- FIRST THINGS FIRST: Ask your self the following questions...
- SO YOU'VE MADE THE DECISION to homeschool, NOW WHAT?
- FURTHER QUESTIONS (& ANSWERS)
Congratulations on considering homeschooling! It is an adventure, and has its ups and downs. LEAH supports Christian homeschooling, recognizing the blessing and the work that it is.
Why do I want to homeschool?
It helps to know what your reasons are, so make a list. Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not just putting a classroom into your home. You’ll find that homeschooling will touch every area of your family’s life.
What will it cost me?
You will be committing your finances as you purchase your own books, supplies, and pay for various activities, music lessons and such. There is no school bus – you will carpool or drive for all of your activities, also.
You will be committing your time and energy as you schedule homeschooling into everyday life. If you want field trips and activities, you will usually be the one driving, guiding & teaching.
Also remember everyone will be in the home most of the time and your neat orderly home will give way to books, papers, and all the things you will use to teach.
The following are some steps to help you get started
These are in no way the only steps or all of the steps, just a starting place. Some of these steps can be skipped, just make it fit into your family’s convictions and needs.
To start, put together your Philosophy of Education . This would include your reasons for choosing to homeschool and could also include your vision and goals for your family, be sure to include scripture verses. This is a very important first step so that on those days when you become discouraged and want to quit, you can look back at your at this and remember the real reasons you started and the vision. It is very easy to get sidetracked or discouraged when things seem to be going all wrong. You might think about giving up because you can only see what is happening today. On those days pull out your Philosophy of Education and re-new the vision. NYS LEAH publishes a Regulatory and Informational Manual and there is a section which will assist you in writing a Philosophy of Education including scripture.
Get a copy of the New York State Homeschool Regulations and get to know what they say. If you don't know the regulations you may be asked to do more than is required of you. To help you, the NYS LEAH Regulatory and Informational Manual includes the regulations, frequently-asked-questions, sample forms, and a lot of information written in plain English that will assist you with understanding the regulations and filling out the paperwork. Check the New York State Education Department website for additional legal information about homeschooling in New York.
Get and watch Home Schooling in Action (video). This video shows three completely different Christian families and how they approach their homeschool day and goals. This gives an intimate look and insights into aspects that you might use for your homeschool life.
Visit and read websites for homeschool beginners. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has a good website for beginners: You Can Homeschool. Another good site for beginners is Beginning Homeschooling. In addition many of the homeschool magazine websites listed below have sections for beginners.
Join HSLDA , preferably before you contact your school district. Find information at www.hslda.org. Even when you don’t particularly NEED the attorney functions of HSLDA or the political clout and organization of LEAH, your support and membership year by year mean that these organizations have the resources to keep doing what they do best! And your ongoing support means that families that are really hurting and desperately need them are much more likely to have them. Thank you for caring and supporting! God has been very gracious through the years to give us all the success we’ve gained so far for homeschool success (academic and Christian character) as well as freedom.
If possible, go to one of the NYS LEAH Home Education Conventions which are held in May & June of each year: May on Long Island, and June in Rochester. There you will find all kinds of help with the practical aspects of home schooling. You will hear speakers that will help you in your homeschooling and also see much of the material that is available. Vendors are also there to show you their material answer any questions you might have about it. You will also meet other homeschoolers with which to exchange ideas and ask questions. While at the convention, pick up resource catalogs from the vendors to look over once you get home. If you’ve already decided what materials to use before attending the convention then you can pick or order up your materials while there usually at a discounted price.
How does your child learn? It may help to know what “learning style” your child is before ou decide on a curriculum. You might check out Cathy Duffy’s book 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style or websites like Richard M. Felder’s Matters of Style because they identify basic styles of learning in brief understandable forms.
What is your style? There are different styles of homeschooling from classical to traditional to relaxed schooling. Once you decide on the style you will use, you will need to order your curriculum. A quick way to get up to speed on curriculum and resources is by ordering catalogs (or picking them up at the Convention). The catalogs are usually free and many have general homeschool information included. Online catalogs include the following:
Also take advantage of the many Parental Helps and Resources such as those available from the online GPA SmartStore. (LEAH and HSLDA are partnering with the GPA SmartStore to bring you homechool curriculum, resources, and supplies at prices which are among the lowest to be found anywhere.)
Decide what kind of a school schedule you will use. You can use a typical school year that the public school uses, or year round schedule, or even 3 months on with one month off. The choice is yours.
Have a plan for your school year. If you are using a traditional approach then the books will cover a year’s worth of work. If using a different approach, like unit studies, more planning will have to be done. Check that you are setting goals and a means of evaluating if you are reaching your education goals.
Join LEAH through a local support group. Here is a way you can connect with other homeschoolers and be involved with activities. These support groups come in all shapes and sizes. What group you will join will depend on what you’re looking for. A discussion with your area’s Regional Representative may be very helpful in figuring out the different character of local support groups. Membership includes the statewide quarterly newsletter (the LEAH Messenger); a discount of almost 20% on HSLDA's annual membership fee; legislative updates & action alerts; annual convention discounts; and more. Families educating children with special needs are encouraged to also join the special LEAH Chapter Parents Instructing Challenged Children (PICC) for extra support in that area. You can also visit the LEAH Special Needs Resources page.
You may want to get in touch with a support group before going through some of the above steps so that you will have help as you make your choices. Some support groups will hook a new homeschooler up with a veteran homeschooler to help them through the first days and weeks of their first year of homeschooling. Feel free to ask if they can or do this kind of pairing.
You might also want to subscribe to a homeschool magazine. These are also great for reviews and discussions of various curricula. There are several available including:
Practical Homeschooling Magazine
Membership in Home School Legal Defense Association will give you an annual subscription to Home School Court Report.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
Is there someplace to get a general idea about a typical Course of Study for teaching my children? If you need additional information after perusing the above links, check out Typical Course of Study.
Where can I get additional information about home schooling?
The best information is available from home school support groups, the internet, and at convention. Internet search engines will bring up countless links. Here are three to start: (If you don’t have internet access at home, go to the library! It’s free!)
Do I need to join a support group?
No, you do not. There is no law requiring support group or any other membership. However, it is helpful to connect with others and share ideas. Parents can more successfully carry out this responsibility with the support of like-minded home educators. Frequently, parents are called on to defend their decision to home educate their children and affiliation with a support group can strengthen the drive, desire, and beliefs that brought parents to the decision to home educate in the first place.
What are the benefits of a support group membership?
Mom’s Support – Groups with meetings provide a time of fellowship and idea sharing with other home schooling moms.
LEAH Membership Card from the back of the LEAH Messenger magazine - Many retail stores will accept this card as proof you are an educator, giving you access to school and teacher discounts!
The Messenger - Our quarterly newsletter fills you in on the organization’s busy calendar.
Group discount rates for HSLDA - Homeschoolers all over feel the pressure from those not in support of home schooling. LEAH membership means you can get the group rate when you join the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).
Chapter access to the LEAH video & audio Library , which has many resources to help you get started home schooling, choosing a curriculum, Christian parenting and home education. There are also resources in the library to enrich your home schooling efforts for your children. These are available for loan, generally for purposes of support group meetings. Chapters can contact their Regional Representative to find the latest listings.
LEAH training and networking for chapter leaders . We have twice yearly meetings, the Fall Fellowship and the Annual Appreciation Dinner at the convention.
What about field trips and socialization?
Organized field trips can complement a curriculum and provide social time for children and adults. Most support groups offer social events.
Most LEAH chapters offer social events, including Park Days, an Picnic & Park dates and New Member Teas. Families can also participate in academic projects such as science fairs and competitions. Gym classes, ballet, scouts, organized sports, and church involvement all provide additional socialization opportunities. If there isn’t a suitably active chapter near you, consider starting a group! We have a Chapter Leaders’ Manual through our Regional Reps – they’ll help you get started.
What did you mention about libraries?
Public librarians are often very helpful to homeschooling families. Just tell them that you are homeschooling and ask for whatever topic you need. Reserves are free and you can generally access books for your homeschooling adventure from across your county. You can access the online catalog from home, and make your list of books before you ever leave home! Internet access is available at the library for your research needs as well. Several of the libraries have story times, book discussions, and summer programs that are appropriate for homeschooling families. There are many educational videos as well.
About the Internet: how can I find specific info?
We suggest that you learn to do a google-search, using Google or your favorite search engine site. You can type in up to about ten words, which will narrow down your search somewhat. There are also “advanced search” options on Google. With a little practice you’ll become quite a pro!
Okay, I know where to get info, but what do I tell the school?
When you are set to begin you send the district The Letter of Intent. After they respond you will be responsible (each year) for developing an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) for each student and selecting your four dates for quarterly reports on each of your compulsory-aged children. We strongly suggest getting LEAH’s Regulatory Manual for more information on these documents.
Can I have someone home school my child for me?
Well, yes and no. You are the supervisor and must sign the IHIP’s as the responsible party for the education of the child. You need to plan the child’s education, but you do not personally have to teach it all yourself. There are co-op classes for homeschoolers, clubs and other options to fulfill requirements. Your child can take a community art class or computer class at the local college to fulfill requirements. You can delegate some of your child’s education, but you will be responsible for reporting each quarter and for the annual evaluation.
How can I know that I will have success?
Pray about it. Get involved with others. Make it a lifestyle. Let your child know he is important and this is the best for his education. Work hard. Do not let a first year set you back, especially if the child has been in a government school. It will take time (maybe a full year) to "undo" the classroom style and to become a family again. Your child will need to respect you as both teacher and parent. Be strong and pray a lot.
You can find a lot of information on the internet. Learn to GOOGLE SEARCH! (or use your favorite search engine) – and type in several words on the subject that you would like to research, such as: “beginning education homeschool resources.”
Now you may ask - “What if my children get tired of it?” or, “What if I get tired?”
First you need to understand that you will get tired, and there will be times when you wonder why you're homeschooling. This would be the time to pull out that “statement of purpose” in your own Philosophy of Education again and renew the vision. Homeschooling is work and there are days when you'll wonder if you've made the right choice. God is faithful and what He has called us to do He will accomplish through us. In a few short years you will look back and wonder where all the years went and you will be so thankful for the blessings that you’ve received from homeschooling your children. Yes, it is work but it is worth it.
God bless you in your homeschool adventures!