Whether you are brand-new to the idea of homeschooling or you are a veteran homeschooler, there will be questions… What do I need to teach? What is Common Core and how does it relate to me? What are the laws in my state? Where can I find supplementary worksheets? Am I eligible for teacher discounts? Is my child developing normally?
This page is intended to help you find the answers to these questions.
Am I legal? What are the state laws?
Homeschooling is legal in every state in the U.S., but the requirements vary by state and even, in many states, by district. Here is detailed information, by state, provided by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA):
What do I need to teach?
The minimum requirements for a given year will vary by state law. Many states provide a list of “required subjects” that must be taught in a given year or every year. Some require more specific content or depth, while others do not. Check your laws carefully because they vary wildly.
Beyond the legal requirements, there is much latitude in what you may choose to teach your children and a wealth of resources available — the trick is in navigating the curriculum swamp and emerging with a workable plan!
“What Your Child Needs to Know When” – Robin Sampson is my go-to book for evaluating the scope and “level” of my kids’ academic knowledge so far. There is a ton of information in this book. Much, but not all, of it points to Mrs. Sampsons “Heart of Wisdom” curriculum, which I have not used. What I do refer to, time and time again, are her extensive checklists, organized by grade, of specific topics and tasks. This book can help put your mind at ease that your child is learning appropriately for his or her grade level, alert you to areas you may have missed or might want to review, and be enormously helpful in evaluating and designing your education plan.
What is Common Core, and should I care?
Here is the best resource I’ve found to answer Common Core questions:
Common Core is not a curriculum; rather, it is a set of standards and requirements that curriculum must meet. Currently, 43 states, the District of Columbia, and 4 territories have chosen to adopt Common Core and implemented standards for their jurisdiction. Homeschool families are not currently required to comply with their state’s Common Core. If you live in a Common Core state and choose at any point, for any reason, to enroll a child in public school, the curriculum used will be subject to Common Core requirements for your state. There is some concern that laws could change so that home schoolers could eventually be held to these same standards and their curriculum would also have to comply. At this point you do not need to be overly concerned about Common Core, but it is a good idea to be aware of your state’s standards.
Where can I find supplementary worksheets?
Education.com is a great resource for supplementary materials. You can download a good amount of information for free before they require you to join. I have found a membership to be worthwhile. It costs $36 per year or $99 for a lifetime membership, which will allow you unlimited downloads of teacher-created resources that are well-indexed and searchable by content and/or grade level. There are, of course, a lot of other places to find supplementary worksheets and materials, but this is the most comprehensive collection I’ve found.
Is my child developing “normally”?
This is, of course, subjective and controversial. But I include this link for two reasons: First, because it is an organized picture of what is common at various ages, and also because, as it is compiled using materials from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Bright Futures, it represents the information to which most physicians and governmental agencies refer in evaluating your child’s development.
“Growth Milestones” – KidsGrowth.com
Am I eligible for teacher discounts?
In many cases, you are. Most places will require you to show written proof that you are indeed a homeschooler. Generally this has meant a letter from your local school district stating that you are in compliance with their reporting requirements. The following link is for an organization that will, for $6, file your declaration of intent to homeschool with your local district and then will produce a printable, wallet-size “Home Educator Card” that identifies you as a registered Home Educator in compliance with your state’s reporting requirements.
Character core curriculum 