I want to homeschool, but really don't know how?

Question

I've decided that I would really like to be homeschooled, due to various reasons, and want to talk to my parents about it; but generally have no idea how to start.

I really wanted to try online schooling, but the ones I've found are expensive, and K-12 doesn't have a high school program for Texas. Does anyone know of some good ones, that are moderatly expensive?

I'm a junior, so I'm almost done with high school. I really have thought through about homeschooling, and really want to do it. I'm just tired of being told that Public school is right for everyone.

Some things I'm worried about, are the socialization, but a lot of it was negative at our school, but I'm going to have a job in a few weeks, still go to my schools art club, and contests. So, i don't think I'll have a problem with it; but anymore advice? Also, is it hard to not get bored? I won't be able to drive until the spring, so that's another concern. Not that school wasn't boring!

I just went back to school, and told my parents I'd give it one last try, and I just don't think it's going to work. My parents we're hesitant to do it, because they have no idea how it goes, online or home-taught. My mother works, and my father is mostly out of the house, so that is also a main reason i want online.

Any help is really appreciated so much! Thank you :)

Answer 1

First of all, encouragement! There are a lot of ways to homeschool, depending on how you learn best. My brother and i started in grades 9 and 7, respectively, and were on our own for almost all of our teaching. The downside, and upside, is that you have to make yourself do the work. If you discipline yourself to do the work it is great and if you don't... well, it's not. You sound pretty determined, though, so i think you're up to the challenge.

Math:

My brother and i had a math textbook series that we worked through by Saxonmath. Its structured so you do one lesson per day and test every 5 lessons to see if you've mastered the new material. If you pass, then you move on to the next 5 lessons. Its a repetitive process, which means you keep getting reminded and retain the information over the long term. The older material shows up less often, so the lesson is always a mix of older more familiar questions and newer challenging questions.

Science:

Go to the library and start reading. Pick out any book of relevance to your subject. We had a textbook, but got much more out of borrowing from our local college and university libraries. Some colleges and universities will allow you to start taking a few classes here and there when you are 16 or older. There are distance courses through various online universities (check credentials!) if your local one won't let you take courses.

Language Arts:

We had some kind of program that taught through reading and copying out good quality writing. This was one area that my mum had to be involved in, as i liked free writing but not language arts, and my brother hated both. We also wrote one page a day, handwritten, on a subject of our choice to exercise our ability to write essays.

Socializing is pretty much the most common question homeschoolers get from people unfamiliar with the process. How is it done? It sounds like you've already got interests, so pursue those. Get involved with city leagues, if you want to do sport. Take group lessons. Volunteer with different groups and get to know people through that. Maybe see if there is a teenage art club through your local fine arts studio or art gallery.

My answer from another thread:

My need for socializing was met through ballet, our homeschool association 'events', church youth bible studies, and family. I joined a performance dance team through my dance school, and was able to help with preparations and setup each year for our school's annual production. Eventually, we even travelled with the team as far away as London and Israel. My family places a high priority on family time, so homeschooling meant that i had extra time to see my cousins and grandparents several times a year. Educationally, its been wonderful. Homeschooling taught me to seek out and think about information, and to teach myself. I've gone on to complete a Bachelor's of Science and have been involved in biology research.

Answer 2

Check Connections Academy they may have a free online public school for your state. Good luck to you.  

Answer 3

well i cant be of much help since i live in alaska but, i can tell you this home schooling isn't hard. i know this because I'm hoe schooled i don't have a teacher because i teach myself it is frustrating at time, but remember this, just because your home schooled doesn't mean you get to sleep in, mess around, and have fun all day you actually have to work hard especially so if you don't have a teacher

Answer 4

Here's an article about talking to your parents about homeschooling. Try Kaplan, or Connections Academy. They have good programs too.http://virtualonlineschool.blogspot.com/

Best of Luck!

Jana

http://www.purehomeschooling.com/

Answer 5

Well i'm 15 a sophomore and also from Texas, and homeschooled. I do my school online through Texas Tech Outreach and Distance Learning Program, it's really great and they really mean business if you are looking for a good eduacation. They aren't that expensive, well the lowest amount we could find in Texas. They also have a program where you can get ahead quicker. I don't know how much you are willing to spend or how you plan to approach homeschooling by yourself because it's extremely hard, I know because I teach myself too, so just be prepared.

Here is the link and a bunch of other tools to help you out:

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regi...

http://www.homeschoolingintexas.com/

http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/Texas.ht...

Hope this helps and good luck :]]

One last thing, make sure you have the will power to do your work because if you get bored you will start to slack off and you can get really behind.