|
Often times someone new to homeschooling looks around them for  support and sees only other parents who are sending their kids off to school on the big yellow bus.
Other homeschooling resources that may remain a mystery could include teaching materials, such as text books, curriculum, assessment tools; and for those considering the more natural approaches such as unschooling, there will be even more confusion over where to find resources that will serve the child's interests whether that be working with animals or learning computer programming.
Parents who have never homeschooled may also be wondering about homeschooling resources that will help them to provide social opportunities for their children. Finally, even though homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, some homeschooling parents find themselves at odds with local school authorities over requirements and may need legal resources as well.
Since you are reading this on a computer, then you already hold the key to opening the door to most of the homeschooling resources you will need! Others can be found in your community, such as through local homeschooling groups (which can also be found online).
Here's a list of resources with links, as well as some ideas to help you get  started in finding the homeschooling resources that will best fit your needs. This list is based on over five years of homeschooling my child, using an eclectic approach, as well as sites recommended by other long-time homeschoolers.
Jon's Homeschool Resources is a neutral site (no religion, politics or pushing of particular homeschooling methodologies) that provides a comprehensive list of well-organized, online resources for homeschooling families: http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/index.html
The late, John Holt's Website has an excellent FAQ section and of course sells his books, including the classic, Teach your Own: http://www.holtgws.com/faqabouthomescho.html
Wikipedia's comprehensive article on homeschooling includes the movement's history, famous homeschooled people (such as Thomas Edison), resources, demographics, etc.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeschooling
The National Home Education Network's mission statement: "...we support the freedom of all individual families to choose home education and to direct such education." pretty well sums it up. Membership is free, and this site can link you up to a wide variety of homeschooling help: www.nhen.org
Wikipedia's Unschooling page provides an overview as well as links to resources for those interested in this method: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unschooling
Homeschooling (unschooling method) parent Alison McKee and author of From Homeschool to College and Work: Turning Your Homeschooled Experiences into College and Job Portfolios provides practical tips for record keeping: http://www.homeschool.com/advisors/McKee/default.asp
The "Teens and Unschooling" page at this "radical unschooling" site answers questions such as "Will they get jobs?" and features homeschoolers' home pages: http://sandradodd.com/teens
The Teenage Liberation Handbook is reviewed, the history of public education and its failings, and the benefits of homeschooling are reviewed at
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3693/is_200311/ai_n9325045
Let's Homeschool.com provides a list of 100 resources, including lots of free lessons and worksheets: http://www.letshomeschool.com/top100.htm
Homeschool Curriculum from About.com provides links to new, used and free: http://homeschooling.about.com/od/curriculum/Homeschool_Curriculum.htm
Members of a homeschooling group can often lead you to other resources
Need Kids Crafts? Have A Look!
| 
