Starting A Homeschool

By J. E. Burke

You've finally taken the leap and are ready to start homeschooling. The only question is how do you start? Don't be intimidated by the thought of starting a homeschool. You don't need a lot of expensive tools to homeschool, especially if your child is in kindergarten. To get started you will need to do three basic things: organize your home and homeschool, organize a planner for your curriculum and organize a schedule for yourself.

Many parents will find the most important aspect of running a homeschool is organization! There are many books and places on the Internet that will help you find the right forms to plan your schedule. There may be a few bumps in the road until you find a schedule that works for you. Starting a homeschool may seem overwhelming at first but the benefits outweigh the risks.

The number one thing parents seem to have trouble with is organizing the homeschool. You will need a central location to keep all of your school supplies so that you know where they are when you need them. A great way to store these items is a shelf with storage bins or a large cabinet that has four or five shelves. Additionally you will need a file cabinet to keep your child's work so you will be ready when record check time comes.

The rest of the supplies that you will need to keep you organized include a calendar with plenty of room to write, a day planner if you have so many activities that you can't keep track of them and finally a school planner for all of your child's curriculum information and activities. Many of the items you will need are easily found at large retail stores and are inexpensive. The planner for your curriculum is your guidebook to success. If you think you are overwhelmed now, imagine a month from now when you have no idea what you've done or what you should do next.

Running a homeschool requires planning, and plenty of it. Your teaching style may be eclectic but don't be sloppy when it comes to organizing your child's curriculum. As for buying the curriculum, don't buy it until you need it. Packaged curriculums are fine if you think you can't come up with your own ideas or you are new to the homeschooling routine. Many parents find that as they continue the homeschooling program year after year they become more comfortable with creating their own curriculums.

Schedule time for yourself and time for the whole family. Many new homeschooling parents forget to schedule time for other things when they are starting a homeschool. Purchase a planner or download one from the Internet to help you schedule effectively. Include your child's commitments, your family's activities and other simple things like grocery shopping and pampering yourself. Don't let yourself be consumed by homeschooling. Careful planning and organizing is the key to your child's homeschooling success and it will also help you keep your sanity.

To stay abreast of the current trends, information and resources available for homeschool parents, teachers and students subscribe to Homeschool Success News and/or similar publications.

If you need an online tutor, courseware or wish to offer your services as a paid online tutor contact the newsletter referenced above. Magic Learning Systems also provides excellent products to enhance the homeschool experience for teachers and students.

Dr. J. Elisha Burke

Editor, Homeschool Success Newsletter

jeb@homeschooltutorpro.com

[http://hsnews.homeschooltutorpro.com]

Copyright 2005 Burke Publications All Rights Reserved

Dr. J. E. Burke, Editor of Homeschool Success News,a minister and college instructor, has been involved in various educational and business enterprises via Burke Publications for 11 years. Dr. Burke is an educator, writer and motivational speaker on a variety of topics. He is also known for his expertise on nonprofit organizations and grant proposal writing. Contact: jeb@burkepublications.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._E._Burke

Homeschooling Information - Your Questions Answered

By Carletta Sanders

Are you looking for homeschooling information? Here are answers to the top 5 questions about homeschooling:

1. What are the benefits to homeschooling?

Homeschooling has many benefits for both the student and the family as a whole. Children who are homeschooled have an opportunity to learn at their own pace in a method that suits their primary learning style. They also avoid many of the negative social interactions that take place in public school, and develop close bonds with parents and siblings.

Homeschooling statistics show that homeschoolers outperform public school students academically. Homeschool students are also more likely to be actively involved in their communities once they graduate from high school.

2. What are the disadvantages of homeschooling?

Parents who homeschool take on primary responsibility for the outcome of their children's education. They lack the free time of parents who send their children to public school, and they also have to purchase their children's homeschool materials in addition to paying school taxes.

Homeschool moms and dads must seek out social opportunities for their children instead of relying on school activities. In some cases, they may also face criticism from friends and family members. However, for most families, the homeschooling pros greatly outweigh the cons.

3. What about socialization?

Homeschoolers are able to avoid much of the peer pressure, teasing and bullying that occur in school, and instead focus on developing positive peer relationships.

Homeschool students can participate in a variety of social activities through homeschool co-ops, homeschooling support groups, community activities, sports teams and other organizations. Many parents begin homeschooling thinking they will have trouble finding social engagements for their children, and end up finding they have too many activities to choose from.

4. Is homeschooling legal?

Parents have the legal right to homeschool in all 50 states. Homeschool laws vary from state to state. For more information about homeschooling laws in your state, visit the Homeschool Legal Defense Association's website.

5. Are parents qualified to teach their children?

Parents are their children's first teachers, and are more than qualified to home educate. Research has shown that the level of homeschooling qualifications has little effect on the a child's academic performance. Many pre-packaged curriculum programs come with teacher's guides and lesson plans that tell a parent how to teach certain concepts. Parents who do not have teaching certificates and college degrees can successfully teach their children.

Here is some additional homeschooling information.

Carletta Sanders is a homeschool mom of 3. For homeschool information and activities delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for her homeschool newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carletta_Sanders

Getting the Right Homeschooling Information

By KK Yo

Public schooling has always been the mainstream education for most of the people. However, the concept of homeschooling has been catching up on the public over the last couple of years. If a parent chooses to, he or she can teach his/her kid at home. In fact, with the internet technology readily available now to most home, accessing homeschooling information is much easier than ever before. All you need is a computer and Internet connection to get into the world of homeschooling.

Public education can be truly a great life experience. The children get to learn how to interact with their peers. For me, I attended public school from kindergarten all the way through to senior year. I think I enjoy the process alot.. Sure, you will have some good and as well as some bad experiences. But the overall process was fun. Regardless, more and more these days, parents who wish to homeschool their children will need to be informed properly of the relevant homeschooling information how they can approach it in the right manner.

The key to a successful coaching is tenacity. You have to be discipline enough to stick to a daily regime in order to properly school your child. Useful homeschooling information can be found online and can certainly help you better understand this process before you start. Reading up on these readily available information will help one answer many questions such as "Are you qualified to teach your kid?", or "Are you truly going to challenge your children to the same level a public school would have?".

Some parents will find it much more convenient to homeschool their kid, or the safety of their child. All these reasons are valid. However, you cannot ignore the fact that your child need to interact with their peers as they grow. This allows them to adapt socially and make friends easier as they grow older. Your child's education is a big decision to consider for you as parent. Make sure you make the right and informed choice.

Read about Best HomeSchooling Programs if you intend to homeschool your kids. I have compiled several useful tips on homeschooling. Visit Online Home School to see how you can start educating your children.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KK_Yo

Some Basic Homeschool Information

By Mary Joyce

Thinking about going the homeschooling route? I'm not aware of any official homeschooling text book for parents that are out yet. So, here are some basic answers that you may have in the beginning. The reasons for homeschooling are as varied as the number of families now homeschooling. So with the reasons for homeschooling now behind us, let's take a look at some of the benefits of homeschooling as we move forward.

A home school schedule allows for the family to be together a much greater portion of the day and this leads to stronger family relationships and this generally will continue right through the sometimes difficult teen years. Also, when parents spend the entire day around their child they are much more in tune with the child's thoughts and feelings. Behavioral issues can be intercepted and addressed at a much earlier stage. Also, by using your homeschool schedule and your own homeschool lesson plan, you can spend more time in areas that your child needs more work before moving on. This is a definite drawback of the public system.

One area to explore and become familiar with in the pre homeschool stage is your local state laws. In a nutshell, in some states it is very easy to satisfy homeschooling requirements, while in others it is not so easy. Either way, do a little research on this subject because you must be familiar with whatever the home school mandates are for your area.

When it comes to homeschool curriculum many parents generally try to purchase textbooks and materials they need. There are hundreds of resources available to you on the subject of curriculum. One reminder would be not to overlook the idea of finding what you need in the used books and curriculum arena. A quick search of the internet will find you many resources.

And finally, looking down the road a bit.... What about college? A very large number of home schooled have and are attending colleges. Once you get underway or as soon as you feel you may have a direction on a college, simply contact the college and see if they have any specific rules or requirements concerning home schooled children.

I think the biggest reason to homeschool your child of all is that it is a wonderful experience. The immense amount of pride and satisfaction you will receive from this accomplishment is beyond compare.

Mary Joyce is a former educator, successful homeschool parent, and has written many articles on teaching your child at home for the Homeschool-Curriculum-4u website. Please visit http://www.homeschool-curriculum-4u.com for more of Mary's articles, resources on homeschool, ideas, and curriculum information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Joyce

Homeschool Information

By Mary Joyce

Getting Started With Homeschooling. Before jumping into all the decisions surrounding the actual teaching and homeschooling of your child such as: what curriculum, what books, what materials, the home school calendar, organize this, organize that.... Before you do any of that first get familiar with with this bit of homeschool information.....your state's home school laws, rules, and other regulations. Some states are quite easy and others require much more work. The HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) is a great place to start. Legally you do have the right to homeschool your child. Just make certain you comply with the individual state's regulations.

Homeschooling does require a huge time commitment on your part. And that commitment depends on the level of homeschooling you do. The subject that is being taught and even the ages of the children involved. One question that always seems to come up, particularly from outside influences, is whether the parent is

qualified to teach or not. If not the parent, then who? Who better to teach and homeschool the child? No one wants their child to be successful more than a parent. Plus, nobody would argue against a one to one teaching relationship between teacher and pupil and for the vast number of cases this is exactly the teaching environment in the homeschool classroom.

There is no right or wrong curriculum you can choose to homeschool. You have choices of anything from text books to home school computer software packages. The learning tools that you choose can be based on the children's ages or even the subject matter that is being taught. You can get text or software directly through the publisher, or at book fairs, or even flea markets and garage sales. Homeschool learning material is everywhere. And don't forget your public library. It's free!

Although the cost of all the materials you will need and use does require a significant investment, I think, however, that you'll find that homeschooling demands more of your time than it does your pocket book.

Be creative, and use your resources. Homeschool information is plentiful. Get out on the internet a just do some basic searching on homeschooling. You will find more information, ideas and support than you could ever need to use.

Mary Joyce is a former educator, successful homeschool parent, and has written many articles on teaching your child at home for the Homeschool-Curriculum-4u website. Please visit (http://www.homeschool-curriculum-4u.com) for more of Mary's articles, resources on homeschool, ideas, and curriculum information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Joyce

What is Homeschooling

The term 'homeschooling' basically refers to the process in which one or more children of not more than 2 families are instructed by parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household. The laws that define homeschooling vary from State to State. The legal requirements for establishing a homeschool also vary with the State.

For most children, the actual process of learning begins much before school. Many children already know their alphabets, the names of animals, colors and other more complicated stuff before they reach school. This is mostly due to the hard work of a member of the family who has taken the time to teach the child.
Homeschooling is just a natural progression from here. Instead of sending their children to a public school, parents make their own curriculum and teach their children in ways that best suit the child. This is homeschooling, in its most simplistic form.

Before you decide to go in for homeschooling, there are certain important matters for consideration. First off, meet with parents of other homeschoolers. Find out the pros and cons of homeschooling. Then ask yourself why you would want to adopt this method. This is a very important aspect, as the success of the program depends on the clarity and sincerity of your purpose.

Next, it is time to consider the expenses of homeschooling. It may cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand every year. More importantly, you are also effectively shutting out any job opportunity for one of the parents. It is only obvious that one parent will have to stay at home full time to manage the homeschool. A home-based business however is a great alternative.

Are you qualified to take on homeschooling for your children? Teaching is a continuation of your own learning process. With the advent of the internet, information is aplenty. There are various books and resources for those interested in homeschooling. Go through the various methods of homeschooling and choose one that is most suited to you. It helps if you know what kind of learning style your child has. Also, find out what your child feels about homeschooling before you start.

Every state has its own laws regarding homeschooling. For instance, in North Carolina, you must first file a 'Notice of Intent' to start a home school. In this you have to mention if the school is a 'Private church' school or a 'qualified non-public school'. The persons providing the education are required to have at least a high school diploma. You have to maintain an annual record of the child's attendance and disease immunization.

Every year, the child is required to undergo a standardized test. Each student attending the eleventh grade has to take a nationally standardized test. These are the requirements in North Carolina, but it is enough to give you a good idea of what homeschooling entails.

Homeschooling may seem like a lot of fun and freedom from the outside. However, things are seldom as simple as they seem. Homeschooling is a lot of added responsibility and hard work. But, if successful, it will forge a strong bond of love and respect between parent and child, while providing your child with the best form of education he needs.

Homeschooling Facts - 10 Things You Need to Know About Home Education

Author: Carletta Sanders

Although home education is becoming more popular, many myths about homeschooling are believed to be true. Here are some homeschooling facts all parents should know before deciding where their children will attend school.

1. Homeschooled children can receive a high quality education. Homeschoolers receive an education tailored to their needs and learning styles. They can slow down or move forward according to their unique abilities. Statistics show they outperform both public and private school students on standardized tests.
2. You do not need a college diploma or teaching certificate to educate your child at home. Although states vary in their requirements of home educators, parents who have not graduated from college can successfully teach their children. Parents can learn alongside their children in areas of weakness and purchase materials that tell exactly how to teach difficult subjects.
3. Homeschoolers can attend college. Home educated students receive valid high school diplomas and are frequently recruited by colleges and universities. The college environment closely resembles homeschooling because the majority of a college student's time is spent studying outside of the classroom.
4. Non-Christian parents also choose to homeschool their children. Homeschooling is not only for religious parents. There are many secular programs available for non religious families, and religious materials can often be tailored to meet a non religious family's needs.
5. Homeschoolers do not need to be closely monitored by government officials. Most parents want what is best for their children and can be trusted to educate their children without government oversight. Studies show that homeschooling is equally successful in states with high and low levels of government regulation.
6. Homeschooling is great for gifted or special needs children. Children who work above or below grade level need special attention that can't be provided in public schools. Home education allows them to move at a comfortable pace.
7. Homeschooling is not expensive. Parents of all income levels can teach their own children. There are many ways to reduce the cost of curriculum and activities. Some families are even able to design their own programs and homeschool for free.
8. Home education does not involve sitting at a desk all day. There are many different ways to homeschool. Some families use structured, textbook and workbook programs. Other families are very relaxed, and teach their children through everyday outings and activities.
9. Homeschoolers don't miss out on childhood fun. Support groups offer activities like park days, science fairs, field trips and clubs. Homeschool schedules are so efficient that they leave students with more time to pursue their interests and take part in fun activities.
10. Homeschool graduates will be prepared for the real world. Home educated students spend their days in a real world environment. With their parent's coaching and mentoring, they learn to meet and overcome challenges, and are adequately prepared for life after graduation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_614674_22.html