Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

newbeehomeschooler

Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

| 6 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Day 14 is about a homeschool supplies list for the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

Homeschool hoarders of supplies are a common and growing group.

This is one area where I feel it takes some finesse to find exactly what will work for you, but it is common to have overflowing supplies at first.

Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Day 14: A Homeschooler's Not Back To School List. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Look at my chart below as I divided up supplies into two categories.

A New Homeschoolers Back to School List 2 @ Tina Dynamic Homeschool PLus

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

Days 1 – 7 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

How to Organize When You’re New to Homeschooling

Days 8-12 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Have you started on your back to school list? What do you have so far?

Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day 14: A Homeschooler's Not Back To School List. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year When You Don’t Know How To Start

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m sharing 4 tried and true ways how to plan your first homeschool year when you don’t know how to start. And having the right homeschool planner for your first-year matters.

You’ve left traditional school and your planning should now reflect your new homeschool life you’ve adopted.

However, your first year of homeschooling can be daunting for many reasons.

At the top of the list of concerns are how to find curriculum and how to plan.

How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year When You Don't Know How To Start

Also, knowing what is important now to plan your new homeschool year and what can wait matters.

In addition, you’ll want to make changes throughout your first year.

Why? Now that you’re 1:1 tutoring you will have an excellent grasp on what your children truly know and don’t know.

Homeschool Planning

First, this is the BEST piece of advice although some do not want to hear it.

How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year When You Don't Know How To Start

Do not buy curriculum – yet.

Not only do I want you to have an incredible start, but want to help you save hundreds if not thousands of dollars too.

So before you can choose curriculum, you need to understand where to find it and how to choose it.

The point I’m making is that it’s just as important to know what not to do.

So, don’t let doubts, fears, and misconceptions keep you from making your first homeschool year memorable for the right reasons.

Too, it will take time to not only learn where homeschoolers hang out at, but to understand the new lingo.

After you grab the lingo to understand terms in the homeschool world, look at these 4 best ways to begin your year.

4 BEST Ways to Plan Your First Homeschool Year

First, know your local law, but also know how to meet it.

It’s one thing to read it but quite another thing to homeschool with the nuts and bolts of it each day.

Too, some homeschool laws are very relaxed and a first-time homeschooler may want more details.

However, know that with relaxed laws comes much homeschool freedom.

1. Know Your Local Law AND How to Meet It.

On the other hand, some states have very strict laws. Again, be familiar first with your local state law.

You can find out your state law in two ways;

  1. Find your state’s laws on this page with HSLDA and/or
  2. ask me right here or email me at tinahomeschools at gmail dot com. I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling and stay on it. I can help you too.

Next, it won’t take long to understand what is deschooling.

I know you’re eager to get started, but taking just a few days to make your foundation strong will benefit you your whole journey.

How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year When You Don't Know How To Start

Not only do I have a wonderful video for you, but I have this post

2. Don’t Set Up Your Home Like a Public School Classroom. Deschool Next.

Taking your kids out of public school one day and begin homeschooling the next day is a common rookie mistake.

At this point, take time to change to a relaxed mindset and clearly understand how a homeschool method is VERY different from a traditional public school approach.

If you don’t want to repeat the same mistakes at home that weren’t working in public school, you need to know how to deschool.

Thereafter, you want to move quickly to understand how homeschool curriculum is organized.

3. Save yourself HUNDREDS of dollars by knowing how curriculum is organized in the homeschool world.

Having a basic grasp of the top 5 approaches, new homeschoolers can conquer overwhelm and tame the curriculum beast.

And my post Top 5 Homeschool Approaches New Homeschoolers Need to Know will help you get started.

Also, look at my online self-paced course Teaching the Stages of Homeschool. You’ll learn From PreK to High School, Learn at a Bird’s-Eye View of What Subjects to Teach & When to Teach Them

Finally, the best way to begin with choosing curriculum is to begin with free to inexpensive curriculum.

4. Begin teaching your children with inexpensive curriculum until you know how your children learn best.

As I mentioned the outset, you’ll have a better pulse on how your children learn best, but until you tutor you don’t know their strengths and weaknesses.

Also, I have my first time homeschooler kickstarter course.

Moreover, here are more posts t0 help you.

How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year When You Don't Know How To Start

Resources in How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year

How To Start Homeschooling the Easy No Stress Way (Maybe)

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Choosing how to start homeschooling can be easy or like me you may have to have a second chance to get it right. Also, you’ll love tips on my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter.

Your whys that inspired you to start homeschooling are significant.

My mother homeschooled my youngest sister and you’d think I should have learned from her grit. I did – that is until it came time to actually start.

My second chance came over 20+ years ago and after I pulled out my first homeschooled son in Kindergarten, I came away determined to make homeschooling work this time.

Although tears were streaming down my cheeks, I was in fear of messing up my first kid and my younger kids for life.

How To Start Homeschooling the Easy No Stress Way (Maybe)

Turn 3 Homeschool Wrongs to Wins

I knew that having a second chance meant I could try things differently or repeat what I did wrong. Why do we keep repeating what is not working? (no need to answer that)

Look at these three homeschool wrongs you can win your first or second year IF you don’t do what I did:

ONE/

Wrong: I focused first on curriculum. Right: I needed techniques to conquer fear or at least manage it.

As much as I wanted fairy dust of seasoned homeschooling tips to shower down on me, the truth of it is I had to take time to read about homeschooling. I couldn’t just trust that it was the best decision ever for my mom.

I had to OWN it. I had to make it the BEST decision ever for MY family. I took a few months to start reading a whole list of homeschooling how-to books.

TWO/

Wrong: I focused first on friends or socialization for my kid. Right: Finding a support system for myself is the start point.

Another huge mistake was thinking I had to immediately find opportunities for my son to socialize. That has always been important to me.

What I didn’t fully appreciate was that I had my whole homeschool journey to meet my son’s needs. It didn’t have to be done all in the first year.

I needed to focus first on finding a support system for myself so that I could understand how the homeschool world works.

It reminds me of those demonstration you can still see sometimes right after you board a plane. They explain how to put the oxygen mask on yourself FIRST, then assist your kid.

Homeschool For Beginners

Homeschooling is the same way. We have the order reversed by focusing on our kids’ needs instead of the needs of the new homeschool educator.

THIRD/

Wrong: I focused first on homeschooling. Right: Understand what is deschooling, how to do it, and when to do it.

Buying curriculum, setting up a room that looked somewhat school-ish, and doing a workbook is what most new homeschoolers view as homeschooling.

What I learned was that we don’t have to sat at a desk with our nose in a book every day of the week. Deschooling is not just for new homeschoolers whose kids may have never been to public school, but it’s for the parents too.

We can bring our public school-ish ways home and try to mimic a system that we left and wasn’t working for us. We need to know how to step back from that mindset and dig deep to find our why to starting homeschooling.

Online New Homeschooler Boot Camp

After homeschooling over 20+ years and because I struggle so in the beginning, I wrote a program for new homeschoolers. Not only did I write a program, I led a workshop with newbees for years in Texas.

My online self-paced Kick Starter for s a two-pher for you. You not only get my personal experience with three homeschooled grads, but you get my experience in helping hundreds of new homeschoolers successfully navigate the homeschool waters.

The Homeschool KickStarter Taking First-Time Homeschoolers from Fear to Freedom is a 6 to 8 week online course where you view video workshops at your leisure while you receive personal coaching from me via a private facebook group. I know you’ll benefit from taking time first for the new homeschool educator.

How To Start Homeschooling the Easy No Stress Way (Maybe)

You’ll love these other tips to help you stay the homeschool course:

Hugs and love ya,

How to Start Homeschooling the Easy No Stress Way (Maybe)

A 20+ Year Homeschool Mom’s 5 TOP Tips for First Time Homeschoolers

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Nothing compares to being equally excited and equally needing encouragement than beginning to homeschool. In my 5 top tips for first-time homeschoolers, you’ll get my BEST tips in my 25 years of homeschooling.

Oh sure, I have way more to tell you, but this is about the TOP tips’ you don’t get weighed down with too much information.

Too, in conducting in person workshops with new homeschoolers for 10 years, my set of tips will look different than many you read. Why? They work.

And it’s hard to get all your concerns answered for the next year in one or two conversations with a seasoned veteran.

Don’t miss opportunities to discuss with others, but take time to educate yourself as well.

See, what happens is that first-time homeschoolers can overcomplicate the beginning. How? You can bring rigid standards on you and your kids which are not implemented by your local law.

A 20+ Year Homeschool Mom's 5 TOP Tips for First Time Homeschoolers

First Time Homeschooler

Over scheduling, over buying, over planning can be avoided by know exactly how to meet your state law. After that, it’s freedom to set up your day like you choose. Do NOT begin by buying curriculum just yet but by being familiar with your local law.

Look at my 5 top tips for first-time homeschoolers.

1. Knowing your local law is not enough as many veterans tout.
You need to know how to meet it EASILY.

For example, if you live in a state with less laws and not much record keeping required, you can choose what is best for your children. If you live in a state with more stringent record keeping, then you can easily meet that law by using laid out curriculum.

See, other seasoned veterans may say you don’t need curriculum at all. Eventually, that could be your goal.

However, for your first year when you have so many things to adjust to, it can be less stressful to follow a laid our plain and tweak it to suit you.

HSLD which has a clickable map to explain your local homeschool law is a good place to start.
Too, you can comment here, and I WILL reply and help you understand that part first.

Next, homeschooling is a completely different approach than public school.

You’ll love my video What You REALLY Need to Know When You Begin Homeschooling where I take you through more steps.

2. Do not recreate public school at home and bring unneeded stress on your family.

I made this mistake when I started homeschooling. Although my children were all very young, I tried to run my homeschool like a public school. Remember there is NOTHING you have to prove to anybody.

It will take time to adjust to the freedom you get with homeschooling. There is a line between relaxed and rigid. Relaxed is not lazy.

I failed in learning that and sent my Kindergarten son to public school. A year didn’t even go by before I pulled him out and had to train myself to relax and trust the process.

New Homeschooler Tips

Then, over buying curriculum is the next top mistake to avoid.

3. Do buy JUST a framework of homeschool curriculum like math and language arts or use free online curriculum.

Most new homeschoolers feel more comfortable with laid out curriculum. Buying curriculum can wait until you have time to research it.

I have some ways to help you understand first how to choose curriculum.

My video How To Easily Choose and Distinguish between Homeschool Educational Approaches will help you to narrow down how to homeschool.

My point is do NOT buy a lot of curriculum in the beginning until you have time to get to know your children. Save some of your budget to buy the fun things or do classes your children are interested in taken.

Overbuying curriculum almost seems a rite of passage, but avoid overbuying.

New to Homeschool

Math and language arts are essential subjects needed all the way to high school. However, there are many ways to meet each of the needs of your children. Below I have some posts which will help to give you a starting point.

In addition, you can use free online curriculum until you decide if you want to purchase curriculum. Easy Peasy all in one by Lee Giles was created years ago. It’s a great way to start.

A 20+ Year Homeschool Mom's 5 TOP Tips for First Time Homeschoolers

Another one of my TOP tips for first-time homeschoolers is understanding how to deschool.

4. You ABSOLUTELY have to deschool.

It’s hard to deschool when you don’t what it is or why. Even families whose kids will never go to public school need to deschool. Definitions will vary; here is mine.

It’s the time to unlearn what you think education should be as taught from a public-school mindset and to be open to new, natural, and creative ways to teach your kids.

It’s realizing that taking your kids out of school one day and doing the exact thing at home the next day which wasn’t working in public-school is the definition of insanity (ouch).

It’s letting go and letting in something new in your life; it’s accepting the homeschool lifestyle which is opposite of the public-school lifestyle.

In short, deschooling is a tool both for the first-time homeschooler and long-term homeschooler. When you first begin to homeschool, you need to rethink your view of education. As you homeschool longer, you are subject to burn out and need to return to your deschooling habits.

As I mentioned even if your children will never go to public school, you still need to adopt your view of what is homeschooling. That takes time. The amount of time each family deschools will be different.

How to Deschool – Are You Doomed If You’ve Never Deschooled is another video I have for you.

If your kids have been in public school, you need to take time to educate yourself to what is available in the homeschooling world.

Sure, you can research, but through my many years of teaching new homeschoolers in person I created a course focused just on the unique needs of first-time homeschoolers.

If you don’t want to wait on the ins/outs of how to homeschool, look at my online self-paced KickStarter course. You’ll be in the KNOW NOW.

What Is Included in the Homeschool Kickstarter Course for
First-Time Homeschoolers

MODULE 1

 What I DIDN’T Learn From My Homeschooling Mother, But Should Have
(1 workshop & Printables)

Support is important and you should trust your ability to teach. You’ll walk away from this workshop knowing you’re capable of teaching your kids and why you’re capable. The nuggets in this workshop are golden for the beginner.MODULE 3

How to Choose Curriculum (Wisely)
(9 workshops & printables)

The BIGGEST mistake new homeschoolers make is buying curriculum without knowing how to buy it other than the looks good method. Avoid stress two or three months into your journey by knowing EXACTLY what to choose for your children.MODULE 5

How to Organize it ALL 
( 5 workshops & printables)

Finding balance with all the new hats you’ll be wearing and time management are not easy. Using the AWESOME sample schedules in this module and the step by step plan, I walk you through creating a routine or schedule UNIQUE to your family. Beginning homeschooling by stuffing it into an already busy life is not the way to begin. Did I mention as an organized person I have many tidbits of organization help sprinkled throughout the workshops?MODULE 2

Diving In (Leave Your Public School Mindset Here)
(3 workshops & printables)

If you’re struggling with your public school mindset or that there is one right way to succeed you’ll understand what it means to homeschool and why it’s not public school at home. Homeschooling is a superior approach for a reason.MODULE 4

Teaching the Stages of Homeschool 
(8 workshops & printables)

Jammed packed with great information on understanding the transitions children go through from PreK to High School prepares you to homeschool for the long run. Each learning stage is broken down for you so that you gain the best tips for how to teach and what to teach.MODULE 6

Facing Your BIGGEST Fears Not If But WHEN They Happen 
(1 workshop & printables)

There is a GREAT BIG list of wrong things you’re focusing on in your first or second year which will suck the life out of your homeschool journey.
Begin your journey with the wisdom of the past which has worked successfully for thousands of homeschool families who have gone before you.

Lastly, my fifth top tip for new homeschoolers is learning when to say yes and when to say no.

5. When to say NO and when to say YES is a must learn quickly your first year.

And it’s not easy to know when to say yes and when to say no. So, here a few tips to help you use your time wisely and focus on what is important.

  • When completely curriculum suddenly becomes the focus instead of your child’s needs, it’s time to say no.
  • Trying to right all the wrongs of public school by putting your children in every enrichment activity available is a huge no. You will have time to understand the homeschool world, but you need time with your children to heal. Especially if your child was bullied, has anxiety, or is flat out exhausted, your healing time should come first.
  • Say yes to seizing unplanned moments in your year to learn like packing up the books and heading to the park for a beautiful day outside.
  • Another yes is when your significant other has off from work, savor that time because it’s family time.
  • Taking time to educate YOURSELF is another huge yes. It’s easier and smoother your first year when you know how to schedule more efficiently, learn how to choose curriculum, and know how to teach to your children’s learning style. There is no need to take years doing that. If you want the fasttrack, I am here to help you through my Kickstarter program for first-time homeschoolers.

IF you have any questions email me at tinahomeschools at gmail dot com. I am here for you!

Look at these other tips you’ll love:

Hugs and love ya,

The NOT To Do List: 32 Things New Homeschoolers Should Avoid

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Asking a group of seasoned homeschool moms is the best way to find out 32 things new homeschoolers should avoid.Also, look at more tips on my pages The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter.

I’m reminded of what my homeschooling mother used to say. You learn new things one of two ways. One is by example and other is by experience.

The NOT To Do List: 32 Things New Homeschoolers Should Avoid

Instead of learning the homeschooling ropes the hard way by having to experiment on your kids, learn how to homeschool from those who’ve gone ahead of you or from their example.

Besides, nobody wants to experiment on their kids, but it happens.

Hoping to lessen your stress of beginning new to homeschool, look at these 32 things new homeschoolers should avoid.

Mistakes New Homeschoolers Should Avoid

  • 1. Remember your WHY or what brought you to homeschooling. Write it down somewhere so you don’t forget when times are tough.

  • 3. Do not recreate public school at home.

  • 5. Comparing your children, your home, and your spouse to other homeschooling families is a huge joy sucking trap. Your family is unique and homeschooling needs to fit your family’s needs.

Beginning to homeschool with unrealistic expectations is joy zapping and it’s huge among things new homeschoolers should avoid.

Homeschooling Mistakes

  • 6. You don’t have to run your homeschool day like other homeschool moms although they may tout only one way works.

  • 7. Keep pushing curriculum which isn’t working is another big do not do.

  • 8. Thinking your kids will all learn the same way is another hurdle. It’s okay to use various programs to meet each child’s needs.

  • 9. Curriculum is a tool, not the boss. You are the boss.

Mistakes to Avoid When Homeschooling for the First Time

  • 13. Don’t stress over the small stuff. Learning doesn’t just happen with a book in a kid’s face. Learning happens through everyday interaction and meaningful conversations. Take time to deschool and understand what it means for your family.

  • 14. Do not think you have to cram everything a child needs to learn in a day. Take it one day at a time.

  • 15. You’re not a one act entertaining committee. Sometimes learning is not always fun, it’s just learning. Constantly feeling like everyday has to be over the top fun is exhausting and can zap the joy out of the day.

  • 16. Don’t forget to ask your kids what they want to learn. It’s their education. When you have a willing participant in homeschooling, kids work harder and retain what they’re learning. That makes your job easier.

Homeschooling Potholes to Avoid

  • 17. Do not skip field trips. They are essential to bringing learning to life. Kids learn by being out in the world.

The NOT To Do List: 32 Things New Homeschoolers Should Avoid
  • 18. Don’t underestimate the value of play. Playing is the first introduction to self-education.

  • 19. Assuming homeschooling will be expensive is another mistake. You can spend as little or as much as you want depending on your needs.

  • 21. Using curriculum because somebody else uses it is a costly mistake.

What NOT to Do When You Begin Homeschooling

Also, why do we focus only our kids’ needs when beginning to homeschool? When you focus on your education which doesn’t have to take long you truly can help each child meet his potential.

  • 23. Don’t be a perfectionist. You’ll mess up, your kids will mess up. Tomorrow starts a new and fresh day.

  • 24. Homeschooled kids don’t need to be in class the same amount of time as public schooled kids. We simply do not have the same distractions.

  • 25. You don’t have to follow state educational standards. Knowing your state homeschool laws is the first place to start.

New to Homeschooling

  • 28. Don’t rush. Get outdoors and go to the library. Nothing has to be timed.

  • 29 Don’t be put off when it takes you longer than a year for you or your child to adjust to homeschooling.

Mistakes New Homeschoolers Should Avoid

  • 31. Do not think it’s not okay to step away and take a break.
  • 32. Don’t write your lesson plans in pen. The first sick day and you’re feeling behind. Plan just a few weeks out.

And finally, do NOT think you can’t do this. You absolutely one hundred percent can.

You’ll love my book, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin.

You’ll experience one or two mistakes, but they can be minimized.

There seems to only be two mindsets when new homeschoolers start.

There seems to only be two mindsets when new homeschoolers start.
There are over achievers who are looking to right all the wrongs in a few months or under achievers who feel a rich learning environment just happens with no intentional effort of the parent. Avoid these two mindsets!

Neither mindset works, but it can set you for failure. Achieving balance is absolutely key in your first year of homeschooling.

Do you find you’re making some of these mistakes already?

You’ll love some more tips below about how to start homeschooling:

Hugs and love ya,