I will be homeschooling 8 yr old son next year and need help to make it successful. Please.?

Question

He is a vrey bright little boy (made honor roll entire year last year), but I have never homeschooled and want to make sure that I make it a positive experience for both of us, especially him. He has health issues and winds up missing a lot of school. Besides the fact that so many teachers are now in it for an "easy" check and not because of a true desire to touch the lives of a child. Where do I start? I need/want all the advice and tips or techniques that I can get. Thank you in advance.

BTW - I am looking for sincere answers and not someone telling me that I am making a mistake or I am ruining my child's life, etc, etc. Like I said, my son has health issues and misses a lot of school. He will get plenty of socialization through other activities.

1st - I am educated and dedicated to my child's education. When he was in Kindergarten and 1st grade, I spent a great deal of time at school and still have a great relationship with those teachers. This is the most important education that he will get because everything else is based upon it.
2nd- to CHRISTINA C - As I stated, my son has health issues. Because of those issues, his doctor pulled him out of school and he was then on the "Homebound Program" where a teacher comes twice a week for two hours each visit and the rest of the time it was up to me to insure that he got his work done and understood it. However, in that situation, he did have a teacher that had the cirriculum and lesson plan. She told me what needed to be done and all of that. Also, I already addressed the socialization issue that I knew would come up. I ask you, is school for learning or for socialization. Were you allowed to socialize all during class? Or were you to listen to the teacher and learn?

Answer 1

First, don't worry about defending your decision to those who have already made up their minds about this issue.

Your first step is to find out what your state requires from homeschoolers - some are very lenient (like Texas), others are very strict, even to dictating the books you need to use, tests you are required to take, and making you submit lesson plans. Go to the HSLDA website to see the general rules for your state.

Next, find a homeschooling group in your area and talk to other moms and dads who are in the middle of it. They can give you suggestions for dealing with the local school district, unhappy relatives (especially the grandparents), socialization, co-ops, and maybe even let you borrow some curriculum to try before you have to buy.

You'll need to look at the different methods - classical, unschooling, eclectic... this will help determine which curriculum to use (if any). There are also several guides to curriculum, such as Cathy Duffy's "100 Top Picks...", Mary Pride's books, Rebecca Rupp's books, and "The Well-Trained Mind", by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise-Bauer. See if your library has any books ABOUT homeschooling.

I've actually found socialization to be the easiest part of homeschooling - just knowing other homeschoolers has opened up opportunities for my kids to meet with others on a much more flexible schedule.

Your son may need some time to 'decompress' from public school and find out that homeschool is NOT public school at home. You can work on your own schedule and not be tied into someone else's. Start slowly with just one or two subjects, then add another every 3-4 weeks until you're doing all you want to.

And realize that some curriculum choices will be trial and error - I can't tell you how much I've 'wasted' on curriculum that just didn't work out for us. Fortunately, I've been able to recoup some of the cost by re-selling things (eBay and used curriculum sales).

Best wishes for a happy homeschooling adventure! Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

Answer 2

I am 14 (almost 15) and I have been homeschooled my entire life, almost. I'm actually a year ahead, so I'm entering 10th, not 9th. I have a year of homeschool highschool behind me. For me, this past year was by far the best, but your son might think it a bit meager. I had more socialization than ever before in previous years, and my mom signed me up for an online class through Veritas Press, so that helped alot. Your son is entering high school and this is when the targeting will get worse. If the teachers think he was bad in 8th grade, they will send him to detention before he even walks in the high school doors. You know, prejudice against teens and all that. I would recommend homeschooling, just because of all the time you (or a tutor) could use for education and learning. It will also help strengthen parent-teen relationships and sibling relationships. What my mom did this past year was she signed me up for an online great-books class that I thought I would hate. I ended up loving it and wanting more. The socialization was in a sort of chat room setting, with the teacher taking the microphone and lecturing, and the students commenting. It was pretty neat. I'm taking the second year of the course come fall, along with three other online classes, Math, English, and Latin. I highly recommend online schooling, but the parent as the teacher homeschooling, not as much. Take advice from the people who have been there, and good luck.

Answer 3

If you live in California I am not sure about other states but they must have this as well. I home school my kids as well and I go through a charter school. A charter school lets you pic the curriculum you think best fits your child as well as assign a credentialed teacher that will help you throughout the year with your child's studies. The teacher comes to your home every 20 days. They also offer classes outside your home like for science, math, writing, etc...sometimes some really fun classes...they also have what they call outdoor vendors which are local businesses that offer karate, dance, tennis, gymnastics, music, etc...look up charter schools in yahoo search in your state that should help...I have 8 kids and this charter school has been the best help ever :) good luck you making the right choice...and what social skills are everyone worried about???? My kids aren't weird cuz they are home schooled they actually have morals and values and know right from wrong unlike some of the kids I know in public schools they know way too much for their age

Answer 4

Rely heavily on the information resources available, like the internet and the library. You want to help guide your child through the process of learning, rather than be the "teacher" who knows everything. You are likely to learn a lot yourself while schooling him.

If he feels that the two of you are embarking on this journey together, he will be more motivated to make it successful.

Try to ensure he has time for physical activity and, if possible, socializing with other children. Both are really important to the overall level of happiness in children.

Be sure to set up a meaningful rewards system. In your home school he won't have the same report card, or the subsequent comparisons with other kids report cards. Both of you will need some rewards to keep you motivated. Gold stars aren't good enough. Perhaps when he scores high on a test you've given him, the two of you can congratulate each other by going to a favorite place or spending an evening doing a favorite activity.

Try to empart to him that this is a special experience, a better experience than other children will get from their schooling. Let him know that it will make you happy to be able to share this special experience with him.

This worked for us when we were snowed in for several months of school in Michigan. There is no comparison with your situation, but it worked. We learned and Mom didn't have to pull her hair out. It sticks out as a cherished memory to me and my siblings.

Answer 5

Hi,

I am not an expert in homeschooling but I am a senior majoring in Special Education. I applaud you for taking the time to do what is right for your son.

The first thing you should do is contact your State Board of Education. They can tell you about all the rules and requirements.

Next, you should get ahold of a local homeschooling group. Try googling that or try asking your local school district, church, or YMCA for help finding one.

I know the YMCA and local park district around here have lots of programs so homeschoolers can meet other homeschoolers. You might want to check into that.

This is a very basic list, but it is probably a good start for you. Best wishes to you and your son.

Answer 6

Good for you. It sounds like you are doing the right thing for your son and family.

There are so many ways and reasons for home schooling. We have chosen to follow the "unschooling" approach with our children.

I would strongly recommend that you read the book "Teach Your Own" by John Holt, a pioneer in home schooling. Read it all the way through and you will not regret it. It is a fantastic start.

You can also check on the "Growing Without Schooling" web site for some more information http://www.holtgws.com/index.html. The organization of the web site is not so great, but there are a lot of links and resources that can give you some great info.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Depending on where you live you may be able to e-school. These are on-line public schools. This is the way we are going. They provide everything we need. You teach your child but you also have a great support staff to help you. You have a teacher that goes over the work with you. You also have a site to keep track of grades, attendance, and scheduling. The important thing is to be flexible. Have fun and remember you are doing this for your son.

Answer 8

Treat the child like how a teacher would treat any kids. Make sure u dont spoil the kid, by letting the kid thinks he's the boss. He'll try to take advantage since he feels u dont have the authority of a teacher, such as can i do it later or ill do it after this game of chess. Dont ably to such complains. Simply negotiate a more suitable possibility than rather just giving in to his protests, such as, as soon as ur finish with these math problems, u can have free time and do watever u like with limits of course. Give him tests once in awhile. If he does well reward him, such as taking him somewhere fun, or buying something he likes to have. If results are horrendous, punish him by not letting him do the things he like to do best. Make sure u dont give him time out like some teachers do. This creates more problems rather than solving any. Im sure u have gone to school at some point of ur life. You should understand the basis a teacher and student relationship. Good Luck homeschooling

Answer 9

I just attended a graduation for 4 homeschoolers and last year went to one with 5. We have many kids in our church home schooled also and I was very impressed with their education, maturity, responsibility, and relationship with their parents. I know it almost sounds to good to be true but I was there. The one thing that came out the most was the sacrifice of mom and all were thankful and mom didn't regret it at all. Hope all goes well for you. I wish I could be of help.

Answer 10

I went to homeshcool for the last two years of my high school.I had difficulty with health and missed so many days I too had to do the same.I mostly taught myself as I also just seemed to work better that way and graduated top of my class,but the approach you need to take is more of a patience lesson.You will be helping him with basic stuff.Things he might not understand as quick as you will like sometimes so you have to learn not to make him feel bad or like he is failing you by not learning at your pace.Go at his pace.Plus make it fun.Like if you can,do interactive learning more than just reading from a textbook.Show him lessons over a computer where he must interact or with some sort of movie.It has been proven kids seem to remember more when taught with visual aid than by just hearing it read.And dont always take the lessons as they are.Teach the basics but be minful of what will confuse him as many of the things in lessons are not as valuable as others.Good luck!!!!!!!