Beginning homeschooling in middle school can be challenging for many reasons. I’m sharing three questions worth asking and answers. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips.
Having helped new homeschoolers on both ends of the learning spectrum from those struggling in public school to those not being challenged, beginning homeschooling in middle school can be demanding.
Across the board tips can help when beginning homeschooling in middle school because a lot of pressure is put on the teaching parent to perform.
3 Questions to Ask When You Start Your Homeschool Journey in Middle School
First, look at some of these resources to help you.
5 BEST How to Homeschool Books
I've rounded up some of the best books to help you get started homeschooling.
Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops. When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.
Homeschooling is a wonderful, worthwhile pursuit, but many homeschool parents struggle with feelings of burnout and frustration. If you have ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Most of us need to be reminded of the “why” of homeschooling from time to time—but "The Unhurried homeschooler" takes parents a step further and lifts the unnecessary burdens that many parents place on themselves.
Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for their children and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home.
Parents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards?
Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn’t have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives.
Look at these questions and practical tips that help to start your year on a positive note.
1.
Do You Really Want To Only Experiment With Homeschooling?
Fear can cause a paralyzing effect on a positive mind-set.
Whether your child was overlooked in middle school and getting more behind by the day or if your child was making above average grades and you felt like he wasn’t being challenged, none of that is going to go away anytime soon.
Instead of focusing on the fear that you might mess your child up for life, jump into homeschooling with all the bravado that your child deserves.
Middle school is half-way between childhood and adulthood.
Though you can’t do anything about the past, you can change their future and prepare them for adulthood.
It takes devotion to read about how to homeschool.
And to make curriculum choices, to fill in any gaps you find along the way and look ahead to high school.
Instead of homeschooling by looking back at public school, give all the time and energy you have to keep moving forward.
Why would you want to return to something that is not working?
Keep your new goal bright and burning because it will spur you ahead to adopt a relaxed homeschooling spirit.
2.
Is It Really Necessary To Teach All The Subjects Yourself?
Encouraging you to jump head long into homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to jump right into teaching every subject.
Being in public school for a while, it takes time for a child to develop a teacher and student relationship with you now.
It is an understatement to say that it can be quite challenging.
I have seen children who outright resent the teaching of a parent.
On the other hand, some children thrive right away when a parent takes control of the teaching.
Whatever the case is, ease the new teacher student relationship by appreciating the fact that they have been learning independent of you for a while.
More Homeschooling in Middle School Resources
- How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School
- A to Z List: Middle and High School Homeschool Electives
- Fun Winter Craft Ideas for Middle School Homeschool
- 10 Best Science Movies for Middle School
- Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)
- How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options
- Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazines
Though you may want to right all the wrongs of public school immediately but taking full control, I find it is better to build the relationship first.
It takes energy to foster the time you now have with your middleschooler and to renew your relationship.
Divide up your subjects into ones that you teach with your child and subjects that give him some breathing room that he can do independently.
For example, choose a subject that he needs help with right now.
This eases his stress with this transition by doing the subject on a one-to-one basis which he is struggling with the most.
He may not value it it now, but he will appreciate your support with a subject he is struggling in
Then, give him some breathing room by allowing him to do part of his subjects through an online or an interactive class.
Look at my post Digital Homeschool Curriculum – Big Ol’ List for some more ideas.
Not only will this tip keep your day varied, but it allows you time to get familiar with teaching without getting overwhelmed.
3.
How Many Extra-Curricular Activities Does Your Child Really Need?
I made the same mistake though my child was only in kindergarten which was thinking I had to join every activity that was offered.
Afraid that my child would not be socialized and well rounded, I just knew that I had to keep the roads hot as we traveled back and forth for homeschooling activities.
Though homeschooling activities are a vital part of homeschooling, the timing is not always right each year.
Homeschool activities can be a tool for enrichment or an offensive break in the day depending on the needs of your family at the present moment.
Weigh each homeschooling activity carefully because your child has not been with you for a good part of the day up until this point.
Deepening and strengthening your parental bond with your precious child is the most important thing you want to accomplish this year.
I know you have curriculum worries, socialization worries and high school may be looming overhead.
However, in homeschooling you can advance quickly to accomplish those things.
I have many blog posts here that will help you sail through your concerns.
Relationships are different. Unlike learning about homeschooling, there are no short cuts. It takes time to water, nurture and rekindle any strained relationship.
As your child matures, graduates, and leaves your home, you will eventually stop homeschooling him.
However, your relationship will not stop growing.
Too, he will remember fondly your love for learning and he will be infused with that passion.
It is possible to have it all even when you begin homeschooling in middle school. The beginning is what matters.
Are you beginning to homeschool with a middle schooler?
