• If your curriculum provides an introduction to medieval history and your child is enthralled, take the time to pursue it further.
• If you know your child has a passion for the study of electricity, give him the tools to dig deeper.
• If you have a budding writer who can’t wait to publish her own book, provide the time to develop her writing skills.
• If your child loves photography, let him pick up a camera, enroll him in a class, or just provide ample time for him to get out and start shooting.

We learn best when we are interested in knowing more. Consider yourself-when you decided to consider homeschooling, you suddenly developed a deep interest in learning more about it. You have likely spent considerable time surfing the web, reading as many resources as you can find, questioning those you know are involved in homeschooling, and seeking answers for your many questions.

You have been learning.

And all of that study will likely remain with you. Why? Because you want to know!

Kids are the same way. When they want to know something, they are ready to learn. They are willing to take the time to read, to listen, to study, to explore.

Let me provide some personal examples.

• One of my children is passionate about animals. She is convinced that she will grow up to be a vet someday. As a result, when she was in second grade, we decided to skip the typical science courses and focus on Animal Science.The course we selected was wonderful. It not only covered a variety of different animals, but tied in the instruction to principles of character and Christian living.Because she was so excited about animals, she began each unit with enthusiasm, often heading to the computer to look up more about the animal covered in each unit.

  Then, because I am at heart a writing teacher, we worked together ate the end of each unit to write a full-page report on the animal studied in that unit.

  Now, as we look back at her portfolio from second grade, I am impressed with the number of details she remembered and captured in those papers. And, as we encounter various animals, she still comes out with interesting facts that she picked up way back in second grade.She was passionate about animals and, as a result, passionate about her science course that year.

Another example of how interest can inspire learning happened more recently in our household.

My girls have recently discovered You Tube, the wealth of information it can provide as well as the fun music videos they can watch. They can often be found searching out different artists that they know.

Last week, one of my girls stumbled upon a song about 911. This inspired her to want to know more. As a result, she spent about two hours searching out news coverage, documentaries, and articles on the twin towers. Not only did she learn more about the horrifying events on that day (which she can only vaguely remember), but also their design, their construction, the plans for the future, etc.

In the end, this did not even come close to fitting with what we were studying, but it generated some incredible discussions and (of course-remember her Mom) a wonderful short essay on 911.

What is my point? If you know at the onset that your child is passionate about a particular topic, plan to cover that this year.

Whether you cover it with a formal curriculum or simply supplement your core, your homeschooler will be a much more enthusiastic learner and will more than likely retain much more now than if you wait until he or she is no longer terribly interested.

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• Science labs
• A study of Shakespeare (my passion; therefore my course)
• Writing and Research
• Public Speaking
• Art
• Book Clubs
• Sports teams

The list could go on and on. We worked together using our various specialties to provide ample opportunities for our kids.

But it benefited more than just the kids.

By scheduling regular times to meet-sometimes formal, sometimes not-we parents were able to network with one another. We shared ideas, discussed our frustrations, held each other accountable and became close friends.

If you are jumping into homeschooling without established friends or acquaintances who already homeschool, be sure search out a group in your area.

How do you find them?

A good place to start is in your church. Although homeschooling has grown well beyond the religious community, statistics indicate that the majority of homeschoolers do so for religious reasons.

• Another place to begin looking is in local history or science museums, which often offer homeschool workshops or classes
• Check into your local YMCA, ice skating rink, gymnastics instruction, or youth theatre. Often these organizations offer special classes for homeschoolers or work with serious athletes who homeschool in order to gain the flexible schedule they need.
• Search the Internet-often homeschool events are posted on the net

Another terrific way to network is to consider enrolling in a homeschool academy like Bridgeway Academy, where you can pick up the phone or drop an e-mail to your advisor whenever you need help, tips or advice. In many cases your advisor can also point you to support groups or other homeschoolers in your area.

So go ahead, jump in and get started-but try not to do it alone!

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These kinds of questions can help to define the best kind of learning approach for your child. A hands-on learner will not be content to sit and fill out worksheets or listen to you explain concepts. A student who has strong auditory skills will thrive with a curriculum that uses interesting stories to teach about history, science or literature.

A student who needs to hear or try something several times before she is able to grasp it will need a mastery curriculum with a lot of repetition and review, while a student who seems to “get it” right away should focus on a curriculum that provides ample opportunity for critical thinking.

Knowing your child’s academic level is also critical to a successful program.

Many parents make the mistake of simply purchasing curriculum that is aligned to their child’s chronological grade level. However, in many cases, that math course is too difficult because the right foundations have not been laid or that English course is too easy because your child is an accelerated learner.

Testing your child to determine his or her actual academic level will ensure that your program will be a successful one.

That is why Bridgeway Academy tests each student upon enrollment to determine the best academic level for that child. This information combined with a detailed survey and parent interview provide the basis for designing a program that will work effectively for each student.

If you prefer to design your own program, contact Curriculum Express (610-266-9148) to order a diagnostic placement test that will help you to identify your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.

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What kind of teaching role in the home do you want to take?

Do you enjoy pulling out all the stops and making a mess while you dig into learning with projects and experiments?
OR
Do you prefer an orderly home with a set schedule where you can plan out any such experiments and ensure that you have just the right materials before you begin?Are you a creative individual who loves to find new ways to explore?
OR
Are you an individual who can take someone else’s creative ideas and tailor them to your kids?

Are you an individual who needs structure?
OR
Are you one who prefers to “wing it” and see where the day takes you?

These questions are important to explore before beginning your search for just the right curriculum.

Why? Because they help to define the kind of program you need.

If you are super creative, you might want to consider a program that allows room for that creative flair. However, if you are one who has trouble coming up with your own ideas, but can take an idea and make it better, you may need a program that is already laid out for you, providing time for enrichments of your own.

One big struggle among homeschoolers is the comparison game–”Look at what Sue is doing. Her kids are doing so well! I have to try that program!”

That Program might not fit you.

And if it doesn’t fit you, your enthusiasm can easily begin to dwindle and before you know it, both you and your kids are ready to throw in the towel.

Know your passions; know your abilities and be willing to accept your strengths and your weaknesses. That is where a successful program begins.

If you are one who has no idea where to begin or what you should include in your program, consider working with an academy like Bridgeway Academy, where expert homeschoolers and educators work with you every step of the way to help you find a program that will work for you.

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However, a great place to start is to get to know your state homeschool law.

In some states, there are more detailed guidelines and concrete standards such as Pennslyvania Homeschool Laws and California homeschooling laws, in others, parents don’t need to do much to comply. However, knowing where your state stands up front, before you begin to explore your options, will help to define what and where you begin to research homeschool options.

Once you have those under your belt, the possibilities are endless!

For a quick link to the laws in your state, click State Laws in the United States then select your state.

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1. Be sure to commit to a full year-one year at a time. For many first time homeschoolers, the thought of years of running a homeschool can be daunting-in some cases, so much so that they have trouble making the decision. And although we believe that you will continue for years to come, your level of commitment should be one year at a time–one full year.
2. Be sure to commit to a schedule. Many homeschool Moms love to be spontaneous and to enjoy the freedom they have in homeschooling. However, this can sometimes go too far. If you are tired of hearing, “Can we do . . .today?” or “What are we doing today?,” you need structure. Kids like to know-to be informed. In fact, I guarantee that your kids will thrive on organization and a specific schedule. Better yet, you will hear far fewer questions on what to expect each day.

Let me share with you an example that Annette, one of our Bridgeway Advisors shared with me recently:

The friend who was instrumental in my decision to homeschool was always willing to help as questions came up. However, she was virtually unreachable because of her unpredictable schedule. She was always on the run to various doctor’s appointment, last minute get togethers, or other events.

By her own admission, her home was always a disaster and it was difficult to find the seats in her car. Did she get the job done? Yes! Her kids did succeed in getting through their schoolwork each year, and she did come up with some pretty creative enrichments, but she was always a bit frazzled.

It wasn’t until she committed to homeschooling with a friend that she was forced to get organized. Her friend was incredibly structured and required her to follow suit. As a result, she found herself at home much more often following a schedule. She also noticed that she was much more relaxed; her home was much more manageable; and her kids were much more engaged. They knew that there was a time for school, a time to play, and a time to clean up.

In her words, ‘Discipline made such a huge difference in the lives of my younger children. I wish I would have established this kind of routine from day one.’

Best of all, I am still amazed that I can call and find her at home!”

Commit to Spiritual Foundations

If you are homeschooling with the intent of building a strong spiritual foundation, your greatest commitment should be your commitment to building you and your children’s relationship with God.

It is far too easy to let your desire for academic success become a higher priority than training your children to know God. Since most of you are considering homeschooling because of your commitment to a strong Biblical foundation for your kids, you are saying to yourself, “That won’t happen in my home.” But let me assure you, many of us said the same thing and were surprised to find ourselves setting aside Bible time in order to fit in the creative ideas we have developed to enhance our programs.

Go into it knowing that it happens to the best of us and don’t be too confident that it couldn’t happen to you.

Commit to Your Husband/Wife

Your commitment to your husband/wife is essential to a successful homeschool program. In fact, this is one area that many of our homeschoolers say is their greatest challenge in homeschooling. However, when your relationship is strong and you are supportive of one another, you will find that everything else is manageable.

In this area, I recommend the following four steps to success:

1. Be sure that you are in agreement with homeschooling-this will be especially essential as you work through the struggles. If your spouse is not in support of homeschooling, his or her attitude will greatly affect your homeschool environment.
2. Do the research and share your results with your spouse before making a final decision on what program you will use.
3. Define your roles before you begin. For instance, my husband was in charge of science experiments and assisting with math when necessary. He knew in advance that these were his responsibility so he went in to it with his eyes wide open. Those roles can include simple household responsibilities, dinner, physical education, or a specific subject.
4. Commit to spending one-on-one time with your spouse a minimum of once a week. If your budget does not allow a formal date, take a walk, brew a cup of tea and find a private place to sit and talk, take a drive, or turn off the TV and go to bed early.

Commit to Establishing New Relationships

Building relationships with other homeschoolers is an essential part of a successful homeschool program. Not only will these friendships provide much needed support, encouragement, and an endless stream of ideas, they will also provide new friendships for your children.

Homeschoolers love to help each other. We love to share ideas, to create field trip opportunities, to hold each other up through times of struggle and to be there to help when needed.

If you are new to homeschooling and have not been steered in this direction by a veteran homeschooler, start with an Internet search. Many homeschool support groups now have websites where they can publish upcoming events, classes and other opportunities. You can also log on to Bridgeway Academy’s website and search for support groups in your area.

Commit to Standing Firm Against the Opposition

Unfortunately, not everyone will support your decision to homeschool. In fact, sometimes the greatest opposition comes from your own family. Therefore, before you take this step, you must commit to standing firm. In most cases, those who oppose what you are doing do so because of a lack of information and preconceived notions as well as a concern for your children.

You can choose to provide some websites where they can research what homeschooling is about-its successes and its benefits. However, avoid too much discussion and debate. Give it some time. When they see the outcome in your children, they will not be able to keep themselves from getting on board.

Commit to Your Child

Know that not every day is going to be easy. And since you are a parent, you know that it is not always easy to handle every situation with patience and love.

1. Recognize that you will have days when you are ready to lock your child in a room-then make the commitment not to give in to that temptation! ;-)
2. Commit to providing the best education to your child
3. Commit to giving of yourself and your time
4. Commit to remaining firm on expectations.
5. If you are planning to homeschool a child who has already spent some time in school, commit to taking the time to explain your decision; to hearing him or her out; and to working together to design a plan of attack.
6. Lastly, commit to helping your child develop a love of learning.

I know this may seem overwhelming, but once you make those commitments you are ready to start one of the most rewarding journeys you will ever experience!

Go to Starting Homeschooling Step Two-Know the Law

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A few years ago, Brad graduated from Bridgeway Academy having completed a college prep program.  Although unsure of his future, he planned to attend a nearby university as an undeclared major.  He had truly enjoyed his course in Economics and thought he might enjoy going into the business field.  However, after growing up in New Brunswick and enjoying the wonders of the Bay of Fundy, he also considered a career in Marine Biology. 

Why am I bringing up Brad?

Brad is just another example of homeschool success. 

Brad did pursue a business degree specializing in Economics.  Now this recently married former homeschooler looks forward to starting a family with his lovely wife, who will stay at home to raise and educate their children.  And in the meantime he is enjoying his career as an economist in his home province of New Brunswick.

Speaking of economics . . . I recently read an article providing statistics on the drop out rate in California-the equivalent of one in three students never finishes high school.  When combined with the incredible financial struggles of each school district, I am even more surprised at the current homeschooling battle in that state.

California’s homeschoolers are paying school taxes without receiving their services.  Doesn’t this make good economic sense for the school?  Rather than force homeschoolers back into the public school system and incur a greater cost to the school district, recognize that homeschooling works!  It works academically for the student and financially for the school district.

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Tammy Takahashi, a California homeschooler reviewed the recent rehearing of the case by the California Supreme Court on her blog, Just Enough and Nothing More. 

If you are following the case, click here to read her first hand account of the session.   And keep praying–this is and will be landmark case no matter which direction the court decides to take. 

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It’s good that Christians homeschool. We need citizens to clean our toilets and mow our lawns. Perhaps some homeschooled Christians will be able to fill these types of jobs. The rest will be unemployable retards like their parents.

It is incredible how uninformed people can immediately jump to stereotypes and ridiculous claims.  Who is the uneducated one here?
 
Bridgeway Homeschool Academy has graduated several top notch homeschoolers this year alone.  One, an Olympic hopeful will go on to University of Georgia on a full scholarship; another will study political science on a $27,000 per year scholarship; another received a full 6 year scholarship for Physical Therapy. 

Let’s see, who else? 

We have one going on to Harvard–fully funded; another who is currently studying at Oxford; four who plan to study graphic design at various universities; twelve who will study either elementary or secondary education; two who already own their own buisnesses–one in web-development; the other in SEO services. 

We have two who hope to impact politics; eight who will attend university for a liberal arts degree (currently undeclared), and several who have already entered the workforce. 

We have several students who have earned awards and scholarships for their volunteer efforts in their communities–one of which was recognized as an “Outstanding Volunteer” at a major event in the Lehigh Valley. 

These are just a few stories from our graduating class. 

So, Mr. Atheist–when you grow up to be old and the country’s leaders are today’s homeschoolers, I trust that you will then be thankful for the time and commitment that these outstanding parents are investing in their cihldren today. 

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The shortage of labor begins in college where the trend for majoring in computer technology has significantly decreased. As a result, we do not have the highly skilled workforce needed to fill the huge demand for computer related positions. In fact, in the Harrisburg, PA area alone, there are 500-1000 positions open at a given time for web-development and computer technology.

Why am I alerting you to this? Whether you are homeschooled student or not, here is a field that is still wide open. Homeschoolers have the distinct advantage of freedom– freedom to begin preparing for such a field while still in school.

In fact, Bridgeway Academy offers many different computer technology courses–some of which are certification courses where homeschool students can begin to explore their interest in this field before heading off to college.

So if you are a homeschooler with a penchant for computers, consider entering the world of web-development. It is still a field where the laborers are few.

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