How To Homeschool
There are two things I can recommend to get you started with homeschooling. First, find out what your local state laws are and second, figure out your teaching method and curriculum. The homeschool law can seem intimidating and confusing. I hope my interpretation below of the state that I live in will give you an idea of what to expect as you approach your new journey. You will see that it can be simple to figure out and easy follow. Homeschool laws are different for each state so be sure to look up your state with the links to the right.
First Step-State Law 1. Homeschool Teacher Qualification Washington state requires a homeschooling parent to have 45 college credits or take a homeschool parent qualifying course. You could also be qualified to homeschool if you are enrolled in a state homeschool program where you are required to report to a certified person each week. These are considered a partial enrollment. To the right is a link for an online parent qualifying course. You could also do a google search, "homeschool parent qualifying course" , to find a local in-person class in your state. 2.File a Declaration of Intent to Homeschool This is a one-page form you fill out with your local school district office annually by September 15th. You get the form at the school district or HSLDA has one. In Washington this is required for ages 8 and up. You do not have to do this if your child is under age 8. This is based on the Washington Compulsory School Attendance Age Law. Your school district will sign your Declaration of Intent to Homeschool, stamp it, and give you a copy. I have used this copy to get teacher discounts at various places such as: Barnes & Noble, Joann craft store, and Staples. You may be able to find this form online from your school district website. I have found ours online, printed this at home and mailed it in with a post-it note and an addressed envelope with a stamp asking them to please mail me a stamped copy when I was too busy to go into the office. Our local school district office in Washington hands out free state fair tickets (many times I have to ask for them, but they are always willing and generous) to homeschooling families. 3. Teach the Required Subjects- math, language arts, social studies, science, history, health, art, music, occupational education. 4. Teach the Required Number of Days- 180 or 1,000 hours per year. You are not require to turn in a log. 5. Do an Annual Assessment- The other requirement is to have your child annually assessed using state standardize approved tests OR a non-test assessment. In Washington this is required for ages 8 and up. You do not have to do this if your child is under 8. These non-test assessments are also called homeschool evaluation and need to be given by a certified person. A certified person could be a homeschooling parent with a Washington State Teaching Certificate. Ask homeschooling friends for recommendations. If you want a state standardized test you can do at home I recommend visiting Christian Liberty (there is a link to the right). They have the C.A.T online. I have used the C.A.T. online as well as homeschool evaluations by a local homeschooling friend who had a Teaching Certificate. Both have their purposes. Do what you think is best for your child. I personally think the evaluations are great for younger children and the state tests are great for middle school or high school age children. You are not required to turn this in, just keep them on file at your home as part of their permanent school record. If they are enrolled into public school they may ask for this. |
Homeschool Links
The HSLDA stands for Home School Legal Defense Association. This website has information for every state in our country. When you go to this website you click on the state you live in, enter your name and email, then it immediately it gives you a simplified and understandable version of your state requirements.
This is Washington States official website for all educational matters from public to homeschool.
The "Pink Book" is the official homeschool law-explained. It is a compilation of Washington State's Laws Regulating Home-Based Instruction Randy I. Dorn- State Superintendent of Public Instruction
August 2014 |
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Second Step- Teaching Method & Curriculum Options
Now that you have an idea of what your state homeschool laws are your ready for the next step. To figure out what method and curriculum you will use. What curriculum will work best for your family? What are living books? Who or what is Charlotte Mason? And classical conversations, what is this? Is there free curriculum available? Finding curriculum and your method of teaching can be overwhelming because there are so many good options out there for homeschoolers. I'll explain all this and help you pin point which method and curriculum will work for your family. Curriculum There are many quality curriculum choices for homeschooling families. In addition to some links and ideas below, I recommend two websites to get you started in your search.
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Preschool To Second Grade
During the first few years, preschool to 2nd grade your child will need much more one-on-one teaching. You should plan to work with him/her each day teaching them their letters, shapes, colors, numbers, how to read, and write. The good thing about teaching this age is it doesn't take very long each day. You can fill in the rest of your daily school time with crafts, nature walks, field trips and reading out loud. I cannot stress how important reading out loud is. I believe it is the key to a strong educational foundation and a love of learning. Let them pick out books and topics to learn about. Read a variety of fiction and non-fiction. Let them color, play with play dough, or do a quiet activity while you read to keep their attention.
Teaching Methods, Styles, Philosophies, and approaches
The method of homeschooling is simply just the way you teach each subject. It is your style of education. Here is a list of the methods I will be sharing with you, this pretty much covers all of them. Use whichever method you feel will work with your family or a mixture of them: unschooling, eclectic, Charlotte Mason, unit studies, lapbooking, notebooking, classical education (also called classical conversations or classical homeschooling), Waldorf, Montessori, internet/ distance learning, traditional, and partial enrollment/ state funded homeschool method.
During the first few years, preschool to 2nd grade your child will need much more one-on-one teaching. You should plan to work with him/her each day teaching them their letters, shapes, colors, numbers, how to read, and write. The good thing about teaching this age is it doesn't take very long each day. You can fill in the rest of your daily school time with crafts, nature walks, field trips and reading out loud. I cannot stress how important reading out loud is. I believe it is the key to a strong educational foundation and a love of learning. Let them pick out books and topics to learn about. Read a variety of fiction and non-fiction. Let them color, play with play dough, or do a quiet activity while you read to keep their attention.
Teaching Methods, Styles, Philosophies, and approaches
The method of homeschooling is simply just the way you teach each subject. It is your style of education. Here is a list of the methods I will be sharing with you, this pretty much covers all of them. Use whichever method you feel will work with your family or a mixture of them: unschooling, eclectic, Charlotte Mason, unit studies, lapbooking, notebooking, classical education (also called classical conversations or classical homeschooling), Waldorf, Montessori, internet/ distance learning, traditional, and partial enrollment/ state funded homeschool method.
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1. Unschooling
This method is child-led education also referred to as delight directed learning. Child learns at his own pace based on his own interests. Parents provide the child with an educational experience and materials. If they have questions the parent equips him with the tools needed to find the answers. The philosophy is that the child will retain more when allowed to follow his interests. There is no set curriculum or schedule. Each day could bring something new. A very informal approach. 2. Eclectic This approach uses a variety of of curriculum and methods accomplish educational goals. Usually one curriculum acts as a springboard. Parents are innovative pulling in many different projects, books or other resources to create a unique individualized curriculum. A little of this and a little of that approach. 3. Charlotte Mason This method was founded by Charlotte Mason, an English woman who started the homeschool movement. It places high value on the development of good character and habits. It is strong in classic literature, classical music, arts, and poetry. Incorporates all core subjects. Uses dictation and copywork. Encourages lots of time in nature. She dubbed the name "living books" which refer to books of high quality where students learn from real-life stories kids can connect with. Many books now days fall into this category. There are many support groups and Charlotte Mason communities. Resources:
4. Unit Studies A unit study incorporates all or most subjects under one theme to create unity in a natural learning environment. Although math can be incorporated, it is usually taught separate. They use a lot of hands-on activities, art and projects. Unit studies purpose to use all learning styles. They learn through their senses which helps them remember what they have learned. You can tailor their school based on their skills, abilities and interests which Keeps their attention because you can change it up or keep spider-webbing on related themes if they are enjoying it. You can teach multiple ages by increasing or lowering the reading and writing to fit each child's abilities. They can be short or long, quick or complex. And best of all your child can choose what they want to learn about which gives him a natural motivation and a love for learning. If your child has an interest in pirates they would read books about them, do related art projects, games, writing assignments, geography, and hands-on activities. As my website suggests, I love unit studies and so do kids! I have taught hundreds of children and I have yet to meet one who does not like them. If you don't know what a unit study is then you should read my What is a Unit Study? page. Unit studies can incorporate other methods such as lapbooking, notebooking, Montessori, and delight directed studies. This is why it is my method of choice because its so versatile and appeals to a wide audience. 5. Lapbooking This method uses file folders put together in a specific way that makes a book, some may even open in many directions. Students cut out and glue interactive minibooks and pockets onto the pages. The minibooks can be a variety of shapes and sizes that are sometimes folded in a creative way. Students can record information learned onto the minibooks. Each lapbook has a theme. A child reads books on that theme to find information to write onto the minibooks. This approach is very creative and hands-on. Lots of cutting and gluing. Its similar to scrap-booking except instead of photos students use minibooks and pockets. my favorite free source for lapbooks is www.homeschoolshare.com. 6. Notebooking This method uses a notebook to record information. The notebook could be a blank drawing book, lined spiral notebook or printed pages with a template that has borders and boxes for students to record what they have learned. It is similar to lapbooking and unit studies in the fact that they usually follow a delight directed theme. Student finds information by researching. They have the freedom to doodle, sketch, trace, write, or draw what they learned in a creative way. I like to throw in this method on occasion just to change things up a bit for a lesson or two. Plus its super easy because there is little planning involved. Just simply pick a book, read it, and write some interesting facts or draw some pictures. 7. Classical Education (also called Classical Conversations and Classical Homeschooling) This method teaches children using 3 stages: Grammar- memorization stage, Logic- "why" stage, and Rhetoric- a stage where students apply what they have learned. It has a heavy focus on memorization. This method began in the middle ages and was the approach used by some of the greatest minds in History. There are many support groups and Classical Conversation communities you can join for this method. Resources:
8. Waldorf This method was developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1920. Lessons consist of 2-3 week-long-units in which all subjects are taught. Each unit has one theme like unit studies. Incorporates the study of art, music, and nature appreciation. Stresses the importance of educating the whole child, body, mind, and spirit. Children create their own books using this method. And it discourages the use of television and computers. Uses themes such as fairy tales, folktales, fables, stories of the Saints, Bible stories, Native American legends, middle ages, renaissance, and modern world. 9. Montessori This method focuses on creating a stimulating environment for learning. It is based on the works of Maria Montessori, an Italian Doctor who developed this philosophy for education. Parents/teachers manipulate the environment and choose games and learning material that stimulates a child's 5 senses catering to all learning styles. There are no exams for grades. Classrooms or homes have a natural learning environment that encourages self motivation, self discipline, and self direction. Multi age learning. Parents/teachers roll is to maintain the environment, demonstrate activities and observe children as they freely explore. Resources:
10. Internet/ Distance Learning (also called umbrella schools, independent study programs, virtual or cyber schools, or learning centers) This approach uses internet or virtual classrooms where students log into a portal and "have live class sessions". Students can usually see and hear the teacher. Students communicate with the teacher and other students using instant messaging or speak into a microphone where everyone in the class can hear on occasion. This approach uses lecture, video, textbook, workbook, and test taking activities. Many of these distance learning schools are accredited which mean they have high standards that meet state educational requirements. Many classes focus on college prep, some even offer college credits. Resources:
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