Welcome to the Adventure of Homeschooling!

There is a lot of support and opportunity in the “homeschool world,” and you’ll find a ton of great resources out there to help you on your journey! After attending public school, I was homeschooled during the 90’s from 7th through 11th grade, graduated from private school, and graduated from college with a major and two minors. I have now been homeschooling my own children since 2012.

Why We Chose to Homeschool

When my daughter was approaching school age, I just knew as a mom that there was no way I was going to send her away anywhere for that number of hours. It didn’t seem right for me to send her off to her wonderful grandparents for that long, much less to an institution. In my mind, it just wasn’t an option. My husband supported me, and we agreed that private school was not an affordable option and we didn’t trust the public school system. I know there are wonderful teachers; our problem wasn’t with them – it was with the institution and the atmosphere of schools. So, we made the decision to live on my husband’s income and homeschool.

Let me be honest – I do not have it all figured out, and I am always questioning our progress and methods, because each year is a little different from the one before it, but we are learning a lot along the way. I know we are doing the right thing for our family, and I feel very blessed to be with my children for as long as the plan to teach them at home continues.

What I’d Love to Share

Along the way, I’ve learned some tips and ideas that I would love to share with you. Whether you are new to homeschooling or you just feel like your homeschool is in a rut, keep reading for some tips that I hope you will find helpful regarding homeschool opportunities, finances, books, planning, and encouragement! Also, follow @SandpiperCreatives on Facebook for more ideas!

INVOLVEMENT & OPPORTUNITIES

COMMUNITY

We have sought to become involved in a homeschool group wherever we live. Having like-minded moms off whom I can bounce ideas and concerns and can share successes has been wonderful for me, and my children have such quality friends. It really is refreshing for all of us. We are also involved in our local church and have extra-curricular activities or enrichment opportunities that arise. One thing I love about homeschooling is that we choose to build relationships and have fun with friends of all ages. Not sure if there is a homeschool group in your area? Trying searching HSLDA.org for a group in your area. Also search Facebook!

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Homeschool group opportunities, field trips, museums, festivals, volunteering, music lessons, sports, even errands – There is no limit to learning and growing. And keep your eyes open for discounts on admission. Also, watch for opportunities to schedule extra-curricular activities during the day. For example, the local gymnastics place wants business during the day when everyone else is at school and work, so this may be the perfect time to get into a less-filled class! Most homeschool groups do a great job through the organization and through Facebook of keeping members aware of local happenings and deals. And there are other helpful sources, too, that can help you stay informed.

OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY BE OFFERED IN YOUR AREA

FINANCES

FINANCIAL CHOICES

Whether it is raining money at your house or you are struggling to stay afloat, most of us are still making the choice to make less money than we could if we were choosing to work full-time. It is a financial sacrifice no matter what your original income level. So, when you start comparing yourself to the Jones’, please give yourself a break. You may not look as successful on your bank statement, but remember what you traded it for! You travel at will, your children have more time with extended family, you aren’t concerned for your children’s safety, your kids get along great with people of all ages, your family is outside playing on that random winter day in the 70’s, you don’t have to meet the bus, your struggling speller is really starting to get it! And the list of benefits goes on. My husband often hears from co-workers, “I wish I could stay home with my kids!” To which he responds, “You can. You may have to downsize your house or put less money into your vehicles or make other sacrifices, but you can. It’s a choice.”

BUYING & SELLING BOOKS/MATERIALS

Curriculum does not have to be expensive! Much of it depends on the companies you choose, but buying used is always helpful. Also, keep in mind that if you re-use a curriculum with siblings, you will only be purchasing the Teacher’s Manual and text book once. And depending on how you use consumables, you may be able to copy and re-use those, as well. You’ll get creative! Take care of your materials, and you can re-sell them once you’re completely finished with them! Also, if you combine students for a subject, you may only be buying one science curriculum (as an example). Here are some places I look for materials, but there are plenty of others!…

RainbowResources.com – Before buying new, I always look for it on this site first. It usually beats even Amazon and ChristianBook.com
HomeschoolClassifieds.com – not the most beautiful interface, but a good place to buy and sell.
Homeschool Curriculum Marketplace Facebook Group
AbeBooks.com – Before buying any book, I always check here first. If you don’t mind used, you can get books here (check the condition) for a great price!
Facebook Groups – If you use a lot of a particular curriculum, search Facebook to see if that company has a specific Sale group that you can take advantage of!

SKIP BUYING TESTS & ANSWER KEYS (maybe)

One way you may save a little money and space on your bookshelf is by considering if you really need the tests. Many curricula have separate Test booklets/sheets/books that may not be necessary if you are working with younger grades and teaching them directly. You probably already have a good grasp on whether or not your child knows that material or not. Some curricula have a chapter review or cumulative review, so sometimes I just treat those as tests and call it good in the elementary years. Also many curricula have workbooks which come with Answer Keys. In the lower grades, you may not need these answer keys, since you are already working closely with the student and hopefully already understand the material.

PROTECTING YOUR BOOKS FROM WEAR

Want to get the longest life out of your books? Wrap shipping tape neatly around the edges, to help your books last longer and look better (and sell better, too)!

CURRICULUM COST TRACKING

When I buy new curriculum, I like to stick a post it inside the cover that tells me where I bought it and for how much. That helps me later to have a quick idea of how much I want to price it for when I sell it. Or where I purchased it from if I’m interested in purchasing the next grade level.

NO SHAME IN FRUGALITY

Next time you are in the school/office supply section (or really any part) of Walmart, keep your eyes peeled for display boxes that are empty or practically empty. They are going to be trashed, so why not rescue them and turn them into organizers for your stuff. I have a sturdy box that WAS holding 3-ring binders at the store, but it is perfect for meeting a need I have with one of our curricula!

CURRICULUM COMPANY SALES

Once you have decided which curricula/programs/courses are going to work best, ask to find out when they have any sales or deals. They may have one coming up, and if you wait a couple more weeks, you can get in on it. Or maybe they won’t have another one until the next year, but now you know! Many companies have discounts if you visit them at a Homeschool Convention, so you may want to check in to that option, as well. (Homeschool Conventions are wonderful, and if you can’t find one close to where you live, you can register for one online.) And keep your eyes open for opportunities to test out a curriculum for free for a few months before you commit.

BOOKS & LEARNING

CATHY DUFFY CURRICULUM REVIEWS

Cathy Duffy Reviews is a great resource when you’re trying to weigh the pros and cons of a potential curriculum. And there are a lot of great options out there! If you are nervous about teaching, there are wonderful curricula that will take you step-by-step, lesson-by-lesson through everything you need to teach your child. And there are also video options where a teacher teaches your child through the screen.

THIS CURRICULUM ISN’T WORKING!

It happens. Your child just isn’t getting it! Ask yourself these questions…

Am I the problem? Sometimes, the reason my child isn’t “getting it,” is because I’m not teaching it correctly or because I have run out of patience and just need to stick with it.
Is my child just not ready? Maybe developmentally, my child just isn’t ready for this material. Maybe they need to be eased into it more gently or maybe they need to back up and cover this material later, when they are ready to grasp it more easily.
Is the curriculum a bad fit? Sometimes, this is the case. We may just need something different for any variety of reasons.

Now before chucking the curriculum, consider that sometimes learning is just hard. I can’t tell you how many homeschool families I’ve talked to who felt stuck and frustrated with teaching/learning multiplication, for example. Each of these families used different curriculum from one another and they all thought that the problem was the curriculum. In most cases, though, it was just one of those times when the student has to learn to press on and try harder. That’s a good lesson to learn, too!

REVIEW GAMES FOR EVERYONE

Pull out your favorite board game. Have a stack of cards or list of questions for each child in front of you. (Maybe Maggie has a stack of spelling words, Jake has a list of history questions, and Linny has a stack of math flashcards.) Before a player moves on the board, they have to correctly answer one of their questions. Super easy. We also enjoy pulling out our bean bags or ping pong balls from time to time. When an answer is correct, the child gets to attempt a toss into an empty box or bucket.

COMBINING GRADES

History, Science, Art, etc… Don’t teach every subject at every grade level if it isn’t necessary. You will feel more sane, and you’re children may retain the information better because they are able to discuss the same things and work on projects together.

MY FAVORITES

Kimberly’s Homeschool Favorites on Pinterest
Janelle Knutson Reviews & Recommendations on YouTube – This lady is terrific! I discovered her while looking for some reviews on a particular curriculum in which I was interested. Her ideas on what’s best for her kids and the way they “do homeschool” in general lined up so much with my own observations and feelings about our home. That gave me the courage to try some things she recommended, and I’m so glad I did! I’m a huge fan! You can also check out her website.

PLANNING

PLANNING “OFF DAYS”

When you plan your upcoming school year, I recommend that you go ahead and plan in extra days (besides holidays) for times when you are feeling burned out or the kids are sick or you have a sudden opportunity to go on a trip! At the beginning of a school year, I am so fired up and ready to pour everything I have into teaching my children and watching them learn that it’s hard to imagine burning out around early November. But it happens to me. every. single. year. And it knocks me out for days. I finally learned to just expect these times and add them into the calendar, so that when they hit, I don’t have to feel guilty for taking a break and re-charging. On days when your kiddo is sick and unable to handle school as usual, consider letting them explore and learn through videos from the comfort of their bed. There are many free and fun videos and tours to enjoy. Check out our list of Free Video and Interactive Resources!

“MOMMY, I NEED YOU”

If your children are still at the age when they aren’t doing much of their work independently, you’ll likely find holes of time when child A is ready to move on or needs your help, but you are busy teaching child B and it isn’t a good time to stop. To keep child A waiting nearby patiently but productively, I keep a folder/binder/box (whatever works) with extra work for them to do. It’s a great place to put extra activities or stories from children’s magazines or extra review pages from last year’s workbook or whatever you find or think up. Sometimes it’s just a fun maze, other times it may be a short writing assignment. But it keeps them concentrating and [mostly] quiet while they wait for you.

TEACHING & LEARNING STYLES

If you haven’t already discovered it, you’ll soon find out that in any handful of homeschool families you will find a plethora of different methods and suggestions for teaching and learning. Our schools look rather different from one another! Don’t let that be overwhelming – let it be encouraging! Some of us have a more traditional text book approach, some love unit studies, some are eclectic, and so on. Some prefer one “boxed” curriculum for everything, while others mix and match, and still others create their own. You will discover what works best for your family, so ask questions and enjoy exploring the various options available to you! Look up Homeschool Conventions in your area! Large or small, these events will give you an opportunity to put your hands on different curricula, ask questions, and receive insight and encouragement from seasoned homeschoolers.

CURRICULUM REMORSE

When you’ve spent a lot of money on an awesome curriculum and invested a lot of time into making it work, but it just isn’t going well…. what do you do? Check out the “Should We Switch Curriculum NOW?” article which offers some advice and questions to ask yourself as you decide how to proceed!

HIGH SCHOOL RECORD KEEPING

If you have a student(s) entering or already in high school, watch the video “Homeschool High School: Records” by Janelle Knutson to help you get started with record keeping!

ENCOURAGEMENT

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

With a lot of time committed to teaching your children plus the emotional and physical energy that goes into meeting all their needs all day long, you are sure to find that life looks and feels different than before. That’s okay. That’s normal. For the most part, I find homeschooling to be a joy, because I appreciate the importance and investment of what we are doing for our children. But that does not mean that every day goes smoothly or that my children just love doing their work or that it comes super easy to them. We have rough patches and rough days and rough subjects. And by the way, just because your child may be struggling in a subject doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something wrong with the curriculum or you or your child – sometimes learning just takes some extra effort! And pushing through and working hard, is an important lesson, too! As my friend Lewesla had to remind me one time when I thought I was at my breaking point, “Your children are still seeds and seedlings. You have to really work hard to keep the garden watered, pull all the weeds, keep the soil full of nutrients, and more. But one day, you’ll have an amazing harvest, and it will be worth it!”

YOU’RE AMAZING

Besides the fact that school teachers are teaching one age/grade one subject at a time, you, my strong and committed friends, are probably teaching every subject to more than one age/grade. And if that isn’t remarkable enough, remember that while most teachers are certified in an area and teach a select number of grades which they work on and perfect over time, you are basically teaching every subject to different grade levels every year! Whooo! That’s an accomplishment!

ENJOY YOUR CHILDREN

Enjoy being with your children while you have them. These are the years to instill values, set an example of loving God, and show them love every single day. Don’t miss opportunities to snuggle together on the couch for reading, make them a special cup of tea during English, or pass baseball with them after lunch. Every day is a blessing and a treasure!

THERE IS HELP

The great news is that no one knows your children better than you, and even on your worst day, your children are safe and loved and nurtured. Please reach out when you need advice, help, recommendations, or a friend. There are so many homeschooling families who are eager to help and who really do understand where you’re coming from. Even the curriculum companies are happy to help you make the most of their materials. I just give them a call and share my concern!

All the best to you on YOUR great endeavor to educate and raise your children with the vision and tools God has provided you!

by Kimberly Farmer

Dealing with Emergency/Crisis Times

Emergencies of all kinds happen, so there are all sorts of reasons you may have found yourself suddenly asking, “But what about school?” Whether you have suddenly found yourself at home teaching your children because of medical, financial, or legal reasons, or whether you made a quick gut decision to keep them at home for more personal reasons, you may be finding yourself now overwhelmed and wondering what to do next. Particularly when you haven’t already been considering it, planning for it, and talking about it, homeschooling can be an overwhelming thought, and depending on the time of year, it may be an odd time to be investing in an expensive program, especially if you aren’t confident in your research or situation. I realize there isn’t a blanket answer for everyone, but these suggestions may give you a solid place begin! First off, please know that there is hope and there are amazing resources, and you are going to figure this out. Don’t panic. Pray, think, reach out, and take it one decision at a time…

Homeschoolers Refusing to Comply Beyond the Law

Know the Law and Follow It

As homeschoolers, should we follow the law? Absolutely. If you are unsure about the laws for homeschoolers in your state, a great starting place is to find the website for your state-wide homeschool group (Note that “State Homeschool Group” is referring to the location of the state, not to the government). You can also click on your state on HSLDA’s map to find out the homeschooling laws in your state.

Info Requested by Your County or State

Now that we have that settled and none of us are going to be penalized, fined, or put in jail :), let’s talk about those letters and forms that the school district may send out periodically to some of us. They may ask things like if you have a college degree, what the exact dates are that you will be in school, if your child has learning disabilities, or what specific topics will be covered in each subject. They may request that you fill out a form about your family or educational choices. If this info is not required by law, don’t answer. Don’t disclose any information beyond what you are required by law to disclose. And I’ll tell you why…

Instructional Days Tracker

Most states require homeschool students to study for a certain number of instructional days. For 30 of the states, that number of days is 180, but the number of days for the rest of the states varies between a little under 170 to 181 days, and in a few states, the regulation doesn’t apply at all. Respecting this law is important, because breaking it can mean penalties, fines, or sentences.

Fortunately, tracking our number of school days is much easier than actually getting through them, right? While I do use a planner/calendar to keep track of our daily and monthly responsibilities, I prefer to keep our number of instructional days on a separate paper that I can easily slip into my “Master Binder” at the end of the year. My “Master Binder,” as I refer to it, is where I keep important and legal documentation related to our home school.

Getting Started