To School Or Not To School

I haven't written in months, but that is a post for another day. I don't have enough antacid to get me through it today.

Today is different. This post is a push to get back to the keyboard. It the push I needed to stand up and be a mentor. We are commanded to be, aren't we? As the gray and silver streaks set in, we graduate from Proverbs 31 to Titus 2 for those around us, correct?

Over the past several weeks, school systems across our country have opted to keep their doors closed and go virtual. There are some who agree with the decisions and there are some who do not. Some are burdened that when the schools closed in March, homeschooling was what they needed to do for the new school year. Some families have prayed over this new life and reevaluated their nuclear core of importance and public school, with all the political unrest we are surrounded with, have opted to pull their children even if it is for just one year.

From experience, that is the scariest decisions I think I have ever made. I wasn't alone, I had friends that helped. Ultimately, God had his hand over us in our journey. It hasn't always been easy, but he has not left us. He listened to me as I ugly cried over a bad day. He tolerated me as I threatened my children with re-enrolling them in public school that we all knew I can not do to them. I am sure he smiled on the good days may be with a sigh of relief. I am a work in progress, what can I say?

Regardless of your decision: virtual school, on campus public or private school, home school... I support you and your decision. I have your back. You are doing what is best for your child(ren). You. Are. Not. Alone. Remember that when receiving advice: Their support is more important than opinion.

Where Do I Start?

That question has been asked to me several times over the past month or so. A text message from one of my most beloved Sisters-In-Christ prompted me to write this post. I needed her prompt because I know she has my rope and I hers.

Ready for the answers?! List is short a sweet!

Keep. It. Simple.

Yup, there it is. After 5 years of homeschooling, my advice is simply that: keep it simple. So, grab a pen and a small notebook, this won't take long. I hope

And before you start with "What about socialization?!": just breathe and listen.

First, the myth about socialization is just that: a myth. I know this because I screamed it in my anti-homeschooling days. If you have a shy child socialization is no different for them. Homeschoolers socialize within AND outside of their peers of the same age. Many activities are based on a range of ages which allows the child to experience a range of personalities and traits. For example; a group activity is not just in a room of 25 8 year olders, but in a group of 15 7-10 year olders from all different backgrounds, economic levels, and different mental and physical abilities. You have the freedom to choose what you do and where you go. The playground for a picnic and a nature walk to a paid co-op class to a local homeschool group soccer team. You are free to do what and how much you choice. I have one introvert and one social butterfly: and their personalities were like that when they were in public school as well. In a nutshell about lack of socialization: stop believing it and stop saying it.

Simply put: socialization is what YOU make of it. Enough said.

Let's talk logistics.

#1a: find your state homeschool representation. For Virginia, it is HEAV: Home Educators Association of Virginia. https://heav.org/ They have A LOT of resources and you will need their expert advice in several areas, such as, Notice Of Intent (NOI) options and contact information for your area. Many sources are free but they are worth the small investment. PLUS, when you join, you receive a teacher card and that is a discount card in itself! You will save more than you invest.

#1b: follow the guidelines for your county/city for deadlines.

#2: find a local homeschool group for activities and workshops. You may not do any or all the activities, but it is nice to have options. You never know, you may be able to go bowling again and many homeschool groups have bowling or skating once a month!

#3: Let's talk academics. This is the area when everyone has an option. And I mean EVERYONE. From different homeschool mamas, to your in-laws, to your neighbors, and even the mailman will have a different option. This is the area where extreme pray is needed. Here are a few basics and then I have my own option, since this is my blog, right? :)

First: virtual schooling is not homeschooling. It is public school at home. You do not have the freedom to pick and choose your subjects and topics. Your child is still a public school student and when the schools open back up, your child is expected to go back to school. Academics are preset and your child has their teacher(s) are provided. You are support and supervision. There for #1 isn't needed for your case, please skip it and go to step #2 and check requirements.

So, you have removed your child from the public school system. You have followed #1a and 1b. You are looking into #2 as options. You are officially the teacher and now you have to pick the academics. Here is where the options will steam roll you like a monster wave in the ocean. Keep your head above water!

Keep it simple is huge in this department, especially your first year. Control the desire to buy the most expensive or the most agreed upon curriculum. You will drown in expense and information and may want to quit. Just speaking from experience. Do not recreate school at home! Your kitchen table will work just fine. So will your couch. Another post about supplies and storage and the "school room". This is not a priority right now. You can go to the library if you need to! I gotta keep going....

If you do nothing else: Read

Then read some more, read aloud, listen to books.

Read Aloud Revival has been a game changer for us. I will have to write about RAR in a post alone it is so amazing!

Let's talk options:

School In A Box: (well, that is my term for it). This refers to all core subjects plus electives, including Bible, with materials needed are provided. This option works well for those who want their child to stay on course with the grade level; who do not want to shop the thousands of options; and those who can afford it. Many programs have payment plans that make it manageable for some families and some programs may have scholarships and discounts to offer so it doesn't hurt to ask. Examples of these programs would be Abeka and Bob Jones University. There are digital options as well: Monarch and Switched on Schoolhouse from Alpha and Omega Publications. These are digital and the costs drops because the physical material needs of textbooks isn't there. The ones I have spoken about our Christian curriculums. They teach Biblical truths and Creation in science.

Secular option that I know of and have heard good things about: Accellus Academy for a digital school option. Time4Learning has good reviews as well.

Can't afford nor want a complete curriculum? There are free options as well. Ambleside Online and Easy Peasy All in One School are 100% free. You have to do the leg work and collect your own materials but most are basic school supplies and a library card. You pick a choose your subjects and the level that best fits your child's needs.

Rabbit Trail: DO NOT JUDGE YOUR CHILD BY A NUMBER!

Let me example: Homeschool curriculums are different than public school. If your child is in the 5th grade in public school, does not automatically put your child in 5th grade in homeschool. Many homeschool curriculum are advanced and may even teach "out of order" than public school. Many, if not all, curriculum have placement testing available or even sample lessons. Use them especially before you buy! what works for one child may not work for the other.

Teach where your child is at not where they "should" be.

Where was I? I hope to go through this kind of quick because this is long. If you need or want more help, send me a message and I will do as I can.

Bible: we use bible study as copy work and application. We need to apply the teachings of the Bible, not just memorize it! Read it, Say it, Write it: the complete learning cycle.

Language Arts: Another extremely affordable option is The Good and The Beautiful. Levels K thru 5 in language arts can be downloaded for free. My family LOVES this program. I highly recommend it.

(There has been some controversy surrounding TGTB because Jenny, the creator, is Mormon. I have used this curriculum for years. there have been nothing I see to indicate Mormon doctrine. She has links for those who are members of the Latter Day Saints to go to for deeper study, but it is not indoctrinated in the core of the curriculum. There is my disclaimer. We left for awhile and my children asked to go back. Good enough for us.)

Math: Teaching Textbooks is extremely affordable. All online. Basic supplies are needed depending on level. Math U See is our family choice. Some up front expenses with the manipulatives needed but the program as a whole is very affordable and extremely well done. My children are mastering skills and flying through the workbooks and skills. Depending on the child, you can even use work books from the Dollar Tree, especially for your little ones or those who are struggling.

The most important skill needed is not taught in school and that is money management. I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's programs, whether or not you homeschool. He has an elementary, middle school, and high school program. We spent the first few months last year doing his elementary and middle school program before we started Math U See. See? Homeschooling is flexible.

Science and History: There are A LOT of options. The Good and The Beautiful is simply good and beautifully done. Here is my advice: history is being lost and erased from everything now. Field trips and books and more books are needed for history. Read! Non-fiction and historical fiction alike! Learn it while you can.

Science? You will hear the term "Nature Study" a lot in the homeschool community. Have fun! take a walk and look around. Draw, observe, and you guessed it: read! Grad a cheap notebook or sketch pad, some water color or crayons or colored pencils and go explore! especially when the weather cools off. Apologia is amazing. Find unit studies for whatever interests you and your child.

See? So much to talk about! This is a LONG post. It wasn't meant to be this long. Homeschooling is exciting and there is alot to talk about it. It hard when the talking is over a blog post and not a cup of coffee.
Pray

Research

Talk to others

and Pray some more

Everything will be okay and you won't ruin your child! Promise.

Here are the links to the options I wrote about:

https://www.abeka.com/

https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/content/home

https://www.aop.com/

https://www.acellus.com/

https://www.time4learning.com/

https://www.amblesideonline.org/

https://allinonehomeschool.com/