Home Schooling 101

Home based schooling has been around for many years as more and more families choose this method in spite of public schooling.

A home based school is the place where children, teenagers or adults are taught at home by one or both parents(or family) without any influence from public school systems. This method is legal in all 50 US states even though each state has its own rules and guidelines about the process.

To get started right away, you first need to do a little research so you can be aware of all the laws that apply to you and find out what you need to do to get the curriculum as fast as possible.

If you are new to this process, looking for a support group would be a great idea, as you are not alone out there. This group will allow you to meet with other homeschooling parents who already have some experience and can help you get started on the right track.
Each member can give you his or her view on teaching techniques, curriculums and learning hours.

Another very important aspect that you need to consider is organizing everything you need in home based schooling. Your child needs to be as comfortable as possible, and that is why you need to have the different learning materials organized in a proper place where he can have an easy access to them. Children will respond very positive to an organized learning environment as this will point out that his education is top priority.

Even though you are saving a lot of money by not sending your child to a private or public school, you should set a budget for this process as there are many books and materials you can buy to make the learning experience much easier for both of you.

Multi-Age Home Schooling is all about providing your child/teen with the best possible learning experience and you should strive to make this as easy for him as possible.

Grading In Homeschooling

Grading in homeschooling is done by the teacher-in-charge. In most

of the cases, this means mom! In this situation, grading can get a

bit tricky because it can be a little difficult to grade your own

child. There is no benchmark against which you can evaluate your

child's performance. In most cases, you also have no awareness of

how well other children are doing. So, obviously the traditional

method of grading is perhaps not the best method to follow.

When grading a child undergoing homeschooling, it is more

important to assess whether the child has understood the subject

that is being taught. Inherent in this is the fact that if the

child has not understood something, you will go over it again.

This will work in your child's favor in 2 ways. Firstly, the child

knows that if he or she fails to catch on, the topic will be

repeated till it is mastered. Secondly, the child also knows that

once the topic has been mastered, he or she will get full credit

for his hard work. Getting full reward for the hard work put in is

a great motivational factor, especially for kids.

When assessing your child's abilities, do not allow emotions to

overcrowd your rationale. Do not yield to the cries and tears of

your child if he or she resists certain topics or subjects. If

mastering these skills is necessary, then you as the teacher (and

not as the parent alone) have to go over the topic over and over

till it sinks in. When dealing with tougher concepts, the child

may get restless and may even show frustration or belligerence.

When the child is still young and unable to understand the

importance of his lessons, it is your responsibility to see to it

that the child develops the skill set necessary for future growth.

In case you belong to a state that requires yearly tests, this

will help you to judge your child's ability vis-à-vis his peers.

Even if it is not mandatory, you may want to test your child every

year. These tests will reveal the variations in the child's

learning pattern. It may show up unexpected areas of strength and

hitherto unknown areas of weakness. This enables you to structure

your teaching to cover the areas that are weak, and build upon the

areas that are strong.

In case your state requires a homeschool report card, keep a

record of the yearly development and scores of your child. Include

pertinent areas like punctuality, discipline etc in the report.

You may also need to keep a record of the number of working days

and attendance schedules.

While grading your child, make sure that you use as many external

tests as possible. There are several websites that deal with the

various age groups, and allow free downloading of question papers.

This is an excellent and cost-effective method to assess your

child. Homeschooling, if done in the proper manner, will boost the

child's confidence because he will be studying to satisfy his

natural curiosity. The scores therefore will reflect his true

intelligence.

Structure the School Year

Now that you have begun your homeschooling schedule, there are

various questions that trouble you. Should you study continuously,

take a number of short breaks or a long vacation? What about

public holidays? When should you take a break?

The answer to these questions and many more like these are

actually quite simple: Do whatever suits you best. This is one of

the appealing benefits of homeschooling. You do not have a set

pattern to follow. You do not HAVE to take that autumn break, or

close shop for a prolonged summer vacation. Flexibility is the key

here.

For some practiced unschoolers, even a definite curriculum

is not necessary because lessons are a part of their day- to-day

life. But this may not be the case with beginners. Beginners may

need to chart out their activities to fall into a pattern.

Before you plan the structure of your classes, consider some of

the most important issues.

What method of homeschooling will you be following, what is your teaching style and your child's

learning style, what are the work and play schedules, what are

your vacation plans. Some families plan small 1-week vacations at

different times of the year. Other families prefer to go away for

a month or more. Consult with the members of your family, and

chart out a holiday schedule that most suits you.

There are some positive benefits in following the traditional

summer vacation schedule. Firstly, your children can benefit from

the various summer activities, camps and classes. Your child's

schedule will coincide with that of his school-going friends. A

summer job may be possible.

A longish summer break also means that both parents as well as children get a break from their daily lessons. This could also be a major drawback, as it is sometimes difficult to get back on track once the classes resume.

On the other hand, there are some advantages to taking numerous

small breaks in the course of a year. Firstly, children do not get

bored since they get time to explore other interests. You can

cover more topics in the extra time that you save. You can also

take family trips and vacations during the less popular periods of

travel.

This means lesser crowd and better prices. But beware if

your child becomes restless when other children are enjoying their

long summer vacations.

As far as homeschooling is concerned, you and your family are the

people in charge. Taking care of the individual needs of the child

is the primary focus of this system. So, tailor the school year to

suit your child's needs.

Periodic evaluation is a must. Set some realistic goals and see if you are able to achieve these goals.

Most importantly, avoid burnout - both in yourself and your children.

Creative Homeschooling

People decide to home school for various reasons, some because they are concerned about the value systems that influence their children, still others because of family circumstances. Perhaps a great deal of traveling is involved and they don’t want their children being switched from one school to another. Many claim that children who are home schooled are academically ahead of those who grow up under the normal school system. Whatever the reason, homeschooling can be wonderful when carefully thought through and when the wide variety of educational resources is taken advantage of.

Think about the area in which you live, what is there in that area that can enhance your child’s education? Are there special historical sites within driving distance that could be worked into a history lesson for example, or are there other people that have had experiences that would help history come alive for your child?

What about town or city government? Perhaps you could arrange for your child to learn a little bit about how the local government works on a state or a national level. Some up and coming politician who you support might be happy to have you and your child visit their office for a brief overview or to help with some mailings.

What about businesses? Maybe you could arrange for your child to take educational tours of various businesses and learn a bit about how they operate. You might also want to encourage your child to operate some sort of a business of their own. A lemonade or fruit/vegetable stand can be a great tool. If books are kept to show what is actually spent out and what comes in, you would a great math lesson. Amazing how quickly arithmetic can become fun when it involves the actual accumulation of money.

Think about your child’s special interests and use them to your advantage to build upon. Teach your child about families and what goes into making up a family. Help them to make a family tree chart for example and to see that all of these people go into making him or her the person that they are. Help them to make up a list of questions and then use them to interview mom and dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Include things in the list of questions that will show what kinds of things the person being interviewed liked to do when he/she was a child. Then you might want to have your child write a family history book based upon these findings. Such a book could become a real family treasure.

Another great source of homeschooling resources is the internet. Used properly, this can be a great educational tool. There are free games and coloring pages that you as the educator can download to help in teaching. You can also teach your child about how to research various subjects. Learning doesn’t have to be boring; it can be fun, challenging and interesting for your child and for you as well.

There are sites where you as the educator can contact other home schooling parents and exchange ideas. You may be able to arrange for your child to become pen pals or email pals with other children from various areas have large maps that you can mark to show where their various internet friends are located.

Don’t forget that socialization is an important part of your child’s education. Since your child will not necessarily be interacting with other children in a classroom setting, it is important that he/she be given opportunities to socialize on a regular basis with others of his/her own age group. This can be provided through a church, scouting programs, dance classes and various other opportunities.

Be creative, dare to think out of the box and to provide what you consider to be the best possible education for your child. By homeschooling, you are able to spend extra time on those areas in which your child needs a bit of extra help. This can help prevent them from falling behind as often happens even in the best of classrooms where there are a large number of children being taught at the same time. Make learning interesting for your child you will give them a gift which will last them a life time.

Home Schooling Cost Analysis

When parents decide to educate their children at home, it usually costs much less than either a private school or a public school.

By home schooling your child, you will save time and gas because there is little or no commuting. There is also less expense for day care due to the one parent staying home full time. In addition, clothing is inexpensive because there is no pressure to keep up with fashion trends.

Home school expenses include books and supplies, which can be very reasonable especially when you use your local library. Eating meals at home is also cheaper and much healthier than either buying meals at school or making lunches for school depending on how you make them. Other expenses include music lessons, sport supplies and other fees for hobbies or group activities.

Computer equipment and computer software are also an extra expense. Some parents who home school also pay for private tutoring to supplement their own teaching.

Public schools have no tuition and do not charge for books, but parents must pay for school supplies. Extracurricular activities your child may be involved in have fees associated with them, same fees as for home schooling.

Children who attend public school can either ride the bus, which is free, or commute to school, which can be costly with rising gas prices. Sometimes there is a fee for computer classes in public school, depending on the school. Public school lunches cost more, especially when parents do not know if their children are throwing the food away or sharing it with other children. Clothing expenses are high because of peer pressure and popularity. Often, parents need day care for their children until they are done with work.

Private schools do charge tuition, which is usually $1000 to $5000 per year, depending on the school. A private school also charges for books, but not usually supplies. Music and art lessons are usually included in the tuition cost. Computer software is an extra fee, along with any sport supplies or other after school program. Private schools do not offer any transportation, so that is an extra expense.

Overall, parents who choose to home school spend the least amount of money, while parents who choose private school spend the most. On the other hand, when a parent decides to home school, a full time job for the parent teacher is usually out of the question (or very difficult to include in a daily schedule). Nevertheless, the choice to home school should be based on your child's ability to thrive and learn in a home setting or school setting.

The Importance Of A Home School Inspection

Home schooling is a topic that continues to receive quite a bit of attention. The ability to control the educational environment in which a child learns is often of great benefit to parents looking to supplement the low-quality education found in their school district. In other situations, there are particular educational needs that can best be met by a home school setting. But part of home schooling is consenting to a home school inspection that ensures that you are working within proper guidelines.

Home schooling guidelines are governed by each particular state and require that curriculum offered in a home school environment is in line with that being offered in the traditional school environment. Parents or qualified instructors who take on the responsibility of home schooling are held to these standards in an effort to provide the highest quality education possible for each student.

Depending on the state in which you live, a home school inspection may be necessary prior to you beginning the home school process. Some states also require a home school inspection on a periodic basis to ensure that the proper guidelines are being met and that curriculum is in keeping with educational benchmarks set forth by the state and individual school district.

Educators are often observed periodically in traditional schools and a home school inspection is similar to this practice. But a home school inspection also takes into account the home environment as a setting conducive to effective learning. Inspectors will look for a quiet “classroom” setting specifically reserved for home schooling; it should be an environment that fosters concentration, creativity, and learning.

A home school inspection will also take into account the materials that you are using for your home school program including textbooks, DVDs or videos, computer software, and online resources. All material should generally support and further the curriculum established by the school district.

Ultimately, a home school inspection is for the good of the child. If you keep that in mind, it is less of an inconvenience and more of a necessary component of home schooling. Remember that home schooling is a responsibility and should be treated as such. A symbiotic relationship between you and the school district will only benefit your child and foster a greater educational experience.

For easy to understand, in depth information about home school inspection visit our ezGuide 2 Home School.

How - To Choose And Use An Online Homeschool Curriculum

As a parent who has chosen homeschooling as the best educational option for your child, online curriculum resources can be an important component of your children's education. If you have an Internet connection and consistent access to a computer, there are many online tools that will help you provide your child with the skills they need. An online homeschool curriculum can work to supplement your own individualized curriculum, and can also provide a complete learning solution for a variety of subjects. While homeschooling can sometimes feel like a lonely endeavor, online homeschooling resources provide plenty of ways to feel connected.

In order to work with these resources effectively, you should have a clear role in mind for using online curriculum resources. If they are a secondary tool, it's a great place to find reading materials, individual activities, or worksheets which can be downloaded directly from a website. Often, a variety of sample materials will be available, which gives you the opportunity to review the material first. If you like the material, you will then have the ability to place an additional order.

However, online homeschooling curriculum has evolved and can be a much more sophisticated tool than just providing worksheets. Your child can attend an online school, plug into specific courses, and complete learning modules and activities at their own pace. This option can be a better choice if you would like to spend less time planning their lessons, or if you have specific learning outcomes that may be easier met by a more structured curriculum, such as higher level math skills, or practicing a foreign language.

Before purchasing a curriculum, it's a good idea to spend sometime looking at homeschool curriculum reviews. You can find many review sites online, and in addition to finding reviews on particular programs you are already interested in, you will also find up-to-date reviews on a variety on new programs as well. You will also find helpful tips and techniques from other parents. If you do a search online for 'homeschool curriculum review,' you are sure to find plenty of choices available.

Online homeschool curriculum programs can play a an important primary or a secondary role in your children's education. The internet is a vast learning resource, and it shouldn't be neglected as a valuable tool for homeschooling. With its ease of use, and adaptability, there is room for online resources in any educational plan.

Amy Wells is an educational and homeschooling expert. Looking for Homeschool information? Find up-to-date homeschooling resources, methods, and curriculum ideas at: http://www.homeschooling.yourtechtool.com

Homeschooling Statistics: Numbers Do Not Lie

Homeschooling statistics show the obvious advantages of homeschooling. In fact, any form of home schooling, whether it is Christian homeschooling or even homeschooling online with homeschooling software, research shows that all homeschooling programs will benefit children greatly. Read further and see just how much homeschooling will help a child.

The Homeschooling Advantage

Statistics show that a student who is partaking in homeschool will outperform any public school student on standardized tests. The reason is because a homeschooling curriculum places a heavier emphasis on ensuring that a child is actually learning that which is being taught to them. The reasons for this phenomenon are as follows:

* Parents design the curriculum, ensuring that children are taught relevant, interesting information.

* Children are given more attention because of the smaller class size, allowing for more one on one time.

* Children have less distractions resulting from social pressure from other students.

* Children have greater respect for their parents than any one else, meaning that children will cooperate more with parents than public school instructors.

* Parents will be allowed more time to bond with their children in a very positive way.

The Homeschooling Disadvantage

The disadvantage to homeschooling a child is that they are being removed from the social context placed upon them in public schools. Because of this, they will not have the same opportunity that other children have to develop social skills and relationships. However, as strong as these disadvantages are, homeschooled children have a greater potential for learning crucial information, as taught directly by their parents.

Homeschooling Resource

Many resources are available for parents who are interested in homeschooling their children. These resources come in two forms, guides and homeschool counseling. Guides can be found all over the internet and, with a little research, you will surely be able to find a guide that will aid you in creating the homeschooling curriculum that you feel is right for your child.

Homeschool counseling is a service by which parents get advice on how to operate a homeschool. These counselors will give parents all the information they need to ensure that the curriculum they create is on par with standards set by school boards and state legislatures. Either route is beneficial, meaning that you simply need to decide which is right for you.

Before deciding to take the plunge into the world of homeschooling, you must keep in mind that homeschooling is not right for everyone. Make sure that you can afford to take the time your child will need to get the most out of this education practice.

You will also want to make sure your child is open to this idea, as not all children will be as optimistic about the importance of education as parents will be. If you decide that homeschooling is right for your family, do not fret about whether or not your child will be falling behind other children, as statistics are available to show the obvious benefits of this type of education.

Homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to educating your children this way. For articles and resources designed to help you with this choice visit: http://www.yourhomeschoolingresource.com/

Developing Your Lesson Plans

As a homeschooling parent you are acutely aware of how important it is to have daily plans and be organized. Everyone has their own methods and tactics. And most of these plans certainly weren’t perfect right out of the gate and have evolved over time.

As homeschoolers one of the greatest benefits is that of having great flexibility with how you educate your child. But even with this great educational flexibility you shouldn’t really be sailing without a compass.

When it comes to educating, that compass is your lesson plan.

Although homeschooling generally doesn’t require exacting lesson plans to be turned in, however, not having one at all certainly isn’t a good approach to your child’s education.

Let’s take a look at some general concepts and commonalities about lesson plans that may assist you in developing yours.

First of all, you have to start your thinking with what it is you are going to teach. From there, you’ll need what your objectives for the lesson are. In other words, you’ll want to be able to observe specific behaviors your child is going to be able to do or perform as a result of your teaching. You want the outcomes of your teaching to be measurable and quantifiable; so the more specific the better it will be.

With this in mind you’ll want to be descriptive with your objectives. This not only provides feedback on how your child is progressing, but it also gives you as the educator great feedback on your effectiveness. You should also have some sort of description or statement of how you will determine whether your lesson plan objectives have been met.

Take some time to determine what your child already knows about the subject matter and what it is they need to know (prerequisites) in order to successfully complete the lessons.

As you are making your first pass at your lesson plan, be sure to include somewhere in it any materials you will need to accomplish the objectives that you have described. Materials not only necessary for the lessons themselves; but be sure to include any materials you may need for the evaluation process.

Of course your lesson plans will include much greater detail than is given here, but just to get you started here is a quick outline or review of the thought process that goes into putting a lesson plan together.

Determine what it is you are going to teach and what the priority outcomes of your teaching will be… what your child will be able to do as a result of completing the work and the activities contained in your lesson plan.

Determine what it is your child already knows about this subject matter or will need to know. Having a grasp on this will allow for a smooth transition into your current planning and into the next or related level of the subject.

Have a plan on how you are going to facilitate the learning of this subject matter. Be sure to think about any materials that you will need, such as manipulative objects for your child.

And finally, have a method of evaluation; both for the behavior of the child and the effectiveness of your lesson plan and your teaching techniques.

Once you make the loop a few times through the lesson planning process you’ll soon develop a template that works best for you. Using a detailed lesson plan will greatly increase the efficiency of your teaching as well as the quality of the child’s learning time.

Mary Joyce is a former educator & homeschooler who`s website homeschool-curriculum-4u.com offers resources and articles on homeschool curriculum, & more.

Multi-Age Home Schooling Legal requirements

Multi-age home schooling is a very popular type of education these days. Whatever the age, the pupil can be educated in his own home after a schedule that is convenient for the family.

Knowing the legal terms is the first step you need to make if you wish to home school.

In the United States of America, homeschooling is legal in all the states, with every state having its own rules and guidelines. A good way to find out the rules that apply to your state is to check with a local public school for trustworthy information.

In the majority of states, the parents or tutors are required to write a letter of intent to their local public school and even take part in several preparation lessons which help them get started on the right track. Also, some states require you to send a copy of the lesson plans for their approval, before you can begin to home school.

Your child/pupil may be required to take several tests supervised by qualified teachers on an annual basis, but this only applies in some states and it’s not mandatory, only recommended.

It is better to be safe and take these tests as they will give you better general understanding of your child’s/pupil’s level of preparation.

Another thing that differs with each state is the graduate guidelines, as some have graduation requirements while others don’t.

A good idea would be to find a local homeschooling community in your area and seek guidance, as there can be no better help than that of experienced multi-age home schooling families.