New to Homeschooling?
Congratulations on considering joining the growing number of homeschooling families! Making this decision can be a scary thing. The HEAT is here to assist you in your homeschooling journey.
Here is helpful info:
- Join the HEAT Email List! You will received emails about the many activities the Tampa Bay HEAT has to offer your family.
- Attend Homeschooling 101. HEAT offers Homeschooling 101 twice a year. This free event will cover the basics of homeschooling, curriculum choices, socialization, testing and answer many of your questions.
- Pick up a red New to Homeschool Packet from the Homeschool Resource Center (307 S. Parsons Ave. in Brandon, 33511). The packet includes info to help you get started.
- Visit the Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) website at FPEA.com. There is tons of information on this site to help new homeschoolers. Download the Starting Point Guide here.
- Fill out a letter of intent and mail it into your county homeschool office.
- Join a support group! Surrounding yourself with other homeschooling families will provide you a circle of mentors and friends, who become like family! The homeschooling community is wonderful!
Join the HEAT here.
*** Classes Offered at Tampa Bay HEAT ***
Homeschooling Thru High School Information
There are many questions to navigate as you consider homeschooling your child thru high school. Thankfully, in this area, we have so many resources that you don't have to worry about relearning Geometry or dissecting that frog. Our website lists many local resources for classes. You take your child to class a few hours per week, but they remain homeschooled. My kids always enjoyed going to classes and seeing friends and I loved not having to experience Geometry again!
Bright Futures Information: Our homeschooled kids are eligible for Bright Futures, just like traditional school kids. Here is a link that addresses home educated students.
Dual Enrollment: Your homeschooled high school student can dual enroll at Hillsborough Community College and earn college credit and high school credit at the same time. The best part is that it is free (homeschooled students must purchase their own books). Here is a link to the Dual Enrollment Information Page!
Printable Downloads
Other Valuable Contact Info
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Hillsborough County Home Education Home Page
https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/homeeducation
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Florida Virtual School (Free online instruction for middle school and high school students who are Florida residents. Take care to register for FLVS classes and not Hillsborough Virtual School)
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Homeschooling in Florida- articles and info on how to get started
Our Best Homeschool Tips:
1. Become a student of your child. Know his learning style, his motivation, which subjects interest him, his strengths and weaknesses. Then tailor his education to his unique needs. The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias, will help you.
2. Determine what responsibilities you and your mate will assume to make homeschooling a success.
3. Set specific goals for your child to achieve daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. For example, develop a list of books you want your child to read over the school year, and reward him when he accomplishes his goal.
4. Locate and join a local homeschooling chapter or group and get involved. These associations often offer classes on homeschooling, curriculum fairs, and co-op or group activities that your child can potentially be involved in.
5. Consider joining the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) both as insurance against any possible legal action and for information and ongoing support.
6. Work with other parents to set up special classes in their different talent areas. One parent could organize a weekly physical education time, while another directs a weekly art class.
7. Don't expect all of your family, friends, and neighbors to approve of your choice. While homeschooling is gaining acceptance, it’s still not the norm.
8. Read as many books or articles as you can about home education.
9. Be thinking of ideas you can implement that will help you strengthen your relationship with your child.
10. Adopt an attitude of looking for solutions instead of excuses when you face struggles in teaching your child at home. Also, allow yourself some grace. The house doesn't have to be spotless when you're homeschooling.
11. Choose your curriculum based on your values, the child's needs, and your budget. Look for academic excellence. Also, make sure the curriculum is sound biblically and historically.
12. Develop a basic schedule and approach you will use on a daily basis to homeschool. A basic routine will help your child know what is expected of him. Allow for flexibility, but take into account the times your child is most attentive.
13. Identify potential discipline problems your child may have, along with the corresponding circumstances, to help eliminate or reduce these problems early on.
14. Set aside a room, or corner of a room, with a desk and everything the child needs for home schooling. Be creative. Put up colorful artwork and encouraging words to help create an environment of learning. Find a place you can store materials and study books.
15. Plan, plan, plan. The more you specifically plan out what you will teach and what each day's activities will include, the more successful you will be.
16. Start your day with the Lord. Make your daily time with God and his Word a priority.
17. Once you begin homeschooling, each day find a way to eliminate and minimize distractions. If possible, unplug your phone and social media. Let people know you'll be unavailable at this time, and put younger siblings down for a nap.
18. Focus on tutoring your child, but encourage independent learning.
19. Always focus on the basics (reading, writing, and arithmetic), emphasize character development just as strongly.
20. To enhance your child's learning experience, use as many games and hands-on learning activities as possible.
21. Constantly look for what's best for your child. What will make the experience fun? What will help him academically? What will encourage him emotionally and spiritually? What will teach character traits? Your values?
22. Set aside specific times to develop any special interests.
23. Be aware of and list any weaknesses in schooling, your teaching, etc. Assess your personal energy level and self discipline. Are you being consistent? Flexible? Creative? Organized? Discuss with your mate or another homeschool parent ways to improve. Ask for your mates help and prayers.
24. Don't compare your child's your child's learning experience and academic achievement with other children. Remember, their values, abilities, and focus are different.
25. Try to schedule special time alone with your mate on a weekly basis. Your relationship as husband and wife is of primary importance to the success of homeschooling.
26. Ask your mate to watch the kids periodically so you can have time alone.
27. Remember, you are not only helping your child gain knowledge, but teaching him learning skills, such as diligence and perseverance. Be prepared for the inevitable complaining and failures-that's part of the learning process.
Please contact us at tampabayheat@gmail.com with any questions! We are here to help!
