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So, you've decided to homeschool, or continue to, or come back to....NOW what?!
With a plethora of curricula and learning methods now available, the decision of what to use and how to do it can be daunting. I suggest that new homeschooling parents, especially, take time to do research online and attend a homeschool conference, if possible.
Begin by researching the various teaching/learning methods and imagining what your "dream" homeschool looks like:
Prayerfully consider your family situation:
None of this will stop you from homeschooling, you simply will find different ways of doing so. Some of our happiest days are doing school from bed when I'm sick. When my father was ill before he passed, the boys and I drove two hours one way, three times a week for a year, and they happily packed their books and did school in the car and at Grandma and Grandpa's. One year, my chiropractor even set up a small table at the back of her office for the boys to do their schoolwork during my weekly sessions! Anything is possible.
I recommend the calendar model that Catholic Heritage Curricula devised. It's simply a four-day school week. You use the fourth day to schedule your outside appointments, catch up on work, do special projects, go on field trips, or just rest. Somehow, knowing you have an "extra" day greatly lessens the pressure you put on yourself and makes your entire week that much more productive!
Now that you've decided on or have a better idea of the type of homeschool you'd like, you're on your way to the right curriculum for your situation. The resources listed on the following pages are the most faithful and popular Catholic, Catholic-friendly Protestant, and secular resources that I can recommend. Keep checking back because the lists change periodically.
Don't forget to find yourself your own Planning Book. There are so many for free and for purchase. Again, decide if you'd like something to use on your computer, or if you prefer a hard copy - maybe with daily meditations or calming pictures!
Start choosing curricula by looking at the "big" providers - Catholic Heritage Curricula, Mother of Divine Grace, Kolbe Academy, Seton Homeschool, Thomas Aquinas, and Angelicum Academy. Read their philosophies and see which matches up best with yours, review their materials, and then begin writing down your extensive "wishlist." You needn't break your bank nor overcrowd your bookshelves right away, so once you have your list of everything you want, start pulling out what you need, and decide what you can augment with books from your local library or other homeschoolers. Whatever's left can remain on your wishlist for next semester or next year. If your children are older or in high school, remember that you can wait to purchase second semester materials until midway through your year.
If you're a new homeschooler, I do recommend purchasing a provider's Lesson Plans, at least at the beginning, to help you get going and into a routine. You may find that next year you can create your own and save some money.
Consider any time that you can "bundle" kids and lessons. Nearly every subject, except maybe Math, can be crafted to teach the same material to various grade levels, giving more detail and depth to older students, easier concepts to younger ones. Activities, questions, and more can then be tailored for each. But, at least you only have to teach one time to everyone.
If you have older students, don't be afraid of using them! Part of learning is teaching, and if an older child is asked to help or teach a lesson to their younger sibling, you're doing everyone a favor....especially yourself.
If you have “littles,” create a box or basket or area with activities they can do themselves. This is especially useful during "gathering" time in the morning, when mommy's busy with another child, or when they've finished their work and are waiting for a new assignment. I often used the Catholic Kingdom website as a safe activity when my boys were old enough to manage a computer - with me in the room, of course. Remember to enact parental controls on your computer!
If, after doing all this, you still have questions or are simply even more confused, I am more than happy and available to speak with you and help identify what's best for you. Plus, registered families are part of RCA's members-only chat group, so you have all their experience from which to draw as well.