Resources for homeschoolers

I am considering home schooling my child for various reasons. Would any homeschooling parents please share which email lists/online groups they belong to, that have been most useful for you? Thank you! Potential Homeschooling Parent

Yahoo Groups - Another great resource. Do a search for ''SF Bay Area'' and ''homeschool'' (or something similar), and you'll get a wealth of choices.

Both of the options mentioned above would be for online groups that also meet in person (usually a couple times per week, at least). If you're interested in an online only listserve-type of group, I personally like Well-Trained Mind Secular (find it through Yahoo groups); I'm also on a couple of Catholic homeschooling lists, as our family is Roman Catholic.

It also depends on what type of homeschooling you're interested in - we're doing the 'classical' method, but others are unschoolers, Waldorf, eclectic, etc. You'll find groups for all homeschooling persuasions online - Yahoo groups is great for that.

Good luck in your homeschooling journey! We are just starting out, but so far have found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Please feel free to contact me at my email address if you'd like more info about anything. Monica

How to find unschooling families in the area

I'm a stay-at-home mom to a lovely, sharp three-year-old and next year she will be ready for preschool. The topic of ''unschooling'' is something I've been reading about and I am strongly interested in doing that in lieu of the traditional school route. However, I'm not sure how to find some unschooling families in the area (Berkeley/Oakland) to get some more information about it. Does anyone know how I could get in touch with some families who unschool? I'm hoping to not only make contact and ask questions, but even hang out with them to see what it's like. Any help on this topic is appreciated! Rachel

Unschooling/Homeschooling Teen groups in East Bay?

My son is currently in 9th grade and has just moved to El Cerrito. We are wondering if there are ways to connect with other teens in the area who are studying at home. I'd also like to hear any advice from parents who have tried unschooling with their teens.

There are many resources for homeschooling in the Bay Area. There are local support groups that have regular park days for informal socializing. There are websites and email lists dedicated to giving out information about field trip opportunities, classes and social functions. For academics, families can choose from several options including charter school specializing in independent study, district independent study programs, private independent study programs and private school affidavits (R-4s). Here are a few phone numbers and websites to get you started:

Some local support groups and contacts:

Family Village - meets at Corodonices Park in Berkeley every Monday afternoon (weather permitting). Mary D.

Home Grown Kids - meets around the East Bay weekly. Marianne F.; Lucy K.

Alameda Oakland Home Learners - meets in Oakland and Alameda on Thursday afternoons. Jennifer O.

Websites:

The Homeschool Association of California - www.hsc.org HSC has information for new homeschooling families and also runs the Home=Education Conference every summer in Sacramento. They offer speakers and workshops which are really great for both the new and veteran homeschooler.

Homefires - www.Homefires.com - for lots of local information including an extensive list of local support groups and contacts.

California Homeschool Network: www.californiahomeschool.net - information on the legality of homeschooling in California.

Independent study charter schools serving the Bay Area:

Bay Area School for Independent Study (BASIS): www.basischarter.org or call 510-687-9111

Hickman Charter School (Berkeley Annex): www.hickman.k12.ca.us or call (510) 525-3111

Connecting Waters Charter School: www.connectingwaters.org or call 800-808-9895

Thank you,
Julie

Hi to All, I started (with a few bumps) a group that meets on the last friday of the month 7:30 - 9:00pm at the El Cerrito Plaza Barnes and Nobles, a group for homeschooled/ing teens and their parents. It is an inclusive group designed to support parents through this teen time and to allow teens to met new teens. Relationships and issues and challenges and joys come and go so fast during these years. The teens met in the book stacks and chat and ask the parents if they come up with any idea's for fun/learning they want the parents to support. While this is happening, the parents chat and share what works, what isn't, what could be interesting to do as a group or a few, etc. It is meant to become a group of parents who commit as regulary as they can through these years but who also in all probability have a schedule that does flucutate, like mine! For more information come check it out. I will be the one with the coffee cup looking around constantly! Lucinda