Looking for inspiration for what to do outside of The Hub’s micro-academy sessions? There's a world of possibilities out there; click here for some ideas to get you started.
Would you like personalized assistance to help you get started with independent learning, or to troubleshoot or take things to the next level? Click here to learn about our consulting (and referrals) service.
What else can tweens and teens do outside of The Hub's two-days-a-week micro-academy (or any other programs they're enrolled in)? There are countless options.
Below you'll find a compilation of activity ideas that can serve as a starting point. (Please note that these lists are designed just to give a taste of what's out there; they're not intended to be comprehensive, nor are they endorsements of the listed items.)
Everyone's education is customized to some degree, but if you're interested in taking this concept further—independently mixing and matching programs, classes and other activities to produce a comprehensive education—you might want to start with this overview of how modular learning works, and what it looks like on a practical level. This primer goes into additional detail about how to approach academic choices in a way that suits your child's learning style.
General Activity Ideas Sampler (self-directed or family-led, offline):
General Activity Ideas Sampler (self-directed or via third parties, online):
General Activity Ideas Sampler (third-party providers, in person)
(Some examples and more general ideas are below. Note: A good way to learn about options in your area is to search local parenting forums or local homeschooling groups on Facebook.)
Examples in Washington, D.C. and nearby parts of MD and VA:
Other types of opportunities that are widespread:
If you can't find something you wish existed, consider starting it (by yourself or with others), or mention it to people whenever an opening arises; someone may jump at the opportunity to apply their time and talents in that way.
Putting It All Together—Scheduling the Days:
If you're curating a fully modular education as a homeschooling parent, how you approach each day is up to you. If you and your children like a lot of structure, you can create a daily/weekly/monthly schedule, and adapt it every so often as needed (some examples are listed here). A more organic approach can work well for others. It's useful to start with the ultimate goals of the educational journey, plus any official requirements that have to be met, and then work backwards to figure out what needs to be done by when. Bear in mind that learning also naturally happens during (or can be intentionally incorporated into) life activities, and that focused learning happens faster without the need for classroom management.
Some parents—including those who are single, working for employers or clients, or handling extra responsibilities such as eldercare—face additional challenges but are often willing to help each other by brainstorming scheduling solutions, carpooling, trading off overseeing activities, etc. There are also international support groups such as The Working Homeschool Mom Club.
Putting It All Together—Keeping a Portfolio:
Homeschooling parents can maintain a portfolio using simple spreadsheet, word-processing or hand-written documents, supplemented as needed with folders/binders containing physical documentation of a child’s educational journey (stories, artwork, etc.). There are also third-party portfolio services.
You can find additional ideas, and opportunities to discuss options with other parents who are also directing their children’s independent learning, on numerous listservs and Facebook groups, Pinterest and Instagram accounts, etc. They may be organized based on geography, childrens' ages, education style (relaxed, secular, faith-based, etc.), or other commonalities.
Please fill out the contact form and let us know what you need. We’ll get in touch to set up a brief introductory chat (with no obligation) to see if we can help. If not, we'll try and refer you to someone who can.
In addition to the support we offer to members of The Hub, we also offer consulting sessions or packages to anyone—whether an individual family or a group of families—who is curious about independent learning or is getting started down this road and would like to talk with someone who can help them cut through the clutter. (You may want to start by watching this overview, which may answer some of your initial questions.)
We can help individual parents understand what it takes to homeschool, and how to get started. We can help you come up with strategies to support homeschooling while also taking care of career or other responsibilities, in a sustainable and mutually satisfying way (it does require flexibility and/or creativity, but it can be done, even with younger children). We can answer questions that arise as you adjust to the new paradigm. And we can point you to individually tailored global and local resources that will set you up for success on your own terms.
We can also help groups of families who are looking to form a learning group of their own. Having started and managed multiple mixed-ages learning groups (including with outside facilitators and rented spaces) over many years, we can get involved as needed to facilitate key parent meetings and help you think through key details, develop solid plans (and contingency plans), and anticipate and navigate the inevitable challenges.
We can also connect you to other consultants in our extensive national network who can address more specialized questions, such as how to choose among curriculum packages; how to homeschool teenagers and prepare for college or other next steps; how to maintain good inter-personal dynamics while homeschooling; and more.
Please fill out the contact form and let us know what you need. We’ll get in touch to set up a brief introductory chat (with no obligation) to see if we can help. If not, we'll try and refer you to someone who can.