Category: Lyn Lomasi

Free Homeschool Math Games: Fast Cashier

4/4/2015

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by frankieleon via Flickr.com

Variety and a dash of fun can give kids a running start when it comes to learning. This is especially rue when learning math, as many kids aren't exactly enthused about it. Because I am a parent and a home school teacher, I often invent fun learning games for the kids. This free homeschool math game called Fast Cashier is easy to make on the spot with materials you already have. It can help with computation skills in multiplication, decimals, counting, addition, subtraction, and other math operations.

Materials

play cash register (homemade or store-bought)
play money (coins and bills)
various toys and items
reusable grocery bag

Game Setup
Find a small table, crate, or other object to place a play cash register on. If you don't have one, you can form a makeshift one with a shoebox or other container you may have handy. Arrange the play money in the cash register. Be sure to have bills and coins separated according to value just like a real cash register. Set up some items to 'purchase' in another area of the room. Label the toys and item with prices. Yard sale stickers work great for this, as does masking tape and a pen. Have one child (or adult) stand behind the cash register to man it. Everyone else gets a shopping bag to place the toys in, as well as some play money. Use dollars and coins.

Playing the Fast Cashier Homeschool Math Game
Once the kids are ready, shout or blow a whistle for them to start. The kids with the bags need to choose their items quickly and place them in their bags. Once they have what they want, they line up at the cash register. The cashier then has to ring them all up as quickly as possible. This requires getting the correct total for all of the items, as well as counting back the change correctly. Have the children trade duties back and forth so that each child gets a turn at being cashier.

What Can Kids Learn From Playing Fast Cashier?
This game will help children practice money-counting and decimal addition skills. Encourage multiplication skills when there is more than one item priced the same. Addition, subtraction, and decimals will naturally be used in adding prices and figuring change. In addition to math skills, Fast Cashier can help teach organization, teamwork, coordination, and more. All of these skills will be needed throughout school, as well as life in general.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network.

Homeschool Myths: Homeschooled Teens Can't Get a High School Diploma

3/14/2015

Can Kids in Homeschool Receive a Diploma?

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by Lucy Correia via Flickr.com

One very common homeschool myth is the one regarding high school diplomas. It is often assumed that because homeschoolers are not attending a traditional school setting, they won't be able to receive a high school diploma. This simply isn't true.

There are actually a variety of ways for a child in homeschool to receive a diploma. If the parent is doing some or all of the teaching, the parent will need to keep transcripts, as well as issue the diploma. Blank diplomas can be purchased for this purpose from many locations, including the HSLDA.

Another way a homeschooled teen can receive a high school diploma is through a virtual high school program or even through a high school correspondence course. These programs must be completed and paid for (where pay is applicable) before the diploma will be issued.

Sometimes homeschooled children take classes in local community colleges, public schools, homeschool co-ops, or other schools or organizations. If this is the case, the parents will need to be sure these credits are kept track of by records from those schools.

If the schools are attended full time (or sometimes even part time), the schools will generally keep track of credits and issue them. Some may even issue a diploma. However, since homeschool is the parent's responsibility, the parent should always be aware of whether the schools will do this or not. If not, the parent is responsible for making sure the child gets the diploma and transcripts.

Oftentimes, even the schools who don't issue a diploma will still give out credits. If the goal for the child taking outside classes is to earn college and high school credits, parents need to be sure the school being used awards the type of credits the child will need for the desired college path and also be sure they will be giving out some form of documentation for record-keeping purposes.

If none of the above scenarios are taken, the child can opt to earn a GED instead by taking classes and a test. However, when choosing this route, parents should keep in mind that a GED is sometimes looked at as something that was resorted to out of failure to receive a diploma.

The above scenarios are only some of the ways in which a homeschooled teen can receive a high school diploma. Anyone considering homeschool through high school should do the research and decide which method will fit their child and family the best. A good place to start researching homeschool is the HSLDA.

Based on the variety of options a homeschooling child has to receive a high school diploma, I believe it's pretty fair to say that this myth is just that; a myth. A homeschooled child can definitely receive a diploma.

*Have any extra tips or questions? Sound off in the comment section below!

Homeschool: Are You the Right Parent for the Job?

3/11/2015

Should Every Parent Homeschool?

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by ToGa Wanderings via Flickr.com

If you came across this article, chances are you are wondering about homeschooling your child. Are you the right parent for the job? Can any parent teach? Should every parent homeschool? These questions may be running through your mind. As a seasoned parent, homeschool teacher, and advocate for choice in education, perhaps my advice and experience can help you make this difficult and important decision.

What Does it Take to be a Homeschool Teacher?

While I am an advocate for choice in education, including homeschool, I am not going to sugar coat things to entice others to do what I do. I will not tell you that it's easy. If anything, the homeschool choice can make some things more complicated. It takes hard work and dedication from both the parents (and/or homeschool teacher) as well as the children. Though it is not easy, in my opinion, the main things required of a parent are willingness, love, and a commitment to their child's educational needs. I feel any parent with those three things may be the right candidate to be a homeschool parent and teacher.

Do I Need a Teaching Degree to Homeschool?

Because laws can change and because not all states will have the same laws, this is not necessarily a yes or no answer. Check with your state's local school board, as well as homeschool organizations for this information. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is also a great place to keep up with legalities and other aspects of homeschool. As for whether or not a parent has the ability to teach without a degree, read "Can a Parent Be a Homeschool Teacher Without a Degree?" for my opinion and research on that matter. In short, the answer is yes, it is possible.

Should All Parents Homeschool?

Asking if all parents should homeschool is similar to asking if all people should be on a basketball team. Not everyone has the talent to do so, but those who do should definitely exercise it. I believe that homeschooling is the best choice when parents are able to sufficiently educate the children and have the dedication it takes to do so. But, just like all people do not make great parents, athletes, or singers, not all people make great homeschool teachers.

How Do I Know if I'm the Right Parent for the Job?

If you can remain dedicated to doing what's best for your child's education you may be able to homeschool. Research to see what other homeschoolers are doing and ask yourself if you can do similar things. You may consider the following questions. Do I have patience for teaching my child? Will I be sure to find proper resources when I don't know a lesson my child needs to learn? Can I keep my child involved in social activities? Those are just some of the many things you will need to think about. There is no exact formula of determining who should homeschool. However, doing research and thinking about what's involved and whether it works for your family and situation can help.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

Can a Parent Be a Homeschool Teacher Without a Degree?

3/11/2015

Is a Teaching Degree Necessary for Homeschooling?

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © Lyn Lomasi via Flickr.com

Schooling children at home is becoming more and more prevalent as parents look at a variety of schooling options for the children. A question that comes up often when choosing to homeschool is the question of whether a parent can really become a child's teacher. Below, we will look at some questions that often surround that big question to find the answer.

What if the Parent Has No Degree?

There are many curricula on the market that will contain everything needed to instruct the child. Even when a packaged curriculum is not used, the parent can teach the child from the chosen class materials. Most textbooks and workbooks will come with answer keys. When they do not, it is quite simple for a parent to look up the answers in an encyclopedia, in the study material, at the library, or on the internet.

Another thing to remember is that just because a person has not gone to college and received a degree, it does not mean the person is not intelligent. Many people enjoy studying about a variety of topics at their leisure. Even when this is not the case, as previously stated, the answers are simple to find and they can be found prior to instructing the children.

Many parents who homeschool examine the material before presenting it to the children. According to the HSLDA, there is no significant difference between the scores of a homeschooled student whose parent held a degree, versus a student whose parent did not. Homeschooled students also score significantly higher than public schooled students.

What if the Child Has Questions the Parent Cannot Answer?

When there are questions presented by the child, the parent can instruct the child by teaching them to refer back to the study material to answer questions. Parent and child can do this together. If the question is not found in the study material the parent can say something like "Let's learn more about that" and can look in encyclopedias, through other study materials, and even on the internet. There are always a variety of ways to find an answer.

What About Subjects The Parent Knows Nothing About?

There are a variety of options for this scenario. One option is for the parent to learn about the subject a little bit at a time, ahead of the child, and then instruct the child on the topic. Another option could be to hire a tutor for those subjects. Another way to solve this could be to enroll the child in an online school, either just for that subject, or for all subjects, depending on the child and family's needs. Yet another option could be to place the child in a class outside the home for that subject. There are likely many more options. Those are just a few.

Will It Be Stressful For The Child?

Some may worry about children feeling some sort of anxiety over their parent teaching them. Some students may feel pressured to over-perform. If that is the case, if the stress does not die down after a reasonable amount of time, home school may not be the right choice. However, in many situations, the children will actually feel a comfort in knowing their parent will be instructing them. Many children might actually feel a relief of stress from homeschooling.

How Will The Parent Separate School And Home?

Depending on the family and the style of schooling, this may not even be necessary. With homeschooling, there is the benefit of being able to school in the same loving and nurturing way as you would parent. However, if a family does prefer to separate school and home, a schedule and set of rules that the family sticks to for school time can easily take care of that.

How Will The Parent Know What To Teach?

Just as a traditional teacher derives information from the Department of Education, so will a parent who homeschools. This information is easily attainable and is public information. Also, the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) has plenty of helpful information and resources to point parents in the right direction. Plus, as mentioned previously, there are online schools, as well as curriculum and other resources readily available.

Is a Teaching Degree Necessary to Homeschool?

While having a teaching degree would certainly be helpful and beneficial, it isn't always necessary. While this will not be the right choice for every family, there are many homeschooling families that are successful in schooling without a parent having a teaching degree. All factors should be weighed before making a decision like this. However, with determination and dedication, teaching home school without a degree is certainly possible.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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