How to Start Homeschooling

Know Your State Law

• Home schooling is legal in every state in the United States.
• Obtain information about your state home-schooling laws.
• One source is your local school district, which can provide a packet of information concerning home schooling, including a synoptic paragraph about legal requirements. Inquiries can be made with no strings attached.
• Another source of information is your state home-school organization, which can also provide information about home schooling in your state. Other home schoolers can provide you with the proper telephone number.
• In addition, those interested in home schooling can contact the Home School Legal Defense Assocation, a national home-school organization that can provide information regarding legal requirements as well as membership in that organization.

Obtain Curriculum

• Most states expect you to obtain a reliable curriculum, although some states have the authority to approve or disapprove your choice.
• Many states expect you to teach the academic disciplines such as spelling, handwriting, English, reading, math, science, and history.
• Most state home-school organizations hold curriculum fairs during the spring or summer.
• You should purchase basic curriculum first and then add extras such as charts, globes, maps, science kits, manipulatives, and flash cards.
• You should look for a curriculum with daily lesson plans that take the guesswork out of what you need to teach your child on his grade level.
• You should purchase curriculum early (possibly 2-3 months before teaching) in order to become familiar with the format and to prepare lesson plans.

Set Up Your Homeschool

• Establish a special place in your home.
• Equip your teaching area with necessary teacher and student school supplies and resources, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.
• Use student desks or tables and chairs as well as a chalkboard or marker board.
• Organize your curriculum and resources in bookshelves.

Begin Keeping Records

• Many states require a record-keeping system.
• Store records in a filing system by school year and child.
• Store samples of your student's work as well as standardized test results.

Organize Your Time

• Develop a school schedule based on the number of days your state requires.
• Consider a year-round schedule vs. a nine-month schedule as well as a daily schedule.
• Include long-term projects, seasonal activities, ministries, holidays, and vacations in your schedule.
• Develop a teaching plan based on the number of children you have.

Prepare Lessons

• Plan at least one week's lessons ahead of time, gather materials for lessons, collecting resources for lessons, preparing visuals, etc.
• Use a daily lesson plan book for lesson numbers and pages, activities, and student textbook and workbook pages.
• Review the evening before to refresh your memory and to put materials in place for the next day.

Find a Support Group

• Attend several meetings to become acquainted with the group and its purposes.
• Assess group goals and standards to be sure they are in keeping with those you want and have for your family.
• Inquire of the group or other home schoolers about how to obtain good magazines and helpful newsletters.