There are so many benefits to homeschooling, that I can go on and on. You can read some of the reasons I love homeschooling in my post here. I thought I’ll put together a roadmap for those of you who are considering homeschooling but don’t know how to proceed.
If you are considering homeschooling, it is first good to address these following points:
- Homeschooling is most successful when BOTH spouses are on board. If one of the spouses are not on board, it may be something that needs to be reconsidered.
- Homeschooling does require sacrifice and dedication. Am I willing to devote time that is required to homeschool?
- Am I enthusiastic about teaching my children?
- Will I be dedicated to seek out opportunities and avail of them?
- Certainly, understanding God’s will in your life to homeschool, is something to be discerned in prayer.
I am deciding to Homeschool. What do I do next?
There are some things that are required to do on a legal aspect. And some others that are highly encouraged to do for a smoother homeschooling experience.
Let’s start with the legal aspects (REQUIRED).
- Look up state requirements for Homeschooling and follow the requirements. Most requirements are posted in the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website. If you click on the state you live in, the requirements can be seen. Though Homeschooling is legal in all 50 US states, there are several states that impose some restrictions. So make sure you check this out! (Examples of requirements will include submitting curriculum to school district, maintaining a portfolio, compulsory standardized testing etc. This will vary state to state. Some states do not have any requirements. )
- If the child is being pulled out from public school (even if they had started going to school before the compulsory attendance age of usually 6 years), you will need to submit a Letter of Intent to Homeschool to the local school district.
Now that the legalities are taken care of, let’s see what we can do for a smoother homeschooling experience:
1)It is very helpful to be plugged into a local homeschool group. Even if the group is little far from where you live, if it’s the only group available in your area, it is still advised to request to join, as you can get support through email. Homeschool groups are basically groups of homeschool families who live in the area. Most groups tend to communicate through yahoo groups or google groups. Once you get contact info for the group, you can request to join. The groups are moderated by families within the group.
Once you are accepted, you can post any concerns, questions or other advice you need, and someone is bound to help! Also information regarding social activities, field trips, curriculum and other relevant topics are usually circulated in the groups.
If you live close by, it is worth trying to make the effort to meet up with some of the moms in the group. This can be very helpful especially in the initial stages.
To find groups in your area, you can check the groups listed in your area in the HSLDA. (It may not be completely updated though). You can also just do a search on Google or other search engines (eg: local homeschool groups in Houston, etc)
2) Learn about Different Homeschooling Styles.(Traditional, Classical, Charlotte Mason based, Unit studies, Eclectic).
Again HSLDA, has info on the different styles. You can also just do a search online.
3) Identify your child’s learning style. (visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic, verbal). This will be helpful in the long run. You don’t need it to get started.
4) Research Curriculum and select. There are numerous options for curriculum that it is very easy to get overwhelmed.
Some questions to ask might be:
Do you want to go with a pre-set curriculum? Do you want to enroll with a Curriculum Provider? Do you want to put together your own curriculum? Pursuing a Catholic curriculum?
A lot of info on choosing curriculum as well as info of different publishers are listed in the HSLDA.
Some info of Catholic curriculum providers are given below:
The Angelicum Academy Homeschool
Choosing curriculum can be the most overwhelming yet fun part of homeschooling. So make sure you allot plenty of time into looking at different options that might suit your family.
If there is a local homeschool conference coming up, it will be good to attend, as they will have vendor halls that you can check out curriculum. You can also check if there are local homeschool bookstores.
I usually put together my own curriculum from a variety of different publishers and homeschool methods. My go-to website for researching curriculum is ‘Cathy Duffy Reviews’ . Reviews are also available at ‘Homeschool Curriculum Reviews’.
5) Once you select curriculum, you will need to purchase the curriculum. If you are enrolling with a provider, you can follow their suggestions on how to enroll.
If you are putting together your own curriculum, you can buy new from the publisher’s website. Or you can purchase used curriculum from Amazon, eBay, Cathswap (yahoogroup that people sell mostly used Catholic curriculum. It is a moderated group and need permission to become a member). Most homeschool conferences and homeschool bookstores will have a used curriculum section.
6)Lesson Planning– If you are enrolling with a provider, they will include lesson plans. If not, you the teacher, will be making lesson plans! You will need to determine how much work will need to be completed daily, over the course of the year.
7) Start homeschooling! You do not need to start at any particular day or follow the public school schedule. You are the teacher/ principal of your homeschool, and you get to decide when to start! Make sure to keep the records and attendance sheets your state requires!
Also it is important to understand that there are no teacher certifications that are required, to homeschool. You being the parent, makes you the most qualified person to homeschool your children. Pretty much, the only 3 criteria that are necessary to homeschool are that you are a loving and capable parent, you know how to read, and know basic math! I’m sure that is a relief to many!
Hoping you will be able to discern if homeschooling is right for you!