Homeschooling in Wisconsin
Hi, my name is Genevieve and I homeschool in Wisconsin! I am a wife to an amazingly supportive and wonderful husband, and mom to four bright, creative and sometimes challenging children aged from 9 months old up to 10 years old. I have basically lived in the Midwest my entire life and Wisconsin has been our home for five years now. I don't have much time to devote to hobbies (with the parenting, homeschooling and managing a home taking up most of my time) but I enjoy yoga, reading and surfing the Internet!
If you have questions or comments about homeschooling in Wisconsin, visit our online Wisconsin support group.
Wisconsin Homeschooling Resources
To find out more about the legal requirements for homeschooling in Wisconsin, articles, and state-specific resources you can also visit one of these sites:
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Legal disclaimer: This section is one family’s story and how they meet the mandatory homeschooling requirements in Wisconsin. 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.
Support and Resources for Wisconsin Homeschoolers
There are many resources andareas of support for Wisconsin homeschoolers. First and foremost is the WPA-- the Wisconsin Parents Association. There is a ton of information there regarding homeschooling in Wisconsin. There are also many different local homeschooling groups including:
Homeschoolers in Wisconsin have many sources for support and information. In addition to two state support groups, the Wisconsin Parents Association and the Wisconsin Christian Home Educators Association, there are also state homeschooling Internet forums, newsletters, and email lists. On a local level, many areas in Wisconsin have local homeschool support groups, field trip opportunities, intermural sports teams, and resource libraries. For more information, check out the following sources:
A Day in the Life of Our Homeschool
I think homeschooling in Wisconsin is fantastic! Keeping up with the legal aspect of homeschooling here is simple. All we have to do in Wisconsin is keep attendance. I have a printout that I check off every day that we do school. There is also online software that is free that keeps track as well. Plus, the state of Wisconsin provides so many opportunities for learning! We have wonderful museums, parks, nature centers and other attractions that make learning so enjoyable and fun!
I have to admit that not every day looks the same in our house- that's one of the many advantages of homeschooling in my opinion! The kids rise, eat breakfast and start their school day anywhere from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (sometimes later!). They have a snack break and lunch, and are usually done with their school by early afternoon, leaving time for errands, extracurricular activities or just plain fun!
Their schoolwork consists of a mishmash of worksheets, hands-on activities, books, and movies that I have put together to cover all of their subjects. Each one of them (except the baby) has computer time as well and that is when they can do their Time4Learning! They love being able to play games when they are done with their lessons online!
Following the Wisconsin Homeschooling Guidelines
To homeschool in Wisconsin, parents must file a form of intent with the Department of Public Instruction and then meet two major requirements each year.
- Provide 875 hours of instruction each school year
- Provide a sequentially-based method of instruction where children build on previous knowledge
Of course there are a variety of ways and methods that individual homeschooling parents in Wisconsin. interpret and fulfill these obligations. Homeschooling styles and preferences vary widely from family to family, and no one method is the "right" way to follow the state guideline.
Choosing Homeschool Curriculum
Wisconsin homeschool law includes the freedom for families to pick and choose their own curriculum based on what works best for their child. However, families new to homeschooling quickly discover a dizzying array of choices when it comes to selecting homeschool curriculum. There is no more popular discussion among homeschoolers on the web than the pros and cons of various homeschool programs. After sifting through the homeschool curriculum reviews, most parents end up mixing and matching homeschool programs, trying to create the best match for their child.
For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool program can be more problematic. What works for one child may not work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may fall flat the very next year. 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.
The Benefits of Using Time4Learning's Curriculum
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, multimedia 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 each lesson. Quizzes and tests are graded by the computer, saving valuable time and effort for parents who would be happier concentrating on other areas.
- 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!
Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.
If you have any more questions or comments about homeschooling in Wisconsin, why not contact me on the Wisconsin Parent Forum. |
