How to Homeschool - Start Today!

Besides having a daily schedule we roughly followed a normal school schedule...starting in August and ending in May with the flexibility to take trips with Dad during the school year. However, we found a schedule that worked better for us, learning at home year round.

Homeschooling offers FREEDOM!

I have found that even with my best intentions, it is hard to have school in the summer as thoroughly as during the rest of the year. It may be just me, but I believe I am conditioned to feel the need to be off the school routine more during the summer. Also, since we have friends or family that follow the traditional school calendar, a summer school schedule cuts into some of the activities our children might be invited to do. So we take about 4 weeks together off during the summer or maybe even 6 weeks.

The beauty of it is you can plan your 36 weeks of school and fit them in however you want to. If you want to do more than 36 weeks, that is fine, too. My preference is to try to keep the children reading, at least for pleasure. Even in their weeks off, and sometimes I have them do a ½ lesson of math, just so they don't forget what they have been learning. We don't do writing requirements when we are off, and if the reading of math doesn't get done, it's OK. It is encouraged though if we are not too busy.

The week off every 4 or 5 weeks is for my rejuvenation, too. I get to catch up on things and even tackle some projects that I don't normally have time to do. This helps me not to feel burned out. It also gives our family a chance to concentrate on practical living skills and learning in other ways, including following interests to a greater degree.

One of the easiest ways to get started homeschooling is be mentored by a friend that homeschools. If you are fortunate enough to have someone that can help you in this way, by all means accept the help! Having an experienced homeschooling friend that can offer suggestions, provide guidance, and answer all your questions is the soooo helpful and very encouraging to a newbie as you embark on this new path for your family.

The second way to get the mentoring that you need is through the expert mentoring of Terri Johnson. Terri offers her basic "how-to's" so your homeschool can be up and running in 48 hours or less. She'll also send you weekly assignments for the next six months that will help you step-by-step to turn this year of homeschooling into the best year ever!

All you need are a few basic "how-to's" from Terri and you are on your way.

Are you considering homeschooling, or are you curious and simply want to know more? What if you were offered a commendable, complimentary class on homeschooling taught by experienced educators that included hands-on tools for your personal use? The course is called Homeschool 101. This is a FREE resource, a digital supplement to the Schoolhouse Expo.