So you’ve decided to homeschool but have no idea where to start! Bravo to you for making a brave decision, one you will never regret! This journey is dynamic, amazing, and the fruit is so sweet! Keep reading to see my quick-start guide to getting started in homeschooling your children.
WITHDRAW FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL (if previously enrolled)
Depending on the state you live in, withdrawal from public school should be done legally and comply with your state’s laws due to compulsory education or truancy laws.
Start by calling your child’s school for guidance on what they require, like a withdrawal letter, for example.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a wealth of knowledge where you can educate yourself on your state’s requirements.
Check out their page listing homeschool laws by state: Homeschool Laws By State (hslda.org)
HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY
Researching your state’s laws will inform you of the requirements to declare you are homeschooling your children, such as filing a declaration with your state, for example.
Make sure to follow the guidelines of your state so you can operate with a clear conscience and set a good example for your children.
Start a running list for your mom notebook (more on that later) with any requirements, such as testing at the end of the year, so you don’t forget.
DEFINE YOUR “WHY”
This is the foundation of your homeschool and what you go back to on the hard days when you feel like throwing in the towel.
I have a whole blog post on this important topic, and even suggest developing a mission statement to define your homeschool purpose! Check it out! Why do families homeschool? (How to strengthen your why and stay homeschooling!)
DETERMINE YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING STYLE AND YOUR HOMESCHOOL METHOD
What does this mean, you ask?
Most people have a way they learn best and prefer to receive information, such as visual, auditory, reading/writing, etc.
There are also many different methods to homeschool, such as unschooling, classical, or relaxed.
Luckily, I have a complete blog post on how these two things work together and can guide you in setting up your homeschool (what it will look like day to day). Homeschool methods and learning styles- how they work together and help you pick curriculum (check out my awesome chart!)
CHOOSE CURRICULUM
Once you have determined your child’s learning style and your homeschool method, you will be armed with the information to start surfing the internet for a curriculum that meets these requirements. Do some research and don’t get overwhelmed with the wide array of choices available. This is a good thing!
Tips:
You don’t have to pick the perfect curriculum, and you won’t. Trial and error are to be expected and that is normal.
Join Facebook groups for homeschoolers and ask questions. They are a wealth of knowledge.
Don’t buy a huge expensive curriculum right out of the gate. Start small and get your footing before making a big commitment.
Utilize the library and borrow materials from friends so you can learn what your family enjoys and is most effective.
Example: Your daughter who prefers learning by reading and writing may think she enjoys workbooks the most because that is what she has been exposed to. She may learn reading classic literature and writing essays is more fulfilling once she has the freedom to explore these options.
SET UP YOUR HOMESCHOOL CALENDAR
Calendarpedia – Your source for calendars has great calendar options you can print and use for your homeschool planning.
Determine how many weeks you want to homeschool (check your homeschool law) and how many weeks of vacation your family may have during the year.
Do you want to start in late summer or after Labor Day?
How many weeks do you want to take off at Christmas?
Do you want to end the year in May or June?
How many days a week will you homeschool (many families school four days and attend a co-op one day a week)?
All these types of questions will help you reverse engineer your first day, vacation days, and last day of school. This gives some basic structure to your homeschool year you will feel good about.
SET UP YOUR MOM NOTEBOOK
This could be a three-ring binder or disc binder, as long as you can add paperwork to it. Label dividers as you determine your needs (these just give you some context):
yearly schedule (see above)
field trip ideas
table of contents from curriculum
reading lists
math scores
science project ideas
history project ideas
prayer list
Scripture/ memory verse ideas
to name just a few…
The mom notebook is where your homeschool brain lives. Everything goes here so you can find it.
Resist the urge to write those little sticky notes and leave them all over. Train yourself that everything homeschool you need goes here so you can find it when you need it!
SET UP A HOMESCHOOL SCHEDULE/ROUTINE
I have a helpful post on block scheduling which is a terrific method that combines efficiency and flexibility. How should I structure/schedule my homeschool day? (Block scheduling for focus and flexibility)
You may be wondering just how this routine is going to work when you have so many different grade levels and perhaps a baby as well! I’ve got you covered! Read my post on how to manage it all! How to teach multiple grades together (with an infanct and a toddler!)
JOIN A CO-OP
As Executive Director of a big co-op for 12 years, I know quite a bit about the great support and benefits of joining a co-op. It can be the highlight of your week (mom and kids alike) and a place to find the support and encouragement you need.
Finding the right co-op for your family is important. Take your time and consider if joining a co-op right away is best, or if you want to establish your homeschool first. There is no one right answer, only the right answer for you.
We joined our co-op when my kids were 6, 3, and 1, so we were just starting our journey, and it was the right call for us. Growing up in a terrific co-op allows your children to make lifelong friends with deep roots that will grow to be so meaningful to them as they get older.
My oldest is now 20 and his best friend is from our co-op. Both my 17 and 15-year-olds best friends (who are also brother and sister) are from our co-op.
Our whole family values these children as treasures we were gifted with and all our lives have been touched by them.
Before joining a co-op, read their material very carefully. Pay close attention to the statement of faith and make sure it aligns with the Bible and your beliefs. Progressive Christianity is everywhere and you won’t know it unless you dig deep and ask probing questions.
Take a tour and see what a co-op day is like in action. Ask questions and don’t leave without answers.
What are the fees and registration process like?
How big is the co-op?
How many children in the same demographic as yours?
Is it a non-profit? Who is on the board of directors and what type of board is it?
How long has the co-op operated?
Is there a chance it will move to a different location and be too far for you to drive?
What type of classes does it offer? Academic? Enrichment?
Do they offer field trips?
Support for moms?
How often does co-op meet?
What are the criteria for membership?
How much do classes cost? Who teaches classes?
What responsibilities do you have as a parent?
Do they background check members?
These are a handful of great questions for the staff at the co-ops you are considering.
ENLIST SUPPORT
This endeavor will challenge you and reward you more than you can imagine, and you will need prayer and support along the way.
Ask friends, family, and your church to pray for you and give them a couple of specific things you are working through right now to pray for.
Pray for a homeschool mentor you can go to for advice and perspective.
Find a homeschool buddy you can run with and be present with during this season of your life.
Share with your husband (or wife if dad is homeschooling the kids) the latest news and decisions you are grappling with and lean on his unique perspective which may be the breath of fresh air you need!
ASK THE LORD FOR HELP
I saved the best for last…lift up your homeschool to the Lord and offer it to him.
Ask him to be with you daily as you make the small choices and big ones. Pray for patience, peace, and guidance in all things.
Give your worry and stress to him and step into his power to fulfill his will. Pray for guidance to homeschool with a biblical worldview and keep your kids safe from the enemy as you work in your most important mission field- your family!
Congratulations on making a wise decision to educate your children with the truth. How can we expect to pass on knowledge without truth?
John 14:6 ~Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Dear Lord, Bless every reader of this blog post and meet them where they are. Give them peace and joy in their homeschool journey, and don't allow discouragement to sway them from your calling. Amen!
Snoop around the blog for lots of helpful posts~ these blog posts are a great place to start:
5 easy tips to more efficient homeschooling
Cheap and eady daily planner/project planner/school planner
The best kindergaten curriculum ever! (I’ve used it four times!)
Should kids sleep in? Prioritizing sleep (and what time should I start my homeschool day?)
How do I stop parent or student homeschool burnout? (and why burnout happens)
What’s a day in the life of a homeschool family like? (Homeschooling is like shoes!)