| You've finally taken the leap and are ready to start | | | | success. If you think you are overwhelmed now, |
| homeschooling. The only question is how do you start? | | | | imagine a month from now when you have no idea |
| Don't be intimidated by the thought of starting a | | | | what you've done or what you should do next. |
| homeschool. You don't need a lot of expensive tools | | | | Running a homeschool requires planning, and plenty of |
| to homeschool, especially if your child is in kindergarten. | | | | it. Your teaching style may be eclectic but don't be |
| To get started you will need to do three basic things: | | | | sloppy when it comes to organizing your child's |
| organize your home and homeschool, organize a | | | | curriculum. As for buying the curriculum, don't buy it until |
| planner for your curriculum and organize a schedule | | | | you need it. Packaged curriculums are fine if you think |
| for yourself. | | | | you can't come up with your own ideas or you are |
| Many parents will find the most important aspect of | | | | new to the homeschooling routine. Many parents find |
| running a homeschool is organization! There are many | | | | that as they continue the homeschooling program year |
| books and places on the Internet that will help you find | | | | after year they become more comfortable with |
| the right forms to plan your schedule. There may be a | | | | creating their own curriculums. |
| few bumps in the road until you find a schedule that | | | | Schedule time for yourself and time for the whole |
| works for you. Starting a homeschool may seem | | | | family. Many new homeschooling parents forget to |
| overwhelming at first but the benefits outweigh the | | | | schedule time for other things when they are starting a |
| risks. | | | | homeschool. Purchase a planner or download one |
| The number one thing parents seem to have trouble | | | | from the Internet to help you schedule effectively. |
| with is organizing the homeschool. You will need a | | | | Include your child's commitments, your family's activities |
| central location to keep all of your school supplies so | | | | and other simple things like grocery shopping and |
| that you know where they are when you need them. | | | | pampering yourself. Don't let yourself be consumed by |
| A great way to store these items is a shelf with | | | | homeschooling. Careful planning and organizing is the |
| storage bins or a large cabinet that has four or five | | | | key to your child's homeschooling success and it will |
| shelves. Additionally you will need a file cabinet to keep | | | | also help you keep your sanity. |
| your child's work so you will be ready when record | | | | To stay abreast of the current trends, information and |
| check time comes. | | | | resources available for homeschool parents, teachers |
| The rest of the supplies that you will need to keep you | | | | and students subscribe to Homeschool Success News |
| organized include a calendar with plenty of room to | | | | and/or similar publications. |
| write, a day planner if you have so many activities that | | | | If you need an online tutor, courseware or wish to |
| you can't keep track of them and finally a school | | | | offer your services as a paid online tutor contact the |
| planner for all of your child's curriculum information and | | | | newsletter referenced above. Magic Learning |
| activities. Many of the items you will need are easily | | | | Systems also provides excellent products to enhance |
| found at large retail stores and are inexpensive. The | | | | the homeschool experience for teachers and students. |
| planner for your curriculum is your guidebook to | | | | Dr. J. |