Why did we decide to homeschool?
We started our homeschooling in August 2019, due to the rising cost of private school tuition. Private school was our option to avoid Common Core. Before Covid, it allowed time for me to get my grandparents to doctor appointments without having to work around a school schedule. During Covid, we didn’t miss a beat, because we were already homeschooling. Now, we are still able to have our flexibility.
Homeschooling allows us to do school year-round. Luka can roll right into the next grade without taking time off, which will help him finish high school sooner and enter the workforce sooner. By doing year-round school, it opens us up for being able to travel during the off-season and miss some of the larger crowds.
What curriculum do we use?
Using a “what my child should know before going into 2nd grade” guideline, I built a curriculum using old textbooks. Luka excelled under my instruction, and I was incredibly pleased with his progress.
We switched to Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA), an online private school, when I started graduate school. It was difficult to balance curriculum building and my own classwork, so LUOA made my life easier.
Luka does not like LUOA as much as he did my curriculum, but we have continued using them and will continue using them for the foreseeable future.
As an online private school, they have virtual teachers that will answer any questions Luka has via email. There is also a phone helpline, if we need immediate assistance. He goes at his own pace, so he can finish things as quickly as he likes, especially if it is something he has already learned in the past.
How do we homeschool when we travel?
If I know we have a trip planned, I will print out all necessary worksheets that LUOA provides. Using my phone, we can scan and upload those assignments on our LUOA app. With that being said, it is obvious that it is necessary for us to have internet access wherever we are.
In cases where I know we will not be in a place with internet access, like the Valley of the Gods (our happy place), we will usually try to get ahead of our “due dates” when we do have internet access. LUOA makes it easier for us not to have to tote around textbooks, too.
We can usually stop at any library on the road and print out what we need, if we absolutely have to. Hotels with a business center is also great for this purpose, also.
How do we homeschool when we are not traveling?
When not traveling, we have a designated school space. It has moved around our home from living room to bedroom to office space.
Our school schedule varies, depending on what we have going on in our lives. Most days, we start our classwork at 8 am and go until about 11 am or 1 pm…it just depends on how focused Luka is and how much schoolwork he has to do.
Even though we use an online curriculum/private school, I do have a large collection of textbooks that I have accumulated from local public schools, estate sales, and family collections. The textbooks range from the mid-1940’s to current. They also range from kindergarten to graduate school and various topics, including, but not limited to: biochemistry, physics, genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry, calculus, the biology of a pig fetus, pediatric medicine, anatomy and physiology, criminal law and procedures, forensic science, criminology, nutrition, psychology, and many more.
Our Must-Haves and Wish-List for Our Homeschool Space
For a lot of homeschoolers, a designated space is not necessary. Since Luka went to traditional school first, he learns best in a designated space.
Desk
Obviously, we need a desk for our homeschool. When I was using my own curriculum, it was not needed, but now it is necessary.
This is not the one that we have, but this is one that is on our wish-list:
Disclaimer: Roadtrippingthree.com is an affiliate of Amazon, so we do get a very small percentage when an Amazon item that is linked to our page is purchased using our link to the item.
This is another option for us:
Office Supplies
Office supplies are just as important as school supplies. They often coincide together.
Paper clips are often needed to keep Luka’s worksheets together. Of course, I could get the basic paper clips, but sometimes I like the cute things to make homeschooling fun, even if it is just for me.
Pens are a must when it comes to homeschooling. Tul is my favorite brand. I highly recommend these:
Are you a homeschooler? What are some of your favorite school and office supplies for your classroom?
I hope this has helped you understand how we are able to have freedom to travel during the off-seasons.
