Homeschooling 101

Homeschooling 101

Where to start

My first suggestion would be to turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer for strength and guidance, He'll never stear you wrong. Next get a few good books on Homeschooling and read, read, read! They give you so much information. The next thing is to contact your local School Board and get from them all the homeschooling laws and requirements for your state. Hours per day, days per year, testing requirements and subject requirements. Since each state is different, your next step depends on what your state's requirements are as to what procedures to follow and forms to fill out.

Curriculum

Some states require knowing what curricula you are going to use for the school year at the time of registration, so you may need to decide this before you apply with the school board. When it comes to curricula, you need to decide if you want to enroll with an umbrella school such as Gateway, Calvert, Clonlara, and others. Some umbrella schools provide you with curriculum, may require testing, provide teacher/parent support and keep all pertinent records, etc...

You also have the option of just using a packaged curricula without enrollment in an umbrella school. There are many curriculum providers out there.

Or you may choose to make your own curricula using a combination of workbooks, biographies, many things, things you and your child feel comfortable with.

Unschooling

You can also choose to unschool. Using no "real" curricula, just using life and daily experiences as your teacher. Things such as playing basketball, catch, bike riding counts as P.E., baking bread is math (measurements), science (yeast rising) and home ec. Things like this are unschooling. I suggest reading anything and everything by John Holt.

Or you can use a combination of all the things I've mentioned before. That's the beauty of homeschooling, you the parent are in complete control of your child's education.

Scheduling

As for scheduling your days. Each child is different as well as each parent. Some are morning people others are not. Some require alot of structure, others need more freedom. In the end you must decide what works best for you and your child. And don't worry, it may take some time to work out all the kinks, this is natural. In fact some kids (most in fact) require a certain amount of time "de-schooling". Time to rest and relax after being in the public school system. And whatever you do don't "do school" at home. After all, if pubic schools worked you wouldn't be homeschooling would you?

Socialization

One of the the first things people will ask you when they know you are homeschooling is, "What about Socialization?" We homeschoolers really dislike that word. Most of our children are involved with scouts, karate, church or some kind activity outside of the home. And some are also lucky enough to have local homeschooling support groups. To find one in your area try calling the Library, Chamber of Commerce, or ask your school board when registering for homeschooling. But don't worry, most homeschooled children receive plenty of socialization one way or another.

Books Here are a few books that I found quite helpful while I was making the decision to homeschool.

The Holy Bible *My FIRST and most IMPORTANT Resource Book*
Homeschool, Taking the First Step by Borg Hendickson
The Homeschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith
The Homeschooling Book of Answers by Linda Dobson

All 3 are a wealth of information to the new homeschooler.

Links

Listed here you'll find websites for a few curriculum providers and umbrella schools.

Rod And Staff *Our choice of curriculum*
Gateway Christian School *Our choice for umbrella school*
A Beka Books
Alpha Omega
Beautiful Feet Books
Bob Jones University
Calvert School
Clonlara
Konos
Math-U-See
Moving with math
Oakmeadow
Saxon Math
School Of Tomorrow
Sing, Spell, Read & Write
Sonlight Curriculum

and there are many, many more out there.