The Everything Guide to Homeschooling: All You Need to Create the Best Curriculum and Learning Environment for Your Child

The Everything Guide to Homeschooling: All You Need to Create the Best Curriculum and Learning Environment for Your Child

by Sherri Linsenbach
The Everything Guide to Homeschooling: All You Need to Create the Best Curriculum and Learning Environment for Your Child

The Everything Guide to Homeschooling: All You Need to Create the Best Curriculum and Learning Environment for Your Child

by Sherri Linsenbach

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Overview

An accessible guide for fun and stress-free homeschooling!

When you homeschool your children, you can shape their education according to your own standards, values, and ideas.
In The Everything Guide to Homeschooling, homeschooler Sherri Linsenbach provides you with all the information, inspiration, and encouragement you need to easily and successfully homeschool your children from grades K–12. This complete guide contains information on:
  • The Common Core standards and how they impact families
  • Creating plans for typical homeschool days, including schedules and activities
  • Utilizing curriculum resources, strategies, and methods
  • Managing specific learning styles and special needs
This guide is packed full of ideas to make homeschooling your child easy, affordable, and, most of all, fun. With ideas for tackling social issues and motivating your child, this is the only reference you'll need to keep home education exciting and ensure your child’s success!

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781440590696
Publisher: Adams Media
Publication date: 09/15/2015
Series: Everything® Parenting Guide Series
Pages: 304
Sales rank: 1,132,623
Product dimensions: 7.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

An Adams Media author.

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

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