Homeschool

If you want to hang with the best moms in the Houston homeschool community join us at the Greater Houston Moms Homeschool Group.

Girl walking through a field homeschool

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Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda!

Deciding to homeschool is a very personal and specific decision.  There are variables that make this not a one-size-fits all question.  And, a lot of the time, it may come down to just because you can, should you?

You wouldn’t be here without the thought crossing your mind so I’m going to pose some questions that you should consider before making the leap into Homeschool Land. I guarantee you few of us could just decide to do it and not end up drowning in guilt, insecurity, and an endless parade of options.

    • Are you frustrated with the school your child currently attends?
      • Is this decision a “knee-jerk” reaction to an incident?  Would taking a few days to reflect on it or speak to the appropriate teachers and/or administration help you work out the issue?
    • Would you like more control over your child[ren]’s education?
      • Do you want to allow your child more time to be a kid?
      • Do you want them to learn values from your home as opposed to state curriculum?
      • Do you feel like the school is not servicing your child’s needs appropriately (e.g. not following ARD directions or letting your gifted child coast because they’re done with everything and find worksheets boring.)
      • Do you want to expose your children to subjects that public school doesn’t teach, such as Latin, cursive, Turkish Underwater Basket Weaving?
      • Do you want your child to have the opportunity to learn in a more hands-on environment?
        • Are you prepared to pay for, travel to see, and/or arrange these experiences?
      • Do you want to be the one who gets to see the moment your child “gets it”?
    • Have you researched what it takes to start legally homeschooling?



  • Have you discussed it with your child’s other parent?  And, are you both in agreement? Is your child at least interested?
    • Do you have a child[ren] that you feel would benefit from a non-traditional instructional setting?
  • Do you want to be with your children all day? Do you enjoy being with them (no one is looking answer honestly!)?
    • Do you understand this may mean forgoing your career or taking a pay cut if you have to reduce the time your work?
    • Do you understand that homeschooling is equivalent to at least a part-time job? Even if you unschool you are still directing your child and helping them get the resources they are interested in, taking them to classes, etc.
    • Are you prepared to learn and read a lot as you research everything (from how children learn, how to teach to XYZ, who is Charlotte Mason how is she different from Maria Montessori, what’s the difference between a toad and a frog, what does snake poop look like? EVERYTHING.)
    • How are you going to handle teaching subjects that you are weak in?
  • Does your family have the resources or are they prepared to do what it takes to give your child the education and opportunities you want them to have?
    • Can you afford curriculum? There are no write offs here.  There are free and low-cost options available but they may not be what you want and you may have to spend a lot of time piecing it together exactly what you want if you can’t afford to buy it.
    • If full-time homeschooling does not work but you don’t want them back in regular school can you afford supplemental tutors or part-time programs?
  • Do you want the flexibility to travel whenever you want?
  • Do you want more family time?
  • Do you want your children to be able to sleep as much as they need to?
  • Are you worried about your child’s socialization? (That’s a trick question, Homeschoolers hate the topic of socialization because, particularly since we are based in a large city, we have more opportunities to “socialize” our children than kids in traditional 9-3pm schools)
    • Do you want your children to be able to play with each other and other children of various ages?
  • Can you handle the emotional responsibility of being the primary educator? You’re the one (usually) that the weight tends to fall on and with it, from time to time, comes feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and worry.  You can tell yourself not to compare your child to that nine-year old who is doing Trig or the Supermom who looks like she taught her children Latin, worked out, took a shower, put on makeup, AND got dinner ready, but sometimes you do.  It can be a heavy weight.
    • Can you handle making your child cry over math?  Obviously, this is not the goal but it happens more than you think it will.
    • Can you handle crying over math?  Frustration levels can run high in subjects that are not easily grasped by the student or they find boring.
  • Do you have a lot of friends who are doing it?  This is not something to go into over peer-pressure. A few bad days at school are not a good reason to homeschool.  It may look like it’s all park days and field trips but it’s not.
    • Where will you find support?
    • Are you prepared to deal with less-than supportive people (some of them might be people you love dearly, some might be random people in the grocery line being nosy about why your kids aren’t in school)?

I know it’s a lengthy list but consider it akin to those questions you were posed if you did pre-marriage counseling because for some of you it is going to be an 18+ year relationship.


Kids on a couch with computer and book

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I don’t want to read just show me the Quicklinks!

Homeschooling Houston Where Do I Begin and Do I Want To?

Families come to homeschooling for many different reasons.  Some come with an academic ferocity to bolster their child to greatness.  Others for more traditional reasons – religious beliefs or grappling with a learning difference that they felt were not being handled well by public schools.  Some want the flexibility to teach their children at their own pace or let the children really delve into and follow interests that may only be brushed in passing in a brick and mortar school.

Many turn to homeschooling because they have become disenchanted with public school but can’t afford private schools.  In a city as big as Houston and with a homeschool population in the many thousands, we have heard a myriad of stories that have led families to take that first step down the path to homeschooling.

The big question is do you really want to?  This is a really big question so I’m going to send you to our post, Should I Homeschool?, because it is truly a family decision that needs to be carefully contemplated before deciding to change your entire family dynamic.  Because it will.  Becoming parent and teacher is a big decision and it is not for everyone and that is okay.  Maybe what you need is just a different school or a tutor or a girl’s night out.  Frustration can make us really evaluate the choices we make for our family so you need to be really committed before you decide to make the kind of change that impacts your children’s futures.

From here on out, I’m going to assume you are on board.

Welcome! Now let’s get you started!

How to Begin

This one is easy. You just begin.  Texas is one of the best places to homeschool. Every homeschool is considered an unaccredited private school and you have enormous freedom to teach your children in the way you think is best.

All that is required from the state of Texas is that your “curriculum is designed to meet basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship.”

If you are starting at the beginning with a Preschooler or Kindergartner you do not need to inform the school district you may simply choose your method and get going.

If you are taking your child out of public school you do need to inform them.  But, that is all.  You do not have to use “accredited” curriculum or keep records, transcripts, or portfolios (though you may want to as you get into the high school years if your child is college bound).  Your child is not required to submit to state testing.  Your child will not be eligible for a state diploma or participation in school sports, electives, etc.  You are still entitled to services from your local school district such as speech therapy etc.

What you do need to do is send them a letter (or drop one off).  The letter is simply your letter of withdrawal and needs to include:




    • The day’s date,
    • A statement that the child is to begin homeschooling,
    • The date the homeschooling will begin, and
    • The parent or guardian’s signature.

Some districts have withdrawal forms but the letter is all that is legally required (disclaimer: not a lawyer but it clearly stated by the TEA).

If the school district suspects a child is being homeschooled they may request a letter of assurance from the parent.  Parents (or guardians) are not required to make a personal appearance with school officials or present curriculum for review.

Your Style

There are numerous styles of homeschooling and finding your perfect fit may take a little trial and error.  The way most parents begin is by replicating school at home. Sometimes down to the cute school desks and a large whiteboard.  There is comfort in familiarity for the parent who came up through traditional schooling.  Very few homeschoolers maintain this rigorous structure.  Mostly they abandon it because they realize they can.  They start discovering the awesome things that keep people homeschooling like the ability to be flexible (even if you’re a planner), to drop and go when you hear of an amazing experience that’s happening tomorrow, to be the one who gets to the see your kid’s “A-ha!” moments. Once you become more comfortable taking on the role of teacher-parent you can find your rhythm.

Personally, we have fluctuated and it took awhile to find our cadence and what I could handle and the kids were happy with.  Part of the “problem” is that there are so many opportunities for homeschoolers in Houston.  It is sort of the comparison of shopping at HEB and Aldi.  At HEB you can become overwhelmed with the sheer number of olive oil options.  Do I need it cold pressed, organic, extra light, swirled by fairies?!  When you swing by Aldi you get what you get.

I’m not advocating for “you get what you get” schooling. I am advocating with starting somewhere and exploring.  And, not feeling bad when you completely abandon that expensive curriculum that makes your kid cry and you take nature walks for two weeks and keep a journal instead.




All that being said you do need to start somewhere and the place I usually recommend to start with is Easy Peasy All-In-One Homeschool. I am not an affiliate (it’s FREE) but it is a really good place to start because it is comprehensive, it does include religion but it is extremely easy to strip out, and, as I mentioned, it is completely FREE.  Currently, it goes through middle school.  If you feel like you need to do something this is a good place to start.

Next, I would suggest visiting The Homeschool Store.  Here you can actually lay your hands on curriculum.  It has a small play area in the store so feel free to bring your kids.  If you are already researching options online then bring some printouts because there is absolutely no cell phone service in the building.

Once you’ve got a good idea for who you are and what your kids are like as students then I would say reach out and start looking for your homeschool tribe.  There are a lot of options for groups, classes, and co-ops but if you don’t know what you can handle these may actually make your week harder instead of easier.

When you are ready to reach out come join us in the Greater Houston Homeschoolers Group. It is private and for Houston-area based Homeschoolers.  If you are neither of those two things we have a public group and there is always the regular Greater Houston Moms Facebook page.

Also, check out our list of Houston Homeschooling Days and Ongoing Classes & Activities .

Going Back

Sometimes the need to homeschool is only temporary due to illness, sports, or travel, etc.  Sometimes the children ask to go back. Sometimes the parents decide they need to go back.  Going back into the public school system is very common and not at all a problem.  Each district has their own policies and procedures on how to re-enroll and assess the mastery level of homeschooled students. Simply call the school you are zoned to and they will guide you through the process.

Good luck and feel free to ask you questions, join in the conversation, or just lurk about here or in the groups!

 Quicklinks

COMMUNITY, CLASSES, ACTIVITIES 

CURRICULUM

HOMESCHOOLING ARTICLES & MISC.


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Fun with Phonograms

Reading is all about the phonograms.  There are so many theories out there and sight words absolutely have their place, but it all comes back down to being able to blend sounds together to make words.

Two of the more popular systems out there are All About Reading & Spell to Write and Read, both use 70 basic phonograms as the basis to successfully teaching a child to read.

In my school, we incorporate the letters with movement, but none of our cards had it all together in a nice easy way to go through it. Plus, it is kind of a pain to sort cards while you are jumping. So, I’ve compiled a slide show that shows the upper and lower case of each letter, its main sound(s), and a physical movement to do along with it (tying movement to the letter and sound cements it into a child’s memory).

This presentation is the basic 26 letter of the alphabet which is appropriate for beginning readers of pre-K through Kindergarten age – always depending on the readiness of your individual child.

I highly, recommend downloading the free All About Reading App to familiarize yourself with the proper pronunciation of each phonogram. And, say them out loud so you can correct any errors in your own pronunciation before teaching your child (for instance ‘duh’ for the letter d, instead of a clipped /d/ sound).

click here >>>>>   26 BASIC PHONOGRAMS 




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We’ve just added a great page to our directory that covers Houston Groups and Field Trip Opportunities!

Sometimes you just have to get a group together!  There are some great places to go and things to see with your group, be school, scout, or any other! Also, check out our Calendar of Events for information related to specific education days and events where groups are often welcome.

What kind of trip are you taking?

The list is sorted into the categories of Historical; Nature, Outdoors, & Animals; Theatre & the Arts; and STEM.

We are always looking to grow and expand the list so if you find something that would be an excellent addition please drop us a comment!




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Houston Homeschool Days and Ongoing Weekly Events & Activities 2016-2017

There are many resources for finding classes and groups for homeschoolers in and around Houston.  What I was in need of was a relatively simple list of day-to-day activities so that I could better manage what will fit into our schedule on a given day (and week-to-week).  It soon became apparent that Houston is a font of homeschooling awesomeness!  There are so many things we want to try!  If you know of something that would be a good inclusion feel free to comment below or shoot me an email or post it on the facebook page.  I’m easy peasy to contact but sometimes a bit slow to respond and update (homeschooling takes a lot of time!).

This list includes places that offer specific Homeschool days (though we add specific dates to our Calendar of Events, please check there for the most up to date information); activities by day of the week; and a general list of classes, speakers, and events for individuals & groups; as well as, a list of museums and parks to check out.

Check out the list  through the link below (also, it can be located in our directory):

Houston Homeschool Days and Ongoing Weekly Events & Activities

 

joangonzalez / Pixabay




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Arvind Gupta is most known for turning trash to toys
Efraimstochter / Pixabay

Arvind Gupta Trash to Toys

Once upon a time there was a man from India named Arvind Gupta.  He loved children and wanted to change their worlds by making it one of fun and exploration.  He’s most known for turning trash into toys. He has a TED talk on this topic.  He also has a website with a wealth of resources.  Like, a lot.

I just realized I have a dead link in my Third Grade Chemistry Package (which I’m fixing). This is how I found him – while looking up a new resource for showing capillary action through the Water Ladder experiment.  He has that information and so much more.

There is information on Atomic Energy, Solar Energy, Geometry, Math, Physics, Cryptology, and so much more.  What is exceptional about these is that they are presented a relatable and understandable way for kids to enjoy and build upon.  Biographies, poems, and stories are interspersed in a very natural way with the activities.

If you have one of those rainy day activity books for kids it is a lot of those type of activities, but the science is well explained and the supplies are simple and readily available (and free).  The only supply issue I saw was in the rare case he chose something very Indian, like a specific thorn (that must be common in India?), but I would thnk you could easily replace it with a toothpick, or the like.

Here’s the link to his page it is absolutely worth your time: Arvind Gupta Toys




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World-fly / Pixabay

In conjunction with last week’s file share, Grade One: 36 First Lines from Classic Children’s Literature Handwriting/ Copywork, just some straight up paper seemed appropriate.  This file includes blank horizontally ruled handwriting page templates for Pre K-K (1 1/8″), Kindergarten (3/4″), First Grade (5/8″), and Second Grade (1/2″).  Each has room at the top for hole punching and conforms to Zaner-Bloser standards.

Happy writing!

Download for Free via Teachers Pay Teachers: Handwriting Pages for Grades: Pk, K, 1, & 2

 




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grade-1-36-handwriting-co

A few eons ago I ran across an article of lists (are there any other kind, anymore?), “100 best opening lines from children’s books”.  This one is from a UK site Stylist.  Around the same time I was looking for handwriting passages and was too cheap to buy something  and felt copy work would work.  So, I became inspired to create this little printable and it’s free here for you!  It is all one pdf but the same 36 passage are provided in five different options – four different fonts depending on where your writer is and one with the passage at the top (no skipped lines). I’ve also included a blank Grade 1 paper for your own inspirations! In any case, here it is in all of its graphological glory.

The passages are really fun and are from the great works of authors such as Charles Dickens, J.M. Barrie, Edith Nesbit, Roald Dahl, Tolkien, and others. In any case, here it is in all of its graphological glory.

*It can be used for other grades, but the lining is consistent with Zaner-Bloser first grade 5/8″ horizontally ruled handwriting paper.

Free Download available from Teachers Pay Teachers: Grade 1 – 36 First Lines from Classic Children’s Literature Handwriting and Copy Works

More blank handwriting pages HERE

 

 




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Disclaimer: I don’t know Getting Nerdy. They’re not paying me. I just think it looks cool – and, I’m cheap!

Paper Dissection Models

I ran across these 3-D Paper Dissection Models at Getting Nerdy and thought they looked really good. If you’re not going to use a real one then these would be a great option.  Unless you are moving into the upper sciences I don’t see why accurate paper models wouldn’t work and may be preferable.  For starters, unless you, as the teacher, have a Biology background it’s probably been awhile since you did a dissection on something real and identifying those parts may not be as easy as you think.  Next, it will really give you a great intro to knowing what parts you are looking for, their appropriate names, accurate locations, and the clean up and smell are going to be a lot easier.  These run $10-15 each or can be purchased as a Vertebrate or Invertebrate bundle for $35 each. Currently, available are Frog, Earthworm, Eye, Fetal Pig  and they will be releasing more models in 2017 (Grasshopper, Crayfish, Starfish, Squid, Clam, Shark, Perch, Cat, Rat, Bird, and Snake).

Since I am cheap and hate paying for things it does seem pertinent to see what else is out there because while these seem like a reasonable buy I am not exactly well versed in the costs of dissection kits.

Other Dissection Options (some do have affiliate links, some I just found for your enjoyment):

So, lot’s of options!  I really like the first ones as a more in-depth option over the Uncover Books, perhaps when we loop back around to Biology.




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If you’re into Classical Homeschooling like I’m into Classical Homeschooling, then you’re down with The Well Trained Mind (referral link).  I love this book so much I actually buy the new editions when they come out. I know, weird.  By the by, memorization is part and parcel of the classical model and here are some printables that go along with Grade Three and are in line with the typical third-grade history cycle – years 1600-1850.

 

science-of-mind

 

Here is a link to the pdf for Well Trained Mind 3rd Grade Memorizations