Let's put your mind at ease. It's not as difficult as it looks. Relax and have fun! You are doing this to enjoy your children and learn with them!

Think about this: in a classroom school, one teacher spends six or seven hours with 20-30 children. Can you offer a more intimate learning environment than this in your homeschool?

Your children will learn a lot better in a relaxed atmosphere.

Some Basic Advice:
Home education is more than just teaching from books at home. It is a lifestyle. It is important to take time to prepare for the changes your family will experience.

It is a good idea to have a clear idea why you want to homeschool. It is also a good idea to write down what you hope to accomplish and your philosophy about learning.

In the beginning, it is not necessary to know exactly what each school day will contain, but you should have some good general ideas formulated. Once you have some clear ideas about what you are going to do, then you should contact the appropriate groups.

1. Network with others involved on a local level.
   One of the first things you should do is talk to people you know who already homeschool. They can give you a world of advice. If you don't know any homeschoolers, contact your local homeschool support group in your area.

   FHE - Forsyth Home Educators is a support group of home educators in Forsyth County. The annual membership entitles you to 10 monthly issues of the newsletter, a membership directory and the calendar of group events, as well as support from other families involved in the same endeavor. Go here to to find the online subscription form. Click here for information on contacting us.

2. Network with others involved on a state level.
   In North Carolina, that organization is North Carolinians for Home Education (or NCHE.) NCHE is the state group organized by fellow home educators. It is not affiliated with the state government.

   For an annual membership fee, you receive a quarterly newsletter called The Greenhouse Report and information on the annual NCHE Homeschool Conference (separate fee), held in Winston-Salem in May each year. They also keep you informed on legislation affecting education.

3. Establish your home as a school.
   Next you should find out about the homeschooling laws in your state. Different states have different requirements.

   In North Carolina, it is fairly easy to comply with the requirements. Primarily, you must do these things:

   • One instructor in your homeschool must have a high school education or equivalent.
   • Register with the North Carolina Dept. of Non-Public Education (or DNPE.)
   • Keep your students records of yearly attendance, testing and immunizations.*

   *PLEASE NOTE: There are other recommendations. This is only a basic guideline. Visit NCHE's guide on Complying with the North Carolina State Home School Law for specific instructions.

   NC Law requires that you register with DNPE if your child is 7, but not yet 16 years old. You will need to file a "Notice of Intent to Operate a School" form. Contact the DNPE and request a homeschool packet. The process will be expedited if you locate your high school diploma, or its equivalent, while you wait for the packet to arrive. The DNPE will send a postcard to verify that they have received your form. The address for the DNPE is:

   North Carolina Department of Administration
   Division of Non-Public Education
   Rod Helder, Director
   MAIL: 1309 Mail Service Center
   Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1309
   919-733-4276
   http://www.doa.state.nc.us/dnpe

   At this point, it may be worthwhile to note that many people confuse FHE, NCHE and DNPE. Read the responsibilities and location of each when you are considering contacting them. Contact FHE at any time with questions regarding any of these groups.

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Choosing Curriculum
Trying to choose which curriculum to use may seem like a monumental task, but it doesn't have to be. Don't rush out to buy anything right away. At first, this may seem like the thing to do. You will save time and money if you read, study and and get input from other homeschoolers first. It is important to know why you want to homeschool before you completely explore how you will teach. The following books are some to consider reading before you open your home school:

• Educating the Whole-Hearted Child,
  By Clay and Sally Clarkson

• Homeschooling for Excellence,
  By David and Micki Colfax

• For The Children’s Sake,
  By Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

• Homespun Schools, Homestyle Teaching, and The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook,
  By Raymond and Dorothy Moore

• The Home School Manual,
  By Theodore Wade et. al.

If you are unable to locate copies of these books in stores or in the public library, contact FHE to find out how you can borrow a copy.

There are a few things to consider when choosing curriculum. You might choose to use one of the major homeschool curriculum suppliers--this is usually the most expensive approach.

You can buy complete curriculums all at once or you might choose the unit study approach. This teaches all subjects from one central theme. You might choose to learn about the solar system and incorporate other subjects around that theme.

There is also the work-book approach. There is less preparation time with something like that.

You may even choose one of the computer curriculums.

Then there is the mix and match approach (which is what most families end up using.)

Choose whatever works best for you and your children. And don't worry, you can always modify it for your family.

If you purchase curriculum you do not like, check the vendor's return policy (it is a good idea to do that BEFORE ordering!) If you can't send it back for a full refund, sell it as slightly used. Consider the expense not as a loss, but the cost for a lesson learned!

You might like to visit For the Love of Learning. They will do free personal consultation on choosing the right curriculum for you.

When you choose a type of curriculum, try to find one that fits your child's learning style. At the bottom of this page are a list of links to help you discover your child's learning style and the different teaching methods you may choose to incorporate into your homeschooling.

There are 5 basic curriculum types:

• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• Unit Studies - learning all disciplines while studying one area
• Eclectic - mix & match
• Unschooling - unstructured learning through living

Take the time to really get to know your children. This makes curriculum and other purchases for your school easier. If you have access to a public library, you might not have to buy a thing for a while. Having a love of learning, an inquisitive nature, and creative imagination are some important tools for an educational life.
Take the time necessary to really get to know and love your family. Home education allows you and your family a closeness not allowed by other educational settings. You'd be surprised what you learn when you know you are nurtured and loved!
Take the time to consider these thoughts:

1. Seek wisdom for best solutions in your situation.
2. Be willing to adapt to changes as needed.
3. Be easy on yourself regarding your expectations.
4. Set simple goals, especially in the beginning.
5. Realize the impact the adjustments of home education may have on your family.
6. Be willing to listen to each other and learn!
7. Profit from what each member brings to the family.
8. Treat each family member with love and respect.
9. Ask for understanding from friends or family members who may not comprehend home education at first. Proof is in the fruits.
10. Seek the counsel of veteran homeschoolers to help avoid burnout.

Links for Teaching Methodologies

• A Comparison of Different Methods & Approaches to Home Education
  
• Let's learn about learning styles!
  
• Learning styles Links
  
• Classical Christian Homeschooling - Classical Education Theory
  
• A Charlotte Mason Education

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