Table of Contents
Top 10 Benefits of Homeschooling 12
Introduction 13
01 Home Education Expectations 15
Understanding Home Education 16
A Look Back at Education 16
Parents Make Great Teachers 18
The Homeschool Lifestyle 19
Teaching Time Requirements 22
Scheduling Strategies 23
Cost of Homeschooling 25
Benefits of Homeschooling 28
02 Learning Styles and Teaching Methods 31
New Learning Experiences 32
Common Learning Styles 33
Your Child's Learning Style 36
Your Child's Strengths and Weaknesses 37
Individual Patterns 39
Your Teaching Style 41
Your Strengths and Weaknesses 43
Resources on Learning Styles 43
03 Start Homeschooling Today 45
Legal Considerations 46
State Education Departments 47
Homeschool Support Groups 47
Removing Your Child from School 49
Registering Your Homeschool 50
Determining Educational Goals 51
School Support for Homeschoolers 53
Resources for Getting Started 54
04 Approaches to Homeschooling 55
Structured Homeschool Methods 56
Eclectic Homeschooling 56
Unschooling and Deschooling 58
Secular Homeschools 59
Faith-Based Homeschools 60
Umbrella and Satellite Schools 62
Charter Schools and Cooperatives 63
Independent Study Programs 65
Virtual Schools and Online Learning 68
Year-Round Homeschooling 68
Resources for Eclectic Learning 70
05 Socialization and Social Skills 71
Social Skills and Self-Esteem 72
Socialization Opportunities 74
Socializing in the Real World 76
Maturity Levels of Homeschooled Children 78
Socialization Studies 79
Family Values, Morals, and Manners 80
Preparing for the Future 81
Resources for the Socialization Question 81
06 Understanding Unschooling and Unit Studies 83
Curiosity and Unschooling 84
Deschooling Each Day 87
Children as Teachers 88
Unit Studies Year-Round 89
Thematic Studies 91
Eclectic Homeschool Methods 92
Resources for Unschooling and Unit Studies 93
07 Fun Learning Activities 95
Language Arts Activities 96
Math and Reasoning Activities 98
Science Projects and Experiments 100
History, Geography, and Social Studies 102
Arts, Music, and Crafts 104
Technology and Computer Skills 106
Life Skills and Social Skills 108
Resources for Weekly Lessons 110
08 Frugal Homeschooling 111
Libraries for Learning 112
Free Books and Educational DVDs 113
Learning Through TV and Movies 114
Field Trips and Expeditions 115
Science Lab Equipment 116
Online Lessons and Learning 117
Learning Every Day 118
Resources Around the Home 120
09 Choosing a Curriculum 123
Curriculum Guidelines 124
Packaged Curricula 124
Design Your Own Curriculum 125
Create Your Own Lesson Plans 128
Free Educational Resources 130
Your Child's Input and Ideas 132
Handling Advanced Subjects 132
Resources for Creating a Curriculum 133
10 Common Core State Standards 135
Purpose of Common Core Standards 136
Examples of Core State Standards 137
Impact of Standards on Curriculum 138
Effect on Educational and Test Materials 138
College Admissions and the Standards 139
Privacy Issues and Data Tracking 140
Opposition to the Standards 140
Educational Standards as Guidelines 142
11 Homeschool Schedules 143
Create a Plan 144
Flexible Schedules 146
Scheduling Suggestions 148
Time Management Tips 150
Simplify Daily Tasks 152
Time to Unwind 153
Resources for Organizing Your Homeschool 154
12 Homeschool Record Keeping 155
A Curriculum Outline 156
Your Lesson Plan Book 157
Keeping a Daily Logbook 159
Maintaining a Homeschool Portfolio 161
Assessment Alternatives 163
Recording Grades and Credits Earned 164
Resources for Homeschool Records 166
13 Organizing Your Homeschool 167
Everything in Its Place 168
Storage Solutions 168
Create an Idea File 171
Activity Centers and Science Labs 172
Quiet Spaces and Reading Corners 174
Keeping Home and School Separate 175
Resources for Organization Help 176
14 Typical and Atypical Days 177
Typical Homeschool Days 178
Recording Typical Days 178
Be Atypical 180
A Well-Rounded Education 182
Examples of Typical Days 183
Trust in Learning Each Day 187
Tips from Homeschool Families 187
Resources for Typical Homeschool Days 188
15 Homeschooling One or Several 189
Homeschooling Your Only Child 190
Homeschooling Several Children 191
Spanning Different Grade Levels 192
Siblings as Role Models 194
Tips for Staying on Track 195
Stress Busters and Mini-Vacations 196
16 The Single-Parent Homeschool 199
Single-Parent Strengths 200
Homeschool Options 201
Special Times with Children 203
Weekend and Evening Homeschool 204
Flexible Work Options 205
Support for Single Parents 207
Help from Family and Friends 207
Child-Care Solutions 208
Resources for Single Parents 208
17 Working Parents Who Homeschool 209
Sharing Responsibilities 210
Flexible Work Schedules 212
Homeschooling Dads 212
Dividing Responsibilities 213
Homeschooling at Night 216
Weekend Learning Projects 216
Fun Field Trips 217
Resources for Working Couples 218
18 Homeschooling in the Early Years 219
Toddlers and Preschoolers 220
Learning Through Play 222
Create a Stimulating Environment 222
Socialization Concerns 223
Kindergarten Readiness 224
Educational Activities 226
Length of Homeschool Days 228
Resources for Early Learning 228
19 Homeschooling in the Elementary Years 229
Teaching Your Child to Read 230
Mastering Math Skills 231
Living History 233
Exploring Science 234
Creating Art and Music 236
Testing and Assessments 237
Socializing with Others 238
Resources for Lessons and Activities 238
20 Homeschooling in the Middle Years 239
A Perfect Learning Pace 240
Strengths and Weaknesses 240
Comprehension Skills 241
Interests, Talents, and Hobbies 243
Self-Directed Learning 244
Socialization Skills 245
Community Involvement 246
Resources for Weekly Learning 246
21 Homeschooling in the Teen Years 247
Life with Teens 248
Handling High-School Courses 248
Courses Required for College 250
Driver Education Courses 252
Social Activities and Events 252
Volunteerism and Apprenticeships 253
Part-Time Jobs 255
Preparing for College 255
High-School Graduation 257
Resources for Teen Education 258
22 Children with Special Needs 259
Learning Disabilities 260
Learning Challenges 260
Family Support and Resources 263
Understanding ADD/ADHD 264
Dyslexia Help 264
Autism Assistance 265
Down Syndrome Support 265
Vision and Hearing Concerns 266
Gifted Children Resources 266
Resources for Special Needs 267
23 Veteran Homeschool Parents 269
Regain Your Enthusiasm 270
Prevent Burnout 271
Stay Excited and Inspired 273
Reconsider Curriculum Choices 274
Explore New Ideas 276
Handle Unexpected Challenges 277
Share Goals with Children 279
Take a Break 279
Happy, Successful Homeschooling 280
Resources for Fun Homeschooling 280
24 College and Beyond 281
College for Homeschoolers 282
College Preparations and Selections 282
Transcripts and Documentation 284
Entrance Exams and Interviews 285
Online and Distance Learning 286
Life after Homeschool 286
Options, Internships, and Travel 287
Careers and Continuing Education 289
After the Nest Is Empty 290
Appendix A Resources and Websites 293
Appendix B Curriculum Providers and Programs for Homeschoolers 297
Appendix C National Homeschool Organizations 298
Index 299
