![]() Homeschool Learning Plans |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
What are you required to teach your child? © Beverley Paine You are free to teach your children in whatever way you want. Educational authorities require that your homeschool learning program will generally cover the same or similar material as that offered by the state school system: in some jurisdictions this is mandated and in others the curriculum guidelines are simply that - guidelines. Some now ascribe 'year levels' to home educating students, but they all recognise that learning is a continuum and that a child may be at one year level for a particular subject and another level in others. Flexibility in interpreting and implementing the curriculum guidelines is common practice in schools and homeschools. The way home educating families start teaching their children at home often changes - many times! We learn on the job, adapting different approaches and teaching techniques to suit our children's learning styles and needs. See Homeschooling Approaches and Methods or you purchase my handy, inexpensive Practical Homeschooling Series booklet, Choosing Homeschool Curriculum. The eight nationally recognised curriculum subjects are (some may be worded differently depending on where you live):
You will find copies of your state or territory curriculum on the internet. These don't have to followed 'to the letter', so don't be intimidated. Talk to local homeschooling families and find out what is expected. Below I've set out a simply way to wrrite your own learning program. For more comprehensive information see my book Getting Started with Homeschooling. Chapters 5, 6 & 7 of offers many tips and ideas for how to plan, write and Divide a page into three columns.
It is best to do this activity with each of your children - they can tell you what they want to learn, what interests them, offer ideas about how, etc. Remember, what you teach your child and what she will learn will depend on her developmental understanding and abilities. Learning activities and lessons must build on what she already knows and can do to be successful. Think about 'developmental stage' rather than 'age appropriate' learning activities. Goals and objectives need to be realistic and achievable by the learner. Most children leaving school need remedial work or revision in some areas they may have not thoroughly understood. This is okay - take your time and pay attention to detail. Some children will race ahead enthusiastically, enjoying being able to use accelerated learning techniques at home. What you teach will also depend on how you structure your day and your activities and will mostly likely be a blend of one-on-one sessions with individual children, or group learning situations with siblings or homeschooling friends. There is no requirement for a set timetable, but if it helps create one that suits your family. You are not limited to six hours a day of instruction time: you have all day and all weekend, 52 weeks of every year! Homeschooling is a relaxed and rewarding education for the home family. |
Browse our comprehensive library of articles!
Looking for support, reassurance and information? Join Beverley's
The Educating Parents Homeschooling and Unschooling Facebook
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
The information on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice. This site merges and incorporates 'Homeschool Australia' and 'Unschool Australia'.
The opinions and articles included on this website are not necessarily those of Beverley Paine, The Educating Parent and April Jermey Always Learning Books, nor do they endorse or recommend products listed in contributed articles, pages, or advertisements on pages within this website.
Without revenue from advertising by educational suppliers and Google Ads we could not continue to provide information to home educators. Please support us by letting our advertisers know that you found them on The Educating Parent. Thanks!
Affiliate links are used on this site that take you to products or services outside of this site. Beverley Paine The Educating Parent and April Jermey Always Learning Books assume no responsibility for those purchases or returns of products or services as a result of using these affiliate links. Please review products and services completely prior to purchasing through these links. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question before purchasing or signing up.
Text and images on this site © All Rights Reserved 1999-2025