iLearn: Is Homeschool Right For Your Family?

Is Homeschool Right for Your Family?

When COVID-19 hit and schools closed, parents found themselves simultaneously working from home and thrown into the role of teacher. This was a huge adjustment for many kids and parents.

Homeschool is popular in our area and a significant number of families considered it even before the pandemic. Both parents and kids are naturally concerned about school reopening this Fall. For some, going back to a classroom, even part-time, may not be a viable option. For others, the online school option isn’t working. Here’s what you can expect and some tips on how to make the transition if you decide to homeschool.

According to the National Home Education Research Institute, about 2.5 million students in the U.S. are homeschooled and that number is rising. My son and I will start our eighth year of homeschool this August. As a veteran homeschool mom myself, I’m happy to offer advice and answer a few common questions. I can tell you I don’t have all the answers or perfect solutions – we all learn as we go!

The generation of 80’s and 90’s kids are now parents of school aged children. Homeschool is nothing like it was when we were growing up. The times when homeschoolers lacked social interaction are long gone. Facebook and other social media can help you - I can almost guarantee you know someone who homeschools. Just one post asking, “Who knows about homeschool groups around here?” and the information will fill your comments. Rules Apply Be forewarned, there are actual rules in homeschool. We don’t sit on the couch in our pajamas watching KET all day (insert eye roll here). Kentucky is a homeschool-friendly state with few requirements or restrictions.

If you choose homeschool, the first step is to notify your county superintendent with a Letter of Intent. Preferably, send this no less than 10 days before school starts. This letter simply states that you have chosen to homeschool your child. You must send a letter each year you choose to homeschool. Each homeschool is considered a private school. For requirements and a sample letter, visit education.ky.gov.

Kentucky requires all homeschools to keep an attendance record and have 170 to 175 days with a total of 1,062 hours of instruction time. This averages to about a six-hour school day. You also need to keep records of educational work for the entire year. In other words, keep your paperwork! Print online lessons after completion or save them to a USB drive so you have a solid record of your child’s work. Reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, math, science, and civics must be included in your curriculum. No state testing is required in Kentucky after each grade level, however you can do that if you choose to. Do your research on sites like hslda.org and movingbeyondthepage.com to find out the specific requirements of your state.

Curriculum There are endless possibilities when it comes to teaching material and it can be very overwhelming. You can buy complete sets of specific brands such as Abeka, Saxon, Math-U-See, or Horizons. Purchasing everything new can get quite costly. You are not restricted to one curriculum. The mix and match approach can help you find what works best for your child. You have the freedom to choose one brand for math, another for science, and another for language arts.

Buying used curriculum from other parents will save you a lot of money. By purchasing used instruction and student books, you will only need to purchase new student workbooks. Sites such as homeschoolclassifieds.com and christianbooks.com offer every curriculum imaginable.

Choose What Works for You If workbooks with pencil and paper aren’t right for your student, try online courses instead. There are many free options to choose from including Khan Academy and Scholastic Learn at Home. A very impressive, detailed program is Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool. Created by homeschool parents for homeschool parents, this Christian based, full curriculum is for Kindergarten through 12th grade. Other curriculum require a paid subscription, but many of them offer a free trial period.

A huge perk of homeschool is that you choose what works best for your child - not the state, not common core standards, you do. Let’s suppose that two months into your school year your child is struggling with one or more of their subjects. You’ve tried every approach, but nothing seems to work. It’s not the end of the world, just change your curriculum for those subjects. If what you have isn’t working, change it. Homeschool is not one-size-fits-all!

Utilize smart phones and tablets by downloading educational apps. Visit mathlearningcenter.org or teach.com for a variety of math apps for everything from beginner’s addition to geometry. There are free spelling apps like Word Wagon by Duck Moose, Spelling Monster, and Come Learn Spelling. With a little time on Google, you’ll see there’s an app for just about everything!

Do Homeschoolers Have Friends? I highly encourage getting involved in a homeschool co-op. This is a parent driven, educational atmosphere where students choose classes taught by other parents. Classes are divided by grade level. This allows parents to teach subjects they are comfortable with. You may not be great at teaching math, but another parent in your group may be a math wizard. Your child will learn new skills from them. Once you’re involved with groups, you may be surprised how many homeschool parents are former public school teachers. There are programs available in multiple counties including Calloway, Graves, Marshall, and McCracken. Search on Facebook to find the best options for you.

What About Sports? Sports leagues like Straight Up, Upward, dance, and martial arts are open to everyone. Archery programs like Center Shot offered at churches or other organizations also provide opportunities for learning sportsmanship, teamwork, and accountability. Check with your local 4-H program for a variety of programs available to students of all ages. Some of the private schools in our area also allow homeschool participation. Do Homeschoolers Fall Behind Academically? A study by the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota shows in comparison to traditional school students, homeschool students were found to have a higher grade point average upon completion of high school and scored higher in both the ACT and SAT tests. The National Home Education Research Institute finds that on average, homeschoolers score 15 to 30 percentile points above public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.

Homeschool children qualify for college scholarships, and there are tons of them available. Visit sites such as homeschoolingforcollegecredit. com, homeeducator.com, collegescholarships.org, or scholarships. com for lists of scholarship and financial aid opportunities.

How Do You Take Field Trips? You can organize trips with your homeschool group or a few buddies anytime. Check out sites like tripsavvy.com for virtual field trips from the comforts of your own home. Thanks to COVID-19, more virtual field trips than ever are available and FREE! The Smithsonian Museums, Chicago Children’s Museum and Boston Children’s Museum are merely the tip of the iceberg. You can travel to the Georgia Aquarium or as far as the National Museum of Australia without leaving home!

Teaching your children can be one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding, experiences. Homeschool is not for everyone. It is a true calling. You will know if it’s the right fit for your family or not, but not after the first day. It will take time for your child to adjust from regular mom to teacher mom, just as it will for you. Ultimately, the most important thing is knowing your child has reached and excelled in educational goals in a safe, loving, and fun environment. Happy teaching! *