I will begin homeschooling my sixth grade daughter this year. How can I get started?

Question

I'm afraid I will lose her to everyone else before I get a chance to really make an impact in her life. I am so busy, this is the only way I can think of to bring us together and really bond before it's too late. Since I've never homeschooled before, she will be my first and I don't want to mess up but I'm kind of jittery about getting started. Can you help me make some headway in getting the necessary steps out of the way? Thanks.

Answer 1

Good for you. What an awesome sentiment. Is she excited about it?

I'd suggest first that you allow her time to deschool -- to get used to living her life again without having every action dictated by someone else. Here's a website with a lot of great resources: besthomeschooling.org

Answer 2

First of all, know this...*every* single HS'er was apprehensive and scared :-).  Allow yourself some time to adjust to the new lifestyle.  It *is* a lifestyle, not just a "job" or task you feel you have to do.

I would caution you, though.  You say you're "too busy".  Do you have the time to dedicate to HS'ing her?  Being a HS parent is at least a part-time job, if not a full-time job, depending on how you approach it.

For the first year, commit to *only* that year (or even a semester).  Then re-evaluate your decision about 3/4ths of the way through to see if it's working for all.

First find out your DD's learning style and decide on what method of HS'ing you want - classical, unschooling, "school-in-a-box", eclectic, etc.  Make goals for your HS and with your DD.  Then you can start selecting curricula.

Find out the HS'ing laws in your state:

http://www.nhen.org/LegInfo/state_list.a...

Attend a HS'ing convention near you - for the seminars and to peruse the vendor hall.

Read all the books about HS'ing at your library (well, maybe not all - but I did - I researched for-stinking-ever!).

Join a local online, or "real life" HS'ing group in your area.

Find other HS'ed children your DD's age.  Attend some events so she can meet other HS'ers.

Start *slowly*.  Start with 1 or 2 courses, then work your way into a full course load.  Make learning fun, not drudgery.

Read the links from this site:

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

This should get you off to a good start!

EDITED TO ADD, after Cathryn posted:

You do NOT need an accredited "program" or curriculum to HS, or to move a child to the next grade level, or back to a public/private school.

Answer 3

try homeschool legal defense before you do anything to see the Laws about homeschooling in your state/country

http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1

Answer 4

Are you sure you really want to do that ? It is not really the best thing for your kid and it takes allot of dedication. If it is for you i think it is kind of selfish

Answer 5

one of my best friends last year was homeschool in sixth grade and her mom was way overly busy. homeschooling is easier then it looks they cant talk while your talking but they can get distracted real easy by TV or other electrons also pets and things they do around the house for fun. Another thing is always let her get out of the house and spend a lot of time with her friend my friend never got to see us.

Answer 6

I've been home schooled all my life. It sure isn't anything like public or private school, and you sure don't have as many friends, or the experiences, you'll be busy helping her with school all the time, you might need to hire tutors, but there are some benefits.

Well first off, you will be able to spend WAY more time with your daughter. She will become more independent because she won't have as much help being pushed to do school or have as many teachers to help her when she needs it. She will learn to figure things out on her own. You can travel whenever you want because you can bring her school with you. HOWEVER. If you do home school her, make sure that you use a fully accredited system, otherwise it may be difficult to put her in the next grade. Some accredited school systems that do 6th grade are,

Calvert, http://www.calvertschool.org/home-school...

and

Oak Meadow, http://www.oakmeadow.com/

I have used both of these and they both offer a great education.

They also have online teachers if you need help.

Hope that helps!

Answer 7

I think that's a great idea!I am home schooled and it really helps me alto.I personally enjoy  much more than I did in public school.I also started home school in sixth grade.The thing about homeschooling older kids is that they dont need you to watch them the whole day.You can give them their work explain it and go do your other daily stuff.Just be sure you research thoroughly.Also make sure she isn't deprived other kids her age throughout the week.For me,my parents let me go to a friends house every couple of days to do my schoolwork so that I still am around kids my own age.

Answer 8

I've been homeschooled for three years and absolutely love it!!! A good way to get started is to find a homeschool association in your area.....they will help you find an evaluator (the person who checks you at the end of the year to make sure you meet all you school district's standards). Also, they'll help you with curriculum choices and stuff like that. The homeschool community is basically like one big family and we'll help you out with whatever you need. DO NOT GET OVERWHELMED!!! The first year of homeschooling is hard....but don't be discouraged 'cause in the end it's the best thing you can do for your child. I know my mom and I have become much closer and I've learned to respect her as my mom, my teacher, and my friend. Good Luck!