Homeschooling Guide: Everything you need to know to start today
- rvpalace22
- Sep 3, 2023
- 4 min read
Homeschooling is the best decision a family can make, and knowing where to start is essential to ensure success. There are so many decisions to make from what methodology to follow, what curriculum to use, and how to be in compliance of your states homeschool laws. After homeschooling for the past 4 years I have learned so much. I wish we would have started sooner. What kept us from homeschooling was the lack of understanding on how to start. Here we will share all of the helpful links we used in order to find and obtain the information we needed to get started right away!
Homeschooling: Your right as a parent
Homeschooling has been looked at as an uncommon almost taboo way to educate our kids. But the truth is that it is the most natural way to educate. As parents we know our children better than anyone and we can be the best teacher for our kids if we choose it. It wasn't until the 19th and 20th centuries that the modern industrial way of education became mandatory due to the truancy laws set by the U.S. During this time (1850s-1990s) it was illegal to homeschool your children. The modern homeschooling movement began when the effectiveness of the public school system began to be questioned in the 1950s and 1960s. By 1992 homeschooling was officially recognized by all 50states. It is important to remember that it is our right as parents to decide how to educate our children and to not take it for granted. You can click on the link bellow to read about the History of Homeschooling in the U.S.
Getting started is the hardest part, but with these helpful tips and resources you can start today!
The moment you decide to homeschool is when the world around you becomes the classroom. All you need is the desire to learn, teach, and love your children the rest can be googled, printed and ordered. Information is out there.
Homeschooling: Homeschool Laws, Methodology, Curriculum
Homeschool State Laws
When you are transitioning from a traditional "brick and mortar" school to a homeschool the best thing you can do is look up your state's homeschooling laws and requirements. Every state has its own list of requirements that you must follow. If you happen to be in one of the more homeschool friendly states then all you will be required to do is fill out a homeschool affidavit and turn it into the school district your home address belongs to. If you are in one of the more government regulated states then there will be a bit more to comply with such as work sample checks, regular state testing, and even a teacher/guidance meeting. No matter what you find, once you know what requirements need to be met then you will be well on your way. Even if you are in a more government regulated state, moving to a more homeschool friendly state might be an option at a later time.
Homeschool Methodology
Methodology of your homeschool is a big thing. When you are choosing which methodology to use its almost like you are setting the mood of your teaching style, your kids learning experience, and class theme. It's a big deal. But before you pick one. I believe the most important thing you can ask yourself is "Why am I Homeschooling in the first place?" When you have your "Why" everything becomes clear. There are so many methodologies to choose from like Unschooling, Charlotte Mason, Montessori education, Waldorf education, Learning, and The Montessori Method just to name a few. You can read all about each methodology on line. I have a few links for YouTube explanations of the origins of each one below to get you started. You can choose one or you can combine the bits from each one that you feel will work for your homeschool. It's up to you. There are no wrong answers. Just keep your "Why" in mind.
Homeschool curriculum
Your curriculum choice will definitely depend on a combination of your homeschool State laws your Homeschool "Why" and your Homeschool methodology. Depending on which way you go there are plenty of online resources, reading lists, homeschool groups, and websites that offer free printable materials to choose from. Not to mention the old way we used to get information. The trusted community library! We have found that in any of the methodologies you pick there will still be room for math and science "book work" if you choose to do so. For us we were able to find great resources to purchase at the local Barnes and Nobel store. We will be going into greater detail for each of the school groups from elementary school, middle school, and high school in our next blog. For now here are some of the free resources we use for some of our curriculum.
Homeschooling starts when you decide to start
Whether you are still in the research phase or right in the middle of your homeschooling journey, just remember that you are the parent and you know what is best for your children. Educating your children is a parental right. You have all the capabilities and as much will, desire and effort as you are willing to commit to your child’s s education. You may not know everything but if you
are willing to learn it then you can also teach it! There is no better way that our children learn than by watching us. We can be the example of a life long learner. Once you know your "Why" you can fully commit to learning the ins and outs of Homeschooling laws, what methodology you will bring into your homeschool, and what materials you will need to teach your children. It is only in modern society that we as parents have been forcefully removed from our children’s education. It’s s time to take our position back as our children's educators.
We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions about any of the information we shared or other questions about how we homeschool just send us an email!
-The Palacios
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