I want to homeschool
my child! Advanced education, hands on, basal reader, word problems,
kinesthetic learners, literature rich curriculum, classical education, learn at
your own pace…what does all this mean?
If this seems
familiar to you, don't despair. Many of us began this way. It can be
overwhelming to look over teaching methods, curriculum and material choices. So
where do you begin?
Determine your
interest and reasons for homeschooling-
Sometimes
a parent
will be unsure of their goals and reasons for homeschooling in their
excitement
to just get it done. This can lead to some confusion on what curriculum
to
choose and what methods to use. Getting your thoughts in order is the
first step to take in the homeschooling experience. Everything else
will rely on your plan of action and your goals.
- Why does educating
your child at home appeal to you more than other educational options?
- How long do you plan
to homeschool your child?
- What do you hope to
achieve through home education?
These questions can
help you…
- To decide which methods
will help you to achieve your goals.
- To comply with state
laws.
- To know what
questions to ask and to communicate with officials.
Grab
a piece of paper
and jot down your reasons for homeschooling and the outcome you would
like to
see. You can add to these later or modify them as needed so be sure you
keep your list and goals handy for now. When you begin a
school planner, you can use your ideas when you note goals for the
school year. Don't panic over needing to put a planner together, we
will get to that, one step at a time.
(Reposted from from June 2009)
