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Public School, Private School, Homeschool...Or? Which Should You Choose?

1/23/2016

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

Image © Brian Metcalfe; Flickr.com

Choosing the right type of school for your children is very difficult. This decision will ultimately determine your child's success in the future. So, how do you choose? Each family and child is unique and has differences that play a role in this decision. In our family's case, homeschool was the best option when weighing all the factors. However, you may decide something entirely different. Here are some tips to help you choose between public school, private school, homeschool, or other options.

Public School

Public school is the most popular school choice and has been around for many years. One strength about public school is that most materials are provided free of charge. Another strength could be that most of your child's neighborhood friends will probably be there. If your child adapts well to a crowded environment and is not easily distracted, public school could be the right choice. However, not all public schools are crowded, so it may or may not be an issue. Check with your neighborhood school about student to teacher ratios before assessing that particular issue.

Look into the teaching methods to see if they are well-rounded. If your child has a hard time processing oral information, you'll need to be sure the school you choose teaches in other methods, besides the teacher standing in front of the class speaking. If higher learning is your concern, you may want to check national public school averages. While all schools will vary, this is something to consider.

Private School or Religious school

This choice is usually made by parents searching for better student to teacher ratios and higher learning standards. In many cases, private schooled students do have a better advantage. Although, you must be careful with this choice. Just because a school is private or tuition-based, it does not necessarily mean that the test scores are higher than those of a public school.

You should interview teachers and staff at public and private schools and determine, if based on your child's needs, they are best. Review private schools you are considering and compare them to each other in all areas. Keep in mind that if you want to make sure your child receives knowledge based on religious preferences, this will not happen in public school. They may be allowed to say a prayer, if they wish. However, religious-based instruction is generally found at a school specific for that.

Homeschooling or Private Tutors

Homeschooling is growing immensely. Much of it has to with growing parental dissatisfaction with public schools or the need for alternative methods on an individual basis. Some parents who choose to homeschool are tired of their children's individual needs not being met. This not to say that public schools are inadequate, just that the setup does not always allow for this extra attention.

While the teachers in public school are mostly wonderful, with classes so large, it is virtually impossible to pay individual attention to every child every day. Even the really good teachers can still face problems with this. There are just too many students for this to happen. If your child seems to fall behind due to lack of attention or if your child is way ahead of others his/her age, homeschooling may be the right choice for you.

Homeschooling can be done many different ways. One way is to teach all the core subjects at home and to send your child to public school for electives. Another way may be to hire a tutor for all subjects. There are many different ways to homeschool. There are even "virtual schools" online for homeschoolers. Choose from varied curricula or choose to form your own, based on your child's needs and abilities. Our family uses a combination of various resources. If you are looking for a flexible method, homeschooling is probably a good choice for you.

Making the Decision

Whatever method you choose, be sure it is right for you and your child. Your child only has one chance at school. Sure, a GED can be earned later in life, but wouldn't you rather your child receive a high school diploma? Also, keep in mind that when your child submits college applications, the grades throughout his/her life will be looked at, so be sure that whatever choice you make, it will be an environment in which your child can thrive and succeed well.

It is possible in the early years to try more than one method to see which works right. Just be sure your child makes any transitions gradually. Try using each method one school year at a time, so as to provide your child with security and stability.

*This article was written by a homeschool mother based on her personal experiences and is meant for informational purposes only. Be sure to do your own research as well.

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Why Does Anyone Homeschool Anyway?

1/23/2016

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

Image © Urban Hippie Love; Flickr.com

Why does anyone homeschool anyway? There are millions of reasons people choose to homeschool. Most do so for some educational aspect and some do so for religious purposes. Though the reasons generally run deeper than that. I can't tell you why everyone else homeschools, but I can tell you about our decision to homeschool and why we thought it was the best choice for our family.

There Are Usually Multiple Reasons

When we made the choice to homeschool, there were several reasons. Let's start from the beginning, before homeschooling. Two of my daughters, then in kindergarten and second grade, were attending public school. Everything was fantastic. We had a great school and the kids were doing very well. In fact, they were ahead of their peers in most areas. But, then things changed and we ended up moving to a new neighborhood. That meant a new school for the kids.

Things Going Downhill at Traditional School

At first, things seemed fine, but then my exceptionally bright girls started going downhill in school. I didn't understand because they knew the facts. In fact, they were ahead. Then, after my visit to the school, I understood. This school was far behind according to state standards and rather than catching the children up to the correct levels, they were just working with them at the low levels.

The school's strategy was not helpful for my kids. This may have worked for the majority in that area. They were used to this and may have needed this. My children did not fit into this equation. They had come from a school that was above state standards. The things that were being taught at this school were things my children had learned already 1 or 2 years prior. They were getting bored. After fruitlessly asking the school to at least place them in a class that was comparable to their level, I grew weary.

At first, I decided to just work on new things with them every day after school and on the weekends. We began using textbooks for their correct levels that I had to purchase myself. We frequented libraries, museums, and other places that taught them interesting things. By the end of the school year, most of what they learned having come from me, I was fed up.

Making Difficult School-Related Decisions

I decided to do homeschool, but something else happened first. The good school the kids went to before said they could return in the fall for the new school year. I was so happy and the kids were excited. Things went well for a while. In fact, they were great. The youngest was in first grade, but had to attend second grade for literacy and math because she was so far ahead. It was still easy for her, but what else could they do? She didn't get into the gifted classes (missed by one point), so they did what they could and they did an awesome job, considering.

With kids who didn't align with the averages, area schools did not seem to have an answer. The oldest was way ahead in reading, but had gotten a touch behind in math. The teachers tried their hardest to do what they could, but it just wasn't feasible what with so many other students to worry about. So, pondering over the issues at hand, I again considered homeschooling. This time we went with it. I informed the district, bought tons of materials, and awaited the day. I chose to let the kids complete the first semester and stay long enough to do the upcoming music concert. So, we started homeschool a couple weeks into the second semester.

A Need For Better Social Skills

Another contributing factor was social skills. In so many public schools, including the ones our children attended, children are not allowed to work together or communicate during assignments. In fact, they are punished for talking to one another. I find this appalling. When they get out into the working world, most companies need their employees to work together. If they don't learn this concept in school, where will they learn it?

Perhaps this is one of the reasons many employees don't get along. They were never taught this in school, so when they get to the workplace, they just have to learn by trial and error. I would prefer my child already had these skills, so it would be easier to adapt. When we do our lessons, all of the children work together. Sometimes I give the instructions. Sometimes it is an instructor at a museum, art class, study program, or special class instructor.

Whatever format we use, I make sure that children are encouraged to work together and to think about why and how to solve a problem, not just told to do it and do it quietly. To further enhance social skills, we are in public often. I am in no way insulting those who choose to use public school. It works for some people. It's just not right for us. As with any form of schooling, there are good schools and bad schools, good teachers and bad teachers, and ups and downs.

Freedom to Learn More and Use a Variety of Methods

Another factor that weighed in on us homeschooling was the freedom my children would have in learning new things. My children love to learn, so they needed an environment where they would not be held back when they wanted to press forward. It seems as though the more knowledge they get, the more they want, so I wanted them to be able to get all the information they wanted. I believe children should be allowed to move ahead, rather than have to wait for the rest of the class to catch up. Sometimes my kids learn at the same pace as each other. Sometimes they don't. I assess each one individually and come up with a plan that works with that child.

I use a combination of state standards (which we're usually ahead of) and my child's interests and levels to come up with the appropriate lesson plans. I believe that all schools should use this plan. Teaching a child works much more effectively when they are encouraged to thrive, rather than restricted to a plan that caters to an "average" person based on statistics. No one should be looked at as average. We are all special in our own ways. When you place people in categories, it only feeds into stereotypical setbacks. If a child is ready to advance, that child should never be discouraged from doing so.

School should be a place where a child gets the maximum education that he/she needs with no limits to what can be accomplished. The setting will be different for everyone, but the most important thing is that the child gets a good education.

Homeschool: Custom VS Pre-Packaged Curriculum (How to Choose Which is Right for Your Child)

1/23/2016

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

Image © IllinoisLibrary; Flickr.com

When you make the decision to homeschool your child, your first decision following that will be the decision of what curriculum to use. There are many on the market and choosing which is right for your child can be daunting. The first part of that process will be deciding whether you'll go with a customized curriculum or a pre-packaged one. First, you'll need to know what each curriculum type is. A definition has been provided for each, followed by suggestions that will help you determine what your child's needs might be.

Custom Curriculum Defined

A custom curriculum is one that is designed to specifically to meet the needs of the individual who will be learning. This can mean anything from being hand-picked by a professional to being researched and written by the one who is schooling the child. Basically, if the curriculum is tailored around the student's needs, versus coming in a generalized plan for a specific grade level, it is a custom curriculum.

Pre-Packaged Curriculum Defined

A pre-packaged curriculum is one that is designed to meet the needs of a specific grade level and subject. These can come as one whole grade level package containing all materials needed or can be sold as individual subjects. They will most often be catered to a specific age, grade level, or subject. These generally cannot be modified, hence the label "pre-packaged". This could be anything from an online plan to one with textbooks and materials.

Which Is Best?

There is no one answer to that question. Every child is different. While one child might thrive on a pre-packaged curriculum, yet another may do better with a custom plan.

Here are some things you can do to figure out what works best.

Look at how your child has performed in school in the past, be it home school, public school, or otherwise. Has your child been able to keep up with lessons fairly well or does your child lag behind or push ahead? A child who is progressing at the expected rate for his or her grade level may do well on a pre-packaged curriculum. One who has areas that are ahead or behind the standards will likely benefit more from a customized curriculum.
If the child hasn’t been to school yet (traditional or homeschool), think about the things he or she has learned at home. Does the child consistently measure up as planned or does the child seem to go full speed ahead or need additional reinforcing? A child who is consistently ahead or behind will benefit well from a customized curriculum that will cater to his or her abilities, as well as work on inabilities.
Also consider your child's studying habits. Does your child understand what is being studied? Is it enough or too much, according to your child's actions? Watch to see if your child is comprehending his or lessons well. He or she does not need to always be spot on, but lagging too far behind can be a sign that a child needs a customized plan, as can surging too far ahead. Both are signs that a generalized plan may not be in the child's best interest. However, if the child is thriving well in comprehending the lessons and only gets frustrated every now and then, a pre-packaged curriculum could be the best fit.
Does your child often wish for more schoolwork or ask you for a large amount of extra information to delve deeper into the subjects being learned? On the other end of the scope, does your child get overly frustrated daily or consistently receive low grades and test scores? If your child experiences either of those situations or something similar, he or she may benefit more from a customized curriculum.
Is your child thriving and content with school? Does your child consistently score good on tests and receive mostly B's or above? Does your child need only a small amount of assistance when completing schoolwork? If any or all of these sound like your child, a pre-packaged curriculum may be the best option.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Pre-Packaged Curriculum

One advantage to a pre-packaged curriculum is that the child will always be performing at the required standards, providing the work is completed well and on schedule. A disadvantage to this could be the fact that if a child needs extra help, there really isn't extra work included in a pre-planned or pre-packaged curriculum, so you may have to purchase extra workbooks or materials. Some families get frustrated with this aspect, as pre-packaged curricula often carry a hefty price as it is. If you don't mind supplementing with other materials as needed, a pre-packaged curriculum could work for your family.

Another disadvantage to a pre-packaged curriculum is that if the child excels quickly, the parent may end up buying three or four grade levels worth of curriculum per year, which can get pretty expensive. If your child excels quickly already, you may need to consider this. Homeschooled children are often known to complete more than one grade level of work in a school year or to perform one or more grade level higher than their age requirement.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Custom Curriculum

An advantage to a customized curriculum is the fact that the child can get extra practice where needed and more challenge in another area both at the same time. For instance, if a child in 3rd grade is at a grade 10 reading level, but is still at a grade 3 math level, that child can have both levels be appropriate to their situation. A pre-packaged curriculum may only contain materials for one grade level. However, that isn't always the case, as some curricula contain materials for all grade levels. Also keep in mind that a pre-packaged curriculum plan can be used as part of an overall customized plan.

Making the Final Choice Between Pre-Packaged and Custom Curriculum Plans

There are many ways to choose or form a curriculum for your child. The main thing to keep in mind is that whatever plan is chosen, the child's skills and learning abilities should be considered when making that choice. Carefully think about which option may better suit your child and go with that plan. If the plan you have chosen is not working, it can always be changed. So, don't stress yourself out too much over making the decision. That is one of the many benefits to homeschooling. Your child does not have to stick to a plan that isn't working for him or her.

How to Give Kids a Head Start in Math (Tips for PreK-12 Parents and Homeschoolers)

1/23/2016

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

Image © stevendepolo; Flickr.com

As a mother and homeschool teacher, I have come up with various ways to keep kids from getting behind in math. Math is one of those subjects that kids often struggle through. But there are some simple ways to keep them interested, on track, and even ahead. Here are some of my tips on how to give kids a head start in math.

Give Kids a Head Start in Math by Knowing Grade Requirements

Staying educated on the grade level requirements is essential for parents to give kids a head start in math. Knowing requirements will help determine whether a child is ahead, behind, or on track and lets parents know what needs to be taught next. The Department of Education for each state in the US has this information readily available to parents and teachers. Many list it on their websites.

Give Kids a Head Start in Math by Practicing and Reviewing Daily

Daily review of previously learned facts can help keep math operations fresh in the child's mind. With math, each operation is a stepping stone to the next so it's important that knowledge is retained. Practice is key to making sure a lesson is fully understood. Therefore, daily practice is essential. By reviewing old material and practicing new material, it can be easier for kids to move on to future lessons.

Give Kids a Head Start in Math by Introducing Future Facts Daily

Just like practicing and reviewing is necessary, so are previews of what's to come. Each day, parents can challenge children by giving them math problems they haven't yet learned to see what they do with them. These do not need to be graded and it's fine if the child gets them wrong. This is simply a way to stimulate the brain and test a child's thinking skills. It also prepares them for what's next.

Give Kids a Head Start in Math by Making it Fun

Making math more fun can help keep a child interested. Stories, group lessons, and fun math games are just a few things that may get and keep kids willing to learn and advance in math. When a child is eager to learn, advancing faster can be a cinch.

Give Kids a Head Start in Math by Using Varied Teaching Methods

Doing lessons the exact same way each time can be dull and repetitive. This can make math boring for kids. Try switching up teaching methods to keep children interested. Math needs to be practiced in order to learn it, but who says each lesson needs to be taught the same way? As mentioned above, an interested and attentive child can advance more quickly.

Free Kids Educational Activities for Homeschoolers in Houston

1/22/2016

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

Image © Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism; Flickr.com

Looking for free educational activities for homeschoolers in Houston? As a mom to many, who lived and homeschooled in Houston for a while, I discovered lots of great places to go. Here are 5 of the most interesting free educational activities for Houston kids.

The Sam Houston Boat Tour is great free activity for kids in Houston.Operated by the Port of Houston Authority, the free educational tour lasts 90 minutes. While on the tour, homeschoolers can observe international cargo vessels that may pass by, as well as the operations at the port terminal. While free, reservations for this Houston activity must be made in advance.

The Health Museum in Houston contains a variety of educational exhibits for children to explore.This interactive science exploration is for all ages. It focuses on the human body, mind, and spirit, encouraging kids to focus on health. On Thursdays, the general admission is free for families from 2pm - 7pm.

At Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, kids can enjoy the education and beauty of nature. Native and cultivated plants thrive in this 300 acre horticultural museum of life. In addition to learning about the plants by observation, Houston homeschoolers also can enjoy the educational benefits of observing the animals that live in this park.

Utilize the Kids Workshops at Home Depot to their full advantage. Once per month, the Home Depot locations in Houston offer free workshops for kids, in which they get to learn and build projects that they can use. These educational workshops are not only free of charge, but are a great supplement to homeschool wood shop. They also work as an extracurricular educational activity for Houston kids in both homeschool and traditional school.

Free Crafts for Kids are offered every Saturday from 11am - 3pm at Houston Lakeshore Learning Store locations. Yes, crafts are so much fun for kids. But, did you know that they also have educational value? Craft activities can help homeschoolers with focus, creativity, and fine motor skills. These skills all are required to complete other educational activities. Houston kids will enjoy creating fun and educational crafts that they can use to decorate their rooms, give as gifts, wear, and more. A different craft is featured every week.

Homeschool Myths: Homeschooled Students Are Unprepared for College

1/22/2016

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

Image © Asian Development Bank; Flickr.com

A common homeschool myth is the one that assumes children who attend a homeschool will not be prepared for college. Some will make the assumption that a student who is educated outside of a traditional school setting will be unprepared for the academic challenges of a college. In this, and other articles on the myths of homeschool, I explore and help shed some light on some of the common myths surrounding homeschool. My findings come from personal experience and are often combined with research studies or other evidence.

What You’ll Learn:

Homeschooled children outperform students in traditional schools on standardized tests.
Homeschooled children often perform at one or more grade levels higher than age requirements.
Says 10 year old homeschool student, Courtney Oliver, "Might as well get it done early as get it done late."

What Do College Recruiters Think?

Many college recruiters disagree with the myth that homeschoolers are unprepared for college. In fact, some even prefer homeschooled students. Why? Many students who homeschool have advanced studying skills, such as the knowledge of various resources, as well as the ability to work well independently. Homeschoolers can also possess exceptional teamwork and social skills, which are very essential to many college courses.

Homeschooling Opens Up More Opportunities to Learn

In addition to the above qualities, many homeschooled children begin taking college level courses before they are finished with their K-12 education, due to the flexibility of their schedules and the opportunity to advance at one's own pace. According to the HSLDA, they often perform one or more grade levels above their age requirements and can often begin taking those college courses long before their peers.

Even if a homeschooled child is not above his grade level, that student can simply adjust their class schedule to fit in accredited college courses. Homeschooling actually allows students the unique opportunity of beginning (and completing) college early.

Just ask 10 year old Courtney Oliver, who, according to KOMONews, became a vet tech assistant in just 9 months while also homeschooling. Says Courtney, "Might as well get it done early as get it done late." There are other homeschooled students receiving degrees and/or taking college courses early. All one has to do is a simple web search to find them.

What is Required of Homeschool Students?

Many people don't realize that students who homeschool are still required to take college preparation tests, such as the SAT and ACT, which they’ve been known to exceed expectations in. They also are required to have transcripts and earn diplomas, just like any other student. Homeschooled teens receive high school diplomas upon completion, contrary to what some believe.

Are Homeschooled Students Qualified to Attend College?

Because of the wide opportunity to get ahead in studies, homeschooled students may actually be more qualified to attend college than some of their peers who attend traditional public or private schools. A 2006 study published by the HSLDA also shows that homeschooled students are excelling in college socially, emotionally, and academically.

The high school dropout rate for students in a homeschool setting is far less than that of a child who attends public or private school. Students who homeschool also score well above both public and private-schooled students on state-mandated tests.

Are Homeschooled Students Unprepared For College?

When comparing all of the examples and evidence above, as well as personal experience with my own and other homeschooled children, it is difficult to assume that homeschooled students are ill-prepared for college. While a small percentage of homeschoolers may be lax in their studies, most homeschooled students seem to be more prepared than other students to not only attend college, but to succeed when they get there, as well as in many academic or career pursuits.

Enhancing Social Skills in Homeschool

1/22/2016

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

Image © stevendepolo; Flickr.com

Some may assume that because parents homeschool, their children will not be social. However, this is generally far from the case. Being social is generally a part of a homeschooled child's daily routine by default. However, there are many ways to increase and enhance these skills on a regular basis. I'm a veteran homeschool mom who has been dedicated to enhancing social skills in my kids for years. Many of these methods will come easy because they are simply an extension of your child's daily learning and activities.

Take elective courses, such as art and music at a separate location from your home. You can even do this in a group of homeschooled kids or a co-op. This way the core subjects will still be taught by you and your children will get a little extra knowledge in something they love. Some community centers and private organizations offer these classes for free or at a low-cost.

Offer arts & crafts time at your house. If you cannot find a resource, consider becoming one. Chances are, other families have been looking for something similar. Try scheduling craft activities a few times per week for children the same ages as yours. If you don't know many people in the neighborhood, try posting about the events at the local library, schools, or anywhere else you are allowed.

Attend story time and other activities at your local library. Depending on the ages of your children and what's on the schedule, your local library could have a great deal to offer. Some libraries offer special classes on a variety of subjects. At the very least, there will be storytimes to take advantage of.

Take field trips often. Visiting parks, museums, zoos, and other educational venues can also help enhance social skills. Because these trips will naturally be a part of the homeschool curriculum, this one is simple to implement. Don’t just visit the places. Talk to the tour guides and other visitors. Take the extra informational courses, workshops, and special classes. This gets the kids interacting with people of all ages, which is vital to social development. When visiting the park, go during times many other children will also be there. Let the kids make friends and schedule play dates.

Be sure that your child also has many opportunities to play with friends, attend birthday parties, attend family gatherings, and other social activities. The next time you go to the grocery store, let your child do the shopping and have the child ask the store associates for help when an item cannot be found. Also ask the child to pay. Maybe your child is a baker. Have a bake sale and sell baked goods and lemonade. Plan a neighborhood block party once per month. You and the kids can volunteer to help out at a local church, soup kitchen, or other social organizations. This can help with not only enhancing social skills, but in teaching humility and caring.

Homeschooling offers so many more ways to be social than other schooling methods because of its flexibility. Just be creative and go with the flow. In the end, your child will grow immensely. When I first started homeschooling my children, I was worried about social skills. But I soon realized that my kids had more opportunities to enhance social skills than they ever did before.

Can Someone Other Than a Parent Legally Homeschool a Child?

1/22/2016

Laws and Regulations on Non-Parental Homeschooling

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

Image © toridawnrector; Flickr.com

Does your child seem to need an alternative schooling method, but you aren’t sure who will teach them? Perhaps homeschool appears the best option for your family. You may want to try homeschooling your kids, but know you or another parent cannot teach them, due to work schedules. Is homeschooling still an option? Can someone other than a parent legally homeschool a child? There are laws and regulations on non-parental homeschooling that you’ll need to know.

Can Someone Other Than a Parent Legally Homeschool a Child?

When making the decisions involved in the homeschool choice, some will wonder about all available teaching options. One possible question is whether another adult, besides the parents, can legally homeschool a child. Perhaps a parent would like their child to receive the one-on-one learning experience that homeschool can provide. Maybe the child would benefit from a customized learning plan.

Perhaps the parents have made the decision that homeschool is the answer, but feel they cannot do it themselves, due to work or other circumstances.Maybe the parents are simply looking for a tutor or teacher that can give their child full attention that isn’t possible in a classroom setting.

What Are the Exact Laws on Homeschooling a Child That’s Not Your Own?

The answer to the legalities behind this does not come with a simple yes or no on whether it can be done. The answers are varied, depending on state laws and regulations. Each state has its own set of requirements and regulations surrounding homeschool. In order to be sure you are following those laws and regulations, check with your state’s education department.

Is Certification Required to Homeschool a Child That’s Not Yours?

In some states, it is only legal for a certified teacher to homeschool a child. In these cases, a certified parent or tutor could possibly be the home educator. Still, in yet other states, certification is not required for the parent, but restrictions may apply as to who can be the homeschool teacher. In such states, a parent may not need certification, but another person who would teach the child would need certification because that person is not the legal guardian of that child. In such cases, that would not actually be homeschooling by the definition of the law, but would be considered to be private school education.

In some states, such as Florida and Texas (under the author's understanding of the current law at the time of the initial writing of this piece), anyone can be the homeschool teacher with or without certification. In these states, as well as some others, homeschool is considered to be a private school.

*For the most up to date information concerning homeschool laws and how they pertain to your individual concerns, visit the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, or HSLDA, as well as study the entire educational law for your state of residence. The educational law can be obtained from the board of education in each state.

**At the time this text was composed by the author, it is the author's understanding, based on research of educational laws, that everything herein is true and accurate. Laws can change and also can be interpreted differently by individuals. Thus, the information herein is not legal advice and is intended only for informational purposes. Multiple resources should be used when researching legal matters.

Juggling Your Work at Home Job While Homeschooling

1/22/2016

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

Image © mikecogh; Flickr.com

At times it can be difficult and downright stressful to try and run a work at home business out of your home while homeschooling. Trust me, I’ve been there. You may have business phone calls coming in while you're trying to teach a lesson. If you don't answer the phone, you may lose money, but if you do, you may be interrupting an important homeschool lesson plan or worksheet explanation. To solve the problem of juggling your work at home job while homeschooling, you need some tips and a plan from somewhere who’s been there.

Scheduling a Regular Work Time and School Time

You usually need at least 4 hours of homeschooling each day to fully benefit the child as well as to fulfill the requirement for most states (check your state’s requirements). Schedule that time around your work at home schedule. Let's say you need 8 hours of work time and 4 hours of homeschool time. Your work hours might be from 5 am to 1pm, allowing for breakfast time. Lunch can be made at 1pm if you give a healthy snack in between. At 2pm, you can then start homeschool and finish at 6pm. This is just one example. Schedule times according to your family’s needs.

Being More Flexible With Times

If your family needs even more flexibility, you can do things like prepare lunch or dinner while teaching the kids. You can also use the method where the child basically instructs him or herself while you work, using your pre-written lesson instructions for each subject. If the child has questions, you are still there, but the questions don't usually take very long to answer. Since most homeschooled kids learn faster, this method may even be possible at a younger age. Use your better judgement.

To do it this way, you will need to have plenty of things handy to keep the kids busy in case they finish their homeschool lessons during your work time. If you are the only parent available, be sure to give your kids love and attention during your work hours and know where they are and what they are doing at all times. If both parents are working at home during homeschool hours, this can be much easier. One can teach the kids and one can run the business. You can even take turns.

What About Field Trips & Home Economics?

Remember that field trips do not always have to occur during the homeschool week when it isn't possible. A field trip can be done during the weekend, when there is more time. By doing this, the field trip can also count for school hours, which means that the children could take some time off during the week, equivalent to the learning time spent on the field trip. This may also add more availability for your work at home job.

If this time is taken off, the children can chip in with housework and the business, leaving more time for you to get your work done. Chores are an important part of learning, as your children will need these skills when out on their own. You can consider this part of home economics class.

Who Will Answer Business Phone Calls During Homeschool Hours?

One way to solve the phone call problem is to use a virtual office service during your homeschooling hours. This will help ensure you don't miss calls, but your kids will still get their education. As mentioned above, the children may also be able to answer some business calls for you. If another parent is available, one can answer the phone calls and another can teach the kids and/or do other things related to the work at home business. There are many ways to solve this. You just have to be creative and use whatever works best for your family.

Pulling it All Together to Juggle Your Work at Home Job While Homeschooling

You can use the ideas here or come up with your own unique way. The important thing is to brainstorm and make sure your ideas work for all involved. Thinking ahead regarding homeschool lessons and work at home duties will relieve stress greatly. You can take a weekend to plan everything as far in advance as possible. Put homeschool assignments and business plans in order in clearly labeled folders for ease of use. Calendars, planners, and other organization tools may also be helpful. Working at home while also homeschooling is not as hard as it may first appear, if you keep an open and willing mind. You just have to figure out what all the needs are and find a way that you can meet them all.

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

Free MLK Printables, Activities, Lesson Plans, Color Pages, and More

1/3/2016

Free Educational Content for PreK-12 on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

by Lyn Lomasi; Co-Owner of Intent-sive Nature & the Brand Shamans network

Image © U.S. Mission Geneva; Flickr.com

Martin Luther King Jr is a special day to celebrate equality among all people. Teaching children about Dr. King is vital to their education. Here you will find a collection of a wide variety of stories, songs, activities, worksheets, and more to celebrate MLK Day. While Martin Luther's King's actual birthday is January 15 (1929), it is observed on the 3rd Monday in January every year. It is a federal holiday.

Free Martin Luther King Jr Acrostic Poem Worksheet

Acrostic poems are those where you use each letter in the name of a person or object to build the poem. Teach-nology.com has a wonderful MLK acrostic poem worksheet and also a variety of other printables. Some are free and some require registration.

Free MLK Worksheets

Ed-helper.com has a large variety of MLK activity worksheets, lessons, timelines, stories, and more. There are MLK materials for a variety of subjects and grade levels. Ed-Helper.com also has a variety of lessons and worksheets on other subjects.

Free Civil Rights Songs

NPR has a wonderful interactive history post on the Songs of the Civil Rights Movement. One can click on each song underneath the historical info. There is also much more history to be found on this interesting website.

Free MLK Lesson Plans

Here is a collection of free Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lesson Plans from around the web.

"I Have a Dream" Collective Banner (K-2)

MLK Jr Theme (Pre-K)

MLK Jr Timelines (3rd-5th, 6th-8th)

MLK Jr Theme (varied ages)

MLK Jr and Me (K-2)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Lesson Plans and Activities

Free MLK Stories, Games, Crafts, & Activities

There are many fun games, activities, stories, and crafts around the web to learn about and celebrate Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. Here is a collection of those which I consider some of the best.

Civil Rights Movement Game

MLK Poem

Preschool Coloring Book Pages

More MLK Color Pages

Printable MLK Book

MLK Crafts

MLK Activities and More

MLK Online Books

Know of another MLK resource? Just have something to say? This author welcomes feedback and discussion in the comments section below.

Free Black History Month Printables, Activities, Lesson Plans, Color Pages, and More

1/3/2016

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

Image © Clotee Pridgen Allochuku; Flickr.com

February is Black History Month. During Black History Month, kids all over will learn about important contributions to American and World History by African Americans. Parents and teachers (homeschool and traditional) alike can help their kids and students learn about Black History with free printables, such as coloring pages, stories, worksheets, and activities.

Free printables can be a great teaching resource for Black History Month and all year long. They can be combined for an entire unit, used as stand-alones, or even used as fun time slot fillers, extra credit, or supplemental unit lessons. Free printables are great for parents, teachers, and homeschoolers because they often offer quality lessons with no additional costs.

This resource is packed full of free black history month printables, lesson plans, and more. Teachers, homeschoolers, and parents can utilize these free printable black history month coloring pages, activities, and lessons for varied grade levels. This guide contains much more than just printables.

Free Printable Martin Luther King, Jr. Coloring Pages

Martin Luther King is an extremely important leader in black history. As such, children should learn about his contributions. Enjoy these free printable coloring pages around the web featuring the prominent civil rights leader, MLK.

Free Black History Month Printables at Teacher Vision

Teacher Vision has a great selection of free black history month printables for all ages. Visit this resource for lessons and printables featuring Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, famous Black American scientists, African folktales, music lessons, printable coloring books, and much more.

Free Black History Month Printable Lessons at Lesson Plans Page

Lessons Plans Page is a user-created resource, featuring a wide variety of printable lesson plans on black history and other subjects. Use this resource for printable lessons on Harriet Tubman, MLK, equality, slavery, and more.

Free Black History Month Printables at Family Education

FamilyEducation.com has an interesting selection of free printables and resources for Black History Month. These are for varied age levels. Visit this resource to find printables, quizzes, lesson plans, coloring pages, activities, and more for Black History Month.

Free Black History Month Printables at The Teacher’s Corner
Here, you’ll find many free printables for Black History Month. Find free Black History Month printables on famous Black Americans including journal pages, word scrambles, crossword puzzles, word searches, matchups, and more.

Free Black History Month Printables at ABC Teach

ABCTeach.com features an assortment of printables on Black History Month. Find printables on Louis Armstrong, Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, George Washington Carver, Abraham Lincoln, and more. Printables include worksheets, stories, facts, organizers, report planners, research planners, famous speeches, word searches, word walls, writing paper, writing prompts, posters, and more.

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

10 Free Wood Shop Plans for Homeschool (Plus Bonus Safety Tips)

1/2/2016

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

Image © fabola; Flickr.com

Running a homeschool woodworking class is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance - even if neither parent knows anything about working with wood or what to buy. It does make it easier to teach the class if at least one parent has experience working with wood, but concepts can be learned together during the process. Sometimes that is even part of the fun. Hands-on practice often produces the best of lessons, as does trial and error. There will be plenty of both in woodworking.

Part of homeschooling is the opportunity for one-on-one teacher/child interaction, as well as learning together as parents and child. Another benefit to homeschooling is the unique opportunity to incorporate any class that the child is interested in. There is virtually no limit on choices, as there is no worry about whether it is offered at your child's school. You are your child's school, in more ways than one.

If you need wood shop lesson ideas, visit your local home improvement store, where free do-it-yourself guides can often be found. Another way to find ideas is by visiting wood shop and woodworking websites. There are plenty of them all over the web. Just doing a simple search for "wood shop projects" will yield a great variety. To get you started, here is a list of basic materials, as well as instructions for 10 simple, fun, and useful wood shop projects.

Basic Homeschooling Woodshop Materials

Not every project will require the same materials and you may sometimes find yourself purchasing additional materials for certain projects. However, the below tools and materials are commonly used in wood shop or woodworking classes:

C-clamp, workbench, wood saw, staple gun, hammer, screwdriver, 14v power drill with bits, screws (assorted sizes), nails (assorted sizes), wood glue, sander, sandpaper, wood-burning kit, Dremel kit, wood (various types - as needed per project), scrap wood (keep after projects for practicing with), scissors, hobby knife, table saw, measuring tape, contractor's pencil

Basic Homeschooling Woodshop Safety

Safety in a wood shop first starts with knowing your tools and materials and how to use them properly. Also be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask during every project, even small steps. You never know what is going to happen. Watch fingers around electrical devices and cutting devices. Adults should operate any heavy machinery or power equipment. Also check age guidelines.

Adhere strictly to manufacturer's safety guidelines on any electrical or battery-operated tools and devices. Ear muffs are also a good idea. They will keep out saw dust, as well as cancel out some of the noise from the machinery.

A safety class should be held before giving any other classes. It is also important to test on this, as well as follow up on it periodically and hold a safety session before each project on safety related to that specific project and the tools required for building it. Always be sure all equipment is turned off, unplugged, and out of reach of children. Keep cords rolled up and out of the way.

Keep chemicals, like turpentine out of reach of children. Many materials and tools used in wood shop can be dangerous, so be sure they are not easily accessible to a child. Be sure all sawdust is swept up and anything else used is cleaned up right away. This is not intended to be a complete safety guide. Always follow safety guidelines of each tool or material you are using and use your best judgment.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Bulletin Board

A bulletin board is a very simple woodworking project that beginners can try their hand at. With the help of a free lesson plan from UniqueProjects.com, homeschooling parents can teach their kids how to make a bulletin board. A bulletin board is a great wood shop project, as the completed product can be used for class. To make the simple version, materials required will be fabric, plywood, paint, thumb tacks, ribbon, brads, hobby knife, wood saw, staple gun, measuring tape, and scissors. For measurements and complete instructions, view the free guide.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Jewelry Trinket Box

A jewelry trinket box makes a great Mother's Day or Christmas gift for that special woman. With the help of a free lesson plan from U-Bild.com, a homeschooling parent can help their child create this wood shop project. Materials include maple, maple molding, butt hinges, small box lock, wood glue, and finish. Measurements are given in the free downloadable lesson guide.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Tissue Box Cover

Tired of that cardboard look on your tissue boxes? Try making a wooden tissue box cover.Happy Woodworkers has a free project plan that homeschooling dads and moms can use for wood shop class. To make this wooden tissue box cover, you will need a jigsaw, a hammer, sandpaper, clamps, 3d nails, wood filler, wood glue, stain, varnish, and plywood. Measurements and specifications are in the free lesson.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Step Stool

Have a little one who's potty training? Maybe someone's just a tad too short to reach the kitchen sink or cabinets. CanadianHomeWorkshop.com has free instructions for building a simple step stool that a 2 year old actually helped construct. Materials for this project are a sander, a handsaw, a coping saw, screws, a drill, linseed oil, turpentine, tung oil, and pine. Measurements and specifications can be found in the instructions.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Toy Box
Toys starting to overfill their current location? How about making them a new toybox? Courtesy of azwoodman.com, homeschooling parents can get a free project plan for a wooden toy box. Tools and materials required are a handsaw or circular saw, combination square, screwdriver, drill, finish sander, bit set, jigsaw, 3 pieces of lumber, plywood, strap hinges with screws, corner braces with screws, sandpaper, wood glue, finish, four plate casters, thick and soft rope, and furniture gliders. See the free project guide for measurements and specifications.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Bread Box

Tired of accidentally smashing your bread inside the pantry? A bread box can fix that problem. Am-wood.com has an easy and free step-by-step project plan for a simple bread box. Tools and materials required are a drill, sander, router, jigsaw, pine lumber, plywood, dowel, and a knob handle. Measurements and specifications can be found in the instructions.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Key Holder

If mom's lost her keys around the house one too many times, you may consider making her a key holder. At LeesWoodProjects.com, homeschooling moms and dads can find a simple keyholder project to use for wood shop class with their kids. If something more complex is desired, Lee's Wood Projects also has another design that doubles as a mail and key holder. For the simple key holder, materials required are a small piece of walnut wood, metal key hooks, poster board, scissors, hobby knife, drill, sand paper, and file. See the free project plan for measurements and specifications.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Bookshelf

Books starting to stack up everywhere but a shelf? This is a handy project that can help clear some clutter around the house when it's finished. Homeschooling parents can download a free wood shop project plan for a simple, traditional bookshelf in PDF form from MinWax.com. Clicking on the link will open the PDF file. Materials and tools required for this project include a small crosscut saw, pine lumber, plywood, screws, brads, shelf pins, finish, a block plane, pipe or bar clamps, combination square, carpenter's square, screwdriver, nails, pencil, wood glue, hobby knife, sander, saber saw, router, table saw, and a drill or power screwdriver. Measurements and specifications can be found in the free PDF.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Paper Towel Holder

Paper towel racks are useful in many households. Unfortunately, it is a hard to find one that isn't plastic these days. So, why not make one? It's simple and fun. FreeTowelHolderPlans.com has a great free wood project homeschooling dads and moms can enjoy using with their kids. It can be viewed on the website or downloaded in PDF form. The choice is yours. Materials required are lumber, dowel rod or towel bar, screws, finishing nails, leaf hinges with screws, router, sander, double-stick tape, bandsaw, lathe, and drill. See the free guide for measurements and specifications.

Free Homeschooling Woodshop Projects: Magazine Rack

Tired of magazines being scattered across floors, furniture, and countertops? A magazine rack is a great , helpful project. Instructables.com has a fancy, but simple free project plan for a magazine rack. Homeschooling dads can appreciate presenting this one to the kids because it is not your ordinary magazine rack. Materials required are plywood, white paper, square, meter, pencil, modeling saw, hammer, nails, wood glue, elastic bands, heavy objects to use as press, and 4 pivoting wheels. Measurements and specifications can be found in the free lesson.

Ask Lyn About Homeschool: How Teens in Homeschool Can Get or Stay Social

12/19/2015

The Social Scene For Homeschooled Teens

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

I have been asking readers their concerns about homeschool. Sometimes parents worry that teens educated in the home may miss out on prom and other activities. Layla Lair was wondering if I had any suggestions on things homeschooled teens could do to stay social and continue to develop relationships.

Team Sports

Like teens in a traditional school setting, homeschooled teens also can participate in team sports. Sports are great for social skills. Teens not only learn how to work with others, but they may also find lasting friendships. Many areas have teams for homeschooled teens. However, they also are often allowed to play on local high school teams or other co-ed teams that are open to all teens, regardless of schooling method. This actually gives a homeschooled teen more choices in some instances.

Volunteer Work

Volunteer work is not only a very noble and useful act, but it can also add to the social life of a teen. Depending on the type of volunteer work, teens may interact with people that are a wide range of ages, including their own. This gives valuable work and even friendship experiences. Plus teens will come away from something like this knowing they've made a difference in someone else's life. Homeschooled teens may have more options to choose from when it comes to volunteer work because their school schedule could be more flexible.

Afterschool Clubs & Organizations

Afterschool clubs and organizations are not restricted to teens in traditional school. Homeschooled teens can attend these social gatherings and activities as well. Organizations that provide great social, physical, and educational activities, such as the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club, are open to everyone.

Afterschool Job

Just like a teen in traditional school may get an afterschool job to earn college funds or simply to learn responsibility, so can a homeschooled teen. This not only provides valuable work ethics and experience, but it also can be a great social environment. In many job settings, teens will come across a variety of people every day.

Community College Classes

Because homeschooled teens have a flexible schedule, this leaves many open to taking extra courses at the community college. This is excellent for earning college credits, but homeschooled teens can also use this as an extra social opportunity.

Hands-On Learning

Homeschooling allows for more flexibility as far as where school takes place. For many homeschool families, school is not always about the books. Of course, it has to be for some things, but homeschooled teens have the opportunity to learn things through doing them versus only reading about them in a book. For instance, when learning about certain things in natural science, a homeschooled teen could study the natural environment.

When learning about other things, the teen may go to a museum tour, take an extra course outside the home, or the parent may hire an expert to give a lecture. Children in traditional school do this with some things as well, but a homeschooled teen has more freedom and opportunity to do this with many more lessons. In doing many of these things, there will be social interaction.

Church Clubs & Activities

If the homeschooled teen happens to be one of certain faiths, he or she may belong to a church. Many will have classes, activities, clubs, and events that the teen can get involved in. Some of these might include choir, praise dancing, drama, Sunday school, or even volunteering. By joining church activities and clubs, the teen can add another opportunity for social interaction with peers.

Prom and Other Teen Activities

Many worry that their teen will not have a prom or be able to attend school games or other events if they are homeschooled. This does not have to be a reality. Not only do many homeschool organizations and groups hold events like these for homeschooled teens, but they may also get invited to the events at the local high schools. A homeschooled teen may have friends that attend the local high school and most will allow students to bring along someone from another school. This includes homeschooled kids.

Homeschool Group Activities

Some families who homeschool choose to join homeschool groups. These are groups of people who also homeschool their children. They meet a certain number of times each week or month for social activities, field trips, events, and more.

Homeschool Co-Ops

Homeschool co-ops are when parents of homeschooled children hold various classes for the children at scheduled times. One parent is generally assigned to each subject and the group agrees to meet at a specified time a certain number of times per week or month. Some homeschool co-ops are meant as a supplement to what the children are learning at home, as well as a way for the children to socially interact with each other. Yet others are used much in the same way as traditional school.

Family as Friends

Some teens may have one or more siblings or relatives they spend time with frequently. While these friends are part of the family, they still can be considered and do have an important role in social interaction. Whether a friend or group of friends comes from inside or outside the family, interacting with them adds to the overall social skills of a teen. The same is true for the parent-child relationship. Varied relationships and opportunities put together create a great social network for a teen.

Ordinary Teen Activities

A homeschool teen is still a teen, just like a public school kid is a teen and a private school kid is a teen. They are all individuals, hopefully not defined only by which type of school they attend. On that same note, teens do not have to attend the same school or even the same type of school to maintain a friendship. Ordinary teen social activities, such as hanging out with friends, going to the mall, going to movies, and more are all activities you might see a teenager doing.

A homeschooled teen is no different in this regard. If they had friends before starting homeschool, those friends don't automatically disappear. If the teen has been homeschooled all his or her life, there are (and likely already were) plenty of opportunities to make friends, such as at any of the activities listed above, interacting with neighbors, and much more.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Preparing for Homeschool: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

12/19/2015

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

Image © Skley; Flickr.com

When you make the choice to homeschool your children, there are many things to consider. As a mom who has homeschooled, I’ve experienced the possible answers to many of the questions you may have on your mind. Below, you will see the questions, along with what I feel are the best answers, based on our experiences. In addition to being a mother of homeschoolers, I have also studied extensively on the subject and feel confident in the answers I have provided below.

Q: How do I get started with homeschooling and who do I contact to inform of my decision?

A: Depending on the city or county you live in, the rules will be different. In many states, you will need to inform the school district, usually at their main office. In a few states, such as Texas, homeschooling is considered to be a private school and you need not inform anyone. In Texas, if your child attended traditional school before your choice to homeschool, you should inform the child's school that the child will now be homeschooled, so they can update their records and your child will not be considered truant. Nothing else is needed. Texas is often considered the best place to homeschool because of homeschools being considered private school.

For more information on what to do in your state, please click here.

Q: Is homeschooling legal?

A: Yes. Homeschooling is perfectly legal, in the United States. However, some restrictions and regulations apply and the laws are always changing, so be sure to check the law for your specific state.

Q: What is required for instruction?

A: All states have different subject and hour requirements, but most will include math, history, science, character development, reading and language, and US Government or Constitution. Check your state's requirements.

Q: What is the best curriculum?

A: The best curriculum will actually depend on the individual child.Research should be done to determine which curriculum is appropriate according to each child's individual needs as well as instructional needs. Remember to have a good balance between what your child enjoys, what is required to be learned at his or her age, as well as what will cater to any disabilities or constraints, such as ADHD or low attention span.

Also remember to cater to a variety of learning methods. A well-rounded lesson should include oral instruction, hands-on instruction, verbal practice, and visual stimulation. In other words, the child needs to hear it, see it, do it, speak it, and write it. For children weak in any of those areas, this will strengthen those weaknesses, as well as form a better understanding. All children will respond to at least one of the methods, but rather than focusing on only the method the child responds well to, it is best to give the child practice at all of them.

Q: What about socialization?

A: Socialization is often a great misconception. As with in traditional school, homeschoolers still have plenty of opportunities to socialize. There are often more opportunities to socialize in homeschool than traditional school. Many homeschoolers encourage social interaction more than a parent of a traditionally-schooled child simply because of the (often) false concern surrounding homeschool and socialization.

More On Socialization:
Homeschool Myths: Kids Who Homeschool Have Poor Social Skills
Homeschooling to Get Positive Social Interaction?

Q: What if I want to write/customize my own curriculum to each child, but don't know what is required for each subject and grade level?

A: You can check the website for the Department of Education in your state. Every state lists the requirements this way. Each state has different requirements, so be sure to check the correct state.

Q: Is homeschooling the best method?

A: The best method will vary for each student and parent. While homeschooling may be ideal for one family, another family may get better results in a public or private school. Things to consider are time, expenses, willingness of parent to teach effectively and efficiently, willingness of student to cooperate with parent during lessons, willingness of parent to provide socialization opportunities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, dedication to study (by parent as well as child), ability to provide proper instruction and materials, and many more things.

Write down everything you will need for homeschooling, along with all of your child's special needs and the requirements for his or her grade level. If you can meet all those challenges, your family is ready for homeschool. Even if you have only met a few, if you know that it is possible for your family to fill in the other spots, you are still ready. However, if there are problems with any areas, you may want to consider private tutoring, private school, or public school. While homeschooling provides a great opportunity, if it is not taken seriously, any opportunity it would have provided is lost.

See also: Homeschool: Are You the Right Parent for the Job?

Q: Are homeschooled children allowed to participate in team sports?

A: Yes. There are many teen sports that are especially for homeschooled children. However, if you would like your children to participate with kids in all types of school environments, try having them join sports teams offered by the local YMCA or Parks & Recreational Department. Another option that is sometimes allowed is for homeschooled children to join the sports team of the school they would normally attend if they were in public school. Some schools allow this and some do not. Check with your local school for this information and for tryout information, should they approve of a homeschooler joining their leagues.

Q: My child is in middle or high school. What about proms, diplomas, and graduation requirements?

A: In some states, homeschooled children will graduate and attend proms and other events right along with traditionally high schooled children. However, there are other options such as homeschool group graduations, proms, and events. It is up to the parent to decide what is best for the child and what works for the family. A homeschool diploma can also be made on your home computer, but be careful to also create transcripts. If this part will be too difficult for you, consider using a service that caters to homeschoolers. These services make transcripts and diplomas for you. One such service is VDM Educator Services. This is a website with diploma and transcript templates for the parent to easily fill out and print.

Also, a homeschooled child still must take and pass ACT and SAT tests in high school in order to graduate.

Q: What standardized tests must my child take every year?

A: Depending on your state, this will vary. But, usually beginning in grade 3 a child would take the state standardized test required of all students, This test would be taken each year thereafter. (In Texas, this is likely the TAKS or TEKS. In Colorado, it will likely be the CSAP.) Contact your state's Department of Education for dates and times for homeschooled children to be tested and for information on whether it is required or not. If it is not a requirement, it is still a good idea to have your child/ren take the test. It will be a good indicator for you as to whether your child is getting proper instruction or not.

Disclaimer: While the author believes the above answers to be true and correct, neither the author, nor the website where this is published claims responsibility for the information provided. It is the parent's responsibility to properly research this information when deciding to homeschool. This article serves only as a starting point for parents considering homeschool. Everything contained herein, as well as any other concerns and questions a party may have about homeschool should be properly researched with the appropriate entities.

Ask Lyn about other homeschool concerns.

*This author welcomes feedback and discussion in the comments below.

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

Homeschool Myths: Kids Who Homeschool Have Poor Social Skills

12/19/2015

Personal Experience and Research on Homeschooling and Socialization

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

Image © Lyn Lomasi; Flickr.com

As the concept of homeschooling continues to ease back into the mainstream, where it began, more and more questions and myths seem to follow. One myth that is very often assumed of homeschooled kids is that they do not have proper social skills or don't interact with others. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me about my children or homeschool in general in relation to socialization, I'd likely be rich. Unfortunately for my wallet, that isn't the case.

While at first thought, considering the fact that school is often assumed to be done only inside the home, it seems that a social environment may be unavailable. However, a homeschooled child may actually have more opportunity than others to gain positive social skills and interact with people. One reason for this is that because of the flexibility in class scheduling, as well as the unique opportunity to learn whenever or wherever desired, homeschoolers are often around a variety of people during the day.

In fact, in a study published by the NHERI (National Home Education Research Institute), homeschool students had scores in social skills that were higher than those of kids in public schools. As a homeschool parent, this study doesn't surprise me at all, as I observed positive social results from homeschool in my children who previously attended public school, as well as those who homeschooled exclusively at first.

One way children who attend a homeschool can interact is through activities. THis may include dance classes, religious activities (if applicable), Girl Scouts, 4H, sports, extra classes, YMCA, rec center memberships, and much more. Any activity available to a public or private school student is also available to a home school student.

However, homeschooled students actually have an advantage in this area because they can join activities that public schooled children also have available, as well as join homeschool-specific activities. These activities can be utilized at any time of the day because of the versatility of rearranging the academic schedule around them.

Some homeschooled kids also take academic and elective classes outside of the home. This gives them the chance to be around their peers and if the classes are taken in addition to classes they learn at home, it also gives them an academic boost.

Many homeschool families also plan a good amount of field trips. When homeschooling, there is the versatility of being able to plan a field trip for every unit of study, if desired. Field trips will generally involve a diverse public scene, which is great for socialization, as this is how the real world is.

A good number of homeschooling families opt for yearly passes or membership to museums, zoos, and other educational places. In some states, like Texas, home schools who are members of a homeschool group, association, or organization can get a teacher or educator discount at many of the field trip locations.

Speaking of home school groups, that's another way homeschooled children can interact with peers. These groups, associations, and organizations often plan parties, book sales, curriculum exchanges, field trips, play dates, fairs, and other social events where the children will interact with each other. According to the HSLDA, the average homeschooled child is involved in about 5.2 social activities. 98% are involved in at least 2 activities.

Many homeschooling families also get active in library events, such as story time, craft classes, and educational classes. A day time trip to the grocery store where a homeschooled child uses math to purchase groceries and communicates with the cashier can be a mini social event as well.

There are many events like these in a homeschooler's life, as many of them believe in using every opportunity possible to learn lessons and to communicate with others. Because of this, a child in home school is likely to possess excellent teamwork skills, which are very necessary in college and in the workforce.

As you can see, homeschooled children will be exposed to many social environments throughout their homeschooling experience. Because of the flexibility in homeschooling and the availability of so many activities and opportunities, homeschooled children will be around a variety of age groups, races, and other socioeconomic backgrounds, possibly more so than children in a traditional school setting.

Even the ones who do the majority of their schooling in the home are likely still involved in activities, as well as playing and interacting with friends and relatives, which still gives them social experience.

From all of the information above, as well as personal experience and study, I would have to conclude that homeschooled children actually have a social advantage over those in public or private school, not a disadvantage, as is often mistakenly assumed.

For those interested in homeschooling or just interested in finding out more information and research on homeschooling, I recommend that you visit the following links, do your own research, as well as talk to other homeschoolers to see what they’re doing.

Recommended Research and Info Sources:

NHERI (National Home Education Research Institute)
NHELD (National Home Education Legal Defense)
HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)
HSLDA 1997 Study on Social Skills in Homeschooled Kids
NHERI Volume 17 Study on Homeschooled Childrens’ Social Skills

I am also available for many homeschooling questions at Ask Lyn.

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**Questions? Have something to say or add? This author welcomes feedback and discussion in the comments section below.

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

Homeschooling With Minimal Stress: Handy Hints

10/4/2015

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

Image © Urban Hippie Love; Flickr.com

Homeschooling with minimal stress may seem like a mythical wish. However, with the right tools and tips, you can reduce the stress that goes with teaching your kids at home. Relax for a minute and go over these handy hints I’ve learned with experience over the years. Each family is different. However, we can all try new things to enhance our homeschooling experience.

Tear out and laminate workbook pages and put them in binders for each subject. Arrange the page order according to level. If you make a big one that contains all levels and areas of math, you won't have to purchase any more math workbooks the following years and you have work for all your kids. Just pull out the pages one at a time and give them to your child with a write & wipe marker or crayon. Then, when your child is finished and the work has been gone over, you can easily put it back in. You may want to take a Sharpie and number the pages in the order you want them. That way if more than one child has a worksheet, you can easily remember where they belong.

Take some relaxing time for yourself each day. If your kids nap, instead of cleaning during their nap, you could take a soak in the tub, curl up with a book, or do something else you enjoy. Your relaxing time may come after the kids are asleep, but be sure to take it. Even five minutes of locking yourself in the bathroom and praying can go a long way

Plan ahead. If you try to write or figure out the assignments while school is in session, this can stress you out. I recommend taking a weekend to plan a month or so of assignments. That way you can easily give the assignments to your child/ren when it's time.

Organize each subject for each child. Each child should have a folder for each subject. The assignments should be placed in those folders in order of when they are to be completed. Even though some assignments won't have a worksheet, there should be instructions for each assignment (even if it's just reading). All assignments should have a date on them. You can even stick the write & wipe sheets (or the page numbers for them) in the folders, too. This makes the day run much smoother.

Never ignore a question your child asks. If you don't know the answer, don't stress. Just look it up. That’s what search engines and educational websites are for. You don’t need to know everything in the world in order to homeschool. All you need are tools to learn with.

Use different methods for teaching the kids. Try various ways to instill each lesson, such as chalkboard and lecture, books, games, worksheets, drawing, writing, and more. You should use two or more strategies for each lesson. That way your child/ren won't get bored and they will also learn many different methods for solving problems.

Add family yoga or meditation to your routine. If you and the kids are having a hard time relaxing, yoga or meditation can help. Be sure to choose the right times to do the yoga, as well as the best relaxing music for everyone. For us, doing a warm-up before assignments begin and a cool-down at the end of the day is perfect. Native American songs are usually our preferred musical selections. Did you know that yoga can actually increase concentration and focus in the homeschool classroom?

Have Fun! Enjoying the process is one of the most important aspects of homeschooling. If you and your child are both having fun, homeschooling is more likely to go smoothly with minimal stress.

Back to School: Planning Homeschool Recess

8/31/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Image © Wonderlane; Flickr.com

You have the learning materials ready, corresponding field trips planned out, and have turned your home into a classroom. Everything is perfect. But what about recess? For homeschoolers, back to school time means planning many things. But how do you fit in recess without having a fully stocked gym on hand? For me, it was all about figuring out which types of physical activities worked well with only one to five people.

Make a list of activities appropriate for the number of people in your family. Talk about activities that will work for the number of people in your family. Some easily adjustable activities include volleyball, bike riding, basketball, relay races, jogging or running, dancing, yoga, hiking, and swimming. Have everyone make suggestions and make a list of the ones that can be adjusted (if necessary) for the number of people you have. Take at least one suggestion from each family member to avoid arguments and keep things fair.

Make a schedule that fits all those activities. Now that you have your activities worked out, you need to figure out when to do them all. We like to rotate our favorites throughout the week so that we are never doing the same activity two days in a row. Typically, our school day would always start with yoga or Pilates. But recess time could be anything from basketball, to hiking the trails, or even dancing around the house. As long as the schedule includes doing some type of physical activity every day, that's a good thing. If one or more family members plays on a sports team or has other classes involving physical activity, those may need to go on the schedule. Consider the times they occur and where it would need to be allowed.

Keep a 'free day' where people can do solo activities. A free day where each person can do their own thing (within reason) for recess helps keep things fair. This makes up for the fact that there may be some activities that not everyone in the family wants to do. This way, one child could shoot hoops while another jump ropes and you do your power yoga. Sometimes, even on free days, we may choose to do something together, such as take an extra hike along the trails. The free day should simply be used however everyone agrees on said day.

Alternatively, invest in a family gym membership. If you just cannot keep it together or get everyone to agree on things, consider joining the gym as a family. Many gyms now offer classes for all ages. This means your kids could be exercising by doing the latest hip-hop dance while you attend an advanced yoga class. Younger kids could be doing beginner yoga or tumbling or babies can attend parent and baby stretch or yoga classes. There are likely classes you could all take together as well.

LAST UPDATED: 8/24/2022

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

Discuss favorites from your list. Now that you have a list, figure out what everyone's favorites are and narrow it down to a comfortable number for scheduling purposes. I find it helpful to take votes until the activities are narrowed down comfortably enough to not be overwhelming. If no one can agree via voting, stick a small folded note for each activity in a basket or jar and randomly draw them until you have enough. To make it fair, the basket or jar can be passed around so each person can draw something until enough activities have been fulfilled. Because we have a large family, I find drawing activities to be the most effective at keeping things equal for everyone.

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Back to School: Establishing a Homeschool Routine

8/31/2015

by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Back to school time! The fall season brings on new challenges for homeschooled kids, as well as those in a more traditional school setting. It's your family's first year homeschooling and you need to establish a routine. Having experienced the beginning-of-the-year dread several times over, I've learned a thing or two. When you have a basic plan, most things just fall into place as they come. Establishing a routine from the beginning makes each homeschool day much less stressful. If your children learn throughout the summer, like mine often do, then you may already have a taste of what the school year will be like.

Figure out your family's learning style. Will your family be educated primarily at home or will you be on the go? Is unschooling right for you? Montessori, classic, or eclectic? Will you be taking field trips a couple times per year or daily? We like to integrate field trips into lessons where possible. Decide what your family's main homeschool style will be as well as how and where it will be implemented. Use this information to establish your routine by working together. It's much easier to stay on track when you have an idea of the general direction you want to take things.

Consider your existing family schedule. Do the kids participate in dance, karate, basketball, piano, or other extracurricular activities? If so, then you'll need to remember to work that schedule into your homeschool schedule. Prioritize all of the existing activities, chores, and jobs. Is there anything in the existing schedule that can be rearranged or eliminated if necessary? I find it helpful to number each schedule item in order of importance. That way, if something needs to be changed, I can easily see what to start rotating or eliminating first.

Have a family meeting. This is an absolute must to get everyone on the same page. Establish the routine by discussing goals, expectations, scheduling, and more. Give everyone a chance to speak and ask questions so that nothing is left unsaid. It's easier to establish your homeschool routine when it's clear what everyone wants and needs. Take everyone's thoughts into consideration before finalizing anything. While you may not be able to give Johnny that wish of 169 recess days and one school day for the year, you can probably make sure he gets to ride his bike for recess a few times per week.

Make a schedule. It's important to do this during the family meeting so that everyone has input, as far as what's scheduled. It's also essential establishing a routine. If everyone knows how things will be from the beginning, the day to day process will run more smoothly. Be sure to allow time for getting to any destinations outside the home when creating the schedule. For instance, if one child needs to be at soccer practice at 2 p.m, be sure to allow time in between the previous class and getting to the soccer field. Remember that your schedule can be more flexible than in a traditional classroom. If necessary, schoolwork can resume after the soccer practice.

Be clear and consistent about what's expected. Talk about how the schedule will work, as well as what each person is expected to do. Every family member should know the overall learning style and methods being implemented. It should be clear that if you choose unschooling the eclectic way, everyone should stick to that. Unschooling is a bit more flexible, as far as establishing a routine. But rules do need to be laid out, such as the fact that even if the operational mood is relaxed, learning should still be taking place.

LAST UPDATED 8/24/2022

* I originally published this content via Yahoo Contributor Network: http://web.archive.org/web/20140806195145/http://shine.yahoo.com/back-homeschool-establishing-routine-190300503.html

Back to School: Must-Have Accessories For Homeschoolers On The Go

8/17/2015

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

It's back to school time! Homeschoolers on the go need to always have certain items on hand. But do you know what they are? If your homeschooling family is like ours, it will make learning so much easier if you keep certain on the go accessories around. Whether you need materials to save the lesson for later, study while on the move, or create memories, my family's experiences may help.

A compact digital camera camcorder adds to the lesson. Kids who are encouraged to film and take pictures of specific items and lessons can get a double lesson. It also serves as a great memory for later. We like to take pictures of the nature we view, places we go, as well as just fun moments that we have. This helps us recall the lessons we learned together as a homeschooling family. But it also gives us great family memories. Sometimes lessons happen when you least expect them. Always having a camera ready can help you capture those moments. A cell phone with a good camera will also work.

Never forget your library card at home. Even if you hadn't planned a trip to the library, it can come up at a moment's notice. Homeschoolers on the go often learn right at the library. But how many times have you been on a homeschool excursion and need to get a book to accent what you've learned? What if the library is closer to you than your house? Do you really want to go all the way back home, just for a library card? Never forget library cards for all family members. One trick I like to use is to place the library card (and other important cards) on an I.D. necklace or bracelet. This way, it's less difficult for everyone to forget theirs.

Collection slides and petri dishes are a must. Homeschool outings to the lake or pond can produce some interesting results. The same can even be said for a drainage ditch, walking trail, and even just a city walk to the store. Specimen or petri dishes and collection slides come in handy in many instances. Homeschoolers on the go should never leave home without them. Collecting specimens is just one more way of being able to continue the lesson at home. If you have a microscope, they come in handy even more. We've collected bugs, leaves, moss, pond water, and more all because we had some type of collection dish with us. Nature happens all around us.

A small laptop or tablet serves several purposes. Need a place to take notes? Perhaps you just showed the kids a certain dinosaur and need some follow up questions or activities? We've used the laptop to watch educational movies, research something relevant to the day's studies, and even to take notes. All of the above and more contribute to laptop being a must-have for homeschoolers on the go. Smaller notebook computers or tablets may be better than the full-sized versions, as they are more compact for easier traveling. Look for thinner, lightweight models, if you don't already have a small computer to use.

A fully charged cell phone keeps you prepared. Ever get lost on the way to a homeschool field trip? Don't have GPS? No problem. A charged cell phone that has Internet capabilities can help. Cell phones with GPS or even capabilities to visit online maps can be used to tell people where you are, as well as lead you to your destination. Then, of course, depending on where you are going, you may need to call and talk to that company. On the less cheery side of things, cell phones also come in handy if something goes wrong. Cell phones with cameras will also eliminate the need for a separate camera.

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

Back to School: Benefits of Holding Homeschool Outside

8/17/2015

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

Back to school...err, homeschool! It's that time of year again, when kids are learning more and studying for longer periods of time. For many homeschoolers, school never truly ends, but it can slow down during the summer. If you want to try something different with the kids this school year, consider the benefits of holding homeschool classes outside.

Fresh Air & Breeze is Great Stimulation

One great benefit of holding class outside during homeschool hours is the fresh air. Kids can smell the fragrance of fresh flowers, plants, and other aromas. The mental stimulation can be a great educational motivator. Students also may enjoy feeling a warm or cool breeze as they concentrate on their school assignments. Move desks outside or simply lounge on a picnic blanket or in a tree.

Outdoor Scenes Correlate Well With Hands-On Learning

Many hands-on learning activities will be done best outdoors and if class is held outside it's easy to combine hands-on learning with study materials. For instance, when a child studies the life cycle of a butterfly, rather than only read about it in a book, a child could actually observe butterflies outside. When studying the way in which plants grow, children can plant and grow their own gardens and see how that relates to what they are learning. There are many ways to use the outdoors in classroom studies. ChildrenAndNature.org is one organization dedicated to connecting children and nature (and contains news, resources, tips, and more).

More Room to Stretch While Learning Outside

Stretching between school assignments is necessary for students. Holding class outside gives even more room and freedom to do so. There will be much more room to stretch or even do a mini yoga session for focus and relaxation. Kids can stretch on a patio or even in the grass. They even can take a few minutes to play on a playground or elsewhere in the yard if they need a break between lessons. While this is also possible for an inside homeschool class, it’s more roomy and convenient to do so outdoors.

Calming Learning Setting

Holding class outside can make for a great calming setting for the kids to learn the lessons in. The swaying of the trees, the fresh air mentioned above, birds chirping, and other outdoor sights and sounds can help soothe and relax the kids. When kids are calm, their minds are more likely to be prepared for learning.

Fun for Students

Some kids may just love the idea of having homeschool outside. The idea of being outdoors instead of inside at a desk or table may simply sound fun to students. Even though education will be taking place, why not make it fun as well? When kids are in an enjoyable environment, they may be more likely to pay attention to their school lessons.

Variety in Scenery

If your kids are getting bored during a homeschool class, it may be time to add some variety. Holding class outside is one way to do that. Try holding class outside in the backyard, at a park, at the zoo, at the library, at museums, and more. Holding class in a variety of places may help hold a child's interest and keep him or her excited to learn.

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

Homeschool Tips: Choosing the Right Backpack for Your Learning Style

7/22/2015

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

When choosing the right backpack for homeschool, keep your learning style in mind. You might need a traditional backpack for each of the kids. But then again, you may not. Think about your daily activities and what fits in with that best. You may be surprised at the variety of options or you may learn your kids don’t need backpacks at all.

Where does most of your homeschool time occur? Think about where you teach the kids most of their classes. Is it somewhere you would need them to transport materials to in large quantities? For instance, do you homeschool at the park or at the library? If so, do you bring books and supplies? If so, a good, rugged backpack may be in order.

Do you take field trips often and where to? If you and the kids take field trips to zoos, museums. Libraries and more on a regular basis, they may need sturdy backpacks for homeschool. On the other hand, if you only go every now and then and don't take materials along, you may only need to get them something lightweight. In some cases, they may not actually need one.

What will be transported in your child's homeschool backpack? Consider the items you like the kids to bring along when you go places during the homeschool day. Do they carry heavy textbooks or just notepads? This will help determine which type of backpack or bookbag will work. If you only bring along a couple pencils and worksheets, consider an eco-friendly reusable grocery bag instead. The kids can even decorate them for customization.

Do you even need a backpack? Considering the options above and others, does your child really even need a backpack? In some cases, the answer might be no. Some homeschoolers prefer not to cart everything along when going on field trips. In such cases, a backpack is probably not necessary. If that sounds like you, consider buying some other homeschool supply instead or putting the backpack money toward a college fund.

What are some alternative options if you don't need a backpack? If your kids need some sort of bag for homeschool, but not quite a backpack, there are other options. For the girls, try a large, but lightweight purse. Canvas totes are another option. Reusable grocery bags make excellent options for carrying around supplies.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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

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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Public School, Private School, Homeschool...Or? Which Should You Choose?

Why Does Anyone Homeschool Anyway?

Homeschool: Custom VS Pre-Packaged Curriculum (How to Choose Which is Right for Your Child)

How to Give Kids a Head Start in Math (Tips for PreK-12 Parents and Homeschoolers)

Free Kids Educational Activities for Homeschoolers in Houston

Homeschool Myths: Homeschooled Students Are Unprepared for College

Enhancing Social Skills in Homeschool

Can Someone Other Than a Parent Legally Homeschool a Child?

Laws and Regulations on Non-Parental Homeschooling

Juggling Your Work at Home Job While Homeschooling

Free MLK Printables, Activities, Lesson Plans, Color Pages, and More

Free Educational Content for PreK-12 on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Free Black History Month Printables, Activities, Lesson Plans, Color Pages, and More

10 Free Wood Shop Plans for Homeschool (Plus Bonus Safety Tips)

Ask Lyn About Homeschool: How Teens in Homeschool Can Get or Stay Social

The Social Scene For Homeschooled Teens

Preparing for Homeschool: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Homeschool Myths: Kids Who Homeschool Have Poor Social Skills

Personal Experience and Research on Homeschooling and Socialization

Homeschooling With Minimal Stress: Handy Hints

Back to School: Planning Homeschool Recess

Back to School: Establishing a Homeschool Routine

Back to School: Must-Have Accessories For Homeschoolers On The Go

Back to School: Benefits of Holding Homeschool Outside

Homeschool Tips: Choosing the Right Backpack for Your Learning Style

Free Homeschool Math Games: Fast Cashier

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

Can Kids in Homeschool Receive a Diploma?

Homeschool: Are You the Right Parent for the Job?

Should Every Parent Homeschool?

Can a Parent Be a Homeschool Teacher Without a Degree?

Is a Teaching Degree Necessary for Homeschooling?

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