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Homeschooling 101

This page is still a work in progress. Here are some tips to get you started, but please feel free to reach out through email if you have more questions! 

Homeschooling 101

Welcome to the homeschool journey!  It can be extremely overwhelming at first, but you’ll get the hang of it and find a groove that works for your family very soon.  

Is homeschooling right for me?                          

Begin by thinking about these questions.  Jot down some notes and keep them in mind:

  • How old are your kids? Grade level?
  • Why do you want to homeschool?
  • What appeals to you about homeschooling?
  • What activities are your kids involved in or interested in? 
  • What are your kids' learning styles?
  • Do you have support from your spouse?

Understanding the Law  

Next, familiarize yourself with the laws in regard to homeschooling in Minnesota.  Here are some links to help you out. 

MACHE (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators)         

https://mache.org/how-to-begin-homeschooling/

https://mache.org/withdraw-from-public-school/

https://hslda.org/

Getting Started

Then, use these great resources from MACHE to get you off your feet.  Take it slow and pray about it.  

https://mache.org/getting-started-faqs/

https://mache.org/help-im-overwhelmed/

Choosing Curriculum, coops, and activities                                                            

When I first started homeschooling, I had no idea what to do and no clue how to choose a curriculum!  My entire first year was trial and error, but God turned my confusion into understanding, and He blessed us greatly!  I quickly learned what did not work for me and our family.  I soaked up everything I could glean from homeschool moms I met along the way and soon, I figured out my rhythm.  

The reality is that choosing a curriculum and learning how to use it can really be overwhelming and tedious!  There are a plethora of options out there for curriculum, classes, coops, activities, field trips, etc.  It all seems so appealing, especially right away when you first dive in. 

Because of that, I encourage you to have a vision and mission statement for your homeschool.  Having a vision for your homeschool will not only help you focus and be in line with what God's plan is for you and your family, but it will also act as a filter in which all of these decisions about curriculum and activities and coops and such run through.  Knowing your "why" and having a vision will make your life a whole lot easier and less overwhelming when choosing the right curriculum for your family. 

The other amazing thing is that we, as Christian home educators, have the opportunity to invite God into every aspect of our home.  The Bible should be the first and most important curriculum that we use in our homeschool.  Also, we can invite the Holy Spirit into our days and ask for guidance and wisdom in how we use the resources and ask Him to work in the hearts and minds of our kids.  It's more important to be our children's example in loving, serving, and obeying the Lord than it is to teach them academics. In our daily experience, we have the awesome privilege of inviting the Lord's presence into everything we do and everything we accomplish.  And, when we do that, God will bless your homeschool!

Testing, Evaluations, & Recordkeeping                                                                      

Many moms fret a bit about testing, especially right away.  We want to know where our kids compare with others and the standards of the government schools.  Please, try hard not to compare!  There is no "behind" in homeschooling!  Testing is required in MN, but we do not have to submit any scores.  There are many testing options and you just need to find the right one for your family.  We began by using the in-person Peabody but eventually switched to the online, untimed CAT.  Here is a link to help you understand testing.  

https://mache.org/homeschool-testing-resources/

 

PSEO 

Click HERE for a helpful guide to navigating PSEO

Time Management      

This is a skill worth learning! Every homeschool household will be different, so again, do not compare!  It's great to learn what others do for routines, schedules, and time management, but what's right for one family is not necessarily the right groove for another.  I learned quickly that my family needed a routine, and even if we didn't stick to it, I needed to begin my day with a guide.                                                                                                     

  • Take care of the littles first; have toddler bags/bins ready
  • Teach Bible, Science, History/Geography, and Read Aloud together.  Do Language Arts and Math with each child individually. 
  • Plan a chore chart and make that a part of your daily routine
  • Make a checklist for each child
  • Have rewards ready for when their work is finished (candy, screen time, tiny toys, etc.)
  • Watch a documentary, science, history, or current events video while eating lunch

Parenting & Discipleship  

One of the most amazing things about homeschooling is the freedom to prioritize what our children learn.  Academics are certainly important, but in the early years, it is such a blessing for us to be able to commit more time to teach our kids Godly character traits, communication skills, and important life skills.  Character training and Biblical/Spiritual growth has always been a top priority in our household and if that meant less time on formal academics, then we chose that route.  It's easy to play catch up with academics, but teaching your kids character traits using the fruits of the spirit, respect for others, and good manners is so important in those early years!                                                                                              

Finding “my homeschool people”                                                                              

There are a number of ways to get connected with other homeschool families.  Coops, local support groups, and making an effort to set up play times for kids.

See the homeschool resources link on the home page for more specific homeschool events and groups in the Waconia area. 

Developing a Long-Term Vision                                                                                   

It’s important to have a general vision for your homeschool so that you can make choices more easily about what curriculum you use or what activities you participate in.   Here is an example:

Our Homeschooling Vision and Mission

Jesus is our vision. Our purpose is to educate our children in a way that brings glory to God.

  • Raising them up to know and love the Lord
  • Teaching them how to love their neighbors as themselves and be of service to others
  • Equipping them for the work God will call them to do for His kingdom
  • Providing the social, moral, and educational environment that will help them thrive most
  • We believe homeschooling is the best choice to accomplish this vision.
  • Proper socialization
  • Parents as primary influencers and educators
  • A reverence for God and His Word
  • A biblical worldview
  • Godly character training
  • A solid work ethic and family values
  • Strong relationships with siblings
  • Flexible education that is tailored to needs and interests
  • Rigorous academics, but with a focus on relationships above all else serving others together in the name of Christ

Our Mission Statement: 

"To love them well and point them to Jesus.  To enjoy our time together as a family.  To equip them for whatever God may call them to.  To cultivate a lifelong love of learning"

More than just academics:

I began homeschooling for certain reasons, but now I  homeschool (and hope to continue) for so many more reasons that I did not even imagine.   Time is so fleeting and I will never regret the days I spend with my girls.  I am learning so much from them as well.   They teach me patience, grace, compassion, and child-like faith!  And, I get to see how God is working in them every day.  Above all, my main goal is to instill in them a love of the Lord, a mind that seeks Biblical truth, a heart for God, and compassion for His people.  Aside from the flexibility of academics, homeschooling allows you to have so much more opportunity to guide, discipline, teach good character, and nurture your relationship with your kids.  I have found that every time I give the day to God rather than trying to stick to my agenda, the day goes so much better than I could have planned myself and we learn more patiently, more productively, and more peacefully.  And, God shows me that there is so much more than academics by providing opportunities to live out the fruit of the spirit in our home.  And more often than not, it's when I least expect it and it's when we are open to the holy spirit working in our lives, not us doing something right. 

If God calls you to homeschool, He will equip you.  That is how I feel at this season in our lives and in spite of the really challenging days, the ones when that yellow school bus looks so appealing, I'm grateful for this journey while we are able to experience it.

Blessing to you on this journey!

Amanda Fisher