This list of books, many of which are available at the library, will help support you in your homeschooling efforts.

  1. Getting Started: These books will help you get started on your homeschool journey.
• Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling; by Mary Pride
• First Year of Homeschooling Your Child; by Linda Dobson
• Homeschooling: The Right Choice; by Christopher Klicka
• For The Children's Sake; by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
• The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook; by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore
• Home Learning Year By Year; by Rebecca Rupp

2. Choosing a Curriculum: With so many different curriculums available to homeschoolers; it can be a little confusing as to which ones you might want to review - let alone choose for your child.  These books offer insight on different curriculums and how to go about evaluating a curriculum prior to purchasing it.
• Choosing & Using Curriculum; by Joyce Herzog
• Well-Trained Mind; by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise
• Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum; by Laura Berquist
• Teaching Children (Curriculum Guide); by Diane D. Lopez
• Guides to Children's Literature: 
• Books Children Love; by Elizabeth Wilson (Foreword by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay) 
• Honey For A Child's Heart; by Gladys M. Hunt

3. Encouragement: Let's face it, we all need a little encouragement every now and then.
• Things We Wish We'd Known; by Bill and Diana Waring
• Seasons of a Mother's Heart; by Sally & Clay Clarkson 

4. Charlotte Mason Approach:
• The Charlotte Mason Companion; by Karen Andreola
• Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series
• A Charlotte Mason Education; by Catherine Levison
• Charlotte Mason Study Guide; by Penny Gardner
• Pocketful of Pine Cones; by Karen Andreola 

5. Classical Method:
• The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (Revised); by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise

6. Unschooling:
• The Unschooling Handbook: How To Use The Whole World As Your Child's Classroom; by Mary Griffith. 

7. Montessori: 
• Montessori From the Start; by Paula Polk Lillard & Lynn Lillard Jessen

8. Homeschooling as a LifeStyle:
• Simplicity of Homeschooling; by Vicky Goodchild
• Relaxed Home School; by Mary Hood

9. Learning Styles:
• Learning Patterns & Temperament Styles; by Keith Golay
• Way They Learn: Teach to Child's Strengths; by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias
• Discover Your Child's Learning Style; by Mariaemma Wills & Victoria Kindle Hodson
• Learning Strategies for School, Home & Work; by Nancy Lobb

10. Learning Challenges:
• Attention-Deficit Child; by Dr. Grant Martin
• Roadblocks To Learning; by Lawrence J. Greene
• Christian Homes and Special Kids; by Sherry Bushnell & Dianne Rychman
• Gift of Dyslexia: Why Some of the Smartest People Can't Read and How They Can Learn; by Ronald D. Davis & Eldon M. Braun
• Homeschooler’s Guide for Learning Problems; by Jill Dixon
• Homeschooling the Challenging Child; by Christine M. Field

11. Homeschool High School: Many have done it, many are doing it, and many more will.
• Teenagers’ Guide to School Outside the Box; by Rebecca Greene & Elizabeth Verdick
• Homeschooling the Teen Years; by  Cafi Cohen & Janie Levine Hellyer
• Home-Designed High School; by  Diana Johnson
• Homeschooling High School; by Jeanne Gowen Dennis
• Home School, High School and Beyond; by Beverly L. Adams-Gordon & Angelina J. Cavanaugh

Home education, as defined by Florida law, is “sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent or guardian in order to satisfy the requirements of Statute 1003.21 and 1002.41.” Florida's home schooling law is broad giving us parents almost unending freedom in educating our children.

As per the Florida statute, there are six requirements that must be met in order to home school our children here in Florida.  They are as follows...

 1. Notify the District School Superintendent in your county of your intention to home school.  This notice of intent must be filed with the superintendent's office within 30 days of beginning your home school program. Currently there is no “official form” that is used to supply notice, but your written (or typed) Letter of Intent should include at the bare minimum the following information; Name of child (or children), Birthday of each child named, Address and a Parent's Signature. It is recommended that you send your Letter of Intent via certified or priority mail and file the receipt as proof in your child's portfolio. An example of a Letter of Intent is available by Clicking Here. Also, for Broward County based homeschoolers, your Letter of Intent should be mailed to

Attn: Homeschool Office
Broward County School Board
600 S.E. 3rd Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33301

BCH suggests you mail in your Letter of Intent certified mail (return receipt requested) and keep the returned receipt and a copy of your Letter of Intent for your records.  Additionally, a Letter of Intent needs to only be submitted once per student and SHOULD NOT be re-submitted each year.

2. Maintain a portfolio of records. While there is no proper or “official” way to record your child's home schooling progress you must maintain a portfolio of records. The portfolio must consist of two main parts; Documented Records and Sample Materials. Documented Records is defined as “A log of educational activities which is made contemporaneously (the documentation should occur at the same time as the instruction) with the instruction and which designates by title any reading materials used.”

Florida home schooling law does not require lessons to be planned or approved in advance. Sample Materials is defined as “Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the student.”  Showcasing your child's “sample materials” can be accomplished in various ways. Keep in mind that whichever method you adopt to showcase your sample materials they need to be organized in chronological order for ease in showing educational progress. 

3. Keep your portfolio organized and available.  Florida home schooling law requires you to make your portfolio “available for inspection by the superintendent or the superintendent's agent, upon 15 days’ written notice.”  The last thing you will want to do is be scrambling around trying to remember what you did when for the last 3 months and what was the name of those books you read again.  The inspection is only to make sure that the portfolio is legal. Please keep in mind that the superintendent and/or his/her representative(s) CANNOT evaluate/critique the contents of your portfolio.

4. Submit your Annual Evaluation. The law requires an annual education evaluation by a Florida certified teacher of your choosing. You are required to have your child or children tested annually and submit the evaluation to the superintendent's office no later than one year from the anniversary your letter of intent date. Alternatives to having an evaluation performed include; any nationally-normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher, a state student assessment test, a psychological evaluation or any other method mutually agreed upon by the parent and the superintendent.

A sample of an evaluation letter, which is written by a certified teacher upon completion of an annual evaluation, can be found by clicking here.  BCH recommends you use a "homeschool friendly" certified teacher who is familiar who is experienced with working with homeschoolers.  Also, as with your Letter Of Intent, please be sure to mail in your Annual Evaluation Letter certified mail (return receipt requested) and keep the returned receipt and a copy of your Annual Evaluation Letter for your records.

5. Hold on to your portfolios.  The Florida home schooling law stipulates that a “portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for two years.” 

6. Submit your Notice of Termination. If you decide to no longer home educate under 1002.41, move from your county, enroll your child in a public or private school, or if your child graduates or completes his/her home school program, you must file a Letter of Termination with the superintendent. The notice of termination should include the same information as the letter of intent and should be filed within 30 days of the date of termination.  A sample of this letter is available by Clicking Here.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about these six requirements or anything else that we can be of assistance to you with in order to facilitate your homeschooling efforts.  We can be reached at either info@browardchristianhomeschoolers.org or at (954) 920-2530. 

American Civil War Home Page: The American Civil War Home Page began as a class project for Information Science 560 at the University of Tennessee's School of Information Sciences during the Fall 1994 semester.  The American Civil War Home Page gathers together in one place hypertext links to the most useful identified electronic files about the American Civil War (1861-1865). The page opens a gateway to the Internet's multi-formatted resources about what is arguably the seminal event in American history.

Better Control of Health: This is a fund raiser for the Florida Homeschool Prom offering various health related services.

Broward Center For the Performing Arts: The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is the crown jewel of Fort Lauderdale's Arts and Entertainment District. The $52 million complex consists of the magnificent 2,700-seat Au-Rene Theater and the intimate 590-seat Amaturo Theater. Whatever your tastes -- Broadway musical or serious drama, modern dance or ballet, classical music or Grammy-winning pop concerts -- the Broward Center will have something for you.

* Updated 03/16/2009 * Broward County Homeschool Contacts: This is a page from BCH's monthly newsletter, which reflect the February 2009 announcement regarding the changes in the homeschool contacts at the Broward County School Board.

Broward County Libraries: Information regarding the location of libraries in Broward county as well and the programs and resources they offer.  You can even apply for a Library Card on-line!

Broward County Parks: With an average daily high of 89°F in the summer and 77°F in the winter, it's almost always a great day to go to a park in sunny South Florida.

Butterfly World:  At this wonderful South-Florida attraction you can walk among thousands of live butterflies!  Imagine being able to explore a lush tropical rain forest while exotic butterflies fly overhead and all around you.  Also, did you know Butterfly World has a special program and rates for homeschoolers?  CLICK HERE for details!

Christian Catacombs Of Rome: This Internet site is the oldest complete data transmission presentation of the Christian Catacombs of Rome. The wealth of content is illustrated with many colored photographs and text in twelve languages including the three most widespread and important oriental ones: Chinese, Korean and Japanese. It constitutes a basic, complete and concise aid to know the catacombs.

Christian Homeschool Athletic Association (C.H.A.A. SAINTS): C.H.A.A not-for-profit 501c(3) athletic organization created for the sole purpose of giving homeschooled children all the benefits of an athletic curriculum under the guidelines of professional instructors.  C.H.A.A. is fully insured and trained in both first aid and CPR.

Christian Homeschool Educators of the Sunshine State (CHESS): CHESS is a non-profit incorporated ministry established to compliment churches, Christian support groups, cooperatives and families in their endeavors to equip, edify and encourage homeschooling families by assisting with pertinent information and/or orientations necessary for the home educating journey. Functioning as a clearinghouse of vital information for the homeschooling family, CHESS fulfills such through assimilation with national, state and local homeschooling entities that provide beneficial data and services for home educators.

College-Bound & High School Links: This page contains various Internet links to information on transcripts, colleges, scholarships, diplomas, etc.

Community Calendar: This page provides information about events and activities available in our area for ALL homeschoolers.

FPEA Scholarship Fund: A 501c(3) non-profit organization, which awards scholarships each year to college-bound homeschool students.

Home Education Foundation (HEF): This is the official site for the Home Education Foundation and our homeschool lobbyist in Tallahassee, Brenda Dickinson. HEF was established in 1991 to raise support and direct lobbying for home education in Florida. HEF exists to safeguard existing legislation and evaluate future legislation.

Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA): HSLDA is a non-profit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Through annual memberships, HSLDA is tens of thousands of families united in service together, providing a strong voice when and where needed.  HSLDA advocates on the legal front by fully representing member families at every stage of proceedings. Each year, thousands of member families receive legal consultation by letter and phone, hundreds more are represented through negotiations with local officials, and dozens are represented in court proceedings. HSLDA also takes the offensive, filing actions to protect members against government intrusion and to establish legal precedent. On occasion, HSLDA will also handle precedent-setting cases for non-members.

Homeschool World: This is the official web site of Practical Homeschooling Magazine. Check it out for all its articles and resources.

Homeschooling In Florida: The name says it all.  This site offer many resources and information specific to homeschooling in Florida.

Homeschool Statistics: According to the most recent data provided by the Florida Department of Education, more than 56,000 students from over 39,000 families homeschool in Florida.

International Game Fish Association Museum :  Located in Dania Beach, the IGFA Museum is a great display of anything and everything having to do with game fishing and conservation.  Educational programs are available as well as an outdoor exhibit that mimics the natural environment of swamps, marshlands, and mangroves.  No detail of these complex ecosystems is overlooked to help communicate a realistic perception of these fragile habitats teeming with life.

Jon's Homeschool Resources: This a good source for neutral, non-commercial homeschooling information.  It's by a homeschooling dad and has over 140 distinct pages, which makes it one of the largest homeschooling sites on the Web.

Jungle Island:  Originally known as Parrot Jungle, Jungle Island is the home for 1,100 tropical birds, 2,000 varieties of plants and flowers, and one of the best trained bird shows in the world.  CLICK HERE to download Jungle Island's Homeschool Field Trip Packet.

Lion Country Safari: As America's first drive-through cageless zoo, Lion Country Safari has been a leader in conservation since 1967.  Lion Country Safari provides a habitat in which many endangered or threatened species live and reproduce.  This site offers a lot of information about the animals within the park.

Miami Metro Zoo:  A long-time favorite of homeschoolers, Miami Metro Zoo offers over 200 acres of animal exhibits and educational programs.

Miami Seaquarium: Another long-time favorite of homeschoolers, Miami Seaquarium offers a wonderful day of family fun. They have some exciting marine shows, great exhibits and enjoyable, educational presentations in their beautifully landscaped park overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Museum of Art:  The Museum of Art / Fort Lauderdale is located at the corner of Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale's Arts and Entertainment District.  New museum hours: Open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Closed on Tuesdays and selected national holidays.

Museum of Science:  Spend a day of discovery exploring over 200 fascinating interactive exhibits at the Museum of Discovery and Science!   See sharks and the largest living Atlantic coral reef in captivity, hang out with bats, be charmed by a 12-foot snake, plus pet alligators, turtles and iguanas.  Explore the new 11,000 square foot nature trail and learn about Florida's amazing Everglades in the Living in the Everglades exhibit.  Discover our place in aerospace at Runways to Rockets, the Museum of Discovery and Science's new space exhibit, and take a simulated trip to the Moon or Mars. Make it a play date at the Discovery Center, designed especially for children under seven.

NASA : This is the official web site for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  Whether you are a first time visitor and have browsed this web site already, this is the site for you if you consider yourself a space exploration enthusiast.

National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI): Founded by its president, Dr. Brian D. Ray, Ph.D., NHERI engages in professional research for various clients throughout the nation and internationally.  Whether called homeschooling, home schooling, home-based education, home education, home-schooling, un-schooling, de-schooling, or a form of alternative education, the movement is growing and the National Home Education Research Institute is tracking and analyzing it, internationally. NHERI's forte is in the realm of research, statistics, technical reports, data, facts, demographics, the academic world, consulting, academic achievement tests, and expert witness (in courts and legislatures) while serving people ranging from researchers and policy makers to professional educators, teachers, homeschoolers, and parents in general to the media, marketing consultants, and the general public.

Net Frog:  Want to dissect a frog on-line?  If so, this is the place to do it!

Online Sunshine: The official internet site of the Florida Legislature.

Sunshine Learning Center: This Broward-based learning facility offers classes in English, Latin, Math, Science, Spanish and PSAT/SAT prep that are designed for homeschoolers.