 by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff Directions: Read the story below. Then, remember what happens in the story to answer the questions. To print, highlight the text section, then right click and choose "print selection. If you don't mind printing the images, you may also select file, then print. Some systems may require that you copy/paste the text into another program before printing if you choose to leave out the images.
Marge's New Blue Hat Marge woke up happy. It was Saturday. Today was going to be great. She would get a new hat today. Marge was very excited. She could hardly wait. While she put on her best outfit, she wondered what kind of hat she would pick. There were two hat stores in the mall she was going to. Marge was excited about more than the hat. This would be the first time her mom would trust her to go to the mall alone. She wouldn't exactly be alone. Her friend Sinda was coming, too. Since Marge was turning 12 on Sunday, her mom told her an early birthday present was for Marge to go to the mall and pick a new hat. Her mom said that since Marge was growing up, she might be able to trust her to do more grown-up things and shopping was one of those things.But, she had to bring a friend because, like her mom always says, "Safety Comes In Numbers". Marge had never gotten ready so quickly before. She dressed and ate the eggs, pancakes, and fruit her mom had left her all within 15 minutes. That was a new record. Quickly gulping her milk down, she dialed Sinda's phone number, but before she started to hear the ring, the doorbell rang. It was Sinda. Sinda was just as excited as Marge. It was also the first time she would be trusted. Marge and Sinda rushed out the door, remembering to lock up the house and to take along their personal alert systems that would make a loud sound if anyone bothered them. They walked two blocks to the bus stop and waited five minutes before a bus pulled up. They looked at the screen on top to make sure it said 65. Number 65 was the bus to the mall. It said 65, so they got on. Sinda watched for their stop while Marge watched out for strangers. As the bus pulled into the mall stop, Sinda and Marge stood up and held onto the safety poles. When the bus stopped, they got off carefully and walked straight to the mall, making sure to watch the strangers. Once they were inside the mall, they went straight to the first hat store. They wouldn't have to go anywhere else. Marge spotted the perfect hat. 1. What day of the week was it when Marge got her hat?_____________________________________ 2. Who went to the mall with Marge? _____________________________________________________ 3. Why did Marge's mom let her go to the mall without a parent? _______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4. How old was Marge on Saturday? ______________________________________________________ 5. What bus went to the mall? ___________________________________________________________ 6. What color do you think the hat was that Marge saw? ______________________________________ What made you think it was that color? __________________________________________________ 7. What do you think will happen after Marge pays for the hat? __________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Challenge: On the back of the page (or on a seperate paper), write the ending to the story. It should be a happy ending. Start with what happens after Marge sees the hat.
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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Looking for something new and innovative to add to your child's homeschool curriculum? Need something more challenging or just something different? Try adding web writing. If you are already an online freelance writer, this should be simple for you. If not, study up and teach the kids what you learn. Web writing is a valuable skill for the workforce.
How Does Web Writing Differ? Web writing varies from print writing, in that it needs to appeal to an audience with a shorter attention span. It needs to be more concise. It also needs to be easily found by the search engines. If no one can find it, there is no point in writing it. You can't just go to the magazine stand and pick up a copy. Search engines are generally the way people find works published online. Because of that, it needs to be written in a way that is not only understandable to readers, but to the search engines as well. Catchy titles should be substituted for more to-the-point titles so that readers and the search engines will understand what you are discussing. Those are just some of the notable differences. The Yahoo! Style Guide is a great resource when learning about web writing. Why Add Web Writing to Homeschool Curriculum Web writing skills can be beneficial to many different career paths. In the digital age, it may even be safe to say that web writing is a vital skill. Unless a business is very small or is just starting out, chances are, they have a website or at least a blog or Twitter page. Companies are finding out more and more how important it is to have an online presence. Adding this to your child's homeschool curriculum can help give him or her a head start in life. Even if your child is not planning on being a writer, she may need to maintain a company website for her business. Knowing how to write for a web audience and search engines will help that website (and in turn, the business) get noticed easier. Ways to Add Web Writing to Homeschool Curriculum If your child is old enough, he can sign up for content sites and submit work for publication. Just be sure to check guidelines. Some sites allow 13-year-olds plus to join. While others only allow those 18 and over to write for them. Also, not all sites will pay for your child's work. If she is just doing this to learn or for fun, the payment part may not be that big of a deal. Another option is to have your child maintain a blog or even his own website. It all depends on what your child is interested in and what you think she can handle. Don't put too much pressure on your child. Allowing freedom is important when it comes to creative endeavors, such as writing. What Should My Child Publish? School research papers are a great way to get started with article writing. Writing an article is similar to doing a research paper in some aspects. This makes it easy for you to transition your child into writing articles. Start with one or two things at a time, such as making wording more simple or using SEO. Your child may also want to publish poetry and short stories. Keep in mind that these don't generally do well online, as far as getting views without an existing audience. You can explain this to your child. Poetry and short stories can be optimized for the web. But it's much harder with stories because web readers don't generally stay on the same article or story long enough to read past a page or two. Non-fiction articles generally have the best success online. But allow your child to be creative and publish what he feels in his heart to publish. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Homeschooling can be challenging, but because of the freedom allowed, such as not waiting for everyone in class to finish a subject, the students sometimes find themselves finishing classes early. Many children will still want to do something. Below are some free things to do when kids finish their homeschool lessons early.
- Do crossword puzzles, word searches, or other pencil word games. These stimulate the brain, which is excellent for comprehension skills. - Take a nature walk. Try to reference something from recent studies. If that isn't possible, teach a lesson about what you do see. - Play flashcard games. These can help to keep current lessons fresh in the mind. Flashcards can be made for any subject using index cards. Just cut them in half for a more convenient size. - Make and play a homemade learning game together. Games can be made out of many different things. For a jumpstart on homemade math games, try these free, easy and effective math games for kids. - Play educational software on the computer or online educational games. Educational games can stimulate the brain and some games can even teach new things. - Visit a local library and attend storytime. This will not only be fun and educational, but it's a great opportunity for socializing with other children. Library storytime is often very interactive, requiring children to work together. - Do extra language or math worksheets. This might sound hard to believe, but my children actually enjoy worksheets and sometimes ask to complete more than what were assigned in these areas. - Practice handwriting skills. Having good handwriting skills can help your child immensely. Daily practice can be very useful. If you already practice this every day, a little extra time will be even more beneficial. - Write a story. Writing is an essential life skill that should be practiced regularly. - Keep a calendar of free events, festivals, and activities going on in your area. Check your calendar when the kids finish early to see if there's something you can surprise them with. Many cities also have free educational activities and classes available at universities, libraries, museums, churches, hospitals, parks, and more. Some are even especially for homeschoolers. Always check the paper and surf the internet for free offerings so you can keep many items on your calendar. - Read a book. Reading stimulates the mind. In fact, there has been recent research showing that reading regularly is one of the very few ways to create new brain cells. - Draw a descriptive picture of something recently learned. Putting thought into pictures helps improve comprehension, as well as enhance creativity and imagination. - Watch an educational video. - Do some of the next day's work. This will build confidence in children because they will learn they can do anything if they put their mind to it. - Call around and see if any museums or zoos are offering a free day. If they are, take up the opportunity. - Have a picnic (lunch or snack) and reading circle at the park or in your backyard. - Go to the YMCA open gym. This will be free if you're a member. If you're not a member, the fee is minimal. - Ride bikes to a local nature spot. This could be a large park, mountains, bayou, or any other area where wild animals might reside. - Tour a neighboring city. This will require gas money and possibly money for food, but is relatively close to free. Remember that learning can come in many forms. Keeping an open mind is essential to running a successful home school. You don't always have to spend money to learn. There are educational opportunities all around us. Also remember that it's okay to finish early and just let the kids play sometimes, too. After all, they did earn it by working so hard to finish early. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Decided to homeschool but have a limited to zero budget? That's perfectly fine. You don't have to purchase a fancy curriculum or fancy supplies. Sure, those can be nice, but they're really not necessary for a quality education. All you need is the good old internet, the library, nature, and an open mind. I will show you how to use the above resources to your full advantage. Utilize the Public Library This is a very powerful resource if you take full advantage of all it has to offer. The most obvious resource a library has is the books. There are so many books with so much information in them waiting to be checked out and read. There are regular story books, reference books, books on many topics your kids will study, and some libraries even have textbooks. But, What Other Resources Does a Library Have? All libraries will vary, but they usually have tapes, compact discs, and even VHS and DVD videos. Especially look for National Geographic videos when doing science lessons. You can also find how-to videos at most libraries that will be useful in a variety of different subjects. Another good resource at a library is story-time. Although story-time is listed for younger ages, many elementary-aged children still enjoy it. Who doesn't enjoy listening to and acting out their favorite stories? There are also many free classes and workshops available at the library that can be very useful lessons. Some of the lessons I have seen include pottery making, drawing, American History, Ancient History, all about frogs, reading under the stars, and much more. Just keep the librarians informed of what you are doing and what you need and they will help you. In fact, you will probably become good friends with the librarians because you will find yourself at the library often. Take Advantage of Nature Using nature to learn can be very effective as well as fun and exciting. Taking a simple nature walk can enrich the mind as well as the soul. Any park, zoo, or even your backyard or neighborhood field will do for a nature walk. See how many different animals and insects you can find. If you are studying leaves, collect and examine different types of leaves. Maybe you're studying mammals. See how many mammals your children can find and have them study their habits. Whatever you're studying, be sure to observe it in it's natural state and bring home samples of it wherever possible. Nature holds an unlimited wealth of information. Be sure to use every opportunity nature gives you. Even if you come across something interesting that your child is not studying, it is still beneficial to take advantage of it. Remember that nature does not always act in your favor, so if you see something you may be able to use later, study it as if you are learning about that subject. If you can, film it or at least document it in some other way (take pictures, write down everything, draw pictures, etc...). That way when you learn about it in more depth, you will have it to reference back to. Peruse the Internet There are many, many websites filled with the information you need. You don't have to be a pro to find it. Sure, it helps, but it isn't necessary. All you need is any search engine. I like to use a variety of search engines, to mix up the results a little. Some of the results will be the same, but some will not. Whatever you're looking for, think of the simplest way to word it and also in a way so you get more results. Say you need an early fluency reading lesson. While early fluency is exactly what you want, sometimes words like this can give you results for items you'll have to pay for. Instead, try typing in "free reading lessons grade 1" or "free reading printables grade 1". Phrases like this produce the exact results you're looking for. However, this can go both ways. Sometimes you do need to be very concise rather than wording it a certain way. Maybe your child is doing a research paper on Mary McLeod Bethune. You would just type in "Mary McLeod Bethune" because you want information on her. When you are just looking for information, type just the subject you're looking for so your info will be aplenty. Another useful way the internet can help you is by networking. You can find lots of other homeschooling moms who are usually more than willing to share their ideas with you. Try searching homeschooling blogs, homeschooling forums, teacher forums, parenting forums, and even popular websites parents use that have their own forums. Keep an open Mind Sometimes life just throws learning opportunities at you. They may not always be the subjects your kids are learning at the time, but regardless, they are still important. Everything you say and do in daily life is a learning lesson. Don't underestimate the power of a grocery trip, a walk, a bike ride, a camping trip, a car ride, a talk during dinner, or any other daily activity. Draw on life to teach your child new and exciting things daily. When your child asks a question, don't ever shrug off any question. No question is too big or too small. If you don't know the answer, look it up on the internet. you don't have to let your child know you don't know the answer. Just say something like, "That's a good question.Let's see what we can find about that." That way you don't sound unintelligent and your child still gets the answer. Joining a homeschool group can also help. If your city doesn't have any, sometimes a city right outside your city can have one that would welcome you and your child. You'll probably learn so much teaching your child that you didn't learn in school. Homeschooling can do that to you. Don't ever discount anything that can help your child learn. Some ideas people give you may seem outlandish at first, but as long as they don't harm anyone, most everything is worth a try. Your outlook on life will probably change a lot once you begin homeschooling. Who knows, you may even start your own homeschooling group. More from Lyn: Homeschool Tips: Can 'Free' Schooling or Unschooling Help My Child Succeed in Life? How to Keep Homeschooled Tweens Active Positive Parenting: Encouraging Educational Responsibility in Kids *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Making the schedule for your homeschool will help you find some organization in your busy day. Some days, you may not follow the schedule exactly. Someone may finish early or late. There might be a field trip or extracurricular activity. But it does help to have a visual plan in sight. As a homeschooling mother, I have made and re-made many homeschool schedules. Here is the way I have found to be the easiest and most effective.
Plan All Subjects Before Starting to Schedule First, you'll need to figure out which subjects your child/ren will be learning and how much daily time is needed for each. Each family will have a different set of subjects, as some may wish to teach more about something that is valued in their family. All homeschoolers will have Reading/Language Arts, Science, Math, and Social Studies/History. However, depending upon your state, your child may also need to learn something else besides the core subjects. Different states will vary, so be sure to look up your state's requirements and be sure to adhere to them. They also may change from time to time, so be sure to stay current with your state's laws by visiting the HSLDA website or your local Board of Education. While not required, art, music, and physical education can help provide for a solid educational background. You may also choose to add the study of one or more religions or history in your family's cultural background. Don't forget to factor in a subject that particularly interests your child as well. This can be an interchangeable class, where you focus on certain things your child likes at the time. We call ours "Special Class". Timing Makes a Schedule Successful You'll need to specify times for each subject, as well as time for lunch and any extracurricular activities. Remember, some subjects aren’t necessary every day, which can help free up some time. For instance, alternate a few subjects or activities with each other that may tie in together or are miscellaneous activities that aren’t needed daily. Core subjects do need to be factored in each day, whether you are studying them through hands-on learning or from a book. A field trip or class outside of the home does count as instruction time, providing it has something to do with what the child is currently learning. Some trips, activities, or lessons might also include instruction for more than one subject. Bringing Your Schedule Together on Paper and in Action Lastly, you need to put the schedule on paper, factoring in the first two points. It may take a few tries to get it right, but don't worry. It will fall into place. Sometimes, once you have implemented the schedule, you may find too much time is allotted for one subject and not enough for another. Revise until you have it the way you want it. Remember that during homeschool, some kids will finish earlier than planned. That's fine. Just move on to the next subject. In a homeschool setting, 6 or 7 hours of instruction may not be necessary because there are far less students to answer questions for, no roll calling (you already know who's there), and no time constraints as to when you can begin the next subject. As long as students are receiving adequate lessons and instruction (and you’re following your state’s laws), there’s nothing wrong with a shorter school day. Sample Schedule: Here is a sample of one of our past homeschool schedules for an example of what can be done. 8:00 am - Warm-Up Time This consists of yoga (exercise, as well as preparation for learning with an awakened mind, body, and spirit), pledge of allegiance, and reciting our own school motto. 8:30 am - Group Reading/Circle Time Each person reads aloud from our current novel. Younger kids read from simple readers or picture books (whatever level they are on) before the novel and can continue to play with books or clay during novel reading. 9:00 am - Discussion & Reading Comprehension Discuss the toddler books and the novel and ask appropriate comprehension questions. Toddlers can play in the circle with blocks or other "busy" toys once it’s time to discuss the novel. 9:30 am - Vocabulary/Spelling test or study Toddlers may use abc or word flash cards instead. 9:45 am - Free reading Read or look at picture books, according to appropriate levels. 10:30 am - Writing Assignment Write in journal, do a research paper, complete a writing worksheet, or play a writing game on the computer - depends on what needs to be done) - Adult can make lunch while they’re doing this and toddlers can do something at their level, such as a game or drawing. 11:00 pm - Lunch 11:30 pm - Recess/Exercise/Sports Rotate between sport of the month, exercise, and free play - if the weather's bad, do an exercise video or dance - toddlers participate where possible or just play actively. 12:15 pm - Math Learn a lesson and complete related problems from textbook or worksheet - toddlers might be tracing numbers or using flash cards instead 12: 45 pm - Math Fun Play a board game, computer game, or do a hands-on activity (such as pattern or counting games) 1:05 pm - Math Review At times, review will be done along with the regular lesson or game. When this happens, we move on to the next subject. 1:35 pm - Miscellaneous Rotate Character/Etiquette/Citizenship, World Religion, Home Economics, and French Lessons 2:05 pm - Social & World Studies Social Studies, History, Geography, Government, or Black History Lesson with accompanied discussion, worksheet, or activity (rotate genre and lesson type) 2:30 pm - Science Lesson Lesson with accompanying worksheet, discussion, or activity 3:00 pm - Snack & Cool-Down Break You can play and eat outside, weather permitting. 3:30 pm - Art or Crafts This may or may not be related to what we're studying, sometimes it's a free-for-all, sometimes it's a formal art lesson 4:00 pm - Music Sing, learn about different aspects of music, or learn music history and culture. 4:30 pm - "Special-Class" This is a time where you are free to ask any question about anything and have it answered. They can learn extensively on one question or they can ask more than one question and get simple answers to them all. My children usually prefer to learn extensively on their favorite question. One of my daughters almost always wants to learn something new about Egypt. Another has a new question every day. 5:00 pm - School's out! Go to playroom, computer, or bedrooms while the adult cooks dinner (or help with dinner if you want)! Have Fun! This is your free time. When dinner is quick or we order food, we will all play outside or ride bikes, if everyone agrees, during this time and eat around 6:00. Side Note: Some days we will skip art and music if the kids want to play instead. Many times, the kids finish their assignments ahead of schedule. When this happens, we have a "free work" basket where the kids can pick from various worksheets (some fun, some work) to use up time. If there is still extra time after 1 worksheet, the person who is ahead can move on to the next subject. Also, on certain days, there will be a class or field trip taken outside the home. On those days, only core subjects will be taught. If the trip lasts the entire day, we will do extra work in core subjects not covered during the trip on the following school day and skip whatever electives we need to skip to allow for time -- or if the kids feel like it, we'll just have a long school day, so they can still have their electives, but only if they want to. Saturday and Sunday: 1. Go to library or bookstore for any references or books needed 2.Take any planned "field trips" that won’t work during the school week and bring along a sketchbook or notebook for each person, when useful (any follow-up work will be done on Monday during appropriate subject). *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Reuse, Recycle, and Cut Down on Homeschool Worksheets
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
How much paper does your homeschool use up from just worksheets in one school year? Chances are, the amount is going to be high. Paper is one product many Americans waste often. Obviously, paper and worksheets cannot be completely eliminated from the homeschool (or any) classroom. However, there are ways to be more eco-friendly with worksheets. As a homeschooling mom who is also all about anything natural or eco-friendly (ok, and I'm also cheap), I don't like to waste anything. Here are some of my ideas for being more eco-friendly with homeschool worksheets.
Use Recycled Printer Paper, ebooks, and Textbooks Use recycled printer paper when printing out homeschool worksheets from your computer. There also are textbook rental services. Many homeschool materials can also be obtained through libraries and book swap services. Also check to see if your learning materials are available in ebook format. This way, only the pages that have to be get printed and it can be done on recycled paper. Recycle Homeschool Worksheets After Use Recycling homeschool worksheets may seem like a no-brainer, but many people no longer recycle paper. Just as aluminum, copper, and other consumer waste products can be recycled, so can paper. Look in your city's phone book or online directory service to find a recycling center that accepts paper. Laminate Worksheets for Repeated Use While the plastic used for lamination is not exactly eco-friendly, less paper will be used by laminating homeschool worksheets. Write and wipe or dry erase markers can be used as a writing medium. This way, once the worksheets have been graded, the ink can be erased and the lessons saved for another child or as review for the same child further in the year. If you only have one child, laminate the homeschool worksheets anyway and pass them on to another family. I like to keep ours in binders sorted by grade and subject levels. Use Old Homeschool Worksheets as Scrap Pads for Study Cut homeschool worksheets into four even pieces and staple groups of them together upside-down to create scrap pads for note-taking and study. The scrap pads are also great for grocery lists, score pads in family games, and more. Glue a magnet to the back of the last sheet to create a refrigerator notepad. To increase the eco-friendly act of the scrap pads, also use recycled pencils and soybean crayons. Make Bookmarks and Other Craft Projects from Old Worksheets Worksheets can be cut up to create bookmarks and other craft projects. Cut them in ready-made bookmark shapes for quick bookmarks. For more detailed ones, cut the worksheets in thin strips, shapes, or even use a hole puncher to create interesting pieces to glue together and laminate for longer use. The same methods can be followed for other paper crafts. For instance, the strips can be used as a filler for gift baskets. Don't forget to reuse or recycle the bookmarks and crafts once you are finished with them. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
As a mom who has experienced both public school and homeschool, I have learned many small things that can make a big difference. Many of these things are not going to be told to you when you decide to homeschool. Once you decide to homeschool, you are left to figure things out on your own. Below are some of the things I have learned along the way.
Vary Your Instructional Methods By standing in front of your children at a blackboard or just in the middle of the room when you give some of your lessons, you can be sure that your children will be able to learn in this manner if they return to traditional school or if they attend any courses outside of the home, including when they go to college. However, it is also important to provide a variety of teaching methods, so that your children can learn how to pick up information in many different ways. One on one instruction is also a great tool that is very easy to incorporate into a homeschool classroom. Headings On Papers are Still Important This is a small, but important task many homeschool families forget about. Even if you only have one child, the child still needs to correctly put headings on the papers, which include the name and date. This teaches something needed in college and also if your child will take outside courses. Aside from that, it helps teach organizational skills. Group Presentations are Essential, Even for Small Families It is imperative that your child learn how to present reports, artwork, experiments, and inventions in front of others. Family get-togethers are a great opportunity for this because there will be a good amount of people, not just one or two. This is a vital skill, as it builds confidence and teaches presentation skills that will be needed in college and maybe even in the workforce. This also teaches planning and organizational skills because the child will have to plan out , prepare, and organize their work for presentation. Oral skills will also be exercised here. School-Like Organization Helps With College Prep Organize your homeschool similar to that of a traditional school. Of course, you can have your own design and expression, but have a special spot for the teacher and a special spot for the students. There should be a spot for finished assignments to be graded, as well as a spot for graded assignments to be picked up. Each student should have his or her own materials to work with. Certain things, like crayons and glue, can be shared, but notebooks, writing journals, binders, and other more personal items should not be shared. Students should have a certain place for everything used in class. Keep an "Extra-Work" Bin Handy Keep a basket or bin with various extra worksheets for those times when a child is ahead in work, but you are not ready to move onto the next subject. Oftentimes one child finishes earlier than another, but the other child needs your help and the next subject needs explanation before the child who is ahead can begin. It is times like these when the extra work bin will come in handy. Other times you will have a child who enjoys schoolwork and just wants to do more, even after school has ended for the day. Either way, the bin is there. The bin should contain fun worksheets (coloring, dot to dot, mazes...) as well as actual work. Let the child decide. You'll be amazed at how often they pick the actual schoolwork over the fun pages. Folders are Your Friend This seems so simple, but keeping a folder for each subject just like in traditional school will not only teach organization, but prepare your children for what lies ahead. Should your children ever return to traditional school or attend college or formal courses, your children will need to learn how to organize in a setting outside the home. Don't Forget About Gym Sometimes gym can be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of things. Don't forget to take fitness time each day. Gym can consist of running, jogging, biking, skating, playing competitive sports, playing sports with family members, swimming, dancing, walking, exercising, and a variety of other physical activities. Just be sure to provide a mixture of activities throughout each week. Get your children up and moving. Grocery Store Issues May Happen Sometimes you'll want to make a grocery run in the middle of the day during a lesson break. Don't forget that people are going to ask you questions. They will mainly ask why the children aren't in school. Be prepared to answer this and don't get upset. Sometimes, they may just be nosy, but still give them the benefit of the doubt. Always answer politely. I like to say "Oh, we homeschool and we're in between classes, so we thought we'd make a quick grocery run." They may be satisfied with that and they may come back asking about socialization. If they do, you may like my usual response: "Oh, we get much more socialization than those in traditional school because of the learning flexibility and variety of classes and activities available." That usually works or it just makes them even more curious. Don't be afraid to answer their questions. You have nothing to hide. You just want what's best for your particular child and there is nothing wrong with that. There are many styles of schooling. Each child’s best style will vary. Formality Can Vary Not every lesson has to be on paper. True, you may want to keep a record for future reference, but remember that in homeschool there is greater opportunity for hands-on learning. Use that to your child's advantage. Hands-on learning can be much more effective than learning strictly from a textbook. It is best to pair both together. A child should read something, listen to it, speak it, write it, observe it, and do it (and also taste, touch, and smell it, if applicable). This will allow for the lesson to be understood from more than one angle, thus allowing for a deeper understanding. Schedule According to Individual Needs A schedule should be formed for organization, but remember that homeschool allows for flexibility, so if one child is throwing a fit and the older children need you for help or a lesson, they can move on to a self-instructed lesson, like free reading, until you have taken care of the problem with the other child. Author's Extra: Remember that in homeschool, you should have some structure to be sure lessons are being taught and learned, but also remember that homeschool allows for some flexibility when needed. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Has your child always had a love for books? Is there a large number of homeschoolers in your area (or do you know a good amount of homeschooling families)? If you can say yes to both of these, then starting a homeschool library would be a good idea for a library lesson, as well as just to create a great sharing resource for homeschoolers.
Getting Prepared to Create Your Library First, sort through all the books and schooling equipment (microscopes, globes, overhead projectors, digital cameras, video tapes, cassette tapes, cd's, dvd's..) in your house and find the ones that are not special to anyone, meaning it would be alright to lend them out. Shelf, organize, and store those together in an area of your house that you will feel comfortable with people walking through. First floor walk-in closets or unused utility rooms are good for this or you can even just use a designated corner of any room where you feel comfortable placing the bookshelf. Simple Ways to Collect Items for Your Homeschool Library Next, you will need to contact everyone you know, asking them if they have any books, materials, or equipment they are not using that they could donate to the library. Then, while you are waiting for everyone to deliver their collections, visit local church sales and garage sales and buy books with low prices. You can usually find books priced at 10 cents to 50 cents at these events. Sometimes local libraries hold sales as well. Some even sell entire bags full of books for only a couple bucks. Be sure to search for educational materials as well as just regular books to read and be sure you have all ages covered. Completing the Set-Up of Your Library Once your collection is complete, either make or buy book pockets for checking out books and labels to place on the books that tells people the books belong to your library. Once you have all the books labeled and pocketed, you are ready to start checking out items. Be sure you also have a poster that clearly states your policies, including late fees and times allotted for material usage. How to Share Your Library, if Desired Let everyone know when your library is ready. You can even have a "grand-opening" check-out party with snacks outdoors and book checkout indoors. Advertising the library and grand-opening is a great way to meet other homeschooling families, as well as create more customers for your library. This can be done by printing up fliers and placing them in local churches, libraries, homeschooling bulletin boards, and other places people with children frequent. If you post them on a library bulletin board, remember to get permission. Some libraries may consider you to be competition, so be courteous. You can also open up the library to other parents, not just homeschoolers. Have fun with your ideas. The possibilities are endless. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Are Uniforms for Homeschool a Valid Option?by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  As a parent who homeschools her children I get asked a variety of questions all the time. In fact, I get so many that I often write about them in case others wonder the same things that are asked of me. One question I've been asked quite a few times is whether or not homeschooled kids should wear uniforms. Based on my thoughts and experiences, here is my analysis of this homeschool topic.
Avoiding Questions About Homeschool Before you laugh (I almost did the first time I got this question), I actually can see some situations in which a person might feel this would be a good idea. For instance, if a kid in homeschool is on a field trip, a uniform may help avoid questions. Depending on the family, this may be a viable option. I personally don't mind getting asked questions because it gives me a chance to inform others. Questions regarding choice of school methods and how they work can make for some interesting conversations. It also can help quell some of the myths associated with this schooling method. Safety in Public Places If field trips take places in crowded areas, uniforms might make it easier to keep track of everyone. I could see them being used on homeschooled kids in situations like this for safety purposes. However, this doesn't necessarily mean the kids need to wear traditional school uniforms. Dressing everyone in your group in a neon green outfit could do the trick. That's assuming they'd all want to wear it. That's the beauty of homeschool. Each family can decide together what is suitable and safe for everyone. Comfort for the Students One of the many benefits of homeschooling is allowing the kids to be comfortable. Enforcing a dress code may do the opposite of that. When not on a field trip where the environment is crowded, kids should be allowed to just be kids. The way people dress is part of individuality and some may not feel comfortable in a uniform. If your kids do, then I say go for it, if it makes them happy. But if a homeschooled child is sitting at a desk, computer, or maybe even at the library or park, there may not necessarily be any reason to wear a uniform. A comfortable kid is a happy kid and a happy kid is probably more likely to concentrate on school work than one who is uncomfortable. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
As homeschool becomes more popular and widespread, there are many questions that people ask. As a mom who has educated her children at home, as well as enrolled them in traditional school, I have been asked a fair share of questions regarding educational methods at home. With more people homeschooling, some may wonder if groups of homeschoolers should buy school buildings together. In fact, when a group of readers were asked for back to school concerns, theBarefoot asked me this very question. So, why don't homeschool parents form a school together? There are many reasons and answers to that seemingly simple question.
Social Interaction With the Outside World Contrary to what some may believe, social interaction is very important to most parents of children who attend school at home. The ability for kids to interact with the outside world during the day, rather than being restricted to a building is one reason using a traditional school building may not appeal to some homeschooling families. Learning in the outside world can provide a great opportunity for children to socially interact with kids their age, as well as a variety of age groups. This type of interaction could be a great preparation for when kids graduate and get out into the "real world." Differences in Curriculum and Learning Styles One of the main benefits to homeschool is the ability to choose or develop a custom curriculum plan for each child, based on his or her needs. Not all homeschooled kids will be using the same curriculum. For this reason, it may be more difficult to hold school in a building in a traditional class setting. Since everyone may not be using the same plan or methods, parents and other teachers might all be talking at once. This could be a very distracting and confusing learning environment that may even hinder the educational process. Flexible Learning Environment Some homeschool parents choose this form of education because of the flexibility it provides. Children in a homeschool environment have the unique opportunity of being able to learn everywhere. Class does not necessarily have to be held behind four walls, sitting at a desk. Math and nutrition might be taught in a combination lesson at the local farmer's market, for instance. Of course, some learning will still be completed with paper, pencils, and books, but there is often more flexibility in a “home” learning environment. This flexibility could possibly be one reason some homeschool parents would choose not to hold school in a traditional school building. What About Homeschool Co-Ops? There actually are some homeschoolers who choose to learn together. This type of arrangement is often called a homeschool co-op. Usually in these arrangements, the classes are offered as a supplement to what the kids are already learning in homeschool. The classes are usually held only on certain days, still leaving room for the flexible learning environment that home school can provide. There also are homeschool co-ops in which a group of parents work together to form a teaching plan. In these type of arrangements, a parents who specializes in a certain area may have the opportunity to aid other students in that area. Which Method is Best? When deciding between public, private, or home school (or various homeschool options), the answer will differ for everyone. That's often why parents choose to homeschool, whether that occurs in a a school building or not. They likely have come to the conclusion that not all children have the same educational needs. What works for one child may not work for another. Education is about providing a child with the best learning opportunities possible. For the most information to be gained during learning, a child's individual needs, as well as the available options, should be taken into consideration. Note: A special thanks to theBarefoot for asking this question. He's a freelance writer and IT expert who writes about a wide range of topics. His content subjects include politics, writing, news, relationships, and many more. Expect his work to be entertaining, informative, and engaging. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network A New Look at Socialization Skills Within a Homeschoolby Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved For so many years, choosing to educate children from home was looked at as stripping away their social interaction. However, many homeschooling families will argue with that fact, and for good reason.
How Can Homeschooled Children Make & Find Friends? Some people might assume that because children homeschool, they will not have any friends. This is simply not true. Friends can be made from your neighborhood, an extra class, at the park, at the museum, within your own extended family, and various other avenues. A public school is not the only place one can acquire a friend. Homeschooled children are allowed to call and play with their friends, just as a publicly or privately schooled child would. It is no different. There are birthday parties, slumber parties, shopping trips, and more - all the activities traditionally schooled friends do as well. How is it Possible to Get Social Interaction During Homeschool? In many homeschooling families, extra steps are taken to be sure that socialization is included, which means there is researching to be done on the parent's part for the methods and sometimes extra classes that will provide this. This research often leads to finding solutions that focus on positive interaction with others because any good method will focus on the positive, rather than the negative. Social interaction is also given special attention, thus making socialization greatly important to a homeschooling family. Positive Social Skills VS Negative Socialization This special attention mentioned above often isn't given in public or private school because it is sometimes assumed that since the children are with other children all day, they are socializing well. However, this assumption shouldn't always be made. All socialization isn't positive. It can be negative as well. This is a fact looked over by many. While some teachers do provide some great character development and social instruction in public school, which they are to be commended for, the children are often greatly influenced by each other. This comes naturally, as they desire to fit in. Also, it is simply just fun for them to relate with each other, which is certainly okay when that relating isn't negative. During recess, the children are within sight of the teachers, but not always within earshot or in immediate reach, which can lead to some of them using inappropriate language or behaviors. The others either tell them they don't like those words or actions or they repeat them. Now all the children that were in that general area have heard that language or seen that behavior and some will want to use it -- and they will. This, in turn, spreads the negative action to even more kids, cycling and creating a viral pattern. Pretty soon it will get to most of the children who are in the same age range. Another reason that viral cycle happens is that once a certain number of kids are doing something, others begin to view it as okay. It becomes more accepted because they are used to seeing it and it doesn't even cross some of their minds that it might be wrong. Perhaps if children were taught from the beginning how to interact positively, rather than negatively, some of these problems wouldn't exist later in life, which brings me back to homeschooling. Extra Effort Can Make a Difference in the Quality of Social Skills The main difference I’ve seen with homeschool socialization and public school socialization is the fact that in homeschool, much more effort is put into developing social skills, because of the fact that children may not be with other children all day (unless they have siblings). The fact that parents know other children aren't present -- and the effort put in to make up for that -- often makes for a child who is more likely to interact with most people in a positive way. One more reason that positive social interaction is often more readily learned in a homeschool setting is because homeschooled children will be exposed to people of all ages throughout the day. This makes for a much more diverse learning experience. Importance of Mixed-Age Grouping for Social Skills Even better, when there is more than one child in the family, working together is often a huge part of the schooling process, even in siblings that range in age. Some homeschooling families even teach from a mixed-age perspective, leading to a great deal of cooperation with each other. Group cooperation is an important skill needed throughout life. Many colleges actively seek out home schooled children because of their exceptional social and educational abilities. Making the Right Social Choices for Your Child Specifically In closing, I will say that not all public school interaction is negative and not all homeschool interaction is positive. Ultimately, it is up to the parent to examine what situations are best for each individual child. Many children make it through public school fine, as do many in homeschool. People should come to realize that socialization isn't about whether you choose school at home or utilize public school or other options, but about whether a positive environment is created for the child. If the social environment your child is in right now is not a positive one, it is time to consider other options. Those options may or may not be completely switching the child's schooling style. It could be just doing it in a different way or finding creative ways to incorporate positive socialization. Whatever method you choose, be sure it is one both you and your child will feel comfortable with. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
When you choose to homeschool your child, you may be wondering if the public schools will help you with curriculum. Can they give or sell you you textbooks and study guides? If you are pulling them out of the public school, will they give you the books and learning materials where your child left off? Will public schools provide homeschoolers with a curriculum?
Will public schools give you a curriculum? It depends on the rules in your area, as well as each situation. If you have registered as the homeschool teacher, most states do not allow the public schools to administer tests or curriculum to your students. They can only do this if the students are enrolled with them. Some public schools offer homeschooling programs, in which they provide the materials. However, in this case, you are not the one who makes the final rules and your children will still be technically in the public school program. If you prefer it that way, then go ahead and register in this type of program. But if you'd rather be responsible for all aspects of your child's education, you will need to seek the curriculum elsewhere or create it yourself. Should the public schools give your child curriculum if you homeschool? No. Unless your child is registered in a program with the public schools, they should not be involved in the educational aspects of your homeschool. Laws change all the time, so keep up to date with your local laws on homeschool. However, in most cases, public schools cannot and should not be distributing you any learning materials unless your children are registered as their students. Why wouldn't I want to accept curriculum from the public schools? t's not really a matter of whether you have the desire to accept the materials. But as the homeschool teacher, it is also your responsibility to abide by the law. By allowing teaching from someone not authorized as the homeschool teacher, you could be getting yourself and the school into trouble. If you would prefer they provide the curriculum, you need to either enroll your child in the public schools or in a home-based program with them. This ensures that you and the school are both abiding by the appropriate laws regarding the education. If you would like more control over your child's education, you need to take charge of the curriculum yourself. Why won't the public schools give me the unused materials where my child left off? In some states, it is actually against the rules for them to help you, unless you are registered in a homeschooling program through the public schools. As the parent and homeschool teacher, all the responsibility is on you, unless your child is enrolled in a program that relieves that responsibility. The decision to homeschool is not one that should be taken lightly. By choosing to homeschool your children, you are choosing the responsibility of anything involved in their education. As such, you must make a decision on curriculum and many other things. In homeschool, no one does that for you - or anything else for that matter. That's right. It's all up to you and the public schools will likely not help much or at all. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Have you been busy at homeschooling, but the schedule or plan you are using just isn't providing the results you want or need? Maybe your children's needs have changed or you are finding it hard to stick to your plan. If your homeschool day doesn't go the way you'd like it to, you'll need to change your schedule or plan. Some people don't have a schedule, such as unschoolers. That's fine, too, but there will still generally be some sort of plan. When all else fails, change it.
Look For Flaws Take a look at the way you are doing things now. Figure out which things are not working as planned or needed. Write down all of those things so they can be re-planned later. Think about why each item is not going as you thought it would. Write down those reasons and think about what can be done to reverse the outcome. What's Going Well? Check your schedule or plan to see which things are going well. Even in a failed plan, there will be some things that do go well. Take note of these things by making a list. Go over them and think about what is making them work. Write down those things for hints on how to reverse the results of other parts of the plan that don't go right. Are You Trying To Do Too Much? When examining your plan, you may find you are simply trying to squeeze too much into each day. Try breaking up elective courses or extra learning into increments of less time or alternating days between them. It's fine to have plenty of electives and extra learning mixed in with what's required. But it's not okay to overwhelm the kids with too much work. Doing this might actually decrease what is learned. Find a balance that allows the kids to expand their horizons without pressuring them. Is Learning Time Too Short? On the other hand, if your school day is short and your child does not seem to be processing things correctly, you may need to add more time. A child who is struggling to learn may need more time to do lessons than one who is not. Also, each child is different. Some kids will learn a great deal in a short time. Yet others may need an entire day of school-related work. Examine your children individually to determine the appropriate amount of time for learning. Remember that a Failed Plan Does Not Make You a Failure Remember that just because you need to make some adjustments to your plan does not mean you have failed as a parent and home school teacher. Not every plan is going to be perfect and the same would be true regardless of whether your child is in home school or traditional school. Each child is different. Part of the blessing that comes with home school is that you can change the plan. This can occur as often as needed to custom fit your child until you get the right one. Sometimes even the right one will change as time goes on and your child's needs change. The fact that you have noticed it needs adjusting does not make you a failure or symbolize that your child shouldn't be homeschooled. It actually is a sign that you are a good parent and home school teacher. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Benefits and Common Questions About Multi-Age Learningby Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved When considering homeschool methods, parents and homeschool teachers may wonder about mixed-age grouping. This may especially be true in households that contain more than one child. Will catering the lessons to multiple age groups at the same time benefit your homeschool? What is mixed-age grouping exactly and what are the benefits?
What is Mixed Age Grouping or Multi-age Learning? Mixed age grouping is when children of varied age groups are taught in the same classroom setting. It is also sometimes referred to as multi-age learning. Sometimes the children are taught the same lessons, sometimes not. But in mixed age grouping, regardless of age, they are all learning in the same vicinity, instead of being grouped by age or grade level. Benefits of Mixed Age Grouping Since courses will focus on varied levels, the children will receive education in a more rounded way. For instance, if the older children are learning about a particular Native American tribe and their lifestyle, the younger kids may be dressing up like them or drawing related pictures. If all of the kids witness and even participate in the various aspects, there could be a greater understanding of each lesson. Other benefits include constant review for the older kids as the younger kids learn alongside them. That also goes in the opposite direction with a head start for the younger children as they observe what's going on with the older kids. What About Peer Interaction and Social Skills? Some believe that homeschooled children will receive inferior social skills, due to lack of peer interaction. However, recent studies counter that belief. In fact, children in a homeschool setting, particularly one where mixed-age grouping is involved may receive more rounded social skills. Because homeschooled kids are out in the real world interacting with people of various ages all day long, they learn how to socialize with everyone, not just their peer group. Children educated in a mixed-age setting experience that advantage even more because they are with varied ages all day long. Yes, children can benefit from being around kids their age, but there are plenty of opportunities to do so - and not all of them are during school time. How Do Kids Advance in a Mixed Age Setting? Just like children in any other school setting, success is measured. Depending on other methods being used, the grading system could be traditional or not. Some parents may go with unschooling and some may go with a more traditional curriculum format. When tracking the scores, the grading system itself is not as important as creating a transcript that accurately reflects what the child has learned and assigns credits accordingly. Can Other Homeschool Methods Be Combined With Mixed Age Grouping? Yes. In fact, mixed-age grouping allows for a great deal of flexibility. It can be used in unschooling, along with the Montessori method, and in children of all ages, of course. There are many methods that can be adjusted to fit a multi-age model. Some will of course be better suited to this model than others. Does Multi-Age Grouping Need to be Done with Every Lesson? It is completely up to the parent or homeschool teacher whether every lesson should be tailored to multiple age groups or just some. It can be something that goes along with the whole curriculum plan or it can be used once in a while for certain lessons. For instance, a group story may be read together. But some parents and teachers may prefer math lessons to be done on a solo basis. Yet others would find a way to teach the math lesson to all applicable age groups. Is Multi-age Grouping Right for My Homeschool? Deciding whether to use mixed-age grouping in your homeschool could depend on many factors. The first factor is more obvious. Do you have more than one child and are they of varying ages? If the answer is no, you may actually need to search for a homeschool co-op that practices multi-age learning. Will you be comfortable coming up with plans for each age group that coincide with each other. Mixed-age teaching may require more planning and detail from the instructor, which often is one or more of the child's parents. Is there a way to tailor the mixed grouping to fit the way in which you have determined your child needs to be educated? All of these questions and more are things you should consider when deciding whether or not to integrate mixed-age grouping in your homeschool lessons. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Q & A on Discussing the Unschooling Homeschool Method with Kidsby Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Sometimes when switching to unschooling from a more traditional homeschooling method, your kids will have some questions. Here's some common questions kids have when faced with this new form of learning. The questions are accompanied by answers that may help them better understand what unschooling is all about.
Yay! Does That Mean I Don't Have to Learn Anymore? No. Unschooling does not mean you won't be learning. It means that you will learn based on your strengths, weaknesses, and interests, rather than learning through a set curriculum. It can also mean you will learn through hands-on experience and play. Can I Play All Day? Well, you will be playing but you also will be learning. You can learn through play if learning is going on. It's most likely going to be more fun than learning in a more traditional way. Sometimes playing will help you learn your lessons and that's perfectly fine if it works for you. Are we Still Going to Use Textbooks? Unschooling doesn't necessarily mean textbooks and other materials won't be used. Just like any other teaching method, some unschoolers use textbooks and some may use other materials to teach with. When and how they are used will align better with the way each child learns and their individual readiness. So, you might use textbooks and you might not. Sometimes other books or other learning materials work best. Do I Have to Sit at a Desk All Day? No! You can if you learn well that way. But you can also do other things if they help you learn. Unschooling is about doing whatever works best for each kid. If blocks help you learn how to count, you can use them. If visiting a veterinary clinic helps you learn about an animal, you might get the chance to do that. But if reading a book at your desk helps you more, you can do that instead. Do I Have to Learn All Subjects? Yes. You still need to learn all subjects. But the order you do it in and how you do it might be different than what we did before. If you are enjoying a particular lesson, we might spend more time on that if you want to. If you aren't in the right frame of mind for another lesson, we might move on to the next and come back to it later when you are ready. Will I Still have Grade Levels Like All My Friends? Yes. You still will have grade levels. However, the order that you do things in might be different than what they do. You will still graduate at the same time if you earn your way there - just like any other type of learning. Unschooling is just a way to make learning more fun for you and allow you to focus on things you are most interested in to help you succeed in life. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Free schooling, unschooling, and even open schooling is becoming a more popular choice as parents and teachers struggle to find enjoyable ways for kids to learn. Often, you will see these methods associated with homeschooling. But that is not always the case. Not all homeschoolers use unschooling and not all free schoolers are homeschooled. Can free schooling or unschooling help children succeed in life?
What is the difference between 'free schooling,' 'unschooling,' and 'open schooling'? First, these schooling methods do not mean the child is not learning anything. It is the belief of many parents and educational professionals that more freedom with schooling enhances self-reliance and leadership. Because of the ability to learn freely, the way in which each individual employs these methods can vary significantly. But the main point is to learn from everything and encourage independent study skills. Some schools, such as Jefferson County Open School (Lakewood, Colo.) and Armathwaite Community School (Cumbria, U.K.) are adapting independent learning methods, such as open schooling as well. Open schooling is very similar to unschooling, but is done within a traditional school building. Multi-aged grouping, openness of subjects, and other techniques are utilized. Unschooling simply refers to schooling in a way which deviates from a standard format.In simple terms, it is a method (usually adapted by homeschool families) that encourages child-directed learning. Some unschoolers use textbooks and worksheets, while others may not. Most homeschoolers use the world around them. I've called our method free schooling almost from the beginning, as I learned pretty quickly that schedules and exacts were not for us. What we call free schooling is the freedom to learn from everything around us without the restrictions of a typical curriculum. In many states, a nationally standardized test is still required. However, this has never been an issue, as the kids have always scored well above grade level. Why do parents choose unschooling or free schooling with so many other options? As a parent who chooses free schooling, I find that it encourages children to be leaders in life. When my children grow up, I want them to think for themselves and stay ahead of the competition. Writer Kathy Foust says "Hunter is a hands on learner that is devoted to science. I am a believer in making education into a fun, lifelong process. I combined those two things to develop his curriculum." Her son is currently in public school, but has been homeschooled previously, using more hands-on methods. "Hunter loves science and hates worksheets of any kind. So, everything we did, we did with science. Since science is really all about observation and experimentation with a focus on recording steps, I used that to our advantage," adds Kathy in regards to forgoing more traditional paper and pencil methods. "I used this method with my child in particular because I know that children all learn in different ways and that for things to be understood by anyone, they must be presented on a level that that person has an interest and understanding in. I want my child to not be a sheep, but a shepherd and to learn to think for himself and question things rather than simply accepting them because they are told to him. As a result, Hunter is able to stand up for his own values and beliefs rather than simply accepting situations surrounding him." How can parents implement free schooling to teach their kids? Think of everything as an opportunity to learn. If you find an interesting tree or leaf on a walk, take time out to talk about it. If you don’t know what it is, study the item and look it up later to learn more. According to Kathy, her and her son "created a science notebook and every experiment was done with a detailed explanation of every step of the scientific process. In this way, Hunter was made to feel as if he was doing 'grown up' things in his own "lab" and didn't realize that he was developing math and writing skills along the way. Our discussions and experiments with plants and animals brought history, geography and social studies into the lessons. His natural curiosity about all things 'sciency' gave him a great pull toward reading. Keep in mind that this is 1st grade-in our public schools Hunter is just now given a science course in 4th grade!" Are there benefits to unschooling? As with any other schooling method, there are benefits, as well as drawbacks. What they are is going to depend a great deal on each family, each child, and whether this method fits in with the family's current lifestyle. One thing Kathy mentioned is "an enormous difference in the way that he responds to the world as compared to other children his age who have always gone to public school. He has a very well developed sense of right and wrong and tends to gravitate toward the underdog, often defending those that would otherwise simply take abuse from others. He also constantly questions why things happen and understands that it's not the failing of a test that matters, but the corrections that are made to the test that enhance his understanding of the material-something that is not offered to him in public school. In short, Hunter is able to see the 'big picture' much clearer because of homeschooling. He knows he has goals to meet and that sometimes what society expects from him in that moment are not as important as what he expects from himself in EVERY moment." (Written from personal experience as a homeschool teacher who implements free schooling techniques, as well as an e-interview of Kathy Foust via facebook on Dec. 4, 2010) *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Last updated 12/11/2020 by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff 
Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved
Thinking about creating a name for your homeschool? Should you? What would you use it for and why? I'm a veteran homeschooler who has been asked many questions and experienced a variety of aspects of homeschool. We named our homeschool before we even started - the day we decided to consider the option. Yes, that’s where the name “Heart ‘N Mind Homeschool” first originated. Perhaps my expertise will help you decide whether you should create a name and how to do that.
Is a Name Necessary for Homeschool? No, it is not necessary for a home school to have a name. That is, unless you have registered your school. Otherwise, it is more of a want than a need. But it can be both fun and useful to name your home school. Why Should We Name Our Homeschool? Some choose to name their homeschool to make it feel like more of a school to their child. Some just do it out of fun. It could come in handy if you create school t-shirts or other uniform clothing to wear on field trips, for sports practices, and for other public events. A name for your school can also make you and the kids feel good when people ask about school. Instead of saying "Oh, we homeschool", you can say "They attend "(your school's name) homeschool". How to Create a Good Name for Your Homeschool When creating a name for your school, be sure it's something neutral that everyone agrees on. The name will stick with you, so put some thought into it. Are there some principles you'd like represented in the name? A motto your family lives by? A certain teaching method? Those are all things you may consider when choosing a name. The family last name is another source of inspiration. You can even make it fun by having a "school election" to choose the name. Be creative and choose a name that speaks to all family members involved. Where Should We Display Our Homeschool's Name? Anywhere you wish! Some may create a banner or sign for the door or doorway to their classroom. Others may put a sign in their front yard. As mentioned above, the name will fit nicely on sports or field trip uniforms. If you register your homeschool, some retailers will offer you a teacher discount if you use the school name and other pertinent info. You also may wish to create student IDs for the children. Depending on what state you live in, they may or may not be valid for anything. Either way, they can still be fun. You can order customized school supplies or even bumper stickers. There are endless ways to use your homeschool's name. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  When a parent chooses to homeschool, that decision is generally one of great importance to them. Unfortunately, not everyone will always agree on this issue, leaving most parents who homeschool vulnerable to questions, as well as disapproval by some. I’ve received several “Ask Lyn” inquiries about this dilemma, as well experienced it firsthand. This is simply something will occur with many major decision-making situations. Here are some ways to deal with the negative reactions you might face from others when informing them that you are a homeschooling family.
Stay Calm and Positive The most important thing you can do when someone reacts negatively to your schooling choice is to remain calm. Staying cool and collected will not only represent homeschools in a positive light, but will leave your mind (as well as the other person's) more able to communicate effectively. Explanations will come out better and be better understood from a person who is calm and has a positive outlook. Listen To Concerns Even when someone has a differing opinion, it is still important to listen to their concerns. Consider why they might have certain thoughts about homeschool. Figure out a way to ease or resolve those concerns with helpful information on the concerned response. Don't be afraid to state your case, but at the same time, be understanding. Just because someone does not agree with you, it does not mean their concerns are not valid. It also does not mean they have anything against you as a person. Be Informative People make the decision to homeschool for a wide variety of reasons. It is common to research the reason you choose to homeschool. However, it will be to your benefit to also keep up with current information on the main topics that come up about homeschooling, such as socialization, test scores, a parent's ability to teach, and curriculum questions, to name a few. When you are armed with information, rather than just arguing or stating your opinion, it can be much easier to help people better understand your choice to school your children at home. Reading articles on homeschooling, studying current events and homeschool laws, and even keeping up with the most recent research studies on homeschool, can help you stay informed. Let Your Choice Speak For Itself This method works best for dealing with those who will be around you most often, such as friends, family, and co-workers. Generally, these are the ones who will be the most critical of your choice. This is because these are the people who care about you the most. They are not always questioning you to be nosy or to boss you around. Quite often, it is because they are concerned about your children. Instead of being offended, use the options above, but also let your choice speak for itself. Over time, as your children advance in their studies and also thrive in social skills, behavior, and other areas, the reason for your choice will become quite evident. When you are fully committed to your homeschool choice, most often the children will, indeed, thrive. While you may deal with some negative responses and reactions, the fruits of your dedication will show in time. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Do You Discipline Kids Like a Teacher Would or Like a Parent?by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Often, readers and friends ask me questions and share their concerns about homeschool via my Ask Lyn page and other methods. Ann Olson asked: "What's your view about disciplining children while you're homeschooling them? What do you do if they misbehave? Do you discipline them like a teacher would or like a parent would?" My simple answer to Ann is both. There are several reasons for this.
How Do I Discipline My Kids During Homeschool? I can't speak for all homeschoolers, only for myself. Just like anyone else, they will each have their own way of doing things. Personally, I use positive parenting methods both during homeschool and just in general. Positive parenting in simple terms is using methodology and strategies that somehow benefit the child positively. This does not mean there are no consequences for actions, however, as that would not result in a positive outcome. One example of a positive parenting method is reflected in "Using Songwriting to Help Kids Relieve Stress." It can be used as a way to reflect on negative behaviors and consequences, but also is a positive way for a child to release any pent up feelings. Each situation will warrant a different type of reaction or consequence. For instance, a child who accidentally spills glue on the floor is not going to get the same treatment as one who says or does something hurtful to a sibling during class. While a teacher may send a child to the principal for the latter, a homeschool parent may instead have the child hug and apologize and possibly give a punishment, depending on the situation. Of course a teacher might also do the latter. Should You Discipline Kids Like a Teacher or Parent During Homeschool? In retrospect, disciplining homeschooled kids like a teacher during school hours may help a child in homeschool distinguish between school time and other times. But this won't always be the case. It actually depends more on the parenting and teaching strategies being compared. Not every teacher or every parent disciplines the same. The traditional school teacher and homeschool teacher could have different teaching strategies. Although, they could be the same as well. A teacher in a traditional school might also use the positive parenting method that I mentioned. It's less about disciplining like a parent or teacher and more about figuring out which type of discipline may be needed in each unique situation. Which Method for Discipline During Homeschool is Correct? The correct method is the one that works best for each family. Not every family, every child, or every situation is going to be the same. There are benefits and drawbacks to disciplining a homeschooled child in certain ways, just as with any other. Knowing which discipline choice is correct in each unique situation is up to the parent to examine. This should be done, not necessarily thinking about whether it's being done as a parent or teacher, but whether the disciplinary action is what is best for the child in that situation. Note: The author's positive parenting method has evolved into what she calls Upstream Parenting. More from Lyn: Positive Parenting Does Not Mean Zero Discipline Guide to Positive Discipline for Children *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Vocabulary Recognition by Interactive Play and Written Word by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved My homeschooling philosophy always has been about being sure the kids learn, as well as have fun during the educational process. To keep the kids with an open mind to learning, I often mix their interests in with the lessons. If you've got a kid who loves basketball, but is not quite as into vocabulary as you'd like, try this free vocabulary lesson plan on beginning basketball terms. It works just as well on a child who does like vocabulary, but also likes basketball.
Objective In this free homeschool lesson plan, the child will learn the definitions of popular basketball terms. The purpose of this lesson is to practice important language skills, as well as broaden the scope of learning with non-traditional vocabulary words. This also is a great lesson for kids who are interested in playing basketball, as it teaches them the terms they will need to now. Summary To teach this lesson, you will need a basketball and basket, paper and pencil, a print-out of this lesson, a separate printout of just the terms for the homeschool student. The terms can be crossed off as they are used. The child will be using a separate sheet of paper for each set of terms. To print only the terms from this article, first visit the print page by clicking on the print option icon. Next, highlight the terms, click "file," then "print," and then tick of "selection" and click "print" or "ok" in the print options box that pops up. The child should read aloud the term and look up the definition. Have the child repeat the definition aloud. Next, you and the child can act out the term together, using the basketball. If you don't have a basketball net at home, try a nearby park or school playground and look up the terms in advance. For terms that are in reference to an object, rather than a part of game play, show the object. The child should then study the terms on his or her own and be tested the following week. For fun, the test can include writing out the definition, as well as acting out the term where applicable. These terms should be broken up into groups of about 10 - 15 per week. List of Beginning Basketball Terms air ball, assist, backboard, backcourt, bangshot, basket, block, center, conversion, court, crossover, dribble, defense, double team, dribble, dunk, fake, field goal, floor, forward, foul, free-throw, frontcourt, guards, half-court, inbounds, jump ball, keyhole, layup, live ball, loose ball, match-ups, MVP, NBA, NCAA, offense, officials, open, out of bounds, outside shooting, OT (overtime), pass, period, possession, rebound, receiver, release, rookie, roster, shot clock, sidelines, slam dunk, three-point shot, throw-in, timeout, tip-off, transition, traveling, triple double, turnover, upset, violation, weakside Mixing a child's interests, such as basketball, with education can create a receptive learning environment. Extra Basketball Vocabulary Resources Basketball Glossary from First Base Sports Basketball Glossary from Basketball Plays and Tips *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Free Homeschool Lesson Plan on the Function of a Cat's Eyes
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
If the kids have asked you about the cat's eyes, homeschool lesson time is the perfect learning opportunity. Even if they haven't asked, learning how cat eyes work is a great science lesson. This free animal lesson plan on how cat eyes work can be used before or after other vision lesson plans, as part of a unit on animal vision, or even on its own. Much of this will be understandable for even younger kids, but older kids may also benefit from the lesson. This is very adaptable for a mixed-age classroom setting.
Group Reading on How Cat Eyes Work The first part of this lesson involves reading the text below as a group reading lesson. Those able to read can take turns reading this below paragraphs about how cat eyes work aloud. You may want to print a copy of the selection for each child to make it easier. The words in bold can be used as vocabulary words. A printout on cat eye anatomy can be looked at for reference as well. Have you ever wondered how a cat's eyes work? Why are their eyes shaped differently than yours? Why do cat eyes seem to glow in the dark? Is a cat's vision better than yours and why is it so hard to sneak up on a cat, even in the dark? If you look at a cat's eyes, you will notice that the black center, or pupil, is shaped differently than yours. It might be shaped liked a slit or it might be a large round circle. The shape changes, depending on how much light the cat needs in order to see. When it's dark, a cat needs more light to see, so the pupil dilates, or gets bigger, to bring in more light. When this happens, it might look like a cat's eyes are glowing because of the light. There actually is something called the tapedum lucidum positioned behind the retina of a cat's eye. It works like a mirror to reflect the light. In the daytime, a cat's eyes don't need to bring in as much light because there is already plenty. During this time, a cat's pupils will be slitted. Even though cats can see better in the dark than humans and even have a greater vision field at the sides of the eye, the clarity of their vision is poorer. Cats don't need as much light to see as we do and can even see moving objects at a greater distance. However, their vision is more blurred than ours. They also cannot see colors as well as we do. You might compare the focus of a cat's vision to a human with colorblindness and with a need for reading glasses. So even though you might wish you could see as well in the dark or have glowing eyes like your pet cat, you might think twice when you realize that in order to have that benefit, cats also have to give up seeing some color and detail. Group Discussion on How Cat Eyes Work Once the above reading is done, ask students leading questions about what they've read. Discuss together the facts, as well as benefits and drawbacks of how a cat's eyes work. Try to get the students to explain in detail why they would or would not like to have vision like a cat. Science Craft on How Cat Eyes Work Give the students each two sheets of black construction paper and one sheet of yellow. Ask the students to cut out three pairs of cat eye shapes from the yellow paper and paste them onto one of the black. With the remaining black paper, ask the students to cut out shapes of a cat's eyes slitted, medium dilated, and fully dilated. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
In this lesson plan, students will learn to understand the difference between predator and prey. This can either be a follow-up lesson to my previous lesson plan on the food chain or it can be used on its own. Either way, this lesson will instruct the children on predators and their prey.
Read-Aloud Info The italicized section should be read aloud to the student/s. Afterward, allow a question and answer period. A predator is an animal that hunts other animals for its food. The prey is the animal that the predator eats. For example, hawks hunt and eat snakes, so hawks are the predators of snakes and the snakes are the prey. An animal food chain is made up of predators and prey. Here is a short story about predators and prey. The quiet mouse munches on some crumbs a human has left in the grass, when a snake swiftly catches him with one lick of its powerful tongue. The snake slithers away to hide in the tall grass. A hawk swoops down from the sky overhead and easily captures the snake and flies off to the nearest high point, which happens to be a mountain top. A sly fox is napping nearby and when he awakes, he is hungry. He senses the hawk's presence and captures him in no time. However, a leopard, high in a tree, quickly discovers the fox and pounces down on him. As you can see from the paragraph above, predators can also be prey, depending on the situation. This is where you start the question and answer period. Once each student has had a chance to list a predator and prey, have the students complete the art project below. Predator VS. Prey - Art Project You will need one per student of each of the following: pencil, colored pencils, 12x7 sheet of white construction paper Once each student has their materials, instruct them to draw a predator vs. prey food chain. The food chain should include at least 5 animals. The animals should be drawn in order and have connecting lines or be numbered. The children should write each animal's name below it, so that there is no mistake of what the animal drawings represent. The children should color their animals as well. Each animal should be labeled as predator or prey. Some animals should be labeled as both. Be sure to explain that to the students. Once the children are finished, their projects should be checked and graded for accuracy. Afterwards, the projects can go on display. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
The food chain of the animal kingdom is an important lesson that all elementary level students should learn about. Below is a two day lesson plan involving the food chain. The first day outlines for the students exactly what the food chain is, even naming typical animals that work together to form the chain. It will invoke thought in the students, causing them to think about which animals might be where in the food chain. This makes the lesson much more effective in staying in the children's minds. The second day involves an art lesson that collaborates with it.
Day One For this lesson, read the below italicized paragraphs to the students. The animal kingdom is made up of many different animals. In a way they all need to work together in order to survive. Each animal needs another animal or plant for survival. It starts from the smallest of animals and continues on, all the way up to the largest. This togetherness is called the food chain. The smallest animals in the chain will be the ones that do not eat other animals, but eat plants and fruits , vegetables, and seeds that come from plants instead. These are called herbivores. The rest of the animals in the chain are called either carnivores or omnivores. Carnivores eat only meat, which, of course, is other animals. Omnivores eat from both food groups, so that means they eat what both carnivores and herbivores eat. Humans are omnivores. A typical food chain starts from a small animal, such as a mouse or squirrel. That animal eats only things that grow. The next animal can be either an omnivore or carnivore. A snake is a carnivore. That snake will eat the herbivore, continuing the chain. Next, a hawk, who is a carnivore, could swoop down and eat that snake, making the chain continue. Then, if a fox, who is also a carnivore, eats that hawk, the chain has kept going. A clouded leopard could then eat the fox, which, again, continues the cycle. As you can see, the cycle will keep going. This is what makes it a food chain. Once the above scenario has been read to the children, draw a diagram on an overhead or chalkboard to show the students what a food chain is. Instead of listing the actual animals, each circle should stay blank. The circles should connect in order. Next, show the children on the diagram how each animal needs the other, which creates a chain, by creating a chain of your own. Then, erase your animals from the circles. Ask them to suggest animals for each section of the food chain and discuss why or why not certain animals belong in certain parts of the chain you create together. Repeat making the chain a few times. Ask the children to think about the food chain once school is over and discuss it with a friend or family member. If you homeschool, ask the child to discuss the food chain with a friend or a family member who is not schooling with him or her. Day Two For the second day of instruction, students will need to create a food chain of their own. Each student will need one 12x7 sheet of construction paper, a glue stick, a pencil, and crayons or washable markers. They should use all of these materials, with the sheet of paper as a base. Students should label the animals as "herbivore", "carnivore", or "omnivore", with numbers and arrows symbolizing which ones come next. This art should be a combination of drawing, writing, and pictures cut and glued from magazines. Let the students create the scene as they please, so long as everything is labeled correctly. This activity is not only fun for the children, but it further ensures that the lesson will stay in their brain and it also gives them a hands-on association to base the lesson from. Once both days are completed, students should have a very good understanding of the concept of a food chain and how it works. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Preschoolers learn well by using hands-on lessons that are also fun. In the lesson below, parents or teachers will be able to apply hands-on learning and fun to introduce the world of worms to their preschoolers. From singing a song, to touching the worms and even doing a worm craft, preschool aged children will have a fun and educational time learning their worm facts.
Lesson 1: The Worm Song Sing this fun song to the preschool children. Have them repeat it after you a few times. Then, sing it together. This should be sung to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin"? Use of this simple song will prepare the children for later, when they will see and feel the worms. I like worms. I like worms They're so fun. They're so fun Have you seen a worm yet? Have you seen a worm yet? You will soon. You will soon Lesson 2: Let's Learn About Worms! Here is a fun paragraph you can read aloud to your preschoolers. This will teach them a few facts about the worm. Make it fun by acting out the words with motions and movements. Worms are amazing creatures. Did you know that worms can help people? It's true. They help our plants and gardens grow nice and strong. Worms live in the dirt outside. When it rains, you will see worms all over. If you see a worm laying on the sidewalk, it's nice to put the worm back in dirt because worms can't get too dry. They need to stay wet from the dirt. They also like it when it's dark. That's why they stay underneath the dirt most of the time. Lesson 3: Wiggly, Squiggly Stand in front of the children with a few worms. Show them all the wiggling, squiggling, and squirming the worm does on your hands. Let them know how fun it is to watch and feel the worms crawling around your fingers and hand. Next, pass the worms around so that each student has a chance to touch and feel the worms. You might also want to try painting with worms. Don’t worry, no real worms will be harmed in the process. The children will be using spaghetti noodles instead of real worms. Lesson 4: Yummy Gummy After all that wormy talk and play, your little preschoolers might be feeling a bit hungry. At the end of the day, pass out small bathroom-sized cups of crushed up chocolate cookies (dirt) with a couple gummy worms inside, hanging out over the edge. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Homeschool Myth #4
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
One homeschool myth is the concept that families who choose to school at home are rich. Some people tend to think that families who run a home school are overcompensated financially. While some very well may be, not all homeschooling families would fall into this category, nor is it necessary in order for a homeschool to be successful.
While to some, it may seem that homeschooling is expensive, it doesn't always have to be that way. It is true that some materials and curriculum programs are on the high end of pricing, but not all of them are. There are many different methods and materials that can used in a home school. It is often a very versatile way to educate children. The most cost-effective method of homeschooling, in my opinion, is through a virtual school that is part of the public education system. Many states offer these virtual or online schools for free in the public school district. Most of these include the materials and a student computer for each student to use for free as well. While this is not my preferred method of homeschooling, nor is it supported by the HSLDA, I have heard success stories with this type of program. One affordable way to gather homeschool resources and materials is by using free research websites and free printable lessons and worksheets compiled online. There are a great number of websites that would fall into this category and there are many homeschoolers who successfully use this method of compiling all their materials. The information and resources are aplenty on the internet. All one has to do is run a simple internet search for the topic of interest. In addition to the methods above, there are also ways to save money on textbooks and other materials. Wal-Mart has a back-to-school sale every year that has featured notebooks and folders for 10 cents each and crayons and glue for 20 cents, among other fantastic deals. Wal-Mart also sells many educational materials and textbooks. The textbooks can only be purchased online. However, workbooks, maps, manipulatives, and other resources can be purchased at many Wal-Mart locations for a fraction of the price some teacher stores will charge. Another way to save money on home school supplies is by purchasing gently used curriculum and/or textbooks and teacher's guides and materials.Ebay, Amazon, as well as the HSLDA Curriculum Market are great resources for doing this, as are garage sales, book sales, and second-hand or thrift stores. Some cities even hold homeschool conventions for this purpose. If buying materials on eBay, keep in mind that teacher editions are not allowed to be sold there, so don't purchase from a buyer offering those. However, at the HSLDA and other online homeschool trading/auction sites, teacher guides and editions are allowed. Libraries often have many reading and research materials, as well as textbooks. If you don't have your own computer, the library computers can be used to look up and print research and worksheets. They can also be utilized for educational computer games. Libraries also offer many free educational and activity classes free of charge that would be a useful supplement to the homeschool curriculum plan. As you can see from the above examples, money does not need to get in the way of a person's desire to homeschool, nor is a large amount of money necessary to provide a quality education. For anyone considering the option of homeschooling, I highly recommend starting at the HSLDA website for information, resources, and state laws. HSLDA is the Home School Legal Defense Association. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
Heart 'N Mind Homeschool Journal
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
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