America’s parents have suddenly become ‘homeschoolers’ in the midst of an unprecedented event! While some families homeschool by choice, distance learning is an entirely new challenge for many families. Some parents are feeling a bit overwhelmed and unprepared. However, distance learning isn’t exactly homeschooling, because the schools still follow their own curriculum, make their own assignments, oversee your children’s’ performance and instill the values of a worldview that may run counter to your own.
For some families, this pandemic event presents a real opportunity to take that plunge and start schooling at home. This means pulling your children out of the public school system or possibly out of private schools. Even though this school year is almost over, you have an opening to ‘reimagine’ your family’s education. When schools eventually reopen, you may choose to continue educating at home.
While it is understandable to feel inadequate or unqualified, we hope you will see this as an amazing opportunity to be your children’s primary educational influence; discovering, teaching, and discussing what they are learning through the lens of your family’s values, principles and beliefs. We’re confident you and your children are going to discover far more together than you anticipated and will find the whole experience exciting rather than scary. We also hope you will experience a marked difference in your children’s overall well-being. You may be finding your children are more rested, refreshed, and able to take the breaks they need when they need them. Many children will be relieved to be free of the peer pressure and social situations at school.
Under normal circumstances, many content rich classes are offered through homeschool co-ops and other organizations. Museums, libraries and nature centers offer classes and field trips too. But, since these are not normal times, just about everything is closed. We hope the following list of online resources and suggestions will be helpful to you. There are tons of resources available outside of the public schools.
Whether you follow the school curriculum and oversight or choose to homeschool your own children, we hope you and your children enjoy this time of discovery!
Please feel free to contact us at kelly@cplaction.com with any questions or suggestions.
Homeschool Conferences and Associations
- MACHE, Minnesota Association of Christian Homeschool Educators
The website has a list of homeschool co-ops (educational or social) around Minnesota. - MCHEC, Minnesota Catholic Home Educators Conference
Getting Started
- Home School Exit
- BJU Press: Thinking about Homeschooling?
- Cathy Duffy Reviews
Reviews of the most popular curriculum in use by homeschoolers. - Simply Charlotte Mason: Homeschool help from moms who’ve been there
- Kahn’s Academy
- RenewaNation: Homeschool Starter Kit
- Hillsdale K-12 Classical Education
Curriculum, Books and Supplies
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: Complete, All Free Curriculum
- Study.com: Over 27,000 video lessons and other resources
- Rainbow Resource Center, Learning Tools for Homes & Schools
- Homeschool Buyers Co-op
- Heppner’s Legacy Home School Resources
Homeschool retail store in Elk River, MN - Christianbook Online Store
Curriculum by Subject
The Arts
Math
History
Reading
- Read-Aloud Revival
- Hillsdale Schools Summer Reading List Grades 3-4
- Great Books List (PDF)
A guide to classic literature for youth of all ages from Charlemagne Institute. - Elementary Reading List (PDF)
The Logos School in Moscow, Idaho has compiled an excellent list for elementary children. - List of Representative Great Books (PDF)
- Turbo Reader by Phyllis Schlafly
User-friendly book designed to help anyone (adults, children, non-English speakers) to read, or to become a better reader.
Activities, Field Trip Ideas
Online Classes (full scope of subjects)
- AOP: Enjoy the Freedom of Online Learning
- Liberty University Online Academy: Accredited K-12
- HSLDA Online Academy
- Hillsdale College: Free online courses for older students & adults
Encouragement and Teaching Philosophies
- Carole Joy Seid: Literature-based approach to life and learning
- Webinar: Great Ideas to Teach Biblical Worldview at Home
Webinar presented by a MN homeschool family