What does it take to be home schooled?

Rick Duchane: The first step in home schooling is knowing your resources - who can help you and where to get the supplies you need to give your child the best education. From there, you’ll need to plan a curriculum and investigate government guidelines and requirements. If home schooling is in your child’s best interest, it pays to do the research. 1.Writing supplies. Think about what a child might need in a traditional school setting, and add those to your list. Look for markers, pencils, crayons and colored pencils to start. Remember how much fun you had as a child picking out new school supplies, and keep that in mind by adding a few fun items to the list, such as scented markers or colored pencils in unusual colors. 2.Textbooks. Check with your state's requirements for home schooling, and focus on finding and purchasing good-quality textbooks for those subjects. Some parents decide to home school because they are unhappy with the quality of education in the public! school system, but if you buy outdated or inferior textbooks, you are behaving in the same manner. Check with other home schoolers in your area or online to see what they recommend. Also, look for books that fit your child's age. It might be tempting to skip your child ahead a few grades, but stick with books geared for his or her reading level. 3.A computer. It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it can be a great learning tool for your child. There are downloadable programs and online games that can teach children more easily and more quickly than a book, while also teaching them valuable computer skills for the future. 4.A chalkboard with colored chalk or a whiteboard with markers. Sometimes, children need visual stimulation to understand concepts, especially with math and science. Using a large board keeps their eyes focused on the work instead of wandering around the room. Using various colors to write can also keep the child interested and encourage him or he! r to use the markers or chalk him - or herself. 5.The most imp! ortant thing you will need is lesson plans and a curriculum. Check with local teaching supply stores for tips and advice. Most teaching supply stores offer pre-made programs for school subjects, complete with home school worksheets and lesson plans. You cannot even begin to work out what supplies you will need until you decide how and what to teach. Finally, you must consider the age group and if you want your child to be involved in social or school activities that they will miss by not attending a traditional school. (Band, Drama, Music, Dance, Sports, Debate teams, etc.)I have been teaching 11 years and have taught many students who were homeschooled. One of the drawbacks I've found is that students who are homeschooled for a length of time and have never been in a traditional environment find it difficult to socialze and mingle with their peers. They tend to be loners. I have also found that many of them had no real curriculum. If the mother was suposed to be the f! acilitator - the kids got up when they wanted, read a little here and there, but no real structure. Also, they did not do well when given the standardized testing. There is so much to do and know in order to make this process happen. Please make sure you really want this. The most important thing to remember is 'what is in the best interest of the child?"...Show more