Answering Homeschool Questions Confidently: What Do You Actually Teach?

As a homeschooling parent, one of the most common questions you’ll hear from friends, family, and even state officials is, “What do you actually teach?” Answering this question confidently not only reassures others but also helps you feel more organized and intentional in your homeschooling journey. With clear documentation and an understanding of your educational goals, you can easily provide a satisfying response. This guide will show you how to use real records, proven strategies, and tools like Homeschool Moment to speak with confidence.

Why Documentation Matters in Homeschooling

For homeschoolers, documenting what you teach is essential—not only for state compliance but also to track your child’s progress and ensure a comprehensive education. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) has shown that homeschooling leads to strong academic performance, with homeschooled students scoring 15-30 percentile points higher than public school peers on standardized tests. But maintaining clear records is what allows parents to demonstrate the work behind those successes.

Additionally, studies like the Ray 2021 Study highlight that homeschooling outcomes are directly tied to parental involvement. Creating consistent educational records is one way to ensure you're actively engaged in your child’s learning process, making it easier to explain what you teach and why.

How to Answer: “What Do You Teach?”

Step 1: Know Your Educational Goals

Start by outlining the core subjects you aim to cover, such as math, science, language arts, and history. You can also include electives and life skills that align with your homeschooling philosophy. For example, if you're following a child-led or unschooling approach, much of your teaching may be guided by your child’s natural interests and curiosity. In this case, documenting their learning moments becomes especially important.

For inspiration, check out A2ZHomeschooling, which offers curriculum ideas and educational resources for various teaching styles.

Step 2: Create Thorough Records

Whether your state requires detailed documentation or not, keeping records of your homeschool activities is a great practice. Tools like Homeschool Moment simplify this process by automatically categorizing your child’s activities into subjects using AI. For example, if your child helped measure ingredients while baking, the app might categorize this under “math” and “life skills.” These records not only help with compliance but also serve as concrete evidence of what you’re teaching when questions arise.

Step 3: Familiarize Yourself with State Requirements

Every state has different homeschooling laws, ranging from minimal reporting requirements to extensive documentation like lesson plans or portfolios. To understand your legal obligations, visit your state's Department of Education website or the HSLDA State Law page. Knowing these requirements can guide what you document and how you present it.

Step 4: Prepare a Sample Portfolio

A sample portfolio of your child’s work can serve as a snapshot of what you teach. Include examples of assignments, projects, reading lists, and even extracurricular activities. If you use resources like Khan Academy for free learning, mention how these platforms supplement your teaching. You can also use tools like Homeschool Moment to generate printable records of your documented learning activities to include in your portfolio.

Practical Tips for Speaking with Confidence

You know what you’re teaching better than anyone, but presenting it clearly can take practice. Here are a few tips:

• Be specific: Instead of saying, “We just follow our interests,” explain how you tailor lessons to your child’s needs. For example, “We’re currently focusing on early American history using hands-on projects.”
• Use records as evidence: Show physical or digital records of what your child has learned—this immediately clears up doubts.
• Refer to outcomes: If someone questions whether your homeschooling approach is effective, point to research like these findings from NHERI, demonstrating the strong results homeschooling produces.

Recommended Resources for Homeschooling Parents

If you need support or ideas, these resources have been helpful for homeschool families:

• Stark Raving Dad – A blog and podcast to help navigate homeschooling with confidence.
• Letters From Miss Jade – Monthly inspiration and curated book lists.
• Unschooling Mom2Mom – A resource hub for child-led learning tips.

Conclusion

When it comes to answering, “What do you actually teach?” let your records and confidence speak for themselves. By understanding your educational goals, documenting your efforts, and using tools like Homeschool Moment, you can feel prepared to communicate the value of your homeschooling journey to others. Ready to simplify your documentation? Try Homeschool Moment today!