Welcome to homeschooling, Washington unexpected "homeschoolers", curious, newbies! We love being a part of community and know you will too!
First of all, let us encourage you! You've got this!
First of all, let us encourage you! You've got this!
UNexpected "homeschoolers"
Hi!
Since you are here to jump into this new adventure quickly, let's get to it! While we wait to see what your schools have planned for your kiddos, let's give you some info and secrets we already know. Your child will undoubtedly still be registered as a public school student (that way schools still keep their funding). You are supporting your children during a stressful time when nothing is normal. Kudos for helping them keep up with learning, but give yourself and them lots of grace. Whether the teachers send school packets home with your child, record classes online, or set them up with an online public school you will still have down time! Veteran homeschoolers know that a lot of time in a traditional school is taken up with transitions, discipline, and general housekeeping tasks. What's a parent to do?
1. Relax and pray! Your kids won't suffer from having time to adjust and transition. Give them time to process what these changes and ask questions. You may find that you enjoy it!
2. Don't spend a lot of money. Start with what you have - books (traditional, audio, or online depending on where you live - scld.org, spokanelibrary.org, cdalibrary.org, communitylibrary.net), outdoors, games, crafts. Sorry the libraries are closed, but they have a lot of great online resources that are all FREE!
FREE online websites or apps (sites added daily):
ABCYA
Amazing Educational Resources Facebook
Amazing Educational Resources Links
Ambleside Online
Duolingo
Fun Brain
Highlights Kids
Into the Book
Khan Academy
KidsActivities.com
Nat Geo for Kids
Other Goose
Outschool.com
PBS KIDS
Raising Wonder
Reading Eggs now ages 2-13
Scholastic
Star Fall
Suessville
Switcheroo Zoo
Teacher's World - Spokane Store
Travel and Leisure - Online Museum Tours
True Girl Bible Study
Twinkl - PARENTSTWINKLHELPS
Yosemite National Park - Nature Notes
3. Don't try to recreate "school." Let your son jump on the trampoline while he does math, let them doodle while listening to a story, lay upside down while reading, etc. - you may find they learn better that way. Be creative and trust that you know them best. Again, they don't spend all eight hours just doing schoolwork in a traditional classroom. You will be amazed at what your child can learn when they can go at their own pace, in their own way, without distractions.
4. Try not to do it alone as much as possible! Let your kids chat with friends, talk to grandparents or family online, find family, neighbors or friends to trade kids with (especially if you still have to work), get outside, trade books and movies with friends or at a Little Free Library in your neighborhood. Understand that you may feel cut off and isolated right now because of social distancing, because we do too! This is not the way we usually do things.
5. Get outside and climb a tree, go sledding, build something, go for a hike, ride bikes, explore someplace you have never been before.
6. Learn something new, explore their interests. Find videos online, learn how to make origami, have someone teach them to knit, make crafts from found objects, learn how to draw, explore space, learn to bake something new or make their own videos.
7. Let them get bored.
8. Catch up on sleep.
9. Remember this is only temporary. Some of your families may enjoy doing school at home and choose to continue, but most others will not. That's okay, we are here to support you! We understand that this is hard on a lot of families. You have the blessing of trying out homeschooling with no obligations or pressure. Your kids will go back to school soon- hopefully! and they will not be left behind and they may have found something new they enjoy.
Since you are here to jump into this new adventure quickly, let's get to it! While we wait to see what your schools have planned for your kiddos, let's give you some info and secrets we already know. Your child will undoubtedly still be registered as a public school student (that way schools still keep their funding). You are supporting your children during a stressful time when nothing is normal. Kudos for helping them keep up with learning, but give yourself and them lots of grace. Whether the teachers send school packets home with your child, record classes online, or set them up with an online public school you will still have down time! Veteran homeschoolers know that a lot of time in a traditional school is taken up with transitions, discipline, and general housekeeping tasks. What's a parent to do?
1. Relax and pray! Your kids won't suffer from having time to adjust and transition. Give them time to process what these changes and ask questions. You may find that you enjoy it!
2. Don't spend a lot of money. Start with what you have - books (traditional, audio, or online depending on where you live - scld.org, spokanelibrary.org, cdalibrary.org, communitylibrary.net), outdoors, games, crafts. Sorry the libraries are closed, but they have a lot of great online resources that are all FREE!
FREE online websites or apps (sites added daily):
ABCYA
Amazing Educational Resources Facebook
Amazing Educational Resources Links
Ambleside Online
Duolingo
Fun Brain
Highlights Kids
Into the Book
Khan Academy
KidsActivities.com
Nat Geo for Kids
Other Goose
Outschool.com
PBS KIDS
Raising Wonder
Reading Eggs now ages 2-13
Scholastic
Star Fall
Suessville
Switcheroo Zoo
Teacher's World - Spokane Store
Travel and Leisure - Online Museum Tours
True Girl Bible Study
Twinkl - PARENTSTWINKLHELPS
Yosemite National Park - Nature Notes
3. Don't try to recreate "school." Let your son jump on the trampoline while he does math, let them doodle while listening to a story, lay upside down while reading, etc. - you may find they learn better that way. Be creative and trust that you know them best. Again, they don't spend all eight hours just doing schoolwork in a traditional classroom. You will be amazed at what your child can learn when they can go at their own pace, in their own way, without distractions.
4. Try not to do it alone as much as possible! Let your kids chat with friends, talk to grandparents or family online, find family, neighbors or friends to trade kids with (especially if you still have to work), get outside, trade books and movies with friends or at a Little Free Library in your neighborhood. Understand that you may feel cut off and isolated right now because of social distancing, because we do too! This is not the way we usually do things.
5. Get outside and climb a tree, go sledding, build something, go for a hike, ride bikes, explore someplace you have never been before.
6. Learn something new, explore their interests. Find videos online, learn how to make origami, have someone teach them to knit, make crafts from found objects, learn how to draw, explore space, learn to bake something new or make their own videos.
7. Let them get bored.
8. Catch up on sleep.
9. Remember this is only temporary. Some of your families may enjoy doing school at home and choose to continue, but most others will not. That's okay, we are here to support you! We understand that this is hard on a lot of families. You have the blessing of trying out homeschooling with no obligations or pressure. Your kids will go back to school soon- hopefully! and they will not be left behind and they may have found something new they enjoy.
Curious and Newbies
Hi!
I have a couple suggestions. Pray about it! Homeschooling can be for everyone, but may not look the same as another family. Based on research and WA state law, you have until age 8 before you are even required to "do school". If leaving public school, take time to transition and discover new things. Read together, play board games, take field trips, go on nature walks, and just plain play! Learning comes from all around us. Welcome to homeschooling!
1. WHO is a great resource to begin homeschooling in Washington.
- If your child(ren) are currently in public school, you will need to formally withdraw your child(ren) from their school. The school will either have a form or your may write a signed and dated letter stating that you are withdrawing them. If they are 8 or older, you will also need to file a declaration of intent to homeschool with the superintendent. This is not the case if they will be doing online public school, private school, or a public school co-op as these are not considered homeschooling by WA law.
- If your child is not currently in public school, and is 8 or older as of August 31, you will need to file a declaration of intent to homeschool with the superintendent of the school district you reside in. The district office will either have a form or you may use the one here: http://www.cfhe.net/wa-homeschool-law.html
-The parent/guardian needs meet ONE of the qualifications:
2. Don't spend a lot of money. Start with what you have- books (traditional, audio, or online depending on where you live - scld.org, spokanelibrary.org, cdalibrary.org, communitylibrary.net), outdoors, games, crafts. Visit the Used Curriculum Sale and talk to the moms who use them. Join CFHE to use the Members Library.
FREE online websites or apps:
ABCYA
Amazing Educational Resources Facebook
Amazing Educational Resources Links
Ambleside Online
Duolingo
Fun Brain
Highlights Kids
Into the Book
Khan Academy
Nat Geo for Kids
PBS KIDS
Scholastic
Star Fall
Suessville
Switcheroo Zoo
3. Don't try to recreate "school." Let your son jump on the trampoline while he does math, let them doodle while listening to a story, lay upside down while reading, etc. - you may find they learn better that way. Be creative and trust that you know them best. Know that they don't spend all eight hours just doing schoolwork in a traditional classroom. You will be amazed at what your child can learn when they can go at their own pace, in their own way, without distractions.
4. Don't do it alone! Let your kids chat with friends, talk to grandparents or family who will help support you, find family, neighbors or friends to trade teaching with (especially if you still have to work), get outside, trade books and movies with friends, at the CFHE Members Library, the Used Curriculum Sale or at a Little Free Library in your neighborhood, connect with other families online, find a co-op or start your own! Join a support group like CFHE. We have a great group of parents, but we may be biased. Find one that fits your family. Many are listed here: under Online or Co-ops. Find community to stay encouraged by attending the CFHE Annual Homeschool Conference.
5. Get outside and climb a tree, go sledding, build something, go for a hike, ride bikes, explore someplace you have never been before.
6. Learn something new, explore their interests. Find videos online, learn how to make origami, have someone teach them to knit, make crafts from found objects, learn how to draw, explore space, learn to bake something new or make their own videos.
7. Let them get bored.
8. Catch up on sleep.
9. Test annually and keep records. How and when during the year is up to you.
I have a couple suggestions. Pray about it! Homeschooling can be for everyone, but may not look the same as another family. Based on research and WA state law, you have until age 8 before you are even required to "do school". If leaving public school, take time to transition and discover new things. Read together, play board games, take field trips, go on nature walks, and just plain play! Learning comes from all around us. Welcome to homeschooling!
1. WHO is a great resource to begin homeschooling in Washington.
- If your child(ren) are currently in public school, you will need to formally withdraw your child(ren) from their school. The school will either have a form or your may write a signed and dated letter stating that you are withdrawing them. If they are 8 or older, you will also need to file a declaration of intent to homeschool with the superintendent. This is not the case if they will be doing online public school, private school, or a public school co-op as these are not considered homeschooling by WA law.
- If your child is not currently in public school, and is 8 or older as of August 31, you will need to file a declaration of intent to homeschool with the superintendent of the school district you reside in. The district office will either have a form or you may use the one here: http://www.cfhe.net/wa-homeschool-law.html
-The parent/guardian needs meet ONE of the qualifications:
- Either 45 college quarter credit hours (about 24-30 semester hours, or one year full time college work) in any subject;
- OR take a Parent Qualifying Course (there are many offered, see https://www.facebook.com/ChristianFamilyHomeEducators/ and search PQC)
- OR hire a teacher to supervise;
- OR gain superintendent approval.
2. Don't spend a lot of money. Start with what you have- books (traditional, audio, or online depending on where you live - scld.org, spokanelibrary.org, cdalibrary.org, communitylibrary.net), outdoors, games, crafts. Visit the Used Curriculum Sale and talk to the moms who use them. Join CFHE to use the Members Library.
FREE online websites or apps:
ABCYA
Amazing Educational Resources Facebook
Amazing Educational Resources Links
Ambleside Online
Duolingo
Fun Brain
Highlights Kids
Into the Book
Khan Academy
Nat Geo for Kids
PBS KIDS
Scholastic
Star Fall
Suessville
Switcheroo Zoo
3. Don't try to recreate "school." Let your son jump on the trampoline while he does math, let them doodle while listening to a story, lay upside down while reading, etc. - you may find they learn better that way. Be creative and trust that you know them best. Know that they don't spend all eight hours just doing schoolwork in a traditional classroom. You will be amazed at what your child can learn when they can go at their own pace, in their own way, without distractions.
4. Don't do it alone! Let your kids chat with friends, talk to grandparents or family who will help support you, find family, neighbors or friends to trade teaching with (especially if you still have to work), get outside, trade books and movies with friends, at the CFHE Members Library, the Used Curriculum Sale or at a Little Free Library in your neighborhood, connect with other families online, find a co-op or start your own! Join a support group like CFHE. We have a great group of parents, but we may be biased. Find one that fits your family. Many are listed here: under Online or Co-ops. Find community to stay encouraged by attending the CFHE Annual Homeschool Conference.
5. Get outside and climb a tree, go sledding, build something, go for a hike, ride bikes, explore someplace you have never been before.
6. Learn something new, explore their interests. Find videos online, learn how to make origami, have someone teach them to knit, make crafts from found objects, learn how to draw, explore space, learn to bake something new or make their own videos.
7. Let them get bored.
8. Catch up on sleep.
9. Test annually and keep records. How and when during the year is up to you.