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I am Ann Zeise, your guide to othe best and most interesting and useful sites and articles about home education on the web.

 
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Illinois Homeschooling

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Grandma's Wisdom: Secure in His Love, Faith and Joy
Grandma's Wisdom: Secure in His Love, Faith and Joy
by Susan Fuller
For children age 8-12. Excellent for homeschoolers. It shares the history of the Central Illinois Amish, plus includes two adventures in the Yoder family. Grandma has HIS Wisdom to share with her grandchildren to help them through their problems.

 

 

A Charlotte Mason Companion : Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning
by Karen Andreola
A thorough chapter-by-chapter overview of the inspiring teaching principles of Christian educator Charlotte Mason, this book reveals the practical day by day method of how to teach "the Charlotte Mason way".
 
The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom
The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom

by Mary Griffith
Unschooling, a homeschooling method based on the belief that kids learn best when allowed to pursue their natural curiosities and interests, is practiced by 10 to 15 percent of the estimated 1.5 million homeschoolers in the United States.
 
The Teenage Liberation Handbook
The Teenage Liberation Handbook
How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education
by Llewellyn, Grace
Written primarily for teens who need to convince their parents they can teach themselves. 1998 Paperback
 
Creative Home Schooling for Gifted Children: A Resource Guide
Creative Home Schooling for Gifted Children: A Resource Guide
by Lisa Rivero
Lisa addresses areas not usually covered in homeschooling books such as asynchronous development (uneven development), perfectionism, and learning for self-actualization.
 
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
by Engelmann, Siegfried
Based on the excellent DISTAR program, my daughter learned to read well and fast. Combines phonics with interesting reading material for youngsters.

Illinois Homeschooling

Associations

Christian Home Educators Coalition of Illinois
CHEC is a state-wide Christian homeschooling organization whose purpose is to preserve home schooling liberties in the state of Illinois.

Illinois Coalition of Non-Public Schools
We monitor state-wide education activities and share information of interest to non-public schools who seek to assist each other in common efforts.

Illinois Christian Home Educators
ICHE is dedicated to helping christian families get the information and support they need to educate their children in today's society.

Illinois H.O.U.S.E.
H.O.U.S.E. is a non-sectarian, state-wide, homeschooling support association. They will help you find a support group in your city.

Events

Association of Peoria Area Christian Home Educators Convention
April 11 - 12, 2008. Peoria Civic Center. Keynote Speakers: Steve & Jane Lambert. Jane is the author and developer of the award-winning home school curriculum èFive in a Rowî.

Calendar of Events
Conferences, campouts, and more. From ICHE.

See also: Past Events in Illinois

Field Trips

Illinois Field Trips
Educational places to visit in Illinois.

Legal Information

Illinois Education Code For Homeschooling
AN A TO Z RESOURCE
Not intended as legal advice. Laws for your information only. From your Guide.

All the Illinois Homeschooling Laws
Couldn't say it better myself. Peanuts has everything right here, including drivers education information for homeschooled teens.

Driver's Education & the Home-Schooled Student
The law and how to get your teen enrolled in a drivers ed class in Illinois.

Eight Reasons Not to Register
Because there is no requirement to register in Illinois. Period. By Harvey Bluedorn.

Homeschoolers and Sports Participation
The public school in question may be amenable to homeschooler participation, but they are held by IHSA rules which specify that all members of the teams that represent it, actually be "degree-seeking students" of that school.

Illinois Graduated Licensing System
Phased in licensing for teen drivers.

Publication 119, Education Expense Credit General Rules and Requirements for Home Schools
This Illinois document provides home schools the requirements for qualified education expenses.

Withdrawing Children From Public Schools
When parents choose to withdraw their compulsory attendance aged children (ages 7 - 16) from public school, there are certain procedures that should be followed.

Online Resources

At Our Own Pace-IL
This is a nonsectarian group for Illinois parents who homeschool their children with special needs. Parents will share methods, ideas, techniques, problems, and general support.

Homeschool-Illinois
This list is for the discussion of topics related to homeschooling in Illinois. Posting of events, organizations and homeschool websites is welcome.

Homeschooling Illinois Law and Legislation
Open, secular list for home-educating Illinois parents, who discuss information and interpretations of homeschool legal and legislative issues, and how to contact district officials when problems arise. We will use our file space to collect links to pertinent legal information.

ILHSannounce
This list is for all Illinois homeschoolers, or those who are interested in homeschooling in Illinois.

Illinois Homeschool Book Swap
This group is restricted only to homeschooling families who are currently living in Illinois.

Illinois Homeschools
This list is for Christian Families who plan to or are currently homeschooling in the state of Illinois.

Latter-day Saint Home Schoolers in Missouri
This e-mail discussion group is for all Latter-day Saint Homeschoolers in the Missouri/Illinois area. This list can be a great way to find or start local homeschool support groups, ask questions and get advice, learn about homeschool resources and conferences, share ideas and make new friends.

Northern Illinois Homeschool News
Looking for great local field trip ideas? Trying to find a used curriculum sale in your area? Hunting for a homeschool co-op?

Three Rivers Homeschool Network
For homeschoolers in western Kentucky, southern Illinois, and northwest Tennessee. Meeting announcements, field trip and activity opportunities, workshops and conferences, and homeschool related for-sale items will be welcome.

Unschooling-in-IL
We are homeschooling parents in Illinois, who have chosen the method of "Unschooling" as the means to teach our children.

Resources

College of DuPage Homeschool Enrichment
Homeschool enrichment classes are designed to help supplement home curriculum.

Community Learning Centers
A list of alternative learning organizations in Illinois.

Godly Influenced Fine Arts Training
G.I.F.T. is a non-profit program run by volunteers that offers fine arts classes to homeschoolers of all ages (pre-school - adult).

Hallstrom Home School Workshops
Provides high quality, academically challenging, spiritually uplifting classes to supplement, support, encourage, but not to replace, what is being learned at home.

Homeschooling in Illinois
Your one stop information center for everything related to homeschooling in Illinois. Need help teaching science? Looking for a local support group? Want to learn more about homeschooling in general? You'll find that and much, much more all here!

Illinois H.O.U.S.E. Resource Book
(Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience) This gem of a homeschooling resource is essential reading for Illinois homeschool families.

Johnsburg Public Library District
Lots of recommended reading and a useful homeschool section.

Naperville Public Libraries
Thanks for the link, NPL :) Town with two libraries to serve the needs of homeschooling families.

Palatine Public Library
Various programs for homeschool families. Join in with a "Junior Great Books" club, suggest homeschool books, more.

Saturday Morning Physics
Sign up in August. A program for students in senior year of high school at Fermi Labs with ability to benefit from an advanced series of physics classes.

St. Charles Public Library
Lots of resources for families on this library website.

Support Groups

CHICAGO

Arlington HOUSE
A nonsectarian homeschooling support group in the northwest suburbs of Chicago (Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Palatine, Rolling Meadows). We have about 25 families with children ranging from newborn to mid teens.

Catholic Homeschoolers in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago
Our Lady, Queen of Peace is a group of Catholic homeschooling families. Our purpose is to offer support and information to parents, and provide social, academic, and spiritual opportunities for our children.

Chicago Homeschool Habitat
Kim Campbell's blog about the doings of area homeschoolers and their support groups.

Christian Family Educational Co-op
We are a group of Christian homeschooling families that have joined together in an Educational Co-op to help each other add to the Home School experience. Our group includes homeschooling families from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties.

Christians United for Better Schooling
CUBS meets the second Monday of each month. We are between Montrose & Lawrence just E of Cicero in Chicago. Contact: Joyce Niemi at .

Grassroots Homeschoolers HOUSE
Our regular meetings are held in Matteson, IL which allows us to service members from throughout the Greater Chicagoland Area and Northwest Indiana.

Home Schooling Gifted Students
Offers support for parents in the Chicago and Evanston areas who are dealing with the challenges of home schooling gifted children.  Contact Cindi Link at for more information.

Many Rivers Unschoolers
An all inclusive homeschooling group comprised of approximately 35 families in Naperville, Aurora, Joliet and surrounding communities, including Will County, DuPage County and surrounding counties in the west, far west, and southwest suburbs of Chicago.

Mom's Home Room
This list is for informational purposes and sharing of ideas among are homeschooling moms. This list has members from all over the Chicago area and from many different religious backgrounds. Members also have different homeschooling philosophies. The common ground is homeschooling.

Muslim Homeschoolers of Greater Chicago
This group is designed to facilitate communication between members of our homeschool group.

Northside Unschoolers
A group for members and participants of this Chicago-based homeschooling group. We provide information, support and encouragement to families who unschool or are interested in unschooling.

Prairie Connection for Christian Homeschoolers
A non-profit homeschooling support group serving Christian families in the Northern Illinois counties of DuPage, Kane, Cook and surrounding areas.

Tri-county Eclectic And Creative Homeschoolers
We are an all inclusive private homeschooling group whose families reside in Chicago's Northwest Suburban area including: Northwest Cook County, Northwest DuPage County, and Northern Kane County.

Westside HOUSE
Illinois H.O.U.S.E. (Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience) is an inclusive, non-sectarian network of homeschooling support groups. The Westside HOUSE chapter meets the second Friday of each month at the Forest Park Public Library.

DECATUR

Decatur Area Homeschool Network
A dedicated group of homeschool families from the Greater Decatur Illinois area. Members of this network share homeschool information and available community resources for their homeschooled students and families.

Kaliedoscopes- Co-op
We are a homeschool co-op group in Decatur, Illinois.

LAKE COUNTY

Great Lakes Home Educators Online
Welcome to GLHE Online! The purpose of this group is to connect homeschooling military families at Great Lakes NTC.

Lake County H.O.U.S.E.
Provides non-sectarian and non-political support and information for homeschooling families, as well as socialization and shared educational opportunities for our children.

Libertyville H.O.U.S.E.
We are located in and around Libertyville, in Lake County, Illinois. Our mission is to provide non-sectarian and non-political support and information for homeschooling families.

Mighty Oaks
A non-denominational Christian homeschool group for students in 6th to 12th grade that provides opportunities for fellowship, friendship, and education in a Christ-filled atmosphere and safe environment. We are based out of Lake Villa, Illinois.

Off The Beaten Path
An inclusive support network of unschooling and eclectic homeschoolers based in Lake County, Illinois.

PEORIA

Association of Peoria Area Christian Home Educators
APACHE is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a board of directors. We are not a membership organization, but instead offer a monthly newsletter, annual convention, used curriculum fair, and various events such as the "Getting Started" meeting.

Peoria Area Homeschoolers
For homeschoolers, or families who are thinking about homeschooling, in the Peoria, Illinois area.

ST CLAIR

St. Clair County Christian Home Educators
The purpose of our group is to facilitate support to Christian parents who are, or will be teaching their children at home. We have monthly meetings providing opportunities for networking with other Christian parents, who also teach their children at home.

St. Clair & Madison County Homeschoolers
This is a mailing list for people who home schooling or are thinking of homeschooling in St.Clair and Madison Counties (and surrounding close areas)in Illinois. Here you can exchange ideas, give links, support each other with curriculum, homeschool, general talk, scriptures or encouragment

OTHER AREAS

Crossroads In Education Study Cooperative
A homeschool study and support cooperative. The Crossroads meetings are held in Worth, Illinois. Open to high school age homeschoolers and their parents. Group size is limited to 15.

Homeschool Alliance of Various Educational Networks
We are a co-op that meets every Friday morning September -May at Emmanuel Bible Church in Berwyn, IL. We offer classes pre-6th grade & gym each Friday. Classes change every 6-8 weeks. We also offer: field trips, monthly book clubs, a yearly science fair, & service projects. For more information contact Lea Dean, .

Homeschool Resource Center
Provides information, advice, encouragement and resources to Christian homeschooling families in Monee, IL. The Center also conducts monthly meetings that include discussions on various subjects pertaining to the heart of homeschooling and home discipleship.

Joliet Area Christian Co-op
JACC exists to provide high quality classes and experiences to supplement the education of homeschoolers in a way that reflects the Christian faith, with an emphasis on third grade and up.

Many Rivers Unschoolers was Will County Unschoolers
Many Rivers Unschoolers is an all inclusive homeschooling group comprised of approximately 35 families in Naperville, Aurora, Joliet and surrounding communities, including Will, DuPage and surrounding counties in the west, far west, and southwest suburbs of Chicago. Yahoo Group.

Quad City Area Secular Homeschoolers
Welcome to the email group created to facilitate networking, event planning, and friendships between Quad City area homeschooling families. QCA Secular Homeschoolers is primarily geared toward families who are homeschooling for reasons other than religion and who are looking for an alternative to religious homeschool groups.

Queen of All Saints Home Educators
QUASHE is a group of Catholic Homeschooling families in the Springfield, Illinois Area and Sangamon County, as well as Central IL. You will be asked to join the group only after joining the Queen of All Saint Home Educator's Support Group.

Saint Louis Pagan Parent Connection
Created to help families with Pagan, wiccan (witch) or Earth centered spiritualistic beliefs or for families who seek conversation with open-minded families, like us, find each other in the St. Louis Missouri and Illinois Area.

Schaumburg H.O.U.S.E.
We are a non-sectarian group of homeschoolers that support all educational philosophies and family lifestyles. Activities are in Schaumburg and the neighboring suburbs, including Elgin, Streamwood, Wheaton, Bartlett and other local suburbs.

Support Group Lists

Illinois Support Groups
List from Home Education Magazine. To be listed, email

State and Local H.O.U.S.E. Contacts
While HOUSE doesn't publish their list online, they will put you in touch with someone on their list in your community in Illinois.

Universities and Colleges

Shimer College
Located in Wauegan, Illinois, this small, four-year, accredited, liberal arts college welcomes homeschooled students. It features classes of 12 students and uses original sources for readings. Application process is personal.

Wheaton Academy
Contact Dan Crabtree, Director of College & Career Guidance, Wheaton Academy (IL), 630-231-0727, ext. 668 for assistance with homeschoolers' admissions.

Email links on this page are protected from spammers' harvesting by putting the addresses in JavaScript. To find out how to easily do this on your site, visit Joe Maller's site.

 
Time4Learning
Ready for some real help with curriculum?
Time4Learning is a new approach to education that takes advantage of today's technology. It's a convenient, homeschool online curriculum that combines education with interactive fun for children, preschool to eighth grade.
 
Recommended books to help you explore homeschooling
 
The Complete Home Learning Source Book
The Complete Home Learning Source Book : The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers, Parents, and Educators Covering Every Subject from Arithmetic to Zoology
by Rebecca Rupp
This ambitious reference guide lives up to its name. Practically three inches thick--and we're not talking large print here--it's packed with titles, ordering information, and Web site addresses.
 
Home Learning Year by Year
Home Learning Year by Year
How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School
by Rebecca Rupp
A structured plan to ensure that your children will learn what they need to know when they need to know it, from preschool through high school.
 
First Year of Homeschooling Your Child
First Year of Homeschooling Your Child
Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start

by Linda Dobson
With the constant concern about the safety and quality of our nation's schools, many of today's families are opting to teach their children at home. The first hurdle these families face is getting started.
 
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12
by Linda Dobson
As a homeschooling parent, you're always looking for new and creative ways to teach your child the basics. Look no longer! Inside this innovative helper, you'll find kid-tested and parent-approved techniques for learning math, science, writing, history, manners, and more that you can easily adapt to your family's homeschooling needs.
 
Homeschooling : The Teen Years
Homeschooling : The Teen Years
Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 13- To 18-Year Old

by Cafi Cohen
This book reveals the adventure and rewards as well as the special challenges of working with this age group.
 
Homeschool Your Child For Free
Homeschool Your Child for Free
More Than 1,200 Smart, Effective, and Practical Resources for Home Education on the Internet and Beyond

by LauraMaery Gold and Joan M. Zielinski
The best sites for everything from reading-readiness activities for preschoolers to science projects for teens.
 
Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8- Year-Old Child
Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8- Year-Old Child
by Linda Dobson
The formative years are the most critical to a child's education. They lay the foundation for developing learning skills that last a lifetime.
 

The Homeschooler's Guide to Portfolios and Transcripts
by Heuer, Loretta
Provides critical advice, examples, and resources for designing the most powerful and persuasive admissions presentations.
 

The Well-Trained Mind
A Guide to Classical Education at Home
by Jessie Wise, Susan Wise Bauer
This book will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, comprehensive education from preschool through high school.
 

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