Congratulations on making the decision to homeschooling. I have found homeschooling to be one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. I have also found that I have bonded with my family and watched them grow in a way that would not have been possible if they spent most of the day away from home. So first may the Lord bless your homeschool and I pray your child flourishes with homeschooling.
Now let us talk about how to get started. If you read the post What do I need to start homeschooling? Then you have the basics. Let’s take that a step further.
When you are teaching special needs children it is very common to have a child that is on multiple levels in multiple subjects. Instead of trying to make your child bring up all the weaker subjects to their age grade level, and letting them slide with above grade subjects teach to their level. There are some wonderful evaluation testing put out my Bob Jones University and Alpha Omega. They both have more structure text oriented curriculum for sale
If you are using the “curriculum in a box” the text tend to lightly cover a broad, general view every year in a spiraling upward in hardness manner. This curriculum is fine if that is your style and your child responds to it. It is also a firm foundation to start from if you are unsure of your self.
If you are needed a more open and flexible curriculum you may need to pick and chose from various sources. This style is eclectic and can be closely related to many other non text oriented styles. I have found it to be less expensive and more adaptable to my children’s individual needs. Their is more mom time needed to get the whole year together and to make a lesson plan.
Here is a general outline that many go by if they are not using a box curriculum.
4 Year cycle of Science
Biology
Earth
Chemistry
Physics
4 Year Cycle of History
Ancient
Middle Ages
Modern
Civics and Government
HINT: I adjust our schedule so that we have a year of government and civics when the presidential election is occurring.
Start simple! Cover the basic subjects math, reading/language arts, science and history. You can expand from there as you and your child get comfortable with homeschooling. Do not underestimate the value of your local library! You can go and load up every other week with tons of books to read (poof the subject of reading is taken care of!) Many libraries have college texts if you are dealing with a gifted child or a high schooler that wants to move ahead. Ask your librarian about a long term check out. Sometimes you can check out a book for a semester for teaching purposes.
Also you will need to be sure that you cover all the subjects that are mandated by law. Keeping in mind that you don’t have to do them all everyday. If you need to teach state history this year set it for one semester of intense learning. You need to be sure that at the end of the school year you have covered all the subjects necessary. If you child has a diminished ability to learn all the material that is mandated. Talk to your private evaluation or the school personnel that you must turn the information into at the beginning of the year. Clearly outlining the problem and how you intend to deal with it.
Take a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome child. You know that your child is extremely hyper and hard to focus. He also processes slowly with great difficulty. He is in 5th grade age wise but his abilities leave him in a wide swath from first grade through fourth grade , most at a third grade level. You may be able to adjust his legal requirements to that of a 3rd grader. The key is to go to the evaluator before the end of the year and talk this out. If you go at the end of the year you may look like you “failed” homeschooling for the year and you are looking for a way out. Rather than a loving parent taking a realistic look at your child’s ability. Get all agreements in writing!
Here is my Math and general resources page to get some solid ideas for material. This is not an all inclusive list. There are many different options and new options coming out every year.
You can homeschool your child! Yes, you are taking on a large responsibility. The rewards though are outstanding! You can take your family from a harried, upset, making it through each day as a goal TO a wonderful, calm thriving family!! Blessing to you on this journey! Feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you need some help!