News / Education
How to Start Homeschooling
I started learning how to be a homeschooling parent the day I gave the boys their first school lessons. But, even after that first lesson it took months to create a working curriculum. I was clueless about how much time I should spend per day teaching, on which subjects to concentrate first and, most importantly, how to stay within the law. Before we started I had never known another parent who homeschooled their kids, and I didn’t know where to turn for answers. However, I don’t tend to dwell on decisions once I’ve made them, so I jumped in head first and essentially faked my way through the first 6 months. Gradually, though, I achieved competency. It’s been three years with some bumps along the way, but I know I made the right decision. The fear is gone and our routine is working. How did I make the leap? More importantly, why did I do it? Even better, if you’re contemplating it, how can you do it?
Your Reasons for Homeschooling
The most important question to ask yourself is “Why am I considering this?” My answer to that question three years ago was, in a nutshell, this: I care too much about my children’s education to leave it to chance. In public schools they’ll have at least a few years with bad teachers. I may not be better than every public school teacher, but I’m better than average, and I can do it year after year. Consistency will win the day. Your own reasons for homeschooling, like mine, cannot be jejune. Religious and political concerns are valid, but they can’t come before the goal of pure education. Your kids are not going to educate themselves, and they need a strong leader. Merely having them at home, away from pernicious influences, is not enough. Without an open mind towards learning you’ll save them from the pot just to transfer them to the pan. When you begin homeschooling you’ll have to devote a large portion of your life to pedagogy. The best teachers don’t succeed accidentally; they study the art of teaching and they effectively put their leaning into practice. It’s no different for the homeschooler; you’ll study as much as your kids, probably more. Your reasons for homeschooling have to be pure. Like a Jedi, you can’t use the force until you open your mind to it and let it in. Essentially, you have to love learning, not just imparting your infinite wisdom.
How to Start
Assuming you love learning and you’re ready to try, you need to know how to start. The first thing to do is to check your state laws on homeschooling (you can start here). I live in Colorado. My state is moderately restrictive about homeschooling, but it isn’t prohibitive. I’m required to register my boys every year, and have them take the state standardized tests every two years after the 3rd grade. Okay, I can deal with that. What’s next? Find a curriculum. Again, check with your state and make sure you don’t have to use the one they say you have to use. If not then there are plenty to pick from. It’s best to start with a basic outline of what you want to, or are required to, teach. Math, Reading, Science, Writing, Art, Languages and History are the basics. I took an unconventional approach to my boys’ learning. Here it is:
The Subjects
Reading: They did nothing but reading for the whole first year. I used Hooked on Phonics from start to finish. By the time they got to 1st grade they were reading chapter books by themselves. I overloaded them on reading because I believe reading is the cornerstone to all learning. Even if they get a behind in some subject, if they’re excellent readers they’ll catch up quickly and put their rivals in the dust in the long run. Neil, now in 2nd grade, just caught up in math and he’ll be ahead by Christmas.
Math: I’m using Singapore Math for the boys. Finding a math program was a disaster for me. I started by using DK Math. It wasn’t a horrible program, but it wasn’t everything I wanted. I tried Saxon Math, too, because that’s what a lot of homeschooling people use, and I had heard good things about it. My problem with it is that it’s too repetitive and complicated. It’s printed on cheap paper and relies too heavily on heavy structure. I finally discovered, Singapore Math last year and my boys are flying through it. Read my review of it here.
Languages: My wife (and to a lesser degree myself) speak Spanish. But, beyond our household usage of the language we use the Rosetta Stone software. It was expensive (too expensive in my opinion) but it is undoubtedly a good program. It’s especially good for kids because it uses their natural method of learning. Neil and Alan are making excellent progress.
Science: I don’t use a specific curriculum for science yet because I haven’t found one I have confidence in. Nevertheless, we take weekly trips to the Denver Museum of Science and Nature and the boys listen to lectures by resident scientists and experience exhibits like Body Worlds.
History: My favorite subject is history, and I completely invented my own lesson plan. I think it’s a waste of time to start learning state history as most kids do in 2nd and 3rd grade. It’s a waste because, what’s the point of teaching them about their state if they don’t understand the concept of time and social evolution? State history is minimally relevant to our lives and to world history anyway. It’s better to grasp the big concepts first, Rome, Greece, etc… before focusing on minutia.
Self Confidence
Don’t fear homeschooling. Like I said before, if your motives are about education and you realize it’s going to be hard work, don’t be discouraged because you don’t know exactly what to do. Nobody knows what they’re doing when they start. But you’ll be surprised how quickly it comes to you when you have an open mind and wake up every day geared to learn something. Don’t know history? You’ll learn it right along with your kids. Math? Same thing; buy an extra Singapore Math workbook and do it right along with your kids. Your job is to guide the learning. It is not to be an Oracle of knowledge. A college degree helps, but only in so much as college hopefully taught you to learn and be open to new ideas. I know plenty of people who have only middle school educations that would make great teachers. It’s about the spirit of education, not how much you actually have in your head at the moment.
Just Start Doing
The worst thing people do in their lives is nothing. If you know homeschooling will be better for your kid, you need to just start doing – regardless of competency. If you ruminate on it too long, you won’t do it. I’ve seen it at least a dozen times. People express an interest, but they quit before they start because somehow they convince themselves they either can’t do it or something is standing in their way. The truth is simply that they’re scared. If you don’t at least try you’ll kick yourself afterward. What’s the worst that can happen? You might not be cut out for homeschooling. So what? You can always march yourself down to the public school and enroll your kid. There’s no shame in that. But, just try; your resourcefulness will probably surprise you.
