Liberty Baptist Academy

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6 KJV

(1) Read everything on homeschooling that you can find. Libraries, bookstores, friends, and catalogs can provide information. Here are some recommended titles: How to Home School by Gayle Graham (Common Sense Press) Going Home to School by Llewellyn Davis (Elijah Co.) The Future of Home Schooling by Michael Farris (Regnery) The Right Choice by Christopher Klicka (Noble)

A subscription to Homeschooling Today® is very helpful. The magazine keeps you up-to-date with current information on methods and curricula. I even like to read the advertisements to stay abreast of materials that are on the market. All professions have their journals and homeschooling is no exception.

(2) Talk to homeschoolers and ask:

Also, ask if you might observe them in action. When I began researching homeschooling, my oldest child (Benjamin, who is now 11) was a baby. I sat like a little mouse in the corner of my friend's schoolroom. I had taught school for five years but could not visualize how to do it in a home setting. Vernell welcomed me and was pleased I was interested. I watched her son learn his math facts. Jonathan was jumping on a trampoline while reciting his facts! I knew he would have been labeled "hyperactive" or "ADD" in the public school. This mother knew just what her son needed -- a strict diet and a lot of bouncing! Teachers in traditional classrooms try to individualize education, but they can only go so far. This opened up to me a world of education that I formerly knew nothing about.

It is common to begin with no idea how homeschooling works at the practical level. That's why you should talk to and visit with people who are doing it. They can tell you their schedule and share a typical day. Suddenly you realize you can do it too!

(3) Go to a state homeschool convention. Every state has a Christian homeschool organization that can quickly disseminate legislative news that may affect the homeschool community. In addition, these state organizations host a yearly convention in which new and veteran homeschoolers receive instruction, inspiration, and encouragement from other homeschoolers and professionals. Most conventions have a curriculum fair where you can browse and purchase textbooks, curricula, and other materials. Talking to the vendors can help guide your choices. Typically, conventions are held in the spring. Contact your state organization to find out about yours.

(4) Join a support group. In a homeschool support group, like-minded homeschoolers come together for mutual encouragement, social times, and especially for science fairs, field trips, drama, and other activities that are best done in a group. Homeschool parents enjoy sharing their experiences and methods. See Homeschooling Today® (Jul/Aug 1999 issue) for detailed information on starting a support group from scratch if you don't already have one in your area.

(5) Join the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), PO Box 3000, Purcellville VA 20134, phone: (540) 338-5600. For a $100 per year membership you receive the Court Report (a magazine that reports homeschool legal news in each state) and free legal advice and protection. HSLDA is dedicated to protecting our right to homeschool. Without the work of these Christian lawyers who have defended homeschoolers and helped form laws in each state, we might not have the option. I highly recommend supporting their cause and insuring your own freedom.

(6) Set goals. You know the saying: "If you aim at nothing you are sure to hit it." Goals ought to be at least thought out if not also written down. Ask yourself: What do I hope to accomplish? What do I want my child to know by the end of the school year? Now, I realize that some of us are born goal-setters. We like a plan. We like those to-do lists that we can cross off. Others are better "firefighters". You rise to the occasion when the pressure is on and expertly deal with one crisis after another. We goal setters have much to learn from our firefighter friends, for they are usually relaxed and much better at spontaneity. So I approach this subject with trepidation, knowing that a firefighter out there may be thinking, Goal setting, huh? Easy for you to say!

But if you first consider why you are homeschooling and what you hope to accomplish, you will be better able to select a curriculum. If you want to focus on developing your child's character, for example, a curriculum based on character traits, such as Bill Gothard's Advanced Training Institute or KONOS (see table) would be appropriate. If your child enjoys history but needs motivation to read, you might find that History Through Literature fits the bill.

Every summer when I am planning the curricula for the fall, I write down goals for myself -- as a wife, a mother, and a teacher. Then I write down goals for each of my four children in the areas of physical, spiritual, character, and academic growth. My daughter was weak in mathematics, so my goal for her was to become more proficient in her math facts. My son is less outgoing than is his sister, so my character-goal for him was to work at shaking hands and making eye contact with people.

It also helps to consider your child's learning style, the number of children you are homeschooling, and your own frustration level. I homeschool three of my children (Anna is only 3) and did not want to use separate texts for history, science, and geography. Also, I considered how kinesthetic my daughters are. They need to touch, feel, and experience. All of these considerations led me to choose KONOS because I could integrate all subjects (except phonics and math) into one, and we could all do projects together. Another mom might consider KONOS too frustrating because of the extensive planning and preparation it requires. In short, anyone can homeschool. We don't all wear blue and bake our own bread. Every parent is different and every child is different. Wonderfully, you can find a curriculum for almost every need and style.

You can easily get confused when you hear about the many different methods of homeschooling. One person says that formal education is anathema and that children learn best from everyday life experiences. Someone else says that students should do seatwork for three hours a day, six days a week. You hear that grammar isn't necessary if the child reads widely. Then you hear a lecture on classical education that recommends spending an hour a day on grammar. The bottom line is -- there is no one right way. Choose a method that appeals to you, fits your children's learning styles, and works well with your family's schedule.

(7) Choose a curriculum that fits your goals. If you delight in planning hands-on projects, it's out there. If you'd rather open a teacher's book and say, "Today we're going to..." -- it's out there. I recommend collecting catalogs and becoming familiar with everything available. First, decide the subjects you wish to cover. Traditional textbooks have that already figured out for you. If you choose a different route, you need to look at a standard scope and sequence. These are available from books, your state department of education, or as a last resort your local school district. The Core Knowledge Sequence by E. D. Hirsch (The Core Knowledge Foundation (800) 238-3233) covers what should be studied at each grade level. In the elementary years you should hit the 3 Rs hard (unless you choose the delayed academics approach or one classical method which delays the study of math.) Once again, decide on a method but understand that it's perfectly okay to change methods when you try one that isn't working. All of us have partially-used curricula on our shelves that just didn't fit us.

Cost is another factor to consider when choosing curricula. According to Dr. Brian Ray in Strengths of Their Own (NHERI Publications, 1997), homeschoolers spend, on average, $546 per child. That is, of course, a fraction of what states spend on public school students and a fraction of the cost of private-school tuition. But many homeschoolers have done it successfully on less. When planning your budget, include outside lessons such as piano or dance. Ask your state homeschool organization about used-curriculum fairs and don't forget to utilize your local library. Remember, you can sometimes reuse a curriculum with younger siblings or sell it when you're finished. Here are some books that list curricula and resources:

The Complete Home Learning Source Book by Rebecca Rupp (Crown) Big Book of Home Learning by Mary Pride (Crossways Books) The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell (Tommy Nelson) The Christian Home Educator's Curriculum Manual by Cathy Duffy (Grove, 2 vol.)

Next, write out a schedule for a typical week. This helps you pull it all together and plan how you will manage. You will soon discover that there are very few days that you strictly follow your schedule, but at least you have a routine developed. Experience helps you roll with the interruptions and accept those interruptions as character-building lessons for your entire family. Here is a diary of a recent morning in the Felker household:

• 6:30. I awake and go downstairs to read my Bible, pray, and have a cup of tea.
• 7:00. My two youngest children awake and toddle down to play together. I begin breakfast preparations.
• 7:30. I call the rest of the clan to come and eat. My dad is visiting us and joins us at the table. He, my husband Steve, and my son Ben want to go fishing today, so I announce that we'll have a shortened school day. (Believe me -- the children are NOT crying with disappointment!)
• 8:00. The children head back upstairs to do morning chores while I put together a lunch for the men. Chores consist of getting dressed, making beds, straightening bedrooms, feeding pets, bringing down laundry, and collecting the garbage.
• 9:00. Ben (11) and Rachael (9) begin their math while I give a phonics lesson to Lydia (5). My dad helps Anna (3) paint on the easel. She's eating up the one-on-one attention!
• 10:00. We all meet on the front porch to read Homer Price. I read aloud while the children listen. Then I send Rachael across the street to the general store to pick up a newspaper. Ben and Rachael look through the want ads and choose a job for which to "apply." Their assignment is to write a mock letter of inquiry explaining why they would be good for the job.
• 11:30. By this time Steve returns from his duties at the office and begins collecting the fishing equipment. Ben and Dad hurry to load the boat onto the van. The girls and I wave goodbye and wish them luck. I pray a prayer of thankfulness for the flexibility homeschooling affords us to allow my son go off on a school day with his dad and grandpa. Ben doesn't get to his other lessons today, but that precious relational-time with the men in his life is the best lesson of all.

(8) Notify your state authorities of your intent to homeschool. Every state has different homeschool laws. Your state homeschool organization and/or HSLDA can advise you whom to contact and how to approach them. Generally, you'd best keep your letter short. Your purpose is simply to inform the state of your intention to homeschool. They will then reply, usually with a request for more information. Here is an example of a letter I might send to our superintendent:

Dear Dr. Jones, This is to inform you of our intention to homeschool our son Benjamin and daughters Rachael and Lydia (grades 6, 5, and K respectively) for the 1999-2000 school year. Thank you for your concern. Sincerely,

It's that simple. Do not send any other information until they ask for it. Please remember to be gracious to the state run schools. Most really want to make sure the children in their district are adequately educated. Cooperate as best you can. If you have any questions or hassle, HSLDA can assist you.

What should you do if you find yourself in a crisis situation? Perhaps you feel you must remove your child from school at once, and you don't have time to follow all eight steps. Then I would recommend following these three steps: (1) Talk to at least one other homeschooling parent, (2) join HSLDA, and (3) mail your letter of intent. It is important to join HSLDA before mailing your letter because they will not represent you in disagreements that arose prior to your becoming a member and following their advice.

God bless you in your endeavor to homeschool.

Steps to getting started (in a nutshell)