How Do I Start Homeschooling?

You’ve made the decision. You are ready to go, but you don’t know where to start? Here’s a few essential steps to get you on your way:

1. Know Your Why

Take some time to make sure this is cemented. You really need this foundation—believe me! Use my free ebook to help you through this process.

2. Be Responsible

Know your legal obligations. Take all the steps to make sure you are homeschooling correctly under your state law. Some require notifications, some require enrollment in a specified organization—make sure you know what is required and take the steps to get this important part settled. Visit http://hslda.org for up-to-date requirements for every state. (Psst…don’t trust your best friend on this one. It’s kind of like trusting your plumber to give you tax advice. Make sure you know it for yourself. )

3. Evaluate Educational Needs

Take a moment to evaluate where you need to start educationally. The parents with kindergarten students will have it easiest. If you are starting at any other point, you will need to see where your student is academically, and often emotionally.

How to do that? First, look though previous schoolwork, and now is a great time to study those standardized test results. You can also give placement tests to your student for major subjects. Most curricula companies offer these tests for free.

4. Decide on the Big Three

Make sure you have the materials to teach the Big Three: Reading, Writing, and Math. These subjects are the foundation of anything else a student studies. Having these settled will help you get started confidently.

Ready? Set. Go!

Now, you can have a strong start. You won’t have it all perfect or all figured out, but at least you can start moving.

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For more information about beginning to homeschool, click here to view my posts for new homeschoolers.