How To Homeschool and Schooling at Home Through Virtual Learning

August 13, 2020 Community Forum: Virtual Learning
Homeschooling

As many of us consider what schooling at home will be like in the Fall, homeschooling has become a popular topic. Check out the sessions and information below from our panel of experienced Homeschoolers to learn more about how and why they homeschool, their tips for schooling at home, and their favorite resources.
How to Put Together a Summer Unit Study with Annalee Garland
Details: Elementary educator Annalee guides you through putting together a child-led unit study. Unit Studies help students engage in summer learning in cross-curricular connections in math, communication, and more through a topic that they love. 

How to Homeschool Part 1 with Regina Verow, Chiara D’Amore, Stephanie Rice, and Mary Kate Murray
Details: Learn from experienced homeschoolers about their routines, why they homeschool, and ways to set up your home for learning. 
  • Flexibility is the key to homeschooling/schooling at home. Where you learn (dining table, desk, bed, outside, couch,...), when you learn (may be different day to day and week to week), what you learn (it is okay to switch curriculum or learning resources if something isn't working for that student)
  • Even if you do not have a set school area in your home, having a container of school supplies (that are only used for school work) helps signal to the children that this is work time. 
  • Parenting is challenging, and homeschoolers also don't have perfect interactions with their children, so challenges and power struggles are normal.
  • Your "village" is important. We are not all perfect teachers in all subjects, so find people and resources that can also teach your student.

How to Homeschool Part 2 with Regina Verow, Stephanie Rice, and Mary Kate Murray
Details: Our panel of experienced home schoolers answer your questions.
  • how do you choose curriculum
  • how do you arrange your day
  • where do the children learn (separate room, dining table,...)
  • how do you address special learning needs
  • the value of co-ops and external classes for homeschoolers
How to Homeschool Part 3 with Monique Robinson, Elizabeth Smith, Chris Huza, and Brian Brooks
Details:  In this session, we get some insight from experienced homeschoolers on how to teach children at the same time who are on different levels. Our panel talks about incorporating multiple languages, religious studies, and the importance of flexibility.
Resources
The lists below cover the resources presenters spoke of during sessions.

Homeschool organizations
Online Tools

For curriculum and ideas
For when things are back to "normal" and if you want to continue to homeschool there are a long list of places that offer homeschool classes, including but definitely not limited to:
  • The Aquarium
  • The Baltimore Science Center
  • The Walters Art Gallery
  • Irvine Nature Center
  • Robinson Nature Center
  • Columbia Gymnastics
  • Top Flight Gymnastics