New to Homeschooling

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New to HomeSchooling?

Are you new to homeschooling? Perhaps you're considering homeschooling. Why do you want to homeschool? Are your children preschool, elementary, junior or senior high? There are so many choices, what should I do? How do I do this? Hopefully this lens and the links to others will help answer some of these question for you.

So many questions, so many choices. 

Twenty plus years ago when the pioneers of the current homeschooling movement were getting started the choices were few, which was both good and bad. Good because those who decided to home school where committed, and willing to deal with the difficulties. Bad because it limited the number of people who could homeschool and required a lot of those who chose this route.

With more resources, it's easier for a broader population to choose this option of educating their children. If you're considering or are new to homeschooling, one of the first things you need to do is ask yourself why you're going to do this. The reasons are many, it could be your child's public school environment is not good, or you want to take responsibility for their education. Perhaps your student has special needs, that aren't being well addressed elsewhere, or maybe you know another homeschooler and like what you see.

What's your homeschooling philosophy? 

The next question you need to consider is what is your homeschooling philosophy? This will help you narrow down your curriculum choices. Things to consider is how do you learn and how does your child learn? As an example I am and audio/visual learner, thus it will be more comfortable for me to teach that way. This worked well for my oldest, but my youngest learns better by reading and workbooks, I didn't realize this until she was 10 years old. Unfortunately for her I was anti-workbooks.

Another important question to ask when talking to other homeschoolers about the curriculum they use is "Why or why they didn't like that curriculum?" Depending on their teaching preference or their students learning style, what didn't work for them could be great for you. Susan Beatty of CHEA of Calif., in her seminars encourages new homeschoolers to consider why they're teaching the subjects they teach? Because that's what so-and-so does is not a good answer. When I pondered this question for the basics of math I came up with I want my children to be able to balance a check book, make and use a budget, be able to figure out what's the best deal etc.

Ruth Beechick on eBay 

A well respected author in the homeschool community and one of my favorites is Ruth Beechick.

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Quick start or time to research 

So, with all these questions what decision should you make? If you'll be starting quickly, within a month or a few weeks, and you know absolutely nothing about homeschooling many will use what is called a "box curriculum", or "school at home" from a philosophy perspective. While I don't usually recommend this method, it's not a bad way to go for your first year IF you have to start up quickly with an older student and don't have time to answer any of the above questions. If however, you have preschoolers, or even a kindergartner through 1st or 2nd grade, I recommend you enjoy your life with your child, do your research and teach as you go throughout the day. The magazine Homeschooling Today has and article called
How to Start Homeschooling in 8 Easy Steps that you might find helpful.

If you feel bold and want to design your own curriculum take a look at this web site

The quarterly magazine below also has a wealth of information. Homeschool magazines are an easy way to do research and have a lot of free helps and resources. The article Escaping the Homeschool Matrix from TOS (The Old Schoolhouse) is an ecouraging one to both new and veteran homeschoolers.

The Old Schoolhouse magazine Renew for 2 years for the price of 1

All parents homeschool to some degree 

Something to keep in mind is that everyone homeschools their children even if they're kids go to public school. What you do when they are home is teaching them something, it may be good or in need of improvement. Things that most of us teach our children before the age of five is how to dress and feed themselves, their colors, how to speak in complete sentences with proper tenses etc. As they get older we teach them what's important in life by the things we do. What are you teaching your child? Do you sit around and watch TV or read books? Maybe you play sports or do volunteer work. Does you child have an annoying habit or trait, look in the mirror and see if you're their example. (Ouch! I know, that one always gets me too.)

I should also warn you that when you homeschool your children they are not the only ones being homeschooled. Over the years, in addition to being reminded of things I had forgotten, I learned to be more dilligent. I've also had to look into that mirror I mentioned above and allow my maker to mold and shape me, as I worked with my daughters.

Parenting helps on eBay 

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Homeschooling is MORE than Academics 

The last think I want to touch on and will probably become a more detailed lens of its own is the importance of child training. It's easy to get caught up in the mechanics and academics and forget about character training. This is just as important, as it's very difficult to teach a child who is not teachable. If your child will not obey you when you tell him to sit down etc. how do you think your going to get him or her to do their school work. In fact I think training a child's character is the most important area to focus on in preschool age through first grade and should still have a strong emphasis throughout elementary school. If we're diligent in the early years with this, we have a better chance of having pleasant teen years and adolescents who work independently and can be trusted.

Great Stuff on CafePress 

Homeschool Bus License Plate Frame

Homeschool Bus License Plate Frame

From: Agent of Change

Hands on learning is great. Use the classroom that's around you everywhere you go.

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Patchwork Quilt Pink Journal

Patchwork Quilt Pink Journal

From: Noah's Rainbarrel Homeschool Store

Price: 12.99 Buy Now

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Good for books, groceries or take along activities.

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...check out my lensography at In the Beginning for other homeschool lenses

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by bygproductions

First and foremost, I'm a sinner saved by grace, which is what the "byg" stands for, "by grace". Next I'm a wife, a mother, a homeschooler, and a jack... (more)

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