Home School Me!

Mimi Rothschild asked:


The concept of homeschool has fast been catching up with the local population. Since it is a relatively new model of education, it is bound to be embroiled in controversy. There have been certain accounts and statements written in the media that have been meant to tarnish the image of homeschool, so that the public schools continue to receive government funding and private schools maintain their profits. However, things do not remain the same when people aspire to change, and homeschool is a sign of a new revolution in the world of education.

One should not forget the fact that homeschool is a reputable organization that has boldly been able to break the shackles of dependence and neglect that are rampant in local schools. A recent study sought to divide homeschooling into two groups: believers and inclusives. Believers tend to put homeschool parents on a pedestal, and the mother specifically is given a high status. Inclusives follow the children’s lead in learning. In other words, the former group is parent-centric while the later one is homeschool child-centric. In reality, this is a misrepresentation of the concept of homeschool, because one cannot divide a family that believes in unity in functioning.

It is also another wrong conception that people choose to homeschool their children only if they have had a bad experience with a public or private school. This is not entirely true. A parent may choose to homeschool not because of a bad experience with a public school, but because he or she believes that homeschool is the best way to give wings to his or her child’s overall academic and extra-curricular development. It does not matter if the public school is bad or good; it is a question of choice rather than circumstance.

Homeschool is known to spread positive feelings among families. Not only are religious values instilled in homeschool children, they also become socially conscious and contribute to the betterment of the family. There are many elements in the freedom that homeschool provides. The most important component of the freedom of homeschool stems from parental rights and the spirit of private education. The second component is the ability and the enthusiasm of homeschool children and their parents to work cohesively as a team. The third is the way in which people are, by and large, accepting the fact that the concept of homeschool is the welcome change in which education is imparted and knowledge shared. There are, and always will be, mouths which may keep on rattling about the perils of homeschool education, and the only way they can be silenced is to experience for themselves the winning crusade for education-the homeschool!



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Lee Dobbins asked:


Home schooling has been around for quite some time now. The debate about it’s overall effectiveness has been going on for just as long. Recently however, home schooling has been gaining more and more advocates in support of it.

For the longest time, home schooling has been viewed with a somewhat contemptuous attitude by many. They’re under the misguided notion that this type of schooling is for weirdoes and social misfits.

People these days are much more open minded about the idea of home schooling. Lots more parents are choosing to put their kids in some kind of home based program.

So what are the possible reasons for parents to home school their kids? What are the advantages and disadvantages of home schooling? Is it right for your child and what must be taken into consideration when choosing to home school your child?

Home schooling has traditionally been for those children who suffer from some kind of condition or whose current circumstances don’t allow them to attend regular school. However, more and more parents are choosing to home school their children because they believe it to be a more beneficial alternative to traditional schools.

There are a lot of advantages to be taken from this type of schooling.

Home schooling allows a child be taught in a more individualized way. The child will not have to compete with several other students for the time and attention of the teacher. Their parent is their teacher and the one-on-one teaching that the child receives will increase the quality of learning.

The nature of this schooling allows for an incredible amount of flexibility and freedom in regards to learning. The lessons and curriculum to be undertaken can be custom made to suit the particular educational needs of the child.

The child can also learn at their own pace, seeing as there’s no set schedule that must be followed. A child can take as much time as they need to learn something without being pressured, or they can go as quickly as they can, learning things that would normally take a much longer time to cover in a classroom.

In many cases home schooling will enforce an inherent love of learning and will strengthen the child abilities to learn on their own. These skill will become a valuable asset throughout their lives.

Many parents home school their kids in order to instill moral values that can’t be sufficiently achieved in traditional schools. This is especially true if they feel that the child is easily influenced and the schools in the area are a particularly bad influence.

Home schooling helps to cultivate family ties. The time that the family spend together teaching and learning helps to strengthen family bonds.

Thanks to more advanced technology and in particular the internet, home schooling has become even more effective. The internet is a vast source of knowledge and you can find a plethora of home schooling resources like sample curriculums, lesson plans, and all sorts of guides.

The greatest criticism aimed at home schooling is that it might hamper the child’s social growth. Home schooled kids tend to be more isolated and many feel that this is harmful.

This isn’t necessarily the case though, as studies have shown that many home schooled adults have excellent social skills and are living happy, meaningful lives.

These studies also show that home schooled individuals tend to do better academically than traditionally schooled individuals.

Despite the seemingly many benefits of home schooling, it isn’t for everyone. Parents should take in mind several considerations before taking the plunge.

Home schooling takes a tremendous amount of time and effort on the part of the parents.

Teaching will take up most of the teaching parent’s day, so this means that the they will most likely not have the time to work. The family must be able to cope with this situation. This is especially difficult for single parents.

Also, the parent must be sure that they will be able teach their child properly and handle all the possible problems and responsibilities that come with being home schooled.

Home schooling, when done right can have very positive results. However, getting it wrong can result in absolute disaster. Ultimately, it’s up to the parents to assess their child and decide if home schooling is the right choice for them.



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Kris Koonar asked:


As soon as a parent undertakes the duty of home schooling his or her child, burnout at the end of the day is a risk that they have to face at some point in time. The major reason home schooling parents tend to face burnouts is because of a deficient in a practical composition of the child’s home schooling syllabus. Time and again impractical objectives are laid down, since the parent considers that they have the chance to make their child progress more than what would be accomplished in a public school organization. This is, as a matter of fact, one of the main reasons for selecting home schooling. However, it would lead to burnout if regulation and organization are not held on to in the home schooling syllabus. There are a few more reasons that might bring about this burnout as well like change in routine, an illness, additional duties, another baby, etc.

When it comes to laying down your child’s home schooling syllabus, a practical set of objectives requires to be worked on. Even though your child is available 24×7, you must understand that no matter what, it is a schooling atmosphere you are generating at home. Therefore, having regular breaks and adopting different methods of teaching are important to make sure that both you as well as your child do not have to face home schooling burnout.

The warning signs of a burnout include not having enough of tolerance or eating too much or crying without a reason. Amazingly, a burnout might be such a bad thing. It is an awakening call, a sign that things are not turning out well and that you could do with some kind of rearrangement. Turning around or circumventing a burnout can be done if you acknowledge the warning signs well in advance. The most essential thing is that you have to converse repeatedly with your child. Allow the child in moderation to assess your home schooling methods to find out what is it that helps them study more resourcefully.

If you think that your child is going through home schooling burnout, you must lessen your expectations at once. Try not to be a perfectionist as your child would be able to feel this and it would bring about unnecessary pressure and apprehension in the little mind. You must handle the good days and the bad days and no matter what you must at all times encourage your child, whatever the outcome. When something does seem to do well, try and hunt for substitute techniques.

Flexibility is the main feature and is important for your accomplishment in home schooling. If pressure begins to build up, take time out and start from where you left off the previous day. You must transform the approach of teaching. For instance, younger kids might react better to visual training, while on the other hand older children would react better to more interactive training.

Circumvent home schooling burnout by controlling the quantity of content. A physically or mentally worn-out mother or father teaching would only result in an unhappy child, which would not focus on any advantage of the home schooling exercise. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from your spouse or a neighbor or if desired an association that supports home schooling. Home schooling is not something that any person can undertake single handedly.



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Amar Mahallati asked:


Homeschool can quickly grow and become an enterprise that is overwhelming. There is so much that parents need to learn before they can begin to educate their children. However, just like any other large and complex task, it is much easier to tackle when you break it down into simple to handle pieces. Plus, homeschooling is not nearly as difficult as many people think it is - or as the make it seem.

The first thing to remember in homeschooling is that there is no “one size fits all” and what is right for one person may not work for someone else. This being said, there is no single starting point that is right for everyone. Different parents present different skill sets and have different life experiences. However, nearly every single parent who attacks this task will at some point experience some trickle of doubt as to whether they can actually DO this or if homeschooling is right for their child or even their family. The doubts are normal, but what it boils down to is that only the parent and child can decide if it is right. Family members who do not understand or approve can not make the very personal decision regarding how your child is educated - only you and your child can do that.

If you decide to go with homeschooling, know that homeschooled children, on the average, outscore their peers on standardized tests and perform at the top of their class in college. Within the home, parents can offer an environment to the child that is safe, fun and is conducive to learning. They can tailor an educational program that is structured specifically for their child’s needs and interests. This is an area where public schools often fail.

The Law

One of the first things that you should do once you make the decision to homeschool your child is to learn everything that you can about the laws and regulations in your state. Learning the legal requirements and restrictions should be done very early in the process. The HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) can provide you with a wealth of information and assistance. They can guide you through the process of researching the laws in your state. While homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, certain aspects differ such as the amount of paperwork and the level of involvement of local school districts. Some states also require that homeschooled students be tested at certain points to track their progression.

Support Groups

Modern homeschooling has been around for more than 40 years. Literally hundreds of organizations have been formed during at time that covers every state and nearly every area in the United States. You can find a list for your area by visiting http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/states/index.php. There are also many online groups and many are even region specific. Yahoo groups, Google groups and MSN groups all have very useful clubs where homeschoolers can share curriculum, tips, support and supplies including books. Some local online groups even have field trips, get togethers, play groups and teen nights to aid in the socialization process for the children.

Books and Magazines

There are many books and magazines that are available to help with homeschooling issues. However, as the internet has grown and expanded, there is even more information readily available to homeschooling parents as well as students. Parents can sign up for homeschooling newsletters and they can even go on to teacher resource websites and sign up for newsletters and daily tips.

If you are interested in reading the philosophy of homeschooling and its origins, John Holt’s books are fascinating. “Teach Your Own” by Patrick Farenga is also a very popular book on homeschooling. “Classical Homeschooling Magazine” is available at http://www.classicalhomeschooling.com. While it mainly focuses on the classical homeschooling approach, homeschoolers of all types can gain valuable information from it. “Home Education Magazine” is another very popular publication regarding homeschooling.

Materials and Resources

Materials and resources are integral to the homeschoolers success, but not in the manner that you may think. Many parents elect the school-at-home route, at least initially. What this does is basically take the books and materials out of the classroom and place them in the home where the child learns them and the parent is the teacher. It usually does not take long for parents to realize how much effort is involved in this method and they often find the materials substandard at best.

There are alternative materials and curricula available from many commercial sources. The homeschooling clubs and groups mentioned earlier can also offer a wealth of information. There are materials and curricula that can be downloaded on the internet for free and these groups can point you in the right direction. A popular forum that provides good information is http://forum.homeschool.com/forum/default.asp. Another popular source is HEM (Home Education Magazine). You can access their site at http://www.homeedmag.com/wlcm_netwrk.html. Another site is http://www.home-school.com/forums.

All of these sites give parents helpful tips, suggestions for curriculum design and materials and much more.

Your approach to homeschooling your child may be structured or unstructured. It depends on you and your child’s goals, whether they are college, art school or just a good foundation of knowledge and a keen mind. Whatever your concerns and issues, you can find the help that you need to get you started and make your homeschool experience a success.



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Paul Hata asked:


Homeschooling is a spiritual experience for the whole family. Because it is not just about books, or curriculum, or tests or achievements. It is about love, change, growth and enlightenment for both the children and the parents. Famous homeschoolers includes Alexander Graham Bell,Albert Einstein, Agatha Christie,Bernard Shaw,Benjamin Franklin,George Patton,Winston Churchill and many others.

The term ‘homeschooling’ basically refers to the process in which one or more children of not more than 2 families are instructed by parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household.The laws that define homeschooling vary from state to state. The legal requirements for establishing a homeschool also vary with the state.

According to the National Center For Education Statistics, almost 1.1 million children underwent homeschooling in 2005 alone. That’s a lot of children. Once upon a time, homeschooling used to be a

radical statement - something like a declaration of independence. It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in the ’80s and legalized it in every State. But the typical homeschooler of the day is not religiously motivated.

For most children, the actual process of learning begins much before school. Many children already know their alphabets, the names of animals, colors and other more complicated stuff before they reach school. This is mostly due to the hard work of a member of the family who has taken the time to teach the child. Homeschooling is just a natural progression from here. Instead of sending their children to a public school, parents make their own curriculum and teach their children in ways that best suit the child. This is homeschooling, in its most simplistic form.

Before you decide to go in for homeschooling, there are certain important matters for consideration. First off, meet with parents of other homeschoolers. Find out the pros and cons of homeschooling. Then ask yourself why you would want to adopt this method. This is a very important aspect, as the success of the program depends on the clarity and sincerity of your purpose.

Next, it is time to consider the expenses of homeschooling. It may cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand every year. More importantly, you are also effectively shutting out any job opportunity for one of the parents. It is only obvious that one parent will have to stay at home full time to manage the homeschool. A home-based business however is a great alternative.

Are you qualified to take on homeschooling for your children? Teaching is a continuation of your own learning process. With the advent of the internet, information is aplenty. There are various books and resources for those interested in homeschooling. Go through the various methods of homeschooling and choose one that is most suited to you. It helps if you know what kind of learning style your child has. Also, find out what your child feels about homeschooling before you start.

Every state has its own laws regarding homeschooling. For instance, in North Carolina, you must first file a ‘Notice of Intent’ to start a home school. In this you have to mention if the school is a ‘Private church’ school or a ‘qualified non-public school’. The persons providing the education are required to have at least a high school diploma. You have to maintain an annual record of the child’s attendance and disease immunization. Every year, the child is required to undergo a standardized test. Each student attending the eleventh grade has to take a nationally standardized test. These are the requirements in North Carolina, but it is enough to give you a good idea of what homeschooling entails.

Homeschooling may seem like a lot of fun and freedom from the outside. However, things are seldom as simple as they seem.Homeschooling is a lot of added responsibility and hard work. But, if successful, it will forge a strong bond of love and respect between parent and child, while providing your child with the best form of education he needs.



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Christine Harrell asked:


As homeschoolers, we naturally want the best home schooling supplies and curriculum for our children. Each child is an individual though and what homeschool textbooks and supplies may be perfect for one child may not be the best fit for another. Luckily, there are lots of options! But, there’s no way you could ever test out each option for each child, even if you only had one child.

So, what’s a homeschooler to do? What we do best, research! Finding as much information as you can about different homeschool textbooks and supplies will allow you to select materials that are of high quality and that will work for you and your child.

Talk to Other Home Schoolers

This may seem like an easy answer but just because you know and love other homeschoolers, doesn’ mean you always know what homeschool textbooks and supplies they’e using, have tried, or would recommend. So, find whomever you know that homeschools and talk to them, all of them.

Because you know these people personally, and their kids too, you can have the added benefit of insight as to what similarities they share with you and your children; and how the home schooling supplies they have liked may be something you and your child might like (or not like) also.

Read Online Reviews

With the wide use of the internet, you can now find a lot of help with your search for the best homeschooling supplies by reading reviews at the various online homeschool textbook stores. There are countless online reviews about curriculum for homeschool on various homeschool forums and message boards, as well as your state or local yahoo group. Many have a designated spot for reviews, or, take matters into your own hands and just get a discussion going about favorite home schooling supplies.

Many homeschoolers also maintain blogs now about what they are doing, and their life as homeschoolers. Some also post online reviews of the home schooling materials they have experience with. This is a fantastic way to benefit from another homeschooler’s experience and opinion of home schooling supplies.

Create a Relationship With a Homeschool Book Store You Can Trust

If you are lucky enough, you may, through word of mouth or your own experience, find a homeschool book store that you can trust to only offer the best curriculum for homeschool. This way, you’ll know that if they carry it, it’s got to be good.

One marker of a good homeschool book store is that it is run by fellow (and usually very experienced) homeschoolers. Most shops that cater to homeschoolers do so because they enjoy and want to help other homeschoolers. They too know that the search for the best homeschool textbooks and curriculm is a very important, and potentially time consuming process. You can benefit from their support and knowledge, and in return, patronize their shops!

Of course no matter how much you research curriculum for homeschool you’ll still need to use it to be able to accurately judge the fit between the homeschool textbook and your child. But, if you try to utilize these ideas (and make sure the store has a good return policy!), then you’ll make your search for high quality homeschool textbooks and curriculum much more easy and successful!



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Kris Koonar asked:


Home- schooling as the name suggests is the method of educating children at home under the guidance of their parents. This is a paradigm shift from the conventional way of imparting knowledge to kids at school. A couple of centuries earlier, it was common for many members of the privileged society to employ governesses who were entrusted with the responsibility of teaching subjects such as Mathematics, English, geography and even social etiquettes to their children. Over a period of time, this system became unaffordable and impractical, and conventional schooling became the norm for people irrespective of their relative affluence. The beginning of the twentieth century has marked the re-emergence of the home- schooling trend amongst many people and this time around, it is no longer the prerogative of only the elitist group. Families that decide to educate their children through home schooling are not limited to any particular group, community, religion or area. They come from almost all sections of the society and from various economic backgrounds.

In order to achieve a valuable home schooling experience for both parents and the children, it is very important for parents to be dedicated and possess patience. There must be an interest and an undying passion to teach your child personally. Home schooling when relegated to a sense of obligation or burden can adversely impact the future of your child. Determination is a key factor that guides the culture of home schooling. It is very necessary that you think, plan and analyze new and fascinating ways to engage your kids while teaching them at home. The curriculum and teaching methodology employed should be interesting enough as to ensure complete concentration on the part of your child.

Home schooling has its own share of pros and cons but when carefully implemented, the benefits certainly outweigh the disadvantages in many ways. Some of the pivotal advantages are:

a)It allows you to systematically imbibe the religious/ philosophical convictions that you wish for your child to inculcate.

b)It provides for the development of adequate social skills in the child without subjecting him or her to peer pressure or influence.

c)It ensures that your child inclinations and talent are tapped during the academic process.

d)It facilitates your spending quality time together as a family.

Religious/ philosophical convictions: Convictions are personal beliefs based on our principles that can infuse a sense of enthusiasm in both the children and the parents. Home schooling allows parents to weave the passion for convictions in their children.

Socialization: Home schooling has the benefit of actual socialization in terms of being involved with classmates in a real sense. It is not a superficial and restricted kind of association. In schools, the different variables are controlled in order to maintain the decorum of the school while at home children are exposed to real life.

Academics: Home schooling allows children to work according to their capacity rather than competing with other children. Parents can teach their children at their own pace and not till the bell rings. Every child has a different style of learning and parents can usually understand their psychology better thereby helping them do well in academics.

Quality time for the family: Parents can spend relatively more time with their children and get to know their behavioral tendencies, strengths and weaknesses in a natural manner.

Home schooling proves to be an option worth considering owing to the advantages mentioned above. It helps in the overall development of children and enables them to succeed in life. However, before deciding on home schooling for your kids, it is important to consult with other parents who have traversed this path, assess your own ability to spare what it takes in terms of time and efforts, and also perhaps take the opinion of a trusted child psychologist to determine if your child is equal to it.



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