Athens Chandler Teacher Support - View topic - Information for New Homeschoolers - Homeschool Moms Staying in Touch! - Free Message Board Hosting by FreePowerBoards.com

So you want to homeschool your child…

Home educating a child is a huge responsibility. You need to educate yourself before you begin. Some issues to consider are cost, time commitment, curriculum choice, supplies, location in the home, schedule, discipline, and your child’s abilities, interests, and academic level.

Perhaps the greatest question to ask yourself is “why do I want to homeschool?” How you answer that question will determine much about how you will begin and the methods you will follow.

You can be successful, but it will take work and personal commitment. You can find a wealth of information for the following resources. Click on the links. Read the Getting Started information. Join a support group or Yahoo board. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EastTexasHSSupportGroups/
for more information.

Here are some additional websites and addresses to get you started:

1. General Information
2. Northeast Texas Christian Homeschooling Curriculum Suppliers
3. Northeast Texas Support Groups and Organizations
4. Northeast Texas Yahoo Homeschool Boards
5. Other Texas Homeschool Support Web Sites
6. State Information and Texas Law
7. Special Needs Information
8. Christian Curriculum Publishers
9. Other Christian Homeschool Suppliers
10. Materials Sources
11. Christian Homeschooling Magazines
12. Other General Homeschooling Web Sites
13. Distance Learning/Extended Studies/Dual Credit

1. General information:

Texas Home School Coalition
http://www.thsc.org/
(This is the state homeschooling organization)
P.O. Box 6747
Lubbock, Texas 79493
806-744-4441
staff@thsc.org

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
http://www.hslda.org/
(Go to “Start Here”; also, see links about the Texas law applicable to home educators and information on joining HSLDA)
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, VA 20134
540-338-5600
info@hslda.org

North Texas Home Educators Network (NTHEN)
http://www.nthen.org/
(Go to “About Homeschooling”; see “Conferences” for information on the Plano book fair in August)
801 E. Main Street, Suite G
Allen, Texas 75002
214-495-9600
Staff@NTHEN.org

Arlington Book Fair
http://www.homeschoolbookfair.org/
(Information on the huge book fair and conference in May)
Hearth and Home Ministries
P.O. Box 835105
Richardson, TX 75083
972-231-9838
staff@homeschoolbookfair.org

The Teaching Home Magazine
http://www.teachinghome.com/
(Click on Getting Started and read all articles; read “Questions and Answers”)

Smoothing the Way
http://www.smoothingtheway.com/
(Support groups for first-year homeschoolers; monthly meetings held in various locations)

2. Area Christian Homeschooling Curriculum Suppliers:

The Scroll Christian Bookstore
http://www.thescroll.org/
(Click on Homeschooling; read the on-line excerpts from The Starting Point booklet)
2752 E. Fifth Street
Tyler, TX 75701
903-592-0583
888-231-1228 (toll free)
homeschooling@thescroll.org

Homeschooling by Grace
http://www.homeschoolingbygrace.net/
131 E. Main St., Suite C
(just off Hwy. 198 on Hwy. 334, just east of the light)
Gun Barrel City, TX
903-887-1028
Toll Free 1-800-530-1028 from 9am -12pm CT (M, T, Th)
Jennifer@homeschoolingbygrace.net

Jordan's Knowledge Nook
Chaparral Plaza Shopping Center
114A Johnston Street
Longview TX 75601
903-753-8741
knowledgenook@yahoo.com
Shekinah Curriculum Cellar
http://www.shekinahcc.com/
1815 Whittington Road
Kilgore, TX 75662
903-643-2760
customerservice@shekinahcc.com

3. Northeast Texas Support Groups and Organizations:

ACTS (Athens-Chandler Teacher Support)
(Henderson County and surrounding areas)
Christine Westfall, Events and Membership Coordinator
ladyhawk82158@yahoo.com
April Snider, Online Support Administrator
snider6intx@gmail.com
Informational website: http://www.athenshomeschool.com/
ACTS forum: http://www.freepowerboards.com/cahe/

Anderson County Homeschoolers
(Palestine)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HSPalestineTX/

Christian Home Schoolers Educational Co-op (CHEC)
www.longviewchec.com
(Longview area)
P.O. Box 9426
Longview, TX 75608-9426
Alice Thompson
director@longviewchec.com

CROSS Co-op
(A Christian homeschool co-op offering weekly supplemental cooperative learning for families in the Henderson County area)
Lezli Hall, CROSS Co-op Director
903-677-8993
lezlih@cox-internet.com

East Texas Teens Christian Homeschool Association
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EastTexasTeens/
(Cherokee County and surrounding areas)
Jen, 903-683-3232
oakngrits@earthlink.net

Greater Waco Christian Home Educators (GWCHE)
http://www.gwche.org
P.O. Box 8861
Waco, TX 76714
888-569-2984
info@gwche.org

Hearts In Bloom Christian Homeschool Association
(Jacksonville area)
Lisa Satterwhite, 903-589-7787

Home High School
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Home_High_School/
(East Texas counties)

Home School Jacksonville
http://yahoo.com/groups/HSJacksonville/
(Cherokee County homeschoolers only)
HSJacksonville-owner@yahoogroups.com

Home School Tyler
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HSTylerTX/

Kilgore Area Relaxed Educators of Texas (KARETX)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karetx/

Longview Area Relaxed Home Educators (LARHE)
http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/LARHE/

Parents Are Teaching Hearts (PATH)
http://www.pathhs.com/
(Canton, Van Zandt Couty)
P.O. Box 135
Canton, TX 75103

TACHE (Tyler Area Christian Home Educators)
http://www.tachetexas.org/
P.O. Box 132144
Tyler, TX 75713
info@tachetexas.org
Tri-County Home Educators
(Mabank, Cedar Creek, and surrounding areas)
Dana Wise
903-887-2469
Wizegize4@wmconnect.com

Tyler Area American Band
Les & Muna Mitchell 903-569-6087
mlhone@cox-internet.com

4. Northeast Texas Yahoo Homeschool Boards:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EastTexasHSSupportGroups/
This is an informational only group. The owner posts information about home school support groups and information of general interest to homeschoolers in the East Texas area. Counties covered include Kaufman, Navarro, Freestone, Van Zandt, Henderson, Anderson, Wood, Smith, Cherokee, Upshur, Harrison, Rusk. Cities include Kaufman, Corsicana, Canton, Athens, Chandler, Palestine, Tyler, Jacksonville, Longview, Marshall, Kilgore, Henderson. You can find a listing of all area support groups in the "Database" section. You can find many helpful resources in the "Links" section.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ETHSHappenings/
This group provides homeschoolers in the East Texas area with information about local events such as plays, concerts, seminars, classes, conferences, festivals, and anything else that may be of interest to homeschoolers. This is NOT a chat group, but an opportunity to share what's going on in our area. Counties covered include Kaufman, Navarro, Freestone, Van Zandt, Henderson, Anderson, Wood, Smith, Cherokee, Upshur, Harrison, and Rusk. Cities include Kaufman, Corsicana, Canton, Athens, Chandler, Palestine, Tyler, Jacksonville, Longview, Marshall, Kilgore, and Henderson.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Athens_HS/
This is a support group for all active homeschoolers and those interested in homeschooling, in or near the Athens, Texas (Henderson County) area. The group shares information and resources with all interested area homeschoolers; organizes and/or maintains social clubs and activities for parents and children; and provides educational and leisurely field trips for families. It also provides a monthly Mom's Night; provides access to a homeschooling library; schedules Park Days; and provides a format in which parents can respectfully communicate with other educationally like-minded.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cedarcreeklakehomeschooling/
Homeschooling support and encouragement for the Cedar Creek Lake, Gun Barrel City, Mabank, Athens, Canton, Kemp, Malakoff, Seven Points, Eustace, etc., Texas area. This group is used to encourage and support parents educating their children at home.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HSJacksonville/
This group is serves homeschool families in the Jacksonville, Texas area. Membership must be approved. All members must live in Cherokee County and be actively homeschooling. To be accepted into the group, each applicant must agree to the Terms of Service. The group is meant to lift up the Lord, encourage one another, and to pass on information.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karetx/
Kilgore Area Relaxed Educators of Texas (KARETX) is an open and inclusive discussion group for families who ‘live and learn together’ in Kilgore, TX. This is an inclusive network of independent homeschooling families sharing creative ideas, knowledge of educational and community events, personal support, and social opportunities with other homeschooling families. They are a group of many faiths with different beliefs as well as different approaches to teaching. They offer park days and Mom’s Nights Out. Join to find other homeschooling families close to you.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LARHE/
Longview Area Relaxed Home Educators is an email support list for all homeschoolers in the Longview area. LARHE (pronounced "Laurie," like the girl’s name) is a diverse group welcoming all faiths (or lack of) and methods of homeschooling. Most members are Christians, but the group understandsthat not all of members will share the same religious, political, moral, or parenting views. They offer support and companionship in a respectful, gentle manner. Available are a weekly park day, monthly mom's nights out (MNOs), information about local events, sharing of interesting websites, friendship (for parents as well as for children) and general chitchat about life as homeschoolers.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HSTylerTX/
This is an email support list for homeschooling families in the Tyler and surrounding areas. A great place to offer support, curriculum advice, buy or sell used curriculum, notice of sales and events in the Tyler area, etc. Virtually anything that would be of interest to homeschooling (or considering homeschooling) families in the East Texas area. This list is not affiliated with any homeschool organization but is maintained and moderated from a Christian perspective and is suitable for all ages. A brief introduction is required for all new members. Business related ads by non-homeschoolers may be posted ONLY on the first Monday of the month.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etxhe/
This group has been formed to keep all East Texas Home Educators up to date with the various incentive programs available for our students. You will be able to choose which programs you wish to participate in, access guidelines for each and keep apprised of any deadlines involved. Programs so far include Pizza Hut Book-It!, Six Flags 6 Hour Reading Club, Scholastic Book Clubs, Braum's Book Buddy, and Scarborough Faire. Thank you for visiting!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TexHmEd/?yguid=233729917
The Texas Home Educators is a list to serve the Home Educators of Texas in discussions of homeschool styles, philosophy, books, curriculum, events, and laws in a Christian atmosphere. As we homeschool our children, or unschool our children, this is the place to discuss and share our triumphs, our questions, and our bumps. Although discussions will sometimes stray from the direct purpose of home schooling, it usually does not stray from our children's interests. TexHmEd has been serving the community since August 21, 1998 and is now the largest statewide homeschool list.

5. Other Texas Homeschool Support Websites:

http://www.homeschooltexas.com (Homeschool Texas, Christian)

http://www.jsoft.com/archive/taffie/index.html (Much info/Texas Advocates for Freedom in Education)

http://www.texashomeeducators.com (Much info/Christian)

http://www.texashomeschoolers.com/txhs.htm

http://www.txspecialkids.org/home.htm (special needs)

6. State Information and Texas Law:

http://www.texashomeschoolers.com/texaslaws.htm

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=TX (HSLDA—brief overview of law)

http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Texas.pdf (HSLDA analysis; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

http://www.nthen.org/aboutS_2.html (from NTHEN—about withdrawing from public school)

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/home.school (Texas Education Agency)

7. Special Needs Information:

http://www.nathhan.com/ (National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network--
Christian families homeschooling special needs children)

http://www.learningabledkids.com/ (primarily geared towards overcoming dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, and executive function difficulties)

http://www.txspecialkids.org/home.htm

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/specialneeds.htm

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cmspecialkids/

8. Christian curriculum publishers (write or call for a catalog):
A Beka Book (Pensacola Christian College)
http://www.abeka.com/
(complete Christian curriculum for all grade levels, including videos)
P.O. Box 19100
Pensacola, FL 32523-9100
1-877-A BEKA BOOK (1-877-223-5226)

Accelerated Christian Education (ACE)
http://schooloftomorrow.com/homeschool/index.asp
(complete Christian curriculum for all grade levels; workbook style, mastery approach)
P.O. Box 4700
Seminole, FL 33775
727-319-0733

Advanced Training Institute (ATI)
http://www.ati.iblp.org/ati/
Box One
Oak Brook, IL 60522-3001
630-323-2842
Apologia Educational Ministries (Apologia Science)
http://www.highschoolscience.com/
1106 Meridian Plaza Suite 220
Anderson, IN 46016
888-524-4724

Bob Jones University Press
www.bjup.com
http://www.bjup.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&lang Id=-1&portal=HS (cut and paste into browser)
(complete Christian curriculum for all grade levels, including satellite distance learning)
P.O. Box 19100
Customer Services
Greenville, SC 29614-0062
1-800-845-5731

Christian Liberty Press (CLASS)
http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/
(complete Christian curriculum for all grade levels, including satellite school)
502 W Euclid Avenue
Heights IL 60004-5495
1-800-832-2741

Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
(Mennonite publisher, grades 1-8; other conservative Christian literature)
P.O. Box 3
Crockett, KY 41413-0003
606-522-4348

Sonlight Curriculum
http://www.sonlight.com/
(literature-rich approach)
8042 South Grant Way
Littleton, CO 80122-2705
303-730-6292

9. Other Christian Homeschool Suppliers:

http://www.visionforum.com/ (Vision Forum/Doug Phillips)

http://www.elijahcompany.com/help/index2.htm (Elijah Company/Chris Davis)

http://www.lifetimebooksandgifts.com/ (Always Incomplete Resource Guide/Bob & Tina Farewell)

http://www.cspress.com/ (Common Sense Press)

http://www.mantleministries.com/ (Richard “Little Bear” Wheeler)

http://www.gwbc.com/godsworld/ (God’s World Book Club)

http://www.christianbook.com/html/specialty/1016.html (Christian Book Distributors/CBD)

http://www.booksonthepath.com/ (Books on the Path/James and Stacy McDonald)

10. Materials Sources:

http://www.millerpadsandpaper.com/ (paper, arts and crafts)

http://www.tobinslab.com/ (science equipment and much more)

11. Christian Homeschooling Magazines:

Family Reformation http://www.familyreformation.com/

Homeschooling Today http://www.homeschooltoday.com

No Greater Joy http://www.nogreaterjoy.org (Biblical child training, marriage, home education)
Must read: http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/index.php?id=43

The Old Schoolhouse http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com

Practical Homeschooling http://www.home-school.com/catalog/pages/phs.php3

The Teaching Home http://www.teachinghome.com

12. Other General Homeschooling Web Sites:

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com

http://www.home-school.com

http://www.homeedmag.com (Founded by a homeschooling family in 1983)

http://www.homeschoolchristian.com

13. Distance Learning/Extended Studies/Dual Credit:

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/oes (Texas Tech University)

http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/SSI/HSConn.htm (Eastfield College/Dallas Community College)

http://www.globallearningstrategies.org/dev/default.php (Accelerated Distance Learning/Brad Voeller)

http://www.homeedsa.com/Articles/Duel%20Credit.asp (San Antonio, but same would apply elsewhere)

http://www.phc.edu/ (Patrick Henry College)

http://www.sfasu.edu/admissions/concurrent.htm (Stephen F. Austin University)

http://www.tvcc.edu/ (Trinity Valley Community College)

http://www.utexas.edu/cee/dec/uths/dualenrollment.shtml (University of Texas)

Home Management/Organization/Stress/Burnout

http://www.titus2.com/ (Managers of Their Homes program)

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,58-20534,00.html (burnout)

http://organizedhome.com/content-82.html

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/organizing/paperwork.htm

http://www.getorganizednow.com