Hi Everyone - Hope you are all working or finished with your CPI form.  Remember, this year all CPI forms all over the state have to be submitted to the local school district by August 26th  NOT before the first day of school in your district as previous. 

Forms can be downloaded in PDF format at www.the-niche.org or at HSLDA if you are a member.  If you want a form you can fill out on your computer, email me at     kidsrus @ louisacomm.net  (remove the spaces) and I will send you the forms.  I was unable to type into the PDF format, so I went to the trouble of retyping the forms for my own use, but I am willing to share,  

One thing I think is very important is support and fellowship with other homeschool families.  Please join a local homeschool group or start one if there isn't one around or that has a different philosophy than you.  Homeschool support groups can be as simple as just meeting once a month to more active groups that have co-op classes, contests, etc. etc.  NICHE will direct you to local groups in your area that you can check out and contact; you simply have to ask them for the information. 

Joy Singers Cooperative Home School Choir in the Des Moines area

The deadline has passed for entry this fall, but registration will open again in January.  They practice at Grace Church in Des Moines. on Friday afternoons.  They sing Christian, traditional, and patriotic music.  They offer music instruction, group singing, activities, drama roles (spring lpay) and opportunities to sing at nursing homes.  For more info contact mkussery3@aol.com or rnjjl-garwick@juno.com

Music Lessons and Classes in Ames

This is the Ames Music Studio and offer private and group music lessons and classes in a variaety of instruments.  New this year is Brass and Woodwind Ensembles, Mixed Voice Choir, Songwriting Worh=kshop, and Homeschool Choir.  For their helpful, free, parent guide go to www.amesmusicstudios.com  Their telephone number is 515-232-6546

This information is from the NICHE Newsletter and is submitted with permission of NICHE. 

Is your home all ready to start school, if you haven't already?  

Is your CPI form filled out and submitted?  It needs to be submitted, according to NICHE, by the first day of school in the school district you are living in. 

Did you get confused by the lead testing requirements or the dental/vision screening law?   Don't be, The lead testing requirement ONLY applies to homeschoolers if you are filling out a CPI form for a child under the age of 6.  Legally a CPI form is not required until the child is 7.  There may be a few instances when someone would feel the need to fill out a CPI for the child younger than 6, but this would not be the normal.  http://www.the-niche.org/Pages/faq.html#healthscreen gives the explaination step by step to determine if you need to do the lab testing. 

And what about the dental and vision screening that was also passed by the legislature?  There is a specific homeschool excemption in there so it does not affect homeschool kids at all. 

Have you got all your curriculum?  Need some last minute used curriculum from somewhere?  Try the HSLDA used curriculum auction site at http://market.hslda.org/auction/xcAuction.asp.  E-bay also always has used curriculum at http://www.ebay.com .   Don't have time for an auction?  Some of my favorite sites for used curriculum are Used Homeschool Curriculum at http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/.  Vegsource has for sale boards at http://www.vegsource.com/homeschool/ .  Do a google searach and you will find lots more.  New curriculum may be the quickest curriculum you can find, and they are numerous and multiple.  A google search will give you more than you want to check out. 

Got to go mediate a "discussion" between two kids.  Talk at ya later. 

Nancy

I have been searching the internet once again this year looking for where the CPI form can be printed off.  I have so far been unable to find a form that is not in PDF format.  Unless there's a trick I do not know about, I cannot fill out the PDF form on my computer and print it filled out.  I try to keep things saved online as much as possible and, besides, my handwriting isn't all that legible even when I try.  So for me personally, I really want it in Word format.  When and if I find one, I'll submit a link to it. 

The following links both download in PDF format only. 

This first link is on NICHE.  It is not restricted to member only.  http://www.the-niche.org/Pages/forms.html   This link is to the Iowa State Department of Education. http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/301/504/

This is from "The Old Schoolhouse Devotional Newsletter " that I just received.  BTW - There is also a great message on WHY to attend homeschool conventions as well. 

New at homeschool conventions?  or even Not New?  Here are some great tips to  managing your time at a homeschool convention - Nancy

From Our Readers ~ Homeschool Convention Tips

By JulieBeth Lamb

1. Pray a lot about what type of schooling God would have you give your children in the upcoming year. If you are unsure, don't make any major decisions or purchases. There is always more time.
2. Have a teacher/administrator/student family conference about what you all expect and desire in the upcoming year.
3. Prayerfully look at your finances and create a school materials budget, and stick to it. Remember, God will provide what you need. If you can't afford it, God has a different plan.
4. Going with cash only is the best idea. If you are interested in something else, but it is out of your budget, ask the salesperson to give you the convention price if you order within a week (get it in writing). Go home and pray about it. If unsure, don't buy!
5. Get together with other friends or couples to discuss your school plans and discover what materials others have to give away, sell, or loan. Perhaps you will end up planning to do some classes together or start a co-op.
6. Look at LOTS of catalogs, websites, and friends' materials before you go, so you can have some ideas of what you want.
7. Go with a list of things you will be looking for, subject matter to be covered, items to look at and compare, and the price you are willing to pay. Be as specific as possible, when you can.
8. Bargain tables are a great place to pick up inexpensive, quality, wholesome reading material for your children.
9. Know what is available at public and church libraries, so you aren't buying things you can borrow.
10. Don't make any impulse buys. Pick up catalogs and brochures, make lots of notes in them, talk to salespeople, especially those who have homeschooled for many years, get a feel for these programs, and put sticky notes on the catalogs with your thoughts and wish lists.
11. Use the convention to buy from major publishers' catalogs so you can save postage. This is a great way to buy one or two things for which the shipping would often be as much as the materials, such as single units from a multiple-unit studies or individual workbooks. If they don't have the item you want in stock at the convention, they will usually send it to you free of postage. If they don't offer to do that, let them know you will only buy if they do.
12. Talk to other parents as you shop, see what things they seem excited about and ask them about them.
13. Try to buy mostly from vendors who are also homeschool veterans. They will better be able to answer all of your questions. They care most about your homeschool success, and this keeps our homeschooling dollars in the homeschool community.
14. Carefully choose a few seminars to attend. Don't go to every one and try to replicate it all in the upcoming year. You will only get discouraged and so will your students. Try to look at materials by speakers before you hear them speak. This will help you know what to expect. Plus, it will help you determine whether the materials will really enhance and enrich your homeschool and fit into your plans.
15. Find time to fellowship with the other homeschoolers in attendance. This is about the only time you will ever be surrounded by other families with similar values, goals and schooling choices. Make connections while at the conference.
16. Attend as a couple, if you can, so that you are both on the same page and can jointly take ownership of your decisions. It also helps to have someone with whom to sound out and discuss things.
17. Meet with some friends for lunch and discuss what you have seen and learned. Use this time to help make final decisions. Your friends know you and your children and will be an excellent resource. Make the final decision yourself, don't let them talk you into or out of something about which you feel strongly.
18. Bring your teens. Just as it is good for us to be in fellowship with many homeschoolers, it is good for our teens to spend time with other homeschooled teens and see there are many other out there like them. This also gives them a chance to give input about what you will use for school. They can benefit from many of the same classes that we do.
19. Have a good time! Go out to dinner with your spouse afterwards. Attend with a group of friends. Meet later in the week with friends to discuss what you have bought or are thinking about and help each other put it together. Some people even have mom sleepovers to plan their upcoming school year together.
20. Always know that there will be other opportunities to buy or learn whatever you miss at this convention. Relax, it is not a once in a lifetime opportunity.

JulieBeth Lamb thanks God for allowing these words to flow through her and prays they are a blessing to others as God has allowed them to bless her. She and her husband Rex are the leaders of a homeschool group in Oakdale, California. They have been homeschooling their five children since 1993 and have three still to graduate. Contact her at Cowgirl4Ever@clearwire.net

On Friday, February 29, 2008, in Ames will be the 15th Annual IOWA HOMESCHOOL COMMUNICATION EXTRAVAGANZA at Campus Baptist Church, 57011 U. S. Hwy 30, (just northeast of the corner of Hwy 30 and Interstate 35).  Snow date is Friday, March 7, 2008. 

Be sure to check out all the information at http://www.ihce.org/home.htm

Basically, this is a day of giving the homeschool kids in Story or Boone counties in Iowa (ages 6-18) a "forum for developing a variety of communication skills.  All day event.  Closing starts at 3:45.  Entries deadline is January 16th, which is today.  Sorry for getting this posted so late. 

Even if your child does not participate, however, it would be fun to go and watch.  There are 5 categories of presentations - Posters, Presentations, Working Exhibits, Essays, and Poetry. 

This is from Jamin! Freebie Finder from the Homeschool Minute newsletter put out by The Old Schoolhouse.  Even though we are with our children 24/7 for the most part, it still is not always easy to focus on your child's learning styles independent of your own learning and teaching style.  Here are some great tools to help us determine those styles. 

The Discovering Your Child's Preferred Learning Style website will tell you what learning styles are, what the most common learning styles are, how to discover your child's learning style and more!

About.com has a great online quiz titled What Are Your Child's Special Gifts?  This will help you quickly recognize what your child's gifts are so you can take the information and use it to encourage them in their learning.

I just read about a neat idea - Homeschool Open House.  Just for fun, and to introduce myself to new visitors, I'm going to tell you about my home, our homeschooling, and our typical day. 

I am the mother of 4 children and 3 stepchildren.  My husband and I have only one child left at home, 12 year old Dom.  We live in a very rural county in SE Iowa on an acerage in the country.  We did not homeschool any of the older chidlren, but Dom has been homeschooled since he started kindergarten.  We used to have goats and sheep, but dh decided he was tired of fixing fence, .  So now we have two inside dogs, one outside dog, a tame barn cat, and a wild cat or two that come and go. 

That said, our lives will be changing shortly.  My oldest son and his daughter, 11 year old Rose, are coming to stay with us following the collapse of his less than 1 year marriage until he can get a new job and a place to live.  The plan is to homeschool Rose so that she will not have to switch to yet another school now and again when they get their own place.  God willing, it will be someplace close so I can continue to homeschool her.  She has been through a lot and needs stability in her life at this point.  So, my schedule for the day will be changing shortly,

I have made up a chart that we use for homeschooling.  Each subject is listed and the chart is for the entire week.  I keep track of what is done each day and how much time was spent on it.  This allows both of us to see what we are accomplishing and how long it is taking us.  This helps us keep things simplified as much as possible.  I then also use a computer program called HER - Homeschool Easy Records.  Though not required in Iowa, I do put down the time spent in each subject each day and scores of spelling and math for grading purposes.  The program keeps track of total time as it accumulates and total days to help me keep in compliance with the 148 minimum days each year required by the state.  Actually, that is quite laughable, since we only take 4 to 6 weeks off during the summer and more or less homeschool year around.  The last several years we have had over 220 days each year.  But, again, it helps us to realize just how much we are getting down to help us feel we have accomplished something even on the days he has problems with "every" math question. 

We use Robinson Curriculum which will actually be quite easy to implement for Rose as well on her arrival.  It is literature based for all subjects except Math and writing.  We use Saxon Math and we have the books already with answer keys for 54 through Algebra I.  We also have The Life of Fred Beginning Algebra, Advanced Algebra, and Geometry.  So we are well prepared for math.  The literature is on CDs and I print out each book as we need it unless I find them in print at a reasonable price elsewhere.  We do supplement with SOS Bible as I feel he needs a more formalized Bible instruction, Trombone lessons with band in our weekly co-op schedule, and spelling using a computer program.  This year we are adding Apologia General Science as he is officially entering 7th grade.  We use both the book and the audio so he can listen to the book being read while he is following along in the book.  I may put this back for the first half of this year, however, and go back into it in January once we get more of a routine schedule set up with the addition of another student.  For writing, we are doing some copywork and some journalist writing (he is the Scribe in the local BSA troop) but it is not going well.  We are going to try "Igniting Your Writing" this year for some creativity.  I may let Dom and Rose work together on this, giving each other ideas, at least at first.  Dom seems to have a mental block against writing and is too critical of his own writing to the point he can write, erase, write, erase, for an hour and end up with two sentences.  To add to the difficulty, he has ADHD and most likely a learning disability or two as well.  So - we do not have to buy any more curriculum to homeschool Rose, which is a great thing. 

Currently (we just started our new year this week) we get up and have breakfast over by 8:30 a.m.  We weren't this structured before, but he has to have his medication the same time every morning, preferably at 7 a.m.  We then head up to the loft where the school area as well as my work area is.  He has his own computer so starts off on his spelling program.  This is animated enough it keeps his attention while the medication starts to work.  We use an old spelling book I found a long time ago and he gets new words every week to learn.  We pre-test and if he knows a word already, we do not add it and we keep going until we get from 18 - 25 words to work on.  His test at the end of the week is on paper, not on the computer, and it has to be readable as well as spelled correctly.  He works on his spelling until he has completed the next spelling bee on the program.  We keep track of his time. 

Next we go to Saxon math drill on the computer, 100 problems either mixed (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) or 25 problems of each, as he desires.  That score is recorded as well as his time.  Then he goes on to the Saxon book for the next lesson.  We have the DIVE CD that goes along with the book and he watches it and does the practice problems.  Then he tackles the lesson in the book.  He needs the repetition of different math problems, and Saxon is excellent for him. He does each problem on his white board and then we check that problem before he goes on to the next problem.  If the answer is wrong, he has to re-work the problem.  If he then gets it right, I count that problem as right.  If I have to help him with the problem, then it is counted wrong and I will often give him a similar verbal problem to work on to reinforce the process he had forgotten. 

Science is done on a twice a week basis.  We try to do some of the experiments, but don't really have time to do all of them.  At this level, the experiments use every-day ordinary objects and we rarely have to go out and buy anything to complete the experiments. 

Then we go to writing.  I forgot to mention that we have a book called  "Complete-A-Sketch" to strengthen his fine motor skills which will in turn help his writing skills.  This is the vision-dexterity-focus book, much like a complex dot-to-dot.  I can already see improvement in his ability to make a straight line without the use of a ruler, although he can use a ruler with this if he wishes.   He may do one or more of these pages, but only for about 10 minutes maximum.  He will follow this with either some copy work (handwriten) or typing on the computer.  He has his own private blog that is closed to everyone but me to encourage him to write, but apparently this is more scary to him than a help. We spend more time writing on the days he does not have Science and may only get the drawing done on Science day. 

Reading is a big part of the curriculum.  He reads a combination of the books on the Robinson Curriculum CDs, from our own personal library, and from the public library.  The books are not abridged, but the original wording of classics as well as other "old" books generally dated before the 1960s.  At that point in time, the books seemed to become "easier" and with less complex vocabulary.  Depeneding on what he is reading, I count it as "literature" or "history."  This year we are going to try to read one and a half hour daily out of the "required" RC books with other reading done of his choice beyond that time. 

Last, but not least, he practices his trombone.  And it may not be the last thing of the day as it MUST be done daily.  If we are having a slow speed day, we might skip something else to make sure we get his practice done. 

As far as Must Share tips, I have found that while my child does need some structure due to his individuality, I cannot stand things being too structured, so we do not do a particular subject for exactly 30 minutes, for instance.  It may be a little more or a little less and we must be a little flexible.  I may find that we must be more flexible or more structured with two students; we will see. 

So that's our system.  If you would like to see how others do it, check out http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Tiany/Homeschool%2BOpen%2BHouse%2B2007/  There are even prizes, but this enjoyable even without any prizes; a good way to get your school day organized and everything in order to begin the new year.   

Happy Homeschooling - Nancy

Friday, October 13, 8:30am-3:20pm - Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds

SOMETHING NEW:
Homeschool students ages 13-18 have now been extended a special invitation
by Shane Johnson to attend free of charge (rather than $50/student)!
Registration form is on this page, deadline is before Oct. 11th.

See the ealier post about the conference that mentioned $50 fee.  The fee was waived for homeschool teens AND volunteer adults because the fee is a stumbling block for many homeschool families. 

For more information go to www.pathofsuccess.org or call 563-324-0644.

Now that I've answered that question, why do YOU homeschool?  Give your answers to three questions and you might win a $25 shoppint spree in the TOS Schoolhouse Store. 

1. Why do you homeschool?
2. Will you homeschool your children through graduation? Why/why not?
3. If you had a friend considering homeschooling, and you could only give them ONE good reason to start, what would that be?

Check out Gena's blog for more details at

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TOSPUBLISHER/184852/

But hurry, the contest is only for yesterday and today, August 16 and 17th. 

Many times I have been asked the question, “Why do you homeschool?”  Unfortunately they are often from relatives hostile to homeschooling, but it is an honest question even if their minds are not always open to the answer. 

It is actually a very complex answer.  Our reasons for homeschooling have changed over the years since we started.  Before we started, I had thought about homeschooling as a way to become a closer knit family and raise our children with Christian values.   Considering homeschooling began for me when we visited a family in Washington State that was homeschooling.  I saw those values in their family and wanted them in ours.  However, I worked full time, we were not in a position financially for me to quit, and our three boys were already in school, two of them in high school.  That said, the homeschool desire was starting to grow, encouraged by our third son’s ADHD problems in the school system.  When he got into junior high the desire intensified but with strong opposition to the idea from this son.  Our son’s opposition to homeschooling was not a primary factor as we felt as parents we would make the decision, although his opposition was duly noted and we realized that his opposition might make homeschooling more difficult.   Since we were still not in a strong financial position, we did not go the homeschooling route.  I did not know anyone who homeschooled in Iowa and was easily dissuaded by this then-daunting task.  So homeschooling was put aside once again, I thought forever. 

When our third son was 16, we found ourselves once more parents of an 11 month old boy that came into our homes on what was initially to be a temporary basis.  He had developmental delays and we enrolled him in early education through the Area Education Association.  First they came to our home to do therapy with him then after he turned 3 he had to go to the special needs pre-school class at the local school.  By the time he was ready for kindergarten; though he had caught up with his peers intellectually it was obvious he was also ADHD to the point the preschool teacher was insisting he needed medication before he started kindergarten.  Though I was still working full time, that was the proverbial last straw for my husband.  Hence, our initial reasons for homeschooling. 

As to why we are still homeschooling now, our reasons have deepened and become even more complex and engrained.  While we were able to avoid ADHD medication for several years, we did finally start medication after other efforts such as diet, behavior modification, etc. had all failed.  We have since discovered he most likely has learning disabilities that were not apparent preschool and I am able to teach him in his primary learning style and can change curriculum components if something is not working.  We can focus on the basics and not six different subjects.  It has been documented in numerous studies that homeschool kids are on average better educated in the academics than public school kids or even private school kids.  Our son is learning our Christian faith and values without seeing the opposite displayed and taught for half his waking hours in the public school.  For further confirmation of our choice, six months ago he was diagnosed with type I diabetes.  While that can be managed in the school system, the intricacies of keeping his glucose values in ideal range are much easier managed at home.  One more reason is re-evident every time we interact with public school kids – homeschool kids are kinder, much less cruel to other kids, will interact with people of all ages, and able to converse with adults.  Try saying hi to a public school child on the street or at church; unless they know you well, they will most likely not answer.   

Another question I am asked how long we intend to homeschool?  Our physician as well a supportive teacher/sister-in-law has now asked this question as we reach the upper elementary level.  Apparently it is much more questionable to homeschool as the child grows older.  We have answered both with a firm “until he is done with school.”  Apparently our answer was firm enough that they did not ask why, but the why is the same as why we homeschooled in the first place.  Additionally it makes no sense to place a child back in the school system in the preteen and teen years when they are most vulnerable to peer pressure.  Furthermore, recent studies indicate that over 80% of children raised in a Christian family active in church leave the denomination after becoming adults.    I have heard of studies that state the ratio of homeschool children that leave the church is only 20%, but I do not have those results to back up my memory.  I would think that ratio would be fairly accurate, but I would guess it would also depend on choice of college if the child left home to go to college for a long term accurate percentage.  These are all additional considerations regarding whether to homeschool or not to homeschool for the long haul. 

I guess if I boiled down all reasons to homeschool in one, concise statement, it would be this:  The child will generally be more likely to retain family values and will get a better education. 

Nancy & Bill

Of course, this depends on when your school starts.  They are to be filed for all kids ages 6 through 15 (age as of September 15, 2006).  There is no real advantage for filing them for a 5 year old or 16 or 17 year old UNLESS you want to dual enroll to take sports, band, etc. etc. 

They must be filed at the school by the first day of school in duplicate. 

Here is the CPI form in a Word document that you can type into and print and save on your computer.  Thanks to Annonymous poster and to a poster to the Homeschool-Iowa yahoo e-group.  http://www.iahomeeducators.org  Go down to almost the bottom of the page to the link about the 2006-2007 CPI handbook.   Once on that page, there is a link to the form in Word format. 

Don't forget if you are using a Supervising Teacher or Portfolio teacher to get the teachers name and folder number to put on the form.  The teacher's signature and phone number are optional.  My rule is that if something is optional, don't provide it, but that's only my personal information. 

Immunizations - if filing for the first time (and they haven't been in the public school prior with their immunization record already on file) you must attach a copy of their immunization record. 

Required number of days of instruction is 148.  We homeschool year round, but because I don't want to commit to any particular number that would cause problems if we were sick and unable to school for some length of time, we just put down 148. 

The lesson plan outline - be pretty general about it.  Here is what I put on my CPI form under Subject - Text, Publisher, and Author - and Time spent. 

Language Arts - to include reading, grammar, writing skills - Various, including personal library and public library resources and internet resources. 

Time:  As needed.  (I put this on all subjects for time)

Mathematics - Saxon Math and internet resources.  (In this particular subject I do use a standard textbook and so listed it - but I did not list which volume as we will go on to the next when finished). 

Science - Apologia General Science and various other resources including personal library, public library resources, and internet resources.  (again, I do have a textbook, but not using it alone and plan on taking 18 months to 2 years probably to cover this particular text).

History - The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer and various other resources including the internet and library, both personal and public.  (There are 4 volumnes in this series of history books and we will just continue on to the next one when finished with this one.)

So you see, the CPI form is really not all that difficult and you don't have to spend hours making up the lesson plans.  While someone doing much more than they need to on a CPI form will not cause the law to be changed, they can cause the school to come down harder on the next homeschooler who turns their form in by telling them they aren't giving as much information as someone else.  If that homeschooler is knowledgable about the laws and confident, they can certainly refuse, but there really is no reason to cause a problem.  You're not going to impress the school no matter how much you put down. 

Nancy

Hi - Got this from the link below:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/military/141970/

On the above blog, you will also fine access to a mini-unit study about the Underground Railroad. 

Here is a listing of known Underground Railroad stops in each state.  Great to use for vacation planning or just day trips around Iowa, perhaps.   These are not all open to the public.  There are 4 listed in Iowa - 2 on the southwestern side of the state, one in Des Moines, and one south of Mt. Pleasant in Salem. 

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/underground/states.htm

Interestingly, I checked out the link to the one in Salem and I wasn't much impressed with their write up.  I have been there and there is, indeed, a hidden room under the floor and according to the tour guide, was definitely a stop on the underground railroad, not just possibly as the web site indicated. 

Check out one near you (unless you live up north, then there aren't any listed, sorry).  Nancy

http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000002/00000241.asp

Colleges are listed in Tier 1, II, III, and "Don't Accept"  See the link for explanations.  Tier I is what is recommended by the National Center for Home Education and therefore the most homeschool-friendly institutions. 

Below are the Iowa institutions that rated  Tier I

Iowa

Hi - I have difficulty getting notification of events in areas other than Des Moines and Eastern Iowa.  Can you help?  Send me listings of events in your area you think would interest homeschool families. 

Do you know of a homeschool family with a business?  I would like to blog about them so all Iowa homeschool famililes know about the services you offer. 

Would you like your homeschool listed on the Homeschool Nations-Iowa page?  http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/hsn/states/iowa.php

Then let us know about your group.  We'd love to list you so that homeschoolers in your area know about your group.  Check on this link to list your group.  http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/hsn/info-submit.php

Want a blog about your group?  Send me a paragraph on your group including contact information, your area, and some events that you do.  What makes your group special?  What do you do that works well with your group?

kidsrus@louisacomm.net

If you represent a state or regional organization, local support group, or co-op, and would like to see your group listed on Homeschool Nation, please fill out a form to submit your information for listing purposes.  Then you will be listed on the Iowa Homepage so new homeschoolers to your area can find you easily. 

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/hsn/info-submit.php

Let me tell you a little story.  Last year our local group had a "Homeschool Open House" and we posted signs all over the county and beyond.  We had 4 people come to the open house that were not aware our group even existed and they were within the county.  So Yes, there are probably people right now in your area that don't even know you exist.  Give yourselves a little free advertisement. 

Nancy

This is from Nikki TOS IL Coordinator - Homeschool Blog, www.homeschoolblogger.com/Illinois  and is some GREAT STUFF - even some good links for those of us who aren't new at this.  Nancy

Homeschooling Basics (101)
Ten Basic Steps

1) Making the Decision: 
Making the decision to homeschool is usually very difficult and not
one to be taken lightly. It is a persona decision that I can't make
for you, but maybe I can help you think it through. Consider these
things in making your decision.
. Is Homeschool for you?
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/homeschool4you.htm

2) Starting the Year off Right: 
As a brand new homeschooler, you may be wondering how to get started
on your journey. Here are a few steps to help get organized and get
a good start in homeschooling.
. Starting the Year off Right Series
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/backtoschool.htm

3) Understanding Homeschool Laws: 
It is very important to know and stay within the laws and
requirements of your state or region.
. Legal Information by State (USA)
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/gettingstarted/a/legalusa.htm

4) Choosing a Support Group: 
Meeting together with other homeschoolers can be helpful, but
finding a support group can sometimes be difficult. It often takes
patience to find the right match for your family. Generally, support
groups offer encouragement and help along the way. They can help
with choosing curriculum, record keeping, meeting the state laws,
and providing opportunities and activities for your students.
. Support Groups by State (USA)
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/supportgroupsbystate/a/sgusa.htm

5) Choosing a Curriculum: 
Selecting your curriculum can be overwhelming. It is possible to
overspend and
. Curriculum
. Free Printables
. Used Curriculum
. Unit Studies
. Reviews
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/curriculum/index.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/index.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/usedcurriculum/a/tradingzone.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/unitstudies/index.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/productreviews/index.htm

6) Basics to Record Keeping: 
It is very important to keep good records of your child's homeschool
years. Your records can be as simple as a daily journal or as
elaborate as a purchased computer program or notebook system.
. Homeschool Record Keeping
. Portfolios
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/recordkeeping/a/backrecord.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/recportfolios/index.htm

7) Basics to Scheduling: 
Homeschoolers generally have a lot of freedom in setting up their
schedule, but it sometimes takes a while to find out what works best
for your family. It's helpful to hear about what others are doing.
. Setting up a Schedule
. Sample Homeschool Schedules
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/gettingstarted/a/backschedule.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/scheduling/a/dailyschedule.htm

8) Basics to Homeschool Methods: 
There are many mothods to homeschool your children. Finding the
right method for your family will come in time and it's not uncommon
to try a few different methods before throughout your homeschooling
years.
. Homeschooling and Its Many Faces
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/homeschoolmethods/a/methods.htm

9) Basics to Beginning Mid-year: 
Is it possible to begin homeschooling midyear? Here are some
practical tips to take your children out of school and begin
homeschooling after the school year has already begun.
. Can I Begin Homeschooling Mid-year?
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/beginmidyear.htm

10) Keeping it Interesting: 
They say that variety is the spice of life. Here are some fun things
to keep your homeschool day fresh and interesting. ○ Clubs ○ Online
Educational Games ○ Holidays ○ Field trips
. Homeschool Clubs
. Printable Worksheets and Projects
. Online Educational Games
. Seasons and Holidays
. Funday Calendars


http://homeschooling.about.com/od/students/index.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/index.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/games/index.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/index.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/fundaycalendars/index.htm

From Homeschooling at About.com
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