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Homeschool
Where to Begin
Take time if you can. I suggest trying to plan ahead if possible, like the spring or summer before to spend time doing the following:
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Breathe. Snuggle. Toast a cup of tea.
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Embrace your freedom as a homeschooler! to do "school" a million different ways - you are free to find YOUR way!
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Hang out with other homeschool families that are enjoying their experience to get inspired. BUT, also remind yourself that your journey does not need to look any which way, look like anyone else's or produce the same results as anyone else. Homeschooling is truly choosing the path you see fit for your child, adapting and flowing as you feel your way through it, and having fun learning with your child! Don't judge others' journeys. Pictured to the right are my two youngest girls. One is eclectically homeschooling and one is in a full-time classical school. They couldn't be more opposite of learning experiences, but they are both very happy in their chosen environments. I happily support them both!
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Come visit one of our events to meet other homeschool parents, go "shopping" in the resource fair to see all of the local education resources, and get excited... together!
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We also have a big library of homeschool resources (huge actually, so narrow your search by things that matter to you like location, approach, or grade levels)
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Investigate different style of homeschooling and imagine yourself using any of them to see it they fit. Here is a FANTASTIC video on homeschooling approaches.
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Investigate options for curriculum. There are a million (literally) options and it can be overwhelming. Skip to our Curriculum page for some guidance on this topic.
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Test out your ideas and educational tools on your kiddo. Give them the opportunity to choose for themselves what they like! Have fun getting to know your child in this new way and if something feels like you are pulling teeth to get them to do it, throw it out! There are plenty of other ways. Here is a great article on learning styles in homeschooling.
(stepping off my soap box now, LOL). I have blogged about my personal homeschool journey this year (see below).
We don't always have time to plan ahead. Life happens and sometimes we are shoved into homeschooling by unforeseen circumstances. Don't worry, friend. We are here for you. Fill out a contact form or give us a call anytime. We will do our best to support you.
I couldn't have said it better myself!
(So, I didn't - here is a great video intro to homeschooling. Her journey is faith-based, but a great intro for secular as well.)
My Homeschool Journey Blog
Sora Schools
Private Online School for 6th-12th Grade
Where students love learning through live classes and personalized projects
Sora is an online school for 6-12th grade, offering live, interactive classes. We serve students seeking a flexible, engaging, and personalized education. We support learners who want academic rigor, social connection, and the freedom to explore their interests.
Supercharged Science
The science curriculum you’ll find here is self-guiding, so your kids can do it on their own. Also, it’s very hands-on, so you’re kids won’t be reading boring lessons from a book – they’ll be doing real science, like real scientists do in the lab. I promise they will learn more science AND enjoy it more in 2 months that they will from a typical year of “traditional” science education.
TEACH Northwest Public Charter School
Mercola school district charter school that serves all of Oregon. This school is one of the only accredited schools that still adhere to a proficiency based concept. They offer some online classes, but primarily operates as a very hands-off homeschooling support.
St. Anne Catholic School
St. Anne Catholic School is very dedicated to prolonging our student's innocence. In today’s world, our children lose their wholesomeness way too soon and are forced into growing up well before their time.
At St. Anne Catholic School we take pride in preserving a child’s youth as long as possible, and therefore as community members, I’m asking your help in finding those families who feel the same.
Surf Term
Surf Term is a fully immersive, non-traditional learning experience that empowers 6th-8th graders to stretch their limits in every way imaginable. For five weeks, students trade mind-numbing lectures for accelerated academics, smartphones for expert surfing instruction, and everyday pressures for unforgettable adventures in the rainforests and warm Pacific waters of Costa Rica.
Teaching Textbooks
A fully online K-12 math curriculum. Pros: very low cost. no book work. take anywhere (works great on a tablet). fun. low time commitment. automatically test/assess. Cons: students may not score well on some standardized tests because the method of teaching does not always prepare students for the way questions are asked on standardized tests. However, here is a great review from a mom whose student successfully used it and scored great on SAT/ACT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8nxEWz8T4E&authuser=0