Your first year of homeschool, finally figured out.

Stop lying awake wondering if you're qualified for this. You don't need a teaching degree to homeschool your child, you need a step-by-step plan for a confident first year, built by a former teacher and current homeschool mom.

Get the Free Guide →
FREE Instant download
💛 Built by a former teacher + current homeschool mom Instant PDF download
NEW 2026 edition
Getting Started with Homeschool Guide by Chanty Macias, shown with school supplies and a tablet displaying the weekly schedule
If This Is You

You've been Googling "how to start homeschooling" at 11pm, haven't you?

Do I need to file something with the state? What if I do it wrong? What if my kid falls behind? What if I'm not qualified to do this?

I see you, bestie. I was you. And the truth is, you don't need 47 tabs. You need one clear, real-world plan.

The Transformation

From overwhelmed to confident, without burning out

Here's what changes when you stop guessing and start with a real plan.

😵 Before the guide

  • Drowning in 47 tabs and conflicting advice
  • No idea if your state requires paperwork
  • Overbuying curriculum you'll never finish
  • Trying to recreate a 7-hour school day
  • Wondering if you're qualified to do this
→

✨ After the guide

  • One clear roadmap, in order, no fluff
  • Confidence about your state's actual laws
  • Curriculum picks that fit your kid + budget
  • A 2–4 hour rhythm that fits real life
  • Knowing you're more than qualified (you are)
What's Inside

12 chapters. Zero fluff. Everything in order.

Every chapter is short, designed to be read in 5–10 minutes, and built so you can do the work one piece at a time without spiraling.

01 🎯 Find Your Why

Anchor your year in your why.

02 📋 Your State's Laws

Current requirements for all 50 states.

03 🌱 The Deschooling Phase

The step most new homeschool moms skip.

04 🧠 Your Child's Learning Style

Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, decoded.

05 🗺️ Pick Your Approach

5 approaches, explained simply.

06 🏡 Set Up Your Space

A learning corner that fits real life.

07 📚 Start with 2 Core Subjects

Your Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3+ rhythm.

08 💰 Choose Curriculum Wisely

5 rules + a Year 1 under $150.

09 ⭐ Curriculum Picks We Love

Real names. Real publishers. No fluff.

10 💻 Online Learning Apps

Plus which apps qualify for ESA funds.

11 📅 Your First Week

Day-by-day for your first 5 days.

12 🗂️ Portfolio + Records

What to keep. How to stay compliant.

Getting Started with Homeschool Guide cover by Chanty Macias
Why This Guide Is Different

Not another "just trust the process" guide.

Most "how to start homeschooling" content is vague, vibes-based, or written by someone who's never actually done it. This is the opposite of that.

📚 Real curriculum names

Not "find a math program you like." You'll get specific publishers, real costs, and the swap groups that save you 40–60% on used curriculum.

💰 ESA scholarship info

Approved-vendor info for Florida (FES-UA/EO), Arizona, Iowa, Tennessee, West Virginia so you can use state funds for your curriculum.

💸 A Year 1 under $150

Exact picks for a complete Year 1 for under $150 total, not a sales pitch for expensive boxed curriculum.

A Peek Inside

Designed to be used, not shelved.

Every chapter is short, color-coded, and packed with frameworks you'll actually reference all year. Read it on any device, or print it for your homeschool binder.

Getting Started with Homeschool Guide preview on laptop and tablet, showing the sample weekly schedule, the Start with 2 Core Subjects chapter, and the Online Learning Apps chapter
Is This For You?

Let's make sure this is the right fit.

This is for you if…

  • You're considering homeschool or starting in your first year
  • You pulled your child out mid-year and feel underwater
  • You want a real plan, not vague advice

This is probably not for you if…

  • You're a seasoned homeschool mom of 5+ years
  • You want a full curriculum you can teach from
  • You're looking for a course or live coaching
Chanty Macias, former classroom teacher and homeschool mom
Your Homeschool Bestie

Hi, I'm Chanty.

I'm a homeschool mom in the Orlando area, married to my best friend Laz, and raising one curious, bright kid who learns most weeks from Magic Kingdom (yes, really).

I host the Modern Homeschool podcast, run our community on Instagram and TikTok, and I created this guide because the resource I needed in my first year didn't exist.

Here's what makes this guide different: I'm a former classroom teacher with multiple degrees in education. This guide brings together everything I learned in the classroom AND everything I figured out the hard way at our own kitchen table, so you get real expertise without any gatekeeping.

7K+ Modern Homeschool community
52 Disney homeschool days a year
1 very real kitchen table
What You Get

One PDF. Twelve chapters. Everything you need.

Inside the guide
12 step-by-step chapters The complete first-year homeschool roadmap
Day-by-day first week Days 1–5 mapped out so you can't get it wrong
Sample weekly routine A Monday–Friday rhythm you can copy
Curriculum picks list Vetted publishers + ESA-approved online programs
Year 1 / 2 / 3+ build-out plan How to layer subjects without burnout
Yours for: Free
Get the Free Guide →
Ready When You Are

Take a deep breath. Start here.

No payment, no credit card. Just enter your email and the guide is yours.

Getting Started with Homeschool Guide
Your complete first-year roadmap
Free
Instant download. No credit card needed.
  • A clear, step-by-step roadmap for your first year
  • Read on any device or print at home
  • Updated for 2026/27 school year
  • Yours to keep, forever
Get the Free Guide →
💛 One mom to another: No spam, ever. Just the guide, plus the occasional homeschool email from me, which you can unsubscribe from anytime.
Questions, Asked + Answered

You've got questions.
I've got you.

Is this guide for brand new homeschool moms?
Yes. This guide is built for first-year homeschool families, whether you're pulling your child mid-year, starting in kindergarten, or still deciding. Everything is explained from the ground up, no jargon, no assumptions.
Is this a secular or religious homeschool guide?
This is a secular eclectic guide, meaning it welcomes every family, religious or not. Curriculum picks include both secular and faith-based options (like Apologia for Christian science, and The Good and the Beautiful) so you can pick what fits your family.
Does this cover homeschool laws for my state?
The guide walks you through exactly what to look for in your state's laws, notice of intent, required subjects, annual evaluation, record keeping, and where to find the most up-to-date info (HSLDA.org and your state Department of Education). It applies to all 50 U.S. states.
What ages and grades does this guide cover?
The guide is most powerful for elementary years (preschool through 5th grade), with frameworks that apply to any K–8 grade. The deschooling, learning styles, approach, and routine chapters apply at every age.
Will I get specific curriculum recommendations?
Yes, by name. The Good and the Beautiful, Math-U-See, Math With Confidence, All About Reading, Sonlight, Christian Light Education, Apologia, Five In A Row, Explode the Code, Time4Learning, Miacademy, NightZookeeper, and more. With notes on which online programs qualify for state ESA scholarships.
One Last Thing

You got this, bestie.

Homeschooling isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about showing up for your child every day with love, curiosity, and a willingness to figure it out together. You are more than qualified, because no one knows your child better than you do.

Get the Free Guide →
0
Skip to Content
Chanty Macias
ABOUT
BLOG
SHOP
GUIDE
PODCAST
GET PLANNER
Chanty Macias
ABOUT
BLOG
SHOP
GUIDE
PODCAST
GET PLANNER
ABOUT
BLOG
SHOP
GUIDE
PODCAST
GET PLANNER

Simple homeschool systems, hands-on learning resources, and real conversations for modern families. We help moms homeschool with clarity, flexibility, and confidence, without the burnout. Let’s build a life you love!

QUICK LINKS

ABOUT

BLOG

PODCAST

CONTACT

RESOURCES

WEEKLY PLANNER

GETTING STARTED GUIDE

4-WEEK ACTIVITY PLANNER

SHOP

Website Template by Blooming Design Co. Design by Stacy Aguilar.
© Chanty Macias, Inc. 2018-2026