Posted in Beginning the homeschool journey

You know homeschool convention season is upon us when all of the following begin to converge:

1. The sheer volume of posts on any given forum goes up about three-fold, at least, as folks start to think about the next school year or what they intend to look for at their convention.  Posts starting, "Has anyone ever used....?" become the norm.

2. It seems like everyone has something to sell on every forum, list, and board.  (That's because they are cleaning off their shelves in preparation for their upcoming convention.)

3. Nearly every homeschool vendor sends you an e-mail reminding you to "visit their booth" at a convention.

4. You start trying to track down the lists of recommended resources that you've been compiling over the past few months - and are shocked at just how long that list is!

I love conventions, though I've only had the pleasure of attending a few. Our large state and area conventions seem to find important family birthdays are their preferred dates!  (Hmmm...only niece's first birthday or convention - that was a toughie!  OK, not really.)

We are blessed to have a very fine convention in Indianapolis, which is relatively easy for me to attend.  But it's shockingly easy for me to become overwhelmed by the event, even though it's a positive type of overwhelm (assuming that isn't an oxymoron).

There's so much to see, so many great speakers, and so much to accomplish in the vendor hall.  And *all* those people! 

For a highly visual individual, I find it almost too much.  Which is why I make  a point of leaving the building to go somewhere else for lunch - just to change the scenery.

The vendor hall is a big draw for me - and probably for many folks living in the mid-west where we don't have much in the way of brick-and-mortar stores to touch and feel products.

I find that vendor halls require a battle plan.  I usually make a list of specific vendors I want to see, being sure to check out vendors with products I might not need this year, but in the near future. 

I also combat the "cereal aisle syndrome" (you know, too many choices) by coming prepared.

In the weeks preceding a convention, I do indeed pull out those lists I've made of things other folks have recommended.  Hopefully, I've already looked into them some and have a gut feeling as to whether or not these might be useful for us.  If not, I start pruning the lists.

Since we don't follow a set curriculum for history (and we add-in a lot of alternative things to our math and science), I try to generate some sort of topic list of what we might cover in the coming year. 

Then, to this topic list, I note what materials we already own or that I can borrow from the library.  Let's face it, if I know I've got two or three really good options already for, say, the Boston Tea Party, then I'm less likely to get sucked into purchasing another great-but-unneeded book.

Maybe.

Then, I make a list of those creme-de-la-creme recommendations.  The books or products that others have suggested and that are still on my list after researching them on Amazon or another website.  Most of the time, if I can view these in real life at convention, I'll know whether I want them or not. 

Finally, if I'm looking for a program - as I usually do use something specific for science as a spine - I list what I *think* I want to use AND I list another reasonable alternative.

Both times I've gone to a convention looking for a science program, I've come home with something other than what I had initially thought I would use.  In each case, the program I thought I wanted just didn't look like a good fit for my daughter at this age. 

Most recently, I'd intended to use the chemistry portion of a science program that we're currently doing for biology.  But, when I looked at the chemistry books in total, as opposed to just samples online, I realized that it just seemed too heavy for an introductory program in science.

In looking at my alternative choice (and, admittedly, "getting over" its title, which includes both a number and the word "kids") I realized that this was the thorough, yet fun and unintimidating introduction to chemistry that I wanted to use.

Flexibility is key.  And that applies not only to programs, but, if possible, to your convention budget as well.

Even though you might have a shopping list, convention isn't like going to the grocery.  It pays to have a bit extra for those surprise discoveries.  I've seen fun games at convention that we've loved, but never knew existed.  I've picked up great stickers that made an activity "pop" when we did it.  Math manipulatives and science extras are fun to explore and often seem better "in real life" than static images online.

I haven't mentioned speakers or workshops.  Those, of course, are what the "meat" of a convention ought to be and, as such, deserve a seperate post.

Unfortunately, I won't get to our state convention this year.  Another birthday interference - I mean, celebration!  But I'm anxiously awaiting the dates for 2009!

Posted in Beginning the homeschool journey

If you were raised in the public school system, as I was, you're programmed to realize that there are going to be sick days.  It happens - especially when you are surrounded by same-age peers who love to share things - even colds.

But if you homeschool, what about Mom?  Mom's don't get "sick days" - do they?

I suppose one could argue that they do, but it's not easy.  Any stay-at-home mother can tell you that.

What is difficult is to determine how to survive these types of days.

Of course, a lot depends on the age of your child.  If you have a fairly independent middle-school-aged student, then a sick day for Mom only may be an option.

But, what if your child is a first-grader?  They feel great! And they are bouncing off the walls, the very sight of which brings on nausea in Mom....

Contingencies can be made for such events, but they require planning in advance.

* First, it's helpful to know what, if any, the attendance requirements are for your state.  In our state, it's 180 days of instruction.  These days can occur anytime during the year, so we school year-round.  This means, of course, that there's plenty of days out of 365 for Mom, or child, to have a couple of "off" days for minor illnesses. 

* Try to resist the urge to second-guess the whole sick-day issue.  A virus that knocks you flat may not make your child sick at all.  In other words, if you need it - take a break from school, or make the days a bit lighter, to help you recover.  You'll probably get well more quickly and end up getting more school completed in the long-term than if you push yourself during a flu bug. 

However, some folks are really good about following a "strict" schedule, which leaves less wriggle room.  Teaching five weeks on, one off, or wanting to stick entirely within the public school schedule can make calling the occasional sick day off a bit more complicated.  Which means other coping strategies are needed.

* Keep good books on hand.  It's amazing how much learning goes on when you read aloud to your child.  And, you'll be surprised at how much better you feel curled up on the sofa, afghan on your shoulders, hot tea at hand, child snuggled up to you, and reading a good book aloud.

* However, reading aloud yourself may not be an option.  I recently lost my voice for a couple of days and while I could talk, it didn't last long enough for a read-aloud session.  Enter the audiobook.  There are all types of options for these - your library and the internet are good free sources.  We have several on CD and they will do when you can't read to your child yourself.

* Be creative with what you consider school on Mom-sick-days.  This can be a great time for "educational television" offerings.  Card games like Solitaire or Uno, or even easy board games, are pretty manageable for a short while, even if you don't feel well.  And they often have educational skills involved like counting, matching, ordering, or grouping.

* Supervised art or music is also an easy option on sick days.  Encourage your child to draw using non-mess materials.  When Mom is sick, that's not the time for finger painting!  Sometimes, the novelty of making a get-well card for Mommy will become a major project! 

Listening to music with your child is also a pretty good option, if you can tolerate it.    Usually art and music are two subjects that homeschool moms have to work into their schedule - use a lighter day of school to do these less strenuous activities.

* Except in extreme circumstances, most adults aren't totally down for very long.  Some school activities may be doable, like cat-napping while your budding reader reads aloud to you.  My daughter seems to enjoy doing this - probably because I read to her when she's sick, so now it's her turn to do this for Mom. 

Give yourself permission to do what you feel up to, and let the more difficult things wait for the next day.  If your child doesn't forget his or her math lessons over a weekend, they won't forget them over a Wednesday break either!

* If you follow the public school calendar and feel that your attendance schedule is too tight to take a sick day, don't forget that Saturdays really can be used for school, as can Sundays, or evenings otherwise.  The novelty of being able to "do school" in the evening with Dad may have some benefits. 

Finally, don't feel guilty.  Remember, there is a lot of learning that goes on during playtime, especially with younger children. 

A play day may be the break you *both* need - even if it interrupts your normally scheduled school program. 

Posted in Beginning the homeschool journey

It's inevitable that the homeschool child, and parent, will encounter questions, especially once the child appears to be of "school age." 

 

Of course, school age is a vague term.  Some folks consider pre-school to be the first step toward a Harvard education and will ask the parent of a three-year-old why s/he isn't in school. 

 

But it's almost unavoidable once a child reaches six or seven that the questions will come. 

 

No matter how strong your conviction is toward homeschooling, what your logical, well-considered, and researched opinions are, some questions will just create that "deer in the headlights" sensation.

 

Or, as in my case, you become totally tongue-tied.*

 

Under the heading of "forewarned is forearmed" - or at least a chuckle for some - here are a few FAQ's that seem to be popular supermarket check-out pop-quizzes for the homeschooled:

 

1. Do you have to report your child's progress to anyone?  This is a variable-answer question, depending on where you live.  In our state the flat answer is "no."

 

But the "real" answer is yes.  Everyday I assess my child and her progress - not just once a year.  I can see what she understands, what she needs help with, and where we can move ahead or add more materials.  My daughter's progress (or lack thereof) is obvious to me on an ongoing basis and I'm responsible for helping to rectify any problems - regardless of what type of school setting she is in.

 

The intent of standardized testing - the typical form of "reporting" a child's progress where required - is to provide data to the schools, to the teachers, and (maybe) to the parent. 

 

However, it's very rare that the results of a homeschooler's standardized testing actually surprises a parent.  Usually the surprise is a very positive one in that the student does better than expected on topics that have not been covered in their studies (for whatever reasons).  If a student has trouble with spelling or test-taking, that is often something the homeschool parent is already aware of and working to address.

 

But, when I answer "no" to the above question based on the legality of where I live, this then creates even more questions, like:

 

- Then how do you know if s/he is on grade-level or not? 

 

Well, I'm setting the standard.  If I need help, finding out what our local public schools are teaching first graders is relatively easy information to obtain.  And I can assure you that every school district in the country has differing objectives for each grade level across the board.

 

When Kate is a successful college student, will it matter that we did third- grade history in fourth grade, or second-grade language arts in first?  Hardly.

 

OR the question becomes a generalized "concern" along the lines of:

 

- That's scary, because there could be children out there that aren't really getting an education. 

 

Here's where being tongue-tied saves my skin, because I want to ask the questioner if they've really examined some of the "products" of our public school systems lately. 

 

Otherwise, there's no real way to answer this concern.  I can't defend *all* homeschoolers everywhere - and that's not my burden.  It's a dead-end question and not meant to further positive discussion.

 

2.  Where do you find materials?  or a variation of this Do you buy your materials from the school system? 

 

I give thanks regularly for the internet with its plethora of homeschool resources - and I share this thanks with those asking these questions.  I've discovered that these questions are usually prompted by the curious, rather than the nosy, and deserve a brief and gentle response. 

 

This can also, depending on the questioner, be a more gentle way of asking if you have a clue as to what you are doing.  Surely, if you are using the *same* materials as the public schools, then you have some guidance on how to use them.  Or, if not, you are using a "packaged curriculum" that guides you in some way.

 

I try hard not to go into details with my answer (we do *not* used a packaged curriculum), unless I'm fairly certain that the question is based out of honest curiosity rather than a negative bias. 

 

3. How do you know how to teach all those subjects? 

 

I *love* this question, especially as we're currently teaching first grade, though it was even better in Kindergarten! 

 

I usually mention something about how, "Well, first grade math isn't that complicated," or "There are great books about teaching reading with phonics," my enthusiasm shows, and the questioner starts to smile.  Where the conversation goes after that is then their problem. 

 

But, this question will become more interesting as my daughter matures.  And I'm still considering how to respond.  One thing I do hope to make part of the answer, however, is that I'm not "teaching subjects" but inspiring her to learn - and that she can do with any subject at any age. 

 

4. How long are you going to homeschool him/her? 

 

Ahhh, the intensely personal question.  Is it really their business?  (No.)  And does it matter to them in the least?  (No.)   I'm not entirely sure what *is* the intent of this question.  I usually try to respond on a case-by-case basis as it's often not the first question asked during a conversation.

 

Probably the best answer I've heard to this is "as long as we feel that homeschooling is the right decision for our family."  It keeps the answer flexible, personal, and inarguable. 

 

Unless the questioner really is looking for an argument and then it's a lost cause. 

 

5. What about those "basic skills" that can only be learned at school?  How will your child learn to survive in the "real world?"

 

This is a "socialization" question again, but one that can really hit hard on the homeschool parent because it does strike close to the reasons that some parents choose homeschooling.  Many of them do choose to shelter their children from some aspects of our society - especially when these children are younger and unable to develop a mature response to these issues.

 

My favored response to this is that the "real world" is not age-segregated, with recess breaks for socializing with age-only peers, who all arrive each day on time together. 

 

Which is usually encountered by "How will she learn to deal with bullies or know what is right and wrong?"

 

The last time I checked, there were plenty of opportunities to witness poor choices, bad behavior, and bullying, in both the real world and via mass entertainment. 

 

Rudolph was bullied; the Grinch was a bully.  You don't even need prime-time HBO for these two.

 

And, since when is our family not the real world?  Sometimes I act badly - and I have to fess up and apologize.  My daughter sees unfairness in the way people treat each other and in the way her friends occasionally act.  There are bullies in church groups, scouts, dance class, and on the park playground. 

 

Finding poor behavior isn't the problem.  But raising children who know and are able to respond properly is best done through strong parenting skills and the modelling of correct behavior as often as possible.

 

Six year olds are not fully socialized and don't have much to teach other six year olds on the subject!

 

 

6.  But what about the prom?  and variations on this question.

 

Go ahead - laugh!    I've had this question asked of me not once, but twice! 

 

It's a variation on the socialization question, but more specifically addressed to the needs of high school students.  Since my daughter is in first grade, I did laugh out loud - both times.

 

I realize it's rude - I guess my twelve years in public school didn't socialize me properly.  And I had dates to three proms, too.

 

Socialization is, by far, *the* most asked question.  Check my links on the right for discussions on this topic and ways other suggest or choose to handle it. 

 

No doubt there are other questions that will arise.  Some may even reach the top of my chart! 

 

If all else fails, and finding a suitable answer in a hurry just doesn't happen at that moment, there's always this old standby:

 

"Excuse me, but would you pass the bean dip?" and change the topic.

 

I'm told this works...maybe I should try it sometime. 

 

 

*I've decided that becoming tongue-tied in these instances is often an act of guardian angels - my usual, unconsidered and sarcastic wit is not appropriate if left ungaurded... 

Posted in Beginning the homeschool journey

Public school has started up again in our region, as has our local homeschool group.

 

Recently, on large public forums, there have been frequent questions from new homeschoolers on the pros and cons of homeschool groups.  The responses always vary and I'm always surprised by the variety of options that seem to exist out there for support groups.

 

Some communities have three or more homeschool groups, ranging in size from a few families to over 300 people.  Some regions have groups that sponsor field trips only; some offer co-op learning opportunities; some offer park days and social outlets; many combine these various options.

 

How to choose which group to join when there are many options may seem confusing.  Whether to join the local group, if there is only one option, may be a difficult choice as well.

 

Whatever your options in homeschool groups, it seems that there are a few factors that have to take priority in making your choice.  By honestly answering a few questions, you may gain some insight into what really works for your homeschool.

 

• What do you want from a support group? 

Do you want friends for your child/ren and time for them to socialize?  This may be of primary importance if you live in an isolated area or have an only child and feel that they need a social outlet.

 

Are you looking for help in teaching a subject you are unable to teach, or you dislike?  There are a variety of people with multiple talents out there who like to share their love of learning in certain areas.  Science seems to be a popular co-op subject as many parents simply do not find time to organize experiments, or dislike the mess that science projects make.

 

Field trips can be great with homeschool groups and are often part of their agendas.  Some places only want to offer tours or other special experiences to groups of ten or more.  And, attending these events with other friends can make the experience so much more fun for everyone.

 

Parental support is another aspect, often overlooked, with homeschool groups.  Sometimes, that's really what is needed by the homeschooling family - a chance for the teaching parent to recharge and connect with others "doing what we do."  It can be a place to learn about new curriculum, methods, sources of materials, and learning styles. 

 

Some groups are secular based; some are Christian; some are mixed.  Determining which you are comfortable with can make a difference in your options.  It's OK to ask up front.

• Consider how much time you wish to devote to your homeschool group outings.

This can be trickier than you think!  First, you have to consider how long the classes or group times are and how often they meet.  Groups offering co-op classes are likely to meet more often than those providing PE or social outlets. 

 

But, then you must consider other factors, like driving time, planning time, "homework" time if a class is involved, and "distractions." 

 

Distractions are what I call those things that sort of "creep into" trips.  We live in a rural community with limited shopping options.  So, if I get involved in a homeschool group in the next major town, I also need to consider drive time and how much time I might add to each trip by running errands "while I'm over there." 

 

I've learned that anything taking me to the neighboring town essentially takes half of a day, at least, once I add in the extras - and there are always extras!

 

• After you've analyzed what you need from a homeschool group and determined what's available in your area, you can limit your decision to what fits you based upon offerings and location. 

But, there's still one more consideration that needs to be made.  How does the group you've chosen actually "fit" your family?

 

For instance, a group might "advertise" that they offer field trips and classes and that they are Christian.  But, when you attend, you find that they all belong to the same church (not yours) and have their established social order and shared background and "fitting in" is going to be difficult. 

 

Or, a group may be secular, but you find that they are very supportive of homeschooling and are extremely open and tolerant of your religious views.

 

You may be invited to attend a group by a homeschooler you've met and liked, but then find that the group is highly structured and doesn't provide the social free-time you were seeking for your child.

 

Being comfortable with what the group offers is a big plus in the beginning.  Later, once you've become familiar with how the group works, it's always possible to suggest changes or additions to the agenda.

 

How do you find a homeschool support group?  You may try your state homeschool association, which should have a listing of available resources in your area.  The local library, which is often frequented by homeschoolers, often has some knowledge of who to contact.  In addition, the library is a great place to meet homeschooling families, especially during the public school year.

 

Finally, if you can't find a group and you want one - start one!  There are several online resources (like *this* and *this* or *this*), or simply do a search on starting a homeschool group.  You'll be amazed at the stories and the amount of information you'll uncover. 

 

Homeschooling groups can be a great facet of your homeschool journey.  It can either be a core part of your academics, a great addition to what you are doing at home, or a place of rejuvenation and fun for you and your children. 

 

Others, homeschooling and otherwise, may try to tell you your child "needs" a homeschool group for socialization, academics, competition, or other reasons.

 

But, the important thing is to keep it in perspective. Like any "extracurricular" activity, if it isn't working for your homeschool or children, don't become a slave to it.  Evaluate your decision periodically and decide for yourself.

 

Abe Lincoln was taught at home, and he didn't have a homeschool group. 

Posted in Beginning the homeschool journey

So often people ask, "What does a typical day look like in your homeschool?" 

 

This question always brings a grin to my face.  Most veteran homeschoolers will tell you, "When we have a typical day, I'll let you know!"

 

I have, of course, an "ideal" day in my head.  It starts at a reasonable hour, with appropriate breaks, there's no dawdling on my daughter's part, it's highly productive, and everything is spotless when my husband gets home.  So far, that's all happened on the same day twice. 

 

Maybe. 

 

In reality, the beauty of homeschooling can be its lack of rigid routine.  The flexibility to follow "rabbit trails" - things of interest to your child that go off the schedule and deeper into a topic - is one of the best things about teaching at home. 

 

Being able to work outside on a beautiful spring day is too wonderful.  Taking field trips at times when zoos and other educational sites are less crowded is so much more relaxing.  Stopping to chat with the bricklayer at a construction site on the way to the library can be very educational.

 

But, homeschooling does carry with it the responsibility to actually teach some basic subjects - math, reading, writing to name the big three - especially in the early elementary years.  How this gets  accomplished is what people want to know about.

 

So, I'll try to describe a day in our homeschool that is relatively characteristic of how things go for us.  Do remember, however, that we homeschool only one child, which makes a huge difference.

 

Kate and I get up at a reasonable hour, most days by 9.  I'm a night owl and my daughter stays up a bit later than most six year olds to enjoy more time with Dad in the evenings.  We do the usual morning routine, which includes some basic chores for Kate (as well as Mom!).

 

After we eat, we usually read the comics on the living room sofa.  It's an old habit and one we enjoy.  Most days start better with a laugh anyway!

 

Then we start our "school" subjects, also on the sofa.  Language arts first with Phonics Pathways and First Language Lessons - these usually take about 10-15 minutes total. 

 

Next I read aloud from a few selections in our Galloping the Globe studies.  This usually includes a few stories, maybe a factual book or two, and occasionally a bit of poetry.  Sometimes we get carried away here, especially if we're reading from an anthology.  This may take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. 

 

Handwriting comes next, at which point we move to Kate's desk.  We're loosely using Getty-Dubay book C.  We might, instead, do some copywork exercises from First Language Lessons.  Currently, Kate is writing thank you notes from her recent birthday party, so that covers handwriting until they are done.  Typically, 10 minutes or so.

 

Then math.  I'm flexible with math.  We use a curriculum - Math-U-See - but I also incorporate living math concepts.  So, math might be a game like chess, or Othello, dominoes, Pay Day, or something similar.  Or we might read a living math book.  If we use our workbook, about 10 minutes (if it's a new concept 20-30 minutes).  Otherwise, it varies.

 

Now, up to this point, we've been doing "school" for approximately 90 minutes.  But, that's just the actual work time.  There are breaks - for drinks, the bathroom, snacks/lunch, laundry, and short periods of play....  If we get started by 10:30, we're usually at this point by 1:30 - 2:00. 

 

Did I mention that dawdling can impact the plan?

 

After these things are done, we'll do any other activities, crafts, related videos or whatever that might fit our day.  Sometimes these are involved; sometimes they are quite simple.  Right now we have music and science scheduled once a week.  PE happens during dance class, our family swim time, evening walks with Dad, play days at the park, and other spontaneous times.

 

We also do some Bible reading daily, but this is flexible as well.  Often I read to Kate during a snack or at breakfast.  Sometimes she asks for it before we begin our language arts.  It also happens in the evenings, if we overlook it otherwise. 

 

Another daily activity is that Kate reads aloud to me.  At this point, I don't schedule what she reads, but I do note her choice on my records.  I usually don't have to prompt her for this and it often happens while I work in the kitchen.

 

I keep track of what's done each day on a schedule I've prepared.  I just note the pages covered, or the lesson number, or whatever is appropriate.  All of my primary topics are there, plus the extras like science and music.  These records are just for my benefit, to see what we've done and how we've progressed, and so I don't forget to cover the three R's!

 

Maybe this sounds overwhelming.  All those subjects....all those resources...and just one child!  But really, the subjects are the basics, with some extras thrown in.  And they don't take much time at all.

 

Maybe it sounds too light.  How do we do all of the basics in just a couple of hours?  Remember that one child takes much less time to teach than a room of 24.  There are fewer distractions, fewer interruptions, less chatter, and more focus on what this one child needs, versus teaching to the spectrum of needs in a classroom.  It's a niche education, versus an economy of scale. 

 

But it will differ for everyone.  Some people, and children, thrive on a routine tied to a clock.  Some folks work with less schedule than what I've posted above. 

 

It's not important how anyone else's homeschool day looks.  It's how well your schedule and your days work for you.

 

 

Home

Posted in Beginning the homeschool journey

So, why do we homeschool?  How did we decide that this was the right educational choice for our family?

 

For us, it was a natural decision, made without fuss or even much discussion.  It seemed a natural decision that stemmed from choosing a single-income lifestyle with myself as a stay-at-home mom.  After being the primary caregiver and teacher to our daughter for five years, suddenly we were expected to exchange or share that role with a relative stranger whose values we did not know or, possibly, share?  That just didn't feel right.

 

If I could teach my child to walk, talk, use basic social skills, identify colors and letters, then how much of a stretch would it be to continue on with basic elementary level skills? 

 

And, when the topics become more involved, the opportunity is there to model one of the most important lessons homeschooled children discover - that learning is not confined to 12 years in a classroom.  Learning is a lifetime endeavour!

 

I didn't remember learning how to read, but I didn't have to.  I learned to teach reading by researching programs on phonics and other methods.  Eventually, I discovered that my daughter could "see" phonics patterns in word lists - ie. cat, hat, bat, etc.  She liked reading these lists, so I chose a program that uses word lists to teach phonics. 

 

I certainly don't remember all of my algebra instruction from high school.  But I can relearn all of this and, no doubt, it will come back to me as we begin.  Knowing I'm not confident about teaching math, I research programs that provide sufficient teacher support and discuss different ways to teach new concepts.  

 

Homeschooling will help you discover your own strengths and weaknesses! 

 

Finally, homeschooling doesn't have to be "school reproduced at home,"  which was a joyous discovery for my husband, who really disliked school.  There are innumerable methods of homeschooling that offer their own unique styles of education. 

 

A few of the primary methods are briefly outlined below (links in titles):

• Classical Education - Language focused (vs. video or picture driven) education that is geared toward training the mind to research and learn using a three-part pattern.  Most classical adherents advocate the study of Latin as a means to cultivate logic.  Currently popularized by Susan Wise-Bauer and also the Bluedorns, among others.
• Charlotte Mason - Charlotte Mason was a 19th century educator who believed that the best way to teach children was the use of "many worthy books."  Her method advocated the use of "living books" that were "twaddle free" and having the child narrate the stories back to the instructor.  Specifics on how to implement the CM method can be found at Ambleside.  Contemporary writers about this method include Karen Andreola.
• Unschooling - Unschooling, by it's nature, is difficult to define.  Essentially, it involves acknowledging that most of our life skills are educational.  Left to their own inclinations, children will seek out and explore things of interest, which will open the door to many, many aspects (read: subjects) of learning "hidden" within the topic.  Unschooling is primarily about the process of learning, not strictly focusing on specific content. 
• Unit Studies - Unit studies can be a fascinating way to unify varying aspects of the learning process.  Students study a single topic from various angles, incorporating writing, art, math, literature, and science skills as the topic warrants.  Some folks build their school year around a series of unit studies.  Some use units studies as "breaks" from other methods of teaching, as many did during the recent Olympics.  Some children do their own unit studies - also known as "obsessive hobbies!" 

There are several other methods, which can be explored here.  However, it is not uncommon to discover that many people are, essentially, eclectic homeschoolers - using a mix of styles and methods to tailor their child's education.  It's not hard to see that classical homeschooling can borrow from Charlotte Mason's "worthy books" philosophy, or that a unit study on ancient Greece could provide six months of literature for a rhetoric-level classical student or unschooler.

 

However, all of these decisions about method and style, why and how, involve the learning process.  Wanting to learn, being excited about learning, is something that the parent has to bring to this journey.

 

Posted in Beginning the homeschool journey

Our homeschool, unofficially dubbed the Marshall Academy of Excellence, has a total enrollment of one.  Our daughter is just finishing kindergarten and loves it tremendously.

 

My teaching experience, prior to embarking on our homeschool journey, was limited to college freshman composition courses.  If there was one thing I didn't enjoy about teaching, it was lesson planning.  It was a struggle determining how to the cover the materials in order to best reach a widely divergent group of students. 

 

So, when exploring options for homeschooling, I was attracted to programs that provided instructor's guides.  Why not?  It took away the perceived drudgery I had for planning.  Eventually, I chose Sonlight Curriculum.  It was a great choice, but also a learning experience.

 

What I didn't realize was that planning for one student, who's skills and abilities you know so well, was actually quite fun!  Choosing options, books, and programs that suit the interests of your own child is a huge undertaking.  But it can really broaden your own understanding of your teaching skills, your learning style, and your strengths and weaknesses. 

 

Eventually, I came to realize that a neatly planned curriculum didn't fit my daughter or her learning style.  We could never read "just one chapter" of a book, or just a few pages about something.  Some days were art days, no matter what was on the schedule.  Science always needed the experiment that went along with it that day, no matter what the schedule said.  Plus, we often went through the materials much more quickly than they had been planned. 

 

So I learned about enhancing what I had.  I learned to use a spine, as it is often called, to guide our studies, while moving through more materials but staying on topic a bit longer. 

 

We don't "unschool," but we don't have a set schedule for each day.  If we cover the three basic subjects (Bible, Math, and Language Arts), then we decide how to spend our time.  Maybe today is the day we have time to build that model of the Eiffel Tower.  Or rather, we could read those folktales we brought home from the library that fit our topic.  Whatever works, as long as we cover the materials I've decided need to get covered for that topic.

 

It works for us. Scheduling is a personal decision when homeschooling and sometimes it takes trial and error (and self-forgiveness) until it fits your family.  But when it fits, you will know. 

 

The best advice I can give someone starting out is to do your homework!  Collect catalogs of homeschooling materials.  Research on the Internet for curriculum and courses.  Explore homeschooling blogs and list groups (like Yahoo Groups) who are using materials you are interested in, or who promote educating the age group you are teaching. 

 

Some of my best ideas (both pro and con) have come from reading list e-mails and learning what other people are using.  Eventually, you'll start to see patterns in how people describe what they are doing and how it works with their children and what you want to see in your homeschool. 

 

No two homeschools are alike, however, even if they use the same materials.  And that's a great thing, because it means that each child is receiving an education tailored for their needs, interests, and abilities. 

 

And that, really, is a primary point of homeschooling.