Starting to Homeschool?

Tips for Starting your own Homeschool:


This is just advise from my own personal experience.... if anyone has more please message me and I'll add your advise too!


To Do First:
Research homeschooling in YOUR state.  Each state is different in the way they recognize your homeschool, and the testing they may or may not make your children complete.  If you are confused about the states regulations or laws, call the school district that you live in and they can answer your questions.  Something that is priceless is a mentor in your area.  Someone who has been homeschooling and knows your rights and the state laws, who you can meet face to face and get all your questions answered.  By talking to people who have already been homeschooling for awhile you can really make a decision about if homeschooling is right for you and your family.


Curriculum:
Lots of people have asked me what curriculum I use with my daughter.  This year, since she was starting Kindergarten, I actually wrote her curriculum myself.  You can find all kinds of national and state guidelines online to help you, and it saves you some mula.  The average curriculum can cost between $150-500 for each grade.  So if you have multiple kids you could really save a lot by writing your own.


Books, Activities, Work Sheets Oh My!!!!!
The second most asked question I get is where do I get all of my materials....  My answer:  Anywhere I can find them for cheap.  I don't go to teacher stores unless I can't find something I need else where.  The reason being... teacher stores are expensive.  I have found resources and books at Target, Craft Stores, Boarders, Amazon.com, the Library, even yard sales.  There are also many free web sites that will give you worksheets for any grade and subject.  My number one rule about the books that I buy is.... no one writes in the books.  We make copies of the pages we want to use so that way we can use the same books for our next kid!  This will save us money in the long run so we only have to buy books once and can use them for unlimited number of kids.


RELAX:
Homeschooling (and learning in general) is suppose to be fun!  So take a deep breath and Have Fun!!!!!  What I have found with my Kindergartener is she learns ideas better when we are reviewing a topic out in the world.  Either on a field trip, or at the grocery store, you can always find an opportunity to teach kids something new or reinforce something they have been learning.  Don't get aggravated when a child is struggling with something... put it aside and revisit it the next day.  Do some research online about the topic and see if there is a different approach to teaching it.  Enjoy this time you have with your child and relax in the knowledge that you are giving him/her the best education you can!






Additional Resources:


http://www.homeschool.com/

http://www.home-school.com/

http://homeschoolcentral.com/

http://www.hslda.org/hs/

http://homeedmag.com/

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

http://www.time4learning.com/index.htm

http://www.abeka.com/


http://homeschoolreviews.com/default.aspx

http://www.homeschoolingbooks.com/

http://homeschool.calvertschool.org/

http://www.christianbook.com/homeschool

http://www.aophomeschooling.com/

http://www.sonlight.com/