On Saturday, May 3, several experienced home educators from across the Seacoast gathered at the Praxeum in Dover to share their knowledge and encouragement with others who are newer to home education or just looking for next year’s inspiration! The volunteers loaded in their favorite curricula, manipulatives, and books, displayed on tables so that attendees could browse through and ask questions. They also answered some basic questions on an About Me form, such as favorite and least favorite curriculum (“picks and pans”) and a piece of advice they would give to other home educating families. Some were parents of homeschool-graduated young adults, while others had many years still to go with their young elementary students.
Dozens of attendees cycled through the Praxeum all morning, asking questions, chatting, meeting new friends. Most curriculum shopping and research is done online by necessity, and sometimes it’s hard to know what to expect without seeing it in person. Our event gave home educators the valuable opportunity to actually see the materials and be able to flip through in person. Thanks to the About Me forms, we noticed a few overlaps between one person’s “pick” and another’s “pan,” sometimes even on the same shared table (looking at you, Saxon Math and The Good and the Beautiful). That occurrence underscored a great benefit of home education — meeting each child’s individual needs while realizing that what works for one family will not work for all.
A homeschooling mom who is also a NH Portfolio Evaluator answered questions about portfolio reviews, explaining what NH law requires and how to prepare a portfolio for review. For more information about portfolios and other ways to fulfill the state’s annual assessment requirements, visit GSHE’s website. Another parent brought examples of the high school transcripts and diploma she had created for her children when they were ready to graduate. GSHE has a how-to guide to help navigate the high-school years, too. Amanda Weeden led lawn games for the children of volunteers and attendees, followed by refreshing freeze pops!
Curriculum and Connections was collaboratively hosted by Granite State Home Educators and Prax Village Homeschool Community. We estimate that close to 100 people attended.
Couldn’t make it to the event? The GSHE Facebook group is an excellent place to ask questions about different curricula you come across! So is the Granite State Home Educators website — create a free account for full access to resources and the forum.
Choosing the right curriculum for each subject can seem overwhelming when so many intriguing options exist, but one piece of advice written on an About Me sheet at the event really hit home: The best curriculum is the one you actually do!
By Becky Anderson
