Never let your schooling interrupt your education.

How to homeschool: Links to help you get started

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Written by Jamie C. Martin of Simple Homeschool

I was CLUELESS about homeschooling years ago. It seemed like something “strange” people did with their kids.

My, my–how life has changed.

But even after I decided to give homeschooling a try–it was kind of tough to figure out HOW. I felt as though I was floundering in a dark wilderness without a flashlight.

In case you’re considering homeschooling and need help getting started–I thought I’d put together an overview of links that consolidate information in one place.

This way you can spend an hour or two reading a few articles to get a grasp on the topic. Then you can take it from there.

Understanding homeschooling

* Homeschooling 101: What Is Homeschooling

I wrote this article for Parents.com, which gives a quick summary of the history of homeschooling and specifics of how families make homeschooling work.

Deciding if homeschooling is right for you

* Should I homeschool or not?

Misha wrote this excellent post for those trying to figure out if homeschooling would be a good fit for their family.

Finding resources and curricula

* The Best Homeschooling Resources Online

Another article I wrote for Parents.com, this piece gives a summary of educational philosophies, important legal details, and mentions some of the largest curriculum publishers.

Legal issues

* Home School Legal Defense Association

HSLDA was started by a group of lawyers in the 1980s. This handy map I’ve linked to allows you to find your state and read about the laws in your area and what is required to legally homeschool there. They have a separate page with international information, too.

Your Local Community

* Facebook Groups

I suggest searching for a local Facebook Group. Just type “Homeschooling in California” or wherever your location is into the group search, then you’ll be able to filter through the options that appear.

This can help you get connected and find out what’s happening for homeschoolers at your local level.

Conferences

* I got my first introduction to homeschooling by attending a local conference. As a newbie to the topic, it helped me gather a lot of information in a short amount of time. Some of the biggest conferences coming up this year will be organized by Great Homeschool Conventions. (sponsor)

A quick read

I wrote a short ebook called Secrets of a Successful Homeschool Mom.

It’s an easy starting point on the journey of releasing some of the stereotypes we may hold about education, which helps when considering an alternative path like homeschooling.

The best part is that the ebook is free to subscribers of this blog! Head here to find out how you can get your free copy.

 

How to Homeschool Made Easy

It’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of the Internet when researching homeschooling (or any issue, for that matter.) One click leads to another and before you realize it hours have passed you by.

I hope the links above streamline the process for you, and please know that if you do choose to give homeschooling a try, our team will always be here at Simple Homeschool to help!

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive free personalized tips for organizing your homeschool based on what your personality needs most!

About Jamie C. Martin

Jamie is an introverted mom of three, who loves books, tea, and people (not always in that order), and avoids answering the phone when possible. She co-founded SimpleHomeschool.net in 2010 and began IntrovertedMoms.com in 2020.

Jamie is the author of four books, including Give Your Child the World (reached #9 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list), and her latest release, Introverted Mom (an ECPA bestseller). Her work has been featured by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow, the Washington Post, Parents, Today Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sarah

    This is a helpful post. I’ve looked around some at the homeschool resources, but as my littlest is about to start out in 4k next year, I’m diving in to make the final decision: homeschool or private classical school. Thanks for all the links.
    sarah’s latest post: On Becoming a Morning Person

  8. Stephanie Lynn Stevens

    I was homeschooled. I have homeschooled my own kids. My oldest is in 6th grade and yet I was not able to relax and enjoy homeschooling until the past couple of years. I had such anxiety about doing it “right” and the ebb and flow of life (5 babes in 10 years, multiple moves, and a few major crises) kept me frustrated. Melissa Wiley’s Tidal Homeschooling series and the advice of Renee Tougas at her blog FIMBY were lifechanging. I feel like homeschooling is realistic and fun for the first time.
    Stephanie Lynn Stevens’s latest post: Want to Get to Know Me Better?

  9. Jen

    Thank you for the resources! I’ve been homeschooling for 4 years now, but with every child I add to our “class day” I’m still looking into how others organize their day, choose curriculum, and make it work! Thanks for all the help in one place!

  12. meghann

    May I suggest another link? The Secular Homeschool Community (www.secularhomeschool.com) is a wonderful resource for those of us who are not religious (or not typically/Judeo-Christian religious). Many resources for homeschoolers are overtly religious in orientation (including Great Homeschool Conventions and HSLDA), which is great for those homeschool familes who are Christian but makes them not-so-great resources for those of us who are not. The Secular Homeschool Community helps fill in that gap for those of us who need the support. I’m sharing it here in case any of your readers might benefit. 🙂 xo
    meghann’s latest post: broken

  14. Aimee

    Jamie, long-time homeschooler and reader of this blog 🙂 Finally got around to reading your e-book on Secrets of a Successful Homeschool Mom and all was excellent and soooo much of my same experience. I was thinking again today about the importance of creating an inspiring environment…after many years, I feel like it is easy for my environment to begin to get “stale”. I study and I pursue my own interests in front of my children. I think I would just like some fresh inspiration myself in this area…is there a post on Simple Homeschool for “creating the inspiring environment”?
    Aimee’s latest post: On Puzzles and Games

  15. Peka

    Thanks so much for this! We have been considering homeschooling for a while now but had no idea where to start and most internet searches just yielded confusing or really expensive results! I took the survey that was sent out a while back (I subscribe to the Simple Mom RSS) and had suggested just this for this site. So glad it happened and you’ve got another RSS subscriber from it! Thanks again!!

  18. amy

    This is such a relative post and a great help to parents who are considering homeschooling. I wish I had seen this when I was making a decision a few years ago. The internet is a blank hole of information – your site is a great resource for newbies and veterans alike. Thanks!
    amy’s latest post: Keys, Dreams & Freedom

  20. Elaine

    Oh! What a great resource! Wish I had seen this in the fall when I spent 2 months researching homeschooling! There’s SO much information on the web and in books that it was overwhelming, and I spent hours reading up on it. We decided to go for it, and started in January, and I found out about this website, and it’s been really helpful as we start this journey!

  21. Kaylie

    This is AMAZING! Thank you for all the time and effort put into this page. I am so excited for tonight when my kids go to sleep! I will devour these links.

  23. Bridget Haag

    I am looking for a homeschool conference in Kansas or Kansas City area. Does anyone have suggestions.

  24. Ann

    Such a timely post for me! I’m thinking about homeschooling my 2nd grader next year and vacillate between feelings of confidence and total self-doubt — and I haven’t even started! Right now, I’m trying to decide if I should ease into things with a boxed curriculum (looking at k12 at the moment) or go the whole well-trained mind route.

    I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog and after reading it, I always come away thinking, ” I can do this!”

  26. Jody Hollis

    Hi Jamie
    I agree with you wholeheartedly. When my twins were born, I started researching which school to send them to, and which education philosophy I was drawn to. Funnily enough, I first read about homeschooling on Wikipedia. I read four of John Holt’s books, and I was converted. Keep up the good work. J

  28. esther

    Hello,
    My name is Esther Boersma and I am going to try homeschooling for the first time this year in grade 10. I have so many questions- where to begin?

    I want to go through for nursing but do not want homeschooling to affect my chances of that. When I finish high school, how do I apply to colleges and universities and show what I have learned. I was reading a bit about the GED Test- is that what you would recommend? How do I show them the credits I have earned (because i have full expectations of receiving more credits that the minimum)?

    The other question is what can I all count as a credit? I have heard that to obtain credit, you need at least 110 hours of work. I am taking a cooking course and wondering if that can count (it iss for homeschoolers). What about equestrian care and animal care (lessons, riding and grooming and feeding) and piano (does it need to be lessons? I currently don’t take lessons but song write all the time. I would like to take guitar lessons though). If something like guitar lessons counted, would it just be the actual lesson or could time practicing count as well? say over the course of several years I earned 220 hours, could I count it as two credits, or is there a maximum of one per subject like that? I have hundreds of community hours- could that ever count, or even getting together with homeschooling groups? To graduate, I know that you have to have a physical education course- how do homeschoolers obtain that? Can I exercise on a regular basis and keep track of the hours to get a credit that way? Some high schools offer home ec courses. I know Kuntz has books on learning how to quilt, knit, sewing and crotchet. If I did a few of those, cooking, cleaning and other things, could those ever count as a home ec credit?
    Sorry, so many questions! I know I am stretching the limits with a few of them, but hey, I thought I may as well ask. Thank you so much- and I’ll try not to bug you again! God bless,
    Esther

  29. Nail Renew

    That is a really good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
    Brief but very precise information? Thanks for sharing this one.
    A must read post!
    Nail Renew’s latest post: Nail Renew

  30. erick/kholis

    oh you guys really easy o get home schooler out there not in indonesia, we really want to do that but could you help us. we also have reading comunity .

  32. Stuart Does

    We have recently launched a new website for ‘Homeschoolers’ and students, thought that it may be of interest to your readers! We offer a ‘Buy one, get one FREE’ to all Homeschooling parents.
    “Step into the new magical world of learning and revision!
    3D brings something very special to students. It adds vivid color, form and movement to the learning process. If a student can see a human heart in glorious 3D, it becomes so real to them they feel like they can reach out and touch it.
    Experiencing something this close and this real, their enthusiasm for learning takes off like a rocket.
    Students can easily switch between 3D VR and AR versions. There are even mouse-over text labels to aid with students understanding, numbered for easy reference.
    The labels are all ‘text to speech’, ideal for students who struggle with large amounts of text.”

  34. Ashley Wright

    Great list! I’ve read several of them and can attest to their quality. Taking any additions? As a homeschooling mama, I never tire of resources!
    Thanks so much for sharing.
    Wishing you a lovely day.

  35. Jesse West

    This is a useful post. I’ve checked out some at the self-teach assets, yet as my tiniest is going to begin in 4k one year from now, I’m jumping into settle on an official conclusion: self-teach or private traditional school. A debt of gratitude is in order for every one of the connections.

    A great, intensive yet not-overpowering preliminary of a post, Jamie. Much appreciated such a great amount for this! An extraordinary post to send individuals when they don’t have a clue where or how to begin.

  36. Shannon R.

    My husband and I have been homeschooling for a long time but we had no idea there were homeschool conventions right in our home state! Thanks for this user-friendly and eye-catching list of links. I will be looking into those conventions more and suggesting them to the homeschool families we know. Thanks for these ideas!