You are Not Alone!

Home schooling in the twenty-first century is so full of help, support, resources, and curriculum, that you may find yourself up in the wee hours of the morning filling your head with more ideas than you can use. The good news is that for almost any question you have, there's an answer.

The Internet plays a big part in this and even though this may be your first online class, it is probably isn't the end of your online learning experiences. Although the Internet is a part of life these days, it wasn't when we were children. We looked in the phone book for an address, we consulted the torn map in the car for directions, and we went to the library when we needed information for a book. Today, you'll find great books on home schooling and excellent magazines to subscribe to, but the wealth of support and resources is online.

We talked in earlier lessons about using Google, making folders, storing sites, and we've even used message boards in this class. These simple tools will bring you a lot of information. If you're not comfortable with using the Internet, you'll want to work on that. Your children will need to become proficient in Internet searches, online safety, and general computer use and the more you can help them with that, the better. Don't neglect to teach them those old-fashioned skills we used as a child, as well. You never know when the power might go out!

It may be that even the simplest of things help you feel more at home online. A short article or presentation can boost your confidence!

• If you find that you're reading message boards and they're full of abbreviations you don't recognize, take a look at this site:
  A Key to Online Abbreviations

• If you want to understand the World Wide Web just a bit better, you might take a free mini-course online, like this one:
  How the Web Works

• If you're concerned about Internet safety and your children, you might find good information in this article :
  Internet Safety Tips for Parents

Your text has a whole chapter on this, and even if you don't have a child with a special need, you may want to browse through it. Every child is different and even though those differences may not be labeled one way or the other, the ideas in this chapter may be helpful. Ms. Linsenbach also addresses the needs of parents with gifted children, which often require extra attention in different ways.

I hope you'll have found a support group either online or in person in your area. You may be surprised at how many people join and read online discussion boards, but don't usually post. If you have a special needs child, you may want to let others know that you do and see if there are others in the community that are home schooling and what resources they might have to offer you.

National Resources

I'm still surprised when I find things that are designed for home schoolers in the mainstream of life. I don't expect it, yet, I should. Home schooling is expanding at a rapid rate and many resources are available.

Scouting

For example, if you're interested scouting, you can start a group that meets on Tuesday mornings with home schoolers. There are lots that do. But, you can also sign up for the Lone Scout program. The Lone Scout program is designed for boys (and there may be one for girls as well) that aren't in town regularly, have special needs, or for home school students. They don't belong to a troop or den, but are able to earn all the awards, work through the program, and participate in a way that works for them. More information here:

Volunteer Work or Fitness Awards

If you're interested in volunteer service, The President's Volunteer Service Award program might be just the thing for your home school group to set up! You'll find lots of information on opportunities for kids, young adults, and families at their web site. The President's Fitness Challenge is another program you can participate in as a group or individual.

Art Contests

It may seem an unlikely source for a children's art contest, but the National Rifle Association has a Youth Wildlife Art Contest, open to students, and yes, they specifically include home schoolers. Your child could win up to $500. For more details, see their Web site:

You can see the list of opportunities is almost endless. Let's head to our Activity page for this lesson and you'll find even more to support you and your children in an amazing life-long learning experience.