Getting Started with Home School

By Glenn R. Grundberg

So you are considering homeschooling...

As with most things, the key to your success will be how well you prepare. This is especially true for homeschool. While there are many curriculums and aids available, the majority of the structure and organization of the homeschool is up to you. Careful planning and organization will ensure a positive and valuable experience for your student.

There are lots of ways of creating your plan, but there are some basics you should be aware of and address. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you get started with your homeschool preparation.

• First and most important, discuss the plan with everyone in the household who may affect or be affected by the homeschool. Make sure they understand that they will directly contribute to the success or failure of the homeschool.

• Gather information and resources.  You can get valuable information by visiting homeschooling web sites like this one, signing up for free online newsletters, visiting homeschool message boards and join homeschooling chats and email lists. Find homeschooling events calendars online and attend homeschooling conferences. Subscribe to homeschooling magazines. Visit a book store or go to your local library. See our links pages for a multitude of valuable resources, and get our valuable Free Report: Getting Started with Home Schooling by signing up HERE.

• Become familiar with homeschooling laws in your state. It is usually simple to satisfy the laws. There are many websites that provide this information. The local public school district office and the public library can also help you in this area.

• Join a homeschooling support group in your area. It is very important to exchange ideas in a group. This can be a group of homeschooling friends or families associated with your curriculum. You can also find regional homeschooling support groups and state level homeschooling associations. Other homeschoolers can offer a wealth of information on a variety of subjects. They can help with many aspects of homeschooling, i.e. choosing curriculum, record keeping, meeting the state laws, and group activities. Some have been homeschooling for a long time and have solutions to difficulties you might encounter. You too can contribute by bringing new and fresh ideas. Even if you want to keep your autonomy, find a group that fits your needs. These groups can streamline your homeschooling and prevent common pitfalls.

• Choose your curriculum. You can choose a complete program or create one yourself.  It can new, used, shared or borrowed.  It can be expensive or cost nothing. This is where a homeschooling network is valuable. Get input from other homeschoolers. See what has worked them and what fits for you. Takes cues from your children. Use the Internet or go to the library to research your options.

• Set up a record keeping system. There are many different styles of record keeping. You can develop your own style of record keeping. Your record keeping can be as simple as a daily journal or as complicated as keeping track of daily schedules, and setting short- and long-term goals. Also, your curriculum may determine how you keep records. Determine what final result you want. Check out local colleges, trade schools universities and see what they require. Find out what record keeping is required by law. Consult your support group and find what has worked for them.

Planning ahead both short- and long-term goals will go a long way towards your homeschooling success.