Five Principles to Homeschooling

Resources for a Positive Homeschooling Experience

Fun Home School Activities

Homeschooling can offer an incredible opportunity for families to customize education, focus on their child's strengths, and foster a love of learning. However, with that freedom comes the responsibility of creating a structured, effective, and engaging learning experience. Whether you're new to homeschooling or looking for ways to enhance your approach, these five principles will help you make the most of your journey.

I’ve gone ahead and included some links to online resources that may be helpful for you as well.

1. Take advantage of the advantages

One of the greatest strengths of homeschooling is the ability to be flexible. Unlike traditional schooling, homeschooling allows you to tailor learning to your child’s interests, pace, learning style, and ability. Whether that means diving deeper into subjects they love, taking extra time on challenging concepts, or using hands-on, experiential learning, homeschoolers can craft an educational experience that works best for their children. 

Flexible schedules also allow students to pursue hobbies, extracurricular activities, and real-world experiences that reinforce learning. The fear is that the flexibility could also lead to not enough learning or that your children aren’t keeping up with their peers in traditional schools. Don’t let that stress you out though. Taking a half day off for your daughter or son to help with the family business or do some housework are also positive learning experiences.

2. Understand State Standards

While homeschooling allows for customization, it’s essential to stay informed about your state’s educational requirements. Each state has different homeschooling laws, and understanding these ensures that your child remains on track academically. Some states require regular assessments or documentation, while others have minimal regulations.

Knowing state learning standards can also help if your child transitions back into a traditional school setting or plans to attend college. Checking your state’s Department of Education website or joining local homeschooling groups can help you stay compliant and informed. Another great resource is the common core website, where many states base their standards on.

3. Use Great Free Online Resources

You can always purchase curriculum through companies who specialize in home schooling. There are co-ops where groups of students learn together. If you know what you are doing though, the internet has revolutionized homeschooling by providing access to high-quality educational materials—often for free. Websites such as Khan Academy, Coursera, and Commonlit.org offer full courses in math, science, history, and more. Many libraries also provide free digital resources, including e-books, educational games, and research databases. Free online resources can supplement curriculum, provide alternative explanations for challenging concepts, and keep learning engaging and interactive.

With our nine-year-old, I personally use Khan Academy, noredink.com, and commonlit.org for the majority of his learning. We then supplement that with book studies, hands-on agricultural science activities, and artwork. This allows us to spend zero dollars on curriculum. Many of these websites are based on state standards and will link to state standards, helping you be sure your daughter or son are keeping up with regular education classrooms.

4. Road Trips: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Homeschooling allows for immersive, experiential learning, and road trips are a fantastic way to bring lessons to life. Visit national parks, historical landmarks, science museums, or cultural institutions; traveling can make subjects more tangible and memorable for your whole family. Educational road trips can be a memorial part of family vacations as well.

Planning trips around your curriculum—such as visiting Civil War battlefields while studying American history—creates meaningful connections between learning and real-world experiences. There are even websites dedicated to planning educational field trips for home school parents for you. Even local field trips can provide hands-on learning opportunities that traditional classrooms often lack. Think about local farms, industries, or other interesting aspects of your own community.

5. Use Free Ability Leveling Testing

Every child learns at their own pace, and ability leveling tests can help tailor instruction to their unique needs. If you worry about them being prepared for future educational needs, having your daughter or son take free diagnostic assessments is a great way to be sure they are staying or going above grade level in their skills and knowledge. 

Many online platforms offer free diagnostic assessments that identify strengths and weaknesses in core subjects. These tests help parents select appropriate curricula, fill in knowledge gaps, and ensure students are working at a level that challenges them without causing frustration. Websites like EdReady, A.C.E Assessments, and other adaptive learning tools can provide valuable insights into your child’s progress.

Final Thoughts on Homeschooling Principles

Homeschooling can be an exciting educational path that allows families to cultivate curiosity, independence, and a love of learning. It's important that we don’t let stress or distractions ruin a great homeschooling opportunity. By leveraging its advantages, staying informed about state requirements, utilizing free online resources, incorporating travel into education, and using ability-level testing, you can create a rich and effective homeschooling experience. 

With thoughtful planning and an open mind, homeschooling can provide an education that is both academically rigorous and personally fulfilling. Remember, if you ever need more guidance, you can reach out to our professionals and get the help or advice you need.