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Home Schooling: Choices & Strategies for a Home School Education

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:01:52 +0000

Home schooling is a popular alternative for parents who don’t want to send their children into the public school system or who cannot afford private schooling. Parents who school their children have the flexibility of creating their own curriculum and lessons based upon their child’s needs, but they must adhere to certain state guidelines and requirements.

Pros and Cons of Home Schooling

According to a report in the Journal of Academic Leadership, home schooling in the United States is once again increasing. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to parent-led education.
>Some advantages of home schooling include:

Home schooled children, according to reports from the Home School Legal Defense Association, exhibit academic excellence on national averages for college admissions tests when compared to some public school students.
Children can learn in a less threatening environment. Home schooling can keep children away from corruptive influences of certain kinds of students in the school system.
A more personalized schedule that fits parent and child needs is advantageous. If parents feel that their children work better at certain times of the day, they can schedule schooling to fit maximum work proficiency.
Though parents must adhere to certain subjects in their home curriculum, home schooling allows for flexibility to stress certain subjects they deem more important for their child’s needs
Home schooling parents really get to know their children – their strengths and weaknesses. Home schooling provides bonding opportunities as parents are able to witness their children grow and learn.

Some disadvantages of home schooling include:

Home schooling provides fewer opportunities for children to develop socialization skills.
Parents implementing an educational plan are taking on serious responsibility for their children’s education. Some parents aren’t qualified as teachers and may not fully understand how to access a proper curriculum.
Parents who do a thorough and proficient home schooling job may find time management very challenging. Home schooling, if done properly, is a full-time job. Parents must research topics, plan curriculum, lessons, projects, and field trips. They must evaluate work and progress. Such schooling tasks leave little time for other things parents need or want to do.
Home schooling is a lot of pressure on parents. Home schooling parents have their own unique educational methods. Home schooling parents can easily fall into the trap of comparing their style and progress with that of other home schooling parents. Such comparison or competition can be stressful.
Some home schooling parents soon discover their children just don’t want to listen. Some parents lack the disciplinary strategies and the support system that trained teachers in the school system have. As a consequence, they find themselves feeling very much overwhelmed.

Secular Homeschooling Without Religion

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:57:40 +0000

Many people don’t realize that there are so many non-religious homeschoolers. The stereotypical picture of a Christian homeschool family doesn’t reflect the reality of homeschooling for many families. Non-religious homeschoolers exist, whether they’re atheist, agnostic or just plain avoiding the issue.

Secular Homeschool Support Groups

Meeting local secular homeschoolers can prove to be a challenge. Many larger cities have secular homeschool support groups. Sometimes the term “Inclusive” is used in lieu of “secular.” An inclusive homeschool group would welcome all religions, however, and some secular homeschooling families prefer to keep social interactions non-religious.

Families who strive for non-religious homeschooling friends may search long and hard to find the environment that meets their needs. It may be wise to take advantage of one of homeschooling’s greatest gifts – the ability to befriend people of diverse backgrounds and age groups. Focus on the needs and interests of the children and build social relationships around common interests, not homeschooling status. Scouting groups and hobby clubs allow children to form social relationships with people based upon a common interest.

Non Religious Homeschool Curriculum

Finding curriculum without religious dogma may be tricky. The majority of homeschool curriculum publishers are Christian. Secular homeschoolers who want to avoid the dumbed-down curricula available to public schools can opt for a nontraditional approach to education, whether it’s the Charlotte Mason method, the Thomas Jefferson Method, Unschooling or Radical Unschooling.

Non Christian Homeschool Programs

Public school districts often offer homeschooling programs and many state sponsored online academies present a secular curriculum. Before enrolling in a state-sponsored homeschool program, families should be sure to check out their state’s homeschooling regulations and make a conscious decision whether or not it’s “worth it” to join forces with the school district. In these programs, students are often technically enrolled in public school and can be removed from homeschooling at the whim of the district.

Homeschooling With the Five Love Languages

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:47:39 +0000

Many families have said they homeschool out of love for their children. Yet many cannot deny that it can be overwhelming having their kids around them twenty-four hours a day as tantrums and disagreements do surface from time to time. To curtail these problems, Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages explains that each person speaks one dominant Language of Love, followed by a secondary one. This applies to children too.

The first step is to identify each child’s Love Language and find ways to homeschool through each unique Love Language.
What are the 5 Love Languages?

The Five Love Languages are Positive Affirmation, Touch, Acts of Services, Quality Time and Gifts. Every child speaks at least one dominant Love Language, so parents should identify which language suits each child the best.
If a child constantly tries to impress a parent and waits for a positive response, then Words of Affirmation is his Love Language.
If a child loves hugs, kisses or tries to do practically anything to be touched (like squeeze in next to a parent or climb on top of a parent), then her Love Language is Touch.
If a child often requests for parents to do things for him, then his Love Language is Acts of Services. Similarly, he will love to help out in return.
If a child constantly demands undivided attention and tends to act out when feeling neglected, then her Love Language is Quality Time together.
Lastly, if a child thrives on receiving and giving gifts, then his Love Language is Gifts.
How to Show Love Through Words of Affirmation

For children who thrive on positive affirmation, praising them upon completing a task is a great way to express love. Children are very much creations of their teachers, and as a homeschooler, it is important for parents to take advantage of creating intelligent and confident children.

Investing in a sticker collection and an “achievement” chart is one way to show positive affirmation. Gold stars or pink hearts (or their favourite stickers) are great as rewards. Alternatively, writing positive notes to children on their worksheets or a report card full of positive comments will also boost their interest for learning

Home Schooling – Perfect Way to Teach Your Child

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:16:20 +0000

So far as the home schooling is concerned, you will see that most children feel very comfy to learn at home comparing to attend the conventional schools. The reason is very simple. Every morning, parents need to prepare their kids to go to schools for getting education. School is the conventional education institute where minor boys and girls start their learning process to upgrade their knowledge bank.

Teachers are very much disciplined and they will treat in technical way to make them particular and punctual in every sphere of life. They will keep them in the classes for the whole day and teach them maintaining the strict guidelines. The fact is that when a minor boy or girl shows the interest to learn from their parents or teachers, he or she should be in rollick mood to learn eagerly. They should be treated in amicable ambiance because they are very young to get accustomed to the school environment.

On the other hand, they will have to follow the same syllabi and the curricula which are basically designed by the team of experts. All these obstructions are absent in home schooling programs. It is very convenient way to teach your child at very tender age without putting pressure on the soft mind of your babies. At home, the teacher is his/her mom or dad. Mom will be very attentive to take care of her kids. Comparing to the school environment, the standard of care is excellent due to the proper monitoring and supervision which parents will be able to do for the benefit of the children.

Cute kids will learn comfortably because they can express themselves in fantastic way at home. It is their known place where they grew into the lap of mom and they know they will be treated with much care because it is their mom or dad who is very responsible to train them according to their likelihood. It is the greatest achievement of the home schooling programs which have been basically set up for keeping in touch with the trends and likelihood of the children. It is superb decision on the part of the parents to opt for the home schooling.

There is another important factor which you need to keep fresh in your mind. In actuality, this type of schooling in residential home will save kids from facing the eventuality. What is that? OK, suppose every morning your kid will have to catch bus or vehicle to attend school covering the long distance. Now the fact is that my goodness, if anything happens wrong, who will be responsible?

A life which has just now bloomed has been removed from the earth for which parents will suffer a lot. Street accident, abrupt fall from staircase, short melee, violent approach and a number of awkward incidents can occur on the way to school. For this particular reason, kids will be protected at home. In addition there will be no transportation fees or charge. All these benefits you will get if you opt for the home schooling for teaching your kids.

Special Needs Children and Home Schooling

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:57:46 +0000

Children come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of learning ability. It could be that your child has some special challenges when it comes to learning. Home schooling has been a difficult issue for students without any other considerations. It brings up new concerns for children that need additional resources. Should a special needs child be home schooled?

There are parents who would respond with a big “yes.” One difficulty that children with special needs have is the necessary time and attention to make education possible. Each state offers resources for parents to mainstream their special children. Some offer more and some less. In the end, it is up to parents to see that their children get what they need to succeed.

What any child is entitled to is an excellent education. For too long, parents and children have settled for a mediocre education because that was what public school offered. Home schooling has changed that. The evidence of the success of home schooling is seen in the lives of special needs children.

Let’s look at attention deficit disorder. It is considered by the school system to be a special need. Children have a hard time concentrating and keeping still. School work that is not challenging enough just increases the anxiety. This situation can be resolved through home study.

No, being home schooled doesn’t provide an instant fix for educational problems. It merely allows a child with special needs to learn in a more relaxed environment and at a pace that suits them. If reaching them requires three hours one day and four the next, a home school curriculum works with the child. Their grades won’t suffer because they can’t keep up in a traditional classroom.

Parents know their children better than anyone. No one else will take the time that is warranted to keep him or her on track with their education. Your child may be a visual learner. In a classroom of thirty students, it is hard to create a lesson that will challenge both the visual learner and those who can read and comprehend. It isn’t enough time.

With the help of tutors (if needed) and counselors, students with special needs enjoy a fulfilling educational experience at home. No longer do they have to suffer through being picked on or frustration because they “just don’t get it.” The home school environment is conducive to helping them learn the way that feels comfortable to them.

Support System for Home Schoolers

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:55:09 +0000

The world of home schooling can seem lonely at times. When other kids are getting on the bus for school, parents are sitting at the table figuring out what they will discuss that day as they tackle the job of being teacher to their children. But, there’s no need to feel separated from the world. Home schooling parents and the children they teach have a network of people what want to help. There may be others in your area who home school and you don’t even know it.

Home schooling parents and children are kept in the loop with an extensive network of online and community resources. Online, there are various websites like HomeEducator.com that provides links to state agencies for legal requirements, forums for discussing home school issues, online support groups, and curriculum websites. Everything a parent needs to get help is a click away.

Locally, there are probably more home schooling households than one might imagine. I have two friends who home school. It comes up in conversation but I never really thought about it. They have been home schooling for a few years so just with their knowledge alone, any parent new to home schooling would have access to a number of resources. Now imagine if there were 5 or 10 home schooling families in a community. The amount of tools, resources and support would be huge.

Check the local newspaper. Community meetings are listed so that others are made aware of what is going on around them. Check with the library system for any programs they have with home schoolers that allows them to check out more than the standard number of books and videos to be used for home study.

A support system is invaluable for home schooling. On a daily basis, all kinds of issues arise that need to be dealt with. Someone who has experienced the situation before prevents a lot of wasted time. Parents need a shoulder to cry or laugh on when the stress gets to be too much. A supportive group of men and women can protect your sanity.

If home schooling is a possible choice for the future, begin the networking process now. Current home schooling parents would love to share their experiences with you. Set up a social at your local church or community center as a community outreach to let people know all about home schooling and the benefits for children.

Never go it alone. We can accomplish more together than we ever could alone. For the sake of our children, we as parents come together to create a better educational system for them. By pooling our resources, an awesome network of support can be established in your city or town.

Socialization Skills of Children Taught at Home

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:52:54 +0000

The biggest concern that people have about home schooling is the socialization aspect. Will the children get to interact with other kids? This topic has been blown way out of proportion. The most important issue is the quality of education. The rest will follow.

What is socialization? Kids interacting and learning to work with others on a daily basis is one part. Let’s be honest. In schools, there are bullies, unstable people, teachers with issues of their own, and a lot of other behavior problems. Socialization in the public school can become a nightmare.

We’ve all been there. Some kid who spreads rumors about us is giggling every time we pass by. Someone else may not like the clothes we wear or the sound of our voice. A teacher having a bad day may be less tolerant of student antics. Not knowing exactly what to expect each time you walk through the front doors of the school creates a stressful environment for school children.

Kids are social creatures. Unless we teach them to be otherwise, they will gravitate towards other kids they don’t know simply out of curiosity. School is not the only place to find new friends.

Home schooled children can participate in the same after school and weekend programs as public and private school children. Programs like 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA, and church groups offer chances to interact with other people. There is no shortage of opportunities to see other kids their age.

With a home school curriculum, parents have control over how much or how little to cover in a single day. They also have control over field trip schedules, project deadlines, and homework. A child may not have homework or may participate in a shorter school day when they have other commitments like scouting. Doing so allows the kids to enjoy their other experiences without homework hanging over their heads.

Another avenue for developing socialization skills is partnering with other home schooled children in the area. Parents can get together and plan field trips, meet and greet group activities, and community service projects. As the kids get to know each other, parents get a break as well.

Home schooled children who started out in public school don’t have to leave their friends behind. Having more control over the curriculum means that kids can plan visits to see their friends. If they live in the same neighborhood, getting together will be that much easier.

Home schooled kids don’t spend every day in the house. The world has just become their classroom. Finding friends is not a concern for them, just ask the kids themselves.

Organizing a Home Schooling Household

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:45:28 +0000

Insanity has been lovingly defined as doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result. Anyone who has had to run a household can attest to this. If all the clothes were washed on Monday, but the following Monday at least half of them would return. Organization can break the cycle of insanity, especially in a home schooling household.

The home has taken on new meaning in the past thirty years. It used to be that people ate and slept in their homes. Now, businesses are conducted from home and so is schooling. When you take that first long relaxing look outdoors, it could be eleven o’clock instead of 6 a.m. Household dynamics have changed, but one thing has not – organization is the key to running a tight ship.

The first thing to tackle is the setup of the school atmosphere. Just as with a home business, the idea is to create a separate room or area where only that particular activity is conducted. Confusing two spaces will confuse the children as well.

Pick an area with a table such as the dining room where all of the main work can be conducted. Use bookshelves, rolling containers, and other storage media to keep supplies organized and in one area. If you are home schooling children in different grade levels, separate their items into different containers so materials are easy to locate when you need them. This area will double as your grading and lesson plan area when class is not in session.

Decide how many hours a day will be devoted to school. This time can begin at eight o’clock or at ten o’clock. The schedule will work around the best time of day for you and the children. Sleepy children do not make good students.

With that issue taken care of, don’t forget chores. Design a master calendar or white board for a chore listing and one for class schedules. Each child will know when the school day begins, when and what chores they need to do each day, along with other activities. This will help your child to establish their own routines as well, by knowing where to start each day.

The house will not be neat as a pin all the time. There will be toys, books, clothes that need washing and the rest. A list of chores enlists the aid of the entire family to keep the house organized in light of the home school atmosphere. When you don’t have to tackle everything by yourself, the stress level goes down for you and the rest of the family.

Qualifications Needed to Home School

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:43:30 +0000

The choice to teach a child at home away from the public school life is a major undertaking. If the child ever attended public school the transition may be jarring. Parents used to be in charge of their children’s education, but have long ago put that responsibility in the hands of others. To take charge again, what are the qualifications needed to home school a child?

Home schooling doesn’t require an advanced degree or that you write a dissertation. What it does require is a love of your child and a love of learning. Because a parent understands their child and their quirks, creating a curriculum to fit their unique needs is a bit easier than a cookie cutter program created to fit everyone.

As a part of the research into home schooling, check with the state to find out what specific qualifications are needed to pursue the title of home school teacher. States may require that a parent be observed by a licensed teacher for a school year to evaluate technique and the thoroughness of the program. Along this same line, the state can require that the schooling consist of the same amount of instructional days as public school.

There are no qualifications such as a teaching certificate or a bachelor’s degree. Parents who are not familiar or strong in a subject can hire a tutor to aid in teaching the subject matter. Any state testing can be administered by a licensed teacher if it is mandated by the state.

All of these legal and state educational requirements can be found online. Begin far in advance preparing the paperwork that has to be filed and letters of intent to home school your children. The state probably wants to see that a curriculum is in place already before they allow a child to participate in alternative education, especially if a child is removed in the middle of the school year.

One bonus to purchasing established curriculum packages is that they already comply with the state requirements for home schooling. Part of the package includes grading services, administrative needs pertaining to recordkeeping, report cards, and other services. A parent can speak to customer service personnel for support, information, and help with any additional paperwork.

Persistent parents who care for their children are not daunted by rules and regulations. The education and safety of their children far exceeds any frustration they may encounter. In the long run, no one is better qualified to teach our children than the parents who have their best interests at heart.

Pros and Cons of Home Schooling

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:40:54 +0000

Over the past twenty-five years, parents have really begun exploring the option of teaching their children at home. There are a number of reasons cited for doing so, but opponents to the home schooling curriculum state an equal number of reasons why kids perform better in a public school. Here are a few of the pros and cons to the decision to home school.

Kids love the idea of home schooling at first. They get to sleep late, watch television, hang out at home, and have a lax schedule. Unfortunately for them, parents take the idea of home schooling seriously and those dreams are quickly shattered. These are just some of the preconceived notions about the entire process of home schooling. Kids get more time to play and less time to work. Actually the opposite is true.

Pros:
1.

Home schooled children score higher on standardized tests than public school children. These facts amaze people, but think about it for a moment. The problem in public schools is the size of the classroom. At home, the classroom is made up of the parent and the child(ren). Individualized attention translates into a better understanding of subject material.

Home schooled children have their academic and social needs met adequately. In a classroom setting, the teacher has fifty minutes to teach the lesson for that day. He or she doesn’t have time to address different learning styles. At home, the parent can tailor the curriculum to meet each child’s individual needs so they learn better.

Less worry about the child’s safety. The social dynamics of a school are unpredictable. We’ve all heard about bullies, shootings, and other incidents on school campuses. Protect your child and help them concentrate on a love of learning at home where the social pressures that plague public schools are less relevant.

Cons:
1.

Parents struggle with teaching subjects that they are not good at. Every parent is not meant to home school their children. If a parent doesn’t understand the material it will be hard to teach that information to the child.

Home schooling is expensive. When just starting out, most parents use an established curriculum to give them guidance. Depending on the grade level of the child, these curricula can cost from $500 to $2,000.

Time is a problem for busy parents who decide to home school. Kids need quality time spent on school subjects, not just busy work. Coordinating the proper amount of time along with getting housework and job commitments tended to is a difficult task.

Home schooling is not for everyone. A thorough researching of the subject will let parents know if it is a feasible option for their family.

Home schooling Solution » home schooling

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