My friend e-mailed me this week asking for some kind of presentation she could give to a group of parents at her children's Private Christian school. Some of them are considering homeschooling as an option (likely after graduation from grade eight) for their kids and this is what I wrote back to her.
For me, it was a whole lot of research and prayer. Here are some websites you can check out.
http://www.studentsforlife.net/ontario.html
http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/
http://www.donnayoung.org/forms/help/newbie.htm
http://www.ochec.org/
http://www.homehearts.com/beechick.html
Louise House is always willing to talk with and help Mom's choosing curriculum and she is right in Goderich, in a wonderful store.
http://www.learninghouse.ca/
"Blair Warner", remember her from the show The Facts of Life? She, Lisa Welchel, has written some really great books, one entitled "So You're Thinking About Homeschooling?" that covers a lot of the basics and is available from Focus on the Family, or probably even Chapters. As a matter of fact, Chapters has quite a selection of books to read about beginning homeschooling. The Public Library would be another great place to start.
I asked around at West London Alliance church and Mindy (bless her heart) had me over for tea and had asked a bunch of homeschooling Moms to bring over their particular curriculum so I could look it over when I was just beginning.
The big homeschool conference will be coming up, in Kitchener, in April, and it features speakers and curriculum vendors.
To the Mom considering homeschooling:
I would personally say that the two biggest determining factors, seriously, are these: do you really feel God is asking you (calling you, if you want to say that ) to do this? and do you really love spending lots (like, ridiculously lots) of time with your children? You need to know that God is asking you to homeschool because there will be times, maybe even every day for a while, that you experience doubt or frustration, especially if your children have been previously schooled elsewhere. It is a big adjustment for everyone, not just Mom. The kids need time to just "be" and not have to perform for academic reasons for a while, even a few months. They need time to adjust, more-so if they have been in a Public setting as opposed to a Christian school setting, where the parent could even purchase the same curriculum that the child has been used to.
Realize that you, Mom, will now be wearing all hats all the time, without the breaks from your children that you have been accustomed to. Also, many times others, though well-intentioned, do not always understand or appreciate the fact that you are not just "at home relaxing" and you cannot come over at a moment's notice for tea or lunch ... you have children that need your attention. You are now both teacher and homework helper. It can be tiring to say the least.
Hopefully you have family and friends to support you. Do understand, as well, that not everyone will understand or even appreciate what you are trying to do through homeschooling. You will be challenged ... and you will also be rewarded.
Home really is cool. (thanks for asking)
p.s. and if you're really lucky, no one will even be able to tell that you homeschool! (don't tell the Mom's this one, though!)
Kristina
