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by Cindy 2 Comments

Homeschooling Help: How to Find Experts

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Finding Expert Teachers for Your Homeschool | Our Journey Westward

 Do You Know Everything There is to Know?

Me either.  Far from it, actually.

When we first began homeschooling, one of the questions/comments I heard more often than most was, “How are you going to teach your children everything they need to know?  I would really want a professional teaching my children – especially as middle and high school approach.”

You’ve heard that question, too, haven’t you?  Well, from a veteran homeschooler who isn’t an expert in everything, but does have children who are successfully learning ALL subjects, I’ll share some of our experiences in teaching everything well.

This post contains affiliate links.

Realize You Probably Can’t Teach it All!

It’s true.  You will probably come across a subject or two that baffle you.  That’s okay.  You have SO many resources for homeschooling help at your fingertips!  As homeschoolers, we know that expert teachers have written curriculum that is very easy to understand and teach, making those tough subjects much more attainable.  Too many people give up when the written curriculum just isn’t enough, though.  Believe it or not, without too much extra effort or extra expense, you have a world of places to turn for teaching help!

Via Technology

  • We have used video classes to help with high school science and high school math.  The expert teachers of Apologia and Saxon go through the lessons with us making sure concepts are explained clearly.  These DVD lessons have been a HUGE help for us!
  • We have taken a few online courses from people who are really good at what they do.  Sometimes, these classes are live and sometimes my children work their way through prepared lessons on their own time and get regular feedback from their teachers.
  • The internet has been a FABULOUS teacher over the years.  As an example, when we couldn’t figure out how to use the scientific calculator for an algebra problem, a simple query online led us to the perfect YouTube video that had my daughter moving on in her lessons within a few minutes.
  • While I think “the real thing” is always better, television and dvd documentaries have been very helpful on many occasions, too.

Via Real People

  • Grandmas and a sweet 90 year old neighbor taught Mahayla to knit and crochet.
  • An expert piano player in our church gave my daughter piano lessons for years.
  • An expert worship minister is currently giving my two big kids guitar lessons.
  • Our 4-H leader, horticulturalist and consumer science extension agents have taught our children a slew of classes.
  • When my daughter was younger, several families gathered together regularly so the moms could teach the girls skills they excelled in – sewing, canning, cake decorating, flower arranging and more.
  • Co-op teachers have been a huge asset!  An occupational therapist taught a biology lab, a science major taught a chemistry lab, a minister taught apologetics, an English major taught Shakespeare and more!
  • Field trips have always drawn out the best in learning – especially those with lectures/guided tours/special classes/demonstrations/etc.
  • Special classes that have been offered through colleges, museums, libraries and more have almost always included expert teachers.
  • And don’t forget, there are opportunities for homeschool teachers to learn how to teach various subjects better, too!  Homeschool conferences (in person and online), local workshops, professional development offered by local universities, and even homeschool consultants.
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Last Updated: March 21, 2016 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling Tagged With: gifted homeschooling, high school, homeschool help, special needs homeschooling

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  1. Ticia says

    June 27, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    These are great suggestions. Love your picture!

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When my boys were little, I loved reading these “letters from God” to them as blessings to start the day.
As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.
Do you do anything special to start your day off on the right foot? I’d love to hear about it!
Click the link in my bio for a link to the book.
#homeschoolblessings #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolmom #homeschool #homeschooling #yourmorningbasket #startthedayoffright #charlottemasonmama #loveyourkids #wildandfreemama #childrensbook #devotionalforkids #homeschool365 #homeschoolmorning #ourjourneywestward #ihsnet
Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. It’s cold, the days are dark, and everyone’s cooped up together 24/7. That’s a recipe for the winter blahs to march right into your house and wreak havoc on attitudes and motivation.⠀
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This year’s winter is unlike any other and those blahs may have actually settled in long before now. If you or your children are feeling down, anxious, or bored with school, are “at” each other constantly, bouncing off the walls, or tears and fighting are the norm…the blahs are there.⠀
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Let’s get you, your children, and your homeschool back on track. I’ll be teaching a Homeschool Masterclass on Thursday afternoon to help you kick the blahs to the curb. If you can attend live, come! If you can’t attend live, catch the replay!⠀
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We’ll tackle all sorts of problems the blahs bring with them with very practical  ideas that are easy to implement! ⠀
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Click the link in my bio to join me. There is no shame in admitting that the blahs have arrived and you need a little boost from a friend. ❤️ ⠀
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#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonmama #winterhomeschool #homeschoolhelp #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #homeschoolmasterclass #homeschool365 #ihsnet #homeschoolmama #helpmehomeschool #winterblahs
Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
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When the world seems to be falling apart around you, the sun never stops shining. The seasons never stop moving. Without a single, solitary effort of human hands, the woodlands still buzz with life.⠀
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A student of nature can see the consistency in cycles and notice the incredible and creative intricacy of even the smallest specimen and be in awe that we truly serve a God who isn’t unaware of even one tiny detail in our world right now. ⠀
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Life kind of seems overwhelming, though, I know. Remember when I said my motto lately has been to just put one foot in front of the other to do the next right thing? Nature walks (even when it’s cold) never fail me as a right thing. ⠀
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Breathe, friend. Take a nature walk today and let God speak to your soul.⠀
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#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet #naturestudy #naturexplorers #nature #hewins
It might seem trite to post a winter picture book It might seem trite to post a winter picture book list right now, but I’m a big believer in keeping things as normal as possible in my home when things aren’t so normal otherwise.⠀
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It’s the principle of putting one foot in front of the other as you simply do the next right thing. Good books almost always can be a “next right thing” choice.⠀
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Even though I’m not homeschooling younger children anymore, I’ll probably never stop sharing wonderful picture book ideas with you. 🤓 I’ve spent way too many hours reading and collecting to ever stop loving them!⠀
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Eli and I may not be using these books right now, but they are still some of my favorites for winter reading. Whatever may be going on around you, the winter months are always a good time of year to get in lots of extra reading. Snuggling and hot chocolate are optional, but encouraged.⠀
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Click the link in my bio to find a blog post about these books + some of our favorite winter chapter books, too!⠀
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#homeschool #readmorebooks #livingbooks #livingliterature #picturebooks #winterpicturebooks #homeschoolmom #wildandfreefamily #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet
We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break! 🎉🎁🎂🏀🥰
I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍 I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍
Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄 Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄
Christmas picture books are some of my very favori Christmas picture books are some of my very favorite books of all time. I’ve spent years collecting new ones here and there (and will probably continue collecting for years to come because there are at least a few favorites I still don’t own).🤗🤫⠀
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When the kiddos were younger, I would sometimes wrap each of the books and place them in a basket near the Christmas tree. 🎁 Each morning during December, one of my children would choose a book to unwrap and that was the one we would read for the day. Oh, such precious memories!⠀
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This year, even though my youngest is in 8th grade, the books are not hidden away! I’ve found a creative way to read them with Eli. We’re using them as mentor texts for his own stories during language arts. #sneakysmart (He’s writing some pretty great stories, too!)⠀
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Click the link in my bio if you’d like to see my entire list of picture book favorites for the Christmas season!🎄If you’d like to know more about using picture books to teach writing to older kids, search “writing with picture books masterclass”on my website.⠀
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#homeschoolbooks #christmasbooks #christmasbooklist #christmaspicturebooks #christmasschool #creativehomeschooling #livingbooks #livingliterature #readmorebooks #Decemberhomeschool #homeschoolfamily #homeschoollookslikethis #homeschoolmiddleschool #ilovebooks #charlottemasonirl #yourmorningbasket #ourjourneywestward #homeschoolrocks

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