Homeschooling in Oklahoma
Here are some useful resources that may be helpful as you are getting started.
Power Homeschool’s Homeschooling in Oklahoma site highlights resources, helpful tips, support groups, and so much more!
Homeschool Laws and Requirements in Oklahoma
Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.
Homeschool Groups and Support in Oklahoma
Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.
How to Start Homeschooling in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma
The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.
Find out what Oklahoma has to offer!
Resources
Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma.
Important Considerations for Homeschooling Success
Create a Study Plan
When homeschooling in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma
Parents and students can find homeschooling support groups and organizations across the state of Oklahoma. Homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops all exist to enhance the home education experience by connecting families, sponsoring events, sharing resources, and much more!
Oklahoma’s statewide homeschool association is called the Homeschool Oklahoma (HSOK). With four membership levels, homeschoolers can receive a variety of perks when joining the organization, including discounted admission to the convention, member-only resources, and tax deduction information.
In addition to joining the statewide association, homeschoolers in Oklahoma can connect with other parents and students by joining homeschool support groups and co-ops. These support groups may meet regularly in person or offer an online forum. Either way, homeschool support groups allow parents to share advice about homeschooling as well as organization outings and events.
Like support groups, homeschool co-ops allow students to meet other homeschoolers; however, co-ops are more academic focused and provide group learning opportunities. While some co-ops are general, many have a particular emphasis, such as STEM education or religion-based instruction.
Many homeschool support groups have Facebook pages or websites, making them easy to find online. The following are examples to give you an idea about the types of homeschool support available in Oklahoma:
Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!
How to Start Homeschooling Oklahoma
If you are thinking about homeschooling for the first time, you likely have a lot of questions about the requirements, best practices, and resources available to homeschoolers in your state. Our guide to starting homeschool is a great place to begin your research about homeschool. Luckily, Oklahoma’s homeschool laws do not require much from the parent, so it is easy to start homeschool once you decide it is the right fit for you and your family.
First, you’ll need to submit a notice of intent to homeschool to your school district, which includes each child’s name, birth date, and grade level as well as your contact information. Next, you’ll need to select a homeschool curriculum that aligns with the subjects that Oklahoma recommends homeschoolers cover. At Power Homeschool, our online curriculum program provides an extensive list of courses to K-12 students, including electives, foreign languages, and career and technical education.
Resources
Homeschool Field Trips in Oklahoma
Field trips are a great way to enhance learning and education by providing students with hands-on experiences and real-world examples. Homeschoolers are fortunate enough to have more flexibility to go on field trips and participate in enrichment activities than traditional classrooms have the time and resources for. Oklahoma has many different museums, historical sites, science centers, and so much more. The following are just a few examples to give you ideas for your next field trip.
- Leonardo’s Children’s Museum in Enid: With plenty of hands-on exhibits, children have many different opportunities to engage in educational play. From the Power Tower to the Critter Clubhouse, young learners can spend the whole day learning at this children’s museum.
- Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve in Kenton: Homeschoolers can learn about the region’s landscape and geography by hiking up to the state’s highest point and hopefully seeing plants and animals native to the area along the way.
- Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks: With both fresh and saltwater species, visitors can learn about aquatic reptiles, 176 different types of fish, mammals, and more. The aquarium offers homeschool days with special pricing for tours and scavenger hunts.
- Oklahoma City Zoo in Oklahoma City: Exploring animals from habitats around the world is the perfect way to enhance units of ecosystems and life cycles. This zoo offers education programs for students of all ages, including classes, special events, camps, and more.
- National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City: Learn about Western history, art, and culture through exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of the American cowboy, Native American culture, and other individuals who made up the American Wild West.
- Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art in Norman: Located on the University of Oklahoma’s campus, visitors can tour works of art from around the world. This art museum also offers programs that allow students of all ages to explore their artistic skills.
- Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum in Fort Sill: Made of three different museums, Fort Sill allows students to learn about the U.S. Cavalry Fort, weapons dating back to the revolutionary war, Native American warriors, and much more!
- Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton: With more than 3,000 artifacts, this museum lets students discover the rich history and culture of the Great Plains by featuring interactive activities, educational programs, and special events.
- Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton: Visitors can explore the caves and cliffs where many outlaws hid from prosecution. The park’s activities include hiking, horseback riding, and climbing, which makes this a great field trip for daylong family excursions.
- Cherokee National Museum in Park Hill: This museum is home to permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the story of the Cherokee people and their heritage. Educational activities and special events allow visitors to experience Cherokee culture firsthand.
- Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City: With special exhibits and demonstrations, this museum is dedicated to the women who played an essential role in Oklahoma’s development as well as the country’s progress through the decades.
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