Author Archives: Alan Allegra

Life can be challenging, even for our children (wait, especially for our children). There are times in our kids’ lives when we choose to stay the course, despite struggles, and reap the character benefits of perseverance and resiliency. But there are other times when we know a change is in order. When our children are so low, or the stakes are so high, that learning is a chore, it’s time for a change. If your child is in a traditional school, be it public or private, and something doesn’t seem quite right, then you need to consider half-year homeschooling. Making the change to half-year homeschooling may seem like an uphill climb, but you can do it. And we are here to walk with you each step of the way. 

Making the Change to Half Year Homeschooling

Some changes involved in mid-year homeschooling (half-year homeschooling) include socialization options, record-keeping, setting schedules, choosing curriculum, and of course, teaching responsibilities. Along with Bridgeway Academy, there is a world of fellow homeschoolers that have made the decisions you need to make and have succeeded in leading their children to success!

But just like any decision, it’s important to consider the when, why, and how of the change to ensure it’s as smooth a transition as possible. Here’s what you need to do to ensure that making the change to half-year homeschooling is successful (and as painless as possible!).

1. Make it a family decision. Make sure your children, especially, understand why things are changing and how this will affect them socially, academically, etc.
2. Ensure your children know they have your complete support, and that you and they also have the support of others.
3. Make it clear that being at home with their combination parent and teacher doesn’t make learning any less serious.
4. Become friends with other homeschool families, especially mid-year homeschoolers, online or in person, so you can share brains and shoulders.
5. Make learning time fun time! You will have the freedom to schedule your days and take a break — inside or outside the four walls — for a field trip, play date, or nature walk.
6. Make old friends new friends! Parents and children you knew from school can still be your friends outside of the school day — just in different situations.

There are many things to take care of when you make this change, so don’t wait! But don’t panic, either. When moving to mid-year, or half-year, homeschooling, you don’t have to go it alone! Two of our previous posts can point you to resources that will smooth your way:

• • Can You Start Homeschooling In The Middle of the Year?

  • Why You Should Start Homeschooling Midyear Part I

You have your reasons for homeschooling: safety, scheduling issues, service opportunities, individual style, and immediate support. Let your guiding principle be that you are doing what you believe is best for your family and your child’s future success. Draw your strength from your love and concern for your children! Trust yourself, your family, and your fellow homeschoolers. The freedom and flexibility of schooling and scheduling that you’ll earn are positive changes that make the effort worthwhile. And who can argue with the comfort and cheer that come from the closeness of increased family time?

So what are you waiting for? Things change, especially as children (and parents!) grow. If you are reluctant to make the changes we’ve mentioned, then that needs to change! The trusted experts at Bridgeway Academy have helped families for 30 years, and welcome the chance to support you through every change, even the mid-year homeschooling adventure. Visit us at www.homeschoolacademy.com or call us at 800-863-1474. You are never alone with a homeschooling expert at your side!

I have a confession to make: I dropped out of college after my freshman year. Although the cost of a college education is high, the cost of losing that life opportunity is much higher, and you may never stop paying it. Preparing for college entails a collage of decisions and responsibilities that shouldn’t be put off. You wouldn’t plan your whirlwind vacation the night before and just hope it will turn out well. Planning your life is more important — too important to be left to chance. That’s why I’ve given you my top tips for preparing for college year by year!

“But I’m just a little kid! I’m not ready for college!” “I don’t know for sure what I want to do with my life! How do I know what school to attend?” The answers to these and other concerns are not that hard to find. Let’s go grade-by-grade, just like you have to, and see what you need to do.

Kindergarten For now, it’s enough to know that “crayon,” “college,” and “career” all begin with the same letter. Can you say the letter “c”?

First grade Fill in the blanks with the correct word: “When I get older, I am going to go to a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and learn a lot.” zoo | store | college

Second grade If you can find the rhyming words in this sentence, you are on your way to a great education: “We go to college to get more knowledge.”

Third grade You are probably learning about geography in this grade. Where might you like to live and go to school when you get older?

Fourth grade Did you learn to use, or even make, a compass in science class? Preparing for college is like using a compass: It can help give you direction in life!

Fifth grade By now, you are learning heavy math stuff, like multiplying whole numbers. Did you know that a college education can multiply your chances of having a good career when you grow up?

Sixth grade What do you want to be when you grow up? Now would be a good time to read about the jobs you might like and what sort of training it takes to become that person.

Seventh grade Although the college years still seem light years away, and you’re just now getting into the swing of middle school, you can still be preparing for college. Your workload has increased, your life has gotten busier with extracurricular activities, and you are wanting to be more independent. Guess what? That independence you desire is going to serve you well as you prepare for leaving the nest. College independence is a big leap into adulthood, so now is the time to learn adult skills while you have your home as a safety net. Help around the house, tackle your priorities, learn how to spend time and money wisely and to make your favorite meal!

Eighth grade You have entered the teen years, which are challenging in many ways. The decisions you make about friends and other relationships, jobs, money, and those lofty aspirations and dreams, will have long-range effects on you and those around you. You will eventually be supporting yourself and perhaps others, and you won’t want to miss those opportunities for success that often belong only to the young. Your first steps must include choosing your freshman classes and exploring job opportunities. Side jobs, like baby (or pet) sitting, lawn work, and retail work, will help you develop a good work ethic and reputation for your future career, and aid in preparing for college in that you’ll learn independence and accountability.

High School

The following are some tips for making the most of these formative years. You are preparing for adulthood, which means making your own decisions in every area of life, and taking the consequences. You will be responsible for yourself and probably others, with no turning back. Now is the time to take all the help and advice you can and begin to put it into practice!

Ninth grade Yahoo! You’re in high school! Now, you know it all! Get serious; you’ve only just begun a new journey to a successful, well-rounded life! There are a lot of preparations to manage and goals to set. Among these measures are the need to choose your high school courses wisely, not only to meet state requirements, but to prepare for your college and career track. Begin to research the PSATs and scholarships, get a job, volunteer, engage in extracurricular activities, and otherwise build your academic, financial, time-management, and social skills.

Tenth grade This is the time to take the following steps:

• Prepare for the PSAT and SAT or ACT.
• Start to research colleges and careers at college and career fairs.
• Learn to write essays and résumés.
• Get a job and join a club or social group or volunteer organization so you have something substantial to put on your résumé!
• Develop leadership skills in the above activities.
• STAY ON TRACK!

Eleventh grade

• Study hard and complete all your classwork. You can’t keep your grades up by missing work and procrastinating.
• Take ACT or PSAT prep classes if you haven’t already. Don’t wait!
• Gather recommendations from employers, coaches, etc. This is why it is helpful to get a job and get involved!
• Narrow your fields of interest and related schools.
• Visit colleges and prepare admissions materials.
• Watch your deadlines and STAY ON TRACK!

Twelfth grade You’ve made it this far! Take a deep breath and get ready for the leap to college! But, you can’t stop preparing for college now! These are the key months. So, keep working, growing, studying, narrowing, scheduling, finalizing, saving, applying, packing, and checking the mail for acceptance letters!

• If you need to, apply for FAFSA or other financial help.
• Beat the deadlines for college applications.
• Retake the SATs if needed.
• STAY ON TRACK!

There is a social life after high school! Because this is such a huge life change, you will need a support system, sharing with people who share your values, goals, hobbies, and styles. Look for companions who desire to better themselves and you.

If that seems like a lot to remember, have no fear, high school students! We have provided a colorful and helpful (and free) checklist to jog your memory and  keep you on track as you prepare for one of the biggest steps of your life! This list is by grade level and will make sure you’re ready when graduation day comes– so print it out and hang it up where you can see it each day.  It may seem like a lot of buckle-down-and-get-serious work (and it is!), but it takes a lot more work and time to make it in life if you don’t prepare now while you can!

If you have suggestions for preparing for college, please share them with us!

For most of us, school is on, which means we are back in the books and getting used to our new year, curriculum, and routines. No doubt you’ve been surfing the web for what you may have missed, new ideas, and fun strategies to use in your elementary homeschooling day. And that makes sense, because homeschooling is growing and technology has opened up a world of new tools and resources that can be accessed anywhere, any time. As an elementary homeschooler, it pays to pay attention to homeschool trends that can provide the best educational experience for your child (and yourself!). But who has time to constantly surf the Internet or social media for the latest methods or new ideas? We have saved you some surf time and compiled a list of the top trends in elementary homeschooling that will make your homeschooling life easier, richer, and more fun. So, come ride the wave with us!

1. The first “trend” is one that has been around since the time social media consisted of face-to-face conversations and riding your horse to the next homestead: FREE STUFF! It’s been said that you get what you pay for, but there are countless free elementary homeschooling resources at the tip of your mouse. Just visit Pinterest or use any search engine to find free apps, programs, tips, chats, and online sites. Your student can learn to type, explore Egypt, read books, and print out maps and notebook pages for the cost of . . . well, nothing.
2. Blended learning This includes both online and print resources, not just online. It entails a satisfying, engaging mixture of elements. If you are homeschooling more than one child, mixing up your approaches can give your child a bit more independence and free up some of your time to spend with your other children that may need more attention. Textbooks still exist and are great launching pads for further online exploration!
3. Homeschool programming Your child knows how to use the computer (like, right at this moment!), so why not learn how to create websites, video games, and apps, and learn the basics of coding — all from home? There are programs that allow you to include computer science in your curriculum even if you have no background in programming. Even students as young as eight (about 4th grade) can begin developing websites.
4. Journaling Nature speaks to us and sparks our curiosity, so why not write down what it is saying? Jotting down thoughts and impressions, as well as questions and answers, reinforces learning and is a great way to awaken memories. Nature journaling also ignites your child’s passion for art and science, allowing them to see and display the beauty of the world in a way that lasts. (Makes for a great portfolio, too!)
5. “Bloom” where you are planted Bloom’s Taxonomy is a model of learning objectives that begins with rote learning of facts and climbs to the student creating new projects based on that knowledge. The latest trend is to start at the top level by having your child create or work on a project, asking questions and solving problems. Isn’t that generally how life works? This approach tickles their imagination and takes advantage of the flexibility of homeschooling.
6. Manipulatives for everything Keeping hands busy while learning adds dimension to their comprehension. Foam clocks, play money, blocks, building kits, stuffed animals, and more, can be found at stores and online. Generally, upper grades will have a more worksheet-oriented year, so incorporating hands-on activities can keep school more fun. Science classes are especially suited to cool experiments like kitchen chemistry, Alka Seltzer rockets, Slime, and homemade lava lamps (that could teach them a bit of ancient history as well!) Check out these FREE lessons on how to incorporate LEGO®s into your elementary homeschooling.
7. Live Online Classes These are full classes, not just bits-and-pieces resources. Online classes allow class participation in the comfort of your home while you take a break from teaching, and add socialization to your elementary homeschooling day. Live online classes include fun courses that go beyond core curriculum, as well as fun hands-on projects and other extras. Bridgeway Academy offers complete live online classes, taught and fully-prepared by highly-qualified, experienced teachers. These classes encourage them to work diligently and more independently at their speed and learning style.
8. Play! In my day, playing during class was punishable by adding your toy to the teacher’s collection of yo-yos and chattering teeth. Now, play is a part of engaged learning. Supervised play:

• • • develops the imagination.
    • ignites creativity.
    • sharpens problem-solving.
    • is the place where children make sense of what they’ve heard and learned.
    • is how learning is cemented into long-term memory.

Following the latest trends can ensure that you are up-to-date on elementary homeschooling tools, tips, and techniques, assuring the best education for your child! Who knows? You may be the next trendsetter!

What trends do you notice, suggest, or would you like to be a part of? Let us know!

If you went to a public or private school, you probably remember your dreaded report card. It was either a trophy or a terror, but it provided a means to show your progress and accomplishments. Although the specifics vary, all states require documentation from homeschool families; they do, after all, set the legal standards for education. So, how should you go about homeschool recordkeeping? There are many different ways and programs you can use, but not all are built alike. Here’s what you need to know about homeschool recordkeeping to be successful this year!

Homeschool Laws Matter

States vary drastically with what is required for homeschool records, from very little oversight to a full portfolio and evaluation. It’s important that you know what is required in your state in order to be up to speed and compliant. Find your state homeschool laws quickly and easily here.  Recordkeeping can include grades, attendance, subjects, immunization, and whatever else your state requires. So, let’s dive into the ways you can make homeschool recordkeeping work for you. 

Four Homeschool Recordkeeping Options

1. Keep paper records at home in a homeschooling portfolio.

 This option may seem old-school (pun intended), but may work best for you. A portfolio is a collection of documents that illustrate what your child has learned, how his or her accomplishments were achieved, the resources used, and how much progress he or she made. This reveals a lot more than mere grades. They can also include PE records, attendance sheets, field trip souvenirs — you name it! An added bonus is that a portfolio doubles as a memory book to treasure for years! Want more tips? Check out this resource on creating the best portfolio.

• Notebooks The most common portfolio is a three-ring binder. Subject dividers with letters or words make organizing (and finding!) papers simple and straightforward. Features like clear protectors and photo pages protect precious papers and drawings, while pockets can hold bulkier project items. (Hint: Don’t use rubber bands to hold paper together; it doesn’t take long for them to go from rubber to sticky fossilized remnants.)
• Accordian files These are clever and simple to use. They take up only as much space as they need to and eliminate the need to punch holes in papers. Just drop your stuff into the pocket and easily fish it out when needed!
• Bins A quick online search or trip to a local office store will reward you with different storage bins. These can hold file folders, accordion files, mementos, crafts, and anything else that fits. They provide protection and can be stored away in the attic or closet or wherever is convenient.

2. Online homeschool recordkeeping 

You and your student are probably on the computer most of the day, so you could choose online recordkeeping. It eliminates the papers and organization, which is great for teens! No muss, little fuss, and no storage space needed! The Broward Homeschool Parent Support Group lists several recommended options for online recordkeeping, which are subscription-based. This option frees up your computer’s storage and frees you up from losing data should the computer crash!

3. Software homeschool recordkeeping

There are many inexpensive pay-once-and-done software packages you can install on your computer. Again, The Broward Homeschool Parent Support Group has a listing of available software. Remember to save early and often so that nothing is lost!

4. Accredited Homeschool Academy recordkeeping

Because Bridgeway keeps academic records for all of our students, your own recordkeeping is kept to a minimum. Simply record your child’s test scores and mail them to our office on a periodic basis. We manage report cards and transcripts and provide state-required standardized testing services so you can focus on what’s most important: teaching your child. Bridgeway Academy has programs and articles that can help you with the recordkeeping and grading processes.

Let Bridgeway Academy make it easy for you! With the right tools and help from Bridgeway Homeschool Academy, you can keep and share accurate records in record time! If you have any suggestions for success, please share them with us!

“Must you wait until the last minute?” I can’t remember if it was my mom, my teachers, or my boss who often said that to me. Wait a minute — it was all three! If there is one thing we are not good at putting off, it’s procrastination! We don’t want to encourage you to wait until the last minute to begin your homeschooling adventure. But, if you have found yourself wondering how to start homeschooling last minute, we are here to help you get started right — and right away — with plenty of breathing space!

The 5 Rs of Homeschooling Last Minute

Taking your child out of public or private school may seem difficult at first, but rest assured, it is not that hard, and the rewards are more family time, flexibility, and fun (and more you can read about here)! Here are some tips to help you take the first steps in planning how to start homeschooling last minute.

• Relax as you ease into your new role as a homeschooling parent. Toddlers are not nervous about taking their first steps, and neither should you be about learning how to homeschool. Have a cup of tea and take comfort in knowing that growing thousands of parents have done this and succeeded. You’ll never be alone on this journey and will find the confidence you need in time!
• Research the types of homeschooling. There are several different types of homeschoolers, from traditional to online to charter schools, so it’s important to discover which type of homeschooler you are before beginning. Consider the ages of your learners and how they learn best. I recommend looking into the subjects required by your state to set the stage for which courses you’ll need to find curriculum for, and begin to get a bird’s-eye view of the subjects and topics before diving in. Your local library is a great place to start!
• Requirements for homeschoolers vary from state to state. It’s super important to understand what will be required of you in terms of record keeping, courses, evaluations, etc. Bridgeway has done the searching for you and provided this list of state resources.
• Relate to other homeschoolers through a homeschool support group. We’re a fun, helpful, cooperative bunch! Do an Internet search to find a local group of homeschool veterans for mutual support, or reach out on social media. HSLDA has an extensive list of homeschool groups for various ethnicities, religions, and circumstances, from around the world.
• Reflect on what a great decision you have made for your child’s future. No more bullying, large class sizes, one size fits all learning. Homeschooling opens wide the world of learning based upon your child’s needs, abilities, and interests!

See? That wasn’t so bad, was it? Learning how to homeschool last minute is doable, and you’ll be so thankful that you started this journey! You’re about to find out the depths and riches of relationship and learning that come with homeschooling. And, you don’t have to go it alone. Accredited, supported homeschooling with an expert partner can give you the peace of mind you need to start homeschooling today.

With round the clock support throughout the year, all of your curriculum needs, and record keeping, Bridgeway makes it easier than ever to start homeschooling now. To learn more about homeschooling with an accredited partner, visit us at www.bridgewayacademy.com.

“Make a difference.” “Come experience the difference.” “You can make a difference.” You’ve probably heard or read these sayings and perhaps wondered why these calls for difference sound so much alike. Often, calls for nonconformity are just invitations to conform to another standard.

In the menu of online academic resources, there are a lot of copycats and very little control over content. Trying to find the right resources for your child can be daunting, especially if your standards are high and you feel like you have to watch every video and read every article to make sure your student gets what he or she needs.

Enter Elephango.com, the uncommon name with the uncommon site! Elephango.com is the single-standard source for the best homeschool resources that fit your child’s academic needs!
You already know that Bridgeway is the leader in providing uniquely-tailored academic resources for your child — now we have added Elephango.com to our family and yours!

In a nutshell, Elephango.com does the work for you. Elephango offers personality- and learning style-oriented resources that engage and excite the learner and inspire confidence in the teacher. Elephango.com is the perfect curriculum companion and gives the best homeschool resources to families!

What Makes Elephango.com One of the Best Homeschool Resources

Lessons are created by trained, experienced teachers.

Developers are carefully chosen according to their fields of expertise so you know you are getting the best material.

All lessons pass through a rigorous peer review process.

This ensures the lesson content is grammatically and factually accurate.

Lessons are geared to the all-important personality and learning styles.

Each student learns differently, acts and reacts differently, and needs different motivations. Our search system brings you lessons suitable for your child.

Lessons are also searchable by grade level, subjects, and categories.

Could finding the perfect resource be any easier? Elephango researchers do the google searches for you! They take the time to find and vet outside resources, such as videos, games, worksheets, and articles, so you can spend more time with your student and less time in the Internet maze. Little preparation is necessary. Elephango.com lessons are complete, including lists of supplies needed for experiments and crafts, related Elephango.com lessons, outside reading, etc.

Elephango.com uses the latest technology.

All lessons are created by Elephango developers using a proprietary system developed by Elephango. Most lessons include “homemade” interactives and videos. The rewards are great! Unlike most sites, where clicking “Done” is the biggest thrill, Elephango.com encourages the student to earn badges and rewards for logging in, completing resources, etc. There are multi-lesson series and badges that give a well-rounded, deeper, broader look at most subjects. And the biggest, most life-changing reward of all, is that students want to learn more and get to learn more!

Unlike elephants, Elephango.com keeps growing!

We are large, with thousands of lessons, but not large enough! New lessons are being added all the time, and we notify subscribers about new resources each week.

Finally, Elephango.com is affordable!

Different plans are available, and you can use your subscription for multiple students!

It’s hard to miss the proverbial elephant in the room, and in the world of online education, Elephango.com shouldn’t be overlooked! Check it out for yourself at www.elephango.com!