Find Instant Access to Homeschool Resources

Homeschool conventions have been taking place this spring all around the country.  Conventions offer a wealth of information and inspiration for families who home educate, whether you are new or have been doing it for years.  But, what about families who don't live near a convention site or whose budget will not accommodate the expenses?  You can save money and still reap the benefits of the convention by finding the information on the web.

Did you know that a simple Google search for "homeschool convention" provides over two million results?  Many of those will provide details on the speakers and vendors who attended conventions around the country.  The first search I found was for a convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Although the convention is passed and Cincinnati is 630 miles from home, the information is still available to see which speakers held workshops and which vendors had booths in the exhibition hall with their curriculum and products available.

Even if you are unable to attend a convention, having a list of homeschool vendors can be a great resource for finding curriculum with which you may not be familiar or may not be aware of it's existence. Sometimes we don't know what we are looking for, until it finds us.  While perusing the list of vendors at the FPEA in Orlando, Florida I came across one called Homeschool Tech, which offers a video based, hands-on course to learn to build computers. Before I saw the company name on the list of exhibitors at the convention, it had not occurred to me that such a course existed for homeschoolers because I had not thought of looking for one.

Also on the web site for the convention in Cincinnati, Ohio was an impressive list of speakers, each with a short biographical sketch.  Generally, speakers at a convention have years of homeschooling expertise and experience to share that can be helpful to a novice.  A search at your local library or Amazon will produce many results of those homeschool pioneers whose books offer inspiration, encouragement and wisdom.

So, even if you are unable to attend a homeschooling convention, their web sites can still offer instant access to homeschool resources.

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Are You Considering Homeschool?

A common question from parents who are considering homeschooling is, "Where do I start?"  It's a difficult question to answer because there are many different reasons for choosing homeschool education.  The remarkable certainty is that there is a wealth of information available to help begin the journey.  

First, check your states requirements for homeschooling. You need to know if your state requires testing, evaluation, or attendance records. Having this information will help you plan your goals. 

Next, decide what is the purpose of homeschooling? Religious freedom, special educational needs and academic goals are some reasons people choose to homeschool. Understanding your purpose for educating your children at home will help you choose a curriculum to suit your needs.

Finally, what style education matches the needs of you and your children? Some families choose a traditional approach to education, which may resemble the style used in a conventional classroom, while the extreme opposite approach is unschooling, where little or no curriculum or schedule demands are put on the children. Knowing which style of education you are happy with will help in planning your schedule and choosing a curriculum best suited to that style education.

The research in planning a homeschool adventure can seem overwhelming because there is so much information available. It is recommended that you consider the requirements, your purpose and the style to answer the question, "Where do I start?"

Where to look for information:
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a wealth of resources and has a link to state laws. http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp?bhcp=1 

Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum describes many popular homeschool curriculum available and helps match the students learning style to a curriculum suited to the child's needs and the style of education you prefer. Check your local library or click here for a link to Amazon:100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style
  
The Homeschool Buyers Co-op   is a homeschool co-op designed to pool the purchasing power of the  membership.  It is a great source of homeschool materials by subject matter and other resources.  Even if you are not ready to make purchase, this web site provides a sample of different types of homeschool curriculum available.