I've enjoyed countless days sitting in lawn chairs with fellow homeschool mamas discussing plans for the new school year over the last four summers. I visit with you on beaches and parks, at the splash pads all over Riverside County and at many of the Inspire sponsored info sessions. All of you are walking the same road and have the same questions…" What is the best curriculum to use this year for my kids, and how should I plan my school year?" The answers are not complex, although it can be scary!

The most straightforward answer is, use what works best for your child and your family. I do realize it can get overwhelming. There are more options out there than I could ever share, and the list grows daily! What a fantastic time for homeschoolers, right!? Keep it simple. Don't overcomplicate things, especially during the summer. Make a simple plan. Whether it's a separate curriculum for the four core subjects, a full curriculum that covers everything, or you're planning to wing it week by week and teach to your child's desired interest. All of these are great ways to prepare and plan for the year. All of these options will work. There is no one right way to homeschool, that is for sure!

Another significant part about homeschooling with Inspire is that you can start one thing, realize it is not a good fit for your family and then drop it. Just drop it right there, let it go and don't look back. I give you permission! This is one area that families don't realize is okay. Often we have the best of intentions and a spectacular year planned out, only to begin and find out that the curriculum or plan we've chosen is a big flop for the majority of the family. When that happens, rest assured that it is not a failure but an excellent growth opportunity. You have now learned a style or way to homeschool that will not work for you, at least for now. Have confidence that this is an excellent part of the homeschool journey and does aid in your endeavor to find the best way to educate your kids.

To avoid regret or buyer's remorse over curriculum, consider using our Lending Library system. If you're still finding your way and can't nail down the exact type of home educator you believe you are or the precise philosophy of education you feel best suits your kids, then use the Lending Library system! It's the best way to find curriculum, try curriculum, and not use a dime of your instructional funds! No risk, but huge rewards! This way, there's no stress if you borrow Story of the World books and all of the audios to go with it and your kids hate it and find it boring or dull. My personal opinion, Story of the World is far from flat and an excellent history curriculum! You may not agree though, and the lending library system is a great way to find out and not waste precious instructional funds on a curriculum you're not sure will suit your homeschool style.

You can also stop by our local Lending Library in Corona! There you can spend a few summer days looking at what is on the shelves and perusing our "Looking Library." The kids can hang out and read books, play games, and visit with fellow Inspire friends while you look!

Also, utilize our Riverside County Facebook page. We have thousands of experienced homeschool parents who enjoy chiming in when someone has a question about a particular curriculum or are often willing to list suggestions for items that have worked well for them. Just ask!

At Inspire, the sky's the limit! We provide so many opportunities for conversation and encouragement, and we love to help fellow homeschoolers! Every person at Inspire is thrilled to help you find your way. Reach out, keep asking, and start building up your confidence. You've got this, and we are always here to help!

~Candice

The 2019-2020 Online Subscription Package (OSP) options are finalized, and we’re spotlighting every option - every week!

This week we look at Grammarly.

"Better Students, Happier Teachers. Grammarly fuels academic success."

By opting into Grammarly, you and your student will receive the following Grammarly Premium features:

• Critical grammar and spelling checks
• Advanced checks for punctuation, grammar, context, and sentence structure
• Vocabulary enhancement suggestions
• Genre-specific writing style checks
• Plagiarism detector that checks more than 16 billion web pages

FAQ

Q: How is Grammarly different than spell-check?

A: Grammarly is download as an App on your internet browser. It then checks anywhere you type into on the internet for spelling and grammar errors. It can be used through email, as well as for online assignments.

Q: Will my Grammarly account from the 2018-2019 OSP roll over?

A: Yes, your Grammarly account will be turned into a free account at the end of August, in order to gain Premium access again, you will need to opt-into the OSP for the 2019-2020 year.

For more details on this OSP option and all the other OSP subscriptions, head over to the OSP Handbook.

Have a question regarding the Online Subscription Package? Email osp@inspireschools.org

Session recordings include:

• The College Application Process
• UC/CSU Application Process
• Common Application Info Session

Make sure you head over to Inspire High School Resource Site for all things High School.

Head over to http://rivlib.info/website/events

Hi everyone! I am a mom of 3 awesome kids ranging in age from 11 to 6 years old. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and have been married for 16 years. Having homeschooled our children over the last 7 years in 3 different states, I've found homeschooling here in California, especially with Inspire Charter, has been a great fit for our homeschool journey. I am grateful for our ability to homeschool so freely and I aspire to assist other families with their own homeschool adventures!