Homeschooling in Alabama
Hi, my name is JoAnn, and I am the Alabama state representative for Time4Learning! I am 46 years old and I am married to Perry and we have 3 children and 1 grandchild. I homeschool our youngest while Perry's work takes him away from home throughout the week. I keep a busy schedule and never have a dull moment!
How We Homeschool
We belong to North Alabama Christian School out of Valley Head. We meet once a week for PE, weather permitting. We also schedule several field trips throughout the year. As far as an average homeschool day for us, I don't have a strict schedule that I go by.I incorporate everything as a learning skill or experience. Breakfast by 9:00 and reading is always after.
With dyslexia, reading is our most difficult subject, so I get it done early. We generally do Bible study next, along with music. By 2:00, my son is ready for Time 4 Learning, where we do more reading and language arts, math, science and social studies. By 4:00 we are done and usually out the door to the park!
If you have more questions about homeschooling in Alabama, or want to learn more about our experiences in the state, you can find me in the Alabama State Forum. |
Alabama Makes It Easy To Learn At Home
Homeschooling in Alabama has been quite easy for us. There is plenty of information to get started if you are a first-timer, or if you are relocating from another state. The latter describes us - - we relocated 2 years ago. The state website is pretty clear about the legal requirements for homeschooling in our state, and with a good cover school we didn't have a problem. By using the guidelines on the HSLDA website, we feel like we are covering all the legal bases. I make sure I keep all my records along with some, not all, of the work we have done. I turn in my grades twice a year to my cover school administrator
Homeschool Laws in Alabama
Legal disclaimer:
This section is one family’s story and how they meet the mandatory school attendance laws in Alabama. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.
Alabama's statutes do not explictly address home education. Homeschoolers in Alabama can teach their children at home under one of two conditions: As a private tutor, in which case they have to have a valid Alabama teaching certificate; or by affiliating with a church school (also called a "cover school" or "umbrella school"). In order to meet the need, many church schools have been formed for the express purpose of supporting home-schoolers.
For more information on specific homeschooling requirements in Alabama, visit one of these sites:: Alabama Homeschool Legal Requirement by HSDLA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association); Home-Ed Magazine’s AL resource page -with information, articles, and state-specific resources; and info on Home Education in Alabama by Ann Zeise.
Alabama Home School Resources
Both new and veteran homeschoolers can benefit from the wealth of Alabama homeschool resources available online. We've listed a few of the best here to get you started:
To have your group added to the list, please send me a message at the Time4Learning parents forum.
Choosing Curriculum For Your Homeschool
Families new to homeschooling quickly discover a dizzying array of choices when it comes to selecting homeschool curriculum. There is no more popular discussion on the web than homeschool curriculum reviews by homeschool families. After sifting through the homeschool curriculum reviews, most parents end up mixing and matching homeschool curricula, trying to create the best match for their child.
For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool curricula can even be more problematic. What works for one child, doesn't work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may not work the next. Time4Learning's experience shows that there is no single, best homeschool material. Rather than feeling torn between homeschool resources, parents should select a diverse blend of materials and activities.
Time4Learning is used by homeschool parents both as a primary curriculum and as a supplemental program to other materials such as Saxon, Alpha Omega, Five in a Row and A Beka. Some of the features that make Time4Learning so successful include:
* Time4Learning appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Our online learning materials are especially well-suited to children who are visual or kinesthetic learners. These children can take advantage of Time4Learning's interactive, multi-media materials.
* Children like using the computer to learn. It's a convenient, interactive homeschool resource that provides a welcome change each day to paper-and-pencil workbooks and textbook-based lessons.
* Parents like that it tracks progress and helps children advance by clearly presenting and reinforcing the each lesson.
* Time4Learning's self-paced, modularized lesson plans allow you to move forward and back through the materials whenever you want. You can skip lessons that teach concepts your child has already mastered and repeat those he or she has not. The choice is yours. With Time4Learning, you are always in control.
* Time4Learning is proven effective with homeschoolers, has a low monthly price, is easy-to-use, and provides a money-back guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your children, risk free! Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.
If you have more questions about homeschooling in Alabama, or want to learn more
about our experiences in the state, you can contact me in the Parent forum at The Alabama Homeschool Section with Joann.
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