Archive for 'Homeschooling'
The Basics of Home Schooling Your Children
Posted on 12. Jun, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Home schooling your children can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it. Depending on the time and effort you choose to put into home schooling, you and your children’s experience could be an excellent one.
A few steps can put you on the right path to a great home schooling experience, the first of these steps is to take into account all of the aspects that go along with home schooling and then to make sure they are all applied correctly.
A Real Learning Environment
Of all the aspects that go along with home schooling, providing your children with a relaxed but professional learning environment is crucial and most important. The learning environment you choose should be a room free of distractions such as televisions, phones, computers and food.
The room should offer a whiteboard attached to the wall that will outline what the day’s schedule is, and a wall shelf for children to keep school work and other school related materials is also necessary.
Finally, a sturdy study table and comfortable chair should be provided, making it enjoyable, relaxing but realistic for your children to learn!
School Materials and Lesson Plans
Home schooling requires someone to act as a teacher that can be relied upon to prepare lesson plans and make sure children are learning what they should for their age and grade group. This can be done a number of different ways:
1. Hire a tutor to bring learning materials and lesson plans with them, and to teach your children for a few hours per day. This is helpful to those who work or have active schedules, and want to provide a routine for their children.
2. Do it yourself with purchased learning material. Whether it be online or through a support group, there are resources available to provide learning material for home schooling. Whether it be a homeschooling book or workbook material among other things, this option works well for those that do have the time to teach their children but don’t have the expertise to create their own lesson plans.
3. Do it yourself, from scratch. You can type and print up your own lesson plans if you know what your children should be learning. In most cases, home schooling parents find that self discipline and good management skills is all it takes to take this route.
Finally, there are other home schooling options available such as Internet home school programs which are becoming quite popular and are continuing to become more and more available. Finding a local or internet home schooling support group can help to put you in touch with many resources that are valuable.
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How to Start Your Own Home Schooling Group
Posted on 09. Jun, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
A home schooling group is something every community needs, no matter who decides to start it. Support is great no matter how you get it, and frankly there is no better way to get it than by participating in a home schooling group.
If there isn’t a group for home schooling children and their parents in your area, consider creating one to share with your community. Keep reading to learn the basic steps to go about doing this.
Make a List, Check it Twice
You will want to make a list of everything you can think of that a home schooling group can offer, and what other home schooling parents are looking for. This list should include everything you’ve ever wished you had support with while home schooling your children, and should also include anything you’ve heard other home schooling parents wish for in regard to support and information.
You should also compile a list of the information you need to obtain from your State’s department of Education so new home schooling parents can have access to it when joining your home schooling group.
Do the Footwork
You need to put your list into action by first getting a handful of other parents to help you launch your home schooling support group. Once this is done, it’s time to figure out how to put your list in place. Many of the things on your list will work themselves out easily while others will require a bit more work and dedication.
Look to public and private schools, the Department of Education, Online services and teachers in the community to help you with your efforts.
Fundraising
In order to make some of your home schooling group goals come true, you’ll need to earn some money. You can do this in the form of garage sales, craft fairs or a fundraising party. Be sure to create a sales flyer to entice people to show up and sped some money for your cause!
Pick Your Spot
If you don’t have a building dedicated solely to your home schooling group, there are a couple of options you have otherwise. First of all, consider sharing meeting rotations with other parents, who will take turn housing visitors during weekly meetings. If you happen to live in an area with temperate weather, consider holding home schooling group meeting at a park! Other options to consider are the clubhouse of an apartment complex, a local fast food restaurant and online.
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How to Introduce and Maintain Home Schooling Socialization
Posted on 07. Jun, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Home schooling can be hard on both parents and children, especially if all aspects of home schooling aren’t laid out properly and evenly. Many aspects come into home schooling such as education, responsibility, socialization and study schedules to name a few.
Many parents find that the most challenging aspect of home schooling is socialization opportunities for their children. There are some effective ways to combat this problem, let’s take a look at them:
Home Schooling Groups
In order for home schooling to work, organizations such as support groups have been put into place for direction and help throughout the process. Home schooling socialization is just one aspect of home schooling, but a very important one. By participating in home schooling support groups, you are able to open many doors when it comes to your children making friends.
The Boys and Girls Club
Offering many daily programs and even weekly club meetings, bringing your child to the boys and girls club is a great supplement for home schooling socialization. The opportunity for your children to meet new friends on a continuous basis is only one positive experience to be found by attending this organization.
Public School Functions
Letting your child attend regular public school functions such as fairs, dances and field trips is another great way to expose your children to home schooling socialization. Their ability to interact with other children their age is crucial, and something that’s not replaceable with something else. Because of this, even if you prefer to educate your child at home, public school functions are a great resource.
Home School Supplemental Schools
Similar to a daycare but suitable for all school aged children, these supplemental schools offer not only time for parents to get things done on their own, but time for children to have a great time, meet friends and continue learning. Implementing this kind of school into your child’s schedule whether it be daily, weekly or monthly, is sure to raise the bar when it comes to home schooling socialization.
Additional Tips
When offering opportunities for your children to engage in friendships, it’s important not to push them. It may take multiple visits to a particular function of meeting before your child starts to feel comfortable with making friends.
An important part of home schooling socialization is to make friends with other children’s parents to make it easier for play dates to be set up.
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Are There Home Schooling Laws That Have to Be Followed?
Posted on 04. Jun, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Are There Home Schooling Laws That Have to Be Followed?
Along with learning how to actually home school a child, things like home schooling socialization and home schooling laws need to be considered. In fact, without considering these things you aren’t going to get too far legally when it comes to your child’s education. Many parents even end up in jail for ignoring things like home schooling laws. This is why it’s important to realize that there are laws in place, and to know where to find the information needed to follow the laws.
Are Home Schooling Laws the Same Everywhere?
Although many of the rules and regulations put into place for home schooling are similar from State to State, there may be small and even bigger differences depending on where you reside. You will want to check with your specific State’s department of education to obtain a copy of their home schooling laws. You should also be able to find additional resources and information to help get you started through the department of education.
What Happens if I Don’t Follow the Home Schooling Laws?
The first thing to realize is that home schooling laws are put into place in order to help insure all children get a quality, well rounded education. Usually, the only way to get around following all home schooling laws put into place by a State is to become registered as a private school. Once this is done, you are free to experiment in the ways you prefer to educate your child.
If you are not registered as a private school, you are subject to your State’s home schooling laws. This means that if the laws aren’t followed, penalties such as fines and orders to enroll your child in public school are put into place. In some cases, parents can find themselves doing some jail time.
How to Make the Best of Home Schooling Laws
When it comes to working within the home schooling laws of your State, support groups can be of much help. In fact, many parents find that participating in a home schooling support group has helped to keep them motivated and successful. It also provides camaraderie among other home schooling parents and yourself, and provides a medium for introducing your children to new friends.
Being able to understand home schooling laws from the get go helps to make following them easier, especially when they may be rules you don’t agree with. It’s also a good idea to check with your department of education from time to time to learn of any updates that may have been made to the home schooling laws, some of which could be in your favor.
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Learn About Home Schooling Kindergarten Children
Posted on 01. Jun, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
When it comes to home schooling a kindergarten child, chances are it’s your first time home schooling as a parent. It’s an exciting time, yet a nerve racking time as well. There’s a lot of information to absorb, and even more responsibility than ever before. The prospect may sound nice because after all, who wouldn’t want to personally oversee their child’s education?
However before making plans for home schooling your kindergarten child, it’s important to first learn the steps it takes to get started.
Of Course There are Laws!
Just because parents receive the freedom to educate their children at home doesn’t mean there aren’t rules that have to be followed. Your State’s department of education and home schooling associations make the rules, and monitor them.
You will want to contact your State’s department of education to request all the information you need as far as requirements, rules and regulations are concerned when it comes to home schooling your kindergartener. They should also be able to provide you with local resources that can help you to work within the home schooling laws.
What it Takes at Home
There are a few things to keep in mind when getting your home ready for home schooling your kindergartener. First of all, you have to make sure you’re prepared as a parent to turn the switch on and off as a teacher. There will be a fine line between the two, but after some time and practice it should balance itself out.
A suitable room for home schooling your kindergarten child is also recommended, as it will only promote a good learning environment. The room should include a desk to write and study on, a comfortable chair, a bookshelf filed with kindergarten level books, and colorful artwork on the walls. Putting the ABCs on the wall is also a great idea to help create a fun learning environment.
What should no be in a room for home schooling a kindergartener, are things to distract them from learning. These things include but are not limited to televisions, phones, radios and toys that are not designed for learning.
You will want to create a list of all the supplies you’ll need for home schooling your kindergarten child and make sure the list is purchased well in advance. Pens, pencils, erasers, clue, paper, crayons, art supplies and reading books are just the beginning!
Finally, make sure not to get frustrated because at first it will be a learning curve for both you and your child. It will take time to adjust and being positive while staying consistent is the best way to get comfortable in a routine.
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Getting the Home Schooling Info You Need
Posted on 30. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Home schooling children is a challenging position to be in as a parent, because it brings about a whole new responsibility parents don’t normally have when it comes to providing the bulk of a child’s education. For this reason, parents tend to get nervous when it comes time to home school their children for the first time.
Home schooling info for kindergarten through high school, is something that’s valuable but needed by new home schooling parents but all too often parents don’t get the right home schooling info due to not knowing where to find it.
When embarking on your quest as a parent to find useful home schooling info, it’s important to understand that many states may have different laws or requirements when it comes to homes schooling. Some states require the use of a charter school or public school’s independent study program, while others are more lenient. You will want to check with the home schooling association and/or department of education in the state you will be home schooling.
Using your state resources will provide the most valuable home schooling info when it comes to laws and regulations, resources and other local contacts. When it comes to getting home schooling info that emphasizes supplemental studies, you can find it in the following ways:
Online Forums
Home schooling forums is a great way to share and find information on a wide variety of topics. These forums usually cover everything from field trip ideas, to socializing opportunities and everything in between. The best way to find a good home schooling info forum is to lurk on a few to determine which forum has the most interaction and information before choosing a forum to join. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a lot of useless memberships.
Local Support Groups
Another great and effective way to gain home schooling info is to attend local support group meetings. This is also a great way to expose your children to others, helping them to maintain a healthy social life. Most importantly, finding help in person through people that experience the same things you do when it comes to home schooling is invaluable.
Many local support groups offer weekly meetings, children’s events and usually obtain all the information you’ll need to get started legally and properly. Periodic field trips with all support group members and the opportunity to share teaching responsibilities are other great reasons to join, and it’s never too early to join a home schooling support group.
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Where to Get Current Home Schooling Information
Posted on 27. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Home schooling is an important part of parenthood if it’s something you choose to implement for your children. Deciding to home school your children is just the first step in insuring a quality education for your children. In order to be successful, finding the right home schooling information is important to help guide you in the right direction.
There are a number of different ways to find the home schooling info you need, but only a few of them are the best options. From getting started to maintaining the school year goals, home schooling information can help the novice and the expert alike as long the info is current and reliable. So, where do you find this home schooling information, and what do you really need to know about home schooling?
The Information to Look For
The type of home schooling information you need depends on whether you have home schooled children before. If you’ve never done it before, the following home schooling information is where you should start:
Local Laws and Regulations-
You will need to find out what the regulations are that need to be followed when home schooling your children. This includes what subject matters need to be taught, and how long home schooling should be done on a daily basis among other things. These things can be learned by calling or visiting your local department of education office.
Lesson Plans-
It’s important to learn how to create your own lesson plans, and where to buy them if you prefer to use pre-made lesson plans. You should also determine what subject you’ll teach that benefit from the use of lesson plans, and which subjects benefit from other techniques and styles of teaching.
You can find lesson plans or guides to teach you to make your own either at teacher union stores in your area or online, at a trusted and reliable website. Many educational resources can be found online as well, providing local contacts to further your inquiries.
Teaching Recommendations-
Consider completed a home schooling information class before the school year begins at home. Many times you will find home schooling groups in your area, and also the department of education usually offers resources such as classes and learning material. General home schooling information classes can help you build a solid foundation to work from, and it will help you keep everything in perspective when trying to provide a quality education for your children.
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Creating Your Own Home Schooling Lesson Plan
Posted on 22. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
The first time you write a home schooling lesson plan may seem challenging. Once you finish this first home schooling lesson plan, any other curriculum will come that much easier. I recommend writing a math plan to start because it is very logical and organized. English, Social Studies, or any foreign languages will have different requirements and are really up to your own interpretations as how to best instruct whereas math is straight forward. This will make your home schooling lesson plan very easy to develop. Completing a home schooling lesson plan is probably the most fulfilling things you can do as an teacher.
What To Include In Your Home Schooling Lesson Plan
The first thing you want to make sure of is that you cover the material required. Whatever grade you have and whatever age of the student, be absolutely sure that the required material is covered. You can find this home schooling information online very easily.
Once you have done that you need to develop fun activities to instruct your student or students. These can be games, memory cards, or even real world applications that make the math seem fun. For addition I like to set up a small store and have my child buy thing then add them up. I then make them pay and figure out how much change they get so that they can do subtraction as well. Multiplication and division can be worked in as well.
For higher level math you can set up a hardware store and have your child design rough rudimentary geometric shapes for make believe construction projects. I find this works well even with high school kids. This can be as complicated or as simple as you want.
As you can see the key to developing your own unique home schooling lesson plan is to make it fun. The rest will fall into place as long as you stick to the guidelines laid out by the school. Do this and you should have no problems writing additional lessons for your kids. All these follow similar guide lines, but you will have more freedom as the material is a little bit looser in the arts. The sciences however you should be able to apply the techniques you learned writing your initial home schooling lesson plan.
Hopefully this has helped you to determine what you need to do to write your home schooling lesson plan. Follow these steps and the rest should quickly fall into place.
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Developing Your Own Home School Math Curriculum
Posted on 18. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
The first time you develop home school math curriculum may seem daunting. Once you complete this initial home school math curriculum, any other curriculum will come that much easier. I recommend doing math to start because it is very logical and organized. English, Social Studies, or any foreign languages will have different requirements and are really up to your own interpretations as how to best instruct whereas math is straight forward. This will make your home school math curriculum very easy to develop. Completing a home schooling lesson plan is one of the most fulfilling things you can do as an instructor.
Things To Include In Your Home School Math Curriculum
The first thing you want to make sure of is that you cover the material required. Whatever grade you have and whatever age of the student, be absolutely sure that the required material is covered.
Once you have done that you need to develop fun activities to instruct your student or students. These can be games, memory cards, or even real world applications that make the math seem fun. For addition I like to set up a small store and have my child buy thing then add them up. I then make them pay and figure out how much change they get so that they can do subtraction as well. Multiplication and division can be worked in as well.
For higher level math you can set up a hardware store and have your child design rough rudimentary geometric shapes for make believe construction projects. I find this works well even with high school kids. This can be as complicated or as simple as you want.
As you can see the key to developing your own unique home school math curriculum is to make it fun. The rest will fall into place as long as you stick to the guidelines laid out by the school. Do this and you should have no problems writing additional lessons for your kids. All these follow similar guide lines, but you will have more freedom as the material is a little bit looser in the arts. The sciences however you should be able to apply the techniques you learned writing your initial home school math curriculum.
Hopefully this has helped you to determine what you need to do to write your home school math curriculum. Follow these steps and the rest should quickly fall into place. Good luck and keep teaching!
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Creating High School Home School Curriculum
Posted on 16. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
If you have ever thought about home schooling your teenagers but believed that setting up the curriculum was impossible, than this article is here to show that it is not. High school home school curriculum can be simple to develop if you know where and what to look for. There are plenty of groups out there that offer free home school curriculum and you can use those to build your own high school home school curriculum.
Requirements For Your High School Home School Curriculum
There are several things that you need to be very aware of before you begin developing the high school home school curriculum. You need to have a good understanding of what the home schooling laws are. Each state has different laws and you need to look up what the laws are for your state before you can begin developing any kind of high school home school curriculum. Things like home school math curriculum will have very specific requirements.
After you understand the laws I would highly recommend finding a support group. This group will help you in developing your high school home school curriculum as well as provide an outlet for support. These groups not only offer encouragement, but they can also help you choose your curriculum, keep records, meet the local and state laws, as well as provide opportunities and activities for your kids.
You also need to understand the basics of record keeping. It is very important to keep good records of your child’s home school years. There are several different methods to keeping track of your child’s progress that range from something as simple as a notebook to as complex as a software suite. Personally I prefer keeping my records on computer as they are easily transferable, easily readable, and easy to back up and keep track of. In addition you can send this data off very quickly and easily if you are ever required to.
The next thing you need to develop is a schedule for your child. For this I recommend going with whatever works best for you and your child. Some children work better in the morning, others in the afternoon. The key is to find the right time to work with your child so that the two of you can develop a solid schedule for their schooling.
These are just the first steps you need to take before setting up your curriculum. There are many more, but address these issues first before moving on. Next you will need to start looking at what material to put in your curriculum, how much and what is needed for each grade.