Talk to other home educators and read all of the home education materials you can, especially those that talk about educational approaches. Borrow books from friends, or a homeschool group's lending library. Some suggested books are:

• For the Children's Sake
• The Three R's
• You Can Teach Your Child Successfully
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• Educating the Whole Hearted Child

Good books for home schooling high school are:

• The High School Handbook
• Home School, High School and Beyond
• Homeschooling the High Schooler
• Creating Transcripts and Issuing Diplomas

Have a "plan" for your school year. What subjects do you need to teach? Be sure to include physical, spiritual, academic, and social development as you make your plans. A couple of books that give insight as to what your child should know at each level are:

• Teaching Children: A Curriculum Guide
• What Your Child Needs to Know When
• Evaluating for Excellence

Subscribe to at least one good home education publication, such as The Teaching Home,  Homeschooling Today or Home School Digest magazine.

Select appropriate curriculum. See our article on Choosing Curriculum for insight on how to choose what is appropriate for your family. More expensive or more widely advertised is not necessarily better. Cathy Duffy's100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum is especially helpful. Only buy what you need for the current year, and don't be tempted by "extras" if you can't afford them. 



GET CONNECTED!

Join the Home School Legal Defense Association (Preferably before you contact your school district). Annual membership fee is only $100. Many state organizations offer a discount membership to HSLDA.


Join a state organization that can help provide direction. And if possible join a local support group where you will meet with other home schooling families on a regular basis. This is a great opportunity to find answers to your problems/concerns from people who have experienced the same frustrations that you are having.