Resources for Homeschoolers

ILLINOIS HOMESCHOOLING LAWS: Illinois H.O.U.S.E <http://www.illinoishouse.org/>

HOMESCHOOLING PHILOSOPHY:

The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. Provides suggestions and guidance, including curriculum recommendations for a Pre-K - Grade 12 classical education.
Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp. Provides scope and sequence suggestions for K-12 for both classical and traditional educations.
What Your ___ Grader Should Know by E.D. Hirsch. Provides scope and sequence suggestions for Pre-K through Grade 6.
Summary of Educational Philosophies <https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_YO0a_eTgX9MWViZDg5OGQtZjY5Ny00MmIwLWEwOWItOTQzMzU1ZmQ2OWVh&hl=en_US> by Tracy Polyak. This is not intended to be comprehensive or complete description of each educational philosophy but merely an introduction to the different methods. I have provided links to web sites that I am aware of, but I have not attempted to list resources for every method.

LOCAL ORGAN IZATIONS

Grassroots Homeschoolers <http://grassrootshomeschoolers.com/default.aspx>- Matteson, IL: This is secular organization affiliated with the Illinois state homeschooling organization, H.O.U.S.E <http://www.illinoishouse.org/>.
Christian Home Educators of the South Suburbs (Chess) <http://chesshomeschool.org/home>
Homeschool Resource Center <http://www.fofchomeschool.org/co-ops/32-co-ops.html> hosts two Christian co-ops: Alpha Support Group/Co-op is for families with children ages 2-10yo. H.E.I.G.H.T.S. is for middle to high schoolers. It occasionally hosts activities that are open to those who are not members of the co-ops. To receive information about local activities, send an e-mail to Krist Boss <kristi.boss@fofc.org> to request to be put on the e-mail list.
South Suburban Home School & Gym Group <https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000175341930>

CURRICULA RESOURCES

100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum <http://cathyduffyreviews.com/>by Cathy Duffy. This book is available at the Crete Public Library, and the web site has added a multitude of additional reviews. These reviews are neutral and contain lots of information about learning styles, teaching styles and other vital considerations.
Homeschool Reviews <http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/>. These are reviews by people that have actually used the programs.
Home Ed Expert <http://homeedexpert.com/nav.aspx>
Rainbow Resource <http://www.rainbowresource.com>sells lots of curricula and supplements. It also provides lengthy curriculum reviews in their catalog, which you can request for free.
Online forums can also be a very good way of researching curricula

ONLINE FORUMS

The Well-Trained Mind Forums <http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/index.php>. Discussions are not limited to The Well-Trained Mind topics, so this is a very diverse and active group. It is a good place to get curriculum suggestions and brainstorm solutions to problems. They have separate Special Needs and Accelerated Learner boards.
Homeschool Illinois <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschool-Illinois> A Yahoo Group for homeschoolers in Illinois. This is a good place to scout out activities and ask about local homeschooling laws.
Yahoo Groups <http://groups.yahoo.com/> There are e-mail lists for just about every homeschool topic, including special needs, specific religions, specific curricula, homeschooling for high school, preparing for college, etc.