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Homeschooling: What do I need to do to being homeschooling my children?

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My daughter is only a year old, but we are trying to prepare for her educational future. We decided there was a high possibility we would homeschool our children. What do I need to do to attain this? I am not too familiar with homeschooling, but after some research, there has been a lot of positive feedback on it. I know my daughter has a few years before she "begins" school (although everyday I treat as a learning experience for her), but I want to make sure I am prepared for this when the time comes. Where can I get learning materials, learn the homeschool regulations and laws, etc? Also, If possible let me know how you homeschool your children....thanks!

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  1. My child is homeschooled and we go through the ciriculum of the School of Tomarrow.......and work with Paces ..    You can call your local board of Education for its laws and requirments for homeschooling...here all we need is to test her once a year..then we give a copy to the Board of Ed for proof.....we keep records and a portfolio...in case any matters would arise that required proof of education....her work is Christian based....but there are others out there availiable............And she has learned quicker and is more relaxed and better disciplined in her character and is more at ease...one draw back is sociallizing....but with family and neighbors and some other friends that is overcome.....but now days with all the peer pressures and groups of kids not well schooled in morality...i have found this style very pleasing and she has grown and matured quit well through it...........and she is averaging A- in all her subjects and even tho she is only in middle school....she is working at a high school level already ...Hope you can get more information....  www.schooloftomorrow.com

    and www.aopse.com....Hope this helps God Bless!!


  2. I agree with the other poster in checking the homeschool legal defense website- www.hslda.com. They post the homeschooling laws for each state.

    Once you find out what they require you can go from there. Check your local homeschooling groups, do research on the internet, get books at the library, study all the different methods of homeschooling to see what you might be leaning towards. When you child gets to be of school age you can decide then how she learns best.

    I always thought I would go with a traditional approach and we are doing natural learning because my daughter doesn't learn by worksheets, repetition, and curriculmn, but rather by games, thru everyday life, by hands on activities, and she is also a self learner.

    Most of all have fun!! There is no one right way to homeschool. You do what works for your child and family and don't go on what others say is best.

    Do not ask the school system anything. The less they knwo the better. They often don't know the laws on homeschooling and only try to steer you in the direction of public school so they can gett he money. For each student they lose they lose money for funding.

  3. You may want to check into "virtual schooling" in your area. I was "lost" when I decided to homeschool my daughter, too. I did some research at the local library. They should have all the answers you need as far as laws and regulations go. I do know that you will have to have your child's yearly work reviewed by a certified teacher (to say that your child has learned what they're supposed to), or you have to get yearly tests (for the same reason). Both will be at your own expense. However, I came across this program called "Virtual Schooling". In our state, it's VCS OHIO. I believe they have programs in other states, too. This is a great program. They give each student a pc, and pay for the internet. They have 2 courses of study. "Structered" (the teacher gives assingments, and each week wants certain ones turned in) and "Guided" (the teacher tells you what your students needs to learn each year, and you teach however you want). Ther are also thngs that you can go do that will count toward your child's education (a trip to the zoo counts as an educational field trip, dance classes will count for "enrichment education", etc.) In any case, the teachers go above and beyond to help in whatever way they can, and even have tutoring for those students that need it. (A tutor will meet you and your child at a local library for tutoring.) They also have a nice program for early graduation, and a program for students that have enough credits to graduate, and pass a graduation test to take college courses at a local college for the last 2 years of high school. VCS will pay for the courses, and the credits transfer over when the student later attends college. They also adjust the cirriculium to your child. My daughter is 6 and in the first grade, but takes second grade reading and math. Also, VCS gives the testing and does the reviews she needs done every year, and it costs me nothing. So I have the freedom to teach however I see fit, and get the benifets of not "doing it alone", and don't have the financial burden of tests and such.

    As far as the whole "social interaction" thing goes, there are other ways to overcome that. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the local YMCA. Dance or gymnastic classes, little legue sports. (You get the idea.)

    But you don't have to worry about this for 5 more years. In the meantime, keep doing what you're doing and you will be fine. Also, I have found that (believe it or not) a V-SMILE game system will help a lot. My daughter knew her alphabet, numbers up to 200, shapes, how to spell simple 3 and 4 letter words and simple addition and subtraction before she started kindergarten. Some of that was do to the V-Smile. It got her interested, I just helped her along. Just have fun.

  4. Homeschooling laws tend to change frequently, so the laws of today might not apply when your child is old enough to begin formal schooling. Nonetheless, I would locate a homeschool watchdog organization working at the state level or national level and get on their mailing list. You will want to have a say in new legislation that will impact your future homeschooling. HSLDA is a good national level resource. All organizations have a particular philosophy, HSLDA is no exception. They are very much against any legislation that would give any legal supervision over homeschooling (Virtual schools, vouchers, etc.). Just a heads up if you are open to vouchers and virtuals.

    A good way to get exposure to all the great homeschool curriculums out there is to go to Lifetime books and Gifts (owned by homeschoolers), They have a huge selection! Doorposts is a particularly useful one for character training materials for the little ones. Just have fun browsing. My kids have enjoyed many different currculums over the years: KONOS (lots of hands on learning and loads of fun!), Saxon (math), K12, Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW is composition), Apologia, Diana Waring's history materials, and more.

  5. I am homeschooling a 5 year old and a 2 year old. With the five year old I get curriculum workbooks from book stores like Books-A-Million, for the two year old we play games and look at the alphabet and numbers. We talk about the color of clothes and objects this is the easiest way I know to teach the colors. Just play it by ear, your concern this early means you will be fine. Know the laws in your state, but here is a piece of advice even if your state has easy rules keep up with your child's work, and find some type of standardized test to give her every so often so you will have some bearing in case you move to a state with stricter laws. :)

  6. There are no formalities, rules or regulations anywhere until the age of six.

    Basically this is a fly by the seat of your pants thing.  See what the toddler can absorbe.  Letters, numbers, drawing, playing on the computer doing a draw program.  Musical notes with a little keyboard piano or tiny xylophone type thing.

    Make it fun and practical and see what developes.

  7. I homeschoool two kids ages 7 and 10. Check out HSLDA.org for your states homeschool laws. HSLDA is a Christian organization. Whether you are Christian or not it's a good solid place to start and get some facts. Also try nhen.org.

    Try to go to a homeschool conference in your area. You can get tons of information there.

    Get books about homeschooling and alternative education out of the library. Check out Amazon.com for books as well.

    Type in homechool curriculum in google and you will get tons of stuff.

    There are many different styles and philosphies of homeschooling. Some people put their kids in uniforms and sit them at a desk for 6 hours a day and some people choose a more relaxed apporoach. Some people buy curriculum packages at $1,000 and some people use their library as their main source of books. Then there's everything in between.

    Homeschooling is an exciting  journey. Have fun!

    UGGGHH!! DO NOT call the Board of Eduation! Many of them know nothing about the homeschooling laws in their state. Many will try to make you fill out forms and regulate you and your state may not require that!

    The best place to check for the laws in your state is HSLDA.org

    You can even call them  and they will help you. You do not need to join to get information from them. HSLDA works with the government all the time. They have the most up to date and ACCURATE laws of anyone.

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