How To Use Roadschooling During a Move

Moving homes can be a challenging endeavor in itself, but when a family is also committed to homeschooling, the challenges can really start to compound.

That’s why roadschooling is a great way to keep your child on track during your move, especially if it’s one that will take some time. But what is roadschooling, exactly, and how do you make sure your child stays on track during the move? Below are methods and tricks to make sure a move isn’t a huge disruption to your child’s learning.

What Is Roadschooling? 

Roadschooling is a form of homeschooling, but the “classroom” is mobile, while the curriculum often incorporates experiential lessons related to travel, geography, history, nature, and wherever it is you’re traveling. It’s a great tool to use if you and your family have to travel for work a lot, during extended travel, or for long-distance moves. 

“…you shouldn’t hesitate to simplify, adjust, or drop parts of your usual curriculum. Children in traditional schools take breaks for big events like moves all the time…you can always make a plan to catch up once you’re settled in.“

It’s important to know that some states have homeschooling laws that may impact a roadschool lesson plan, so make sure you double-check the states you’ll be visiting, especially if you’re settling down in a new state.

If you’re doing traditional homeschooling and only plan to incorporate some aspects of roadschooling part-time, you can most likely stick to the rules and regulations set by your home state. But if you plan to roadschool full-time, you may be able to set a “home base” with less restrictive rules.

How To Roadschool While Moving

One of the most likely reasons you might want to try roadschooling is if you have a move coming up. Moving is disruptive for the little ones too, so you might be worried about squeezing in lessons between packing and getting to your new home — especially if your move is over multiple states, or international.

Here are the steps to take that will help you and your child keep up with their curriculum using roadschooling:

• Map all main teachable locations along your route: Museums, exploratoriums, national parks, and historical sites are all great educational opportunities.
• Utilize digital resources: When room is scarce — like in a car, moving van or a room full of packed boxes — a tablet is a very handy teaching tool. There are plenty of free educational apps, websites, and videos on the app store that will help your child with math, reading, or learning another language. If you already use a lot of digital resources in your lesson plans, you could lean on them more during your move. If not, research what’s available and appropriate for your child before the move.
• Ask them what they’re excited about: Involving your children in planning the move and the trip is a good way to ensure important skills (especially math) can be applied to something they’ll pay attention to.
• Flex your flexibility: You shouldn’t hesitate to simplify, adjust, or drop parts of your usual curriculum. Children in traditional schools take breaks for big events like moves all the time, and you can always make a plan to catch up once you’re settled in.
• Research your new community before you get there: Unless you’re traveling forever, you have to arrive somewhere eventually, right? That means leaving behind a trusted network of fellow homeschoolers and starting from scratch in unfamiliar territory. Research your destination for local co-ops, libraries, museums, and extracurricular programs. Having a few connections and resources on hand in your new home means you and your child can get back to a normal curriculum much more easily. 

Must-Know’s for Homeschooling When Moving to a New State

Moving to the next neighborhood over is one thing. But if you’re relocating to another state, there are extra steps you need to take to prepare.

Research the New State’s Laws

Again, each state has its own set of homeschooling laws. So familiarize yourself with these laws and be sure your curriculum and schedule meet them. It could be that your new state has stricter regulations, which is important to know ahead of time.

There may also be key deadlines for submitting paperwork that you don’t want to miss. A great resource is the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website, which provides up-to-date information on homeschooling laws by state.

Prepare Records and Documentation

Speaking of paperwork, it’s important to keep a thorough record of your child’s homeschooling activities, curriculum, assessments, and any other relevant documentation. These records can be helpful in the transition, especially if you need to demonstrate your child’s educational progress or if you decide to enroll your child in a public or private school later.

Notify Relevant Authorities

If your previous state required you to notify the school district of your intent to homeschool, let them know that you’re moving. Once you move, if your new state requires notification, ensure you do that promptly based on their regulations.

Connect with Local Homeschooling Groups

Local homeschooling groups can provide valuable insight into navigating the homeschooling landscape in the new state. Plus, they can be a great resource throughout the year, especially as you adjust to your new surroundings and routine. Homeschooling groups can offer resources, curriculum sales, group activities, field trips, and more.

Juggling your children’s education and everything that goes into planning a move can seem daunting. But if you take the right approach, it also provides some great learning opportunities. Exploring a new state and community can offer a wealth of real-life lessons for your child. So try and stay positive, stay connected, and make the most of the experience!