna Young · Mar 4, 10:32 AM · #