David and I was thrown into Homeschooling Charlie with no time to prepare. Or to look for resources and gather supplies and items we would need. Due to a incident that happened in Charlies classroom at his public school. So the more we became involved in Homeschooling the more questions I had. And there where terms I didn’t understand and still may not understand.
So I wanted to try and make things a little easier for parents looking into Homeschooling. And before I begin I know I do not have all the answers but what I can tell you is to ask questions and research and make Google your best friend as it will come in handy. And ask questions from everyone you know as they will help you.
- Look up the rules for Homeschooling in your State. As each State has different rules and regulations. And you want to make sure you are complying with the rules of your State.
- 2.The second thing I did when I knew we were going to Homeschool Charlie was I Googled Homeschool Blogs. Once I found a couple blogs that I liked that had articles and things I knew we would use, I bookmarked them and went back to them a couple times a week to see what new items they had that would help us out.
- 3. Then I went to Facebook and searched for Homeschool Groups and as you do search for ones in your area. Because sometimes they host events and things you can take your children to. And they usually have discounts on the items you can attend.
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4. Research, research and research some more as there are about 12 different styles/methods of homechooling each with their benefits and downfalls.
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Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, etc are a few more learning styles to look into when deciding to teach your children and you might also want to google multiple intelligence. But one thing I can not stress enough is if you have more than one child they may not learn the same way so you need to be prepared to have different ways to teach each child.
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5.Create a Routine that the entire family can live with. As for our Homeschool everyone knows Charlie attends school from 9 until noon and we do not answer the door or the phone during school hours. And this includes lunch time. As I want Charlie to know I am serious about teaching him. And my family sometimes will still call during those times but they know we will not answer the phone. And calls will be returned after noon. And we do have a Principal and it is Charlies dad and yes, he does get sent to him for not cooperating and just like in school he can be expelled.
- 6.Find a mentor that can help teach your children when your sick or have to be out of pocket for what ever reason. Because last year my husband was in the hospital for a week and we didn’t plan on it. But my mother in-law stepped up and taught Charlie for me. As well as my sister. Plus if there is subjects you do not feel like you can teach a mentor might be more comfortable and can take that class for you. As I have had my niece and step-daughter teach Science for Charlie.
- 7.Check into community organizations as they offer enrichment and extra curricular activities like art, gym, band, dance, and sports. Some 4-H clubs cater to homeschool families. Zoos and museums often offer homeschool classes as well.
- 8 Look in your area and find out if there is Homeschool Co-Ops and join one for the support not only for yourself but for your children
- 9 If you are not sure you are the right person to teach your child but you want them to be Homeschooled then I would like to suggest you check into Online Public Schools like k12 and Learning Connections. As they prepare the lessons and things and we just make sure our children do them. At first I thought K12 was the perfect fit for my family but after many Prayers and discussions with friends and family I have now decided I will Homeschool Charlie myself and do it frugally or free. And yes, this can be done if you research places like Educents that offers Free Worksheets. And Easy Peasy which is a website that offers day by day curriculum for us to use for free.
- 10.Set a Budget as you do have to spend money when homeschooling but there is a lot of things you can find for free. Other than the supplies you will need. And this can include Field Trips because if you join Homeschool Buyers Co-Op which is free to join they offer Virtual Field Trips for us to take the children on. And with one car this has allowed us to learn new things and to visit places we would never be able to go to.
- So in conclusion is Homeschool easy? No, it is not always easy and there is days when you wonder why you are doing it. But the time you get to spend with the children and the memories you make are worth more than anything in the world to me. And my family. And as Charlie learns I am leaning new and different things as well. And Charlie is able to help teach our nieces and nephews. And we are able to learn thing he couldn’t learn in school like Bible Verses. And to begin our day with the
- Pledge of Allegiance. And Charlie can help decide and research what we will study each week. As well as help me prepare our lesson plans.
- And unexpected things can happen but will become a learning lesson as I stepped on a nail and Charlie had to learn about First Aid and a Tetanus Shot and why or why wouldn’t I need one. As well as when we went to the emergency room with David on his knee Charlie was able to be in the room and learn things we can use in our Hospital Unit Study when we begin it.
