Education Station Homeschooling

Why Homeschool?

Some parents feel that their children's educational needs are better met at home than in a traditional school. Homeschooling is legal in all fifty US States. The beginning of the modern homeschooling movement began in the 1960's and 1970's. The reasons for homeschooling are varied: increased need for one on one help, need for fewer distractions, boredom with traditional school, fatigue caused by a long bus ride, academic failure, lack of academic challenge, avoidance of negative social pressures, avoidance of bullying, irreconcilable differences between the school and the family, and many more. Whatever your reason for considering homeschooling, know that you are not alone. According to the "Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling" by Brian Ray, an estimated 1.6-2.0 million children are being taught at home by their parents. Homeschooling resources on the internet are vast. Below is a sampling to get you started.

Frequently Asked Questions from the Homeschooling Unitarian Universalists and Friends

Getting Started from the Homeschooling Legal Defense Association

Books, curriculums, and much more to equip any parent-teacher

Dealing with Skeptical Friends and Relatives

Associations

Homeschooling Legal Defense Association (US)

Homeschool Legal Defence Association (Cananda)

Listing of Local Homeschooling Associations

Online Information and Resources

A-Z Home's Cool Homeschool Website extensive website covering tons of homeschool topics

Homeschooling Children Who "Aut" to Be Home great information on homeschooling a child with a neurologically based disability

Homeschooling Special Needs all you need to know about homeschooling your special needs child

Homeschool World comprehensive website including a listing of events in your local area, articles, DVDs, expert listing, curriculums, and much more.

Starfall.com free games and read along books for early readers

TYCW Free Homeschool Resources  New to homeschooling? Need fresh ideas? Get organized!

Tricks of the Trade

Join your local homeschooling association

Getting plugged-in is key to your success in homeschooling. What once seemed an unsurmountable task, becomes do-able with guidance from mentors and a strong homeschooling organization. Some local homeschooling associations are very well developed and active. Joint field trips, monthly support meetings, and yearbooks are a just a few of the activities that some homeschooling associations offer.

Reserve library books online

The public library system is a homeschoolers best friend. Did you know that you can reserve and order books online from your local library? This is a great way to either try out a phonics lesson book before you purchase it or just borrow a children's book on the Pilgrims and Indians for a history lesson. Most public libraries have websites with capabilities to search, reserve, and order books online.

Visit a local homeschooling store -

When choosing a curriculum for your child, there is no substitute to thumbing through the actual book. Need some advice from another homeschooler? You would be suprised at how receptive other homeschool shoppers will be at the opportunity to give you their opinion!

Tapping into the used curriclum market

Why pay full price when you can get second-hand resources for cheap? You can buy used curriculums online from Amazon.com, homeschoolclassifieds.com, HSLDA Market and many more sites. Many local communities have homeschooling stores where parents can consign their used curriculums and resources.

Use the Internet

Whether you want to research a topic, find a fun educational game for your child to play during their free time, or just connect with other homeschoolers through message boards - the internet is a fantastic resource!

Learning to Read - phonemic resources, phonological awareness, rhyming, alliteration and lots more resources to help your child become a successful reader.

Learning to Write - handwriting and expressive writing. Worksheets, books, articles, software programs and other helpful links.

Learning to Spell - word recognition, visual learners, spelling helpers and more.

 

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