Virtual Learning Blues? How to begin Homeschool Today.

Anyone Can Homeschool in Texas

Is Virtual Learning giving you the Blues? Im here to let you in on a secret! Anyone can homeschool in Texas! Yes, Momma you can homeschool YOUR children! You don’t need a permission slip or a teaching degree. Are you ready to learn more about your options to Homeschool? Awesome, because I am thrilled to share my personal experiences with you.

I started homeschooling because I believe my children deserve better. They deserve better education, better socialization, better life experiences, and more family time. They deserve an education that caters to their interests and needs. It may seem like an unimaginable task to take on but I’m here to help you navigate it. Anyone can homeschool, including you. Homeschooling gets easier as you go, but you will need to just jump in head first. Let’s make a splash!

Before you start looking into curriculum let me give you some advice homeschool mom to homeschool mom! I recommend visiting Nicki Truesdell and Courageous Parenting both websites are virtual homeschooling workshops for parents. Afterwards get your read on! The Brave Learner, Call of The Wild + Free and Homeschool Bravely are staples books for first time homeschoolers.

Homeschool Curriculum: Centering the Child

I start my curriculum planning by asking my boys the 5 things they would like to know more about. It can be an animal, a place, or activity such as sky diving. I center their learning desires in THEIR curriculum. Our society tells children that they can be anything they want to be! The President, an entrepreneur, doctor or explorer. Unfortunately, your child will not take ownership of their life if YOU don’t give up control! We don’t want to raise followers we want to raise independent leaders. Let your child control what they learn about.

I believe in cross curriculum education and incorporate science, reading, writing and history together. Last year we researched in depth Rhinoceros over three months. We covered endangered species, life cycles, habitats and so much more. While creating a fundraiser we gained knowledge in addition, subtraction and money. (they raised over $600) Hudson and Holden took on the role of a public speakers and activist at the German Festival. They used their tiny voices in a profound way speaking directly to community members about the importance of conservation. While doing so donations were collected and their personally created flyers were passed out providing the link to the custom t-shirts designed solely by them to promote The Rhino Rescue Project. The learning didn’t stop there, they created an informative vlog on youtube sharing their new found knowledge and love for Rhinoceros. {click here to watch} Hudson and Holden met their goal and raised over $600 to fund Mokolo’s horn devaluation.

Purchasing Homeschool Curriculum

That’s the big ticket question I am always asked, what curriculum do I use. So…here is the short answer, I have used Abeka, Horizons and Learning Dynamics. This year I plan to purchase OH FREEDOM a conscious history curriculum. I love to visit The Homeschool Store, the staff there will guide you through the many options in curriculum. WARNING! My first year home schooling I over spent and bought too much! Learn from my mistake, you can always go back for more!

Most curriculums will look similar to a public school workbook. It’s important to recognize that you should not try to replicate a school day. Yes, you can have a homeschool room with supplies and a desk but you also can do school work in your jammies at the dinning table. You don’t have to hit every subject every day. You do not need to “do school” for six hours a day either. I promise you if my classroom size in public school was 2-5 kids I wouldn’t need 180 days a year, nor would I need six hours a day to get the job done. And neither will you! Feel free to grab inspiration from Pinterest and purchase quality activities from Teachers Pay Teachers.

Life as a Texas Homeschool Family

Birds are their alarms! Jammies aren’t frowned upon, there is no packing of lunches, absolutely no school anxiety or mean substitutes. After brushing their teeth and getting dressed the boys work on morning activities. Morning buckets may have rubrics cubes, play dough, magnets, or a puzzle. Really any student directed learning activity to get their hands moving that doesn’t require my assistance. Our average instructional time typically takes no more than three hours, we are extremely flexible with our days.

My husband travels for work year round. So we make the best of it. Instead of teaching my children geography from a text book they experience it personally. My six year old can tell you every land form, not because he had to memorize it for a test but because he’s experienced them in real life. Imagine observing a wild buffalo while standing on a plateau over looking the Salt Flats of Utah! Yea, its memorable!

Learning takes place anywhere! The museums, libraries, zoos and the outdoors are our classrooms. The freedom homeschooling brings truly allows you to take your family back.

The logistics on How to Homeschool

If your child was enrolled for the upcoming school year, enrolled last year or is currently enrolled in a public school you should withdraw them. It is not mandated but it makes your life easier with truancy officers. Texas Home School Coalition walks you through the process, takes five minutes and they formulate the emails for you. That’s it! Begin Homeschooling your children today!

Homeschool Support Groups

You know where to go Facebook and Instagram! Homeschool Ideas and Activities is an awesome resource for lots of hands on learning activities and extensions. Pre Covid-19 many homeschool families already had pod learning. A learning pod gives parents the opportunity to work, enjoy free time and schedule drs apps with out your children tagging along. But it’s also beneficial to children to be able to learn from other parents and meet some friends. I have never used a learning pod but have friends who do and they love them! The Woodlands Kids Stuff has tons of resources and activities that families in our area should jump on! In fact homeschooling is on a rise in The Woodlands! Community Impact did a great piece on amenities and activities The Woodlands offer. If you have older children and you are in need of some co-op classes The Woodlands Mommy has valuable information.

Homeschool families will be surprised to realize you will receive discounts to extra curricular activities you are probably paying full price for right now! Make sure to ask if they have a discount or special class times for homeschool children.

If you make it through this year still super excited about the amazing opportunities of homeschool you should definitely visit the Texas Home School Coalitions Convention. It is held at The Woodlands Water Way Marriot and offers multiple opportunities to take informational classes in various areas of homeschooling.

How to Virtual Homeschool for your Children

If you are intrigued about homeschooling but can’t currently put on the teacher hat I would recommend looking into these online homeschool websites. Time4Learning, Primer and Power Home School one of them will fit your needs because they are all awesome! One of my friends who is a single mom works nights as a hip hop dance instructor. She couldn’t imagine having her daughter in school all day then at home while she worked until late at night; there would just be no family time. She uses Power Home School which allows them to maximize their time together! Take back your family!

Last year my youngest son really struggled with writing. He and I were bumping heads so I opted for a once a week class on Outschool. All of a sudden writing was fun, imagine that! I love to meet my kids at their level but my oldest sons love for Pokemon was difficult on me! Other than buying the cards and listening to him discuss all of the Pokemon I couldn’t engage further. It’s important to recognize where we have weakness and find resources to meet our children’s needs. I enrolled Hudson in “Let’s Talk Pokemon” and HE LOVED IT! He met friends from around the world it was a great opportunity on so many levels.

Planning to return to Texas Public School?

If you are choosing homeschool simply because the public school virtual learning schedule is bonkers I would recommend looking into these websites K-12 Online Public School, Liberty University Online Academy and Alpha Omega Academy. These three schools really have it all figured out and have amazing reviews. Each of them allow you to have an open schedule while staying on track to re-enter public school when you are ready.

I truly hope I have given you valuable information to guide you in the right direction for your homeschool journey. If you have any follow up questions Let’s Connect! Feel free to share this post within your community. You can share this blog post on any of the social media outlets simply by clicking on the icons to your left.

Good Luck,

-Sierra Dawne