So how cool is this you can make pages for your blog that are kind of about you pages or helpful pages. So here's to one about getting started homeschooling. I've meant to do this for a long time. I'm borrowing most of the information from a recent blog post. This I can keep in the same space and edit as needed.
Hey all you folks who come to see what I have been doing with fiber I regret I've been too busy doing stuff with fiber and spending time with my family to blog. Right now, I'm taking the time to post something about homeschooling because I've been getting lots of questions and need a one stop place to send new hoemschoolers. So new homeschoolers in Kansas and those contacting me locally in Lawrence. Here you go! If you knit, spin and like to cook you might like my blog too. Maybe I'll be around more often this year and maybe not.
Homeschooling in Kansas - How to homeschool in Kansas
Join a local list or two:
Lawrence Area Homeschool Network Yahoo List (LAHN) is a secular, inclusive homeschooling group to support families and encourage homeschooling in Lawrence, Kansas and surrounding areas. LAHN values diversity and requests participants to be considerate to all people and faiths. Our common bond is homeschooling. Most of our meetings will be social in nature, although members are encouraged to share their skills through classes, activities or organizing field trips. This list is pretty quiet these but I assure you we are a friendly bunch and even more so in person. We currently meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. I started this list and group about 7 years ago. I'm not as active in facilitation stuff as I was. I still got to group twice a week.
Topeka Area Homeschool Network Yahoo List (TAHN) We are a secular inclusive homeschooling group whose main focus is facilitating social activities in the Topeka, Kansas Area. We value tolerance, acceptance and respect for individuals regardless of age, race or religion. We recognize and celebrate diversity. Members use a variety of methods to homeschool their children. We recognize learning happens at all ages in a variety of ways and that there is not one right way to homeschool.
So you've dealt with the legal issues and joined a local group. Now what? First you breath. Then start reading anything you can get your hands on about learning and homeschooling. The more you read about homeschooling the better questions you can ask so you can get the help you are looking for. Watch your kids and observe how they learn.
Some good books to read. My top 5 at least it was about 10 years ago!
Learning all the time -John C. Holt
Child's Work: Taking Children's Choices Seriously - Nancy Wallace (might be out of print)
Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense - David Guterson
Homeschooling Book of Answers - Linda Dobson
Deschooling Our Lives - Matt Hern
Meeting Children’s Unique Learning Needs:
Punished By Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes-Alfie Kohn
In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Multiple Intelligences - Thomas Armstrong
Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences-Howard Gardner
Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century - Howard Gardner
More books to read for the parent who reads too much.
Dumbing Us Down: Curriculum of Compulsory Education - John Taylor Gatto
Better Than School: One Family's Declaration of Independence – Nancy Wallace
Christian Unschooling : Growing Your Children in the Freedom of Christ-Teri J. Brown, Elissa M. Wahl
The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom-Mary Griffith
Homeschooling for Excellence-David Colfax, Micki Colfax
And the Skylark Sings with Me-David H. Albert
The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom-Mary Griffith
Homeschooling for Excellence-David Colfax, Micki Colfax
And the Skylark Sings with Me-David H. Albert
Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook: Preparing Your 12- to 18-Year-Old for a Smooth Transition-Cafi Cohen, Linda Dobson
The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education-Grace Llewellyn
Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don't Go to School-Grace Llewellyn
If school was a bad experience you may need some time to deschool. Deschooling gives your time decompress from the stress of school and move to the kind of learning you want to do with your kids. Having kids home full time takes some adjustment if your kids have been in school for a while.
While you deschool don't worry about curriculum. Spend time with your kids and learn about homeschooling.
While you deschool don't worry about curriculum. Spend time with your kids and learn about homeschooling.
What kind of homeschooling will you do? Eclectic, classical, school at home, unschooling.
Ann Zeise has a fantastic website to get you started here.
My family unschools. I'm inspired by things found on here and here. You can find other posts I've written about unschooling on my blog as well here.
Let me know if this is helpful and anything else you think I might add. Mostly this is the basics to get you started.
Okay the formatting sucks for the book list - formatting is better.
