Roadschooling: tips for traveling homeschoolers
reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes
Updated on July 31, 2024
Are you a family on the move, embracing the world as your classroom? Roadschooling is an exciting adventure, but it can also present challenges when it comes to education. Math is one of the most challenging subjects, even for in-school education.
Today, you’ll find out the advantages of roadschooling and the opportunities this practice can bring to your family. Once you read this article, you can figure out whether traveling while studying fits your routine. So, buckle up your seatbelt and plunge into the world of road education!
What is roadschooling?
Roadschooling is a unique educational approach that allows school students to learn while they travel and get an official school diploma. Instead of traditional classrooms, road schoolers can study everywhere.
Just 20-30 years ago, traveling homeschoolers were part of highly privileged families such as lawyers, actors, and military personnel. Now, this approach to study is affordable for anyone.
To provide your kid with a top-notch roadschooling experience, you just need a laptop and a stable internet connection. The Internet age makes it easy to find suitable tutors who understand the “learn through experience” roadschool principles.
Your kid can study LITERALLY everywhere, even up in the sky
In this study approach, students are learning through experiences like exploring history-related places, implementing math equations in real-life situations, etc. Another benefit of homeschooling while traveling is that you can adapt the schedule and syllabus to the needs of your child. Roadschooling often fosters a deeper connection between family members as they share adventures and learning experiences.
Jen Jones, a staff developer, curriculum writer, and decodable Book Author at Hello Literacy, Inc. & Hello Decodables, also considers that roadschooling is a highly beneficial practice for both parents and their children:
“Roadschooling allows kids to learn through experience.”
Ensure that they have a journal where they will write about what they see and do. Create a consistent routine and implement subjects into daily routines. You can solve math problems based on your travels, such as converting miles to kilometers or calculating gas usage.
Find local classes and activities when possible so they stay socialized. Don't forget to rest! Let them unwind. Otherwise, they'll get burnt out.
Roadschooling with Brighterly
Brighterly tutors can help you in a roadschooling journey by providing flexible and personalized math tutoring sessions. They will be a great supplement to your child’s education while on the road.
Our tutors will create a tailored curriculum for the first study session to close students’ knowledge gaps according to their preferred learning styles. Brighterly’s tutors have vast experience in homeschooling students from different backgrounds, from math fans to humanitarians. Our tutors will find a perfect approach for any student.
All you need is a device with a camera, microphone, and a stable internet connection. That way, your child can communicate with a tutor who shows them easy and effective ways to solve math problems and boost logic skills.
You can schedule tutoring sessions whenever you want to. Meanwhile, we will ensure that your syllabus suits homeschool programs for traveling families. That way, your child will get the best possible math education with professional tutors while traveling with their parents around the world.
How to homeschool and travel: 5 tips
- Prepare for the legal part of homeschooling
- Plan the child’s itinerary
- Develop a curriculum
- Living on the road
- Balance education and adventure
Tip for roadschooling #1: Prepare for the legal part of homeschooling
Each state and even county may have totally different laws. So, if you want to be sure that your child will get a diploma, stick to the local laws:
- Home base. Roadschooling laws are slightly different than in traditional education. Choose a state and county with homeschooling laws that align with your philosophy.
- Notification. Learn about the local homeschooling notification requirements and your rights as a parent.
- Curriculum. In most states, you are free to create your own syllabus, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ensure that your roadschooling schedule is similar to the curriculum in the school.
- Testing. In some states and counties, your kid still needs to take physical tests in school. Determine whether this is your case.
Roadschooling paperwork isn’t hard, but just timely
Tip for roadschooling #2. Plan Childs’ Itinerary
Adventures in roadschooling are natural. That’s why millions of parents choose this study approach for their kids. However, you still need to plan your child’s study beforehand to ensure it meets the school curriculum.
When planning your route, consider factors like climate, cost of living, and access to amenities. Be prepared to adjust your plans based on unexpected discoveries or opportunities.
You should have a strict plan in your head
Tip for roadschooling #3. Develop a Curriculum and Resources
Develop a flexible remote curriculum for homeschooling while traveling the United States. Most schools allow you to use tutoring online platforms to teach students hard skills. Meanwhile, remember about the unschooling approach. Focus on learning through experiences and interests, and use tutors to help solidify knowledge.
Organize a specific system to keep track of the child’s assignments and projects. Don’t forget about supplemental resources while homeschooling and traveling. Use offline libraries, museums, and online resources to ensure your kid gets the best possible education.
Remember that you are cool parents, so you should develop interesting lessons
Stephanie Barber, a product manager at Reading.com, supports the thought that parents need to gather resources before the actual travel:
“Use educational apps that use proven methods and best practices for high-quality screen time. ”
Don’t forget about existing homeschooling educational programs that don't require bulky manuals.
Make sure the applications can be used offline. No one knows the quality of the internet down the road. So it’s better to be safe.
Tip for roadschooling # 4. Living on the Road
Pick a vehicle that suits your family’s needs and budget (RV, camper van, or towable). Ensure that it has a lot of space for your kid to study and relax. It would be perfect if work and living spaces were separate.
One of the greatest advantages of roadschooling is that your child can study literally everywhere. You can use a small folding table. The main requirement is to create additional space just to study. Creating separate spaces can boost students’ productivity. So, provide a clear distinction between work and relaxation spaces.
Connect with other roadschooling families in a community for support and shared experiences. If possible, find a family with a similar moving timeline so your child can meet their roadschool friend a few times a year. Everyone needs proper socialization, even the shyest roadschooler kid. Ensure that your child has both online and offline friends.
Beep-beep! And don’t forget to study 😁
Tip for roadschooling #5. Balance Education and Adventure
While flexibility is vital, establish a routine to balance learning and exploration. Homeschooling for traveling families still requires some type of structure, which you, as a parent, are responsible for providing.
You must have a daily study routine, even when visiting a fascinating overseas country. Otherwise, your kid may not get a “proper prioritization” skill that potentially will benefit them in the future.
Integrate education into everyday activities such as cooking, hiking, and visiting historical sites. Ask your child to calculate groceries, estimate the weekly gas budget, etc.
Strike the balance. Otherwise, you may meet your Thanos (local educational committee)
How to afford roadschooling?
To afford roadschooling, be prepared for rigorous budgeting. Look for any educational discounts along the road and research destinations far beforehand. It saves you money, so you can provide fascinating hands-on study to your kid.
Creative financing can also help you cut costs during online school for traveling families. Pick fuel-efficient vehicles, as in most cases, you don’t need a car that can get from 0 to 100 in 2 seconds. Look for an affordable means of transportation. Research educational discounts beforehand and utilize travel rewards credit cards and loyalty programs to maximize your travel budget.
If you are not Leo’s Wolf, you still need to think about money. Even when you actually work at Wall Street
You can also try different ways to increase your income, like starting working remotely or renting your current possessions. Many people get hired remotely for New York or San Francisco-based businesses to earn a top-notch salary, which they can spend on traveling to more budget towns. You can also start your own small online business, selling on Amazon or Etsy.
Conclusion
Modern roadschooling is a unique way to see the world and excel at studies from the youngest age. However, it has one major drawback: you become the only one responsible for your child’s academic growth.
While homeschooling on the road is already complicated with literature and philosophy, it can be especially challenging in STEM subjects like math. That’s why Brighterly tutors are here for you. We gladly provide personalized online tutoring that will perfectly complement your child.
Ready to start roadschooling? It’s not that scary! We at Brighterly will help you in this journey by teaching your kid math and the logic behind it!
Book your child’s first free tutoring session today to see the first results tomorrow!
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