Family Association for Instruction and Teaching at Home

Homeschool How-To

Ask a dozen homeschoolers WHY they homeschool and you'll probably get a dozen different answers. Ask them HOW they homeschool and you're likely to get a lot of advice. Is there one right way to teach our children? Only if all children are alike.

If there's a key to the "how-to" of homeschooling it may well be, "Do what works for you." So, how do you find out what that is? Teaching methods range from school-at-home using a full-course textbook curriculum to what some refer to as "unschooling" or "natural schooling;" from fill-in-the-blank workbooks to hands-on unit studies; from structured schedules to spontaneous "delight-directed" studies; from Charlotte Mason to John Holt.

"Who??"

Okay. If you're just starting out, the first person you need to educate is yourself. The explosion of the homeschooling movement has created a marketplace full of materials and advice for all homeschoolers, from the novice to the most experienced. (Yes, even seasoned homeschoolers need help from time to time.) Finding good material can be as simple, and as time consuming, as entering "home school" in your Internet search engine and following the links. We will try to make the task a little easier for you.

On this page we will try to point you in the direction of some of the most helpful sources of information. At first, the more catalogs you order and the more you read, the more confused you may become. But before long something is likely to "click." At that point, following your instincts is an excellent plan. Remember, you know your children better than anyone else does.

Another good rule to remember is this: Rule your curriculum. Don't let your curriculum rule you. If your plan doesn't work as well as you hoped it would, fall back and regroup. Scrapping an expensive curriculum in the middle of the year is far less worse than struggling with it for months and souring both yourself and your child on the whole idea of homeschooling.

The Internet is full of information on homeschooling, some so-so, some worth its weight in gold. Below are some excellent links for you to start with. Most of them will link you to other sites and more information than you could ever use. Bookmark the ones that interest you. Move on from the ones that don't. Remember, your instincts are important. You'll know what you like and what you don't.

As you begin your search, ask for guidance. The One who got you started on this journey in the great world of homeschooling will always be there to guide your way. Remember to keep your eyes on Him.

The Elijah Company Their catalog is a must!

Timberdoodle Company Don't miss their articles.

Mary Pride's Homeschool World Some refer to Mary as the "homeschool guru."

Homeschooling Information & Resource Page Check Home Education Magazine's Homeschooling Library.

Homeschool-Teens-College Cafi Cohen speaks from experience.

Homeschooling Daily Wonderful activities and links. Look at their site map.

Popcorn & Peanuts Homeschooling A site as fun as their name!

Legislative Information In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, a service of the U.S. Congress through its library. Homeschoolers should be informed citizens!

FAITH's Lots of Links Page Many more great resources for you, your family, and your homeschool.

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"Love beareth all things." 1 Cor. 13:7