By the Skin of Your Teeth
So, you have found yourself living a life you had not planned on, or you didn't want, or think you could even survive. Summer is here, and many of us are looking at an empty calendar. Maybe you were hoping that once things had settled down, the kids could go back to school and you could resume your life. But during the lock down, you may have started to wonder:
Is this what homeschooling is really like?
Is the stuff I have been helping the kids with what I want for them?
Is there a better way?
Could I actually homeschool my kids myself??
And with the CDC and state education departments talking about mandating masks (or worse) for all kids, the homeschooling gig is looking more and more attractive. But where to start? It's all so overwhelming! Of course it is. You were thrown to the wolves with no prep or experience. You really had no choice. And for that, I am truly sorry. I love homeschooling, but it was MY choice; no one person or situation forced me into it.
But it got you to thinking, didn't it? Let me help you with some basics.
For starters, I am in Ohio, and I will focus on homeschooling in that state. If you are in another state, you will have to find your state's laws. Ohio homeschooling is governed by the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) section http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/3301-34. Read them over and over. Write down your questions. If your kids are middle school and older, read it together and learn.
Your school may push you to do public school at home (PSAH). If that is something you want to do, I can't help you with that. It is literally and legally public school, and that falls under the laws that govern public school. No judgement here, I just want you to be clear on the legal definitions. If you want to do what is called "traditional" homeschooling, then stay with me. In traditional homeschooling, you are in charge of it all. You decide what your kids are going to learn, and you decide on what materials you use. You are in fact and in law, the administrator, and you answer to no one. Freedom!!
Cost can be a scary topic, but let me reassure you that you can do this on the cheap, and your kids will still be well educated. Once the libraries are opened up, or at least offering curbside/window pickup, you can use that as a main source if you need. You probably have a few friends or friends of friends who homeschool. Ask them if you can look at their materials and maybe their set up at home. Maybe ask to borrow some things to try them out. Homeschoolers are known for lending out their things for a school year to help each other out. Look around at what you already have at home. Ask around on social media, look at the books in the thrift stores.
Bottom line- you can spend as much or as little as you need. What you will save on school clothes and supplies and fees, you can put toward the things you want.
Time is a consideration too. You may be thinking that proper school takes all day. It does not. If you search in this blog, you will find a section of homeschooling basics, and you can look at what elementary middle school and high school could look like for you. As with money, you can spend as much or as little time on formal seat work as you wish. But I'd advise to spend less than you think is necessary at first. Less is usually more anyway. Kids are learning every waking moment. You cannot stop them, so don't worry.
Support is very important! Network on social media with other people who are experienced homeschoolers. Ask them questions! We love to help newbies. There are local Facebook groups in your geographical area, and those are great for meet-ups. A state-wide group that I am in and that I highly recommend is Ohio Homeschooling Parents. The admins and many members are veterans who know the law and can give you guidance on many topics. If you join, PLEASE read through the FAQs and then ask questions. They will not discuss PSAH, however, in order to maintain the legal distinction. Nor will they discuss re-enrolling your children in public school, as that is something the schools dictate.
In addition to support, you may want to choose curriculum yourself, and you are concerned about Common Core. A wonderful resource for wading through the thousands of choices is the Homeschool Resource Roadmap found here: https://www.homeschoolroadmap.org.
A quote from the creator, Tina Hollenbek, describes it thus:
I'd say that The Homeschool Resource Roadmap (https://www.homeschoolroadmap.org/) is a free database of homeschool-related curricula and resources. It is the most comprehensive such listing available (i.e., it includes everything out there for Ages 0-18, not just a few select resources promoted by a blogger with affiliate links) and provides current and prospective homeschooling parents with important summative information about more than 4,600 homeschool-oriented resources in over 300 different content areas.
The Common Core Project shows which companies have common core connection and which don't - a useful thing to know - but that the Deluxe Charts Project is more comprehensive, listing by subject area and other parameters as well. And if a person knows they want to avoid common core straight out, they can click on the Special Projects link to see the same sort of info as included on the Deluxe Charts Project but for non-CCS only."
Finally, you may be concerned about your abilities. Many veteran homeschoolers have doubts too! I have found that it's likely harder to screw things up than not. And, the fact that you are worrying about your abilities usually indicates that you care, and you will actually do fine. Kids are wired up to learn all the time. They learn every waking moment. If it's in their hand, it will be in their mind, as the saying goes. They will self teach if you get out of their way. It will not look like what you would see in a classroom, and that's OK. You may not be able to easily quantify their learning with a test or a grade. That's OK. You are uniquely qualified because you are their parent and you know and love them like no one else can.
Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not just an educational choice. It's a philosophy, and your experience with it will be unique to you and your family. It will be an adjustment. You will make mistakes. Learn from them in front of your kids and move on. Welcome to the journey.
Is this what homeschooling is really like?
Is the stuff I have been helping the kids with what I want for them?
Is there a better way?
Could I actually homeschool my kids myself??
And with the CDC and state education departments talking about mandating masks (or worse) for all kids, the homeschooling gig is looking more and more attractive. But where to start? It's all so overwhelming! Of course it is. You were thrown to the wolves with no prep or experience. You really had no choice. And for that, I am truly sorry. I love homeschooling, but it was MY choice; no one person or situation forced me into it.
But it got you to thinking, didn't it? Let me help you with some basics.
For starters, I am in Ohio, and I will focus on homeschooling in that state. If you are in another state, you will have to find your state's laws. Ohio homeschooling is governed by the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) section http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/3301-34. Read them over and over. Write down your questions. If your kids are middle school and older, read it together and learn.
Your school may push you to do public school at home (PSAH). If that is something you want to do, I can't help you with that. It is literally and legally public school, and that falls under the laws that govern public school. No judgement here, I just want you to be clear on the legal definitions. If you want to do what is called "traditional" homeschooling, then stay with me. In traditional homeschooling, you are in charge of it all. You decide what your kids are going to learn, and you decide on what materials you use. You are in fact and in law, the administrator, and you answer to no one. Freedom!!
Cost can be a scary topic, but let me reassure you that you can do this on the cheap, and your kids will still be well educated. Once the libraries are opened up, or at least offering curbside/window pickup, you can use that as a main source if you need. You probably have a few friends or friends of friends who homeschool. Ask them if you can look at their materials and maybe their set up at home. Maybe ask to borrow some things to try them out. Homeschoolers are known for lending out their things for a school year to help each other out. Look around at what you already have at home. Ask around on social media, look at the books in the thrift stores.
Bottom line- you can spend as much or as little as you need. What you will save on school clothes and supplies and fees, you can put toward the things you want.
Time is a consideration too. You may be thinking that proper school takes all day. It does not. If you search in this blog, you will find a section of homeschooling basics, and you can look at what elementary middle school and high school could look like for you. As with money, you can spend as much or as little time on formal seat work as you wish. But I'd advise to spend less than you think is necessary at first. Less is usually more anyway. Kids are learning every waking moment. You cannot stop them, so don't worry.
Support is very important! Network on social media with other people who are experienced homeschoolers. Ask them questions! We love to help newbies. There are local Facebook groups in your geographical area, and those are great for meet-ups. A state-wide group that I am in and that I highly recommend is Ohio Homeschooling Parents. The admins and many members are veterans who know the law and can give you guidance on many topics. If you join, PLEASE read through the FAQs and then ask questions. They will not discuss PSAH, however, in order to maintain the legal distinction. Nor will they discuss re-enrolling your children in public school, as that is something the schools dictate.
In addition to support, you may want to choose curriculum yourself, and you are concerned about Common Core. A wonderful resource for wading through the thousands of choices is the Homeschool Resource Roadmap found here: https://www.homeschoolroadmap.org.
A quote from the creator, Tina Hollenbek, describes it thus:
I'd say that The Homeschool Resource Roadmap (https://www.homeschoolroadmap.org/) is a free database of homeschool-related curricula and resources. It is the most comprehensive such listing available (i.e., it includes everything out there for Ages 0-18, not just a few select resources promoted by a blogger with affiliate links) and provides current and prospective homeschooling parents with important summative information about more than 4,600 homeschool-oriented resources in over 300 different content areas.
The Common Core Project shows which companies have common core connection and which don't - a useful thing to know - but that the Deluxe Charts Project is more comprehensive, listing by subject area and other parameters as well. And if a person knows they want to avoid common core straight out, they can click on the Special Projects link to see the same sort of info as included on the Deluxe Charts Project but for non-CCS only."
Finally, you may be concerned about your abilities. Many veteran homeschoolers have doubts too! I have found that it's likely harder to screw things up than not. And, the fact that you are worrying about your abilities usually indicates that you care, and you will actually do fine. Kids are wired up to learn all the time. They learn every waking moment. If it's in their hand, it will be in their mind, as the saying goes. They will self teach if you get out of their way. It will not look like what you would see in a classroom, and that's OK. You may not be able to easily quantify their learning with a test or a grade. That's OK. You are uniquely qualified because you are their parent and you know and love them like no one else can.
Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not just an educational choice. It's a philosophy, and your experience with it will be unique to you and your family. It will be an adjustment. You will make mistakes. Learn from them in front of your kids and move on. Welcome to the journey.
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