Public school vs. Home Schooling

Lisa - posted on 06/27/2012

Don't feel that you must have an entire curriculum in place to start. If you just begin with a math book, a spelling book, and a history book, you will be fine.

The hardest part about making the transition from public school to home is that your child has to learn it won't just be public school at the kitchen table.

Above and beyond the workbooks, make trips to the library every week and get as many books as you can on a subject that interests him: Dinosaurs, Rockets, Race Cars, etc. Read and talk about these subjects as part of your school day. Try to find some sort of project or activity he can do in these subjects. (build a model, plan a visit to a museum, Make a poster, etc.) Find books for him to read at his level and talk to him every day about what he has read. Pick a harder book for you to read out loud to him.

There are plenty of resources online that will give advice about what a child should be doing at each grade level. Do your best to hit the basics with him and then have fun.

Also, it might be a good idea to do one of the National Standardized tests every year, just so you can see where he is doing great and where you might need to give more focus. It will also be good practice for him. Life requires tests, so part of his education is learning how to do one without freaking out.

Be sure to check the internet for the homeschool requirements in your state. You may or may not need to send a letter to your school district notifying them of your intent to homeschool (so you don't get prosecuted for truancy). You may also need to fulfill requirements like teaching certain subjects or turning in some sort of annual evaluation that shows he is progressing. Each state is different, so be sure you are informed. (Note: The local school district is not the most reliable source for this info. )

Good Luck, Mom! No one knows your child better than you do. If you have the drive and a good relationship with your child, you can be the best teacher he ever has.

Trisha - posted on 06/26/2012

I'm just getting started with homeschooling so I don't have any advice with regards to curriculum, but I wanted to applaud you for even thinking about homeschooling.

First, let me say that I know homeschooling is not for every parent/child. We are choosing homeschool to help our kids grow their talents for the arts, and to provide them with a well rounded secular education. I think that is probably your first decision in regards to curriculum, secular v. faith based.

Once that decision has been made I recommend what the other posters have already said...find a group online or in your local community and start asking around!!! Our rural community has a very high number of homeschool families and we have a co-op the meets once a week throughout the school year!

Jennifer - posted on 05/07/2012

i chose to homeschool because first off, almost monthly i hear on news about some teacher, etc getting involved w/ a student so my trust in teachers is kaput pretty much. second, i dont trust anyone w/ my kids except my family. third, schools are trying to push politics at a young age so i'm going homeschool. my family is christian so i'm looking into christian-oriented curriculums. there are ALOT of curriculums out there but so far, i've heard Abeka is one good one, i've seen mixed reviews about the one i'm considering, ACE. there's alot more so good luck!

Chris - posted on 05/03/2012

Do a google search on home school groups in your area. That's your first stop for information. See if there are any home school workshops or seminars in your area. The local home school groups will have information on these. The the workshops/seminars will give you lots of information in one setting. Check with your local school district. They may have a home school option. Check for charter schools. Many of them have home school/classroom options. There are distance learning programs and online programs. K12 is one that is accepted by many school districts. Check on your state's requirements for home school. Check out books from your local library on home schooling. Knowing your child's learning style will also help you decide what kind of schooling you will be doing.

These websites will give you a starting place. http://www.hslda.org/laws/
http://people.usd.edu/~bwjames/tut/learn...

CHris