In a traditional brick and mortar school, it has become established that there is a summer break. Now with homeschooling, it becomes your choice whether to have a summer break or not. Many homeschoolers view every day as a learning experience – this does not necessarily include curriculum. With the great weather we have been enjoying swimming lessons, hiking, biking and many other warm weather learning opportunities. Our kids read and write every day because they enjoy it. And we take advantage of our non-travel times to do our curriculum program with Progress Academy. We have the flexibility to look at the whole year and plan our studies accordingly. Some people do take a summer break in their homeschooling families. It really just depends on your lifestyle, goals and individual family choices. I talked with a mom the other day who said it’s only July and her daughters getting bored – so she was starting into her curriculum right now. Of course it is perfectly legal to homeschool all year round – even though your particular state may require notifications, assessments, and such on a traditional school schedule. So, enjoy your ability to choose and enjoy your summer however works best for your whole family!
Silly Bandz Homeschooling
By NiQui Chatfield on August 17th, 2010
I was in Florida vacationing with my family back in May. We had gone to the grocery store and saw these rubber band like bracelets at the checkout in fun animal shapes. It was an inexpensive treat so we bought some for the kids. Our girls started wearing these brightly colored rubber band bracelets called Silly Bandz. We were standing in line somewhere and the woman in front of us asked the girls about the bracelets – we explained that we had just found them at the grocery store. The woman said she was a school teacher and asked my girls if all the kids at school were wearing these bracelets. My girls said “We are homeschooled, we don’t know if the kids at school are wearing them.” I thought to myself – I’ll bet they won’t allow these fun bracelets at school because they would be a big distraction. And I said to myself – I bet they will ban these bracelets as soon as they can! I was suddenly very glad to live a more carefree life – homeschooling my children, free of the impositions and unnecessary restrictions. We still buy some Silly Bandz once in awhile for fun – my kids aren’t obsessed just enjoying the fun bracelets. We even use the packs to do a little math – dividing up the packs and adding to the collection! It is interesting how the relaxed atmosphere of homeschooling finds learning even in the silliest of things!
Homeschooling Curriculum
By NiQui Chatfield on July 14th, 2010
Curriculum is a key topic in the homeschool community, and in some circles a big debate. If you are new to homeschooling (comment to this post if you are!), you may not be aware that curriculum was non-existent when homeschooling got its start. Our homeschooling pioneers in the US had to clear their own path in a new territory. There were no resources, no groups and no curriculum. So, naturally they had to create their own educational tools from libraries, bookstores and the few school districts who were willing to share their resources with parents.
Fast forward to today and you will find hundreds of curricula to choose from. It is only natural that the homeschooling pioneers constructed a culture of do-it-yourselfers who wanted to create their own education plans. Today however, many people do not want to be the creator and appreciate ready made curriculum, making their decision to homeschool easier. For instance, if you are coming from a conventional school setting you may want a traditional curriculum because that is what you are used to. Of course a large number of us are somewhere in between, with the mentality that yes, curriculum is good, but it is not the beginning or end to our child’s education. Always keep in mind that you have a choice and you are in charge! Be creative by using more than books and explore your options. Homeschooling is a culture and it is open to all. There is plenty of room for new ideas and new ways of thinking. If it works for you and your family, then it is good!
Homeschool Kindergarten… A great place to start!
By NiQui Chatfield on July 6th, 2010
So, your child is “school age” and you are considering homeschooling. Can you do it? How do you do it? These may be a few questions you have asked yourself. Here is what I ask people contemplating homeschooling kindergarten: Who taught your child how to talk, to walk, to recognize colors and shapes? I would bet it was you, the parent. Chances are you are also reading to your child. So, in essence you have been homeschooling or home educating from the very beginning.
Now it is just a matter of finding a homeschool curriculum, which contains the educational tools you will use to teach your child at home. Kindergarten is a very good place to start for both you and your child, here’s why:
Your child…
- naturally wants to learn.
- has no preconceived notion of school or education.
- is used to learning from you.
You the parent…
- have already established yourself as the teacher.
- are fully equipped to teach kindergarten.
- have endless resources available in this homeschool friendly era.
There are many options when it comes to kindergarten curriculum. You can start with the book What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know. You can find this on Amazon. Basically, they will learn numbers and the alphabet, and how to properly print both, as well as shapes, sounding out letters, etc. For a complete list, check out school.familyeducation.om. Also, keep in mind that many states do not even require kindergarten, so check your state’s homeschool laws before you begin (www.hslda.com). Of course you can still teach kindergarten even if it’s not required, it’s your choice how your child is educated. Exercise this right by finding a great curriculum, or going to the library or buying tools at a book store. Just know that you are in charge now – millions of us homeschool, and we welcome you to the homeschool community!
Now you can buy those crayons, markers, paper, paints, playdough and all the other fun “school” supplies – you have a student at home!
Five Fantastic Field Trips
By NiQui Chatfield on June 28th, 2010
I remember when I was an elementary student and our class got to go on field trips. All of the students in our class looked forward to each of the few field trips we were allowed to have each year. The trips took us out of the classroom and into factories, ice cream manufacturers and more. Now as a homeschooling mom, I have the liberty of taking my own children on field trips. We have enjoyed a variety of trips including a candy factory, a horse farm, the Dayton Air Museum, Montpelier, Willliamsburg, Jamestown, Niagara Falls, Monticello, apple picking and the Ohio Historical Society.
Here are five of our favorites:
- Williamsburg, Virginia – My husband and I have always enjoyed US history, but sometimes this can be a challenging subject for our children. It is hard to get them to be interested in the past when they are more interested in right now! We had contemplated visiting Colonial Williamsburg as a family and then we discovered they have homeschool days. The per person cost is very reasonable and really enticed us to give this field trip a try. We were pleasantly surprised by the “Welcome Homeschoolers” signs posted and the large number of other homeschooling families attending the event. There were special activities just for us, including a tour and craft project in the art museum. Our entire family had a wonderful time touring the Governor’s house, eating in a tavern and watching the revolutionary era re-enactments. This is a must do field trip!
http://www.history.org/History/teaching/groupTours/SchoolandYouth/homeschools.cfm
- Apple Picking - In Ohio we enjoy a wonderful period in the fall when we can visit a local orchard and go apple picking. Your state may have a similar seasonal fruit that you can pick. Do a little research, find a local farm that allows picking and gather your family for this wonderful educational adventure. You may want to ask if there is a tour or attendant to educate you on the process. Fun for all ages! We always go to Lynds Fruit Farm in Pataskala, Ohio.
http://www.lyndfruitfarm.com/main/
- Monticello – Outside of Charlottesville, Virginia is the home of President Thomas Jefferson. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful drive through the lovely hills of Virginia to find Monticello and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the welcome center and were offered a homeschool discount on our tickets! The tour was amazing and intriguing. We had to tackle the tough subject of slavery in America, which was handled very well by our tour guide. This was an important and educational field trip.
http://www.monticello.org/visit/group_tours.html
- Candy Factory – We are lucky to have the Anthony Thomas Candy Factory here in Columbus, Ohio. Who doesn’t want to tour a candy factory? Our homeschool group got together and attended one of the tours. Our kids had so much fun watching them make candy while we parents reminisced about the famous I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and Ethel try to work at a candy factory. Of course we all enjoyed the free sample at the end of the tour! If Ohio is not in your neighborhood, look up a local candy factory and set up a tour! Anthony Thomas offers FREE tours every Tuesday and Thursday.
http://www.anthony-thomas.com/tour.html
- NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas – My husband and I have always been fascinated by space and space travel. Little did we know our kids were also big fans! We were driving to Houston and my husband said under his breath, “I would really like to visit NASA while we are here, but I am sure the kids won’t want to go”. So, I said out loud, “Hey kids, who wants to go to NASA?”, and they all cheered “ME!!!”. It is a great place to visit for the whole family. There is a large variety of things to do so that everyone is “edutained”! There are movies, tours, a trapeze, a climbing apparatus and more! If you get a chance to visit Houston, plan a trip to NASA.
http://www.spacecenter.org/
How to Survive Your First Year of Homeschooling
By NiQui Chatfield on June 16th, 2010
I would like to start by saying “Welcome to Homeschooling!” This is your official greeting and pat on the back for making such an important choice in educating your child. Is it the road less traveled? Yes, but it is a road worth traveling! Now take a deep breath and realize that today around two million other children are currently being homeschooled in the US alone!
So what do you do now, after weighing the pros and cons and deciding that homeschooling is the right choice? It is important to realize that this first year will be about discovery. Do you have to pick a curriculum? People can debate this point – so yes and no. Do you have to develop a rigid routine? Depends on you and your comfort level. Do you have to comply with the laws in your state? Yes, but this isn’t difficult and there are many helpful resources out there. But do you need to have it all figured out? Definitely not.
This first year you will be learning about your child and the process of homeschooling. For example:
- How do they learn best?
- What are they interested in?
- What time of day do they learn best?
- Do they need structure?
- What do you want your child to learn?
- How can you improve your child’s learning experience?
- What will you keep the same? What will you change?
- Are they more productive with or without breaks?
Take this opportunity to discover what style of learning will work best. Find out if your child needs to start their studies in the morning or afternoon. All of this will become clear as you begin to homeschool and spend the time with your child and their studies. Pay attention to any cues or clues to what works best and find a good pace for your child.
Keep in mind that you have made a very big change and it will take time to adapt. It will not be comfortable at first but you will fall into a good routine. Take it easy on yourself too, as the administrator of your child’s education you need room to make mistakes. Making mistakes is how we all learn. Homeschooling is not a search for perfection but a choice in educating differently. It will feel different until you become accustomed to it.
Always remember why you chose to homeschool, whatever the reason may be, and keep this in mind to help you get through rough days. It beats the alternative – that is why you chose to do it! Smile, have fun with it! Keep things light, creative and enjoyable. Your child naturally wants to learn, don’t get in their way. 
One of the best things you can do as a newcomer to homeschooling is to befriend other homeschooling families. They will be a lasting resource for support and encouragement. Homeschooling together as a community can be a very successful approach. So get on the internet – you will find homeschoolers everywhere!
So your mother-in-law is a teacher and can’t believe you are homeschooling…
By NiQui Chatfield on June 3rd, 2010
How do you handle this? Well, most of us handle it very carefully. There are probably many choices you make in life that your in-laws or own parents do not agree with, but you are the parents now, and it is your choice how to educate your children.
Actually public education is relatively new to this country. Most of our founding fathers were homeschooled, and they created this wonderful country called the United States. Today homeschooling is perfectly legal in every state of the US, and you simply are exercising your right to do so. But, it is best not to get into a defensive mode, especially when your children are around. You do not owe anyone an explanation for what you are doing, they are your children. Stick to your decision, be firm, kind and straight to the point. You may kindly remind people that this is your choice and you are doing what you see as best for your child.
Having family members, friends or associates who do not support your decision to homeschool just underlines the importance of befriending other homeschooling families. Be diligent about creating a network of homeschoolers that you feel comfortable spending time with. You want to give your children a feeling of belonging and a sense of community – this is very important to your success in homeschooling.
NiQui’s Top 10 Reasons to Homeschool
By NiQui Chatfield on May 17th, 2010
- You created your child – now get to know them.
- Make your own, not the school’s, schedule.
- Go on vacation in September.
- Sleep in.
- Teach your child what YOU want them to learn.
- Protect your child from an undesirable atmosphere at school.
- Discover your child’s passion in life and help them pursue it.
- Quit wasting your and your child’s time.
- Take the road less traveled – that will make all the difference.
- Stay out of the way – let your child lead you into learning.
How to Get Started Homeschooling
By NiQui Chatfield on May 12th, 2010
You have decided to homeschool, now what do you do? The first thing to do is figure out how to comply with the laws in your state. If you live in AK, CT, ID, IL, IN, NJ, MI, MO, OK or TX you are lucky, because there are NO notification requirements for homeschooling! If you live in MA, ND, NY, PA, RI or VT, get ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work, your requirements are a bit more involved. And for all of you in states not mentioned, it will be pretty easy to comply. Trust me, complying with the laws is much easier than hiding and wondering if you will get caught! To get started, you should read the homeschooling laws for your state. You can find these at www.hslda.org, along with summaries to help explain the laws. I always suggest that you print off the laws to have them on hand if anyone questions you (I have been homeschooling for ten years and not had to show the laws to anyone yet).
The next thing to do is find support groups, associations and resources in your state. You will want to talk with local veteran homeschoolers who can explain how to comply with the laws in your state. Also, it is best to have others who support your decision to homeschool and you will find that locally in groups. For many of us, our extended families are not that supportive. You can find the support you need at www.homeschool.com.
And finally, determine what homeschooling style best fits your family. For my blog post on styles, click here. Deciding what style best suits you will help you discover what kind of curriculum, method or path you would like to take in educating your child at home. There are only three styles to choose from which will make your job easy. Keep in mind that you may change your style over the years, so pick a style that will be best to start with for your family.
Here is a recap on how to get started:
- Read the laws in your state, www.hslda.org
- Locate local support groups, www.homeschool.com
- Determine your homeschooling style
Shelter
By NiQui Chatfield on May 4th, 2010
The definition for the word “shelter” is “something that covers or affords protection”. When it is raining outside we seek shelter. We make shelters for our cats and dogs outside so they can stay safe and warm. A “shelter” is a place for homeless people to find refuge from the elements and receive a nourishing meal. So when did the word “shelter” become a bad thing? Why are homeschooling parents accused of sheltering their children as if that were bad? Isn’t it a good thing to keep your child out of harms way? I believe it is our responsibility as parents to keep our children safe, secure and yes – sheltered! Or should we leave our children out in the elements to fend for themselves, don’t take any precautions to ensure their safety? I am pretty sure that all parents shelter their children in some fashion – we shelter them from the hot stove, burning bath water, falling down the steps, stormy weather, burning sun, mean people, ignorant attitudes, and much more. We may not agree with what other parents shelter their kids from – diversity, traveling, choices, opportunities, etc. Shelter is not a bad word, and as homeschooling parents it is a good thing that we choose to shelter our kids from such things as bullys at school, poor education, peer pressure, institutionalized education, narrow peer groups, lack of diversity, drugs, and gangs. I guess the difference is that I do not ask people why they do not shelter their children because I believe that every parent has the right to make the choices they feel best for their child. It is not for me to judge if the choices are right or wrong. Which also affords me the right to make the choices I see fit for my children. Our family is our children’s closest form of reference, they will base many of their beliefs, attitudes and choices from what they have learned from us – and rightfully so. All parents have this same ability to create this frame of reference. That is why many children attend the same colleges, churches and events that perhaps their parents did, it is only natural. And as a parent, we know what is best for our children, we know them best, have their best interest at heart – so it makes sense that we shelter them as we see fit. And if that means homeschooling our children, that is our right to do so.
