What worked one year may not necessarily work the next. Your family's needs and interests will always continue to change and you need to learn to go with the flow. Buy materials that meet your present needs and mold the curriculum to the child's abilities, not the child to the curriculum. ~ David Dunlap
Many new homeschoolers feel most comfortable replicating school at home. This is most common the first year or two of homeschooling while the parent builds their confidence. Many homeschoolers continue to find that the "school at home" format works for their family while others may branch into unit studies or relaxed learning for other subjects.
Distance Learning is one way homeschoolers feel comfortable getting started, although some distance learning programs are more oriented to other homeschool methods. Several companies offer distance learning programs that usually include transcripts and degrees. One advantage to Distance Learning programs is that most of the work is done for the parent by the company. A disadvantage is the lack of flexibility involved since most Distance Learning programs require a rigid "school-at-home" schedule. Here are some of the more popular Distance Learning programs:
- Alpha Omega Academy
- The American School
- Calvert School
- Hewitt Homeschooling Resources
- K12 Online Home School (keep in mind that the Public School option is through the public school district so the student is still accountable to the public school)
- Liberty Online Academy
