You know my favorite parts of the party: the music is already on, the food is already out and the party is already going!
The music is already on: Let’s face it, we need thank our hosts—and in this case, it’s those those that fought for the right to homeschool and opened the door for us to join. And while homeschooling has “come along way, Baby!” we cannot forget about those that were there in the beginning.
http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/washingtontimes/200807070.asp
http://mhla.org/information/resourcesarticles/holtorigins.htm
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/233/holt.html
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-294.html
The food is already out: There are many homeschooling support groups available to you to provide nutrition to your homeschooling. Local groups, statewide groups, and online forums are available to help you navigate the newbie maze that is filled with questions and concerns.
When you begin homeschooling (regardless of the “when”), I suggest that you start with some sites that are specifically set up for new homeschoolers:
A2Zhomeschool: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/directory/Beginning.htm
A2Zhomeschool: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/
Eclectic Homeschool Organization (EHO): http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/directory/Beginning.htm
Automation Consulting and Supply, Inc (ASCI): http://www.oddparts.com/missions/beginhomeschool.htm
BestHomeschooling: http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/christine_webb.html
The Top 100 Educational Websites for 2010 (Homeschooling.com): http://www.homeschool.com/articles/Top100-2010/default.asp
And for 2009: http://www.homeschool.com/articles/top100-2009/default.asp
GuiltFreeHomeschooling: http://guiltfreehomeschooling.org/blog/2005/05/homeschool-support-groups-co-op-classes-the-basics.html
Now is the time to start participating in some mom’s meetings, park days, field trips, and co-ops.
The party is already going: Homeschooling is an adventure. To help you to feel welcomed to the party, I recommend picking up a couple of books to read (and most of these can be accessed through your local library): The Three-R’s, One-Volume Edition (Ruth Beechick), You Can Teach Your Child Successfully (Ruth Beechick), and For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home & School (Susan Schaeffer).
To learn more about homeschooling methods, please check out this site by A2Zhomeschool: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/methods/Methods.htm
AVKO: http://www.avko.org/Info/homeschool/methods.html
Utilize the information that is that there! Search the internet, ask questions to the homeschoolers that you meet, and enjoy the party!
–Rebecca Miller
