Cleo is so sick that she’ll only eat wet cat food. I guess that’s like my preference for Gatorade when I am sick!
Rocking to… the drone of my MOOC course and the sound of the dogs wrestling.
Laughing About…Couple’s Minute to Win It! Indy and I played it last night for our “date” at home since Wood Sprite was sick and unable to attend her sleepover. It was hilarious and I highly recommend it to any couple.
Drinking… Tea. My best friends guessed that I prefer tea to coffee. While it’s true that I drink more tea, it’s simply because it’s cheaper. 😉 Coffee is my favorite.
Reading…Spiderman: Duel with Daredevil, Dardevil: Yellow, Missouri Curiosities and A World of Curiosities.
Writing… Site testing, papers, Homeschool FAQ, Boo to You, Mrs. Robinson
Watching… Gotham, Modern Family, Red and The Bourne Identity. Yep, Indy picked most of these.
Planning… Lots of couple time, even if it’s just 15 minutes on Indy’s work days.
Making… Couple conversation starters, summer bucket lists with Wood Sprite and Indy, Father’s Day plans.
Wanting… To be well! Same goes for Wood Sprite, Indy AND Cleo, who is also under the weather. A little less mucus would be awesome!
Sometimes I use the same song on both blogs. This week I’m doing that with the song below. He’s called it his song for me for many years and I still love hearing it (even after hearing it as his ringtone…). We missed another date last night because Wood Sprite still isn’t feeling well but he is off today and I hope to spend most of it with both of them.
This week, we are heading to the Botanical Gardens with our BFFs, having a playdate with more friends, doing 4-H speeches, swimming, taking a tour of a chocolate factory, having a sleepover and going to a baby shower! I hope your first week of June is wonderful.
Working in your garden absolutely counts toward homeschooling. So does most of the rest of your life!
I get asked about homeschooling on a weekly basis. I am so glad that so many parents are interested in helping their kids find an education path that really works for them! Every homeschooling family is different and most families try a few things before they find their groove. Many even change over time as kids’ needs change. All of this is okay!
I thought I’d come up with a quick guide to homeschooling for families who are brand new to the concept. Hopefully this answers many of your questions!
How do I homeschool?
You are probably already homeschooling, believe it or not. Kids are sponges that learn even if you don’t know it’s happening! That said, to homeschool in Missouri, there are a few very simple legal requirements. Basically you write down what you do each day, you keep samples of work on hand and you do this from ages 7 to 17. There is no curriculum requirement, no testing requirements, or anything like that. Here are the laws in a nutshell (you can find the complete information at this link). Keep in mind that laws change over time, so be sure to look up laws as of the current date to be sure.
“According to Section 167.031 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, a parent or guardian of a child, between the ages of seven (7) and seventeen (17) years of age, shall cause the child to attend regularly some public, private, parochial, parish, home school or a combination of such schools. Any parent may educate a child at home. The parent does not need a teaching certificate or need to meet any education requirements in order to provide home instruction.
If a parent decides to home school, he or she must offer 1,000 hours of instruction during the school year, with at least 600 hours in the basics, which will be in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. At least 400 of the 600 hours shall occur in the regular homeschool location.
Home school education enforcement and records pursuant to this section, and sections 210.167 and 211.031, RSMo, shall be subject to review only by the local prosecuting attorney.
A parent who is home schooling a child must maintain the following records:
A plan book, diary, daily log, or other written record indicating the subjects taught and the activities engaged in with the student;
A portfolio containing samples of the student’s academic work;
A record of evaluation of the student’s academic progress; or
Other written, or credible evidence equivalent to a, b, and c.
The school year is defined as beginning July 1 and ending the next June 30.”
Families for Home Education offers classes about homeschooling for those who would like more support. Our regional director, Kim Quon, can be reached at fhemoregion5@gmail.com.
What should I do first?
If you are homeschooling small children, you can just carry on reading, playing, doing art activities and exploring nature together. I am a huge proponent of child-led learning. Children are designed to learn through play! You also don’t have to start logging hours in Missouri until your child is 7, so why worry? Enjoy these years–they will pass by so quickly! That said, many of parents do choose early childhood curriculum for their children, and that is fine, too. Many kids enjoy using a curriculum for learning and may be ready to progress faster than other kids. As I said earlier, every family is different, so there is no need to worry about comparing your child to any other child. Do what works best for your family.
If you are homeschooling a child in the elementary through high school levels, you may want to take a month or two to de-school first. Homechooling is much different from public school and many families have found that taking some time to just do some field trips and get to know each other again really helps before you jump into homeschooling.
You might want to check out this article about types of homeschooling that people do to get an idea of how you want to start. Most of the families I know would identify as some sort of “ecclectic homeschooler.”
How do I log hours?
This is another question I get pretty frequently! How you log is up to you. I’ve kept a grid for my kiddo since age four or five. This way, kids can see what they have done over the years. Now I print out the page here every other week (double sided). I used to buy a plan book at the Teacher’s Lounge for $7. Both are cheap and easy. 😉 You can use all kinds of free online programs, print out your own spreadsheets, try out an app, blog it… Whatever floats your boat. You just need to hit those hour requirements listed above. Keep in mind that no one has the right to ask to see your records except for the prosecuting attorney, and the request usually only comes up in a custody dispute or other rare occasions.
The same goes for the samples of work that you keep. Many parents put their kids’ work in binders or portfolios organized by year to easily find what they need. Kids are often in charge of keeping these records so they get the experience of maintaining a portfolio. They will have the work to not only use as a reference in the future, but also to look back on to experience the memories. Kids who love computers may keep theirs online as well.
If you’re unsure of what to log where throughout your day, just think about it for a moment. Took a hike? Use it for PE hours. Identify flora and fauna during the hike? There’s some science. Catch the State of the Union address? Works for social studies. So does the documentary you watched over the weekend and the discussion you had in the car about how Congress works. Chores can often be used as practical art hours, or even as science if you live on a farm! Fine arts can be found everywhere, from learning new music to practicing an instrument to drawing manga.
How much does homeschooling cost?
Believe it or not, homeschooling does not have to cost a dime. Of course, many families find themselves purchasing resources like Netflix, lab kits and art supplies or paying lots of overdue book fines, but if you have a library card and/or computer access, homeschooling is easier than ever. There are thousands of free resources for every subject online. Once you start searching, you may never be able to stop! For math, for example, many parents like the free programs Xtra Math or Prodigy to practice skills.
That said, many parents and students find a curriculum to be helpful. You can attend a homeschool expo or search online to find the best curriculum that fits your needs. Many libraries carry the What Your X Grader Needs to Knowbooks, so you could even use those for free. Homeschoolers often make use of the $1 workbooks at Target, Dollar Tree, etc. as well. Companies like Torchlight, Little Acorn, Oak Meadow, Pandia Press, Woke Homeschooling,Global Village School and Build Your Library offer curriculum for sale. There are hundreds of options available. You can talk to other parents at homeschool support meetings and park days to see what they are using, read online reviews, ask for interlibrary loans to test out products… there are lots of ways to see what works for you. You can also search for free curriculum online. You’ll find some options here, here and here!
But what about the socialization?
This question makes most homeschoolers laugh because it’s just so off the mark! It really emphasizes how little most people know about homeschooling. Sure, you encounter a few homeschoolers who actually just stay at home and complete workbooks all day, but most homeschoolers are involved in their local homeschooling communities. Some have internships or jobs or are in groups like 4-H club, Girl Scouts and Earth Scouts. Some participate in co-op classes that can actually be so social they get overwhelming and you have to choose between two to three offerings that are available on a daily basis! In our area, there are park days between homeschool groups 2-3 times per week, weekly skate times, weekly rock climbing, weekly trampoline jumping… and that’s not counting all of the classes, hiking excursions and other opportunities available to homeschoolers. Most feel as if they are too social and get just as burned out by the end of the semester as parents and teachers in public school.
Many would also argue that socializing is for people; socialization is for dogs. 😉 Some parents are even worried that kids in schools don’t socialize enough since they are limited to one peer group of people the same age as themselves for 12 years, which is very unnatural in the “real world,” and many kids have little to no recess, sit at desks for the majority of their day and are put “in silence” on the bus and during lunchtime. That’s not much opportunity to practice social skills.
Aren’t all homeschoolers religious?
Nope. In fact, in one study, about 1/3 of homeschoolers cite religion as the reason why they homeschool. Homeschoolers come from all backgrounds. I know homeschooling atheists, Buddhists, Wiccans, Christians, agnostics, Humanists, liberals, conservatives, libertarians, you name it.
How do I know she’s learning?
I always laugh when people ask me this question about my own teenager. I say, “How did you know that your child learned to walk or speak or know his colors and numbers?” You aren’t managing a class of 30. You are having one-on-one conversations with your child all the time, every day. If you DON’T know what she’s learning and you’re homeschooling, you’re just not paying attention, eh?
Of course, if you want to see how your child measures up at his or her grade level, you are welcome to have your child tested. Many parents still do testing for homeschool children, and homeschool kids who go to college usually take the ACT or SAT.
More questions?
These sites and books are wonderful resources for St. Louis homeschoolers. They are by no means exhaustive. Homeschooling is growing at a rapid pace and there are always new resources being created. I like to argue that homeschooling is how most people in history learned up until the past 150 years! Don’t believe me? Search for “homeschooled presidents” or “famous homeschoolers.”
By the way, Google is about to become your new best friend if you are a homeschooler (if it isn’t already)! Seriously. Google “free language arts program” or whatever you need right now and be prepared to be amazed. The Internet has truly revolutionized the way we learn. Good luck on your incredible new journey.
Here is a list of many free or low-cost kit rentals in our area you can check out as well as some of the most popular monthly homeschool events.
St. Louis Homeschool Events
Did you know that the St. Louis Zoo, Magic House, Barron Gymnastics, History Museum and other cool places offer homeschool days? Those and many more activities are often features on this blog. You’ll also find links to many of the local homeschool support groups and co-ops for regular park days, parties, classes and more.
John Holt
Holt is the author of lots of great homeschooling books!
Grace Llewellyn Guerilla Learning is the book I always recommend for parents who can’t homeschool but still want to be involved with their children’s education as much as possible.
John Taylor Gatto
If you read just one of his books, I recommend Dumbing Us Down.
Laura Grace Weldon Free Range Learning is a must-read for homeschoolers.
Alfie Kohn
While Kohn’s not a supporter of homeschooling, he is trying to implement most of the ideas behind homeschooling (such as approaches based on unique needs of the child, following the child’s lead, etc.) in schools and his works have been very helpful to the homeschooling community. If I had only one book to give to every parent, it would be his Unconditional Parenting.
If you had a piece of advice to give a new homeschooler, what would it be?
Know and trust your child. You can see your child learning every day. Use his or her interests and enjoy being with him or her! This time flies by so fast. Also, trust yourself. You are qualified to do this. We live in a world where we are taught to only trust experts on all things and have forgotten how we once relied upon ourselves for everything from making our own butter to growing our own food and, yes, teaching our children. We know our children best. You can seek out all of the resources and help you want, of course, but as your child’s parent, you have your child’s best interest at heart.
Molly and She-Ra say, “We are sad you are sick, Mom. We will lay here with you until you feel better.” That, or they’re attempting to become Cerberus. All they need is one more participant…
Rocking to… the sound of birds in the early morning. Normally I’d be asleep, but I woke myself up swallowing mucus like I was drinking from a glass. YECH. TMI?
Laughing About… The irony of just saying I haven’t had to deal with any allergy/cold-type symptoms in a long time only to be saddled with those symptoms the next day.
Drinking… Throat Coat Tea. I wish I could say it was helping a lot.
Reading… The one thing that’s good about being sick is that you get to read. This week I’ve read Deadpool: Dead Presidents, Slasher Girls and Monster Boys, Daredevil: The Man Without Fear, Alias (Jessica Jones) Volumes II, III and IV and The Master Magician. The majority of these were excellent. Slasher was my favorite read of the year so far! One was not so excellent and had so much misogyny, racism and religious force-feeding that I couldn’t even finish it.
Writing… Mostly testing for a site I work on.
Watching… Gotham, Criminal Minds, Howl’s Moving Castle and The Princess Bride, which is Wood Sprite’s new go-to movie when she is sick.
Planning… A date this weekend followed by lots of work on the house in the upcoming weeks and months. We started work on the driveway and are prepping the outside of the house for repairs and new paint.
Making… Lots and lots of mucus. UGHHHHH. I haven’t had to deal with this in over a year since taking Flonase and I have not missed it one bit.
I’m feeling a little feudal this week, so I chose a song that goes with the time period. Our schedule is dramatically decreasing in demand this week, so we are definitely going a little agrarian as we stay home and nurture our critters and space. Sounds pretty awesome to me! What are you up to this week?
Out of all of the sports coverage I’ve done this semester, I have enjoyed writing about the Seattle Storm best. Even out here in the Midwest, I have become a big fan of the team and will keep following Bird, Loyd, Stewie and co this year even if I’m not writing about them anymore! I hope you have enjoyed following the blogs as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
This is unfortunately my last round-up of Seattle Sports Insider: Hockey articles. I hope you have enjoyed reading them! It was a pleasure to get to know the T-Birds and watch them come so far this season.
This week, I say goodbye to covering sports at SSI. Although I did have to learn about teams that were new to me, I enjoyed learning about all three teams and even became a fan of one of them, so this week I am both loving and leaving SSI!
A few other things I am loving this week include…
This amazing weather. This has been the longest spring that I can remember and it’s been breezy and beautiful. I am reminded of my childhood springs this year and it’s wonderful.
Caring for Wood Sprite. She’s been sick and although that is NOT something I love, I do love that I work from home and can take care of her without having to ask off, lose a paycheck and risk so much. So many families do not have the same good fortune and I am so grateful for it. I am also getting tired of watching The Princess Bride, which is her go-to sick movie.
My chicks! They are growing way too fast for me. They come running every time I see them, hoping I’ll have meal worms or crickets for them. I love having them inside and will miss them SO much when they go outside, but I will also love having that space back (not to mention less dust).
My own patience. I’ve had more of it this week than I have had in past weeks, and I know it’s because I’ve been struggling with it and making an effort to stay calm. Wood Sprite even called me something rather ugly the other day and I calmly said, “I feel hurt when you say that to me.” She quickly apologized after she didn’t get the reaction she had hoped for!
My daughter and I did an Aerosmith immersion day over the weekend, which pretty much just means that we played nothing but Aerosmith that day. Here’s my favorite of their songs. Which one is yours?
Sara J. Schmidt 