Here are a few observations:
1. Homeschooling is NOT “school” at home. It is a tutorial model of learning. Consequently, homeschool parents expect their children to be to some degree self teaching. For example, our 13 year-old is doing Saxon Advanced Math (precal). He reads the lesson and does the problems. I correct them (and the tests) and discuss any comprehension issues he may have. When the boys were younger (two are studying engineering now), I would have them read the math lesson to me, and then go through the same process. Similarly, I assign books to read to the 13 year-old, write some chapter questions, and have my son write answers. We then discuss his answers, which sometimes results in having him redo questions. At no time do successful homeschooling parents stand in front of their children lecturing for hours on end.
2. Find a local support group with “veteran” homeschoolers and join it.
3. Join HSLDA and your state organization. There are many, many benefits to this.
4. DO NOT do virtual school. It is the least effective approach to education (there is data). Using some video resources is fine, but thinking you’ll dump junior in front of a screen and go on with whatever you normally do is NOT a good idea.
There are many free resources. If you have an ebook reader, you can download thousands of classics for free. YouTube has many valuable resources that are free. We use, for example, Paul Barton’s piano tutorials, videos of Shakespeare productions, and videos of science experiments. There is, of course, much more. Khan Academy is a great source for some things (not as entire courses).
5. Here is an academically excellent, inexpensive, turnkey curriculum that will, if you want, keep records and provide testing. http://www.shopchristianliberty.com/about-class-homeschools/
6. Even mediocre to below average homeschooling is better than government school. Homeschoolers have plenty of testing data to support that. So, RELAX.
7. There is no “Try”. Just do it. You’ll get used to it and love the freedom and flexibility. You will also get to know your son far better than if he were institutionalized in a government school child abuse facility.
8. Be discerning using dual credit courses at the local CC. At one time CC courses were respectable. Compared to schools 30-40 years ago, however, CC courses in humanities and social sciences would not even be mediocre high school courses. CC teaching jobs in most fields are sinecures for semiliterate leftists.
9. You will have great days, good days, and bad days. Don’t worry about the bad days.
Great advice. I should have numbered my list.
:^)
If I may be so bold, I disagree. I have a child who needs this interaction and learns best this way. It provides the structure, pace and immediate feedback that he needs.