The short answer to this is: "Any where you like." Because, when you choose to homeschool your children, you open up an infinite number of possible roads you may take to educate them.
The long answer is that, basically, homeschooling methods can be classified into six basic categories:
-1- Traditional or school-at-home - Takes the classroom techniques, familiar to many of us who have been in school and simply uses them in the home. You might want to check out the Sunshine State Standards to find the scope and sequence for Florida State Schools.
-2- Unschooling - Child-led learning that follows the childs interest. Take a look at the Family Unschoolers Network (FUN) and Sandra Dodds' site The Natural Child, for more information on unschooling.
-3- Delayed Academics - Many unschoolers, and others, follow a delayed academics approach based on the research of Raymond and Dorothy Moore, as well as others. You can find out more about delayed academics at The Moore Foundation and Academy.
-4- Classical - Liberal arts education focus including lessons in Greek Latin and logic, as well as on reading classical literature. Websites like Trivium Pursuit Online, and The Well Trained Mind, are good places to find out more about classical education.
-5- Charlotte Mason - Emphasizes reading good books, especially original sources and spending alot of time with nature. Start with A Charlotte Mason Education, for more information on this approach.
-6- Unit Studies - Integrates all school subjects into one theme or topic Five in a Row, or KONOS:Learning Made Fun!, .
Eclectic - Takes a little bit of each, try Eclectic Homeschooling on the Web, for more informaiton.
This is, by no means, an exhaustive list of information on these education styles. You should not hesitate to use the terms introduced here to begin searching on your own.
It should be noted that many homeschooling families start out with one method and then begin to incorporate bits of the others as it suits their learning styles.
General Information
For more information on where to start check out the following articles and websites:
Homeschooling
Intrigues Me
Where Do I Start?
If you live in Collier County, mail your notice of intent via certified mail, return receipt to
Dee Whinnery
Office of Student Services
5775 Osceola Trail
Naples, FL 34109-0919
If you live in Lee County, mail your notice of intent via certified mail, return receipt to
Carolyn Rowlinson
Office of Student Welfare and Attendance
2523 Market Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
There is certainly no shortage of curriculum suppliers for homeschoolers. With a population of about 1.1 million homeschoolers in the United States, curriclum vendors abound. You need only to run a google search on "homeschool curriculum suppliers" to see for yourself.
Here are a few possibilites to get you started:
1. Your nearest public library.
2. Any bookstore, besides the book selections for children, most will also have "Teacher Resource" center with workbooks and other resources for parents/teachers.
3. There are many resources on the web, free and otherwise.
4. Here are a few popular curriculum suppliers to get you started.
Actually, we do. Here are a few of our favorites:
How to Create Your Own Unit Study , Valerie Bendt
