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Homeschool Decision

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Is homeschooling right for you and your child?

Making the decision whether or not to homeschool can seem like a daunting task. With all the information bombarding us about teaching, education, learning styles, public school, private school, charter school, preparing your child for college, the perfect pre-school etc. How do you make the right decision?

I can not tell you what will be right for you and your child. Each child and each family is different. What I can tell you is that the answer lies within the eyes of your child and within your heart. No decision is permanent and it is ok to change your mind as you go along. Keep your eyes open, learn about the laws where you live and open your heart to all the possibilities.

Will you make the decision to homeschool?

Photo Credit: Mother and Child by Moonlight
on Karen's Whimsey.

We Chose to Homeschool

Deciding to Homeschool

Homeschool Experiences

Photo Credit: Maya helping set the breakfast table.
on Flickr, Creative Commons

When my child was a toddler she loved to play with blocks, sing songs and listen to stories. She helped me sort socks, care for her younger brother and cook meals for daddy. She loved to help set the table.
Homeschool Experience

Photo Credit: Grace in the Garden
on Flickr, Creative Commons

Playing with blocks leads to understanding of physics and architecture. Singing songs teaches rhythm, language structure, and much, much more. Sorting socks and setting the table are beginning math skills and caring for babies teaches responsibility, health and safety. These are the things that children are supposed to learn in preschool. My child was learning these things without formal schooling.

We discovered that we were homeschooling our children without even realizing it.

Homeschooling Kindergarten

We began to homeschool.

Starting to Homeschool

Photo Credit: My daughter
Family Photo



As kindergarten age approached I remembered that my mother had a cousin who had homeschooled her son all the way up until college and that they lived not far from us, so I decided to visit her to find out more about homeschooling.

Homeschooling

Photo Credit: Betsy Herbert of South Street Centre
on Betsy's Life


Betsy Herbert ran South Street Centre in Santa Cruz. She and her partner, Estelle Fein, had started that school for their children and as a place for homeschoolers to gather when they wished to share learning experiences as well as a place to store and share learning materials.

Betsy assured me that homeschooling was not only possible but that it was legal in all states, vibrant and an exciting way to learn.It was then, when my daughter was 4, that we made the decision to homeschool. We decided that at least for kindergarten we would homeschool her.

Your decision to homeschool is not permanent. You can change your mind at any time. We decided to homeschool for a year. We moved from California to the Boston Area and began to connect with the homeschooling community of the Greater Boston Area.

What do homeschoolers do?

Is homeschooling just sitting at the kitchen table?

Kenneth Merriman Swinging on Tree Limb After Kicking Away Stilts

Kelley, Robert W.
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When we moved to the Boston area, my oldest was 5 years old. I discovered that we did not have to legally register her as a homeschooler until after her 6th birthday. I breathed a sigh of relief and began to make connections with the local homeschool community. Boston is an ideal place for homeschooling. There are museums, zoos, parks, historic sites, amazing public and university libraries and so much more that I couldn't possibly list them all.

Homeschoolers

Photo Credit: Looking for Monkeys in Costa Rica
on Flickr, Creative Commons



We were rarely at home. We met other homeschoolers at parks, libraries, concerts and museums. We read 20 or more picture books a day and by the time she was 5 or 6 I began reading chapter books to her. I feared her younger brother, 2 years old, would be bored but I found he enjoyed the chapter books as much as she did.

Sometimes I thought they needed more schooling and tried to introduce more schoolish activities but found that there just wasn't time for them. We were spending too much time learning to waste it on workbooks. I had told my husband we would homeschool until first grade but as that time approached he too could see how much she was learning and so we decided to continue homeschooling.


Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book Of Homeschooling

Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book Of Homeschooling

by: John Holt, Pat Farenga

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

When making the decision whether or not to homeschool Teach Your Own is a classic. Reading it becomes a catalyst for conversation and can help you to answer those difficult questions posed by well-meaning spouses and relatives.

Homeschoolers Learn in Museums

Museums Welcome Homeschoolers

Homeschooling

As homeschoolers we soon learned that the ideal day for field trips was Monday. Schools rarely took field trips so homeschoolers found museums welcoming them with open arms. Homeschoolers are able to take the time to truly explore a museum's display. There is no rushing from exhibit to exhibit to keep up with the crowd. Children can ask questions and the docents have the time to actually answer them.

Many museums offer classes. We found that many of the students enrolled in those classes are homeschoolers. Often it is only homeschoolers that have the time to take these classes. The students in museum classes are there by choice. With interested students, the teacher has more time to teach and the children are eager to learn.

Photo Credit: Homeschooling at a Museum
on Flickr, Used with Permission

Many Moons

Homeschool

Photo Credit: My daughter age 5 with homeschool friends
in a production of Many Moons with the Puddlejump Players


At six years old my daughter's thirst for knowledge knew no bounds. She learned to sew, experimented with displacement, learned about Ancient Egypt
and walked onto stage for the first time.

My daughter joined local homeschoolers to put on a play each year. They made costumes, worked the lights, helped with the script and sold raffle tickets. It was the culmination of six months work each year. Rising from a maid to lead role, my daughter thrived on performing. Homeschooling was what made it possible to have the time to do all these things.

What is it like to homeschool?

Would your child miss out on opportunities if they homeschooled?

My Daughter playing Louisa May Alcott in Fruitlands 1834

Photo Credit: My daughter
playing the part of Louisa May Alcott
Family Photo


A graduate student from BU was looking for child actors. My daughter was offered the part of Louisa May Alcott. She is seen here with an older fellow homeschooler in the movie, Fruitlands 1834.

My daughter tied on ballet shoes and danced in Jose Mateo's Nutcracker, dissected human brains looking for E. coli bacteria with the Boston Public Health Department and got to kissed by a walrus at the Boston Aquarium. These and many more equally exciting activities she did before 7th grade.

One day my daughter decided she wanted to learn Chinese. There happened to be a librarian from China offering story hour for Chinese speaking children so we joined the story hour.

None of these opportunities were available to schooled children. They just didn't have the time. What opportunities would be available for your homeschooled child?

When does homeschooling start legally?

At what age are you required to register your children as homeschoolers?

The answer to this question can depend on which country you live in, which state or even which town. You will need to check with local homeschoolers on this one. In the United States it's always advisable to check with the Homeschool Legal Defense Fund.

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Homeschooling on a Costa Rican Beach!

What can it be like to homeschool?

Homeschooling in Costa Rica

Homeschooling means that you are not tied down to a school schedule. You can travel when and where you want. Plane tickets are often cheaper when school is in session. One year we traveled to Costa Rica. Learning is everywhere. Open your eyes and you will be amazed...

The illustration of the beach is from an out of print magazine I bought in Costa Rica.
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Learning to Read

Decide to Homeschool and Teach Reading

The number one best way to assure that your children will become good readers is to read to them. Read as often as possible. Read all day no matter where you go. We listened to stories in the car as we drove from activity to activity. We read picture books on the bus. We read signs, menus, descriptions in museums and books at the library. I even keep a basket of books in the bathroom.

My one exception to the no workbook rule was Explode the Code. This fun, creative, yet simple workbook series teaches phonics, spelling rules and reading. While providing plenty of repetition, the activities are varied enough to prevent boredom. The sentences and pictures are silly but that is the beauty of these workbooks. The silliness captures a child's attention while at the same time requiring them to read each word and sentence very carefully. Explode the Code explains and provides important practice in decoding skills.

Have fun creating wordwalls with post-its. A print rich environment is the key to learning to read and write.

Take a favorite picture book, like King Bidgood, and turn it into a unit study. Have fun spinning off activities from the original story. Will you displace water if you hop into a full bathtub?

The decision to homeschool can be the decision to have fun, enjoy your children and help them learn in creative, hands-on ways.
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Explore the World of Homeschooling

Here is a collection of unit studies, reviews and personal accounts of homeschooling. Homeschooling is different for each child and each family. Come explore the world of homeschooling.

But don't stop there. Make your own homeschooling lens and add it to the list. Visit often for more inspiration....

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Ancient Greece: A Unit Study

Ah, the Ancient Greeks! What a wonderful subject t more...1 point

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Garner Rix and the Royalton Raid - 1780

Garner Rix was just 11 when he moved with his fath more...1 point

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Sensory Table Ideas

One day I set up a Sensory Table in my kitchen wit more...1 point

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Marv for Reluctant Readers

Do you have a reluctant reader in your family? Whe more...1 point

Creating a Print Rich Environment

Homeschoolers can Borrow Ideas from Classroom Teachers

As a classroom teacher I have taught many children to read and am constantly looking for new and innovative ways to engage children in reading and writing. At the same time, homeschooling does not need to look like a classroom in your home. As homeschoolers we can pick and choose whatever works best for us and for our children. Would your children like creating word walls?
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Unit Studies fill a Homeschooler's Day with Learning

Homeschooling: Learning All Day, Every Day!

Take a favorite picture book, like King Bidgood, and turn it into a unit study. Have fun spinning off activities from the original story. Will you displace water if you hop into a full bathtub?
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Homeschooling Math

Strange Synergy

Photo Credit: Board Game
on WikiCommons

Many people worry about teaching math. I found that by playing games with my children they learned math without textbooks or workbooks. Here are many ideas, games and activities for teaching your children math. Remember that math does not have to be taught in issolation. Just include it in your unit studies, explore concepts brought up in the stories you read and play board games with your children often.
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Graduation

Mixing Homeschooling with Public and Private Schools led to Top Honors for Graduation

Graduation

Photo Credit: My daughter
Family Photo


When she turned 14 she decided it was time to try public school. I was nervous that she might not be up to grade level. How thrilled we were when we discovered that not only was she up to grade level, she actually scored at a college level. She graduated high school Outstanding Senior with high honors. She was accepted to 9 colleges and universities of her choice. She aced her first year of college majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She says that this is due to her years of homeschooling.

Looking back on our experiences homeschooling our children I have to say that for us, homeschooling was the experience of a lifetime. Our children had incredible experiences that they never could have had any other way. For our family, homeschooling was the best decision we ever made and if we were to do it over again, there would be no question about our decision. We vote yes to homeschooling.

Important!

Unschooler Aces her Senior Thesis in Mechanical Engineering!

My oldest, who unschooled until 7th grade, just called to say that she got a 95 on her senior thesis in Mechanical Engineering. She is double minoring in Math and Theatrical Costume Design. What's next? A graduate degree in Theatrical Costume design...

Is Homeschooling Legal where you Live?

Help Preserve Homeschool Freedom Around the Globe

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association helps families all over the world establish legal means to homeschool. They keep track of news about homeschooling are a a wonderful resource for families looking for legal information on homeschooling in any country in the world.

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Home School Laws in the United States

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states2 points

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HSLDA | Home Schooling - United Kingdom

Legal Status: Homeschooling is legal in England and Wales under the 1944 Education Act, which was consolidated in 1996. Section 7, Education Act 1996 states, "...[E]fficient full-time education, suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special education needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise." Under the "or otherwise" phrase in the law, families can legally homeschool.Compulsory Attendance Ages: 5-160 points

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HSLDA | Good News for Homeschoolers in Russia

Homeschoolers in Russia succeeded in their fight to protect the right of families to direct the education of their children.0 points

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HSLDA | Spain Holds First National Congress on Homeschooling

The first-ever homeschool congress in Spain drew attention to a “booming” method of education and brought together supporters of homeschooling.0 points

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HSLDA | Homeschooling: Legal in India

A recent post on the National Council of Home Educators in New Zealand website reveals a startlingly obvious attempt by the government to decide when homeschooling should be allowed.0 points

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HSLDA | New Education Law Makes Homeschooling Illegal

New legislation requires that homeschoolers be inspected every year from ages 6 to 16. The inspections are subjective and the requirements are vague.0 points

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HSLDA | South Korea Homeschool Update-Fall 2008

New legislation requires that homeschoolers be inspected every year from ages 6 to 16. The inspections are subjective and the requirements are vague.0 points

What about socialization?

Do homeschoolers live in isolation?

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Is Homeschooling right for your family?

Have you made the decision to homeschool?

Would you homeschool your children?

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Yes

BarbRad says:

I did homeschool my children for three years, and my only regret is that we didn't start sooner.

Blessedmombygrace says:

i do homeschool my children!

lisakleinweber says:

Homeschooling is not for everyone ... but it's for me and my family for sure!

MCB2011 says:

I have homeschooled my children and I would do it again. A great way to teach right thinking.

Joie says:

Absolutely! Homeschooled K-12 and never once regretted the decision.

Hedremp says:

I homeschooled both my children and am happy with my decision. Of course I do recognize it is not for everyone but it was best for my kids for sure!

Jack-in-the-Box says:

I home schooled all 3 of my children. Now they are grown and doing very well. I loved every moment of it!

ChineseKitesforKids says:

I am all for it...its my other half. I think if I get everything in place, he could be persuaded, this lens REALLY helped me make a lot of good points.

badmsm says:

We have homeschooled since 1993, and it has adapted to our needs. We have 2 kids on the Austistic Spectrum who are thriving. My older kids are taking college classes while still in high school, and my oldest is serving in the USAF.

guardianstar77 says:

If I had it to do over again, I most certainly would!

AddaptAbilities says:

I don't have kids, so I'll weigh in and say that I wish I *had* been homeschooled. The local public elementary school was just all wrong for me in so many ways -- my personality, my learning style -- and being there made me believe deep down that I was dumb.

Ener-G says:

Yes, and I did. I homeschooled my daughter to age 14, too.

Serenia says:

I would love to homeschool my son and I did home school him as much as possible before he started grade 1 at age 6. Even while he was doing kindergarten I continued to afterschool him. I read to him every night from age 1 to age 8 (grade 3). He got a new electronic toy last month for Xmas and prefers to play that before bed now. But for an 8 year old, he now reads above grade level. If I had the choice and the finances, YES I would homeschool.

athomemomblog says:

I was homeschooled through my entire school life and now that I have children, I also homeschool them.

bygproductions says:

I homeschooled both of mine thru high school.

eclecticeducation says:

Yes! I hope to homeschool both of my children through high school.

tandemonimom says:

ABSOLUTELY! My kids are 15, 13, 9, and 7, and have always been homeschooled!

MissMerFaery says:

I definitely want to - time will tell if I do, but your lens has shifted my mind even more towards the "yes" end of the spectrum!

_Joan_ says:

I had decided that I wanted to homeschool my children before I even had a boyfriend yet! By the time I had a nursing baby, I was reading The Teenage Liberation Handbook.

NancyOram says:

Yes, for the past seven year.

No

JoyfulReviewer says:

Depending on quality of public schools in my area, I'd probaby opt to not homeschool. But I would definitely be involved in the kids' learning, and help them along the way.

EuroSquid says:

No, I would not homeschool my boy. I feel it is best that he learn from not just one amature teachear, but from as many experienced teachers as possible. But this does not mean I will not help in his education. I will spend a great deal of time teaching him as much as I can.

capriliz says:

Unfortunately, that option was not available to me due to working and being a single parent.

spirituality says:

In the Netherlands, no. In the US - maybe. It so depends on how good the local schools are, and how organized the local homeschool community is.

jptanabe says:

My daughter went to public school and loved it, much to my surprise! I would have been interested to homeschool her, but she told me I was her Mom and she wanted a teacher to be her teacher. That worked for us. But I can understand that homeschooling is the right choice for many kids and their parents.

Peter.Murray says:

I would only homeschool if there were no other suitable alternatives.

ElleDeeEsse says:

No, I believe that your own personality and temperament are an important factor as well and I don't believe I would have the patience to home school

 
view all 28 comments

Methods of Homeschooling

Deciding how to homeschool

There are many different ways that homeschoolers teach their children. You can buy curricula and sit at the kitchen table and set your house up as a school. You can let children learn whatever they want, when they want, in any way they want. And then there is the whole range of possibilities in between. We chose an eclectic approach using whatever fit at the moment. One of the advantages to homeschooling is that the possibilities are all open to you and you get to decide how to homeschool.

Here are some wonderful resources for exploring the possibilities. Please visit each one as you make your decision to homeschool. If you find a style of homeschooling that is not mentioned here, why not write a page about it and add it to the plexo?

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John Holt: Unschooling

After teaching for several years, striving to keep more...4 points

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Lapbooking

Lapbooking can be done by any learner-- from presc more...3 points

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Nature Study -- Charlotte Mason Style

Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy is a grea more...3 points

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'Five in a Row' Literature-Based Unit Studies: Easy, Inexpensive, Fun!

As an educator, mother, and homeschooler, I have a more...2 points

Our decision was to homeschool!

What will your decision be? Will you homeschool your children?

Homeschooling

Photo Credit: Children Reading
in the Public Domain from Karen's Whimsey


When it comes right down to it, I made the decision to homeschool when I decided to have children. I wanted to be there for them and give them the love, time and attention that only homeschooling can offer. I have been rewarded with children who are eager to learn, excelling in college and have wonderful memories of growing up in an unparalleled learning environment.

  • BarbRad Apr 24, 2012 @ 12:48 am | delete
    My children had more opportunities after we began to homeschool. Since my husband had to take contract positions out of state, homeschooling gave our family the chance to travel with him and learn a lot of history and geography along the way and the way home. We spent extended time in the Seattle area, camped in a rain forest, crossed the country in our Voyager, stopping twice a day to see something educational, and then spent two week in the Boston area. On the way home we took a northern route to follow the Oregon Trail, after we'd spent a night on the shore of Lake Erie and also stopped in Niagara Falls. We also visited several national parks. We simply could not have done it had we had to adhere to a school schedule.
  • Blessedmombygrace Apr 23, 2012 @ 10:04 am | delete
    We have been homeschooling for the past 11 years. And since I've got a one year old, we will be homeschooling for many,many years to come!
  • JoyfulReviewer Dec 1, 2011 @ 2:21 pm | delete
    Wonderful information to help make this important decision ... nicely done! Congratulations on having one of the top 35 homeschooling lenses.
  • Joie Nov 13, 2011 @ 6:06 pm | delete
    We made the decision to homeschool even before we had any children! :) My daughter received a better education, has beautiful relationships with people of any age, and is talented and skilled in so many areas. I have absolutely no regrets for homeschooling her K-12.
  • Hedremp Nov 12, 2011 @ 11:45 am | delete
    I think this is a great introduction to homeschooling to help some people with their decision process.
  • Senora_M Aug 19, 2011 @ 8:14 pm | delete
    I have yet to decide if I am going to homeschool my boys. Thankfully I still have a few years, but I'm contemplating preschool homeschooling too. Lots of work!! :)
  • wordstock Apr 1, 2011 @ 12:58 pm | delete
    Great lens and great information. Angel blessed.
  • JeremiahStanghini Feb 18, 2011 @ 4:13 am | delete
    So glad that you were part of the first Jenga tower... because of it, I found the "homeschool club" on Squidoo.

    With Love and Gratitude,

    Jeremiah
  • BuckHawk Jan 30, 2011 @ 1:47 pm | delete
    This is a great resource that I'm excited to share with my daughter who is considering homeschooling her children. The Jenga Tower has another marvelous block. Drop a little Angel Dust, too.
  • EuroSquid Jan 22, 2011 @ 11:24 pm | delete
    As I said in the duel module, my son will attend school. While home schooling worked for you and your daughter, my bet is that it is not the right decision for many people and I fear that it will result in an inferior educaiton for many children. But I enjoyed reading about your homeschooling experience and have blessed this lense.
  • capriliz Jan 22, 2011 @ 12:42 am | delete
    I think home schooling is perfect for many children, and perhaps better than what the public schools can offer. I am glad that this is a good choice for you and your family.
  • MissMerFaery Jan 21, 2011 @ 7:43 pm | delete
    Had to pop back and bless now that I have a pair of temporary wings! :)
  • lasertek Jan 19, 2011 @ 9:41 pm | delete
    I'm looking for homeschooling lenses and this is one of those I found very helpful. Thanks for sharing.
  • guardianstar77 Jan 17, 2011 @ 2:19 pm | delete
    This is an excellent resource for parents looking to make a home-school decision. You have don't a wonderful job of explaining how it worked in your family and in providing resources for those who are wondering whether or not it is the right decision for them. Great job!
  • AddaptAbilities Jan 13, 2011 @ 1:57 pm | delete
    The only reason I *wouldn't* homeschool is if it turned out to cause me too much stress to be a good parent or teacher. Otherwise, I'd be totally up for it. Thanks for a great lens on the subject!
  • Ener-G Jan 8, 2011 @ 2:54 am | delete
    I LOVE John Holt's books. He used to have a newsletter that I got. Such an amazing man.
  • Ener-G Jan 8, 2011 @ 2:54 am | delete
    I LOVE John Holt's books. He used to have a newsletter that I got. Such an amazing man.
  • jptanabe Jan 6, 2011 @ 5:05 pm | delete
    What a great introduction to homeschooling! For the right parent/child combination homeschooling is a wonderful alternative.
  • WordCustard Jan 5, 2011 @ 4:51 pm | delete
    Homeschooling is an excellent option for many children and it's clear that your own dedication has paid off many times over.
  • bygproductions Jan 3, 2011 @ 9:45 pm | delete
    ne. Lensrolled to my Why Homeschool & Homeschool Questions lens.
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Homeschool Mom and Teacher

About the Mom who decided to Homeschool her Children

Find out more about homeschooling, look for homeschooling activities, discover unit studies. Come explore the world of fun, creative, hands-on learning. From my years of homeschooling as well as my years of teaching both in classrooms as well as in after school programs I offer you hundreds of activities and suggestions for learning. Pick a topic and delve into it as much as your children are interested. These activities are meant to help teach or reinforce lessons in the main academic subjects while focusing on a specific topic. Come discover the dozens of thematic unit studies I have written for you. Each one is free, fun and offers unique suggestions that my children or those I have taught have enjoyed.
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Write about your decision to homeschool:

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P.S. What is The Homeschool Club?

THE HOMESCHOOL CLUB is real parents and kids sharing their best resources for great homeschooling. Each day we celebrate learning by opening doors to a world of creativity, knowledge and discovery. In the car, at the kitchen sink, and down by the frog pond - the whole world is our classroom and we explore it with creative projects, games, and activities. This club is a place to share, organize, and discuss how and what we learn in the world. Make a free page to tell your own homeschooling story and share your favorite resources. We can't wait to hear from you!

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Evelyn_Saenz

My passion is teaching and finding ways to teach children in fun, hands-on, creative ways. The unit studies I make on Squidoo reflect my view that learning... more »

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