Homeschool: Where Do I Begin?
On July 14, 2020, I hosted a Facebook Live event, a brief overview of what you need to know for homeschooling. I wanted to post these notes here for those who wanted to access them later.
Basic Requirements:
NOI: notice of intent. Link: paper or online :
http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/learning-services/home-school
GED? or Drivers Test: NOI requires notarization
First time? Must fill out a sheet, afterwards, you can fill out online every year at above link
Moving? must turn in a NOI to the school district you move to.
What is Arkansas Law? https://arkansashomeschool.org/index.php/free-info/state-laws/
Homeschool Rules and Regulations: http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/public/userfiles/Legal/Legal-Current%20Rules/2018/ade_262_Home_Schools_Rule_eff._06252018_.pdf
Parents give 2 weeks notice with NOI letter to school district before pulling child out of school. School Districts can choose to waive the 2 week wait period.
Public school students who wouldn’t be eligible for homeschool are kids who are under disciplinary action. School district can choose to waive the disciplinary action. Otherwise, student must complete full disciplinary action before being homeschooled. Students who have been expelled from their school district is eligible for homeschooling.
You can’t take your kid in and out of public school all willy nilly. You have to follow the procedure for notice of intent every time.
It is your responsibility to supply the curriculum you will use, not the state’s.
Details of the NOI. Basics: Who you are, who your kids are and how old they are, what your basic plan is for schooling: start and end dates, curriculum used, etc.
Public schools must treat homeschooled children like any other student. Transfering of credits, proper grade placement, diploma, and graduation, participation in extra curricular activities, memberships in clubs, and scholarships
&& a ton more.
Amendments to the laws:
Concerning enrollment or re-enrollment into public school
Concerning HOmeschooled students in an interscholastic activity
In private schools
Concerning students in private or homeschools that want to participate in public school academic course
Different Ways to Homeschool
There are lots of different and formally named styles of homeschooling. I am going to go over the 4 basics that I see most often and use my own names for them.
School Classroom Approach: what looks like: set up like a classroom, textbooks, parent-teacher, one on one. Usually what people think of when thinking of homeschool.
Examples: classic mom/parent as teacher, online virtual classroom
Pros: one on one with your kid. Structure. Easy integration back into public school setting.
Cons: takes hours out of your day. Still a square peg in a round hole system. Burn out happens quickly.
UnSchool: A child-led approach to learning. The learning is directed by what the child’s interests are at the time.
Examples: Play only preschools/kindergarten, hands-on Learning experiences (cooking, gardening, etc)
Pros: lots of hands-on learning. Teaches independence.
Cons: can be so loose that it becomes neglectful.
Mix between the two: A mix of classical and child-led interest learning.
Curriculum Suggestions:
online
www.Allinonehomeschool.com
Online text/ full curriculum stores:
www.arkansashomeschool.org has a high school reading list.
Usbourne books: the Facebook group of my favorite consultant
Blogs (Pinterest is a wonderful homeschool tool) See my 2 favorites below!!
www.Allinonehomeschool.com is an online curriculum or you can buy the books.
My Favorite Resources
www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com
Teaching Multiple Ages
In my experience, it’s easier to teach multiples. It requires more work at first, more paperwork especially. But then you have all of this stuff you can continue to use. The older children now know how to use it and can help the younger kids very easily. It’s quite nice.
But first, you have to get there. What I normally do is figure out what I want specifically for each kid to work on that semester. So I choose the things they either NEED to work on (like multiplication and division) or is an interest for them (like coding or cooking). Then I find a curriculum for the older ones that is more independently led. I am there to help but they are led through the curriculum by the book or online lesson, not a teacher. If they have something that is particularly hard for them or a learning disability in some area, you can still use independently led curriculum, they have a specialized curriculum for all different learning needs. I have a couple of kiddos that have learning disabilities and can suggest some curriculum or online groups if you have those needs. An independent curriculum can be a lot less stressful, but will take you and your kiddo, especially if they are just starting out homeschooling, some time to get used to. Go over it with them, make sure you both understand how it works and set up a plan that works for you. I suggest checking their once a day or once a week, but never longer than that. It gets piled up, and checking often helps you stay on top of how your child is learning. Homeschool is a trial and error. Be patient, you are both learning. <3
Starting the older ones out helping the younger ones is perfection. It gets them used to being the teacher. It builds confidence and it helps them to process those basic skills even more. Whether they are 6 or 16, tutoring is a lesson in its self. :)
My advice for homeschooling?
Don’t take it so seriously. If you try to force what you THINK school is supposed to look like, you will turn your home into a not-fun place for you or your kid. Schooling at home is a balance of work and home. You want your kid to get to work, but you also want them to feel happy in their home. Create a loose plan and a strict schedule. Don’t worry so much about how quickly your child is learning a certain subject. Just make sure they are taking the time every day to do it, however, that best works for you and your family.
Sources: www.arkansashomeschool.org
http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/learning-services/home-school