Do you home school?

Question

Im thinking about taking both of my boys out of school and teaching them at home.

How do I get started?

Answer 1

Try www.K12.com we love them feel free to e-mail me questions! This is a great program with field trips!

Answer 2

Here is a site that looks really good in terms of all the information you need to get started homeschooling in Virginia:

http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/

Answer 3

We've home educated for nine years. I have one in college, two who will be seniors, and two elementary students.

My husband & I love it. You go for it. ( Join a support group!)

Answer 4

The first step is to become familiar with your state laws.  It is also helpful to find a local homeschool group in your area for support as well as a social outlet for yourself and your boys.

As far as teaching, there are many different ways to homeschool.  Think about your sons' learning styles.  There is more information on that here:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Then start thinking about how you want to teach.  This is the homeschool method.  Here are some of the different methods as well as a few curriculum choices:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

From there you will choose a curriculum.  You can find reviews here:

http://www.homeschoolreviews.com

It will be great to pull your boys out of that negative environment.  Good luck!

Answer 5

Start by letting them get socialized in a real school.

Answer 6

Oh, please.  Take your children out of school, it's not for everybody.  If your children are suffering emotionally there is no way they can reach their potential and they may be scarred for life from being in a hostile environment.     Get yourself registered as a homeschooler, research which curriculum to use and go for it.   There are tons of curriculum on the market and many different philosophies of education and learning styles.  Try to find a homeschool conference near you.  They have merchants who will show their wares.   Contact "Sonlight" they will send you a catalogue of materials you may consider to give you ideas.  Good Luck.   Keep watching this board.  I have learned a lot by reading about others experiences and learned about other methods of teaching.  If I knew then what I have learned off of these other parents I would have saved myself a ton of cash and a lot of grief through my 6 years of schooling!

Answer 7

First find out the legal requirements in your country/state. After that it very much depends on how old they are, how motivated and what style of education you think will work best for them and you. Without a lot more details it's hard to make more useful suggestions.

Answer 8

just phone ur local education department and they will help u. by the way ur son who has ADHD did u say he was suspended because he had a disability? if yes u can take the school to court because it's disability discrimination. my brother was in a similar situation so my mom and dad took the school to court. if you want any more info email me at [e-mail]

Answer 9

Believe me that "socialization" will not be a problem for your children. The amount of homeschool students, and programs for them is so abundant.

For starting homeschoolers it's best to use a certain curriculum instead of using many different ones. However, you may later chose to spread out and use different things. The most recomended programs that are complete sets are A-Beka and Alpha Omega. Online schools may be helpful for your children when they are at a highschool level.

The most important thing is to find out what you need to take your children out of the school system and to research different curricula. Just as there are many programs for homeschoolers, there are lots of curriculums.

Good luck!

Answer 10

I would start with your own public library.  You can get ideas not only from books on home schooling that your library has, but you have a good chance of finding out more about the local support available to you.  You see, most librarians have a pretty close relationship with the home schoolers of his/her community.  If you ask, they probably have local contact information.  Those local contacts can help you know just how to home school in your area.  If there are special loop holes that make home schooling easier where you live, the local home schoolers will be able to give you the best hints.  If you do not find any contacts through the library, which would honestly surprise me, you can put a small ad in the wanted pages, "Wanted: Local home school information and support!"  Those who are in the trenches in your district will be the best sources of advice for getting started.  

I wish you the very best in your quest for the ideal situation for your boys as they learn and grow!

You might also check out www.vahomeschoolers.org

As for general start-up information, you might look at www.hslda.org since you live in the US.  They will have a link for those who are looking to start home schooling.  They also have links to pages that break down the home schooling laws for each state.

Answer 11

What state do you live in?  Each state has its own laws and regulations.  If you can clarify on this, we can point you in the right direction.  Thanks!

Edit - here are the regs for VA: http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?St...  The site seems to be a bit slow today, but it should load for you.  It looks like option 2, "religious exemption", is the easiest to work with.

Under Option 1 (homeschooling), you do not need a teacher certification (a high school diploma is fine), but there seems to be annual paperwork and testing.

I would suggest getting in touch with a homeschool group in your area, they can give you the specifics for pulling your children out and homeschooling.  They can also help you through things like choosing curriculum, co ops, planning, and record-keeping.

Whatever you do, don't go to your board of ed; they tend to be notorious for their ignorance of homeschool law.

Hope that helps!