THE ULTIMATE HOMESCHOOL STARTER KIT

What is homeschooling?
Homeschooling is a viable education alternative to institutional schooling. In compliance with state laws regarding this type of education, children learn under the general supervision of their parents. Parents and children, conferring with each other, assume control of the content of their learning. It is a complete substitute for institutional schooling.

Legal Options
Is it legal? Homeschooling is legal in all fifty US states. The laws vary from state to state. It is also legal or becoming more acceptable in all provinces in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Japan, South Africa and other countries as well. In some countries it is practiced illegally as homeschoolers work to change the laws. What’s the best source of legal information? The people in your area. Local homeschooling groups have experienced homeschoolers who will prove to be the best sources of information on how to meet the legal
requirements in your school district. Be sure you have an experienced, reliable source for information. And remember: these people are not lawyers! It is up to you to read the law for yourself. After all, you are the one ultimately responsible for compliance. Home School Legal Defense Association http//www.HSLDA.org  CHECK LAWS FOR EACH STATE

Actually Homeschooling
What approach should I take? Nobody can make this decision for you. It is up to your family how to best approach the education of your children. Whatever approach you choose to take, you will succeed. Your children will learn far faster and more thoroughly than they would have in school because of the personal attention and the personalized education you give them. You have the luxury and the privilege of altering your approach as soon as you see it isn’t working as you would like. Focus on helping your children grow and flourish according to your own family’s loving values of what makes a successful human being. 

Where can I get ideas? 
Organizations—Many national, state and local homeschooling organizations have publications and conferences full of great ideas. Enrichment programs such as Scouts, Campfire and 4-H have books and materials you can purchase even if you aren’t members. Local museums and industries have learning opportunities for children.
Publications—While homeschooling publications will help you with specific homeschooling concerns, don’t forget to check those general parenting and hobbyist publications for great project and learning ideas.
Web Sites—Just type any topic in the search field, and voila! You have loads of suggestions on things to do! It almost seems as though there is no end to the educational resources available online.
Books—Read about successful homeschooling families and their approaches to learning. True, the authors only write about their best days and most creative ideas. After all, what family is perfect? But even if you only manage maybe one really great project a week from these books, you’re doing great!
The Library—The children’s librarian is your friend. Cultivate and nurture that relationship. She’ll be your best resource for years to come. Ask her to watch for new books and publications with ideas of things you can do with your kids. 

I couldn’t possibly do this! The challenges some homeschooling families face are incredible, yet still their children learn and thrive. Within these families exists the “Love Factor” that serves to make them more cohesive, more capable than they were before they decided to homeschool.
*Kids don’t need geniuses or a team with teaching certificates. They need resourceful parents who will help them find the answers to their questions, who are willing to spend the bulk of each and every day with them, who will drive them to enrichment activities or over to their friends’ houses, who don’t obsess about test scores. They need parents who believe in them, who are confident enough to let them find their own destiny and help them be all they can be.

Homeschool Methods and Philosophies
What approaches are there?
  • Structured—Sometimes called “school at home,” it can also include those who just like to have a very organized, goal-oriented day: a “DayRunner” school!
  • Interest-initiated—Some call this approach “unschooling.” These families learn from real life experiences. Kids pursue their interests with encouragement and resources provided by their parents. These families might have a monthly calendar with a few key events noted on it.
  •  Learning-style—Learning materials and activities are chosen based on how the children learn best.
  •  Philosophical—These homeschools are structured around educational philosophies studied by the parents.
  • Accelerated—Resentful of being called “pushy,” these parents feel their children have special talents that deserve intense, daily focus. The children may also have determined goals to reach.
  • Accommodating—Some families need to structure their homeschooling around the special needs of one or more people in their family.
  • Unit-based—AKA the unit study approach, all learning is focused on a particular topic for a period of time, each child learning at their own level of understanding.
  •  Community—Community activities: religious involvement, a youth organization, volunteer work: group situations that they or others like them have organized. Families spend a significant portion of their time learning from involvement outside the home.
  •  Eclectic—Any combination of the above! Families pick and choose from all the wonderful options available to them and alter their course as needed.

Unschooling or “Child Directed”
Unschooling is not easily defined. The range of homeschoolers claiming the unschool label vary from “radical unschoolers” who disdain any form of curricula or textbooks to those who prefer child-led learning but might also be called eclectic. All homeschooling was originally called unschooling by John Holt, one of the pioneers of the movement. Gradually the term has come to mean those who use no formal curricula but make liberal use of the learning opportunities that present themselves in daily life. Family unschoolers network: http://www.unschooling.org John Holt and Growing Without Schooling: www.holtgws.com

Eclectic Method
If you find yourself combining several of the homeschool methods, you are probably an eclectic homeschooler. Eclectics tend to gather what works for them from multiple styles of homeschooling and leave out what doesn’t fit with their family. Eclectic Homeschooling Lite: www.eho.org

Classical Method
Classical homeschooling involves teaching based on the three stages of learning: the Grammar stage, the Logic stage, and the Rhetoric stage. The Grammar stage involves learning facts, memorization, and knowledge gathering. The Logic stage is when reasoning and logic begin to be applied to the knowledge. The Rhetoric stage is when the student learns the skills of wisdom and judgment.
The Charlotte Mason Method Charlotte Mason was a 19th century educator who believed “the souls of all children are waiting for the call of knowledge to awaken them to delightful living.” Some of the characteristics of a Charlotte Mason education are using living books, copywork, narration, keeping a nature journal, and introducing music, art, poetry, and great literature among other resources.

Unit Study Method
Unit studies are popular because they can be hands-on or literature-based. This method typically encompasses all of the scholastic subjects through the study of one topic (Weaver units or KONOS character units, for example) or a specific subject (Evan-Moor science units or Teacher Created Materials units, for example) http://heartofwisdom.com/artman/publish/article_272.shtml ; http://www.thefourwheelers.com/units ; http://designastudy.com/support/about.html ; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lessonthemeoftheweek ; www.holdthatthought.com ; www.handsofachild.com ; www.scrapbookingtolearn.com

The Moore Formula
Raymond and Dorothy Moore are often called the grandparents of the homeschool movement. The Moore Foundation has been providing support and guidance for parents for many years. The Moores are best known for their theory that structured school work should not begin before age 8.
Textbook Method or “School at Home”
Many new homeschoolers feel most comfortable replicating school at home. The use of textbooks is most common the first year or two of homeschooling while the parent builds their confidence. Many homeschoolers continue to find the textbook method works for their family while others may continue to use textbooks for some subjects and branch into unit studies or unschooling for other subjects. (see websites on the Catalog page (page 7) for specific textbook curriculum from Abeka, Bob Jones University, Alpha Omega {THE BEST}, Rod and Staff, Etc.

Computer Curriculum
Most computer-based homeschooling is really just an off-shoot of the textbook method. Instead of paper books, the child’s curriculum is either through an online company or a home-based program that is purchased on CDROM. www.home-school.com/mall/curriculum (on the left side of this web-page, click on subject list under “Software Hall”) www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/homeschool_curriculum  www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm

Hybrid Method 
This is a mixture of home schooling and enrollment in a charter, virtual, Christian or public school.

Relaxed Method
Relaxed homeschoolers do not rely on textbooks for learning. They stress the need for goals, coupled with an openness to many ways of attaining them. Children have input into these decisions.

Homeschool Information and Resources
Homeschool parents need to contact the GA DOE to fill out the Declaration of Intent form (which needs to be submitted within 30 days of beginning of a homeschool program)
Local Homeschool Websites

There are SEVERAL Homeschool Facebook Groups you can join for moral support and guidance from other moms just like you!

Northeast Georgia Homeschoolers

E.A.G.L.E.S. Home Educators


Hall County Library System
Headquarters Library
127 Main Street NW
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-532-3311

GHEA


Pierce Wholesale
1021 Jesse Jewel Parkway
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-534-4181

Hall Book Exchange
1854 Thompson Bridge Road
Gainesville, GA
770-532-6693

THE BEST LOCAL STORE TO SHOP FOR TONS OF SUPPLIES & FURNITURE
School Tools
2121 Browns Bridge Road
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-287-7767

SUGGESTED READING LIST

  • HOMESCHOOLING 101 (general & specific methods/philosophies)
  • The Christian Home Educators’ Curriculum Manual: Elementary Grades K-6 by Cathy Duffy 1997
  • The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell 1997
  • First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start by Linda Dobson
  • Homeschooling the Early Years (3-8 year-olds) by Linda Dobson 1999
  • Homeschooling the Middle Years (8-12 year-olds) by Shari Henry 1999
  • The Complete Home Learning Source Book: The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers/Parents/Educators by Rebecca Rupp
  • The Unofficial Guide to Homeschooling by Kathy Ishizuka 2000
  • Mary Pride’s Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling by Mary Pride 2004
  • The Big Book of Home Learning, volumes 1-3 by Mary Pride
  • The Original Home Schooling Series, volumes 1-6 by Charlotte Mason 1906 (reprinted by Tyndale House in 1989) 
  • Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola 1998
  • Better Late Than Early by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore; School Can Wait by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore
  • The Three R’s: A Home Start in Reading; An Easy Start in Arithmetic; A Strong Start in Language (gr.K-3) by Ruth Beechick 1986
  • You Can Teach Your Child Successfully (gr. 4-8) by Ruth Beechick
  • For The Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
  • Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson
  • The Home School Manual by Ted Wade
  • The Relaxed Home School by Mary Hood Ph.D.
  • The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer & Jesse Wise
  • The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World as Your Child’s Classroom by Mary Griffith
  • Teach Your Own by John Holt     
EXTRA DOSE OF POSITIVE SUPPORT
The Right Choice: The Incredible Failure of Public Education and the Rising Hope of Homeschooling by Christopher Klicka
The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore
So You’re Thinking About Homeschooling: Fifteen Families Show You How You Can Do It (second edition) by Lisa Whelchel 2005
Homeschooling More Than One Child: A Practical Guide for Families by Carren W. Joye 2005
Homeschooling Take a Deep Breath – You Can Do This! by Terrie Lynn Bittner 2005
Easy Homeschooling Techniques: The REAL How-To Guide, Third Edition by Lorraine Curry 2004
Homeschooling the Challenging Child: A Practical Guide by Christine M. Field 2005
The Joyful Homeschooler by Mary Hood 1997
LEARNING STYLES
The Way They Learn: How to Discover and Teach to Your Child’s Strengths by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias 1994
Every Child Can Succeed by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias 1996
In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child’s Personal Learning Style by Thomas Armstrong 1987
Awakening Your Child’s Natural Genius by Thomas Armstrong 1991
*FYI: The Christian Home Educators’ Curriculum Manuals by Cathy Duffy evaluate curricula according to the type of learner using
Golay’s model.
LISTS OF YEARLY OBJECTIVES
Teaching Children: A Curriculum Guide to What Children Need To Know at Each Level Through Sixth Grade by Diane Lopez 1988
What Your Child Needs to Know When: Grades K-8 by Robin Sampson 2001(revised edition)
How to Write A Low Cost/No Cost Curriculum For Your Home-School Child by Borg Hendrickson 1995
Learning Objectives For Grades Kindergarten Through Eight by Hewitt Homeschooling Resources 1995
HIGH SCHOOL
The Christian Home Educators’ Curriculum Manual: Jr./Sr. High by Cathy Duffy 2000
Homeschooling the Teen Years (13-18 year-olds) by Cafi Cohen 2000
Mary Pride’s Complete Guide to Homeschooling: Grades 7-12 by Mary Pride 2005
Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission by Jeanne Gowen Dennis 2004
Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+la by Barbara Edtl Shelton 1999 (third edition)
The Homeschooler’s Guide to Portfolios and Transcripts by Loretta Heuer 2000
Call phone number or check website to order catalog from each company listed below (most catalogs are free)
SPECIFIC CURRICULUM
Bob Jones University www.bjupress.com 1-800-845-5731

Abeka www.abeka.org/123 1-800-874-3597 ext 123

Alpha Omega Publications www.AOP.com 1-800-622-3070

Sonlight www.sonlight.com 1-303-730-6292

Oak Meadow www.oakmeadow.com 1-802-387-2021

Rod & Staff Publishers Inc.
PO Box 3, Hwy 172
Crockett, KY 41413-0003
(no website) 1-606-522-4348

Christian Light Education www.clp.org 1-800-776-0478

Apologia www.apologia.com 1-888-524-4724

Veritas Press www.VeritasPress.com 1-800-922-5082

Calvert Calvertschool.org 1-888-487-4652

Accelerated Christian Education www.schooloftomorrow.com/homeschool 1-972-315-1776

 SUPPLIERS WITH LARGE SELECTION

CBD: Christian Book Distributors www.Christianbook.com 1-800-247-4784

Children's Books www.childsbooks.com 1-864-968-0391

Rainbow Resource Center www.rainbowresource.com 1-888-841-3456

R.O.C.K. Solid www.rocksolidinc.com 1-800-705-3452

The Book Peddler www.bookpeddler.us 1-800-928-1760

Scholastic www.scholastic.com/custsupport 1-800-724-6527

Dover Publications
31 East 2nd St.
Mineola, NY11501-3582
www.doverpublications.com (no phone number)

Moore Expressions www.mooreexpressions.com 1-757-523-4965

American Homeschool Publishing www.ahsp.com 1-800-684-2121

SMALLER SELECTION of unique books & supplies

Timberdoodle www.timberdoodle.com 1-800-478-0672

Hewitt Homeschooling Resources www.hewitthomeschooling.com 1-800-890-4097

MOSTLY HISTORY
Greenleaf Press www.greenleafpress.com 1-615-449-1617 (no catalogs available)
Beautiful Feet Books www.bfbooks.com 1-800-889-1978

MOSTLY SCIENCE
Home Science Tools www.homesciencetools.com 1-800-860-6272
Nature's Workshop Plus! www.naturesworkshopplus.com 1-317-862-5791
Carolina Biological Supply www.carolina.com 1-800-334-5551

ART BOOKS & SUPPLIES 
Miller Pads and Paper www.millerpadsandpaper.com 1-608-375-2181
MATH Math U See Mathusee.com 1-888-854-6284
Saxon Publishers Saxonpublishers.harcourtachieve.com 1-800-284-7019