Home Schooling Your Children
Find The Best Local recently asked Tammie Weaver of Billerica about her decision to start home-schooling her children. Following is what Tammie had to say about beginning the home-schooling process:
You need to first get permission from the superintendent of schools. This can usually be done by a letter or phone call. In my case, living in Billerica, I called my superintendent and he sent me a form to fill out. He wanted to know my qualifications, the material I would be using for my children, the ages of the children, a sample schedule of our day or week, and a method that he could see the progress the children are making. It is best to do this in April, before the next school year.
Once you get permission, the next step is to research the material you would like to use. You can go to your local library. I know the one in Burlington has a small section. Also, you can go to www.google.com and type in ?Homeschooling Materials' and get a list.
There are many different ways to home school, they include:
Traditional ? you teach your child yourself from text and work books
DVD ? you purchase DVDs and appropriate curriculum, and your child is taught by a teacher in a classroom with other students, that has been recorded
Satellite ? you purchase a satellite dish from a school that offers this type of program and the curriculum needed, and your child participates with other children who are also in this program (I'm sure you've seen the ads on TV)
The next step is to order your material. You should also get a journal to write assignments in. This should be done in June. Once you get your curriculum, carefully go through to make sure you have everything. Set a designated spot where you will teach. Moving around too much will be too distracting. Most of all have fun!