Homeschooling and Loving It! HOMESCHOOLING AND LOVING IT! Copyright 2009 by Rebecca Kochenderfer Homeschool.com, Inc. All rights reserved Activities and Custom Home Learning Plan are reproducible for individual use only; not for resale.” 12210 Herdal Dr. Suite 11 Auburn, CA 95603 [email protected] Printed in U.S.A. ISBN: 978-0-9816171-0-7 Cover Design by David McNutt Page Design by Julie Jenkins Sathe Editor: Aricia Lee ii Praise for Homeschooling and Loving It! “How many parents, upon embarking on their homeschool adventure, ask their children ‘What do you want?’ ‘What is important to you?’ More often the pressing questions are ‘What does the state want; what’s important for college?’ The message in Homeschooling & Loving It is so terribly important because it encourages parents to ask life-changing questions of their children; questions that, if they will really listen to their answers, will actually help them discover their dreams, and find God’s purpose for putting them here on earth.” Barb Shelton; author of Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+la (www.HomeschoolOasis.com) “I’m loving Homeschooling and Loving It! It is well-written, well-designed, and much needed! It clearly and simply starts at the beginning and shows the way to the end. It takes into account more than “school” and goes on to incorporate all aspects of learning, but most important, it revolves around discovering and encouraging each child’s uniqueness and individuality. Whether you are new to the idea or homeschooling or just need to regain momentum or change directions, you'll find this book most helpful. Step by step it guides you to think, design and gather the resources to carry out a homeschooling plan that you and your family can not only live with, but thrive with. Your biggest disappointment may be, like mine, when you come to the end and there is no more!” Joyce Herzog, author, speaker, consultant www.joyceherzog.info “I’ve read many books on homeschooling, and this one is perhaps the most user-friendly on the market. Each chapter progresses logically and is packed with valuable information. And to make that information accessible, each chapter includes a "Suggestion Box" with advice from veterans, plus a recommended family activity. Homeschooling and Loving It! wins a 10 out of 10 for practicality and inspiration.” Rhonda Barfield, author of Real-Life Homeschooling: The Stories of 21Families Who Teach Their Children at Home Rebecca Kochenderfer iii Homeschooling and Loving It! More… Praise For Homeschooling and Loving It! “Homeschooling is one of the most important choices a family will ever make. While the decision should be based on research and information, the daily routine of it needs to be based on a mutual passion for discovery, ongoing respect for each other and the joy that learning as a family can bring. With Rebecca's book in hand it will be easy--and so worthwhile!” Tamra Orr, author of “Asking Questions, Finding Answers: A Parent's Guide to Homeschooling” and “America's Best Colleges for B Students.” “This book is a gem in every aspect – one of the best homeschooling books we have read. Filled with practical advice and warm wisdom, Rebecca can help you make sure that your homeschooling is joyful and comes from the heart.” Win and Bill Sweet, Authors of “Living Joyfully With Children” “As the homeschooling wave continues to gather force in the U.S. and around the world, Rebecca Kochenderfer has been at the forefront as a facilitator, educator and cheerleader. This truly wonderful book is a comprehensive and interactive approach that will help any parent--from the seasoned veteran to the wary beginner--to clarify personal vision, approach and structure. A parent who follows Rebecca's guide will almost certainly find success and fulfillment in the homeschool journey. Heartily recommended!” Oliver DeMille, President of George Wythe College and author, "A Thomas Jefferson Education, Educating a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century" “From cradle to college, Homeschooling and Loving It! covers just about all there is to know and do in order to love homeschooling. Newcomers will get off to a great start in their homeschooling, and veterans will learn new things that can add joy and inspiration to their days. Rebecca Kochenderfer’s informative and encouraging writing style lifts and supports rather than piles on guilt. Her activities at the end of each chapter help the reader put “legs” to their new knowledge, making this a very useful family workbook for all family members. Homeschooling and Loving It! strikes a delightful balance in attainable “structure for a purpose” while moving yourself and your children to life goals. Even non-homeschoolers would benefit from this practical and helpful advice for family living.” Marilyn Rockett, author of Homeschooling at the Speed of Life iv More… Praise For Homeschooling and Loving It! “The best way to turn your children into self-learners is to get them excited about learning, and one of the best ways I know to get your children excited about learning is to follow the advice in Homeschooling and Loving It.” "Joanne Calderwood, Educational Coach, Speaker, Author of “I'm the Mom; I Don't Have to Know Calculus / A Self-Teaching Manual" “Rebecca has done it again! Who wouldn't want to homeschool after reading this book? Practical and inspiring, Homeschooling & Loving It! belongs in every parent's library, even those who are not homeschooling.” Mariaemma Willis, co-author Discover Your Child's Learning Style and A Self-Portrait(tm) Learning Style Profile, www.learningsuccessinstitute.com “This book will become one of your most treasured resources. The information on goal- setting is so valuable it can change the course of your child’s life.” Pat Wyman, founder of HowToLearn.com and author of “Learning vs. Testing” “I wholeheartedly recommend ‘Homeschooling and Loving It.’ Whether you are a beginner or an experienced homeschooler, this book will help you build a stronger and more loving relationship with your child.” Martin and Jenifer Thomas, co-authors of “Slice of Heaven-a family on the move” and parents of five homeschooled children. Rebecca Kochenderfer v This book is dedicated to my wonderful homeschooling guinea-pigs … my children: David, Christina and Madison. And to my wonderful husband, Bill. Thanks guys for loving and supporting me. How did I ever get so lucky? I also dedicate this book to our incredible Homeschool.com Product Testers. Thank you for answering all those surveys and sending in your suggestions. I love the way that homeschoolers are always looking after each other. And for you, Aunt Dorothy. You are greatly missed. Rebecca Kochenderfer vii Homeschooling and Loving It! TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 For Newcomers 4 < Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling Chapter One: Quick-Start Homeschooling Plan 9 < Note to Newcomers < Could I Be a Great Homeschooler? < Benefits of Homeschooling < Common Challenges Facing Homeschoolers < Seven Proven Steps for Successful Homeschooling < Grade Expectations < How Do I Make Sure My Child Stays At or Above Grade Level? < Activity: Discover Your State’s Homeschooling Requirements Chapter Two: The Best Teaching Style 17 < Teaching By Example < How Do You Define Success? < Let Them Pursue Their Passions and Purpose < Catch Them Being Good < Focus on Fun < Activity: Create Your Family Mission Statement Chapter Three: Go for the Goals! 29 < Why Goals Are Important < Confidence-Building Goals < But What If I Fail? < Why Set Your Own Personal Goals as a Parent < Set Semester Goals < Activity: Failure-Proof Goal-Setting < Activity: Setting Life & Semester Goals viii Chapter Four: Save Time, Money and Tears 45 by Teaching to Your Child’s Strengths < 8 Different Kinds of Smart < Personality Types < Discover Your Child’s Unique Learning Style < Talents and Interests < Learning Environment < Teaching Styles < Activity: Student & Teacher Profiles < Activity: My Strength & Style Profile (includes Learning Styles Quiz) Chapter Five: Customize a Curriculum 67 < Set Goals Within Each Subject < Cost Considerations < How to Teach Different Age Children at the Same Time < Get Creative, Brainstorm Ideas < Activity: Customize Your Semester Curriculum < Activity: Set Goals For Each Subject Chapter Six : Get Organized! 85 < Streamlining Your System < Where Do You Start? < Staying On Top of Teaching Materials and Supplies < Selling What You Don’t Need < Scavenger Hunt for Supplies < Activity: Operation Supplies Central Chapter Seven: Manage Your Time 97 (Without Losing Your Mind!) < The Easy 4-Step Time Management Plan For Homeschoolers < Eliminate Time Clutter < Shape Your Yearly Calendar < Design Your Family’s Ideal Week < Find Your Perfect Daily Rhythm < Balancing Laundry with Lessons…Literally! < Be Kind To Yourself < Activity: The Easy 3-Step Scheduler Rebecca Kochenderfer ix Homeschooling and Loving It! Chapter Eight: Get Your Teen Into Their First-Choice College 119 < What Colleges Are Looking For < College Requirements at a Glance < Prepare Your Children for the Life They Want < Set Your Teens’ Curriculum to Suit Their Future Career < Graduation Requirements Made Easy < Preparing Them for Their First-Choice College < Where There Is a Will, There Is Always a Way < Activity: My Plan for Getting Into My First-Choice College Chapter Nine: To College or Not to College? 137 That Is the Question < Life After High School < How Do You Know You’ve Done a Good Job? < Multiple-Choice Options < Prepare Them to Be Financially Responsible Chapter Ten: Putting It All Together- 149 Your Footpath to the Future < 8 Keys to Your Children’s Future Success and Happiness < The Secrets to Staying Inspired < The Final Step Bonus: My Custom Home Learning Plan 159 x INTRODUCTION I love homeschooling. My husband affectionately calls me a “homeschooling fanatic” and I suppose it’s true. I have three children and I have been homeschooling since 1992.