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.

Getting Started

This blog is for all who wish to share the ideas and opinions of homeschooling. I am a mother of two boys. Our homeschool journey began two years ago when faced with a tough decision to keep the boys enrolled in a crowded parochial classroom or quit my job as the school librarian to homeschool. I am thankful for the outcome of the decision to homeschool. I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay home with my boys and share their educational experiences.

My educational background is that of a Florida certified teacher in Kindergarten through sixth grade, who skipped the classroom teaching experience in lieu of raising the boys. As a Navy wife on the move every two years, I found it more convenient to be a stay-at-home mom in the early childhood years. Both boys attended Catholic schools in the early elementary years and eventually, I found a dream job in the school's library. Reading has always been a passion of mine, but more so when the boys were young and I had a captive audience in which to read. Working in a school library is the most rewarding experience a book lover can have. Unfortunately, it had to end when I made the decision not to enroll the boys in the school when I learned that the oldest sons classroom would contain 34 students. I trusted the teachers and knew that he would survive the year, but that was not enough for me. In my heart, I knew there was a better way. It was an easy decision to make and I am thrilled to share my boys lives more fully.

I hope this blog will be a place for other homeschoolers to share important ideas and information. A place to commiserate, advise, support, exchange, and lift-up others who seek.