How do you get started?
The first step is filing your intent to homeschool with your local school board. Every state has different regulations. A great website to explore your state laws can be found here.
How do you select curriculum?
A big question to ask yourself is whether you wish to follow secular (non faith based) or faith based curriculum. The next step is to evaluate the learning style that will best suit your family. Are you looking for family style learning? This would allow you to find curriculum that covers a topic and has varying lessons for different ages. This style is helpful for a larger family. Are you looking to learn in nature and from Mother Earth? You might then consider a forest/ nature school or even Waldorf style curriculum. Does your child struggle with traditional and need an unconventional approach? Try following more of a game schooling style. There is so much learning in everyday life. Math when shopping or baking together. Reading while playing board games. Geography while mapping out a road trip. The biggest tip is to evaluate your goals and go from there. Do not be afraid to try curriculum and switch. Do not be afraid to add in enrichment. Do not doubt your abilities.
When do you teach homeschool lessons?
One of the best features of homeschooling is the flexibility. We usually have one dedicated hour of instruction per day, and engage in some learning activities just after dinner.
What is a daily rhythm?
This is the schedule that works best for your family. Each family’s daily rhythm is different and yours might change day to day or season to season. One of the beautiful parts of homeschooling is the gift of time. You have the freedom to dictate your schedule. You can have heavy school days in the winter so that your spring can be light. When the weather is nice, you have the flexibility to pack up your books and daily objectives and take them to a park.
How do you socialize your children?
In addition to our home instruction, we participate in local co-op gatherings for specialized lessons and social interaction. We also use learning tools like apps and physical games.
Do you worry that you aren’t meeting your children’s needs?
Not at all! Our homeschool, like many others, is largely student-led. If we find ourselves unable to keep up with our children’s specific learning objectives as they grow, we intend to hire outside tutors or seek online training.
Aren’t you afraid they will be… weird?
I like to dance to the beat of my own drum and encourage my children to as well. Instead of creating children to fit the mold of a 9-5 job, we are encouraging questions and flexibility. We are following our children’s lead and able to personalize their learning experience. If one is really interested in one subject, we have the flexibility to dive as deep into that topic as we want. We can explore more on field trips, read as many books as we want and take our time. On the other end of the spectrum, if my child is struggling with a topic, we can also take our time. We don’t have the pressure to meet a timeline.
‘Weird’ is open to interpretation. If you are afraid of your child being their true authentic self then maybe homeschooling isn’t for you, but if you are ready to dive in and truly watch your child bloom, you are in the right place.
How do you manage teaching 6-8 hours a day?
Simply put, we don’t.
When education is more personalized you are able to get rid of the busy work. One-on-one learning minimizes the time spent on school. This, in turn, maximizes their chance to just be a kid.
The Illinois State Board of Education, provides a table of recommendations for time spent on education by age group.