1-2-3 Let’s Get Started for our Homeschool Year 2014-2015

It’s true that many of you may have already begun your homeschooling year. 

Our family usually school year around so we ‘just’ finished up. We will now take a three week break and start back up September 1, 2014.

Yep.

On Labor day! When every one else would normally be out celebrating on that day, we will be just. getting. started. 🙂

So rather you have already started or just getting started; If you have been homeschooling for years or just getting started for YOUR FIRST TIME, I thought I’d share some thoughts that may prove to be helpful as HOMESCHOOL STARTS UP…..for some. 😛

1. Read up on our state laws. Different states have differing requirements for homeschooling. To learn what our state law is regarding homeschooling read it straight from the horses mouth. :p Our Department of Education. (<<<click the hyperlink in blue <<<)
    
    
2. Meet other parents. Meet those who are homeschooling their children or plan to do so. You can give tips and help each other out. Plus, it creates a community of friends for your children and allows group activities. Connect with a Moms Night Out homeschooling group. UCHU (United Christian Homeschoolers of the Upstate) the email support group in which I own and moderate meets once a month for just this reason……TO CONNECT! Other email support groups have them as well. 🙂
    
    
3. Figure out how your child learns. All children learn differently. Homeschooling is an opportunity to maximize your children’s education by figuring out how they learn best. There are three types learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. 
   If this is your first or even second year homeschooling PLEASE realize that it takes many of us homeschooling Moms (Dads) YEARS to learn how our children learn so we can best help them.
    
   Give yourself grace and enjoy the journey of learning how best to homeschool your children as well as for them to figure out how they best learn. 🙂
    
    
4. Decide how you want your children to learn at home. Would you like them to ‘un-school’, which is when the child learns about what they are interested in? Maybe you would like to use the:
   Montessori Method 
   Charlotte Mason Method

   Classical Method
   Computer Based Method
   Eclectic Method
   Literature Based Method
   Notebook Method
   Self-Independent Learner Method
   Traditional/Textbook Method
   Umbrella Method
   Unit Method
   Unschool Method

    
   Do your research and find what you like best.!!
    
    
5. Construct a curriculum. Make it age appropriate and tailored to your children’s interests. For example, if your child loves history, tie history into lessons on science, or assign them historical fiction books for reading lessons.
    
    
6. Talk to your children. Tell them enthusiastically about your plans for homeschooling. Ask what they would like to study first, or what kinds of projects they would like to do. Try include them in their learning experience. It may surprise you that they actually have a specific bend of interest to be included in their schooling. 🙂
    
7. Get library cards. This may go without saying but it’s a great idea for homeschoolers to own library cards. Get cards for your children, and encourage them to check out books on topics that interest them.
    
    
8. Buy educational toys and games. Get them at yard sales or second-hand stores. And don’t limit yourself in your definition of games. For instance, a set of measuring cups and cooking supplies can help you with lessons on fractions.
    
   If you are not really big on toys then investigate creative resources that can be used in their schooling that do not come with ‘bells’ and ‘whistles’ but prove to be effective non-the-less. 🙂
9.  Look for interesting and successful community members who might have something to teach your children. Most people are happy to share their expertise. Connect with other moms that may have expertise of knowledge and skill. Join together to give your children a great learning experience all within homeschooling community. 🙂
    
10. Stock up on school supplies such as poster board, pens, and paper. You will be AMAZED at how many pencils a homeschooling family goes through in a year! I think each of my children eat about 10 pencils a week. I have not figured it out yet but pencils are a priceless commodity in this house. You may just find this to be true in your home also. 🙂 Stock on a variety of supplies.
     
11. Plan projects. Sketch out long-term projects that can teach your children variety of skills or cover multiple subject areas. For example, you could use geometry skills to plot out a veggie garden, learn science lessons about plants, teach a history lesson about how humans invented agriculture, and then cook with the vegetables.
12. Field trips. Don’t forget to get out the house every now and then. I confess that this past school year (2013-2014) I did not go on ONE field trip with my children. Not one. smh! But this year I am on the ball and we will go on lots of field trips……but we will most definitely be balanced with staying home too. I’m not sure about you but if I’m out the house too much I tend to fall apart. As does my house keeping too. :p
13. DON’T FORGET ABOUT GOD AND YOUR FAITH! It can be so easy to get focused on books. Learning. Paperwork. Portfolios. Attendance sheets. Just focused on DOING IT RIGHT that we forget that we are instructed in the Scriptures, that we read and believe in, that we are to train our children in righteousness first.
14. Be sure to incorporate daily Scripture reading and Prayer. Scripture memorization. Prayer before school start. Or while school is in session. Or Family Worship in the evening after school. Something that shows that you and your family seek the Kingdom of God first so that then the other things will be added to you. 🙂

So, 1-2-3 …….Let’s Get Started for our Homeschool Year.

Here’s to your homeschooling success!!

Blessings in Abundance.

Serving You and Yours,

Angela P