by Sandra Devera

Created on: May 19, 2008

How to homeschool your children in five scary, life-changing, mind-blowing, adventurous steps.

Step One: Research

Go to the library or Google homeschooling on-line and start reading about the lifestyle. Familiarize yourself with the various approaches, authorities, terminology and techniques. As you do, you'll be definitely drawn to some ideas and repelled by others.

Read up on learning styles and determine what type of learning style seems to suit your child's personality. If they've been in school, have them tested to determine their actual grade level in reading and math. If you can find someone who gives cognitive abilities tests that may help you determine if your child is processing information at a level ahead of or behind their age/grade level.

Every grade level has a typical course of study of what children usually learn or have learned by a certain grade level. Research what's typical for your state and once you have a good idea of what grade level your child should tackle next (it may not be the same level as their typical age) then you need to jot down what subjects would be appropriate to teach for that level. Remember too, a child can be at different levels depending on subject (i.e.,third grade math, fifth grade reading, fourth grade social studies).

Step Two: Network

Join the nation-wide legal support network of Home School Legal Defense Association and start reading their magazine and on-line publications.

Join your state's homeschool association. They can help you locate local homeschool groups. Visit a couple and watch how the children interact with each other on play days and how the adults interact. Not all homeschool groups are equal so it might take some shopping before you find one that suits you.

Pick a homeschooler's brain. Why do they do what they do? How do they do what they do? Attend a local or state homeschool convention and strike up conversations with other attendees and with vendors and speakers. Most homeschooling parents remember what it was like when they started and are eager to help you.

Introduce your children to a homeschool family with children of a similar age. When your children know someone who home educates it is a lot easier for them to understand the concept.

Step Three: Administrate

Take what steps are necessary and fill out the appropriate paperwork to comply with your state's laws regarding home education.

Set up the necessary files (usually attendance, health, and a proposed course of study) for each child. Name your

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