Welcome to ISPMOM.COM, your site for homeschooling information, resources, and community. This site was birthed with the purpose of providing a place for you to glean what you need, whether it be a great referral to home school curriculum, or the encouragement to keep on going as a homeschool mom.

The vision for this homeschooling site is for it to be a safe haven for homeschool moms. The internet can be a big, bad, scary place. ISPMOM.COM aims to provide you with a secure place to exchange ideas, to fellowship, and to find recommended resources to help you in your homeschooling adventure.

The name of the site begs some clarification. When we originally named the site, ISP was a commonly held term which referred to the Independent Study Program, or an organization committed to providing homeschoolers with educational support. Due to recent legal matters in the state of California regarding homeschooling, the Home School Legal Defense Association has recommended a name change to Private School Satellite Program or PSP.

PSPs offer class days, corporate field trips, guidance, accountability, and other educational and extra curricular support. In essence, this is the goal of ISPMOM.COM. The extended definition of Independent Study Program in relation to this site, and for every homeschool family in general, is inherent in the connotation of the words themselves. We, as homeschool parents, are choosing to establish for our children an educational environment independent of the traditional school setting. Thus, every homeschool parent needs a road map for their child’s individual Independent Study Program.

Take some time to navigate through ISPMOM.COM and you too will discover the useful tools you need to be a productive, organized, well-equipped, supported, loving homeschool mom. Enjoy!

Sarah Burmeister - Resource Specialist

Going Deeper: Creative Techniques

Many students need a little extra help with handwriting (dark enough, within the lines…).
• In kindergarten, the teacher can allow a student to use a fat crayon broken down to its nub. This forces the student’s fingers to hold the writing implement properly.
• In first grade, you may design a creative project for almost every major unit. The kids are able to experience everything they learn!
• In second grade, try preparing lined paper for your student by applying Elmers glue to the top and bottom lines. The student is able to feel a physical boundary when she writes.
• Sixth grade may require a visual aid poster for your child’s seed/fruit/plant project. Tri-fold boards are sold half-size. (Available at Office Depot) What a PERFECT size for making a project manageable!
• When Eighth grade roles around, employ the L.I.E. method for science journals: Label, Illustrate, Explain. The students is able to define and envision the vocabulary efficiently during independent work time. Check the journals each week for thoroughness and mark the grade on the inside cover. This you’re your student is aware of their progress.
A student needs to see it, hear it, and do it in order to have a full experience with the material. Let me assure you, you have the freedom to go deeper! Have fun with your creativity!

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Q: What are the advantages to taking a homeschool course online?

A: One advantage is that the students get an expert in the field. Sometimes the homeschooled students feel isolated, but with an online class, they can meet "safe" friends and their parents can observe the class too.

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For millions of parents around the world, the day does not end with the school bell.There are still pictures to be painted, songs to be sung and games to be played. This all adds up to keeping children happy, safe and out of trouble. But, parents have to steer away from going overboard.

After school is not baby-sitting:
After school activities thrive only if it is backed by sufficient parental involvement. What would a soccer match be without parents cheering their little heroes from the sidelines?

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As home school moms it is important to look for ways to incorporate learning into activities we already have planned. Infusing everyday life with lessons is not difficult. God has created the world to speak of Him, even the rocks and plants would cry out about Him if we did not. Since our heavenly designer created all things, there are discoveries to be found and knowledge to gain built into life itself and the way we live it.

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The term 'homeschooling' basically refers to the process in which one or more children of not more than 2 families are instructed by parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household. The laws that define homeschooling vary from State to State. The legal requirements for establishing a homeschool also vary with the State.

For most children, the actual process of learning begins much before school. Many children already know their alphabets, the names of animals, colors, numbers and other more complicated concepts before they reach school. This is mostly due to the hard work of a member of the family who has taken the time to teach the child. Homeschooling is just a natural progression from there. Homeschool is an attractive alternative to public school which gives parents decisionmaking power.The parent/s or home educator selects the curriculum and teaches their children in ways that best suit the child.

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According to the National Center For Education Statistics, almost 1.1 million children underwent homeschooling in 2005 alone. That's a lot of children. Once upon a time, homeschooling used to be a radical statement - something like a declaration of independence. It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in the '80s and legalized it in every State. But the typical homeschooler of the day is not religiously motivated.

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If you are going over a particular subject with the family and feel that a field trip would be beneficial, then that's what you should do - go for a trip. If you are attached to a support group or ISP (Independent Study Program), you can plan to include other children too. You may even choose to be a part of the field trip committee for your group.

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Why allow Johnny and Jane to learn at home rather than send them to school?
First of all,and most importantly, you know your child best. Homeschooling redeems the growth and development of your child from the realm of the unknown, thus restoring the right and responsibility for their education back into the your capable and caring hands.

You, and you alone can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring the curriculum and environment to suit the needs and interests of the child is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschooling.

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