You Can Homeschool

Today I have a short video for you that was put out by the HSLDA. This is the first video in a series of three videos that encourages families to homeschool. I found it quite interesting and it really gives some great reasons why people choose to homeschool the children in their families. If you are only just thinking about homeschooling, then this is a great video to watch. However, if you are a veteran homechooler, then this is a great reminder about why you may have chosen to homeschool. It reminds us of our reasons and priorities and is refreshing to the soul.

Here is the first part of the video series:

What are your thoughts about homeschooling now? Leave me a comment and share.

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I just recently moved to another state and needed to research the state requirements so we could continue to homeschool. I knew that I must meet those requirements in order to provide the education to my child that we have become accustomed to. Our previous state did not need notice in order to homeschool, but I wasn’t sure about our new state. So what did I do? I visited the HSLDA website for the information.

Many people do not like the HSLDA or Home School Legal Defense Association. There are many people I know who disagree with some of their stances and causes. However, I have found lots of useful information on their site that is available for free. They are advocates of the right to homeschool and their organization works to further this cause and belief.

One of the most useful bits of information is the breakdown that they provide of requirements by each state. This information can help you to comply with your state standards and to know your legal rights as a homeschool family. I visited this part of the site to save myself some time in discovering what the requirements were for my new state.

I was able to find out that our new state needed notice of our intent to homeschool and they also needed proof of an educational plan and curriculum. I was able to file this information in the local school district office. It was pretty painless, and now I do not need to worry about being found truant by the local school district.

Do you know what the laws are for your state and homeschooling? If you are not sure, you may want to visit the HSLDA website and become informed. I have always kept a copy in my school files just in case I should ever need to use it. Knowing the requirements for your state is not just a good idea. It is a necessary exercise in order to keep your rights safe as a homeschooler.

So, what do you need to do in order to legally homeschool in your state? Leave me a comment and share.

Photo provided by jeltovski

If you are looking for a way to help your child learn about a topic in a fun and interesting way, you may want to consider lapbooking. There are so many different fun and interesting ways to record facts and findings. Your imagination level will be the only thing to hold you back. So what exactly is a lapbook and how do you make one?

A lapbook is simply a portfolio of your child’s work that is presented in a creative and eye catching manner. It will encompass a series of creative creations made of paper that will focus on various aspects of the topic you are studying in your homeschool. As your child learns new material, you will want them to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject. This can be accomplished by making a series of mini reports, charts, graphs, illustrations, photos, recipes and the list can go on and on. All of these mini projects are then compiled into a special folder that you make and then display creatively.

For example, suppose you are studying geography and you want to study each of the states in the US. You could make a variety of flap books, mini booklets, pamphlets and pop ups that will display the many different aspects of the topic. You could have a layered tabbed book with four different panels that could list the state bird, state flower, state motto and the date inducted into the union. A pop up could show a picture of the state’s flag and any information about it. A three fold pamphlet could describe any information about that state you want to cover such as national parks, tourist attractions, etc. After you have completed the many different elements of your lapbook, you will then fasten each element into a colored file folder. This will create a vast array of visual pleasure when you open it.

You will find that your kids are drawn to creating these lapbooks in your homeschool. It provides them with many opportunities to present key information in a condensed format that is fun. They will also gain an element of graphic art presentation as they learn to present their materials in a manner that is visually stimulating. It will keep them stimulated and excited to learn even when faced with tedious studies. By having your kids share their creations, they gain self esteem and also review the materials without being forced to.

To see some samples of finished lapbooks, you can visit Peakmore Academy Lapbooks. For more information on how to create the different elements of your lapbooks, please download this guide provided by Tobin’s Lab.

The possibilities of using lapbooking in your homeschool are endless. What are some of the ways you will use this technique in your homeschool?

Photo courtesy of Peakmore Academy Lapbooks

It shouldn’t be a surprise that many homeschooling families are feeling the crunch of the rising gas price. At this point, the future of the American economy is not looking bright.

Brenda, the financial editor here on our network, has put together a very informative post entitled ‘High Gas Prices Affecting Families’. It is definitely must read material. To begin, Brenda tells us…

“As gas prices climb to record highs ($3.51/gallon national average) every family is affected financially. Even those who don’t commute to their jobs find themselves paying higher and higher prices for groceries trucked across the country and for airline tickets.

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, gasoline prices top concerns over jobs and health troubles. Families are more concerned about the rising cost of gas than about paying their mortgage or health care bills.”

Sadly, this is true. These ungodly prices seem almost life changing. Most of us are in the same boat right now, just trying to keep our heads above water. If we don’t see a decline in prices… who knows what will happen.

In the meantime, there are things you can do to make your homeschooling day more affordable. Consider virtual field trips and the many online resources available to you, in regard to no-cost worksheets, school supplies, etc.

If you hang out with other families who homeschool, talk to them about swapping supplies that are no longer needed. You might be surprised by what they have to offer.

How are you dealing with soaring prices? What have you had to eliminate from your day and have you found an adequate replacement? Now, more than ever, we need to share ideas. Let’s not let the rising cost of gas rain on our homeschooling parade!

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!

(This is a guest post. Many thanks to Claudine Williams.)

Are you trying to inspire your children to read? Teaching your children the joy of reading will provide a lifelong skill and give them the confidence to succeed in higher education or any career choice.

Children in elementary school may even be interested in reading short novels. Once they have mastered the basics of reading, it’s time to teach your child how to read for enjoyment and knowledge.

Select Interesting Stories
Try to recommend books that interest your children. Take your children to the bookstore or library and let them choose books with characters or scenarios that they can identify with. Many children enjoy science fiction, coming of age stories or stories about animals.

Preview the Book
Make sure that you read a few pages of the book or a book review before you make your final selection. Some books that seem appropriate for children are not. Ask your media specialist for a list of suggested children’s books. Books lists are also available at Amazon.com, other major book retailers and libraries.

Keep a Reading Journal
Ask your children to keep a reflective reading journal as they read. Ask them to list at least five questions they would like answered in each chapter. You may want to come up with questions for your children to answer, as well.

The questions might include basic reading comprehension questions which answer the question ‘what happened’ and interpretative questions which answer the question ‘why did this happen’. Ask your children to make predictions in the journal, too. Journals help children document their thoughts and expand on ideas.

Read With Your Children
Show your children that you are interested in what they reads by reading with them and initiating discussions about the book. You may also want to lead a small book club with other neighborhood children so your child can view reading as a cool social activity.

Get Started Now
It is never too early or too late to begin a novel reading program with children who have basic reading skills. Plan a pizza and reading break during your regular homeschooling session. You can go a step further and let them read about pizza!

Have you started a book club for homeschooled kids in your neighborhood? If so, share your secrets. Make it easier for all of us to roll reading skills and social skills all into one. Let’s do our best to inspire our children to read.

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!

One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the fact that the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can teach your children and how you go about doing so.

Day-to-day activities that your child probably already participates in can easily be incorporated into your curriculum. These activities can be anything from grocery shopping, to caring for a pet to helping in the garden.

This post ‘Unique Learning Adventures for Homeschoolers’, brought to you by More 4 Kids, includes several excellent ideas for unique homeschool adventures. Whether you are looking for suggestions in regard to math, science, social studies, English, physical education or the arts this is must read information.

In the words of More 4 Kids:

“While your child’s peers are tucked away in the “traditional” classroom setting, you and your children can be out engaging in activities in different areas of your community learning all sorts of new and exciting things.”

Talk with your kids. Ask them to think of three or for things that they would REALLY like to learn. Then have them tell you how they think they might be able to learn these things either at home or in the community.

You will probably be pleasantly surprised by the answers they give you. Chances are, you’ll end up learning something new in the process, as well.

Please take the time to read the above mentioned post. It is filled with wonderful learning ideas and projects to jazz up your curriculum.

That being said, what is the most unique learning adventure you have shared with your child? Was this adventure planned or was it spontaneous? We are always on the lookout for interesting project ideas. Please feel free to share yours.

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!

(This is a guest post. Thanks go out to Brenda Emmett.)

One of the most difficult things to do when you are homeschooling is to keep everything new and exciting. We love the time we spend educating our children and helping them to learn, but sometimes it is just plain hard to make it not seem dull. Things become routine and boring, no matter how great the material that we are learning happens to be. So how do you create excitement and fun in your homeschool? Here are a few ideas that have worked well in our family:

Jammie Day
One of our favorite things is when I have declared it jammie day. This is a day when we get to stay in our pajamas all day long. There is something distinctly sweet about staying in your pj’s all day. Perhaps it is because the children know that their friends who attend public school can’t do the same. Days like this are often filled with giggles as the schoolwork is completed. I often hear pleadings of “let’s have a jammie day!”, but I only do it on occasion. This keeps it special.

Reading Day
On this occasion, we just put aside the rest of the school work and cuddle up with a soft blanket, a pillow and a favorite book or books. Then we just read all day long. We share our favorite parts of the book we are reading with each other and discuss why we like or dislike a particular book or passage. Sometimes we even combine this with jammie day.

Read, Then Watch
Something that has worked well for our family is to read the book or story and then watch the movie. This really gives the children something to look forward to and I know that they have read the story first. It will often foster a conversation on how the movie differed from the book. Then we discuss which way we liked it the best. The book usually wins every time, but the movie is fun to watch. And the children love that it is part of their school.

Draw it!
I realize this sounds like art class, but really this is when I simply write down all of the subjects that we must complete that day on slips of paper. Then we fold the papers and mix them up in a bowl. We take turns drawing out a slip of paper to see what we will be doing next. This creates excitement for everyone. We are more excited to work on research papers or spelling lists when we draw them out of the bowl. It creates an element of surprise and unexpectedness. It is also just a little more fun.

In what ways do you keep your homeschool fun and exciting? C’mon, we really want to know!

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!

Photo by: Mike Davis

Want a traditional education, just not at your local school?

There are so many people who are seeking alternatives to traditional public school but can’t seem to find and options. Accredited home school programs could be just the option you are looking for. An accredited home school program is a home school program that is equivalent to public school education.

Connections Academy is one of these accredited home school programs and is FREE. It is a public charter school online that teaches kids the same skills they would be getting at a traditional public school, only better. Kids are placed into different courses such as Art, math, history, and much more; and they are assigned an instructor who is a certified teacher. They have daily assignments do and weekly projects. They are required to submit their work online to their teacher in order to earn credit. With great programs and wonderful books, you child will learn and achieve at a better rate than kids their own age in public school.

Parents and teachers correspond through end of the term packets that they are required to mail as well as through weekly Parent teacher Conferences. The teachers offer great feedback and are there to work one on one with students that might need extra help.

This is a great solution if you are wanting to home school but don’t have the time. Your child will be getting an education that you can feel good about.

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!

When you think of homeschooled High Schoolers the first question that comes most peoples minds is “How do you graduate?” Many students take the GED and go on to college at age 16. Our two oldest already have and the younger ones are preping for early college as well. By the time their public school friends are graduating they already have two years of college under their belts. Yep, we’re proud parents.

GED stands for General Education Development and is a series of tests that test that you have the knowledge to graduate. It is now accepted as an alternative to a High school Diploma by most Colleges. It just takes a few requirements and some simple steps.

Age Requirement- First off Oregon State law says you must be at least 16 to take the GED. State laws may be different where you live so the first step would be to call your local high school or community college and ask if they know the required age. You can also look it up online. There is a waiver obtainable as well in some states, so the first step would be figuring out age requirement.

ID- You are also going to need some form of state issued ID. This can be a driver’s license, permit, or ID card as long as it is issued from your states DMV.

Study- Just with any other test it is important to study. The GED consists of: 2 Language arts tests- one multiple choice and one an essay, 1 math test, 1 science test, 1 reading, and 1 in Social studies. All of the tests except for the Essay are multiple choice. You don’t need to attend classes to take these tests, you can study for them right at home. Your local library has books contain practice sheets and step by step lessons to help prepare you for the GED. The best ones I have found are the ones published by Steck-Vaughn and McGraw-Hill. They are even available in Spanish. Just make sure you get the most recent publication, there are some older publications that are confusing and not reliable for preparing to take the GED.

Location- Most community colleges offer the GED test. The cost is around $100.00 for all the tests, but it does vary between states and testing centers. You have about an hour and a half to take each test.

Just like graduating from High School it is not always easy to get your diploma from home, but with preparation anyone can do it. Just call around, research, study, but most importantly relax. You will do fine.

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!

Private school is so expensive and homeschool costs a lot of many too right? Wrong. Homeschooling your child can cost you $0 if you take advantage of the resources all around you.

One of the biggest things that turn people away from homeschool is the curriculum, they think it is too expensive, complicated, or to time consuming. Homeschooling can be easy and money saving, plus your child will receive an education you know you can trust and it can all start at your local library. The library is full of textbooks and people don’t even know about it. I am not just talking about the history type books we all have had to bring home for reports, I am talking about actual step by step guides to many subjects your child needs to learn, including: Math, science, writing, and much more. All you have to do is go online to your library’s online catalog and type the subject into the search box. One book that I found that was really helpful was Painless Algebra, this teaches Algebra in a more simple way so that it can be understood with out making your brain hurt.

The greatest advantage to this type of homeschooling is that you can make the lesson plan fit into the way your child learns. For example, I am a writer, I enjoy writing and I learn better when I write things down. So when I was homeschooled my parents had me turn in my work as essays. Since I was writing reports I was learning the information. For my brother he likes art so he does a lot of art classes and art type work submissions. We all process information differently and with homeschooling you can adapt it to the way your child learns. If you think your child will learn less this way you are wrong. Just like public school students, homeschool students are required to take a benchmark test. They score the homeschoolers based on the performance of the average public student. When I took the test in the 8th grade, after 3 years of this style homeschooling, I outscored the public students greatly. Plus both my sister and I were able to graduate at 16 with this program. The truth is in the number, you can homeschool your child for free and it works.

by Jessica Kidd

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!