When you first start thinking about starting homeschool, it’s such a vast array of emotions, from one end of the spectrum to the other.
First, it’s… “alright, I can do this….I have all these visions and ideas for what this is all going to look like…we got this..”
And then, gradually, you realize how much there is to sift through, choose from, and weed out. And no one to tells you what to do…send help!
Here’s what helped me out the most in the beginning.
6 Resources for Starting Homeschool
1.) Homeschool Laws by State
One of the most important steps you can take when it comes to getting ready for homeschooling is digging up your local homeschool laws. Everything else can go from there. Some states are pretty lax for the most part. Others, you are required to record hours spent and curriculum used. It all depends on where you live.
Visit https://hslda.org/legal to find the homeschooling laws in your state.
2.) Teaching in Your Tiara: A Homeschooling Book for the Rest of Us by Rebecca Frech
In Teaching in Your Tiara, Rebecca takes all the basics of homeschooling and breaks it down in everyday language, making it less overwhelming and intimidating. It’s a great reference if you’re wanting to wade in the idea of homeschooling but not really all that sure yet.
If you’re looking for info on all the different education styles and maybe trying to get an idea of the curriculums out there to choose from, this is also the perfect start.
3.) Teaching From Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie
This book helped me stop and see the big picture of homeschooling when I needed it the most. Sometimes we just need to back up and look at things from a different perspective. You know what I mean? And maybe realize it doesn’t have to be as scary as we thought or as stressful.
Sarah does a good job of mentoring you through that whole process. And to go a step further, she has a pretty cool homeschool resource community online at https://readaloudrevival.com/.
4.) Cathy Duffy Reviews
If you want to get a feel for the different types of curricula in the homeschool world, Cathy Duffy Reviews is a resourceful hub of information for just that. Bonus if you know what education method you want to use, or how teacher intensive a program you’re interested in, or what grades you’ll be homeschooling you can narrow your searches down to what will serve you the most.
5.) Well Planned Day Homeschool Planners
So, organization is not my strong suit. Like at all, at all. I have high hopes of being organized and those hopes inevitably go out the window again and again as I slip back into my regular old procrastinating ways. I do have a thing for planners though, because what high hoper who wants to be organized doesn’t? Plus, they’re all so shiny!
After trying a whole slew of different day organizers, I finally caved to those Well Planned Gal ads and reviews and found so much of what I needed in organizing my day to day that even flows pretty well with my personality (total INFP here, if you’re into that MBTI stuff). I can make meal plans, make grocery lists, to do lists, take notes, AND plan our homeschool day and keep records while I’m at it. That’s really just the tip of the iceberg though! 10/10 from me.
6.) Facebook or Forum Groups
Facebook is truly invaluable when it comes to online groups for homeschooling families right now. I’m in different groups from state specific homeschooling groups, curriculum discussion groups, to support and encouragement groups. Just tap that search bar at the top of your FB app and start searching!
And thankfully, for those who are seriously not into the Facebook world or just want a different medium and format to venture to, you can also find separate forum groups on homeschooling blogs or within homeschool curriculum companies and their websites. You just have to be willing to do a little bit of digging.
Starting homeschool is a tad daunting at times, but with the right tools the transition can go a little smoother…and I hope these resources are helpful in guiding you along the way.
Here are a few more articles I think you might like:
How to Start Homeschooling: 5 Simple Ideas to Start the Year Strong from Simple Homeschool
10 ways to start easy this homeschool year from Kara S Anderson
New to Homeschooling: 3 Tips to Help Along the Way
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