Comments on: When you are home schooled? do you get a summer break like public school kids?

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:22:58 +0000

Well, the kids are always learning, so I guess it depends on what you mean by a summer break. We are not near as structured during the summer, but we still take advantage of every learning moment we can. It is all dependant on your style of teaching and your children’s style of learning. When we first started looking into homeschooling, I talked to all the homeschooling parents I could, and I don’t think any of them gave me the same answers. So I just took in the advice I could use, that fell in line with what works best for my family, and developed my own style, which is still ever-changing
Where I live, there are no specific requirements for the parents to teach their children at home. However, if we were to hire someone to teach our children at home (instead of doing it ourselves) that person would have to meet certain requirements. It is different in every state though.

By: Tara m

Tara m — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:19:55 +0000

I was homeschooled and im sure it varies with different programs but we didnt really have a set schechule like in school…besides the schechule of making sure you pay your money on time.Otherwise its up to the parent to make the school hrs and length …you can work as slow or fast as you want as long as you keep paying tution……there are online schools that do have breaks but those are the ones were the computer teaches your kids not you.

By: homeschoolmom

homeschoolmom — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:40:15 +0000

We don’t usually take the entire summer off from school because they “lose” too much (that’s why most textbooks repeat information at the beginning of the year).

We take a week off from “formal” schooling every 4-5 weeks throughout the year, which adds up to about 12 weeks annually, or the equivalent of the school system’s breaks. We’re still reading and learning and exploring, just not doing sit-down text- or workbook stuff.

The best way to get *accurate* information about homeschooling in your state is to ask others who homeschool in your state. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but the requirements vary WIDELY from state to state. Every state has a state-wide homeschool organization that can help with this kind of information, but if you are really serious, you should get to know other homeschoolers in your area. You could also check your state laws at the HSLDA website ( ). Click on the US map on the right, then choose your state. The laws will be summarized in the “laws” area of your state page.

By: MSB

MSB — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:14:26 +0000

We don’t go by the school schedule. Educational activities are part of our daily lives, so we go year-round, but day to day is more relaxed. Several mornings per week for about an hour or so my kids do their “skills practice” work (math & phonics/language arts, and writing), and then they work on their units– we pick a topic about once a month or two and they explore it thoroughly by reading about it, surfing the web for info, watching educational videos, doing science experiments or craft projects, writing papers, going on relavent field trips, or creating “exhibits” or displays or something.

Then we have lunch and go out for the afternoon, there are a variety of activities the kids are into– library reading groups and chess club, volunteering, classes/sports, etc., or we just go to the kids museum we have a membership at or to the park to play.

We also all read every day, and talk about things a lot, explore our world around us.

I have a college degree, but you don’t need one. Requierments vary state-to-state, but I think the only real requirement needed is to be willing to learn with your children when you don’t know the answers yourself, and find and provide them with lots of enriching activities and materials (and if your budget is tight, like ours is, to be creative in finding these things).

By: wat_more_can_i_say?

wat_more_can_i_say? — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:13:55 +0000

of course you do!!! i wouldn’t survive if i didn’t have breaks… :S

provided the homeschool child follows a 1 lesson a day schedule for all subjects and not taking any offdays, he/she should have a 3 month holiday before the next school year.

and the beauty of homeschool is that you can choose to rush, take a break halfway and catch up, or take your time but have a shorter year end break it’s Flexible…

by the way my mum only had ‘A’ levels, which is equivalent to an American highschool diploma. she brought up 6 children and homeschooled all of them. i’ve graduated already–my sister is currently studying law in Singapore’s most prestigious university and i know lots of my homeschooled friends who are studying in universities too

By: matt amphay A.K.A DOMINATION!!!!

matt amphay A.K.A DOMINATION!!!! — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:07:17 +0000

i do! and yes my mom teaches me, and all you people that think i’m unsocial! listen up.i hang out with all my neighbor hood friends, all of my homeschooled friends and all of my friends in public school so shut up about your unsocial crap.

By: hoamsch1

hoamsch1 — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:30:44 +0000

The break depends on the parent. At my home we “relax” but still try to learn over the summer. We don’t follow a curriculum over the summer but try to keep reading on things we are interested in, doing art, etc.
The requirements for parents are different from state to state, lists them all.
Try Googling homeschooling and you’ll find out a lot more too.

By: flhomeschoolers

flhomeschoolers — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:27:23 +0000

Well… each summer I promise my daughter a week off, but with all the fun free activities and all her friends outside playing, we tend to slack off a bit. But that is okay, on rainy days and whatnot she works. You can accomplish far more in an hour homeschooling than in public school because it is one on one.

The only requirement for the parent is a willingness to learn. I often find myself researching things for my daughter because she asks them - or because I am needing to give myself a refresher course on something. OH, yea you need patience too. Work with your kids, and it is great!

By: Earl D

Earl D — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:59:11 +0000

Its up to you

You can

Or you can make them work year round, BUT they do need time off.

That means you can pick hours or days to let them just do what they want.

It means working them all morning and giving them the afternoon and then maybe a little more at night or some hobbie unschooling.

Let’s get to the meat of it. Most jobs give you two weeks vacation and that’s it until you work there like 10 year then you get 3 and 4 after twenty.

The ONLY way you get a SUMMER VACTION after 24 is if you become a teacher.

By: brainfreezeduponme

brainfreezeduponme — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:01:33 +0000

It’s all about what you say. If you want them to take a summer vacation, then go right ahead. If you want them to work through the weekend, GO RIGHT AHEAD. As long as your children don’t mutiny, you’re doing a fantastic job. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS ARE: You’re alive, and able to handle the stress that comes from this. Consider joining a Home School Club in your area, often they will have group field trips, and fun activities. The support is invaluable and fantastic. Good Luck!