Topics for new homeschoolers? (Help!)

Welcome to Simply Charlotte Mason › Discussion Forum › Moms’ Porch › Let’s Chat › Topics for new homeschoolers? (Help!)

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • May 27, 2013 at 11:21 am
    pianogirl363
    Participant

    Hello ladies,

    I’m on the planning committee for a one-day “back to school” conference being hosted by our local home school support group in late August. In lieu of our first support meeting of the school year, we decided that this year, we would try to host an open house-type event for new homeschoolers in our area. We hope to offer different seminars, Q&A sessions and an opportunity for the new home schoolers in our area to meet new people.

    I’d love to have some input on what types of topics or information you would have loved to hear about when you first started homeschooling. I was a homeschool graduate and always knew that I would teach my own children at home, so I’m coming from a bit of a different background as most of these ladies. I’m not sure what types of questions/concerns new homeschoolers face.

    Some of the ideas suggested by ladies in our support group include – how to plan out your school year, how to keep records, how to choose a curriculum, etc. Are those topics along the right lines?

    Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have to share! 🙂

    ~Anna

    May 27, 2013 at 12:31 pm
    HollyS
    Participant

    I think that sounds great!  This goes with choosing curriculum, but I think it’d be helpful to hear about the different methods/styles of HSing (classical, CM, school-at-home, unit study, etc.).  Also, a quick overview of the laws for your state would be helpful. 

    Also, when we have support meetings, I love when others bring in actual curriculum.  It’s really nice to be able to flip through a book (instead of looking at a few sample pages) or hear how it worked for them.  That could get to be too much for one meeting though…we do this throughout the year.  

    May 27, 2013 at 1:08 pm
    lnosborn
    Participant

    Those all sound good. How about advice/tips on teaching multiple aged children for those who may have a few or several. Or advice/encouragement on transitioning from public/other school for children who aren’t so enthused about it. Many just don’t know where to start so get overwhelmed or discouraged so I think maybe starting with the different HS approaches like Holly mentioned.

    May 27, 2013 at 1:22 pm
    TailorMade
    Participant

    Ok. I’m voting for helping them figure out how to keep up with living and learning under the same roof at the same time. In other words, how to keep the home and school running smoothly. That took quite a while for me. It required implementing chores and a routine for school. A menu system and home/school organization have been a must.

    Also, you may find some with questions about large family issues and homeschooling the only child.

    May 27, 2013 at 4:16 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    I think a similar question like this was asked about on a previous thread quite awhile ago, you might find the thread and get some other ideas as well.

    I agree with HollyS, I had no idea that there were actual “methods” and that would’ve been helpful to me.  Understanding that it’s not something that can be “figured out” in a day, but can take months, maybe even years to gain your groove and feel confident in this life change.  Learning to be mom/teacher is challenging to some, especially if they are new to homeschooling & their dc were in ps, but it can be done. 

    Any books on homeschooling that could be provided (especially from a CM perspective, ha,ha) to borrow, or have the titles on 3×5 cards for the moms to check out at the library or purchase. I would also let the moms know how many oppurtunities are available in the area for their dc to participate in would be helpful. I did not realize that HSed children could be in so many out-of-the-house activities (just like ps kids) because that was not what I had observed of some hs families around me.  That was a big turn off for me before we started but once I knew all about that I felt better about taking the plunge.

    I would share binders/notebooks/how you organize your day (literal paper planning or the CMO) of what your dc produce at home, what they write, how you save it, how you piece it all together.

    I’ll stop thereSmile.  I am a part of a hs group as well and have provided these type of meetings and have attended some myself. What I find interesting is that everyone will take something away from it, try it, and then find that they have can put their own twist on it, all they needed was the visual idea.  I have taken away so many ideas from others, but have eventually made them my own (not always changing the whole “recipe” but making it work for my me/my family).  And, things evolve….our hs doesn’t look anything like it did when we started, LOL.  Some things are the same, but overall, it has changed…that is to be expected, even invited, not feared.

    Have a great meeting!

    May 27, 2013 at 7:03 pm
    pianogirl363
    Participant

    Wow!

    Thank you, ladies, for taking the time to share your great ideas! I really appreciate them all.

    I’m excited to be able to offer this open house to area moms. Our group leader has had a huge influx of emails and phone calls about our group in the past few months. People are really starting to worry about safety and other things in public schools and more of them are looking to homeschooling as an option.

    I look forward to hearing any more great ideas! 🙂

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • The topic ‘Topics for new homeschoolers? (Help!)’ is closed to new replies.