Being a veteran homeschooler (that just means I've done it longer than the person asking the question) people will ask me about homeschooling and how to get started. I'm never quite sure what they really mean by that question. Do they mean the every day struggles of getting kids to stop day dreaming and do a simple math problem; learning how to turn the answering machine on and let it be the guard for the day. Or do they mean what keeps me walking down this path.......because I sometimes think my life would be simpler if someone else had my children for the majority of the day.

Now honestly I do have truthful answers to their questions and if they really want to know the nuts and bolts (that's what holds homeschooling together for me) of homeschooling I will direct them to these pages; I call it my soapbox, cause I get to stand and preach what I want. But if you want some nitty gritty (that's the down and dirty) answers please keep reading this page and see the wonderful resources out there to help you down this journey of education.

Other's speak up about being NEW

Books for Beginning Homeschoolers:

Better Late Than Early: A New Approach to Your Child's Education by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore
Dumbing us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson
Home-Style Teaching: A Handbook for Parents and Teachers by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore
How to Home School by Gayle Graham
For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer McCauley
School Can Wait by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore
Slow and Steady Get Me Ready by June R. Oberlander
The Christian Home School by Gregg Harris
The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell
The Way They Learn by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias

Of course do your own research and talk with your friends to find other books on teaching your children inside your own home.

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Web Site for Beginners:

If you are in the state of Washington, please check out WHO for some great information about the laws in our wonderful states. Click here!

This web site has a TON of articles on homeschooling (and not just for beginners). Don't be fooled by the title "Homeschooling in Japan," because it isn't just about Japan. In fact many of the articles have nothing to do with Japan. The list of articles is long and if you keep scrolling down you will find the different topics. Some topics that are helpful to beginners are:

History of Education Through the Ages and of Homeschooling
What Is Homeschooling?
FAQs What is homeschooling? and other questions answered
Reasons to Homeschool
Is it Possible to Homeschool?
You Can Homeschool
Starting Out
Decisions and Choices on Curricula and Resources
Suggested Reading
Getting Started
Pedagogy: Educational Approaches and Methods Pedagogy talks about the different methods that are used to homeschool children. I do not wish to reinvent the wheel, so please take a look, but remember to come back.

Here are some other web sites for those just starting out (and those who need remind themselves why they are doing this)

National Home Education Network Another wonderful web site that has been carefully put together to answer every newbies questions about homeschooling. This page is worth book marking and coming back to when you need a boost or hit a snag.
Homeschool Books and Curriculum Vendors Just a long list of links to web sites. Just remember to come back <smile>
Homeschool.com Your Virtual Homeschool's page on being new to homeschool. Great resource for those who aren't so new.
A to Z homeschooling Wonderful links, articles and helps
Debra Bell's Homeschool Resource center
Eclectic Homeschool Online
Homeschooling Today (almost too much) They have a print magazine as well.
Focus on the Family's search engine results for "homeschool"
About.com's "how to" page (about.com has a ton of pop ups)
Printable schedules, forms and tips. For those who need a bit of help in structuring their day. A great resource page chuck full of tips.
The Journal of Homeschooling Online

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Catalogs & Online Stores

Send away for them so you can read at your leisure. Most homeschooling catalogs and online stores have great tips, resources, helps and suggestions. (click here for a more complete list)

Apologia Educational Ministries High school science and more
Asia for Kids multi-cultural studies
Beautiful Feet Book history books and more
Bluestocking Press Historical products
Cornerstone Curriculum
Critical Thinking logic problems and more
CRIZMAC Art and Cultural Education material
Direct Classroom "teacher" stuff right to you. Mainly for the pre-school and elementary school teacher.
Discount Home School Supplies
Dover Publications Great Catalogs--get the juvenile one and you will not be disappointed.
Edupress Lots of "teacher" stuff
Greenleaf Press history books and more
Home Training Tools mainly a science catalog.
Insect Lore bugs and science
Lakeshore Learning "teacher" stuff (I love their brick and mortar store in Bellevue, WA.)
Latter-day Family Resources LDS books and homeschooling supplies, books, etc.
Learning Adventures Unit Studies based curricula
Learning Network store another "teacher" store
Nothing New Press Book, books and books
Power Glide language
Rainbow Resource Center One stop shopping for all things homeschooling. Christian slant
Remedia lots of stuff, books, curricula
The Rosetta Stone Languages
TruthQuest History History of course :)
Worksheet Factory Family need a worksheet?

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Last updated: November, 2006

Disclaimer: Though WALDSFE, Helaman's Academy and/or Doreen Blanding does its best to thoroughly screen every product, company, website and individual listed on these pages, please note that WALDSFE, Helaman's Academy and/or Doreen Blanding does not endorse any product, company, website or individual listed. If you have a problem with a page, find broken links, or companies that no longer support homeschooling please send email .