Getting Started in Home Education: An Overview
So you want to start homeschooling? Fantastic! You are beginning a venture that will be most beneficial for you and your children. This page is designed to help you with the first steps towards accomplishing that goal. You will be happy to know that there are tons of resources out there to help you. A simple Google search will give you scads of information. However, this site will give you a few simple steps to serve as an initial guide through the process.
1. PREP YOURSELF
The first thing you must do is prepare yourself. This ain't going to be a walk in the park. Raising children is never easy. And venturing into home education will only add to the challenges. As a matter of fact, just saying "I'm going to start homeschooling" is almost like saying, "I'm going to take a jaunt through the Amazon." You'll have to wade through a lot of information and do a lot of preparations before you get to school day #1. And after that, there is each day which will have challenges of its own.
To be sure, you will find yourself growing closer to your children and building fond memories with them. These years will be rewarding beyond your wildest expectations. Nevertheless, before you is a venture filled with as many surprises, setbacks, tears, frustrations, and toil, as there are excitements, laughs, joys, and successes. All that's to say you need to be prepared mentally for the task before you.
Think of it as analogous to farming. A farmer cannot enjoy a harvest without some blood, sweat and tears. So too, rearing your little ones will be long labor of love. As well, remember that you will be involved in spiritual warfare. Raising your children and training them to comprehend life as a Christian will be a battle against the world, the flesh (both yours and your child's) and the devil. So take heed to the Scripture's command to "Gird up your loins of your mind" (1 Peter 1:13), and get ready to plunge ahead with the help of God.
2. START READING AND RESEARCHING
What's important during this initial stage is to try and learn everything you can. Don't take one person's advice (like mine!), or read only one website's counsel. Immerse yourself in all that you can to get a feel for the lay of the land. Whether it is curriculum, support groups, activities, government requirements or scheduling/routine, find out as much as you can. This will only serve to give you an understanding how your family can best practice home education. Each family is different and each child has different needs. By availing yourself to other home educators and advisors, you will be able to discern what best suits your personal situation.
3. CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY
If you are at this site, you may already have seen that there is a thriving homeschool community in Ashland. There are lots of activities and many ways to even serve other home educators.
Even if you are not technically a “homeschooler” yet, feel free to get on the home education email list and facebook fan page. Through these outlets you will be able to keep up with all the events that are being scheduled and (what I call) the other homeschool chatter. You may also simply attend a homeschool event or find a homeschool family with whom you can chat. Our group is always willing to help. At the very least, we’ll try and point you in the right direction for whatever you may need.
Above all, remember this: checking into the rest of the homeschool community is a wise thing to do because it will help you form a network of support and encouragement.
4. PERUSE YOUR STATE’S RULES AND REGULATIONS
At some point you will have to wade through some of the regulatory gobblely gook from our good friends at the state. If this turns you off, just remember that being somewhat familiar with the laws will help to keep them out of your hair.
One of the items you will need to tend to is proper notification to the superintendent. This information (along with easy-to-follow examples) is provided for you on the “Forms and Info” page.
Do note that if you are pulling your child out of the public school system after the year has begun, this is perfectly fine to do. However, you will need to contact the superintendent and let him/her know that your child will no longer be attending that school. We do provide excellent guidance for you on how to do this at the “Recommended Procedure for Home Education Notification” page (under Forms and Info).
You may also want to check out the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. They provide good legal advice and advocacy for home educators, as well as loads more good information. They also have a very nice “Get Started in Homeschooling” page if you'd like to check it out.
5. CHOOSE YOUR CURRICULUM
The first thing you should know is that there are lots of great resources out there to help you give your children the best education they can receive. You don't have to feel like you are not smart enough to do the “home education thing.” What’s great about home education is that you can learn right alongside your kids—and sometimes this is the best part!
As well, don’t feel like you need to stick with any particular curriculum. You can tweak and revamp as you feel led. What’s more, you don’t have to choose any if you do not want to. You can start homeschooling with as little as a library card if you so desire. What’s most important is that you take charge and raise your child in the fear of God.
You might want some help doing that though, and that’s where the curriculum comes in. As I mentioned earlier, there are lots of great resources from which to choose. You can check out some of them at www.homeschool-curriculum.org. But again, talking with other local home educators will be helpful in wading through it.
6. DESIGNATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL AREA
This might sound silly, but it’s a good idea. This will help your child understand that “It’s time to do school.” Some use the kitchen table. Others use the living room couch. Some even designate a whole room with desks and all. Whatever avenue you choose, just make sure it is conducive to your child’s needs.
You’ll most certainly have questions come up as you begin working towards educating your child at home. So let me just reiterate here: Please feel free to contact any of us in the homeschool community. We’ll be happy to do what we can.
May God bless you and your children as you pursue Christ and his wisdom.
1. PREP YOURSELF
The first thing you must do is prepare yourself. This ain't going to be a walk in the park. Raising children is never easy. And venturing into home education will only add to the challenges. As a matter of fact, just saying "I'm going to start homeschooling" is almost like saying, "I'm going to take a jaunt through the Amazon." You'll have to wade through a lot of information and do a lot of preparations before you get to school day #1. And after that, there is each day which will have challenges of its own.
To be sure, you will find yourself growing closer to your children and building fond memories with them. These years will be rewarding beyond your wildest expectations. Nevertheless, before you is a venture filled with as many surprises, setbacks, tears, frustrations, and toil, as there are excitements, laughs, joys, and successes. All that's to say you need to be prepared mentally for the task before you.
Think of it as analogous to farming. A farmer cannot enjoy a harvest without some blood, sweat and tears. So too, rearing your little ones will be long labor of love. As well, remember that you will be involved in spiritual warfare. Raising your children and training them to comprehend life as a Christian will be a battle against the world, the flesh (both yours and your child's) and the devil. So take heed to the Scripture's command to "Gird up your loins of your mind" (1 Peter 1:13), and get ready to plunge ahead with the help of God.
2. START READING AND RESEARCHING
What's important during this initial stage is to try and learn everything you can. Don't take one person's advice (like mine!), or read only one website's counsel. Immerse yourself in all that you can to get a feel for the lay of the land. Whether it is curriculum, support groups, activities, government requirements or scheduling/routine, find out as much as you can. This will only serve to give you an understanding how your family can best practice home education. Each family is different and each child has different needs. By availing yourself to other home educators and advisors, you will be able to discern what best suits your personal situation.
3. CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY
If you are at this site, you may already have seen that there is a thriving homeschool community in Ashland. There are lots of activities and many ways to even serve other home educators.
Even if you are not technically a “homeschooler” yet, feel free to get on the home education email list and facebook fan page. Through these outlets you will be able to keep up with all the events that are being scheduled and (what I call) the other homeschool chatter. You may also simply attend a homeschool event or find a homeschool family with whom you can chat. Our group is always willing to help. At the very least, we’ll try and point you in the right direction for whatever you may need.
Above all, remember this: checking into the rest of the homeschool community is a wise thing to do because it will help you form a network of support and encouragement.
4. PERUSE YOUR STATE’S RULES AND REGULATIONS
At some point you will have to wade through some of the regulatory gobblely gook from our good friends at the state. If this turns you off, just remember that being somewhat familiar with the laws will help to keep them out of your hair.
One of the items you will need to tend to is proper notification to the superintendent. This information (along with easy-to-follow examples) is provided for you on the “Forms and Info” page.
Do note that if you are pulling your child out of the public school system after the year has begun, this is perfectly fine to do. However, you will need to contact the superintendent and let him/her know that your child will no longer be attending that school. We do provide excellent guidance for you on how to do this at the “Recommended Procedure for Home Education Notification” page (under Forms and Info).
You may also want to check out the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. They provide good legal advice and advocacy for home educators, as well as loads more good information. They also have a very nice “Get Started in Homeschooling” page if you'd like to check it out.
5. CHOOSE YOUR CURRICULUM
The first thing you should know is that there are lots of great resources out there to help you give your children the best education they can receive. You don't have to feel like you are not smart enough to do the “home education thing.” What’s great about home education is that you can learn right alongside your kids—and sometimes this is the best part!
As well, don’t feel like you need to stick with any particular curriculum. You can tweak and revamp as you feel led. What’s more, you don’t have to choose any if you do not want to. You can start homeschooling with as little as a library card if you so desire. What’s most important is that you take charge and raise your child in the fear of God.
You might want some help doing that though, and that’s where the curriculum comes in. As I mentioned earlier, there are lots of great resources from which to choose. You can check out some of them at www.homeschool-curriculum.org. But again, talking with other local home educators will be helpful in wading through it.
6. DESIGNATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL AREA
This might sound silly, but it’s a good idea. This will help your child understand that “It’s time to do school.” Some use the kitchen table. Others use the living room couch. Some even designate a whole room with desks and all. Whatever avenue you choose, just make sure it is conducive to your child’s needs.
You’ll most certainly have questions come up as you begin working towards educating your child at home. So let me just reiterate here: Please feel free to contact any of us in the homeschool community. We’ll be happy to do what we can.
May God bless you and your children as you pursue Christ and his wisdom.