Homeschooling can be both an exciting and daunting prospect. While the thought of providing your child with a quality education is immensely rewarding, the logistics of ordering curriculum, preparing for the teaching style, and understanding the changing regulations can take some adjustment. One aspect that can be an unexpected challenge is waiting for the physical curriculum to arrive.
While you might have paid for it to expedite the shipping, waiting for it to show up can make you feel unprepared and overwhelmed. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to make the most of your time while you’re still waiting for your homeschool materials.
1. Take a Look at Your State Homeschooling Regulations
Every state in the United States has its own set of regulations governing homeschooling. While many of them overlap and have similar considerations, some states have very specific requirements that might have an impact on what curriculum you choose to purchase for your family.
Understanding these regulations and reading up on the history of homeschooling can help you start the process on the right foot. Start by researching your state requirements on the selected homeschooling site, then research any other states that may deal with issues in similar fashion. This is also a great opportunity to understand how teachers in that state also facilitate homeschooling.
By understanding the various obligations of both teachers and to parents of homeschoolers, you can ensure that your school setup runs more smoothly once the curriculum arrives.
2. Research Homeschool Curriculum Providers
One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling is finding resources that fit your family’s learning style, beliefs, and abilities. While you may have already purchased your curriculum, there is still plenty of time to research different providers and their products.
Start by creating a list of criteria that is important to you when it comes to curriculum, such as subject matter, format, delivery methods, and technology requirements. Consider programs that include interactive elements such as online classes or simulations. You may also want to consider different learning modalities, such as online courses, audio courses, and video courses.
This can help you improve your child’s learning experience once the curriculum arrives.
3. Read Up on Homeschooling Best Practices
It’s wise to take the time and read up on the best practices for homeschooling. While there is no one size fits all approach, there are some general elements to consider for all homeschooling curriculums.
The ability to create a rigorous curriculum and keep up with the academics requires some independent research and effort from the parents. Additionally, develop techniques to ensure that your child is engaged, motivated, and invested in the learning process. Consider including a variety of activities, such as outdoor activities, musical performances, art projects, and field trips.
Additionally, read up on the best way to incorporate technology into the curriculum, such as downloading apps and creating digital portfolios, which can help to enhance the homeschooling experience.
4. Prepare Spaces for Teaching
Time could also be used for prepping the space for teaching. Consider investing in a desk and chair for each student, as this will encourage them to concentrate and focus on their work.
Additionally, develop strategies for organizing the work space, such as setting the desk up in a corner, placing a bulletin board near by, and adding storage units like desks or bookcases. Furthermore, create an online library with either online databases or physical bookshelf, which can help to keep the students learning materials in one central spot. Finally, add technology components, such as a laptop or tablet, printer, and headphones to help students stay engaged and focused on their studies.
5. Start Building a Network with Other Homeschoolers
One of the challenges of homeschooling is the lack of social interaction and community. To overcome this obstacle, start building a network of other homeschool parents and teachers. Not only will this help ensure that academic regulations are met, but it also provides an opportunity for moral support and a sense of community.
Additionally, this can also provide additional resources for educational support, such as additional tutoring, field trips, and interactive activities that can supplement current curriculum and provide a break from the books.
6. Develop Virtual Classrooms
Technology is a great resource for parents homeschooling their children, and an effective way to use it is to create virtual classrooms for children to take part in. This can be done through video calls, electronic whiteboards, or webinars.
Additionally, this can be used as a way to collaborate with other homeschoolers in the area or to have video conferences with guest speakers. Digital tools like Slack and Google Classroom can also be used to post assignments, reminders, and online activities. By offering virtual options that are engaging and interactive, children can continue to learn and stay active even while they’re waiting for the physical curriculum to arrive.
7. Utilize Online Resources
In addition to virtual classrooms, there are plenty of online resources available to supplement offline curriculum. Sites like Khan Academy, TEDEd, and BrainPop offer engaging video lessons and activities for children of all ages.
Additionally, many books are offered in digital format, making them easy to access from any device. For example, Bookshare is an online library of books that can be read by either text or audio format, which can be an invaluable tool for children with visual impairments. Furthermore, interactive activities, simulations, and practice tests can also be found online.
8. Utilize the Library
If you’re still waiting for your physical curriculum to arrive, don’t forget to check out your local library. Not only are they a great resource for books, they also offer a variety of activities and programs that can supplement homeschooling curriculum.
Some libraries also offer access to online databases, such as OverDrive, which provide access to audio books, e-books, and audiobooks. Additionally, many libraries also offer learning programs, such as story time, tutoring, or computer classes. These activities can be a great way to help children get acquainted with the library setting and staying engaged while they wait for schools materials and resources to arrive.
9. Create Outdoor Projects
Homeschoolers can also make use of the natural world to stay active and engaged while waiting for their materials. Outdoor projects are a great way to explore nature and science, such as growing a garden, tracking the weather, or charting stars for astronomy. Outdoor projects can also be as simple as developing scavenger hunts or exploring nature trails.
Additionally, many cities and towns offer local public parks and educational centers that offer programs and activities for children. Connecting with these organizations can provide an abundance of activities to help supplement homeschooling.
10. Visit Museums
In addition to local parks, many cities have a wealth of museums available to explore. Consider researching your city’s offerings and finding a museum that offers programs or educational resources that are appropriate for your child’s age. This can be a great way to expand their understanding of the world, while also having fun and staying engaged while waiting for the physical curriculum to arrive.
11. Try Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts can be a great way to stay engaged and have fun while waiting for courses materials to arrive. Not only are they a fun way to explore different materials and techniques, but they can also be a great way to express one’s creativity. Consider setting up a craft station in the home and stocking it with items like construction paper, markers, glitter, and glue.
You can also explore various arts and crafts techniques, such as pottery, painting, wool-making, and origami.
12. Participate in Local Activities
In addition to visiting museums and creating outdoor projects, local organizations may also have activities and programs that can help supplement homeschooling. Consider researching local organizations, such as heritage societies, nature centers, and animal rescue shelters that might offer field trips or volunteer opportunities. Additionally, many cities also offer camps and workshops that children can take part in for both educational and recreational purposes.
13. Set Up Online Games
Many parents are wary of children playing online games, but there are plenty of educational games available that can help supplement a homeschool curriculum. Consider doing research on games that offer curriculum-based activities that help reinforce academic skills.
Many of these on-line activities can help strengthen memory and critical thinking skills, as well as introduce new concepts that supplement what children are learning in the classroom.
14. Engage in Role-Play Activities
Role-playing activities are another great way to keep children engaged while waiting for their main curriculum to arrive. You can set up scenarios or themes that children can act out and interact with each other. For example, you can set up scenario-based tasks such as store clerks, farm hands, and astronauts, which can encourage children’s imaginations and help them express themselves and take on new perspectives.
15. Engage in Audio Entertainment
Sometimes simply listening to an audiobook or podcast can provide hours of entertainment and education. Many public and school libraries offer downloadable audio books and podcasts, which can be great for on-the-go learning. Many of these audio books can help children comprehend stories more fully, as storytellers can use different accents and tones to provide more depth to stories.
Some websites, such as Audible, also offer audio versions of popular books, as well as listening logs, which children can use to track their progress. ConclusionThe key to successful homeschooling is to make sure that children are staying engaged and learning even when the physical curriculum is not yet available.
While waiting for the curriculum to arrive, consider utilizing local resources, such as libraries and museums, to explore new concepts and activities, or supplement existing knowledge. Parents can also explore online games and tools, such as virtual classrooms, video conferences, and audio books, to keep children active and occupied while they wait for the materials to arrive.
By taking advantage of these activities and resources, homeschooling can be a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved.