After learning about available options for alternative schooling and having some common myths about homeschooling dispelled, if you and your family have made the decision to try homeschooling, you may be wondering where to start.
Oftentimes, parents know they want to homeschool early and begin the process of at-home learning when their children are as young as 1 or 2 years old. Other times, parents don’t make the decision until they start looking at kindergarten options, or even after their child has already been in the public school system for some time. At whichever point you’re starting, there are plenty of resources to help you understand your rights and responsibilities, learn about the educational process, and find the materials you need.
Who do I Tell?
If your child is of school age (5 years or older in Ohio), you should send a letter to your local school board informing them of your intention to homeschool. They will reply with information about what else you may need to do.
Homeschoolers do need to keep records, usually in the form of a portfolio, which needs to be assessed periodically by a state-approved assessor (usually someone with a teaching degree and license). They do not have to test, but do have the option. The best thing to do, however, is to contact the school district as they will have information on the specific criteria and methods of assessment.
If you don’t know where your school board is and cannot find it with a simple Google search, contact the nearest local public school that caters to your child’s age group. Get more information from the Ohio Department of Education or at School Choice Ohio.
How do I Know What to Teach?
There are hundreds of resources on curriculum and lessons available. In fact, your biggest problem in this area might be sorting through them all and finding what works for your child and your homeschooling style.
Public Libraries are an amazing source for materials, and often the librarians are familiar with the types of materials you’ll need or want. Some libraries even host homeschooling groups or events.
Basic subjects to cover are math(s), sciences, reading and writing, history, geography, art, music, and perhaps a second language. Most children will excel at one or two particular subjects and move through course materials quickly while needing more time to get through course material for one or two other subjects.
Using relatable lessons is one of the most important tips offered; find ways for your child to learn their lessons through things they like. If your 6-year-old is obsessed with trains, for example, they’d probably be more than happy to sit down and learn to read a book about trains, learn about adding and subtracting freight cars from the engine, or how fire turns water into steam. Older children often will already have a set of interests that you can integrate into their lessons, and often will also have ideas about what they would like to learn more about.
Want more help? Here are some online resources:
Planning and Organization
There is a homeschooling field of thought that believes in free association, or learning without structure, however, most families find that having some kind of plan, especially if it is flexible, works best. The internet is littered with helpful resources for lesson planning, or you can purchase planned curriculums or other aids from various sources.
A daily schedule can be helpful for some families, to “keep them on track,” especially for young children who thrive on schedules. If you do plan out your days, remember to leave plenty of time for free play, breaks, and napping and eating. Keep in mind that interruptions will be plentiful, and things may not go as planned, but that’s okay! You can find templates for daily or weekly planners everywhere, from bookstores to Pinterest.
Having a designated learning space is one of the most useful tools to have, according to Gwen Jackson, a 17-year homeschooling veteran.
“I turned my basement into a learning space,” she says, “I have a huge library, all kinds of supplies for whatever they might be working on, and some tables and chairs.”
Especially for older students, a place they associate with focusing and learning can help them — and you — stay on task.
If you aren’t the most organized person to begin with, there’s plenty of help available. For example, College Colleagues, located in Middleburg Heights, provides a room-makeover service.
“We can help you design and organize any space you have available, and can work with any budge,t” says CEO Christine Vodicka, adding the College Colleagues Homeschooling Initiative also will be launching in August 2017.
Find a Support Group
Nearly every homeschooling parent will say that a support group is the number one most important thing you will need to be successful.
“Get it at your church, your library, or join a homeschooling Facebook group or co-op,” suggests Lissa Lance, a 10-year homeschooler whose children have now transitioned to public schools. “You’ll get help on everything from ideas for lessons, to resources, to chances for your kids to go do amazing things they wouldn’t get the opportunity for at a regular school.”
Plus, both Lance and Jackson stress the need for emotional support on those days things just aren’t working out. They both say that the best thing about homeschooling was getting to spend time with their children, really getting to know them as people, and getting to watch them develop a passion for learning.
Organized groups vary from county to county. Akron has a really well-established and organized homeschooling system, as do other communities like Medina and Wadsworth. In the Cleveland area, groups are a bit less cohesive, but plenty of them exist, while in more rural areas like Ashland, Richland, or Wayne counties, homeschoolers may struggle to find communities.
One of the best places to start, says Lance, is the Northeast Ohio Homeschoolers Together group on Facebook. Hundreds of members from across Northeast Ohio can help you find what you need. You also can find a list of homeschooling groups in Ohio by county at The Homeschool Mom.
These steps will get you started on the homeschooling path. Whether you choose to homeschool for a year, 10 years, or all the way through high school, there are plenty of resources and support networks to help you be successful.
— Joline ScottRoller is co-founder of College Colleagues LLC, an educational success center located in Middleburg Heights that provides one-to-one tutoring, special workshops, and other educational support. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.collegecolleagues.net.
