You Want to Homeschool. What Next?
You have made the decision to homeschool, so what do you do now?
Jumping into the arena of homeschooling can scramble your thoughts for many reasons. For one, you can find 395738473 different curriculum choices and everyone and their mother has an opinion on their favorite. So how do you know what to choose?
New homeschool moms have many questions to consider…what do you have to do to be legal? What does my state’s laws require? How do I make a schedule? What do I teach?…
No doubt you have also met a homeschooler who has strong opinions on style, methods, curriculum. Try searching the internet and you will likely end up more confused.
Don’t worry. I broke it down, so you won’t have a breakdown. Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
Follow the steps below and I will get you started and on your way…
1. Legally withdraw/declare your child
If your child is currently enrolled in school, you may have to submit a withdrawal. And even if your child has never attended a public school, some states require you to declare your schooling status. Find your state’s laws here.
Some states don’t require compulsory education until the year a child turns 7. This could mean you do not have to legally record your child’s learning activities before then. However, if your child was enrolled in a public school before that age, you still may have to record it.
2. Get some homeschool "insurance"
…or at least have a plan if you have legal issues.
If children’s family services shows up at your door because a nosy neighbor, old friend, or angry teacher called in and claimed you don’t teach your children… If your child can’t attend an event, sport, college, job fair because you homeschool…If your child’s homeschool diploma is not accepted under certain circumstances…
What do you do?
You can join a homeschool legal organization where you pay yearly for access to lawyers, information, and advice. Or, you can have legal organizations on your radar in case something comes up.
Personally, we are members of HSLDA. They helped family members of mine out of a difficult legal situation, and I have received valuable advice from them. HSLDA will advocate on your behalf in homeschool legal situations. They are also great at answering legal questions and giving advice.
Some other options to look into are National Home Education Legal Defense, Pacific Justice Institute, and The Rutherford Institute.
3. Determine Teaching and Learning Styles
The most convenient thing to do would be to purchase a giant catch-all curriculum that you use on all of your children.
That may work for you, but it didn’t work for us.
Children all learn differently, have unique skill-sets, prefer certain subjects, and have different learning desires. This year, I have 3 different math curricula for 4 different children. I taught all 4 to read in completely different ways. Why? Each child needed different things to succeed.
So, here is a question…is your child independent (“I can do it myself, mom!”) or do they need constant support from you? I have 2 of each. It greatly affects how I teach them and what we use.
Next question, what style do you see yourself using? Here are the five main ones. If you have an idea how you want to teach, it can help you chose curriculum. Also, it’s okay if you want a mix. I have a friends that are strictly classical, some that follow Charlotte Mason to the T, and then there’s me. I consider myself 50% charlotte mason 25% classical and 25% mixed-up mom. 😉
These two questions will help you determine what to buy in terms of curriculum.
4. Make a list of subjects you want each child to complete this year.
Be sure to know your state laws on subjects to cover all of your bases. Also, consider what the child may want to learn (for example: piano, watercolors, jujitsu, sign language…). If a child has a particular interest that you can use and count for school, this should factor in to your lists.
This list will help you when you begin looking at curriculum, and also help you figure out a daily and weekly routine.
5. Establish a Routine
I don’t like the word “schedule”, because a ring of a bell does not start and stop learning at home. You want to establish a routine. Think of it like getting ready for bed at night. What do you do first? Next?
A few things to consider…
Look at each day in the week. Fill in activities outside the house you are involved in.
Get the most difficult and least favorite subjects done first. You don’t want to leave the worst for last. It may never get done.
If you are schooling more than one child, make a rotation where one child works with mom and another works independently. Mom can get stretched thin if everyone has questions and needs help at the same time. We rotate computer time, independent seat work, and mom time. Each child has a schedule and they complete and check it off as they go. This schedule is printed and put in a sheet protector so the child can mark it and erase it each day.
Let me just mention…mom reserves the right to alter the routine at any time. Many times subjects need to be moved, days switched, and times tweaked to get everything settled and working well.
6. Find curriculum
Use your ideas on teaching style and your child’s personality and learning style to choose a curriculum. Remember, you are looking for the best fit, nothing is perfect. No matter what I use, I have lessons I skip, supplements I add in, and parts I don’t like.
Cathy Duffy has reviews and ideas for curriculum. This is a great place to start.
Here are some of my recommendations…
If you want all online free, try Ambleside Online, Allinonehomeschool, or Khan Academy.
Want traditional, rigorous, school-y curriculum that the previous generations used? Try Abeka or Bob Jones. I have used pieces of both and would say they are rigorous and thorough.
Want everything in one big purchase? Try Sonlight, The Good and the Beautiful, or My Father’s World.
Two of my children use Teaching Textbooks and we like it.
We have also enjoyed Apologia for science, Story of the World as a supplement for history-we listen to the CDs in the car, Reading Horizons for my early struggling reader, Good and Beautiful Language Arts, and Explode the Code for phonics.
If you find a program you like, be sure to check out the Homeschool Buyers Co-op for discounts! I have saved a bundle from them.
Also, check out my post on free online homeschool resources.
7. Find Homeschoolers in Your Area
You may want to join a co-op, start a forest group, get together with moms for ideas, or simply have playdates so your children can socialize. Either way, knowing other homeschooling families benefits your family in so many ways!
Good Luck!
Enjoy your homeschooling journey! You will never regret the extra time spent with your children. Even though you will have difficult days, I hope that you find that it is all worth it in the end. May you be blessed by the beautiful learning moments ahead!
♥ Melanie
