Making the Decision
People homeschool for many different reasons. I can't speak to other's thoughts and beliefs, but I can share why WE chose to homeschool.
We decided to homeschool our daughter starting in Pre-School. She is very intelligent and the pediatrician recommended we start a "structured" program at home to keep her interested in learning. At the time, she went to pre-school two days per week and we homeschooled the other three.
We decided to continue homeschooling once she finished preschool and here are some of the reasons why:
Here are some other articles I have found that share reasons for homeschooling and the differences between homeschool and traditional schooling.
Let's be VERY CLEAR. What most families were doing at the end of the 2019-2020 school year was NOT homeschooling. It was remote learning. Homeschool is based on experiential learning, not sitting at a computer or writing out worksheets at the kitchen table for hours each day. It is a completely different philosophy...and you will either embrace it or want to throw it out the window.
We decided to homeschool our daughter starting in Pre-School. She is very intelligent and the pediatrician recommended we start a "structured" program at home to keep her interested in learning. At the time, she went to pre-school two days per week and we homeschooled the other three.
We decided to continue homeschooling once she finished preschool and here are some of the reasons why:
- Because she is so intelligent, we wanted to be able to challenge her in certain areas but not all areas - for instance, right now she is doing 2nd/3rd grade level math but K/1st grade level reading. Having her home allows us to adjust things for her needs.
- Because of Common CORE and test results linked to a school system's finances, much of the public schooling (at least in our area) is focused on teaching to the test rather than teaching to learn problem solving skills. Even the best teachers (several of whom are in our family) have their hands tied. We wanted more freedom.
- We learned about the mastery approach to learning and it just made more sense. To understand what I mean by that, watch this video.
Here are some other articles I have found that share reasons for homeschooling and the differences between homeschool and traditional schooling.
Let's be VERY CLEAR. What most families were doing at the end of the 2019-2020 school year was NOT homeschooling. It was remote learning. Homeschool is based on experiential learning, not sitting at a computer or writing out worksheets at the kitchen table for hours each day. It is a completely different philosophy...and you will either embrace it or want to throw it out the window.
Understand the Laws in Your Area
Once you've made the decision to homeschool, you need to know and understand the laws in YOUR state. Every state is different and you don't want to get in trouble. Here's the confusing thing, many states have "recommendations" written in their guidelines that they try to enforce as requirements. That is why it is so important to really have a grasp on what is REQUIRED versus what is RECOMMENDED.
For example, in Connecticut (where we live) school is required for ages 5-17 and notification of intent to homeschool is recommended, but not required. Also, Portfolio assessments are recommended but not required. CT also does not require teacher certification or testing but does mandate which subjects are to be taught (at minimum).
In nearby Massachusetts, things are very different. School is required for ages 6-16 and notification of intent to homeschool is REQUIRED. Also required are Assessments and state-mandated subjects.
To find out the laws in your state, check out: https://hslda.org/legal
For example, in Connecticut (where we live) school is required for ages 5-17 and notification of intent to homeschool is recommended, but not required. Also, Portfolio assessments are recommended but not required. CT also does not require teacher certification or testing but does mandate which subjects are to be taught (at minimum).
In nearby Massachusetts, things are very different. School is required for ages 6-16 and notification of intent to homeschool is REQUIRED. Also required are Assessments and state-mandated subjects.
To find out the laws in your state, check out: https://hslda.org/legal
Make a Rough Schedule
After scouring through State Education, homeschooling and curriculum creator websites there seems to be a definite consensus on how much time a homeschooled child should spend on learning and I think it will surprise you. Here are the (general/average) recommendations for LENGTH of instruction during a single day of homeschool:
So for all of you out there that are stressing about how to find activities to fill an entire day of learning...make sure you are referencing the proper definition of an "entire day" for your little one.
Here are some of the resources WE USE in our family to schedule, organize and track our day.
- Pre-School: 30-45 minutes with about five minute increments of sustained instruction
- Kindergarten: 45-60 minutes with about 5-10 minute increments of sustained instruction
- Grades 1/2: 60-90 minutes with about ten minute increments of sustained instruction
- Grades 3/4/5: 90-120 minutes with about 15-20 minute increments of sustained instruction
- Grades 6/7/8: 2-3 hours with about 20-30 minute increments of sustained instruction
- Grades 9/10/11/12: 3-4 hours with about 45 minute increments of sustained instruction
So for all of you out there that are stressing about how to find activities to fill an entire day of learning...make sure you are referencing the proper definition of an "entire day" for your little one.
Here are some of the resources WE USE in our family to schedule, organize and track our day.
- This is the Google Sheet I created to track which subjects we have worked on in a day, tracking sick days/vacation days/holidays and tallying up total attendance each month. It is completely customizable. Follow this link to see the Sheet and create a copy into your own Google Drive to be able to edit and use for your child.
- These are the tags I created to schedule out our day. I laminated each tag and glued a magnet strip on the back. Each morning I move the 4-6 tags under "To-Do" on our refrigerator and as we accomplish them, my daughter moves them underneath the check mark on our refrigerator.
Build Your Curriculum
Every family will be different here. We do our math and reading curriculum through Khan Academy. It's free and based on mastery learning. There is also a Khan Academy Kids App for the younger kiddos that is also wonderful and free. We supplement math and reading, as well as build civics/geography/history lessons with printables and plans from Education.com and Teachers-Pay-Teachers. We create our science lesson plans with awesome books from Usborne Books, the Wow In The World podcast and the Tower Garden curriculum.
Having shared that, I am always finding AMAZING homeschooling Mamas who are sharing their creations online. Here are a few of my favorite accounts to follow on Instagram for inspiration and teaching tools:
I asked our community for their recommendations and here is the list. I will keep it updated as new resources come in.
Having shared that, I am always finding AMAZING homeschooling Mamas who are sharing their creations online. Here are a few of my favorite accounts to follow on Instagram for inspiration and teaching tools:
- https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
- https://www.instagram.com/littleoneslearn/
- https://www.instagram.com/monicajsutton/
- https://www.instagram.com/thetututeacher/
- https://www.instagram.com/happi_crafts/
- https://www.instagram.com/hereweeread/
- https://www.instagram.com/recycleandplay/
- https://www.instagram.com/mothercould/
- https://www.instagram.com/mimis.playtime/
- https://www.instagram.com/biglifejournal/
- https://www.instagram.com/stephhathawaydesigns/
- https://www.instagram.com/thetrendyscienceteacher/
I asked our community for their recommendations and here is the list. I will keep it updated as new resources come in.
