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

 
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Virginia Homeschooling

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Books About Virginia for Young Folks
 
Fun With the Family in Virginia : Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips With the Kids
(Fun With the Family in Virginia, 4th Ed)
by Candyce H. Stapen
(Paperback - May 2002)
 
Our Strange New Land : Elizabeth's Diary, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609
Our Strange New Land : Elizabeth's Diary, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609 (My America)
by Patricia Hermes
Through a season of death and disease, confusion, and many thrilling adventures, spunky Elizabeth will hold the attention of every young reader.
 
The Starving Time: Elizabeth's Diary, Book Two, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609
The Starving Time: Elizabeth's Diary, Book Two, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609
(My America)
by Patricia Hermes
Facing new challenges, Lizzie records in her second diary the colony1s day-by-day struggle for survival as it faces a harsh winter and a scarcity of food. But with spring, a new ship sails up the river, bringing hope andÐbest of allÐbringing Lizzie her brother Caleb.
 
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
 
Best Selling
Homeschooling Books

Virginia Homeschooling

Associations

Home Educators Association of Virginia
A statewide, non-profit, member-supported association which has provided information, legislation and resources to all of Virginia's homeschooling families from a Biblical worldview.

The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
(VaHomeschoolers) was formerly known as Virginia Home Education Association (VHEA). VaHomeschoolers is your fully inclusive, member directed, and volunteer driven state association. VaHomeschoolers is neutral in matters of religion and partisan politics; homeschooling is our only agenda.

Demographics

Home-Schooled Students and Religious Exemptions
Shows by school district.
School Year
Date Posted

Homeschooled Students

Religious Exemptions

2007-08 11/20/07

20,694

6,622

2006-07 11/14/06

20,240

6,691

2005-06 7/8/06 18,693 6,354
2004-05 12/28/04 17,448 5,804
2003-04 3/3/04 18,102 5,628
2002-03 2/18/03 16,542 5,479
2001-02 2/18/03 16,268 4,853

Home Instruction--2000 Fall Membership
Demographics from the Virginia Home Education Association.
2000-01 14,323 4,476

Events

Northern Virginia Home Education Conference
July 11 - 12, 2008. Dulles EXPO & Conference Center, Chantilly, VA. Andrew Pudewa - Excellence in Writing - Keynote Speaker. Jim Weiss - Greathall Productions - Featured Speaker.

2008 Tidewater Education Expo
August 1 - 2, 2008. The Norfolk Scope Exhibition Hall D, Norfolk, VA. Many exhibitors and service-oriented organizations from all over the U. S. will be offering books, curricula, games, toys, education and instruction, support and inspiration.

See also: Past Events in Virginia

Field Trips

Virginia Field Trips
Educational places to visit in Virginia.

Legal Information

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

July 2008 Legal Update

FAQs about 2008 Changes to Home Instruction Statute
Effective July 1, 2008, amendments to the laws concerning annual reporting and testing/evaluation will become law. What do these changes mean for your family?

2008 Legislation Impacting Home Instruction
This memorandum provides information regarding changes made to § 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia governing home instruction during the 2008 General Assembly Session through HB 767 and HB 1183. The changes are effective July 1, 2008. From Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., Superintendent of Public Instruction

Home Instruction in Virginia
In Virginia, parents must ensure that a child attends school in compliance with the state compulsory attendance law as specified in § 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia when the child has reached his 5th birthday on or before September 30 of any school year and has not passed his 18th birthday.

Letter of Intent

The Notice of Intent is due to your local Superintendent by August 15th.

Notice of Intent to Homeschool
You may print and fill out this form to provide notice that you are going to homeschool your children in Virginia.

Notice of Intent to Homeschool
Here's a printable copy of this form, updated for July 2008 and beyond, from HEAV.

Approved Correspondence Courses

Additional Approved Correspondence Courses
Approved courses for home instruction for the current school year for those families who choose Option (iii) of Section 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Evaluation

Homeschool Evaluation and Testing Services
List of resources with links and descriptions from VaHomeschoolers.

Pros & Cons: Standardized Testing vs. Portfolio Evaluations
Are you a homeschooling parent thinking about what to send to your local school division by August 1? In my unscientific analysis, I have noted that those new to homeschooling are apprehensive about this issue; those new to homeschooling in Virginia are also apprehensive about this issue; and those who've become seasoned homeschoolers in Virginia aren't any too thrilled with the issue either.

Online

Arc-homeschool
Appalachian Regional Cooperative is an inclusive group of homeschoolers in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Culture at Home
An African American homeschool support group in the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia area with an emphasis on the older homeschooled student.

Families News
This is a group of homeschool families who want to encourage each other and share information, events, curriculum, fieldtrip ideas and also to be in service to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Heathen Homeschoolers
A support group for Northern Virginia homeschoolers who identify with the heathen label. We are pagans, atheists, agnostics, Unitarian Universalists, secularists, and humanists -- some of us defy labels altogether. Members required to have a sense of humor.

HomeschoolActivities-VA-DC-MD
We are a clearinghouse for activities, events and field trips for homeschool families and visitors to the Washington, D.C., metro area including Maryland and Virginia suburbs as well as points far beyond. Members are welcome to post homeschool activities, but this is not a discussion board.

Homeschool Resources
This group is set up to inform all homeschoolers about local and current events that are happening in your area or surrounding areas in the state of VA, Maryland and DC.

Homeschool-va-chat
Site for homeschoolers in Virginia who wish to share ideas and chat with each other.

MD_DC_VA_Educators
This groups exists to create an online forum to share resources, activities, ideas, and support among the homeschooling community to include the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

REACHomeschoolemail
This information is for members of REACH that will help them in their homeschooling adventure. REACH will post a newsletter regarding events and so forth the beginning of each month.

Sankofa Homeschool Community
Sankofa is a community of homeschooling families of color, with members in DC, Maryland and VA, and as far north as Baltimore. We are religiously diverse and our members use a variety of homeschooling methods.

VaEclecticHomeschool
For in-depth discussion of issues affecting homeschooling, and for news about media articles and programs, proposed legislation, research, conferences and other information of interest to Virginia homeschoolers. [Note: this is their NEW link as of 7/05]

Virginia LDS Homeschooling
This group is a place to ask for ideas and advice, share information and inspiration. It is a place where members show each other respect for differences of perspective and opinion.

Publications

Virginia Homeschool Manual
A Comprehensive Guide to Home Education in Virginia. CD included. Published by HEAV, from a Christian perspective. $59.95, with $10 discount for members.

Resources


American Red Cross curricula, Masters of Disaster® and Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal with Terrorism and Tragic Events.  Free Curriculum. Funding for this grant has been provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on behalf of the National Capital Region, to include: Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Loudoun, Fairfax, Alexandria, and Arlington Counties in Virginia.

Holy Family Homeschool Group of Northern Virginia
A support group for families who choose to educate their children at home in Northern Virginia (a suburban area of Washington, DC).

Home School Sports Network
Sportsmanship the way God Intended; Sponsors State-Wide Tournaments. Ultimate Fun for the Whole Family; Sports That Won't Run Your Life; Encourages "Once-A-Week" Practices

Homeschooling in Prince William County, VA
Provided by Shay Seaborne, PWC Homeschooler Since 1995

Moore Expressions
The largest homeschool bookstore in Virginia, Moore Expressions currently operates out of a 3,000 square foot store front located at 6070 Indian River Road Suite 110, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464. 

Pagan Homeschoolers of Virginia
Here are some links and resources helpful to pagan homeschoolers in Virginia.

SHARENET
Provides free, twice-monthly email newsletter of ideas, activities and information for Northern Virginia homeschooling families. Contact: SHARENET@att.net

Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools
The commonwealth's expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12 in English, mathematics, science, history/social science, technology, the fine arts, foreign language, health and physical education, and driver education.

The Story of Virginia - An American Experience - Virginia Historical Society
From the pre-Clovis people to modern times.

Young People's Theatre
A theatre company for homeschooled children in Northern Virginia. Two to three productions annually.

Continue on to find Support Groups serving Virginia

Drivers Education for Credit
Keystone National High School. Teens can now learn how to become safe responsible drivers... while earning Certification and Insurance discounts.
 
The DriversEd.com course is the only course approved for use by home-school students. That is, if you are homeschooled, you may learn the classroom and/or behind-the-wheel portions of your drivers education at home. Once you have completed our course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that you may then take to the DMV when you apply for a drivers license. Only students who are homeschooled may receive an official Certificate of Completion when finished with the course.
 
Recommended books to help you explore homeschooling
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 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.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling
by Marsha Ransom
A step-by-step manual written for the new and inexperienced homeschooler. The explanations, resources, and recommendations apply to families homeschooling for a wide variety of reasons and to families who "afterschool" their children.
 
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.

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