Posted in Encouragement

Study skills are important, I know, but I've had a bit of trouble teaching this important skill (along with notetaking) to my sons.  I believe that not having deadlines (or having those deadlines extended when we know we've had the kids out of the house too much that week), is one of the possible "pitfalls" of homeschooling.  So, I am working with my oldest on keeping to a deadline, even if that means finishing a project/report on the weekend so it can be ready for Monday.   Z is in 8th grade and we only have a few years to work on these skills.  I'm glad I didn't fret too much over developing study skills when he was younger, as I believe he is now able to "catch on" more quickly and to develop his own style of notetaking, test preparation, etc.

To help me and Z., I have him taking a class called The Superior Student, which was offered by an tutor with over 10 years of working with both homeschooled and public schooled students in both individual and class-based situations.  After 2 weeks the three middle school students in this group have learned the importance of thinking positively, dealing with teachers that may be less than perfect (in their minds at least), developing good study habits, tips for studying for a test, the use of flashcards, tape recorders, mnuemonic (sp) devices and more.  I'm so glad we are taking this class!  I was the type of student who didn't have to spend much time studying and so I never really developed any concrete study skills.  Therefore, it is hard for me to teach my son what might work for him.

I have people ask me all the time - "What will you do when your kids get to high school and you don't know the topic well enough to teach it?"  Of course, I always explain that there are many resources available to homeschoolers in the way of video or computer instruction, co-op classes, and tutoring.  For instance, we are using Teaching Textbooks for Algebra because I am definitely "math challenged".  This tutoring experience, The Superior Student, is just another tool in my homeschool toolbox. 

As I type this, I am reminded...

To think that not that long ago, these resources were not readily available to homeschoolers.  I am thankful for the many pioneers of homeschooling who had courage and vision, and who paved the way for the rest of us.  Homeschooling is legal in every state of our great country - may God help us to not take these freedoms lightly and to guard them with all diligence!

Enjoy this day of homeschool freedom AND celebrate our freedom in Christ!

Cindy