FAQs on Homeschooling
I will be adding to it as either I think of more questions, or as more questions are submitted to me.
I think I've decided to homeschool, but I'm a little scared. Help!
Is homeschooling legal where I live? How do I find out more...?
What about college? I've heard homeschooled kids can't get into colleges.
What about curriculum?
What options are there to school-at-home?
Are there any resources online to offer me support?
What books do you recommend?
I've had some members of my family and some friends ask questions about whether homeschooling is best and about the socialization issue. What can I tell them?
I think I've decided to homeschool, but I'm a little scared. Help!
First of all, take a few deep breaths and relax..... There.... Feel better?
The next thing I recommend is finding homeschoolers and talking to them. If you know any from church, community activities, or your neighborhood, sound them out. Find out what they do and how they do it. Do they school-at-home, use unit studies, the Classical approach, or the living books method? Or perhaps they use an eclectic approach or unschooling methods...
These families can also help you understand how to comply with any laws your state may have concerning homeschooling.
If you cannot find any homeschoolers in your area that can offer help, advice or support, you can at least find support online.
Is homeschooling legal where I live?
How do I find out more information about homeschooling laws in my area?
Homeschool laws vary from state to state, of course, and in various countries.
You need to become familiar with the law in your area, and should contact a local organization or support group who can offer assistance as you need it.
Here are some websites that list either the homeschool laws and/or list organizations in local/regional areas which can answer your questions:
What about college? I've heard homeschooled kids can't get into colleges.
Yes, I've heard that too. *chuckle*
Rather than trying to re-invent the wheel by spending a lot of time trying to dispel misinformation or giving facts on this, I'm just going to recommend going to Karl Bunday's site and reading his excellent Colleges That Admit Homeschoolers FAQ page.
I also recommend reading HSLDA | National Center Issues Analysis: Recognizing Home School Diplomas for College Admittance and Financial Aid. In the conclusion of this article it states: "Congress has revised and clarified federal law affecting home schoolers. The U.S. Department of Education has changed its policy as well. Both point to a common principle: Home schoolers should be admitted to colleges and granted financial aid without having to take additional tests beyond what is required of traditionally schooled students. Ignoring a home school graduate’s diploma and requiring him to take a GED, SAT II, or ability-to-benefit test, while graduates from traditional high schools are not required to do so, is discriminatory."
What about curriculum? What kind do you recommend?
Hoo boy! That's a loaded question to ask me! <grin>
I personally don't recommend any curriculum -- at least not in the standard let-it-dictate-your-life way that most people view it.
Curriculum can be an invaluable resource, but please remember, it is best used as a guide or companion, not as your taskmaster! (Ever hear a homeschooler say something like, 'My kids are four months behind -- I don't know how we'll ever catch up!'? THAT's letting your curriculum rule you!)
If you wish to use curriculum, I have a Curriculum Page which has many offerings on it. But I would suggest before leaping in and spending a lot of money, talking to other homeschoolers who use a variety of different kinds of curricula, as well as any homeschoolers you can find who do *not* rely strictly on texts to get a well-rounded first-hand view.
I also suggest my Unschooling Forum.
There are books, websites and articles which address the failed public school system (and thus, the concept of curriculum that arose from it).
Research the subject instead of just mimicking the public school by having school-at-home. There are other methods available to homeschoolers. Make sure you know what your options are!
Such as?
What are the options to school-at-home?
Here's a listing of the methods I am aware of. I've done my best to explain each, however it is very difficult to state an educational philosophy in a sentence or two.
-
Charlotte Mason or Living Books: emphasis is on nature and learning through the humanities: children read "living books" rather than 'dumbed-down' literature, study art and music, learn through their senses and nature
For more info -
Classical: based on the method used in Classical Greece and Rome, this method incorporates a three part process that progresses as the child develops called the trivium, which includes the knowledge or grammar stage, the logic stage where a child begins to ask questions, and the rhetoric stage in which the young person begins to apply the knowledge practically.
For more info -
Delayed Formal Academics: a child's formal academics are delayed until the child is ready for them -- about 8 or 10 years of age, then the child, now developmentally ready, quickly learns and becomes proficient in his/her studies.
For more info check out the Moore's books School Can Wait or Better Late Than Early -
Purpose-led Education: a belief that a child is put here with a Purpose in Life by G*d, with unique gifts, and talents and as that the child should be allowed to follow the L*rd's plan for his/her life instead of fitting a mold the parents (or others) expect.
For more info:
Christian Unschooling
Identity Directed Homeschooling
The "Discipleship" Methodology of Homeschooling
What is your child's PURPOSE? -
School-at-Home aka Traditional: uses curriculum textbooks separated into subjects, with testing and grade level separation as the public schools do.
For more info -
Unit Studies: all subjects are incorporated into a study around a central theme, such as a study of Egypt, volcanoes, a literature theme, etc.
For more info -
Unschooling: child-led or interest-led learning where the child is allowed to pursue his/her interests wherever they lead while parents provide resources and encouragement
For more info
Many parents incorporate ideas from various methods of homeschooling into their lifestyle depending on the child's personality, temperament, and learning style. You must discover what is best for your child(ren) and family lifestyle.
I recommend is finding homeschoolers and talking to them. If you know any from church, community activities or your neighborhood, sound them out. Find out what they do and how they do it. Do they school-at-home, use unit studies, the Classical approach, living books method or perhaps an eclectic approach or unschooling methods....
There is no one right way to homeschool and you must find what fits your family.
I don't know a lot of homeschoolers locally. Are there any resources online to offer me support?
I really feel alone, and would like to talk to other homeschoolers!
Many resources are available!
Of course the first place I recommend looking is on my Resource Page! <grin>
Many homeschool sites have message boards, chat rooms, communities, newsletters, email loops or digests, etc.
Browse that page and see if you don't find some wonderful sites.
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Please understand this is only a sampling of what's available -- do some searching and you'll find much more!
- Chat Rooms
All over the Internet homeschoolers gather in chat rooms, unfortunately, I haven't the time to check them so I'm merely going to point to you a site that can give you more info on chats: - Newsgroups
Also, there are newsgroups you can join.
Such as: - Email Lists:
- SmartGroups.com: HomeSchool
- Yahoo! Groups Homeschooling Email Lists (was eGroups)
- Topica Email List Directory: Homeschooling
- SmartGroups.com: HomeSchool
- Magazines
Don't forget there are many homeschool magazines, too! Such as:
What books do you recommend?
There are a lot of excellent books on homeschooling and it's hard to narrow it down to a few.
There is a list of books I highly recommend in the Unschooling Forum, they should be enough to get you started.
One important aspect of being a homeschooler is to be well-read, and not just because children follow the example set for them!
Become familiar with the various aspects and points of view on homeschooling, by reading, reading, reading on the topic. You can never learn too much.
Homeschooling is very popular and most libraries carry quite a bit of material on the subject, so if your budget won't allow a lot of book purchases, that is a viable alternative.
I've had some members of my family and some friends ask questions about whether homeschooling is best and about the socialization issue. What can I tell them?
Read these articles. They ought to get you some solid information to give your family and friends:
Nobel Prize Winners Hate School
Social Development or Socialization?
Socialization: A Great Reason Not to Go to School
Last but certainly not least, I recommend reading these articles:
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