Welcome Back to School :: Homeschool Edition

Welcome Back to School :: Homeschool Edition

Are you excited, too? The beginning of the school year is full of excitement, anticipation, and many decisions. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking for fresh ideas, these insights should help you start the new school year positively. Before we jump into these resources, I’ll give you a little background on me and my journey.

Who Am I?

I’m a mom of six children aged 22, 21, 19, 16, 14, and 5, who has exclusively homeschooled. We have a college graduate, a senior and junior in college, a junior in high school, one in middle school, and one just getting started. We have predominantly homeschooled in community, which provided us with the accountability, support, and social interaction we needed. However, it isn’t everyone’s experience, and that’s okay too. The beauty of homeschooling is its flexibility. I’m the founder of NOLA Homeschoolers, a group offering field trips, classes, and information for area homeschoolers. I’ve gathered a wealth of experience that I’m excited to share with you. 

 If You’re New to the Journey:

1. List Your Top Three Reasons: Write down your top three reasons for homeschooling and prominently place them. When it gets hard, and it will, you can reexamine your reasons to see if school is the answer.
2. Define Education for Yourself: Spend time reflecting on what you wish you would have learned, what blind spots you had as a young adult, or what is missing now (like cursive in some schools), and decide if it will become a part of your guiding principles.
3. Understand Learning Styles: Understanding your and your child’s (ren) learning style will enhance the experience for everyone involved.
4. Determine Your Educational Philosophy: If you love a Montessori approach, the best classical program will not meet your needs. Accept that the approach you like may not work for your child or all of your children.
5. Register with the State: Ensure you follow the necessary legal requirements by registering with the state and unenrolling from the last school if needed. In LA, we are required to register annually.

Getting Started with Homeschooling

Involve Your Kids:

• Shopping Together: Make school shopping a family affair. Let your kids pick out their notebooks, pens, backpacks, and other supplies. This can add excitement and anticipation for the new school year.
• Setting a Budget: Curriculum, extracurricular activities, field trips, hobbies, school supplies, library fines, and meals all add up and should be part of your budget to avoid surprises.
• Identify Your Space: Determine where you will homeschool, whether it’s at desks, the kitchen table, the family room, a dedicated school room, in the car, the library, or the park. If working from home reduces productivity, consider alternative locations.

Plan and Organize:

• Determine a Start Date: If you are participating in a coop or program with a start date, it’s decided. Otherwise, you can choose! Some families start after Labor Day, while others homeschool year-round.
• Use a Large Calendar: Fill in known dates such as field trips, family vacations, holidays, and breaks at the beginning of the year. This helps everyone know what to expect and teaches time management.
• Flexible Scheduling: Decide how many days a week you want to homeschool. It doesn’t have to be five days; it can be three or even six, depending on what works best for your family. In LA, we must homeschool for 180 days, which is 20 days a month following a 9-month year.

Incorporate Children’s Interests:

• Learning Preferences: Include your children’s interests in the curriculum. Ask them what new hobby, skill, or topic they want to learn. This will make learning fun and foster a love for lifelong learning.
• Managing Expectations: Set realistic boundaries and expectations about activities outside of academics. Limit extracurricular activities if needed to maintain a balanced schedule. Discuss these options as a family.

Structured Flexibility in Curriculum:

• Evaluate and Adjust: Be open to changing the curriculum if it’s not working. Assess whether difficulties are due to the curriculum itself or other factors, such as being above or below the level being taught. If you’re floating on your back, it’s too easy; if you’re drowning, it’s too hard; learning happens when you are swimming laps.
• Research and Community: Research a curriculum thoroughly before committing to it. Homeschool conventions and online communities can provide valuable insights, but consider your family’s unique situation.
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  Additional Tips for a Successful School Year

• Create a List of Do’s and Don’ts: Help your kids manage their expectations and responsibilities by setting clear guidelines. For example, the television doesn’t come on until work is finished, our days start by 10 a.m., or we schedule mini-quick clean sessions before meals.
• Stay Flexible: Understand that what works for one family or child might not work for another. Customize your homeschooling approach to suit your family’s unique needs and circumstances.
• Personalize It: Take back-to-school pictures, follow themed weeks, or celebrate 100 days of school if you desire. Celebrate Bastille Day or National Ice Cream Day- your choice!
• Let It Go: Once you’re at peace with your decision, you don’t owe anyone an explanation. No one has the right to quiz your child, nor should you ask your child to perform for well-intended friends or family. You do what you believe is best for your child based on the available information, tools, and resources.
• Maintain Relationships: If this is your first year and your child has relationships they wish to maintain, make time for that. Schedule a weekly activity or play date, but be prepared for relationships to shift, as some relationships are situational.
• Household Management: Meal plans are extremely helpful, especially on your busier days. Finding a cleaning schedule that works for your family will reduce frustrations and feelings of inadequacy, and learning how to manage a house is an invaluable life skill for your children, so it doesn’t have to fall exclusively on your shoulders.

I wish you a wonderful school year filled with joy and learning. Embrace the flexibility of homeschooling and create a nurturing and supportive environment for your children. This year, exciting new developments are happening in the Greater Metro Area; follow us to learn more! If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at NOLA Homeschoolers [email protected].

Wednesday, September 4th from 5-6:30

Algiers Regional—large meeting room

Homeschooling Hub: Library Resources and a Q&A with NOLA Homeschoolers  and S.E.R.V.E.

Hosted by the New Orleans Public and the Jefferson Parish Libraries

Come to hear about library resources that support homeschooling, and stay to ask questions from experienced homeschool organizers.  Light snacks will be provided; parents only, please!