- I homeschool. How do I get started?
| First, meet with one of our professional staff members for an overview of our materials from a teacher's perspective. Keep in mind your child’s learning style and the values you want to integrate into your teaching. Also, ask for one of our HomeSchool catalogs that you can take home for review. Whatcom Community College offers a homeschooling class on a regular basis as well. We suggest you take this class prior to beginning your teaching. |
- I need a soft bell, pointer, yacker tracker, and timer.
- Check out our teacher resource shelves with everything from bells and whistles to hallway passes.
- Is there a quick way to know what materials are Christian and which are not?
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell. We do have a strictly Christian section, where you can find our Flannelgraphs, Christian stickers, and other similar items. Many of the Homeschool items are also Christian in nature, and our staff can help you determine which ones are. Other than those two sections, most of our items are not Christian in nature.
- As a homeschooler, is there a set, comprehensive curriculum for me to use?
A few publishers do offer year-long materials by subject. We carry one these which is called Life Pac. Most homeschooling parents prefer to package their materials personally using our curricular guides. Go to http://standards.ospi.K12.wa.us to find grade-specific subject standards for Washington State.
Another resource available at the store is the Comprehensive Curriculum series or the Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. Many parents consult with the book series, "What Every 1st Grader Should Know,” which has editions for each grade level.
Launching Success Learning Store also offers workshops on our homeschool curriculum. Sign up for our newsletter and you will be notified about upcoming events of this type.
- Can I buy gift certificates online?
Yes, you can buy gift certificates online. They are available in $25 increments. Visit our Online Store to order.
- Do you offer a catalog?
Yes, we do offer a catalog. We have two standard catalogs, and there will be a Holiday catalog coming out soon. The two standard catalogs we have are our Store Catalog, and our Homeschool Resource catalog. We have copies of both in store that anyone is welcome to pick up at any time. Also, the shopping catalogs on the website are duplicates of both catalogs.
- How do I know what level is right for my child?
Many homeschool publishers do not identify grade levels on their materials so that parents can match their child’s progress rather than be boxed into grade level requirements. We do have at-home activity books, such as our Spectrum series, that are graded to national and state standards.
If no grade level is indicated, ask us to help. Some publishers offer a supplemental explanation of the probable grade level for each book in their series.
- If I want to associate with other homeschool parents, what are my options?
- Parents have a number of good local groups to choose from. The Whatcom Home School Association, for example, is a non-contractual club of homeschool families. Many other groups are school district-sponsored and facilitated. Ask at the store for a list of groups in your area.
- What can I expect to find in terms of professional books?
- We have a wide selection of profession books with a wide range of interests from pre-school foundations to dealing with behavior and learning challenges.
- What can I use during the summer to prepare my child for the coming school year?
In the spring, we feature several choices of graded, summer bridge activity books. These colorful editions lead children in reviewing their previous work and preparing for the upcoming school year with enough activity pages to cover each day of the summer vacation.
- When are your sales events?
- We always have a sale corner at the store as well as a Customer Appreciation Day in May and, of course, sales during our Back to School season. We occasionally have other sales, which we advertise in our email newsletter. So make sure to sign up to receive our newsletter!
