Homeschooling in Michigan
Power Homeschool’s Homeschooling in Michigan site highlights resources, helpful tips, support groups, and so much more!
Here are some useful resources that may be helpful as you are getting started.
Homeschool Laws and Requirements in Michigan
Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.
Homeschool Associations and Support Groups in Michigan
Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.
How to Start Homeschooling in Michigan
If you have decided that homeschool is a good fit for your family, you are probably wondering how to get started with the whole process.
Field Trips Available to Homeschoolers in Michigan
The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.
Find out what Michigan has to offer!
Resources
Michigan Homeschool Laws and Requirements
Many states have rules and guidelines regarding parents homeschooling their children. Here are some links to help you find information regarding Michigan.
Important Considerations for Homeschooling Success
Create a Study Plan
When homeschooling in Michigan, it is important to establish a clean environment where distractions are limited for your child to study on a regular schedule. Study routines are valuable for learning discipline. They also help your child stay on track with weekly, monthly and yearly academic goals. Create a schedule and expect your child to stick to it. Modify the schedule when necessary to help your child stay challenged while still able to achieve your expectations.
Read more: 10 Tips to Effectively Homeschool Online
Build Foundational Knowledge
As your child progresses in their studies, addressing gaps in their foundational knowledge will be crucial to their future success. For example, if your child struggles with basic math, it may become nearly impossible for them to master more advanced math concepts until they get help with their basic math challenges. In Acellus courses, Vectored Instruction automatically takes into account a student’s existing knowledge gaps and provides targeted interventions to bridge those gaps. If a student lacks the foundational understanding required for the new concept, the system automatically provides relevant remedial content before proceeding further.
It is crucial that students achieve early success with online learning so that their confidence will grow. Sometimes it may be necessary to place your child into an earlier course so they can begin experiencing success before they are ready to start moving forward with their learning.
Read more: Helping Your Student Excel in Acellus
KEEP RECORDS AND DOCUMENTATION
You should keep thorough records of your child’s education. This will be beneficial when they apply for colleges or jobs after high school. Power Homeschool’s online parent portal automatically makes it easy to track progress, download coursework examples, attendance, and keep transcripts of classes taken.
It is also a good idea to get student ID cards and parent/teacher ID cards. Many retailers and venues offer teacher or student discounts that can be claimed by showing ID cards. A professional student ID card with a good quality identification photo included is also an good way to show that your student is enrolled is a reputable homeschool program.
Resources
Homeschool Support & Groups in Michigan
Homeschool associations in Michigan promote homeschooling and protect parents’ rights to educate their children in their homes. As more and more families in the state, more people are in need of support and guidance.
This is where homeschool associations come in. There is one homeschooling association in the state: Michigan Christian Homeschool Network.
The MICHN homeschool association’s goal is to provide information, instruction, and inspiration for homeschooling families in the state. This homeschool association is founded on the Christian religion.
Often created by homeschooling parents, support groups and co-ops share resources, advice, and information about homeschooling with one another. These groups may also offer activities and meet-ups, which provide students and parents with socialization with other homeschooling families in their area. Some of these groups also offer field trips and other special events such as proms and graduation ceremonies.
Co-ops tend to be more focused on academics than support groups. Many co-ops offer weekly learning opportunities for homeschooling families. In co-ops, parents might alternate teaching either general subjects or have a more specific focus like STEM or fine arts.
Both of these types of groups can help parents home educate their children based on their age and interests. These groups can help families with homeschooling support, legal advice, resources, and other information.
Here are a few options for support groups in Michigan:
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- Battle Creek Pre-K and Elementary Homeschoolers
- Genesee County Homeschoolers
- Grand Rapids Area Inclusive Network for Homeschoolers (GRAIN)
- Homeschoolers of Jackson Michigan
- Lansing Homeschoolers
- Lapeer County Homeschool Swap and Information
- Michigan-Macomb Country Homeschoolers
- NCR Homeschool Connection
- Oakland County Homeschool
- Secular Homeschoolers of Southeast Michigan
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Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!
How to Get Started Homeschooling in Michigan
If you are considering homeschool for your child, you are probably wondering how you can get started. You should start by researching the laws and regulations regarding homeschooling in Michigan. Once you have accomplished this, you will want to do everything by the book to ensure that your child isn’t considered truant, which could lead to legal trouble down the road.
Choosing a curriculum is also a big step for homeschooling families. Power Homeschool strives to make homeschooling as easy as possible for parents; we provide families with information to get started on the right foot.
Resources
Michigan Homeschool Field Trips
Field trips are a critical part of the learning experience. Students who are homeschooled actually have the ability to go on more field trips than traditionally schooled students. There are many field trip options in Michigan. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
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- 1839 Courthouse Square and Museum in Berrien Springs: Explore the old 1839 Courthouse building in Berrien Springs, where you can see various exhibits and displays in the museum. You can also tour the jailhouse and the adjoining sheriff’s residence. Stopping here will take you back in time.
- Adventure Mining Company in Greenland: Tour the underground mine and gear up with a hard hat and headlamp to explore the dark caverns. During the tour, you can see copper and silver deposits. In some tours, you can even rappel down the mine shaft and crawl through small areas of the mine.
- Air Zoo in Kalamazoo: Learn about the history of aviation starting with the Wright Brothers. This hands-on museum even gives visitors the opportunity to help restore an old World War II plane that was recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan.
- Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art in Midland: Experience science and art colliding at the Alden B. Dow Museum. The interactive exhibits at the museum all students to truly experience art and science for themselves. Additionally, children can sign up for art and science classes that are available for students of all ages.
- Alfred P. Sloan Museum in Flint: The historic automobiles on display at the Alfred P. Sloan Museum are the perfect tribute to the state’s long history with automobile manufacturing. There are also a variety of hands-on science exhibits that teach students about physics and chemistry.
- Bug House in East Lansing: Insect lovers will love seeing numerous types of beetles, insects, and other bugs at the Bug House in East Lansing. Located at Michigan State University, tours are available but need to be scheduled in advance.
- Call of the Wild Museum in Gaylord: Take your children to see a variety of animals and their habitats at the Call of the Wild Museum. There are more than 60 wildlife displays at this museum, and there are even hands-on exhibits available.
- Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square in Saginaw: Also called the Saginaw Children’s Zoo, this is the perfect place to take young learners to explore different animal species. At the zoo, children are taught about and allowed to interact with various animal species.
- Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo in Ossineke: Learn about prehistoric animal species and various species of dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Gardens. Tours are available in the Dino Van or Farm Wagon. Explore the cedar swamp and take photos at the Pteranodon nest.
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids: Spend a day exploring history at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. You will get a good understanding of both President and Mrs. Ford as you walk through the museum.
- Hurst Planetarium in Jackson: The Hurst Planetarium, which is part of the Ella Sharp Museum, is the perfect complement to any astronomy lessons you are teaching in your homeschool. Special events at the planetarium can also provide unique lessons for students.
- Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti: Tour an 1898 firehouse along with a near, modern firehouse at the Michigan Fire House Museum. Visitors can see the original horse-drawn fire vehicles to learn how fires were combatted prior to the 1900s.
- Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing: Take a guided tour of the fully restored Michigan State Capitol Building. The building is more than 110 years old and is full of Michigan history.
- MOOmers in Traverse City: Visit MOOmers where you can tour either the ice cream store or dairy farm. The ice cream store tours allow you to make and taste your own ice cream and tour the facility. Touring the dairy farm allows you to see the barn, creamery, and farm, as well as participate in a milk tasting. Be advised that tours of the ice cream store are on different days than the dairy farm tours.
- Windmill Island in Holland: Visit Windmill Island where you can see the 240-year-old Dutch windmill named De Zwaan, which means graceful bird. Around the windmill, you will see more than 36 acres of gardens, canals, dikes, and picnic spots. You can also tour the Posthouse Museum, which is a replica of a 14th-century wayside inn.
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