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Should Every Parent Homeschool?by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff 
Image by ToGa Wanderings via Flickr.com
If you came across this article, chances are you are wondering about homeschooling your child. Are you the right parent for the job? Can any parent teach? Should every parent homeschool? These questions may be running through your mind. As a seasoned parent, homeschool teacher, and advocate for choice in education, perhaps my advice and experience can help you make this difficult and important decision.
What Does it Take to be a Homeschool Teacher? While I am an advocate for choice in education, including homeschool, I am not going to sugar coat things to entice others to do what I do. I will not tell you that it's easy. If anything, the homeschool choice can make some things more complicated. It takes hard work and dedication from both the parents (and/or homeschool teacher) as well as the children. Though it is not easy, in my opinion, the main things required of a parent are willingness, love, and a commitment to their child's educational needs. I feel any parent with those three things may be the right candidate to be a homeschool parent and teacher. Do I Need a Teaching Degree to Homeschool? Because laws can change and because not all states will have the same laws, this is not necessarily a yes or no answer. Check with your state's local school board, as well as homeschool organizations for this information. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is also a great place to keep up with legalities and other aspects of homeschool. As for whether or not a parent has the ability to teach without a degree, read "Can a Parent Be a Homeschool Teacher Without a Degree?" for my opinion and research on that matter. In short, the answer is yes, it is possible. Should All Parents Homeschool? Asking if all parents should homeschool is similar to asking if all people should be on a basketball team. Not everyone has the talent to do so, but those who do should definitely exercise it. I believe that homeschooling is the best choice when parents are able to sufficiently educate the children and have the dedication it takes to do so. But, just like all people do not make great parents, athletes, or singers, not all people make great homeschool teachers. How Do I Know if I'm the Right Parent for the Job? If you can remain dedicated to doing what's best for your child's education you may be able to homeschool. Research to see what other homeschoolers are doing and ask yourself if you can do similar things. You may consider the following questions. Do I have patience for teaching my child? Will I be sure to find proper resources when I don't know a lesson my child needs to learn? Can I keep my child involved in social activities? Those are just some of the many things you will need to think about. There is no exact formula of determining who should homeschool. However, doing research and thinking about what's involved and whether it works for your family and situation can help. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
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 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 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  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 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 by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Field trips are a very important part of learning. They teach hands-on learning and learning through experience and observation. As a homeschooling mother, I have planned many lessons that also involved utilizing trips outside the home. Learning how to integrate field trips into homeschool lessons gets easier as you go.
Consider the lesson topic. Look up places in your area that center around that Subject. For instance, if your child is learning about the heart, find out what museums in your area have coordinating exhibits. Some museums also have IMAX theater showings on various educational themes. Keep up to date on the listings so you can incorporate field trips for those into appropriate lessons. See if local hospitals have any related tours or classes they offer to students. If none of those work out, there's always the library. Every lesson has an extra place you can go to in order to learn more. Be inventive. Think of hands-on things that require leaving the house, but may not necessarily be a formal field trip destination. This could be area parks and trails, the beach, an animal shelter, and more. Any place that can involve hands-on learning and is related to a recent lesson can be considered field trip. Be creative and versatile with your choices. Plan trips to these locations in accordance with the lessons or curriculum. Research museum, library, and community classes in your area. These are the perfect destinations for field trips. While some may be just like a classroom setting, it is a chance for your students to do something different. Sign the kids up for classes and be sure to teach related lessons in the same timeframe. This may require some shifting around. Check event schedules, local listings, and local organizations. Most communities have festivals, expos, free days, and other events that would be useful in teaching kids various things. For instance, zoos and museums often host free days. Libraries often have classes and story time. They also might hold book sales. Animal shelters may host fun events with the animals or have free classes on animal care. Kids can even volunteer if they are the right age. The same is true for some nursing home and rehabilitation facilities. Check calendars and other local listings to see what is going going on in your area. Some of these will be repetitive or ongoing and can be worked into the lesson schedule as needed. Pulling it all together. When looking over the classes and events scheduled, you may see that some don't align well. If you're teaching your child about the brain, one museum has a related lecture, and another has a hands-on lesson, but they are not scheduled together, this can be an inconvenience. It's ideal to keep as many related lessons together as possible. But don't miss out on good lessons if they are available. Any opportunity to learn should be taken advantage of. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Is it Possible to Teach Your Own Kids Without Showing Bias?
When educating your kids yourself, is it possible to teach academics without bias? Should you do so? How can you go about that and why might it be a good idea? As a seasoned homeschool teacher and parent, I can say with experience that's it's definitely possible.
Isn't the Point of Homeschool to Teach the Kids Your Beliefs? Well, yes and no. Your family's belief system can and should be instilled. But it should not take the place of important educational facts and lessons. As with any other schooling method, the point of homeschooling is to teach the children. This means giving them honest facts and letting them have the freedom to form their own opinions. Sure, their opinions may closely resemble yours. But then again, they may not - and that's normal and perfectly fine. How Can I Teach the Kids About Life Without Showing Bias? When teaching the kids about events, politics, and science, it may be easy to inject your own opinions. That's OK. But, to teach without bias, you should present your thoughts, as well as ideas from an opposing viewpoint. Leave it up to the kids to decide what they think. Yes, we all want our children to live by our belief system. But, in order to do that with a whole heart, they need to be able to make that choice themselves. If they choose another path, it does not mean they don't respect you as a parent. Not everyone thinks in the same way. Why Shouldn't I Teach the Kids Solely What I Believe? There is no reason you shouldn't interject your beliefs into teachings. However, you should not teach the kids that your way is the only way. As mentioned above, you can and should teach your beliefs. But, if your children go in another direction, as a parent, it is your role to love and respect them regardless. It's just a fact of life that not all children will follow the same path as their parents. If they do, that's great. But if they don't, that's great as well. If Not to Teach My Beliefs, What is My Role as a Parent? As parents, it is definitely our duty to teach the children. But, the goal is not to create clones of ourselves. It is to raise healthy, happy, well-balanced human beings who can stand on their own two feet when the time is right. If we teach them with bias, it may cripple them by causing them to be followers, instead of taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Homeschool Myth #4
As the concept of homeschooling continues to ease back into the mainstream, where it began, more and more questions and myths seem to follow. There is a great deal of controversy and confusion surrounding everything involving homeschool. One subject that is often brought up to homeschoolers is the "know-it-all" syndrome. Some people tend to feel that those who homeschool are know-it-alls who think they know everything. For most homeschooling families, this couldn't be further from the truth. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule in any group of people, but many homeschool parents are not this way. Watch us bust this common homeschool myth.
One reason people might feel that homeschoolers have a know-it-all attitude is because many of them never miss an educational opportunity. Most homeschool families understand that education never ends. There is always something to be learned from everything. Homeschoolers tend to delve deeper into learning about subjects simply because of the fact that they homeschool. While from the outside, a parent of a homeschooled child that explains each situation to their child in great detail in every situation may seem to be showing off, this may not be the case. It is simply the nature of a homeschool parent to teach their children about everything, no matter where they are or who is around. I have encountered many instances of others assuming I felt I was smarter than them or knew more. To me, education has no true measure because different people are educated on different things. While one person might know more about Civil Rights, another person may know more about fixing cars. This does not make either smarter than the other. There is one particular incident of a know-it-all accusation that sticks in my mind for some reason. When we first started homeschooling, I also would care for other children from time to time, either as a sitter or nanny. This care often included homework help, as many of the children I cared for attended public school. One little girl I cared for was having trouble in math class. She happened to be a public school student. That fact doesn't matter to me, but it does help in describing the situation. Being that I was her caregiver at the time, and responsible for helping at homework time, I decided to go a step further with the help. She was frustrated every day during her math homework and I wanted to help change that. Anyhow, I worked with her after school for 3 days straight, aside from the time on her assigned homework. There was only one area where she was struggling. After our last session, she was very excited and had worked very hard. She was so proud of herself. I let her make the announcement to her mother of her achievement. When she announced to her mom that Math was now her favorite subject (she had despised it before) because of what I had done with her, her mom responded in a negative way, instead of cheering her on. She glared at me and said "You think you're smarter than me just because you homeschool. I could have taught her that, you know". Perhaps she could have. However, for me, that was not an issue at hand. I was not trying to insult her intelligence or her parenting skills. I was not attempting to take over her role, nor did I presume myself to be smarter than anyone. I simply saw a struggling child who I also cared about and chose to give a little help. Also, as her care provider, her mom had entrusted the after school study slot to me. I think perception plays a big role in this particular myth. Things are not always as they may appear. Sometimes these misconceptions are based on people's insecurities. Other times they are based on rumors or misguidance. The bottom line is that just because someone takes up an educational opportunity, it doesn't necessarily mean they feel like they are better than anyone. They may just see an opportunity to teach or learn and there is nothing wrong with that. Takeaways:
*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
Homeschool Myth #2  As the concept of homeschooling continues to ease back into the mainstream, where it began, more and more questions and myths seem to follow. A common myth that seems to follow many parents who decide to homeschool their kids is the concept of laziness.
Confusion By Strangers It has been my experience that strangers often perceive parents who homeschool as being too lazy to bring their children to school. I say strangers because in my experience, even when people who are close to homeschooling families have questions, they usually don't center around laziness. Laziness Questions I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but the first time I heard this question, I had to stifle a laugh. Well, at least I tried to anyway. Eventually, it did accidentally come out. How could taking on the responsibility of a teacher, in addition to normal parenting duties, be seen as lazy? Still, I listened to the misinformed woman express her concerns. In a friendly disagreement with my actions, she was concerned that because I wanted to homeschool my children, that meant I really was just tired of transporting them back and forth from school, as if teaching them was somehow easier than that. I sincerely hope that she doesn't treat the difficult tasks her child's teachers face every day with the same disregard. What Does a Homeschool Parent Even Do All Day? Perhaps people who make this assumption do not understand everything that a homeschooling parent has to do in a day, or even think about it. I would never call a parent who brings their child to public or private school lazy because parenting is still hard, either way. However, I can say from experience that adding on the responsibility of teaching is anything but laziness and it's definitely much harder than dropping them off at school. Think about everything you can that involves teaching for a moment. There are kids to instruct, supplies to ready daily, lessons to be planned, papers to grade, activities to plan, field trips to make, supplies to keep stocked, and the list goes on quite extensively. When thinking about this, compare to it the small task of picking up and dropping off kids from school daily. There is no comparison. Bringing This Homeschool Myth To a Close This myth pretty much falls flat from the start to anyone who takes a moment to consider it, but for some reason, it still comes up in discussion often. As with any situation, there are likely exceptions to the rule, where a parent withdraws their child from school for the wrong reasons and doesn't teach them or has good intentions, but doesn't follow through. However, I wouldn't label that homeschooling. I'd instead label it educational neglect, which is a whole separate issue and is not representative of the majority of home schools. *This author welcomes feedback and discussion. To read more from this author on home schooling, positive parenting, and other topics, simply click on her name above. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Struggling Learners or Those with Learning Disabilities May Benefit from Home School
Do you have a child struggling or failing in school? Have you tried the options available (extra help at school, tutors, etc) with little to no success? You're not alone. Parents and children struggle with this issue daily. Could home school be the answer for your family's situation? For some families, there will be many benefits of homeschooling a struggling child, either temporarily or permanently.
As a mother to a child who had some math problems that weren't resolved in public school, I chose to take on the responsibility of schooling my own children. Of course there were many other factors involved in our decision, including the fact that the children were also ahead in many areas. Seeing that the plan to school our children through the public education system was failing for us, we chose to school the children at home instead. It is my hope that sharing lessons learned from our experience can help others decide if homeschooling is right for their child. Oftentimes, as in our case, a child simply needs a bit of one-on-one time to get steered back in the right direction. In a homeschool setting, a child can receive a great deal of student to teacher time. The teacher may be a parent, relative, or even a private tutor, depending on the laws of the state the homeschooled child resides in, as well as the choice of the family. No matter who the teacher is, there is no question that a student who schools at home has a much better chance of receiving that individual one-on-one attention that will get the struggling child back on track. Children who are having a hard time educationally may also need a new strategy. In the public school system, a new strategy plan isn't always possible. Some public and private schools offer programs to help children who are failing. However, not all schools will have a special program for children who are behind for their grade level. Even when the school offers program choices, there are still certain guidelines to adhere to. Those guidelines may not be right for every child. Some children may need an approach that differs from the standards, such as a customized curriculum or a more relaxed setting, which, in many cases is not available in the public education system. In our case, this is exactly the plan we chose to follow. We found that customizing the plan to fit each child individually, rather than as a whole class, helped the child better understand and learn the lessons being taught. The child in question was recommended to take her grade level over again, due to her poor math skills. However, in just a short time of homeschooling, she improved immensely and was able to complete the level she had failed in public school, as well as catch up to where she should be had she not failed. Now she is actually ahead in math. Ironically, it is now her favorite subject, whereas before, it was her most hated, feared, and dreaded. Based on our experience with her, I would recommend homeschool as a valid option for parents. Common sense told us that the one-on-one time would be beneficial, but the actual results were much more than we could have hoped for. The results were absolutely amazing for us, as the child in question had always struggled with math, even crying over it many times. We had tried everything; everything except homeschool. If I had it do again, I would have chosen homeschool in the beginning, at the first sign of struggle, rather than waiting until the problem escalated. If you, yourself are not good at the subject your child is struggling in, yet would like your child's curriculum program catered to him or her, there are still plenty of options that will allow you to homeschool. There are virtual schools (online schools), tutors, community college classes, home-school co-ops, and a whole host of other options. If your child has learning disabilities, don't fret. There are many homeschooling families who actually homeschool because of learning disabilities. I have heard many mention great benefits from doing so. Click Here to see the HSLDA's information on that. The HSLDA is the Home School Legal Defense Association. If you are interested in doing this for your child, do your research and find out which options are available to you. Homeschooling is currently legal in all 50 US states. However, the laws for each state differ, as far as what is allowed and what rules, if any, should be followed. Texas is one of the most relaxed states, as far as rules and regulations for homeschool. Interested parents should start their research at the HSLDA, as well as look up home-school co-ops, homeschool groups, tutors, curriculum, virtual schools, and more to get an idea of what plan or program will work best for the child. Takeaways:
*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Last updated on 12/11/2020 
If you have recently made the decision to homeschool, you may be pondering the best curriculum choices. There are so many options, such as pre-packaged curriculum, online curriculum, virtual school, co-ops, and more. You may even be thinking "Should I design my child's homeschool curriculum myself?" Our family has tried many, many options, including me writing out every single lesson by hand.
What is your lifestyle? This is the very first thing you need to ask yourself. Your family's lifestyle will have a great deal to do with which choices may be best. If you like to be on the go, certain curriculum choices will not work with that. For instance, if the materials are not very portable, you're going to have a big problem. If you choose an online curriculum, you need to have Internet access at all times, even when you leave the house. An active family might benefit from free schooling or unschooling. Designing the curriculum yourself can be beneficial with many lifestyles, as it's customizable. However, some people may not have the time needed to fully commit to this. Be sure to consider your family's lifestyle and habits when you make your decision. Can you commit to this plan all year long? Unless you are an experienced writer, you probably cannot write your child's entire curriculum at the beginning of the year. You'll probably need to do it in segments year-round. Can you commit to this? Will you? You may be feeling ambitious at the moment. But if you have a habit of starting major projects that don't get finished, this may not be the best method for you. However, if you're known to plow ahead even through tough projects, writing your child's own curriculum might work for you. Do you know the state standards? This is extremely important when writing your child's lessons yourself. You should know what the standards are for the area you live in. You can find those out by by checking with the Department of Education in your state and also by checking to see if your state has adopted the Common Core State Standards Initiative. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) does not support having a national system like this. However, since it has been adopted, it is wise to follow at least the core standards. Depending on your state, it could also be the law to follow them. The HSLDA has a handy list to help you figure out what the legalities of homeschooling are in your state. Is there a better option? When choosing between writing your child's curriculum or other methods, be sure you are making the correct decision. In some cases, a curriculum customized and written by the parent may be the best choice. In other cases, the child may learn more effectively another way. Weigh all your options and make the choice based both on your child's needs, as well as your ability to effectively teach your child using that option. There are ways to customize your child's education (such as combining materials) without having to develop an entire curriculum yourself. Does this actually work? As someone who has used this method before, I know firsthand that it can definitely work for the right family. However, be prepared to be fully committed and very busy. If weighing all the options doesn't scare you away and it sounds like something that will fit your family's lifestyle, then go for it. If it doesn't work out, you can always move on to the next method. While writing the curriculum myself was a great option, because I also write for a living, I found that in order to have more time with my kids, it wasn't the best option for us. I would be spending entirely too much time writing. While I still write lessons and design games for them on occasion, I no longer do it full time. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Advice for Parents Facing This Difficult Transition
After many restless nights (or not), you finally come to the decision that you are no longer going to be a homeschool teacher. Whether that decision came easy or not, there is likely something related you'll need to deal with. For me, the decision to start homeschooling was easy and natural. The decision to end that path and return two of the kids to traditional school, even though it was only for a while, was anything but.
Recognize your reasons for the choice. Perhaps, like I did, you have too many hats on your head and need to add another. I am a freelance journalist with several clients and am founder and co-owner of a media company. Because I cannot halt either of these related businesses (can't pay the bills without a career), the homeschooling was unfortunately the major task that would make room for me to have enough time to work to pay the bills. Once I got into a better routine, I was able to go back to teaching the kids. But at that time, I had to transition two of them back into traditional school. Don't be too hard on yourself. I have had to repeat this advice to myself several times on this journey. No matter the reason for your decision to end your homeschooling journey (whether temporary or permanent), you made the choice for a reason. Sometimes things happen in life that are out of our power and not our fault. Feeling guilty won't help you adjust. As long as the new schooling situation is a positive environment, there is no need to feel guilty for this choice. Again, I remind myself of this one. It's true that no one will care about your child's education more than you. However, that doesn't mean you are doing something wrong by sending them to traditional school. Remember that what you have taught them will follow them. Also, you can (and should) still help with some aspects of education, even when they are in traditional school. Cry if you need to. The feelings can often get overwhelming. That's understandable. After all, these are your kids and their education means everything to you. Crying can help get out those built up emotions and sometimes you just have to. This is a natural coping mechanism and if sending the kids back to school invokes tears, let them roll. Just try not to do it in front of the kids to keep their experience as positive as possible. Get some exercise. Yoga often helps reduce stress, as does running and many other types of exercise. If you need to relax, opt for stretching and yoga. But if you need to release pent up feelings in a more active way, go for running, bike riding, or even power yoga. Get involved in the school. Maybe you don't have time to teach the kids all day anymore. But you can still volunteer to commit some time to school activities. Join the PTA, chaperone field trips, help with a bake sale, and more. Whatever you can assist with will likely help both you and your child cope with the fact that you will no longer be the teacher. This shows your child that you do still care and it also may help relieve some of the guilt associated with dropping the teacher role. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
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