What to do First

The Province of Manitoba requires that you notify them about your decision to homeschool.

To notify means you let them know that you’ve decided to homeschool. You do not need to ask their permission, they do not need to approve you, the government does not test your kids.

You notify them by simply registering.

The registration form asks what grade they are entering, what curriculum you’ll be using, or if you’re making your own, what topics you plan to study.

Send the form back via email, (located at the bottom right of the form), and they’ll reply letting you know it’s been received.

That’s it. It’s easy. Don’t stress it.

You may access the notification form here.

What’s Next?

Throughout the school year the government requires a couple of progress reports. One in January, the other in June.

CLICK HERE to access the January Notification Form

CLICK HERE to access the June Notification Form

Additional things to note

The province requires that you teach four core subjects for each grade; math, english, science, and social studies.

For high school, homeschoolers don’t receive credits. This means there are no additional courses your child is required to participate in apart from the core 4 subjects. What your high schooler chooses to learn, apart from the core 4, is completely up to them and you, the parent.

How to Get Into Post Secondary?

It is said that some post secondary schools accept homeschoolers with open arms, (such as Brandon University, Canadian Mennonite University, and University of Winnipeg). Other post secondary centres may require you to show the extent of your child’s competency to get in.

This could be done by keeping good documentation of their high school years, creating a portfolio showing their work, or speaking directly to the faculty showing them homeschool textbooks and the depth of study in them, (as some high school curriculums are at a university level).

Your child may need to do University 1, or do a year of study at another location that welcomes homeschoolers openly, and transfer to the school of choice sometime thereafter.

There are many options regarding what and how to reach your child. What you need to get comfortable with is, whatever you choose, is totally acceptable, there’s a lot of flexibility here.

3 Homeschooling categories (that most fall into)

ONE: Rigid bookwork, throughly going through each subject, heavily graded, a lot of structure.

TWO: Flexibility with the bookwork, lightly graded or not graded at all, willing to supplement, add to, or pivot as needed.

THREE: Unschooling. This is a student led approach where the parent allows the student to chose what they learn and how they learn. This approach requires documentating your days as you’ll be building our your child’s education as you go.

*Most parents, I’ve found, are in category two.

What Curriculum should you choose?

A few factors will guide your decision:

1) How hands on do you wish to be or need to be?

Can your child read and self guide? Do you prefer book work or computer work?

In Manitoba, from my experience, most families do book work, with the exception of a popular online math program.

2) What can your budget afford?

Buying used is the most cost effective way to go, however, this will limit your curricular choices.

Most families, I’ve found, hand pick their programs, while mix-and-matching curriculum. Some choose to purchase a full grade kit.

Where to purchase curriculum

USED: If looking for used material check out Kijiji, Facebook marketplace, and your local Facebook Groups. (Look for the links below)

IN PERSON: If you’d like to flip through homeschooling books, and see what’s inside, check out the only homeschooling bookstore that I am aware of, based out of Carmen Manitoba.

Check out their website here Heritage Resources

ONLINE: Check out the links below for Manitoba homeschooling groups to join. These groups also post outings and events to enrol homeschoolers in.

* * * * *

My personal recommendation is to just start, get your feet wet, get comfortable, and adjust along the way. Each year, homeschoolers adjust to their childs’ needs, interest and strengths. You’ll do the same.

Socialization, the biggest non-issue for homeschoolers.

What is socialization?

Socialization extends far beyond a classroom setting. It’s about personal confidence around others, being a skillful conversationalist, while reading and understanding social cues.

Common giggles are had in most homeschooling communities, as they’re certain that homeschoolers are more socialized than public schoolers.

In fact, research shows that homeschoolers are leading the charge when it comes to cooperation, friendliness, assertiveness, and communication.

“The perception of homeschooled students as being isolated, uninvolved, and protected from peer contact,” therefore, “is simply not supported by the data.”

How do Homeschoolers socialize?

• Play dates

• Sports

• Homeschooling Co-Ops

• Library

• Local Community Programs

• Playgrounds and parks

• Summer Camps

• Music

• Art Class

• And a slew of additional extra curricular activities.

What is a Homeschooling Social Club/Co-Op?

These are groups, facilitated by parents, who work together to provide a variety of options for children to learn and have fun.

Some co-ops include group educational options and sharing the teaching load among the families involved. Others revolve around social activities that build problem solving skills, leadership abilities, and cooperation.

Example homeschooling Events

Mom’s Nights. Teen Events. Connect Nights for elementary kids. Presentation Days. Craft Days. Education Fair. Hiking Trips. Skating. Tobogganing.

Example Courses/Classes

Art class, survival course, bucket drumming, choir, basketball.

Example field trips

The Zoo, Children's Museum, Greenhouse, dairy farm, chip factory, garbage dump, The Mint, Water Tower, Electrical Wind Farm, Gravel Pit, The Ballet, Fort Whyte Alive, Honey Bee Farm, Wpg Symphony Orchestra, Truss Building Factory, Clothing Factory Tour, Printing Press Tour, Rock and Mineral Show, Radio Station Tour.