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Getting Started Home-Schooling
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Congratulations on deciding to home-school! Here are suggestions to help you get organized.
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by Vicki Lewis
Introduction
Remember that the benefits of home schooling fall into several categories: academic, spiritual, character-related, social and family. If one area is currently not working out as you had planned, do not give up. Set your sight on the value of the other categories.
Keep an on-going, written list of your reasons. Whenever you hear about or read about a reason that resonates in your heart, include that on the list. Such a list enables you to choose an educational program. It also prepares you with solid answers for those who may question you, as well as remind you of your commitment to your children.
If you have decided to home school your child, congratulations! The following articles are suggestions to help you organize your first school year.
Spend Time in Prayer
Tell God all your hopes and fears for the coming year. Ask for insight into, and direction for, each child you plan on teaching. He knows your child intimately and knows the plans He has for him or her.
Ask God to supply all that you need in order to home educate: books, patience, creativity, lab equipment, and wisdom. God will work on you to be the parent and teacher He wants you to be.
Beware of succumbing to adult peer pressure. You do not have to do what other families are doing. Your family is unique, so your style and methods of home schooling will also be unique! Do not let your knees buckle when you hear about another family studying Latin and you are having difficulty with the multiplication tables. If Latin is not working for you and you feel God telling you to focus on multiplication tables, then listen to and follow God.
And don't forget to thank Him for going before you every step of the way!
Legality and Support
Obtain your own copy of the law and read it through carefully. Being familiar with the law where you live is an opportunity for the father to be involved.
Know what the law requires of you as a parent and what the law requires of your local school district or superintendent. Both parties must comply with the law. It is also good to know what the law does not require of you. This is equally important!
As a law-abiding citizen, do not give more or less information to the state than is required. Be knowledgeable and vigilant about the law so that this educational option remains available.
Get support in place.
Seek out and get together with other homeschooling families in your church or community. The support and encouragement of other like-minded families is often vital to your success.
Join a local home-school support group. The range of activities offered by each group varies, so phone a contact person for information. Contact information can also be found at HSLDA's Web site*.
Purchase or subscribe to home education magazines. Get your name on the mailing lists of curriculum and resource providers. Start collecting mail order catalogs from various curriculum providers. Read books on home schooling.
Even though home schooling is much more established than it was 20 years ago, it is still wise to have legal representation from the Home School Legal Defense Association. Membership benefits can be found at their Web site.
*(Note: Referrals to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
Copyright © 1999-2007 Focus on the Family - www.family.org
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