Can I Start Homeschooling Mid-Year?
Yes! You absolute can start homeschooling halfway through the school year. Ok, so how do you do it then? What about figuring out all the stuff?
Let me clarify, my suggestions are specific to kids in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Once you start dealing with high school credits (and possibly middle school ones) I am going to have to say - you need to ask someone else. My kids are all still in elementary school and my own teaching experience was elementary school as well. So, with that in mind…
Start Small
It is OK to have a few low-key school days (or weeks!) at the beginning of the semester while you wrap your mind around what you need to do this year.
You might even need to do a school “detox” and not have any official school plans for a few days or weeks - especially if you are entering homeschool because of strong negative experiences in the classroom. But, you may want (or even “have”) to “do school” right from the get-go. (Check out this article where I recommend some places to search for your legal requirements - if you live in the US.)
Quick Curriculum Start Guide
Math Options:
KhanAcademy.org
Use this free math program while you decide on your “official” curriculum.
Create a free account on KhanAcademy.org and let your kid start the Math for their grade level.
Choose the grade level you want your kid to do and either let them start on lesson one, or let them do the “course challenge” to see where they need work. You know your kid best and whether the challenge of filling in the blanks afterward is more effective or whether that would dishearten them.
Here’s a screenshot of the 3rd Grade Course Challenge results with an 87% accuracy result. (I randomly chose a bunch of answers to see how it would work with a kid missing some.) Just be aware that if your child hasn’t used the Khan Academy website before the format could be confusing. So they will likely score lower than they would otherwise. You could have them start a grade lower just to build confidence.
Sample results after completing the “Course Challenge” on Khan Academy
Math Option 2
If you can get a copy of the textbook your kid was using (or they will send it home - like a consumable text) just keep going with that.
Other Math Websites
Use some of these websites for math practice (but not a comprehensive curriculum):
They have a free and paid version (gets rid of the ads) and all the games are not “actual” math the way we think about it when we want our kids to do math for school.
This is a great way to let your kids practice math facts- addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. You can use the free version or the $2/year per kid - check out their pricing info here.
We have been using XtraMath this year as a quick and easy supplement to our main math curriculum.
Reading Suggestions
Reading Aloud TO Your Kids
Read aloud each day to your kid and just talk about the book a tiny bit while you’re reading it and afterward. There are a few questions to get you started below.
Or just ask your kid to tell you the story. This practice, called “narration,” is a really phenomenal way for kids to learn and grow - it’s just hard if not impossible to do in a classroom full of kids. But for homeschooling, it’s perfect!
Who was this story about (main character)?
What was the main character’s problem? (problem)
How did they solve it? (solution)
What would you do if you were in their shoes? (connections)
Going through simple questions like these are easy ways to get your kid thinking about their reading. They don’t even have to write any of it down! Keep it simple and fun!
Reading Aloud WITH Your Kid
If they are able, have them read aloud to you or a sibling.
You can even read aloud with them while they read aloud. Here’s an article I wrote about this super simple but helpful way to help your child develop their own reading fluency.
Silent Reading
Don’t downplay the fun and enjoyment of simply reading silently. Let your kids read silently each day - even younger kids can “read” picture books. This way they don’t feel like they are being assessed in any way. They’re just reading by themselves.
And of course if you are trying to cover some science and history topics, this is a great way to check that off but let your kid take ownership.
Structured Reading Lessons
If you’d prefer a more structured reading “lesson” approach, Khan Academy also has reading courses for grades 2 and up -in addition to tons of other subjects. Spend some time letting them check out these courses while you figure out your plan for the rest of the semester.
Other Subjects:
History and Science
If your kids are in the early elementary grades, either don’t worry about any other subjects for now, OR:
Let them watch a science or history video on YouTube
Send them outside to play in and explore nature
Take a walk and talk about what you see in your neighborhood.
Pick out some books from your local library and read about something of interest to you.
Art
You can always just let them free draw.
Or you can use the Art for Kids Hub Youtube channel. It’s free but they have a paid app if you prefer to have a closed environment without ads, etc. This channel has tons of kid-friendly step-by-step drawings. My kids have watched and drawn with this YouTube family for years.
For more strucrtured, paid lessons, we have enjoyed doing some of the art projects from The Kitchen Table Classroom. She is an art teacher who provides online art instruction for kids. Some is free and some is paid.
Keeping Track
Just Get Started
How do you keep track of what you’ve done - how do you keep records? For now just write it down in a notebook or on a computer document.
Later you can transfer it into the lesson planner or recording device of your choice!
It truly doesn’t have to be fancy. Just keep a bullet-note style journal for the first days/weeks until you decide what works best for you.
Next Steps
Use these simple suggestions to get excited for a semester of learning and enjoying time with your kids!
And when you’re ready here are some additional articles that should be of help…
