Hosting a Homeschool Workshop
How to Plan and Hold a Homeschool Orientation
Jan 3, 2008 Theresa Willingham
Homeschool support group leaders and veteran homeschoolers often find themselves fielding more inquiries and soothing more anxious families during certain, predictable times of the year. Fall is always a good bet for hearing from new homeschoolers or curious families. And mid-winter can also net a lot of questions, especially from parents of middle schoolers dealing with the various issues preteens are heir to.
One way to deal with these peak inquiry periods is to host a homeschool workshop. A workshop can:
- Improve homeschooling’s visibility in your community;
- Serve to inform media and the local neighborhood as well as new homeschoolers;
- Provide an opportunity for homeschoolers to connect with one another;
- Bring together a wide variety of information and resources;
- And help consolidate concerns and questions in a single venue to help the most people.
With a little advanced planning, creating a one day workshop doesn’t have to be a lot of work, and the rewards will be enduring.
Create a Workshop Agenda
First, find your venue. Libraries or bookstores are your best bet, and usually free.
Then, consider how you want your day to look. Expect your workshop to attract both newbies and veterans looking for updates on homeschooling. A question and answer format works well for homeschool orientation workshops.
You may want to provide a local history and, depending upon the depth of your workshop, you may also want to discuss:
- Reasons for homeschooling
- A light overview of possible methodologies
- Testing and evaluation options
- Community resources for homeschoolers
- County contacts, both within the local school board, and within your homeschool support group
Provide Plenty of Information
Have a lot of free information on hand, including information sheets from your local homeschool group with contact information on it, as well state support group info if available. And be sure to have relevant state statutes and any other legislative information and resources.
Other good home education information to have on hand may
- Home Education Magazine’s Pocket Guide to Homeschooling
- National Home Education Network (NHEN) brochures
- A variety of freely available educational resources to demonstrate what’s available to all educators, including -
- Brochures and information from community resources like 4H, Campfire Boys and Girls, museums, United Way volunteer programs, and local parks and recreation resources.
- A Recommended Reading list.
A Few Dos and Don’t
- DO be friendly, relaxed and reassuring.
- DO remain professional in presentation and conduct.
- DO say “I don’t know” when necessary.
- DO provide alternative sources of information where folks can learn more.
- DO remember to thank your hosting facility so you’ll be invited back.
- DON’T make any definitive comments about legal or personal issues, such as “This is exactly how to keep a portfolio.” Simply provide the available information, state your opinions clearly as such, and provide sufficient resources for people to learn more.
- DON’T give out any personal information at a workshop. If you have a homeschool group, provide an email address for contact purposes, or the phone number of your meeting facility, if you have one.
- DON’T offer to help people with legal problems unless you’re a lawyer. You may want to have a homeschool friendly lawyer’s name on hand for the inevitable custody issue questions or concerns about Family Services.
- DON’T be disappointed if you have a low turn out. The fall is the best time to provide workshops, and also mid-year, when a lot of families begin recognizing problems their children may be having in school. Summer workshops vary in attendance, but they’re great for practice!
And one more DO – Have fun!
For related information, see Homeschooling on a Budget, and E-Portfolios .
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