When my daughter was in second grade, I started homeschooling her for that year because we were in the middle of a PCS. For 3rd grade through half of 5th grade, she went to a private school until it was time to PCS again. That is when I decided to homeschool her again. She is currently in her senior year of high school and ready to graduate with more than enough credits. I have homeschooled her for eight and a half years now, and I am always open to helping those who want to do the same because I needed all the help I could get when I started the process. This particular blog will detail how to get started on homeschooling.
The first place to start is with HSLDA
The very first place I suggest you start is HSLDA, which stands for the “Home School Legal Defense Association.” I pay a very small fee of $14 a month, and it provides everything I need, from legal support to resources. Every time we PCS, I check the homeschooling laws and regulations for the state we will be moving to. HSLDA has everything mapped out perfectly, including how to submit your intent to homeschool and the state testing that is required. They also understand our unique circumstances as a military family. Below is a list of resources they offer:
- legal support if you ever need it
- Detail how to get started based on your location
- State laws and International regulations
- Testing and evaluation
- Articles on homeschooling special needs kids
- Record keeping and grading
- Services to make official high school transcript and diploma (which I will be doing for my daughter very soon!)
- College prep
- ACT, SAT, and CLT testing information
- Homeschool grants
- Finding local homeschool groups
- And so much more!
Curriculums
We have tried many different curriculums over the years and have not always used the same one for every subject. What has worked well for us is a blended form of homeschooling tailored to my daughter as an individual, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. After all, this is the beauty of homeschooling! We also homeschool year-round and take breaks when it works for us. I will share some curriculum suggestions we have used. One curriculum worked great when she was younger, and another worked better as she got older. We have always been part of a homeschooling co-op, where she took in-person classes with other homeschooling kids. Blow are some of the curriculums that we have used, but there are so many out there to choose from other than what I linked:
Time 4 Learning was a great online curriculum when she was younger. Early grade school is what this curriculum works best for. It has games and repetition that the little ones need to retain information and concepts.
Power Homeschool is what my daughter started after 6th grade. Power homeschool is the parent-lead version of Acellus online school. Both schools are the exact same curriculum but Power Homeschool is parent-instructed and recorded and Acellus is school-taught and recorded.
Outschool was another place we went to for live classes in any subject that my daughter was interested in. These classes could be anything from learning how to paint to Anatomy and Physiology. I also taught an “Animal behavior and body language” class on this website for a few years since my background was in veterinary medicine. I found that the teaching-side of this platform was easy to use and I was able to share my professional experiences to instruct other homeschool kids on there.
Math.U.See was the math curriculum we used since we struggled to find a good fit for her. Having a teacher at the local co-op that taught her Algebra 1 and 2 as well as Geometry using this curriculum was helpful for my daughter to finally understand these math concepts.
IXL Math is helpful in gaining confidence with more problems and complex math concepts.
Khan Academy has videos explaining difficult to understand things in different ways so that kids and their parents can understand the “why” and “how” behind the skills homeschool students are learning. They also have SAT and Act prep- a great overall resource when you need a skill or a standard broken down further or in a different way.
These have been a few resources that we have personally used and by no means are the only ones. The amount of curriculums that are out there are vast! Many curriculums have online platforms as well as books and worksheets. Click here for an article on 8 of the different known ways to homeschool.
Spend extra time on what your child is interested in, that is a huge perk to Homeschooling.
In homeschooling, it’s incredibly beneficial to incorporate your child’s interests into their education. By doing this, learning becomes more engaging and enjoyable for them. For example, if your child loves animals, you can include biology and nature studies in your curriculum. If they enjoy building things, incorporate hands-on projects that involve math and engineering principles. Tailoring lessons to their passions not only keeps them motivated but also helps them develop a deeper understanding of the subjects they love. This personalized approach can make a significant difference in their educational experience and overall enthusiasm for learning.
Teaching your children the love for learning and the tools to find information is the most important part of it and is priceless.
You have all the tools to teach your own children. Don’t tell yourself that you can’t do it; believe in your ability to guide and nurture their education.
Starting homeschooling can feel overwhelming, but remember that you have the ability to teach your own children. There are numerous resources available from educators who want to help you succeed. It’s important to know that most parents find it takes time to adjust, but homeschooling often requires less time than traditional schooling. This provides more flexibility and free time throughout the day for other activities and interests. Trust in your capabilities, utilize the available support, and embrace the unique opportunities homeschooling offers for a fulfilling educational experience for your children and your whole family.
Check out another Military Mom Collective post about Homeschooling Doesn’t Have To Be PermanentÂ
