Friday, July 25, 2008

Getting Started with Homeschooling

By: Sarah Jones

Deciding to homeschool is a huge decision. You have no doubt weighed the pros and the cons of the decision, and ultimately decided that teaching your children out of your home is the right one for you. It is important to remember, that not all homeschooling situations are exactly the same. In fact, there are dozens of variations when it comes to homeschooling.

Your best bet would be to spend some time trying out some of the different methodologies already in place. Give your family time to try out the different learning methods, and once they have given each one a fair shot, then decide which route you want to take.

In the beginning, your lessons and learning may start off very slow. You will no doubt spend the majority of your free time researching the requirements for homeschooling, and looking for quality homeschool lesson plans to teach to your kids.

In many states, you can start homeschooling as soon as you tell the school district of your intentions, while others the process is more complex and involves quite a bit of paperwork and red tape. You should look for a homeschooling support group in your area to help answer some of the legal questions that apply to your city and state.

Once you have these things down, you will begin to pick up speed and momentum when it comes time to teach your kids. After a few months, you and your family will be pros at homeschooling.

There are many books and programs available to homeschoolers, which will make the task of getting started easier and more productive. Many of them include calendar to lay out lesson plans, as well as tips and tricks to running your household smoother. It is important to remember that bringing the school into your home will create a shift when it comes to chores and household responsibilities. While you are in class, dishes and laundry still have to be done. So learning how others deal with issues is critical to your success as a homeschooling parent.

Within a few months, the learning curve will be forgotten and you will likely love your new arrangement. Homeschooling gives you the chance to teach your children the way that you want them to be taught. They will be tested occasionally by the state to make sure that they are up to par academically, but most homeschooling children exceed these standards and go on to do very well in high school and college settings.



source - www.keywordarticles.org

Sarah Jones loves teaching. When she isn't homeschooling her own children, she is busy sharing her love of education with others. Find a wide assortment of Lesson Plans, crafts for kids, and homeschooling tips at her site, KnowMore.com.


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