When I was asked to write about how to prepare to homeschool, I nearly fell off my chair. The actual falling had more to do with the kamikaze stinkbug flying right for my head, but the daunting task was still fall-worthy. How in the world do I sum up the preparation for homeschooling in one tiny article? The reality is: I can’t. There is just too much involved because homeschooling is such a personal choice. What I can do is present information that I feel is imperative if a family is considering homeschooling.
First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws of your state. Each state differs in their requirements requiring the qualifications of the person teaching, notification of the intent to homeschool, the subjects that must be taught, and the reporting process. For a quick glance at the homeschooling requirements in your state, access the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) at (Home School Legal Defense Association)
Once you are aware of the requirements in your state, don’t rush into a decision. Most states have an ‘Intent to Homeschool’ notice that must be filled out and sent to your local school district or department of education. Until that notice is received, if you pull your child from school, those absences are considered unlawful and can amount to truancy. If you are pulling your child from his or her current school setting, just use those days to prepare yourself for the homeschooling journey ahead.
First and foremost, it is in your child’s best interest to research the standards for your state in regards to what your child would normally be learning in the public school system. These standards can help guide your units of study and help guarantee that your child is meeting all of the learning goals for required subjects at each grade level. In fact, accessing the Core Standards at Core Standards will cover all but six states in the United States. These standards were developed to ensure that students all over the country are learning similar content at the same grade level. To access your state’s standards, simply do an Internet search for your state’s Department of Education and search for state standards. They are readily available on each DOE website.
As you research curricula that are available (we’ll be tackling that issue next month), find out how well subject matter is aligned to the standards. Taking the time to research can save time, energy, and quite a bit of money. Homeschooling parents are often surprised to find out just how much of their child’s learning they can find with resources in the community, on the Internet, and in their own homes.
Finally, start thinking about what approach works best with your family, especially your homeschooled child. Since children learn in a variety of ways, keep an eye out for the types of learning that are most effective for your child. Some children learn best with hands-on learning while others prefer book content or a combination of both. Assess your child’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and interests before even thinking about a certain curriculum. By taking the time to do this, finding the curriculum or curricula that work best for your child will help ensure his success.
Although the above information is broad and non-specific, it is the best way to get started. Being aware of the resources out there, the responsibilities of the homeschooling family, and the most effective learning nature of your child will ensure a steady start to learning in the home environment. Be sure to check out the resources below to get started on your journey through homeschooling.
Resources:
Common Core State Standards Initiative
Home School Legal Defense Association
US Department of Education:
Homeschoolers: Estimating Numbers and Growth
