Questions from Minnesota

[Mom4Him]

Hello!
We are from Minnesota- & I was wondering if anyone could help me understand more about the state standards...
-Do the HOD guides cover all of the standards, or do I have to add that in (ex.-fine arts/phy.ed./health)? We are absolutely loving HOD the way it is, & are hoping to not have to add anything.
-I've heard I don't need to register my children with our district until the year they are turning 7 (which for my oldest- would mean when they are entering first grade)- so, does that mean I really don't need to record anything for their Kindergarten year?
-I guess I'm just a bit confused as a new homeschooling mom- I'm sorry if my questions don't even make sense ! If I look online at all of the standards of things children should be learning at each age-level- I am completely overwhelmed & confused (& I even have a teaching degree ).
-Could someone please help me understand all of this, & what I am required to do? (and should do?)
Thank-you so much!
Jessica

[momof4]

Jessica,
Welcome!
I'm from MN, but by no means an expert on all the rules (MACHE is a GREAT resource for all the legal stuff). MACHE has a beginning homeschooling session at their conference coming up in April. They go thru all the rules and explain everything really well. Hang in there. It is overwhelming at first. The admin part of homeschooling isn't really not all that bad (at least in MN).

Here's what we did last year for K, though. We did LHFHG. I think it covers everything maybe health. It has lots of art projects, music, physical activities during other activities (ie. jumping jacks while doing bible verses). For health, we just checked out library books on safety, hygiene, etc.. We counted play dates, going to the park, etc as PE also. As for records, I'm not clear if you have to keep records for K, but I kept a calendar for what lesson we did on what day and kept sheets for handwriting, math, and some art projects - A total of 2 folders. I doubt anyone will ask, but if they do I'll hand them the manual, calendar and folders and say there you go. I'm sure it would be more than enough.

I hope that helps some and didn't confuse you more!
Laurie

[CortezClan]

I'm from MN (born and raised ufdah! ) and brand new to homeschooling as well. I know for sure that you don't have to do anything for school until you have to "report" them to the district which is at 7 years old. So we have been considering this our "trial" year, in other words the year we can practice before we actually have to do anything lol. I am keeping records of what we are doing each day and keeping samples of her work but it is mostly for me because I want to be able to look back and see what we did, how she did and just have the memories

Also Laurie did mention MACHE is having their annual conference in April, April 16 & 17th to be exact. There is a lot of information about the conference on their website. It is down in Rochester but we are making it a priority to go (we are in the cities) because they seem to have so much information for what I need to know being a new homeschooler, laws, reporting and such. But also because I think it will be so encouraging to see all the homeschooling families. PLUS we are SOOO excited to meet Carrie and see the next year of HOD we want to purchase, she's going to have a booth there!! And a bonus I think I read that you don't have to pay for shipping when you order at conference, and any little bit helps around here And finally we are using it as a time to get away just me and hubby Grandma's keeping the girls and we will have two days with no kids...it worth it just for that but then we are getting all the other stuff...FUN!!

Also for MACHE membership I know you get a handbook which has all the laws spelled out, membership is $35 a year but even to do it for the first year to get the handbook for some more homeschooling info seems worth it to me

Good luck in your qwest to find out about homeschooling...sorry I can't answer more questions for you but I'm in the exact same boat as you lol
Heather

[Mom4Him]

Thank-you so much Laurie & Heather!! You have both been so very encouraging! I will definitely take your advise & keep track of what we are doing (for my own records & to see how far they have come & to treasure all of the memories) - I love that HOD has so much worked into it- it is wonderful!! And, I'm sure that everything else (Paper-work, etc.) will get much easier as we go.

My husband & I are also hoping to attend MACHE! I have heard such wonderful things about it- & I too would love to meet Carrie & to see (& purchase) the curriculum we will get for next year. We have lined up Grandma to come watch our four oldest children, but we would have to take our baby girl (as she is still nursing & doesn't take a bottle)- & I'm not sure how I feel about that since you can't bring strollers. So- we're still trying to make our final decision- but since all of our children are 5-years-old and under- we can go to the convention for free. Maybe we could meet there!?

Heather- we are close to the Twin Cities- we are in Apple Valley. I would love to meet some time- as we had 3 girls & then a boy- just like you!!

Thanks for the encouragement!
Jessica

[holyhart]

http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Minnesota.pdf