So you want to homeschool and you don’t know where to start. Here are 5 things to help you get up and running if you live in the state of Georgia. Please note that these are suggestions!
- First, think about the reason you want to homeschool. What is your vision? Do you want to homeschool because you don’t like the school’s curriculum, environment, or all of the above? If you like the curriculum and not the environment you might want to consider Public Virtual Charter Schools which would NOT require for you to complete a Declaration of Intent. Click here to read more about Public Virtual Charter Schools
- If you are still inclined to homeschool and not go the Public Virtual Charter School route, the next step is to complete the Declaration of Intent from the Georgia Department of Education (Click Here) – Make sure to print it and safe the form. You can use this to get discounts, etc. and you will also need it for your records.
- Go to your child’s school and show them your printed out version of the Declaration of Intent and formally withdraw your child from school.
- Now what? Write your vision for your homeschool and choose your curriculum. See below for different options.
- Find a homeschool support group. EPIC Homeschool Network, Inc. services students in the metro Atlanta Area. Join us. We have monthly meetings and field trips. We even have a yearbook. Click here to learn more and join!
Choosing a Curriculum
Option 1: You can choose to “Do It Yourself” and continue using your child’s syllabus. If so then check out the Curriculum Guidance links.
- All Georgia Curriculum Standards – https://www.georgiastandards.org/
- World Book Typical Course of Study – http://www.worldbook.com/free-educational-resources/typical-course-of-study
- Georgia Mathematics Educator Forum: Grades K-5 – https://ccgpsmathematicsk-5.wikispaces.com/
- Georgia Mathematics Educator Forum: Grades 6-8 – http://ccgpsmathematics6-8.wikispaces.com/Georgia English Language Arts Educator Forum: Grades K-5 – http://georgiaelaccgpsk-5.wikispaces.com/
- Georgia English Language Arts Educator Forum: Grades 6-8 – http://georgiaelaccgps6-8.wikispaces.com/
Option 2: Use supporting websites such as the following.
- Starfall– http://www.starfall.com – has curriculum for pre-K to first grade and only costs $30 for the YEAR (they also have FREE stuff!)
- Time 4 Learning – www.timeforlearning.com – has curriculum for Pre-K to High School and costs from $20 per month for elementary to $30 per month for high school. This is the best deal I have found for a complete curriculum. If you use them tell them Andrea Hall sent you!
- Study Island – https://shop.edmentum.com/us/georgia- has curriculum for kindergarten through twelfth grade and only cost $59 for elementary school.
- Georgia Virtual School Open Education Resource– http://www.gavirtuallearning.org/Resources/SharedMSLA6(MSCopy).aspx- has curriculum for middle school and high school FREE of charge.
Option 3: One-stop shop curriculum! One-stop shop curriculum include traditional homeschool programs which require you to pay for their curriculum and resources such as Griggs University & International Academy (www.griggs.edu) and A Beka Book Homeschool ( www.abeka.com ) to name a few but there are other options that are even more inexpensive and/or free. Check out the Rainbow Resource Center. It is by far the most comprehensive center which offers a review on almost ALL the homeschool curriculum out there. You may even email them and ask for a free catalog to be shipped to your home. It is thicker than the Bible…. I kid you not.
Time 4 Learning – www.timeforlearning.com – could be considered a one-stop shop curriculum for Pre-K to High School and costs from $20 per month for elementary to $30 per month for high school. This is the best deal I have found for a complete curriculum. If you use them tell them Andrea Hall sent you!
EPIC HOMESCHOOL NETWORK, INC. 