How will my child learn advanced subjects like calculus?

Your student’s homeschooling experience is progressing well, and your student is getting older and moving into higher grades—and more difficult subjects. You felt comfortable in the early years with the foundational subjects; reading, simple mathematics, basic science, etc. were manageable. The intermediate level of learning was a bit more intimidating, but you were able to successfully oversee your student’s studies. Now that your student is in the advanced topics, and you are well aware you are not equipped to teach these subjects, what can you do?

Fortunately, you have lots of options. One of the best options is to find a video version of the course you are unable to teach. Numerous homeschoolers, as part of their curriculum selection, include a video teaching version of the topic in question. Video courses on topics such as calculus, physics, Latin, Greek, college writing, etc. are widely available and easily obtained. Not only can you purchase a static, non-interactive video course on DVD or as a download or streamed, you can also find an actual online live course; maybe once a week your student has a live session with the instructor, and does the assigned work on their own time offline.

Homeschool co-ops sometimes offer instruction on some subjects. Each co-op has its own set of goals and benefits, so it is impossible to speak comprehensively here about all of them. Check with your local homeschool co-op to see if the subject in question is taught within the co-op; even if it isn’t, undoubtedly one of the homeschool parents in the co-op will be able to direct you to a resource.

It is also possible to find a local community college where your student can attend an on-ground course with other students. Many community colleges have programs in which they accept homeschooled students, and in turn they are able to earn college course credit.