Getting Started Resources

Welcome to the wonderful world of homeschooling!

As a new homeschooler, you don’t have to go it alone; it’s important for you to connect with others willing to offer support and encouragement. At the Homeschool Resource Center, we want to help you get the right start homeschooling your children. Check out the links below to get you started. Along with these links, we offer many resources in our extensive Resource Library for you to borrow or look at before you buy.

Donna Young Homeschool Forms and Resources
http://donnayoung.org/
Free downloadable and printable homeschool forms, planners, calendars, household helps, subjects helps, diplomas, etc.

Free Homeschool I.D. Card for Your Homeschooled Child
http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-id/

Homeschool Christian
http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/beginner.php

HSLDA – Home School Legal Defense Association
Register or renew membership at this link:
https://hslda.org/membership
The Homeschool Resource Center offers the group discount membership rate.
E-mail kristi.boss@fofc.org for the discount number needed.

HSLDA-You Can Homeschool
http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp?bhcp=1
Contains information about homeschooling, support groups in your area, state law,
and the HSLDA.

HSLDA – Homeschooling the Early Years, Preschool to Middle School
http://www.hslda.org/earlyyears/
You’ll find helpful articles and resources to equip and encourage you as you determine your homeschool goals and choose the best route to get to them.

HSDLA–Homeschooling Through High School
http://www.hslda.org/highschool/default.asp
Helpful articles and resources to help you continue to homeschool through high school.

ICHE – Illinois Christian Home Educators
https://www.iche.org
The mission of ICHE is to call, encourage, and assist Christian families to trust our trustworthy God through practicing a home-based, family-funded, multi-generational, life-long discipleship that builds Christian character, pursues excellence in academics, nurtures an ever-deepening faith, and impacts our world for Jesus Christ.
Sample letter to withdraw from public school:
http://www.iche.org/resources/article/01-25-2010/information-and-sample-letters-withdrawing-children-public-schools
ICHE IL State Law for Homeschooling
http://www.iche.org/resources/article/02-19-2010/illinois-law-homeschooling

IHEN Statewide Support and Resource Directory – Lake County, IN
http://www.ihen.org/content/support/counties/lake.htm
Gives information on local support groups, activities, e-mail loops, co-ops, etc

Report Cards
http://www.justmommies.com/unit_studies/homeschool_report_card.shtml

The Teaching Home – Premier magazine for homeschoolers
http://www.teachinghome.com
Includes multiple articles about getting started, as well as questions frequently asked by beginners.

Trivium Pursuit – Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/index.php
Articles for beginners, Q & A using the trivium and classical education, and practical articles.