Canadian Education Archives

Schoolio Now Offers After School Tutoring.

We remain committed to bringing the best education resources to all families. While our main focus has been on homeschooling curriculum. It has become evidently clear that families involved in all sectors of education need help right now! Schoolio now offers after school tutoring, as a response to the many cries for help from families across Canada. Our tutoring program can help get your child’s education back on track.

Benefits of Schoolio After-School include:

Tutors who follow Canadian Curriculum Standards.
A Schoolio Subject Bundle of your choice included.
Qualified teacher, as your tutor.
Tutoring lessons that mirror what your child is learning in class.
Our tutors are trained to catch your child up on previously lessons that they may have missed.
We work to help your child understand concepts that they may be struggling with.
Our digital platform gives your child access to quizzes, certificates, and special points for engaging. These points can then be used on The Schoolio Marketplace.
Access to your child’s progress through the Parent Portal.
Students can reference Schoolio Subject Book every day. Even when their tutoring has been completed, as the book is theirs to keep.

Schoolio After-School tutors are:

OCT certified.
Experienced teachers.
Have a clean CPIC and Vulnerable Sector Check.
Are accountable.

Schoolio After-School Pricing:

$49/hour with a minimum of three hours per week for four weeks.
Includes Schoolio Curriculum Subject Bundle of your choice.
Additional curriculum bundles available for a discounted price.
Custom pricing available for multiple months.

Register for Schoolio After-School Below

Schoolio After-School is more than just tutoring:

One hour, three times a week, for four weeks. During that time we can cover anything being taught in school. All Schoolio After-School tutoring packages include a free printed and shipped subject bundle, for your child to use. The subject bundle will be printed and shipped right to your door. You as the parent, can select what subject your child needs help with. Along with what times work best for your student to learn with the tutor.

Tutors will be available Monday-Friday from 4:00pm – 8:00pm EST. As well as on Saturday afternoons. Classes are interactive, on Zoom. Tutors can walk the child through the curriculum or help them with homework. While also helping your child catch up, using The Schoolio Subject Bundle. Sessions can be recorded, if requested by the parent. This way parents have the opportunity to view how their child is doing. Along with how they are interacting with their tutor.

One-on-one tutoring can help!

Large class sizes, educational uncertainties, and school closures. These three aspects all play a part in your child’s learning experience. We know that one-on-one tutoring can help kids flourish on their learning journey. Which is why Schoolio now offers after school tutoring as an option to help your child get back on track.

Should Homeschool Curriculum be Accredited?

We all want the very best for our kids. So naturally many of us are feeling overly stressed with the ups and downs of pandemic learning and school closures. As a result, many parents have turned to homeschooling. Doing so as a method of greater stability for their children’s education. Even after taking this large step, many parents are still worried. Especially if they’re struggling with questions like: ‘Should homeschool curriculum be accredited?’ Or: ‘If my child goes back to school, will they go into the correct grade?’

Question 1: Should Homeschool Curriculum be Accredited?

The short answer is no. Your child’s homeschool curriculum doesn’t need to be accredited so please don’t stress yourself over it. The reality is, most home learning programs aren’t accredited. Because accreditation requires that a particular program is being delivered. While assurances are made that it’s being delivered properly and completely. It’s very difficult for the company that sold you the curriculum to keep tabs on all families. They would need to insure that all curriculum is completed and standards are met. Which would obviously be a huge undertaking for any company.

Supervision would be needed by the curriculum company. This supervision would often come in the form of standardized testing. This would be to ensure that students are completing the program. And also helps the supervision to know if the student has obtained satisfactory understanding of the content that they have been learning. In this situation, not only would you need to comply to their assessments and scheduling. But you would also expect additional fees for testing or a higher price-point on the home-learning program itself.

This often goes against most homeschoolers reasons for homeschooling.

For most homeschoolers, this goes strictly against many of the reasons they chose to homeschool in the first place. Because teaching things that they choose are valuable rather than having strict adherence to a particular program is important to them. Additionally, many homeschoolers enjoy having the opportunity to alter, delete, or add in lessons to tailor learning to their own unique child. These are both important reasons why most homeschool families aren’t worried about questions like “Should homeschool curriculum be accredited?”

Another awesome aspect of homeschooling is the opportunity to have flexibility when it comes to scheduling. And how much time is needed or taken to learn. This way you won’t feel trapped by test dates. Or be stuck to the idea that testing is the only way to determine how much your child has learned. As we all know that standardized testing is suited to particular types of minds. Which is why it’s important to remember that not all minds think the same. This is especially true for our kids with unique learning needs.

Are there any accredited homeschool curriculum companies?

Some homeschool programs are accredited but be careful of what governing body is accrediting them. Sometimes accreditation just means that a particular college (usually an American Christian College) has approved the program. This is usually more of a marketing position on the part of the college. As they are trying to encourage students of the program to apply to their college after homeschooling. Therefore, it’s usually not a genuine concern for the program of study.

The Results:

Should homeschool curriculum be accredited? No, homeschool curriculum can not be accredited and should not be accredited. Because homeschool curriculum can’t be accredited on its own. The homeschool curriculum would have to be a part of an institutions program. Because homeschool curriculum isn’t a part of a school, it can not and does not need to be accredited.

Question 2: What if I want to put my child back in school?

If you decide to put your child back into the education system after homeschooling, your child should be able to go back into their grade level without hassle. You would simple need to enrol your child back into school. For elementary school, your child would usually just be placed back into their age/grade. Without any need for additional testing.

Therefore, you don’t need to worry about whether or not your child would be able to join back into their grade. As long as you are keeping up with their homeschooling curriculum they will stay on track with their peers. Even if you find that your child is struggling in different areas with their education because of pandemic learning. Please know that your child will quickly catch up. With a little time, dedication, and understanding, your child will be back on track in no time.

The Takeaway:

With the right curriculum, guidance, and time, your child will stay on track with their education. And your child will be able to attend traditional school again.

Try not to worry!

Please know that you aren’t the only parent worried about your child’s education. Most, if not all, parents are worried in some capacity about their child’s education right now. You are doing the very best that you can for your child’s education. And while sometimes you may feel like you haven’t done enough, you have. It’s normal and healthy to have questions about homeschooling like “Should homeschool curriculum be accredited?”

No one wants to “mess up their child’s education”. So, let us assure you that you are doing a great job. Asking questions, doing research, finding the best learning solutions for your child – those are all huge steps in the right direction. You’re doing an excellent job, and your child’s education will show that, with time. Try not to get so consumed by the idea of how things should look. Because homeschooling often looks very different for everyone. Just take it one day at a time. And tap into more amazing homeschooling resources to help you get started on the right track.

Check out “The 20 Do’s of Homeschooling” for helpful tips on how to have a successful homeschooling journey. https://schoolio.io/news/the-20-dos-of-homeschooling/

The Homeschool Mom – Is Your Curriculum Accredited? Does it Matter? https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/is-your-curriculum-accredited-does-it-matter/

Homeschooling in Atlantic Canada – How to Get Started

Are you considering homeschooling? Or perhaps are new to homeschooling in Atlantic Canada? How do you get started? Where do you begin? And what’s the best route to take in order to be a successful homeschooler? Is homeschooling even legal in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador? We are going to cover each of these provinces unique learning standards for homeschooling.

Before we dive into homeschooling in Atlantic Canada Provinces it’s important to select a curriculum that works great for your family. (If you are in Newfoundland & Labrador, please check curriculum standards before selecting curriculum – See below)

How do I pick homeschool curriculum?

There are hundreds of curriculum options available for homeschooling families now. We recommend that you purchase a Canadian based curriculum. There are so many phenomenal American Homeschooling curriculum options. However, if you are homeschooling in Atlantic Canada, you will find that you have to supplement your curriculum more often than not for Canadian concepts.

Here’s an excellent blog about how to pick the very best curriculum for your family: Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

The Basics of Homeschooling in Nova Scotia:

The first province we will cover when it comes to homeschooling in Atlantic Canada is Nova Scotia.

Let’s start with the basics.

Is Homeschooling legal in Nova Scotia?

The answer is yes! In fact, homeschooling is legal in each province of Atlantic Canada, but rules do vary. The Department of education in Nova Scotia outlines the legislation for home education. It’s always best to start there when you have questions about homeschooling in Nova Scotia.

Does your child need to be registered in Nova Scotia?

Yes! Parents and guardians in Nova Scotia are required to register their children, ages 6 to 16 in an educational program. First, you will need to register your child for Primary (Kindergarten) whether your child is 5 or 6 years old. Be sure to register them in the year that they will be 5 years old before December 31st. Secondly, you will need to provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate for their first year.

What are your responsibilities as a home schooling parent in Nova Scotia?

First, you need to advise the Department of Education (Halifax Office) of your intent to homeschool your child.

Secondly, you need to complete the registration form annually and return it to the Regional Education Office, Halifax, Nova Scotia. For a child that has not been registered in public or homeschool before, you will need to include proof of their age with your registration form.

Third, in June you will need to provide a report to the Department of Education (Halifax Office) on the progress of your homeschooled child(ren). This report should be compatible with the program of study of the child(ren).

Fourth, you as the homeschool parent need to ensure that your child is diligent in attempting to master their home education studies that had been described in the registration form.

Fifth, as the primary home education parent you must be prepared to meet with the school board officials if and when the child(ren) are to be enrolled in public school. You are required to provide evidence of your child’s education program. Because as the home-educating parent or guardian, you are responsible to provide solid evidence of your child’s education.

Where can you find the Registration form?

As the homeschooling parent you will need to fill out the registration form for each of your children at the beginning of the school year. Click here to visit the Nova Scotia Department of Education’s Website where you can find the registration form. Overall the registration letter is simply laid out, very straightforward and easy to understand. This form will ask for both you as the parent or guardian and your child’s information along with the name of the curriculum that you are planning on using for that school year.

What are the requirements for reporting and grading in Nova Scotia?

Every June, the homeschooling parent or guardian must send in another form. This form is called “The Home Schooling Student Report Form.” Click here to view these forms. The Home Schooling Student Report Form is quick, simple and easy to fill out. You can fill out the subject/course name, test marks, and the overall course grade. Then you can use the little subject boxes to fill out a little more detail and information on the subjects covered in the school year. While also including your students learned.

If you were using Schoolio curriculum and needed to fill out the Science section for Grade 5. You could simply go to the table of contents of your child’s completed Science book. Then write the key lessons that they learned for the year. ‘Forms of Energy, Conservation with Renewable Resources, Electricity, Energy Footprint, Structures’ etc..

If you are registering your child for a primary grade for the first time you simply need to:

Register with the Department of Education by filling in the form and being sure to submit it in September.
Make a report on your child’s progress within your areas of study in June each year.

If your child is attending school already and you’d like to legally withdraw them from school in Nova Scotia:

Be sure to inform the school that you will be homeschooling. Ask them to remove your child from the school register.
Complete the Nova Scotia Department of Education Homeschooling Registration Form. Being sure to submit it to the Department of Education to register your child as a homeschooler.

More information on Homeschooling in Nova Scotia can be found at The Canadian Homeschooler.

The Basics of Homeschooling in New Brunswick:

The second province we will cover when it comes to homeschooling in Atlantic Canada is New Brunswick.

Let’s start with the basics: Is Homeschooling legal in New Brunswick?

Yes! It is every parent’s right to home educate their child in New Brunswick. Moreover, you do not need to have a teacher’s certificate or be a college graduate to homeschool your children. Additionally, there is no reporting or annual testing requirements in New Brunswick.

Your first step would be to establish if homeschooling is the right choice for your family.

The Minister of Education New Brunswick suggests that you answer these 5 questions.

Adequate Time?
Do you have Adequate Finances?
Strong Parenting Skills?
Do you have Effective Time-Management Skills?
Common Vision?

Families that choose to home educate are asked by the Province of New Brunswick to complete the Annual Homeschool Application Form. Then they are required to forward it to their local school district.

Keeping in mind that in order for your homeschool to be considered effective instruction it must include these areas of learning:

Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Technology
Social Studies
Health
Career Development
French
Music
Art
Physical Education

What is the Annual Homeschool Application Form?

The Annual Homeschool Application Form states that you as the parent or legal guardian are taking full responsibility for the education of your child. Once this application has been submitted, the district office will forward the form to the Minister of Education. Following the submission of the letter, the Minister of Education will send the family a signed letter that states they have been approved to home educate their children for the current year.

Here you will find the French and English Annual Homeschooling Application Form:

Homeschooling in New Brunswick Recap:

If your child is just starting school, or you are pulling your child out of school to homeschool, you must inform their current school that you are homeschooling.
Choose a curriculum that suits your family.
Fill out the Annual Homeschool Application Form.
Submit the Homeschooling Application form to the district office.
Await the letter from the Minister of Education for approval.

Click here for additional information on homeschooling in New Brunswick.

The Basics of Homeschooling in Prince Edward Island.

The third province that we will cover when it comes to homeschooling in Atlantic Canada is Prince Edward Island.

Is Homeschooling Legal in Prince Edward Island?

Yes! Parents are able to home educate their children in Prince Edward Island! They can do so by using a home education program or public education curriculum.

How can you legally homeschool your child in Prince Edward Island?

You will need to notify the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning that you will be homeschooling your child before the school year begins. Find the Home Education Notice of Intent here.

What curriculum are you required to use?

You can choose whichever curriculum you would like. In addition to this, there is also another option to access curriculum books with provincial curriculum when home educating your child. At this time the Provincial Curriculum costs $50 per child, and that amount will be refunded once the books have been returned after use. Also it’s important to remember that you as the homeschooling parent are responsible for your child’s curriculum, record keeping and their testing.

Homeschooling in Prince Edward Island recap:

If your child is already registered in a school, be sure to notify the school that your child will not be attending.
Fill out the Notice of Parent’s Intention to Homeschool form and notify the Department of Education.
Choose a curriculum that suits your family.

For more information on homeschooling in PEI click here.

The Basics of Homeschooling in Newfoundland & Labrador.

The fourth province that we will cover when it comes to homeschooling in Atlantic Canada is Newfoundland and Labrador.

The first question, is homeschooling legal in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Yes! Parents do have the right to homeschool their children in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, there are mandates that local school boards are to monitor the progress of the students that are residing in their district.

What are the legal requirements of homeschooling in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Parents or legal guardians need to send in an application to homeschool. Moreover, the four regions of the Newfoundland & Labrador English School District have a Homeschool Coordinator who approves applications. The Homeschool Coordinator also oversees the homeschool program. For information on how to fill out the form click the NLESD Homeschooling Application.

What curriculum will you be required to use in Newfoundland & Labrador?

You can either choose to use the provincial curriculum of Newfoundland & Labrador or you can use any other curriculum which has been previously approved by the EECD. Furthermore, if you don’t want to use an approved curriculum, you will need to provide information about the curriculum to the homeschool coordinator. Then the homeschool coordinator will assess the curriculum that you would like to use. Doing so to decide whether it meets provincial learning standards.

Homeschooling in Newfoundland & Labrador recap:

Notify the school that your child is attending.
Find out who the Homeschool Coordinator is for your region.
Fill out and send the intent to homeschool form.
Choose a curriculum. Remember, if you choose a curriculum that isn’t approved by the EECD, you will need to include this curriculum in your homeschool plan for the Homeschool Coordinator.

For more information:

Homeschooling in Atlantic Canada Recap:

We hope that this how to guide has cleared up your questions about homeschooling in Atlantic Canada. Please be sure to follow all the rules and guidelines of your province. And if you are still unsure about any of the standards and requirements for your province, please reach out to your local homeschooling group. Local homeschooling groups can connect you with other local homeschoolers. Additionally, homeschooling groups can help you learn the best route to take with homeschooling, along with the legal requirements for your province and region.

Homeschooling can be a huge transition for your family, so be sure to check out the Schoolio Blog for helpful tips on how to be successful when homeschooling. It’s our hope that you will enjoy your homeschooling journey, and that your children will benefit from this unique education opportunity.

For general information on how to get started with homeschooling in Canada click here: How Do I Homeschool?

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How to Use a Digital Curriculum

Are you curious why we are so passionate about our digital curriculum? Lately, we’ve been receiving multiple questions about what a digital curriculum is? How can you use a digital curriculum? And what are the best ways to be successful using a digital curriculum? This is why this blog is all about how to use a digital curriculum and why we’re so passionate about it.

Why do we promote and sell a digital curriculum?

Convenience is always the ideal. This is why the idea of having only physical workbooks in hand is the ideal and preferred method for most families. This is why we are passionate about finding an alternative that will make the family and the environment happy. It should be alarming that roughly 15 billion trees are cut down annually. Researchers estimate that since the onset of human civilization, the global number of trees has dropped by approximately 46%. Find more details here.

Those are some staggering and alarming statistics.

Especially because trees are such an essential part of life here on planet earth, trees and shrubs improve soil and water conservation while storing carbon. They also help moderate local climates by providing shade. Trees act to regulate temperature extremes and provide homes for much of the world’s wildlife.

Trees are so important and needed. Yet, they are the first to be cut down when we need lumber to build more houses, furniture, and paper for books. This is why we are committed to helping heal the environment. And while we are just a small, start-up company. We are determined to make a difference in the world around us.

Digital curriculum means: Fewer trees being cut down to provide for single-use books.

That’s important to us. We understand that some families wish to have a physical product in their hands. That ‘pen to paper’ feel is hard to replace. The pen-to-paper ‘feel’ is something that most people greatly value, and we agree. It is essential to be able to use a pencil to learn better writing skills, especially in the beginning years. We aren’t saying you need to throw out ‘paper’ altogether, as our digital curriculum comes with many options.

Partial Printing:

When you purchase our digital curriculum, you can only choose to print out the worksheets your child needs to practice with. The ‘reading’ and ‘lesson’ parts of each lesson can be used by simply opening the digital curriculum on your iPad. Read and learn together, then have the worksheets printed out – and let them get to work.

This is a sure way to guarantee that less paper is being used while ensuring that your child is still getting that pen-to-paper feel.

Fully Digital:

Alternatively, some families successfully download their digital e-books from their dashboard and use their digital curriculum with a tablet or iPad. They then have their child use a Stylus pen or Apple Pen to fill in the answers. Once they have completed the page, they save it. When you choose this option, you are using essentially no paper, which is a massive gift to the environment or your organization.

Your Digital Curriculum is Still Useful, Even if You Had The Workbooks Printed.

Those files aren’t just a waste. You can use the digital files to plan your lessons, look ahead, save for later, and help you stay organized and on track. Having your digital curriculum is also an excellent backup. What if you spill a drink on your paper workbooks? Those digital files are a simple replacement. You don’t have to purchase a whole new book. You can easily print off the pages that were compromised by juice.

Digital Curriculum Helps Parents and Teachers Jump Right In.

Our digital curriculum is also beneficial because you have access to it as soon as it’s purchased. That means you don’t have to wait for the curriculum to arrive to begin planning. As soon as it’s downloaded off your dashboard, you will have the ability to get familiar with everything needed to have a successful homeschool year.

Digital Curriculum is more affordable.

The curriculum will always be a little expensive because a lot of work and information goes into your curriculum. However, when it comes to a digital curriculum that isn’t printed – those costs become much less. We are committed to making quality home education available for families across Canada and The United States of America.

How are we giving back with our digital curriculum and workbooks?

We know that not everyone will want to have a digital curriculum. This is why we have offered a printing and shipping option through our third-party printer. All that paper takes away from our goal to help save the trees. So that is why we teamed up with One Tree Planted. Because we care deeply about the planet and give back to nature. We are investing 1% of monthly revenue to One Tree Planted. By doing so, we are planting trees across Canada and the world. Giving back where we can to help our environment.

Start small if you aren’t sure how you would feel about going ‘digital’ with your curriculum.

Grab a fun science unit like ‘Weather’ for grades 4-6. Click here to check out ‘Weather.’

This unique science unit is just 39 pages and covers fun lessons like What Causes Weather, The Sun, The Wind, All About Precipitation, Hurricanes and Tornadoes, Human Impacts on Climate and Meteorology. With this compact Special Interest Unit, your child can learn about the weather digitally.

Another excellent science resource is: ‘Optics,’ which gives you another chance to try it out digitally. Optics is geared towards Grade 7-8. This Special Interest Unit is only 38 pages and teaches your student about Light and Vision, Transmission and Absorption, Reflection, Lenses, The Human Eye and more. Click here to learn more about ‘Optics.’

These Special Interest Units are filled with great content. Choosing to use these units Digital vs. getting printing done will allow your family to try out a fully digital curriculum on a smaller platform.

If you need more tips on using our digital curriculum, our team is always here to help.

Tablets and stylus pens can be purchased at any electronic store. Our favourites for digital curriculum use are the iPad and apple pen combo to fill out the curriculum quickly.

Remember, whatever way you choose to use your digital curriculum, we stand behind you and are here to help you be successful.

Ways to Make Your Back to Homeschool Fun

10 Ways to Make Your Back-to-Homeschool Fun – Guest Blog by Rebecca Miller

As Fall approaches, many parents are gearing up for their kids to go back to school. I often breathe a sigh of relief that, as a homeschool mom, I dodge the frantic crowds doing their back-to-school shopping. However, as September rolls around and I begin to see all those cute “back-to-school” photos on Instagram. And start to hear about first-day-of-school traditions, I find myself wondering are my kids missing out? Here are 10 ways to make your back-to-homeschool fun.

From my experience:

As a child, I remember my parents always took us out for breakfast to celebrate the first day of school. It was a tradition we followed for most of my public school years. I remember the smell of my new crayons and writing for the first time in a brand new notebook. They are fond memories.

Naturally, I began to lament that my children don’t necessarily have those memories of the first days of a new school year. That ugly mom-guilt started to seep in. But then I started thinking, there’s absolutely no reason they can’t make special start-of-the-year activities! We can make our own traditions as a home learning family!

Even if you homeschool year-round like we do, there is something about Fall that just seems like a fresh beginning. So, whether it’s your first year homeschooling, or your tenth. Here are some ideas for fun ways to celebrate the new school year with your family.

10 Ways to Make your back-to-homeschool fun:

1. Make a fun breakfast

As I mentioned, one of my favourite memories was getting dressed up in my new school clothes and going for breakfast with my family on the first day of school. This is something we, as homeschoolers, can also do. Another take on that is to make breakfast together. Does your family love chocolate chip pancakes? What about strawberry waffles? Whatever your favourite breakfast foods are, coming together in the kitchen to create a special breakfast together is a great way to connect, and create memories for the first day of “school.”

2. New school supplies

One of the nice things about homeschooling is that you don’t necessarily have to go to the expense of buying new pens, pencils and crayons each September. We usually use things we have from last year. However, it can also be fun to buy some special extras – maybe some glitter pens, a new colourful notebook or sketchbook, or some new paints. You can set all the new school supplies in a pretty basket on the table for the kids to discover in the morning.

3. New books

I don’t know about you, but I get super excited to get a new book. Do you have a favourite read-aloud or a book your family has been wanting to read? It can be a novel, a book of poetry, a picture book (no matter the age of your kids) or even an audio book. Wrap the book up like a gift and have your learners open it in the morning. Then you can all grab a cup of hot chocolate and sit around and read your new book together.

4. Hit the park

One of the best parts of Fall for homeschoolers is having our parks and playgrounds to ourselves again. During the summer they can be crowded and some kids can become overwhelmed (and adults, too). Its always fun to call up a few homeschool buddies and meet up at the park on the first day of school. Maybe bring a picnic and make a day of it.

5. Hit the road

For some families, the first week of school means a road trip! Remember, homeschool doesn’t have to look like school. The flexibility of educating at home, means homeschooling families have the opportunity to take advantage of trips when other families can’t. Pack up the kids, the dog and the bikes and head to the mountains. You can go camping, hiking, fishing, whatever your heart desires. Remember, it’s about making connections and memories.

6. Visit your favourite museum, science centre or planetarium

Just as the parks empty as kids go back to public school, so do museums and libraries. Which is your favourite “field trip”? Is there a place you haven’t check out yet? Maybe you have a local zoo that you didn’t get a chance to check out, or a botanical garden. Sometimes the cooler weather of the Fall can make the experience even better.

7. Spirit Week

Do you remember having spirit week at public school? The first week of homeschool can be a great time to have your own Homeschool Spirit Week. Brainstorm with your learners what they think might be fun, or surpise them with a list of what to expect for the week. For example: Monday is wacky hair day, Tuesday is backward day etc.

8. Have a board game day

In our homeschool, we love game-schooling. Gameschooling is where you use board games to teach different skills. Sometimes we learn things without even noticing, because we are having fun. How fun would it be for your kids to come into the family room in the morning and see a variety of games set up to explore? Pick some of your family favourites and maybe grab a new one to try!

9. Go to a matinee

A fun tradition to start (and one that might make your kids feel like their public school friends are missing out!) is to go to a weekday afternoon movie. Look through the movie listings at your local theatre and pick one that your family wants to see. Going to a movie on the first day of school sounds like an awesome tradition to me.

10. Make a vision board

Each year, I set out poster board, glue sticks, magazines, pencil crayons and scissors. I have the kids envision what they want to learn about and get better at this year. What experiences do they want to have this year? What goals do they have? The kids then go through magazines and cut out pictures of things that symbolize their goals for the year and draw pictures and words that describe those things as well. You can hang the posters up or take pictures of them to refer to later in the year.

This Blog was written by Rebecca Miller from Heart Based Learning.

Check her out on Instagram: @heartbasedhomeschoolers

Click here for more information on Heart Based Homeschoolers.

More information from Schoolio before you start homeschool.

Homeschooling Teens? How to Homeschool Older Kids

How to Homeschool Older Kids by Sarah Wall

When they’re little, it’s easy to plan out homeschooling. The skills are obvious: they need to learn to read, write, add & subtract. They need a basic understanding of the world around them, and it’s fun to explore science and history topics. But then they hit those double-digits, and all of sudden, we feel the pressure to get serious about their education. Middle school and high school homeschooling can often feel scary and overwhelming. How do you homeschool when your kids are older? How can you be successful when homeschooling teens?

Here are 5 things to keep in mind when planning your homeschool for middle and high school students.

First, include your older kids in the planning.

After all, it’s their life, not yours. We don’t want to educate our kids for the life we hope and dream they will have — and certainly not for the life we wish we had. We can’t live vicariously through our kids. And it’s really easy to fall into that trap!

The best way to make sure your homeschool plans are for your kids is to include them in the planning.

Start with your homeschooling teens goals.

Sit down with your child and invite them to do some dreaming with you. What do they see themselves doing in the future? What kind of jobs are they interested in? What do they want to explore more?

You and they don’t have to decide right now what they’re going to be when they grow up. Instead, it’s about getting them to think ahead about their future. And if you help them pay attention to the lifestyle choices they enjoy or tend towards; you can help steer them towards career choices that will suit them best.

For example, if your child loves spending hours in outside play, then they probably aren’t going to be suited to an office job or career in accounting.

Explore your older kids interests.

Obviously, nothing is set in stone! Who knows? Maybe your outdoorsy child would prefer a career in law, and then spend weekends mountain climbing? But you won’t know that right away, until you’ve given them a chance to explore.

Get your older kids involved in community events and sign them up for lessons, classes, hobby-based activities and as many different things as you can afford and fit in your schedule. Encourage your children to try out widely varying things, even if they don’t think they will like them. Try free trials, short-term sessions and non-competitive versions of things, and see what takes hold.

Not only will your child get to experience a variety of topics and activities, but they’ll make connections that can be extremely valuable in future.

What’s required to achieve their goals?

If your child has stated goals, or has indicated an interest in a certain area, look at the end results for that goal, and reverse engineer it.

For example, if your older kids have an interest in marine animals, what’s the requirement to be a marine biologist? What college degree do they need? Look at the prerequisites from the top colleges, and then go backwards. Maybe they need an honors high school biology credit? So that would mean you’ll need a beginner biology credit, and you’ll need to explore animals, cells and body systems in middle school. So now you know what kind of science topics you need for your 6th grader this year!

It’s not about narrowing the goals in the middle school years, but about keeping doors open.

As they get older, and their goals get more specific, you can narrow down the study requirements, and then you can look for the tools to fulfill those requirements.

Don’t forget the basics!

There’s more to life than academics. Make sure that your middle and high school kids have the life and career skills they need to be productive, contributing members of society too. They should have the basics of cooking, cleaning, and finance. Teach them how to apply for a job, a bank account, and file taxes. How do they fill out forms for health care, government services and housing?

These are the years to really develop those habits of basic hygiene and personal care as well. Help them create routines for showers, for exercise, for staying in contact with friends. Make sure you leave room in their days for breaks and to just be kids!

Take advantage of this time with your homeschooling teens/ middle schoolers.

Middle school and high school students have so many opportunities. They’re old enough to be independent learners, young enough to learn quickly, and still curious enough to have a ton of interests! At the same time, they should start to have their own goals and ideas about what they want to do.

As you’re planning for your older kids homeschooling, make sure you include and leave room for their own plans. Encourage and support them to explore! And work backwards from their goals to where they are now, so you can leave as many doors open to them as possible.

The teen and preteen years can be a scary time as parents and homeschoolers. But it can be a lot of fun too. Support their interests, coach and cheer them from the sidelines, and watch them bloom!

Homeschooling Teens - Guest Blog Sarah Wall

This blog about homeschooling teens and older kids was written by Sarah Wall.

Sarah is a pro at teaching her older kids and homeschooling teens. She also helps homeschool mamas do the same. After leaving an abusive marriage with 5 young children, launching a successful business, and creating a support community with several hundred members, Sarah believes there’s always a way to achieve your goals. It’s just about finding the right support. So, if you’re contemplating homeschooling teens, or middle schoolers, she believes that you can accomplish it.

Click Here to Read Sarah’s Blog

If you’re concerned about your teen or middle schoolers education due to pandemic learning. Sign up for the free High school Readiness Assessment. Click Here to Register

Costs of Homeschooling? Is it Affordable?

Thinking about homeschooling but feeling nervous about the budget? You might find yourself researching different curriculums and thinking is homeschooling affordable? Like is it actually affordable? Or are people who homeschool just financially set? Or are they budgeted so tightly there’s just no room for fun? The answer to both those questions is no.What are the costs of Homeschooling? Let’s find out!

Costs of Homeschooling:

Homeschooling is actually so much more affordable than you’d think. You don’t need to be a millionaire to homeschooling. A quick google search of ‘Costs of Homeschooling’, will show you a rough estimate of the average homeschool costs. According to Time4Learning.com the cost of homeschooling ranges from $700 to $1,800 per child, per year. Is that just for the curriculum? Nope. That amount generally includes the cost of curriculum, school supplies, field trips and extra activities that they may want to do.

You might feel like that’s a lot of money, but remember, it’s not all expected at once. Your biggest expense will be for your child’s curriculum. The good news is that’s just a once-a-year purchase. Typically, the cost of curriculum will rage around $250 to $400 per child. See, that’s not so bad!

Can you work and homeschool?

Are you worried that you’ll need to quit your job? Traditionally when a family would decide to homeschool, one parent would likely have to give up their job in order to stay home with the child. Because you can’t work a 9-5 at the office and homeschool your kids. That’s just not doable. So, most families would decide who made the most money and that person would continue working. Then the other parent would take on the ginormous responsibility of educating their children.

However, we’ve all learned since the beginning of the pandemic that parents are able to work from home and educate their children. It’s truly NOT for everyone. And, you’d need to ensure that your job is one that is flexible with hours and work. I’ve been homeschooling my kids since 2015 and have maintained a job the entire time. Why? Well, because my husband and I both earn money to cover the bills. Me not working, just wasn’t going to happen. Conveniently, my job is extremely compatible with a work-at-home schedule.

For years people would ask “How are you working a job and homeschooling your kids? That’s not possible.” I’d assure them that it actually is very possible. And they’d continue on in their unbelief, until the pandemic came steaming in. Suddenly everyone was working from home, and helping their kids with their education. For me, it’s always been about balance. I won’t sugar coat is, because it is a big sacrifice of my time.

What’s it look like to work from home and homeschool?

My kids do best when we accomplish school in the morning. For my family it looks like this:

I wake up earlier than everyone else so that I can get some much needed – me time! I work out, listen to music that fuels my soul, read, get creative. Then, I start on my first work assignment of the day. I continue working on that assignment until I hear the footsteps of my kiddos coming down the hall. Then I put my work away, and make them breakfast. Once breakfast is finished and everyone’s awake, we jump into some learning. It doesn’t take hours upon hours, it’s not typical school. It’s homeschool!! We make our way through the daily work and activities for the day. And soon, we’ve completed all our educational tasks for the day! I make sure to spend time with each child individually to make sure they understand their lesson.

Once we are finished with school for the day, I put on an educational show for them (and sometimes it’s not educational). While that is on, I jump into more work projects. When the shows done, we go to the park, or play in the yard. At this point, it’s usually mid-afternoon, my kids will then enjoy the rest of their afternoon with free play. If they don’t need me, I spend a little more time on work. Then dinner time and bed time. Done and done. If we have out of home activities, like French lessons, or co-op, or gymnastics, or swimming (pre-covid). I plan accordingly to make sure that my work projects are completed before we have these activities so that nothing gets neglected.

I’ve read and heard so many comments from people that don’t think you can work from home and homeschool. But it’s doable! Totally, doable! It really does take practice, balance, and a whole lot of dedication. Thanks to my job we can handle the costs of homeschooling a little better. So, all that to say, if you need to continue working in order to help your family with their finances, it’s possible! If I can do it, anyone can!

What about Extracurriculars?

You might be wondering if you can afford extracurriculars once you’ve paid for their curriculum? Here’s some good news: Field trips don’t need to be super extravagant. They can be simple like going to the zoo, park, aquarium, apple orchard, llama farm, or museum with another homeschool family. There are so many amazing, fun, things to do!

Oh, and I almost forgot the most amazing part of homeschooling and extra activities! Are you ready? OK here is goes! Places like indoor playgrounds, aquariums, zoos, gymnastics clubs, trampoline parks, and museums etc. They will more than likely offer you a discounted rate! WHAT!? I’m so serious. We never pay full price for the extra fun we have. Why? Because these places are sitting empty during the time that kids are in traditional school. Having a group of homeschoolers gives them the opportunity for extra money! Your kids get to go have fun, have new experiences, make and play with friends, learn new things. You get a mini mental break, and the club/zoo/park gets a little money. Everyone wins!

How do these discounts work for Extracurricular and the costs of homeschooling?

Obviously, they won’t just let you get a discount if it’s just your family of 2 or 3. The way to do it is to get a group of homeschooling friends and put all the kids together to make a great enough number that the location will jump at the opportunity to have those kids visit!

Our local homeschool group gets discounted gymnastics classes, swimming classes, art classes and more. Because there is a greater number of students signing up, the different businesses will give a discounted rate. So, we rarely ever pay full price to get our kids into these awesome activities and extracurriculars.

How do I find a homeschool group?

Not sure where to find other homeschoolers? Don’t worry! They’re everywhere! Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in the last few years, and especially since the pandemic. There’s so many excellent homeschool groups out there. Depending on your region, you more than likely have one near you. Still unsure where to find them? Check out different homeschooling groups on Facebook, and the lovely people in there will direct you to your people.

Still worried about the costs of homeschooling?

That’s OK. It’s a big change. But you need to remember that you won’t be paying for things like: Daycare, summer camps, before and after care, extra school activities (at full price), a large amount of school supplies and materials etc. There are so many ways that you’ll actually be saving money by keeping them home with you. It might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Homeschooling isn’t as expensive as most people think it is. Sure, there’s some upfront costs, some sacrifices on your time, dedication, balance, and more. But the reward is the amazing, special time that you get to spend with your kids. When they learn how to read you get to say “I taught him that.” It’s such an incredible experience. Absolutely, without a doubt, there will be some tough days, day where your balance is all off kilter and you are ready to just give up. But, that’s how it is with all things related to life, right? On those tough days you just have to keep moving forward and remember what an amazing job you are doing.

Here’s a graphic of what you can expect when it comes to homeschooling costs per year.

Costs of Homeschooling - Schoolio

*Note: This isn’t a set in stone price. Every homeschool family is different, activities vary, and curriculum varies. Some families homeschool for significantly less than the normal amount and some prefer to pay more. It really just depends on your family, your situation and what you and your children want and need.

If you haven’t already, consider giving Schoolio a chance. Our curriculum is affordable, up-to-date, hands on, and Canadian. We are all about children getting the best education, and parent love. We know money is tight, and that’s why our curriculum is so affordable.

Browse our Curriculum

Here’s an excellent, extra blog about Finances and Homeschooling by Lindsey: Let’s Talk About Finances

Additional resources for costs of homeschooling:

Curriculum For Homeschooling Kindergarten?

Kindergarten can be a difficult grade to teach. This is when your child is learning the fundamentals of education. And, they’re often very easily distracted. This may make you feel like you just want to give up, especially when homeschooling a Kindergartener. It seems that all they want to do is scribble all over everything and yell, and run around the house. It’s so hard to get them to focus back on learning sometimes! You aren’t alone, many parents are struggling with just that. Because, let’s face it: Virtual Learning for Kindergarten – just isn’t doable nor is it good for their mental development. During a global pandemic, the best option and most obvious choice for your Kindergartener would be homeschooling. How can you homeschool your Kindergartener without causing insane amounts of stress for both you and your child?

First of all, why is Kindergarten so important for your child anyway? Why can’t you just skip Kindergarten and go right into Grade 1? Or, maybe just do some quick workbooks? Why is a Kindergarten program so important for children?

Kindergarten isn’t just about learning letters, sounds and colours. Kindergarten is also so important for your child’s emotional development and for building their self-confidence. Through a solid Kindergarten Program, your child is given the opportunity to learn and then practice very important skills that will help them with their emotions, social skills, and study habits.

When you have a good Kindergarten Program, your child will better develop their cognitive skills. And when these key characteristics are planted and cultivated in the beginning years of their educational journey, they will have a wonderful foundation for a lifelong, wholesome, learning experience which will in turn, help them with their overall well-being.

Skipping over Kindergarten and holding off until Grade 1 isn’t a great choice. Why? Because your child will inevitably be behind when they reach Grade 1.

Because, some of the main things a Kindergartener will cover will be missed if you skip Kindergarten, like: Identify letters in the alphabet, and their sounds. Learning about the different blends that letters can make. They cover letter tracing, because hand writing is something that you need to practice to get better at. They also should cover, diagraphs, sight words, language, rhyming words, nouns, verbs, writing their own stories with booklets. Kindergarten is also when they start the basics of Science and Social Studies, covering fun and basic concepts to peak your child’s interests. They should learn how to write letters, and sight words and more. Yes, some days are hard – Especially when their focus is anywhere but on learning. Even so, if you just skip over these very important lessons, your child will have a more difficult time adjusting to lessons in Grade 1.

On the same note: Just learning with workbooks isn’t going to give your child the repetition that they need to develop and build excellent skills. Like, handwriting, memorization, and beginning reading skills. Workbooks are so good, for additional practice. But it’s important to have a good Kindergarten Program to be the foundation of their learning. Workbooks never cover all the content that a Kindergartener should be covering. So, the Schoolio Kindergarten Program is vital to their success. And at http://schoolio.io we offer the best foundational programs to help your child along the way.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to your Kindergartener’s education: Is to not allow stress to enter the classroom (or kitchen).

Studies show that a child under stress has a very difficult time learning. A key component of a successful Kindergarten Program: No stress. The Schoolio Kindergarten Program can provide a no stress environment for you and your child. Our Kindergarten Program was written by a teacher, who is also a homeschool mom. She has a big heart for all homeschooling parents but especially for those that are just starting out. She wants you and your child to excel on your homeschooling journey.

With all that in mind, I can tell you that the Schoolio Kindergarten Program has many excellent components to it, that will keep you and your child in a no-stress zone. How? Well, with Schoolio, you are never left to figure it out on your own. Most Homeschool companies sell you the books, and never check in to see how you are doing. With Schoolio, we maintain our mission to make sure that no parent (or child) gets left behind. Feeling stressed? Reach out to us. We have a Schoolio team made up of new and experienced homeschool parents that are here to help you with all your concerns. We give you access to the exclusive Schoolio Community, where you can tap into our resources for your lessons, get freebies, chat with other Schoolio parents and more. You also will get a complimentary 1-hour chat with a Registered School Teacher to help you start off on the right track.

The Schoolio Kindergarten Program comes with a built-in planner. Which means that you don’t have to worry about figuring out what your child should be doing and when. Because it is all laid out plainly for you. There are 36 weeks of lessons covering 7 different subjects interchangeably. The lessons are fun, and interesting and extremely engaging for both you and your child. There’re not many Canadian Curriculum Homeschooling options out there for Kindergarten. And we take great pride in knowing that with the Schoolio Kindergarten Program you never have to worry about your Kindergartener not reaching their educational goals. We make sure to follow Canadian Curriculum Homeschooling Guidelines to ensure that your child stays on track with a wholesome Canadian education.

You don’t need to approach Kindergarten with stress, because with Schoolio, we do the groundwork, so you can just focus on what is important: Your child, and your peace of mind. Check out the Schoolio Kindergarten Program here: https://schoolio.io/kindergarten/

Learn more about the Schoolio Kindergarten Program by watching this video. (Click here) There are also tons of free Youtube videos that can help you get started. (Click here)

Do you have more questions about the Schoolio Kindergarten Program? Like how it’s different from other Kindergarten Programs? Why it is the best option for you and your Kindergartener? We answer these questions and more on the latest Schoolio Podcast.

On Episode 10, “Let’s Talk Kindergarten” of the Schoolio Podcast, we chat with Lindsey Casselman – head writer of the Kindergarten Program. She answers all our questions, and offers great advice for all our new homeschooling parents out there

Listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/76ViZ1S7q7VaDCQvVWUK2v