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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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Click on an item to skip to that section
1. How do I get started?
2. What curriculum should I use?
2. Got a good book?
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How do I get started?
Each of these links has the guidelines, application and/or instructions in a separate word document.
This is the Louisiana Department of Education Website that links to the Home Study Program. This is the option that you are required to test your child, and this is the option for the last two years of high school so that your child will be eligible for TOPS.
http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/curr/1650.html
This link is to register as a Non-accredited Private School.
http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/curr/2158.html
This is a skeleton letter to be sent each year. You do not have to include any names or SSNs with this option. They just require a headcount.
A tip: Send two copies and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and they will stamp your copy and return it to you. Mail it return-receipt so that you can document that it was received.
SAMPLE LETTER
(Name of your school)
(Your address)
(Date)
Section Supervisor
Ancillary Resources Section
Louisiana Department of Education
P.O. Box 94064-9064
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Dear Director:
In accordance with LA R.S. 17:236, (name of your school) began classes on (the date you began classes), for the 2010-2011 school year. The school will operate at least 180 days of the year. Our total enrollment is (number of children in school).
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your Name
Principal
What curriculum should I use?
This list does not attempt to be all-inclusive, nor does it intentionally exclude any particular curriculum provider. We mention here what we have used, what our store carries, and what we find helpful to those new to homeschooling.
Many find that packaged curricula is a simple approach to starting to home school. Everything comes in a box with lesson plans and timelines. For others, this may be an unwanted expense, and not really what they seek from their home school experience.
CORE:
Art:
Art instruction for all ages
http://www.howgreatthouart.com
English and Grammar:
Easy Grammar - 13.50 for the workbook and 32.50 for text.
http://easygrammar.com
Rod and Staff English
(Various distributors)
Math:
Saxon Math (retail $80-$85)
http://saxonhomeschool.harcourtachieve.com/en-US/saxonhomeschool.htm
Saxon Placement Test (Page two of the placement page)
http://saxonhomeschool.harcourtachieve.com/HA/correlations/pdf/s/SHS_PLT_middlegrades.pdf
Singapore Math (Text $8.50 each book - 4 books per year: 2 texts and 2 workbooks, $6.80 for answer key)
http://singaporemath.com
Singapore Math Placement (We carry the Primary Math series)
http://singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm
Math U See
http://mathusee.com
Reading:
Explode the Code
http://epsbooks.com
Ordinary Parent´s Guide to Teaching Reading
http://www.peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=71
History:
Depending upon the age and level of your child/children, you can easily find workbooks about geography and states and world or American history, if you don't want to invest in a big curriculum for the first year.
For older children, Kingfisher's History Encyclopedia, having him outline what he reads and/or making notes and/or oral narrations to you as he reads through periods of history.
The library is probably the greatest resource for biographies about people and events in history, historical fiction, etc. It would be good to figure out an area of historical interested and follow it in chronological order.
If you prefer the classical approach to history, Story of the World Series by Susan Wise Bauer is excellent for the elementary grades.
Science:
A book of simple experiments would be great. Kingfisher's science encyclopedia is a great reference, too. Library again is good for biographies and books about science concepts.
R.E.A.L. Science has two volumes. Earth and Space and Life Science
http://pandiapress.com/real_science.htm
Recommended for 1st-4th grades, I think it can easily be adapted for older grades with some supplemental reading to 6th.
Apologia Science has books for elementary ($35) and high school levels.
http://highschoolscience.com
Spelling:
AVKO Sequential spelling $12.95
http://www.readingandspelling.org
Vocabulary:
Wordly Wise
http://epsbooks.com
There are so many good curriculum providers. Some more common ones include:
Abeka http://abeka.com
Apologia http://highschoolscience.com
Bob Jones http://bjupress.com
Rod and Staff
Sonlight http://sonlight.com
Spelling workout (Modern Curriculum Press)
Wordly Wise http://epsbooks.com
Looking at what others use, Internet searches and recommendations can be very helpful in making your choices.
Got a good book?
Our Lending Library has a list of titles available to borrow for a month. Click here to view the entire list!
Just A Note:
- Start simply and add as you see needs and interests: art, music, foreign language, and vocabulary.
- READ! READ! READ! This provides information and encouragement for you. Reading aloud with your children, and listening to books on tape are great entertainment as well as strengthening vocabulary and auditory skills. Check out the reading lists.
- Don´t feel like you have to do EVERYTHING EVERY day. Be consistent, yet flexible.
- Set time aside to plan and list before you begin schooling each year/semester.
- List your goals and objectives at the beginning of each year/semester. Check off those items that you have already accomplished.
- Remember that NOT all goals for our children are academic. Developmental progress and learning are not always measured by testing.
- Examine your child´s personality, need for structure, and areas she enjoys or is challenged by. Use this information to personalize her learning experience.
- Pace yourself. It´s a journey, not a race.
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