New to Homeschooling?
New to homeschooling? Here are 10 steps to consider*...
Step 1: Pray! Ask the Lord to help you and your husband discern
Step 2: Why Homeschool? Make a list of pros and cons of homeschooling your family
Step 3: Family Mission Statement. Take the answers from step two and write a mission statement for your family
Step 4: Research Laws. Find out what the laws and legistation say about homeschooling in your state. https://hslda.org/legal
Step 5: Read. There are many wonderful books about homeschooling
A few from many to choose from:
- Catholic Home Schooling: A Handbook for Parents by Mary Kay Clark
- Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum by Laura Berquist
- Homeward Bound: A Useful Guide to Catholic Home Schooling by Kimberly Hahn
- Catholic Homeschool Companion by Maureen Whitman and Rachel Mackson
- A Haystack Full of Needles by Alice Gunther
Step 6: Research Curriculum Approaches
Here are a list of Catholic homeschool programs and curriculum:
(for some of these, you can purchase their curriculum and books without registering for their program)
- Seton Home Study School (Seton homeschooling)
- Mother of Divine Grace School
- Kolbe Academy
- Our Lady of Victory School
- Our Lady of the Rosary School
- Angelicum Academy
- St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
- Queen of Heaven Academy
- Catholic Heritage Curricula
Step 7: Set Measurable Goals. “Make sure you go child by child and set goals for each child.”
Step 8: Homeschool Conferences. If you can, attend a local homeschool conference!
For information about the 2024 AZ Catholic Homeschool Conference click HERE!
Step 9: Local Support Groups. This is key to having a healthy homeschool!! SHHE is a great venue for this, with many opportunities to meet and connect with Catholic homeschool families in your area. Park days are a great way to start! Our park days are open to nonmembers. You can check our calendar to find upcoming park days.
Step 10: Get Organized
Good books for this:
- A Mother’s Rule of Life by Holly Pierlot
- Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie
- A Plan for Joy in the Home by Laura Dominick (https://www.aplanforjoyinthehome.com/)
- Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss
If you are interested in joining Sacred Heart Home Educators, you can find more info and register HERE!
*from https://www.catholicsistas.com/10-steps-to-start-catholic-homeschooling/