Thinking of home schooling my children next year.?

Question

Is there any thing i should know about home schooling? How do i get started. I know to become a member of hslda.org but what else do i need to know how do i go about doing it?

Answer 1

You don't HAVE to become a member of HSLDA, although it is recommended.

What you need to do is learn about the laws where you live. HSLDA gives a bit of a summary. To really understand them, to find out the specifics of any notifications, testing or other, it'd be best to join a homeschool group to get the full details. It would also give you a chance to learn about activities that are going on, make connections with other families before you pull your children out, learn about resources, etc. A good homeschool support group (or even more than one--I'm a member of 4!) can be invaluable.

Where to find a support group? Yahoo Groups will have free groups you won't need to pay for membership. Just do a search for your state/province, or city/town and homeschool or homeschooling. You will be able to join now and ask all of your questions. Most are quite welcoming of newcomers who are still unsure! Same thing with just general groups online. A search for _yourstate homeschool_ will provide you with loads of pages.

Another benefit of the support group will be to help allay your fears when you have people like some of the respondents say such things to your face or say it to you enough online that you come to believe they are true. There is no reason that homeschooling should deprive your kids of social contact unless you let it. And homeschooling will give them more time together--more family time is a good thing. If you gradually guide them to more and more independence, they will have no problem "moving on".

There's also nothing special about school improving social skills--schools can be full of POOR social skills because they're full of kids who haven't mastered social skills. I can not tell you how many teachers complain about the kids these days coming to school *without social skills* and how the parents aren't doing enough at home to guide their children with their social skills. If you make a point to connect with others, find out about community lessons/clubs/groups, keep them connected with others and make sure to guide them, they will learn all the social skills they need, and better.

One more thing you need to know about homeschooling: it's what you make it. It can be a fabulous time for you and your kids if you make it so. It doesn't do it on its own, just as having kids doesn't mean they'll just raise themselves on their own. :) If you love your kids and want to be with them, want something better for them, then homeschooling will do just that.

ADDED: But Trinity, just the other day you posted the satirical piece that actually encouraged homeschooling!

Answer 2

Now that you know the laws, you just have to decide what approach you'd like to take in homeschool. Don't listen to ignorant critics. They have nothing to back up their bias but more assumptions and myths. There are plenty of books and websites that describe different homeschool methods. You just have to pick the one that works best for your family. I recommend joining a support group to learn from the veteran homeschoolers. I also recommend giving the kids a little time to adjust to the new way of learning. Whatever you do, have fun. Learning is natural and enjoyable. Good luck! Homeschooling has been such a blessing to our family.

Answer 3

Homeschooling, these could be useful to you:

1. National Home Education Network

2. Help Your Child Explore Science

3. Natural Child Project

4. Family Unschoolers Network

5. Homeschool Groups

6. The Highschool Homeschooling Page

7. Homeschool Headlines

8. Home School Teachers Lounge

9. The Home School Zone

http://www.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/education...

HOME SCHOOLING.

http://www.homeschool.com/

http://www.hslda.org

http://homeschooling.about.com/od/curric...

http://www.homefires.com/

Homeschool.com also has the following information available free of charge:

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/inde...

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/

http://www.home-schooling-advice.net/

http://www.canteach.ca/links/linkhomesch...

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/p...

http://www.teachnlearn.org/index.htm

http://www.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/education...

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articl...

http://www.highlightskids.com/

http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starther...

Answer 4

You have to know the laws and rules for your area and comply with them.

Some areas require your file notice by a certain day.

Some areas require you follow the state sylubus and must submit your sylubus and the materials that back it up.

some area require you to keep a portfollio of work to prove that work is being done

Some areas require yearly testing and you may have to pay for those tests.

Answer 5

Home schooling requires complete dedication.  Yes, students may score higher, however, the families that I know had children who never did their work (one mom said her daughter hadn't done anything for a whole year -- how would you not know that your child hadn't completed any work for a whole year???).  Another mom told me she doesn't clean her house all week and never does dishes until the weekend.  They don't get out of their pjs some days.  This is not reality.  

If you choose to do this, realize that you must have a schedule that is followed each and every day regardless of what comes up in your life.  The kids and their education must be first in everything.  It is rewarding, but very demanding.  You need to have a special place that the kids will go each day for their schooling.  They have to get up each day at the same time and attend school all day.  Laws still require that all children go to school AT LEAST 180 days per year (and more in some states).

Answer 6

To home school your kids do a lot of reading, read everything about homeschooling you can get your hands on!  There's a ton of great info out there about home schooling, just look for it!  I would also try to find a home schooling seminar to meet other people who home school and get ideas from them.  Join a yahoo group for home schoolers, you'll get mountains of ideas from them.  Also, try to keep all the papers you print up on homeschooling organized, maybe get a big binder to put it all in (that way you never lose it).  Best of luck!

Answer 7

Yes, there are things you should know.  You should know that homeschoolers consistently outscore their public school peers in standardized tests, most colleges activiely recruit homeschoolers, and homeschoolers on average participate in three 'after school' activites while public schoolers average only one after school activity.  Don't listen to people (people that have never and would never homeschool) tell you it is a bad idea.  How would they know?  Homeschooling is a bad idea if the child would truly benefit from being 'in' school.  When my brother was getting bored at home, my parents sent him to school with no problem.

Answer 8

The next step is to decide how you want to do it independently or with another homeschool family or homeschool support group. Then find the curriculum you need and pursue. I am glad you chose homeschooling I think it strengthens families and gives children a better chance for education. Keep up the good work and I hope you have a great year and next year, and next year, and next year.....

Answer 9

i wouldn't recommend home schooling, it can ruin a kids childhood, at regular schools they can have friends and really improve social skills.  If your thinking about doing this because your kids don't get along with other kids or they don't have friends, then trust me they will make friends EVENTUALLY!! if your doing this because of school shootings/ fear, the odds are extremely slim something like that will at at their school.

Answer 10

dont listen to people telling you not to homeschool its your decision. my own mother doesnt agree with what im doing but its my child. you can check the local library and also try to find a school that you can enroll your child in but homeschool. the school then keeps up with grades, testing and attendance. it holds you accountable but also protects you in case someone wants to check schol records.

Answer 11

I agree with Georgia and Chris B., don't home school your children...

Answer 12

You need to know what goals you and your husband would like to see met in your home.

The children's learning style, the time you'd like to invest as well as what materials you'd like to use.

There is a vast amount of information out there it will make ones head spin.

It took a while for us to find our way; we went from a very structured classical method to unit studies, to relaxed, and finally to unschooling.

The only three subjects we learn in a more traditional manner is math, reading, and writing.

We love classical literature, and read a ton of books  from many sources, on a variety of subjects.

Our children are doing great, and each one has different interests, and only two of them learn in a similar manner, so it has been a bit of trail and error as to what to do to make each have an individualized education.

Home schooling is a way of life, and therefore it is an ongoing, changing process, you learn as you go.

Here are a few web sites that have lots of information, take some time to read through it, and start with just a few of the basics, and add to it as you progress in your home school journey.

It may be beneficial to attend a home school convention; these are often offered once a year in each state.

These conventions offer many workshops on home schooling, and vendors present their materials for you to review, and buy.

Try to connect with a home school group in your area for support, and activities.

Good Luck.

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

http://sandradodd.com/unschooling

http://ulfaq.home.comcast.net/~ulfaq/ULf...

http://www.unschooling.com/

On the other hand;

http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/

http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/

A little inspirational video to show how different children can be in their gifts, talents, and manner of learning, click on the purple box to watch it for free.

http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/

Answer 13

Don't homeschool your children. There are 2 sides to a story and your kids might have needs that only homeschooling can solve, but i wouldnt put my kids in homeschooling. it deprives them of social contact and skills that are important once they move on and try to get a job and other things. If your kids are getting teased or something like that then it would just delay and worsen the problem. Kids need to have at least one good friend that they can talk and hang out with, and usually they find friends at school. But then again, I dont no ur situation.

Answer 14

You do NOT need to be a member of HSLDA.  I've been HS'ing for over five years and have never been a member nor needed their services.

Here is a site with information:

http://hsislegal.com/

Feel free to use the HSLDA site for information about HS'ing in your state, and to find HS groups, but research them closely before you give them your money.

I would contact your state and local HS'ing organizations.  Find out the laws in your state.  Then learn your child's learning style so you can then do research on curricula.  Attend HS'ing conventions this spring & summer.  Get catalogs from every curriculum company you can find.  Do the placement tests for different companies.  Get samples of materials.

After you know what curriculum you'll be using (if any), then figure out your budget.  Include any museum/zoo memberships, field trips, online access to educational sites, co-ops, classes in the community, sports programs, etc.

Read, read, read - both online and offline.