Tutoring Center
How to Begin Homeschooling
Discuss With Your Spouse: Educating your child at home is a huge decision
and should be one that is made with your spouse. Do not begin unless you are
in agreement about this decision. You will need the support of your spouse not
only at the beginning, but also throughout the year.
Philosophies,
Styles, & Methods
Research Your State’s Homeschool Laws: If you have any questions about the
requirements for homeschooling in your state, please contact attorney Christine Field
of Homeschool Legal Advantage at cfield@gibbsfirm.com. It would be a privilege
to serve you, from your friends at www.HomeschoolLegalAdvantage.com.
; Charlotte Mason: Based on a
method introduced by nineteenth-century educator Charlotte Mason,
this approach includes nature
studies/ journaling, narration, and
living books.
Research Styles of Home Education: There is no one right way to educate
your child at home; however, there are many differing philosophies you may
want to consider. The sidebar details a few of the most common styles and their
very simplified definitions.
; Classical: Based on Dorothy
Sayers’ The Lost Tools of Learning,
in which child development is broken
up into three “stages” of learning
commonly called “the Trivium.”
Find Support: After finding your style of choice (or a mix of more than
one choice), you may want to choose a support group that reflects that specific
style or just a general homeschool support group in your area. Meeting with
other home educators offers encouragement as well as knowledge and assistance with your homeschool questions. Often, organized classes or activities
for your children are offered through support groups as well. For information
about homeschool support groups in your area, check these listings: www
. TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/Homeschool_Nations/State_Listings.php.
; Delight Directed: This puts the
learning in the hands of the child,
based on his or her interests.
Parents help facilitate this type of
learning with appropriate instructional materials.
Gather Resources: Some families start with a complete curriculum package,
while others start with a notebook and a library card. Choosing your resources
depends on your style or method of education and your own interests. If you are
financially burdened, there are free homeschooling resources on the web, as
well as discounted, used books in abundance.
; Eclectic: A mix of philosophies
and curricula to accommodate each
child’s abilities and interests. Parents
choose from any method or style
only those components that fit their
specific needs.
You Can Do This! Parents around the world are taking back their God-given
responsibility to educate their children, and you can too. We have developed
two downloads to help you get started:
; The Principle Approach: An
approach based on the principles
of our Founding Fathers and an
emphasis on God’s Word as the
basis for every subject.
“Homeschool With Confidence” www.TheHomeschoolMagazine
.com/HomeschoolWithConfidence.pdf
; Traditional Textbook: Normally
uses a full-range, packaged, textbook type curriculum that also
may include a scope and sequence,
testing, and recordkeeping.
“Simple Recipes for Successful Homeschooling” www.The
HomeschoolMagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/tosbrochure.pdf
; Unit Studies: All or most core
subjects are covered while studying
any one topic or unit of study, using
a variety of resources and supplemental activities.
The Schoolhouse Store ( www.TheOldSchoolhouseStore.com) has more than 4,000 products,
and shipping is ALWAYS FREE–NO MINIMUM PURCHASE REQUIRED!
Disclaimer: The above information is not intended as legal advice and should
not be construed as such. Please check your state’s legal requirements.
; Unschooling: A relaxed setting
where learning is directed by the
child. Parts of this philosophy are
based on research by John Taylor
Gatto and John Holt.
10 Summer 2010 ; Tutoring Center
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
