Since home educators have a personal investment in ensuring they understand the homeschooling laws correctly, local support groups are often the best resource to steer you to the most accurate legal information in your area. Be advised that the legal requirements for home educators vary by country, state, and even sometimes by school district, so a bit of research will be required. HSLDA and A to Z Home’s Cool provide useful guides to what it means to home-educate legally (see external links below). You may be required to keep a portfolio of your children’s work. It is very important to do this from day one if required by your state.
Activities, unfortunately, aren’t always free. In order to get the best of the world (and learn more while they’re at it), you could supplement their lessons with trips to planetariums, art exhibits, lectures, showcases, nature preserves and the like – but these things can cost money. For the record, those two figures mentioned above represent the ends of the average home-schooling spectrum. [2] X Research source
Homeschooling your child will not “ruin” them. As long as you make sure their emotional, social, mental, and physical needs are met, they’ll be successful adults in the future. Ask them what activities they’d like to do that span their interests and get them started on the right path. Research says home-schoolers are just as involved as their publicly-schooled peers. They help the community and can make just as many social connections. [3] X Research source
In fact, why can’t they aid in helping your children learn? Surely they have areas of expertise that you don’t. Let them know you want them to be a part of your child’s life, too – how could they possibly turn it down?
While it’s pretty easy to get a child through grade school, you may find it’s harder to be confident in yourself when it comes to putting them through high school. But it is doable and people have done it. Just know that you’ll be learning, too!
Unschooling: This is an anarchic approach where the student is self-directed. It’s based on the idea that a student is likely to learn quickly and easily when they study things they are interested in. Diane Lockman offers an approach geared towards reading, thinking, and communicating, with a heavy Christian emphasis. She even offers online high school courses. Unit studies – where each unit is dedicated to a different topic. You can often find units (and other varied curricula) online. Charlotte Mason’s methodology is a little less conventional and focuses on “atmosphere, discipline, and life. [4] X Research source Montessori or Waldorf methods, where the child is more independent and “discovers” rather than is told. [5] X Research source An eclectic blend of different styles A complete online curriculum package like Global Student Network A private online school like International Virtual Learning Academy
Consider, too, that an approach that works for one child may not be best for another. [6] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020. In addition, what you may prefer may not be best for them. Talk to your child about their expectations before you go about outlining the year.
Libraries and bookstores have books on home education methods, experiences, and proven curricula. The internet offers a never-ending source of information as well: basic information on various subjects, online purchase of curricula and supplies, articles about methodologies, support groups, and public school curricula. It even has free lessons on most subjects from teachers, other home educators, and even television stations. Authentic classical education involves teaching reading, thinking, and speaking to substantial mastery. However, Unschoolers, while agreeing with the classical education system, usually have a wide variety of resources for their children to experience, but no formal curriculum. It’s all up to you. You’ll want to touch on art, the sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), languages, music, mathematics, history, and geography, for starters.
They are also an invaluable resource for tips on how to comply with the home education laws in your area. If you have any questions at all, a local support group should be your place to turn. And your child could meet other homeschoolers!
Back-to-school-sales at local discount stores or office supply stores are the perfect place to get some of the basic supplies like pens, notebooks and glue. Stock up in August and you’ll last throughout the year.
A different approach might mean your preparation involves setting up field trips for the rest of the year in every subject, placing learning objects around your home, or simply getting yourself into a mindset of using every day as a learning opportunity with no set plans or textbooks.
Make sure your activities are fact-filled and concept-checked. Planting flowers can be a learning activity – or it can be an activity where a child got to play in the dirt. If you do do activities around the house, accompany it with a reading or other supplementary tool. Some kids naturally learn better through hands-on activities—they’re known as “kinesthetic learners. “[9] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020.
This is especially useful if your child is thinking of going to college, as some schools require portfolios of work from homeschool students. And you could always use the materials for reference later for your next child or for your friends or relatives.
Questioning yourself is normal. You may feel like you do it all the time, especially when you first start. This is when your support group comes in handy and you should utilize the tools (like the Internet) you have at your disposal. Odds are you are just as qualified as the next parent who’s doing it and have nothing to worry about.
If the teaching methods are a poor match with your child’s learning style, if the curriculum is too structured or not structured enough, or if the process of home educating seems to be making things worse rather than better, then it’s time for a change. Fortunately, change is something you can do fairly quickly with just a little research. If you feel uncomfortable with your level of knowledge on the subject, there are standardized progress tests (such as FCAT) that your child can take and then have the scores mailed to you, and you can find many other tests to order or take online.
Ask them what they would be interested in studying. [10] X Expert Source Courtney CoprivizaElementary School Teacher Expert Interview. 18 June 2021. For example, if they love stargazing, get a telescope and study astronomy. Be sure to get them excited. Home education should be fun for the students – not a punishment. That’s the best motivator. Encourage your child to take a personality test or learning assessment that helps narrow down their preferences and psychology. From there, try to plan activities based on their skills and talents. [11] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020. Some kids might be visual learners, and may benefit from lessons/classwork with photographs and visual representation. Other kids might be auditory learners, while others might be more hands-on. [12] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020. If it’ll help them, let them know that they’re one of 1. 5 million (and rising) students that are going to learn from home this year. [13] X Research source
If they’re concerned, do research and back up your opinions with others’ opinions; they shouldn’t think that this is some tyrannical decision on your part. If they think they’ll be behind, let them know that this means they can start taking college courses earlier – if anything, this will speed up their education process.
One of the best things about homeschooling is that it doesn’t take 8 hours to teach your child. In fact, at a brick-and-mortar institution, they’d spend most of their time waiting. You may be able to get done in 4 hours what their old school could get done in 7. That means more time for you and more time for them to spend developing their selves.
