The very first step after you’ve decided to homeschool is to find out what you’re state’s requirements are. Each state is different: some require only notification that you are homeschooling, while others require documentation before, during and after your home school year is completed. We encourage you to follow what your state’s homeschool laws prescribe. You must also know exactly what your particular school district is looking for, and be prepared to defend yourself if you believe it goes beyond what your state’s homeschooling laws dictate.
We believe that homeschooling is not only a privilege, but is also each parent’s right. Yes, the state government grants that right to each parent should they wish to do so, but as a parent, it is your God-given right to educate your child as you see fit! It is a privilege because, unfortunately, many do not have their right to educate their children recognized by their country’s government.
The next step is to determine what homeschooling will look like for your family, within the guidelines your state has set up. You will need to find the curriculum that works for you, whether it be textbooks, reference books, field trips, websites, etc. Your homeschooling style will likely change and evolve as you find out what resources are available, and as you get to know your child’s needs and abilities.
There are many different resources available for learning at home. Boxed curriculum sets such as those containing five or six subjects per grade level, and a series of workbooks or textbooks for each subject, may be helpful to get you started. Or, you can research textbooks and series to find which would best fit the style of learning you are seeking.
We have found a mix of textbooks and outside resources/reference books to be a great combination. Textbooks offer a framework for suggested studies, if you wish to compare to what a public or private school would be teaching at a particular grade level. From there, you can branch off into your own studies and build on your child’s interests and strengths.
This is not to say that a certain subject should be ignored if your child seems uninterested or has difficulty with it. On the contrary: find what works for your child. Homeschooling gives you the freedom to use methods and resources which will allow your child to flourish in a way they may not have been able to do in a traditional classroom. You can tailor each child’s curriculum to the way they learn best. Does your child love to read? Literature-based coursework will likely be a great fit for them. Are they more of a tactile learner? Consider an iPad for them to learn with the wealth of apps available. Do they hate math? Maybe they just hate the way they’re learning it. Search for the curriculum that will allow each child to learn at their pace and with their particular mix of learning styles.