Are you wondering what it takes to actually start homeschooling? Do you think you are qualified? Or do you think you’re mildly crazy for considering it at all? I hope you find some answers here! In this post I’ll share what helped me, and what I wish I had known when I also panic scrolled the internet to find some shred of understanding on what it takes to home educate. (Hint: No, you’re not crazy!)
So where should you start?
1. Decide why you want to start homeschooling in the first place.
This may sound slightly cliche, or introspective, but it is actually more crucial than I ever anticipated it would be. You usually don’t end up researching homeschooling without a general reason for going this direction. Just in case you are, a great place to start is to picture yourself homeschooling in the future, what would you tell yourself to keep going? What will motivate you to stay the course and continue on through the learning curves, the bad days and all the hard? (Even public school has these issues, too less we forget!) What is your “Why?”
Some might be:
- Religious Freedoms
- Flexibility
- Accommodate learning disabilities
- Fostering family relationships
- Academic benefits
Whatever it is, write it down and hold it dear to you. It will be the reason you make it!
2. Look up your local homeschooling laws.
Yes, there are restrictions and laws for teaching your own kids, and those specific laws depend on the state you’re in. I am in Texas so the laws in my state are extremely different than those of someone in New York. These laws will truly determine the amount of flexibility and freedom you will have to educate your child at home. You will need to take them into account and lay the framework for how you will make sure you meet the requirements of the state. Some states (like Texas) have very little oversight, and some states give tax breaks or even will pay you to homeschool! (I’m looking at you Ohio!)
Here is where you will find the website to look up the homeschool laws in your state.
You will also need to take the step to unenroll your child in their current school if they already are in school. Some states may require a written notice it will depend on your school/district.
Then what?
2. Familiarize yourself with homeschooling philosophies and curriculum.
So this was actually my least favorite part of starting to homeschool. I wanted to just jump into the most attractive curriculum and get started! I didn’t want to take the time to learn not just what, but HOW I wanted to teach my kids. It turns out, it’s part of the foundation of homeschooling. Knowing what type of education you want to give your children, will be your compass and guide. If you don’t know what direction you’re going, you’ll end up in circles following every shiny lead. (Don’t ask me how I know…)
Homeschooling/ Education philosophies are extremely deep subjects, and until I can make a post about each one, here is a brief summary, curriculum example and book recommendation for each type of learning philosophy.
Traditional Style
This type of homeschooling is basically “School at home” It’s open and go workbook style, quizzes, tests, and academic activities similar to those found in schools. This also includes online type learning which utilizes the majority of educating in an online platform.
Book recommendation– “Teach your own” By John Holt
Examples of this type of curriculum are:
Review: Our experiences with Time4Learning (ichoosejoy.org)
Review Abeka Academy Reviews – TheHomeSchoolMom
Classical Style
This type of educational philosophy has a focus on the liberal arts. It also usually includes the study of Latin. This type of education tends to be rooted in character development and teaching students how to think for themselves. It can be rigorous and has different focal areas based on age. Lots of private schools and even some classical homeschool curriculum is accredited.
Book recommendation- “The Well Trained Mind” By Susan Wise Bauer
Examples of this type of curriculum are:
Review: Veritas Press History: Curriculum Review – The Happy Housewife™ :: Home Schooling
Review: An Honest Memoria Press Review | Live, Life, Homeschool (livelifehomeschool.com)
Montessori Style
Montessori style is one I feel like we’ve all heard of! They are known for their scientific approach to learning with respect for the students physiological, and social development. There is a lot more freedom to this method with its emphasis on independence within limits.
Book recommendation– “The essential Montessori” By Elizabeth G Hainstock
Examples of this type of curriculum are:
Review: https://youtu.be/fzuvncvszqs?si=vFmVyoK2MjohuevB
This is much more philosophy based than physical curriculum, so it is harder actually purchase. It would be more beneficial to read about this method to ensure the proper environment for this type of learning.
Charlotte Mason Method
Charlotte Mason was a real woman who made it her mission to ensure the betterment of children’s education. She was alive from 1842-1923 in England where she made such a mark, that there is an entire movement based on her beliefs. This method ensures children shouldn’t be rushed to start learning before play has been established, (around age 7) with a focus on short study times, nature studies, living books, lots of narration and learning with your hands. Works well with multiple ages, as the grades covered here are in “forms” which are general ages.
Book recommendation– “Modern Miss Mason” – By Leah Boden
Examples of this type of curriculum are:
Review: Why We Chose Ambleside Online – Little House Learning Co.
Review: Curriculum Review: The Peaceful Preschool [updated August 2020] – Treehouse Schoolhouse
Eclectic/Unschooling Style
This type of education model is much more fluid and flexible. Eclectic meaning this method can encompass a whole range of ideas. Unschooling has been known to be “delight lead learning” meaning a more personalized approach to learning, a less rigid ways to educate. Your kid wants to learn about tadpoles and has been on a weather kick? Awesome! Then you stick to learning that until he moves on. It’s not always broadly focused, but it can be.
Book recommendation– “The Brave Learner” By Julie Bogart
There aren’t many examples of physical curriculum for this one, since it is more of a philosophical approach and will need to be pieced together by the teacher/parent. But this website has a better explanation of the method.
Now that you’ve gotten to know WAYS to homeschool, here is the part is just my opinion based on experience.
Unit Studies
Unit studies is basically project base homeschooling that covers a particular topic to study for an extended period of time. This allows for rich study of a subject over days, weeks or months. It allows you to dive deeper into one area than other curricula choices. This is another great option for multiple ages, you often can cover topics together no matter what age.
Book recommendation- “The Brave Learner” By Julie Bogart (This book covers both eclectic and unit studies type schooling!)
Examples of this type of curriculum are:
Review-Beautiful Feet Books Homeschool Curriculum Reviews – The Curriculum Choice
-Gather Round’ Homeschool Unit Studies
Review-A Gather Round Homeschool Review: Oceans…Did We Love It? – The Lead Learner Mom
Picture this an appetizer spread of the ways to homeschool. Do you’re own research and go further with researching an option that looks like it would fit your family. Do not buy curriculum on a whim! Utilize free downloads and ask others who have used whatever you’re looking into!
3. Organize, but don’t over buy!
Hear me when I say, you WILL purchase something that won’t end up working, it’s not if, but when. It’s happened to us all when we first start out, even sometimes when you know better! That fancy big box curriculum that you heard is the answer to all of your homeschooling needs, seems tempting! (I personally find all in one type curriculum to be a great guide to start if you can afford them, but can be very expensive and also overwhelming and unnecessary) But a few things to consider when purchasing curriculum are:
- Ages of your kids, and your life season. (Will you have a newborn? Toddler? Moving?)
- Your teaching style, and your kids learning styles- (a great quiz and reference on that here )
- Cost (There are many ways to make it budget friendly, some are listed here.)
- Amount of time you have in a day you have to homeschool. (Also, will you add in a co-op or extra curriculars throughout the week?)
- The subjects you need/want to teach. (Reference your states homeschool laws, along with any extra you want.)
- How will you get a break or who will support you in this new endeavor? (Trust me, you’ll be happy you thought and planned for a break.)
- The homeschooling philosophy you’ve chosen. (This will also greatly impact the time and subjects you teach!)
3. Get inspired, then just get started!
To be inspire will help you to stay engaged, involved, and striving to home educate with heart, to bring an atmosphere of learning to your home. Also surrounding yourself with like minded veteran homeschoolers who have run the race before you is not only wise but it’s vital! I feel like I’m best friends with most of the authors of these books simply for how they have influenced my homeschooling and my view on learning at home.
Some of you most favorite books for homeschool inspiration are:
- Awaking wonder, By Sally Clarkson
- Teaching From Rest By Sarah Makenzie
- Seasons of a Mother’s heart By Sally Clarkson
- Mothering By the Book By Jennifer Peppito
- The Call of the Wild and free By Ansley Arment (non-religious)
- The Brave Learner By Julie Bogart (non religious)
Then, Just get started. It seem obvious, but you’d be shocked if I told you how many YouTube videos I watched that showed me exactly ZERO of how the actual act of homeschooling would feel like, and be like in my own home.
And here is the kicker…
Nothing will truly prepare you for what homeschooling will look like for YOUR family.
When you are teaching your kids for the first time, and actually inviting them to learn from you…THAT is the real teacher. You might throw out $200 worth of curriculum that just didn’t work, like I did. But you gained the understanding that you don’t have to go broke to home educate, you just have to gain some experience.
Lastly…
4. Be kind to yourself, you CAN do it!
I wish someone would have told me it’s okay if I don’t get every single subject in the first year with a newborn, or that you truly need that library card much more than you need that fancy planner. Homeschooling is a commitment.
And IT. IS. WORK. So pace yourself. Look at this as a foundation, you can add more layers each year with what you’ve learned to balance. Each season calls for a different way we need to show up for our families. Be creative about how you take your breaks to respect the new workload you have. Honor that, don’t bite off so much that you burn out and throw in the towel. Take it steady, learn along the way.
And if you’re looking for someone to say “You can do it!”…
I will.
You can do it, I believe in you!
-Hannah
