Homeschooling Guide

Posted on by

Whether you are just starting out or you’re a seasoned homeschooling pro, Red Hook Public Library is here to help.

This guide will show you:

Getting Started with Homeschooling

  1. Do your research- How does homeschooling work?  Check out our book recommendations below.
  2. Know the law – See the NYS Homeschool Regulations page, adapted from Dutchess County BOCES, to read and understand the requirements for homeschool parents.
  3. Connect with the community –  Homeschool families often join together to create vibrant communities that support each other in learning cooperatives, parental support groups and extra-curricular activities. Check out Dutchess County Homeschooling Facebook Page, Hudson Valley Homeschoolers Facebook Page, Hudson Valley LEAH, Homeschoolers-on-the-Hudson, and 3 Rivers Homeschool Co-op  (to name a few), to find a group that’s right for your family.
  4. Continue your research – Discover your child’s learning style and types of curriculum available. See some tip at Starting Strong on the Home School Legal Defense Association website or on Homeschool.com.
  5. Additional resources – Check out our list of online resources and curriculum support.

Homeschooling book suggestions

Homeschool Hacks by Linsey Knerl

A working mother of six, who has homeschooled her own children for years, shows how any family can do it, with customized plans for every schedule, lifestyle, and educational goal.

 

 

 

Home Learning Year by Year, Revised and Updated by Rebecca Rupp

Homeschooling can be a tremendous gift to your children-a personalized educational experience tailored to each kid’s interests, abilities, and learning styles. But what to teach, and when, and how? Especially for first-time homeschoolers, the prospect of tackling an annual curriculum can be daunting. In Home Learning Year by Year, Rebecca Rupp presents comprehensive plans from preschool through high school, covering integral subjects for each grade, with lists of topics commonly presented at each level, recommended resource and reading lists, and suggestions for creative alternative options and approaches. 

 

The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas by Linda Dobson

As a homeschooling parent, you’re always looking for new and creative ways to teach your child the basics. Look no longer! Inside this innovative helper, you’ll find kid-tested and parent-approved techniques for learning math, science, writing, history, manners, and more that you can easily adapt to your family’s homeschooling needs.

 

 

Rethinking School: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education by Susan Wise Bauer

Susan Bauer closely analyzes the traditional school structure, gives trenchant criticisms of its weaknesses, and offers a wealth of advice for parents of children whose difficulties may stem from struggling with learning differences, maturity differences, toxic classroom environments, and even from giftedness.

 

 

 

The Homeschooling Starter Guide: How to Create and Adapt the Best Education Action Plan for Your Needs by Gina Riley 

This starter guide to homeschooling is the ultimate resource for turning any home into an ideal school environment and helping any child succeed. Learn how to homeschool: – Schooling styles-Compare the most popular education philosophies and homeschool models, and choose the best combination for every homeschool situation. 

 

 

 

Everything you need to know about homeschooling : a comprehensive, easy-to-use guide for the journey from early learning through graduation by Lee Ann Garfias 

Lea Ann Garfias, homeschooling mom of six and herself a homeschool graduate, has all the information you need to succeed. This complete reference guide will provide you with everything you need to successfully tackle homeschooling in your own style, filling your experience with confidence, grace, and the joy of learning. 

 

 

 

The brave learner : finding everyday magic in homeschool, learning, and life by Julie Bogart 

A joyful and accessible approach to homeschool that harnesses children’s natural curiosity and makes learning a part of everyday life, whether they’re in elementary or high school. 

 

 

 

From Homeschool to Harvard Without Paying a Cent by Eloisa Minasi 

From Homeschool to Harvard Without Paying a Cent shows tried and tested strategies Eloisa Minasi used over a 10-year period, starting with supplementing her sons’ education at public school and transitioning to full time homeschooling. Eloisa now shares her wealth of experience and resources to help both homeschoolers and traditional school pupils. 

 

 

 

The Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment

Allow your children to experience the adventure, freedom, and wonder of childhood with this practical guide that provides all the information, inspiration, and advice you need for creating a modern, quality homeschool education. Inspired by the spirit of Henry David Thoreau-“All good things are wild and free”-mother of five Ainsley Arment founded Wild + Free.

 

 

 

Homeschooling High School with College in Mind by Betsy Sproger 

Homeschooling High School with College in Mind- lays out 10 easy to understand steps for going from homeschooling high school to college. It covers everything from transcripts, curriculum, course descriptions, reference letters, having fun with high school electives and more.