The Virginia Homeschool Manual

A Comprehensive Guide to Home Education in Virginia
Resources

Have you ever wished you could easily find answers to your homeschooling questions in just ONE resource?

Well, now you can! The Virginia Homeschool Manual: A Comprehensive Guide to Home Education in Virginia-the most complete, single reference on home education in Virginia—will help you homeschool from pre-school through high school, college, and beyond.

This comprehensive guide contains almost 1,000 pages packed with information, articles, forms, and helpful charts. Arranged in two convenient volumes, the manual covers all the basics on how to begin, as well as such topics as choosing curricula, learning styles, gifted education, apprenticeships, and college at home and LOTS more!

EASY TO USE REFERENCE GUIDE INCLUDES A SEARCHABLE CD!
In addition to more than 500 printed pages, you'll receive an additional 426 pages on a searchable CD—all well-organized by sections, making it easy to find the answers you need.

ORDER YOURS NOW!
You may purchase The Virginia Homeschool Manual through the links below, by faxing or mailing our Manual Order Form, or by calling our office at 804-278-9200, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Virginia Homeschool Manual Vol. 1 & 2 (coil-bound as two volumes)
$44.99(members)/$49.99(non-members)

Quantity discounts are available for purchases of six or more manuals. More Information

UPDATE YOUR MANUAL TODAY FOR FREE!
The revised Virginia Homeschool Manual has completely updated "Virginia Law" and "Testing and Evaluations" sections. These sections have the latest information on the 2008 changes to the homeschool statute. If you have previously purchased the manual, please e-mail or call our office and they will send you PDFs of the updated sections for FREE!

TAKE A LOOK AT THE INFORMATION IN THE MANUAL!
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION A - INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Manual Staff

SECTION B - HEAV: YOUR STATE ORGANIZATION
HEAV: Who We Are and What We Do
2008 HEAV Directory
Key Virginia Information
Virginia General Assembly Information
Key Federal Information
Order Your Homeschool License Plate Now!
Day at the Capitol: A Hands-On Government Classroom
HEAV Conventions Grow with Homeschooling!
Support HEAV!
HEAV Membership

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Virginia Department of Education
State Conservative Organizations
National Conservative Organizations

SECTION C - BEGINNING THE HOMESCHOOL JOURNEY
Meet Your Travel Agent
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
The Biblical Basis for Home Education
Biblical Principles for Home Education
Myths About Socialization
Charting Your Course
Where Do We Go From Here?
10 Rules of Thumb for Choosing Teaching Materials
The Five D's of Education:
Know Your Students: Identify Their Personal Learning Styles
Common Teaching Approaches
Navigating the Used Curriculum Route
Travel Budget
On the Road!
Roadblocks to Avoid
Roadside Assistance

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Researching the Destination
The "why" of home education: Where are you going?
What About Socialization?
Socialization: The Rest of the Story
Realistic Superlatives
Goals
The Five D's of Education:
Discipleship Studies: The Study of the Bible
Disciplined Studies: The Study of the "Basics"
Discussion Studies: The Study of the Humanities
Discovery Studies: The Study of Learning
Discretionary Studies: The Study of Living
Five Models of Learning Styles
Teaching Your Kids "In Style"
Combining Methods and Materials
Choosing Curriculum
Buying Used Curriculum Wisely
Packing the Necessities
What will I need?
Organization and Planning
Papers and Record Keeping
A Christian Perspective on School Subjects
Teaching Through the Learning Cycle
Souvenirs of the Journey
Keepsakes to collect along the way-for you, the children, and the officials
Glossary of Terms
A vocabulary lesson for the new (or not-so-new!) homeschooler
Places to Visit Along the Way
Curriculum Resources
Teaching Aids

SECTION D - FAMILY FOUNDATIONS INFORMATION ON THE CD
Introduction:
Foundation Stone 1: Vision
Casting the Vision
Foundation Stone 2: Flexibility
Think Change
Foundation Stone 3: Order
The Still Axis
Foundation Stone 4: Organization
Taking Baby Steps
Foundation Stone 5: Marriage
Where are You?
Foundation Stone 6: Devotion
Thirty Minutes of Silence
Foundation Stone 7: Prayer
He Simply Prayed
Foundation Stone 8: Academics
Educating the Human Spirit
Foundation Stone 9: Obedience
Obedience is Better than Sacrifice
Foundation Stone 10: Relationships
Training the Tongue
Foundation Stone 10: Relationships
It's All About Me
Foundation Stone 11: Grace
Sowing the Seeds of Grace
Foundation Stone 12: Creativity
The Power of Play
Tools for Transformation: Resources

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Foundation Stone 2: Flexibility
Celebrating Life

Foundation Stone 3: Order
Putting Home in Homeschooling

Foundation Stone 6: Devotion
Developing Devotionals for Preschoolers

Foundation Stone 8: Academics
Family Fun: The Mathematics of Mental Fitness
Those Lazy, Carefree Days of Childhood

Foundation Stone 10: Relationships
Peacemaking and Homeschooling

Arguing: Tips for Minimizing Squabbles

SECTION E - PLANNING AND RECORD KEEPING
Introduction: Organizing Home, School, and Time
Management Tools For Home and School
Homeschool and Housework
Tips for Managing Time Wisely
Time Management
School Planning
Unit Studies
Home-Organization Resources

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Could a Cooking System Work for You?
15-Minute Cooking: A Time and Money-Saving System
Tips for Managing Time Wisely
Time Management Tips for the Homeschooling Mom
Scheduling to Avoid Homeschool Burnout
How to Create a School-Year Calendar
Sample Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans
Sample Assignment Sheet
Assignment Sheet
Record Keeping
Preparing a Homeschool Portfolio
Home-Organization Resources

SECTION F - TEACHING TIPS
Teaching Tips Introduction
The Learning Moment
Multilevel Homeschooling
The ABC's of Learning to Read
You Can Teach Your Child to Write
Teaching History Using Literature
Teaching Science: First Naturalists, Then Scientists
Readable Science Resources

INFORMATION ON THE CD
The Trivium in a Capsule
Laid-back Learning for Non-readers
Talking to Your Kids About Plagiarism
Life Skills for Kids
Enjoying Homeschooling: Tips on Teaching 1st-3rd Graders
Great Books: Learn to Discern
What about Grammar?
Using Current Events:
Reflections on Homeschooling after September 11, 2001
Sofa Science
Expand Sofa Science with Context Studies
Science Inside, Outside, Upside Down
Teaching Astronomy
Research on the Teaching of Math:
Formal Arithmetic at Age Ten-Hurried or Delayed?
Logic: A Practical Guide for Homeschoolers
Homeschool Mom Finally Joins Children in
Completing Presidential Fitness Award!
Games for Memory Work, Drill, and Review
Student Contests: A Real Motivator

SECTION G - TESTING AND EVALUATIONS
Introduction
Testing and Assessment Law Summary
Tests and Testing Q & A
Testing Tips
Evaluations
Portfolios
Testing Resources

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Gearing Up for Assessments
One Family's Experience with Portfolio Evaluations
Counseling, Testing, and Tutoring Resources
BJU Homeschool Proof Document

SECTION H - HIGH SCHOOL AT HOME
Teaching Teens at Home
Understanding the Purpose of High School
Homeschool is Best for Teens
Beginning Homeschooling in the Teen Years
Understanding Your Teenager
How To Issue a Diploma and Prepare a High School Transcript
Transcript Tips: More Counts Than You May Think
The ABCs of Testing
Graduation
Transferring from Homeschool to Public School
Preparing Your Teenager to Drive
High School Resources

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Benefits of Home Education for the High School Years
Fifteen Reasons to Homeschool During the High School Years
High School Lesson Planning
Steps to High School Course Planning
Teaching Advanced Subjects
How Can I Teach Higher Math?
Why Study Logic?
Why Teach Debate?
Typical Course of Study in a Four-Year High School Program
Sample Course of Study
Record Keeping
Quarter Credit Hour Report Form
Christian High School Record
High School Planning Chart-General Education
High School Planning Chart-College Preparatory
Awarding High School Credit
Sample Course of Study
Non-Traditional Credit
The Ethics of Grading
GEDs and Diplomas
Social Opportunities
Awareness and Assessment
Essay Contests for Teens: Writing for a Purpose!
High School Resources

SECTION I - COLLEGE AND COLLEGE ALTERNATIVES
Introduction
Choosing Colleges
Planning Tips for the Post-High-School Years
College-Level Exams Provide Credit and Credibility
Trades and Vocations: An Alternative to College
A Lifestyle of Learning Lays the Foundation
for Entrepreneurial Success
How Do Homeschool Graduates Enter the Military?

INFORMATION ON THE CD
The Door is Open
Questions and Answers about Getting Started in College
Preparing for, Choosing, and Applying to Four-Year Colleges
Applying to Colleges
How Homeschoolers Can Meet Academic
Eligibility Requirements for College Athletics
Frequently Asked Questions About
NCAA Eligibility for Homeschoolers
NAIA Eligibility Requirements
Pre-College Checklists
Choosing a College-Summary of College Types
Everyday Education's Steps to Choosing Your College
Dual-Credit Courses Give Students at a Distance the College Edge

SECTION J - SPECIAL-NEEDS EDUCATION
Special Needs
How Does a Parent Know When To Get Outside Help?
Getting Started and Gathering Materials
Behavior First
Reading and Dyslexia
Strategies for Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities
Writing the Student Education Plan (SEP)
Model SEP Form
Sample of an SEP Form
Assistive Technology
Understanding the Unique Legal Issues of Special-Needs Students
Resources for Special Needs

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Understanding the Child's and the Parents' Needs
Children with Special Needs
Questions and Answers on Learning Problems
An Overview: Homeschool and the Special-Needs Child
Choosing Textbooks & Curriculum for the Special-Needs Child
Choosing Curriculum
Teaching Helps and Background Information
Teaching with the Fruit of the Spirit
Advantages of Home Teaching Children with Developmental Deficits
Homeschooling the Down Syndrome Student
A Plan for a Purposeful Life
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Other Focusing Challenges
Remediation for Children with Attention Deficit Disorder
Reading Problems and Visual Skills Assessments
Strategies for Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities in Mathematics
Special Considerations: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy,
and Speech Therapy Services: Questions and Answers
Occupational Therapy Teaching Techniques
Making Accommodations and Modifications: What are They?
Sample Rubric for Cursive Writing
Meeting Individual Needs in Lesson Planning: A Checklist
How Computers Change the Writing Process
for People with Learning Disabilities
Section 504 Federal Civil-Rights Law
Erasing the Barriers for Children with Special Learning Needs
Questions and Answers for Parents of Special-Needs Children
HSLDA Answers Questions from Virginia Parents
Resources You Really Can Use

SECTION K - GIFTED EDUCATION
Homeschooling Your Gifted Child
How Can You Tell if Your Child is Gifted?
Do You Need IQ Tests?
What Kind of Curriculum Should You Use?
Curriculum Compacting: A Necessity for Academic Advancement
Options, Options, Options

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Characteristics of Giftedness
Giftedness as Asynchronous Development
Affective Characteristics of Giftedness
Dabrowski's Over-Excitabilities: A Layman's Explanation
Identification Methods
Using Test Results to Support Clinical Judgment
Tackling the SAT-I
Curriculum Options
Curriculums to Choose From
Mix-and-Match Materials
Applying What You Have Learned
Early College
College Classes a la Carte!
The SAT-I and ACT
When the College Says "No"

SECTION L - EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Introduction
The Search for Extracurricular Activities
Virginia Time Travelers Passport
Creative Field Trips
Clear Communication Enhances Field-Trip Experience
Athletic Scholarships, High School Sports, and Physical Fitness
Clubs and Organizations
How 4-H Enhanced My School Experience

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Field Trip Sites & Special Events
Debate? Who? Me?
Soccer: One Family's Experience
Homeschooling a High School Athlete
A Taste of Soccer Info
Life Experience: A Teacher of Geography
Homeschool + Travel = Fun!
Reading and Reward Programs
Libraries
Employment

SECTION M - SUPPORT GROUPS
Developing a Support System
Types of Support Groups
Principles for a Healthy Support Group
Choosing a Local Support Group
Forming a New Support Group
Support Group Planning Worksheet
Ideas for Support Group Events

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Sample Group Vision Statements
Sample Registration 2002-2003
How to Start a Homeschool Newsletter
Building Bridges: Tips for Working with Other Support Groups
Working with the Media
Homeschool Information Nights
Let's Put on a Show! The Making of a Career Fair
Hosting a Christ-Centered Field Day
Fishing 101: Families Encouraging Families

SECTION N - THE VIRGINIA LAW
Introduction to the Virginia Homeschool Law
Virginia Homeschool Laws and Related Statutes
The Legal Who, What, When, and Where of Homeschooling
Virginia Homeschool Laws
Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction
K-5 Registration
Beginning Home Education after the Deadline
Certified-Tutor Provision Clarified
Certified-Tutor Summary
Tutor Provision v Home Instruction Provision Memo
Virginia Religious Exemptions
Understanding Religious Exemption
Homeschool Immunization Requirements
Certificate of Religious Exemption to Immunization
Driver Education Information for Homeschoolers
"Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Information Sheet"
DMV Parental Authorization Application
Homeschoolers and the GED Testing Regulations
Homeschoolers Go to Work!
Public School Access for Homeschoolers

INFORMATION ON THE CD
Original Intent of Religious Exemption
Court Ruling on Religious Exemption - Judge Fiddler
Legal Memo on the Unconstitutionality of Home Visits

SECTION O - GREAT RESOURCES
Introduction
Parent Resources: National and State Organizations
Parent Resources: Periodicals
Parent Resources: Books
Parent Resources: Curriculum Providers
Homeschool Material Sources
Online Resources
Making the Most of Google
Computers and Technology
Materials for Learning English as a Second Language
Provvedores de Materiales Educativos en Español