Lead Learner
by Katie Julius As homeschool parents, sometimes the idea that you are responsible for the education of your children can be overwhelming or even paralyzing. This is particularly true of inquiring or new home educators. We discussed why you are the best teacher for...
Don’t Homeschool Without This!: Writing a Homeschool Mission Statement
by Carrie De Francisco What is the one thing every homeschool mom should have? It is a homeschool mission statement! You might be thinking, “Why is it so important to have a mission statement? Do I really need one?” Well, as the great baseball coach, Yogi Berra once...
The Start of Something Big
by Rebecca Kocsis Ready or Not? You may have been planning your school year for months. Your curriculum is unpacked and your lesson plans are printed. The school supplies are neatly arranged. You’re ready. The kids are bored with the relatively unstructured days of...
Your Home is Different
by Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse I heard you’re struggling. Not because of anything you are doing per se, but because of the "nonsense talk" you’ve been hearing from friends or family. That your kids really should be in public school so they can have friends. That...
Even More Homeschool Myths Busted: Accreditation, College, and Covid-Schooling
by Katie Julius It’s hard to believe that after two separate blog posts (here and here) addressing common misconceptions about home education in California, we would still have enough content for another blog. But, here we find ourselves. While these myths are...
Post-Graduate Plans Impact Your Student’s Homeschool Path
by Marie Stout In the state of California, there is no one way to prepare for high school. As the parent-educator, you get to choose the Course of Study and how you want to implement those classes. There is no requirement as a private school regarding when classes are...
And They’re Off!
by Rebecca Kocsis I liken the beginning of a new school year to the start of a horse race. After months of planning, organizing, and meeting with new homeschoolers, August (or September) arrives and off we go--executing our many well-laid plans. I often told families...
Back to School: Ten Homeschooling Concerns
by Deborah Wuehler, Senior Editor, The Old Schoolhouse When you think of "back to school" what comes to mind? The smell of new books, new crayons, or new fear? Perhaps you are re-evaluating your homeschool decision because...
Homeschool Success: Just Show Up
by Rebecca Kocsis How do you define homeschool success? Probably the most obvious and easiest way would be to go back to your main reasons for homeschooling. Are you on your way to accomplishing them? Have you accomplished them? If so, then you might define that as...
Homeschooling 101: Lesson Planning
by Katie Julius You’ve picked out all of your curriculum and you’re excited to get started. But as you thumb through the pages of the clean, crisp pages, a sense of uncertainty overwhelms you. “I love this curriculum, but how do I know what to do each day?” Some...