By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Wagner]Maxine Wagner
In today's current times, nothing is more important when the children are concerned, than ensuring that they are getting the best education possible. In the educational system today, there are so many things that can impair a child's belief system and their personal development as well as their education. Despite the fact that the topic of homeschooling has always been somewhat of a controversial one, over the past couple of decades, the home education movement has literally revolutionized the American student's education.
Home schooling benefits
Although there may be some disadvantages to homeschooling, the 15 advantages for parents and students that are listed below far outweigh them. When you home school your children, you are able to:
o Address those bigger issues with your children whenever you feel that they're ready to handle them
o Build relationships with your children that are more intimate and meaningful
o Control exactly what your children will be learning and when you teach it to them
o Create weekly agendas that allow you to perform your normal tasks as well as fitting your needs to the agenda without dealing with the normal constraints of the conventional class schedule
o Give your children more in-depth and personalized attention with any of the subjects that they excel in or struggle with
o Help your children to mature through the different, difficult stages of their lives
o Nurture your child's natural talents, enabling them to grow and thrive in art, math, music, etc.
o Protect them from the many negative influences that they would usually encounter outside of your home
o Share your joy of homeschooling your children with your husband or wife
o Share the more common, daily joys of life with your children
o Show your children how exciting home learning is (not boring)
o Tailor your homeschooling methods and techniques to fit with your child's dominant style of learning
o Take educational vacations regardless of what time of the year it is and whether or not school is in session
o Teach with a 1-on-1 approach so you are more effective and can continue interacting with them
o Transfer your beliefs as well as your family values on to your children while addressing whatever questions they may have
Although the list of advantages may go on, the 15 mentioned above should be enough to make you consider education of your children at home. This is almost enough information to help you make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to home school them. However, remember that making the decision to home schooling the children is a big step as well as a difficult one to make because it will take up a large amount of your time during the day. Getting your spouse as involved as possible, is always helpful as they can be addressing the other issues around the home that you are unable to deal with while you are teaching. However, there are online forums where you can discuss with other parents about this system of education and whether it would suit your lifestyle.
For the latest videos and training information on [http://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/]child development as well as books and curricula on [https://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/adhd-children.html]ADHD children please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Know-The-Advantages-of-Homeschooling&id=6611794] Know The Advantages of Homeschooling
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Learning Is Everywhere - Even in Your Own Backyard
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dave_Buckley]Dave Buckley
Homeschooling has many advantages. That goes without saying. There is one advantage, though, that stands far above the rest...Field Trips.
Whether you live in a large city or a rural community, you can teach concepts in a differentiated manner providing hands-on experiences for your child that he or she wouldn't necessarily participate in a traditional school setting.
Think about the everyday things you do. You go to the grocery store, you drive to the mall, you mow the grass, and you work in the garden. Each of these things, while seemingly mundane, can offer educational opportunities for you to share with your home schooled child. They will get you up and out of the house, and provide interesting, enriching educational activities.
Math can be confusing and monotonous if a child is simply tasked with drill and kill activities or must recall formulas and complete problem after problem. A simple trip to the grocery store can turn math concepts into an interesting experience. Some possible teachable moments that can be captured at the market include addition and subtraction, using coupons and advertised discounts. The concepts of budgeting, estimation, and percentages, as well as the use of calculators are abundant in one store. If you visit a "super store," the possibilities are endless! A trip to your backyard can help with the concepts of perimeter, area, angles, and measurement. Have your child measure certain plants, small trees, and the amount of time it takes to run around the perimeter several times (a bonus is the physical activity here!).
Science is everywhere. Trips to your backyard, to the local park, to national parks are invaluable for demonstrating concepts such as life cycles, erosion, fossilization, botany, and nature in general. If you are lucky enough to live in Utah or Nevada, the rock formations and canyons serve as a natural classroom. Living next to the ocean or a lake opens up entirely new worlds. Go CAMPNG for the weekend. You'll be amazed at the teachable moments you stumble across. Trips as simple as visiting a bakery, a nursery, an amusement park, or going on a hike provide opportunities to learn about a plethora of science concepts.
Social Studies/History is all around us. If you live near historical monuments or landmarks (which most of us do), a trip to one is an invaluable way to reinforce what your child has been learning. Taking your child to a nursing home to read to older folks not only gives them a sense of community, but opens up dialogue about the past. Your child can learn mapping skills by walking around the block, can learn the workings of other cultures buy attending a festival, and can learn about government with a trip to a local government office. Forget memorizing dates and boring facts...let your child experience the learning!
Language Arts might seem like a tough one to figure out field trips for. Not so. Have your child attend book signings and talk with the author, visit a ghost town and have him or her write a creative story about what the history of that town might be. Keep a "field trip" journal and have your child write before, during, and after the trip.
These are just a few ideas for your homeschooler. Don't let them limit you, let them open your mind to see new opportunities. Almost every trip you go on can provide valuable learning experiences in all subjects.
If you are looking into more information on [http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/]homeschooling or would like to know about some great homeschool conventions visit http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Learning-Is-Everywhere---Even-in-Your-Own-Backyard&id=6608580] Learning Is Everywhere - Even in Your Own Backyard
Homeschooling has many advantages. That goes without saying. There is one advantage, though, that stands far above the rest...Field Trips.
Whether you live in a large city or a rural community, you can teach concepts in a differentiated manner providing hands-on experiences for your child that he or she wouldn't necessarily participate in a traditional school setting.
Think about the everyday things you do. You go to the grocery store, you drive to the mall, you mow the grass, and you work in the garden. Each of these things, while seemingly mundane, can offer educational opportunities for you to share with your home schooled child. They will get you up and out of the house, and provide interesting, enriching educational activities.
Math can be confusing and monotonous if a child is simply tasked with drill and kill activities or must recall formulas and complete problem after problem. A simple trip to the grocery store can turn math concepts into an interesting experience. Some possible teachable moments that can be captured at the market include addition and subtraction, using coupons and advertised discounts. The concepts of budgeting, estimation, and percentages, as well as the use of calculators are abundant in one store. If you visit a "super store," the possibilities are endless! A trip to your backyard can help with the concepts of perimeter, area, angles, and measurement. Have your child measure certain plants, small trees, and the amount of time it takes to run around the perimeter several times (a bonus is the physical activity here!).
Science is everywhere. Trips to your backyard, to the local park, to national parks are invaluable for demonstrating concepts such as life cycles, erosion, fossilization, botany, and nature in general. If you are lucky enough to live in Utah or Nevada, the rock formations and canyons serve as a natural classroom. Living next to the ocean or a lake opens up entirely new worlds. Go CAMPNG for the weekend. You'll be amazed at the teachable moments you stumble across. Trips as simple as visiting a bakery, a nursery, an amusement park, or going on a hike provide opportunities to learn about a plethora of science concepts.
Social Studies/History is all around us. If you live near historical monuments or landmarks (which most of us do), a trip to one is an invaluable way to reinforce what your child has been learning. Taking your child to a nursing home to read to older folks not only gives them a sense of community, but opens up dialogue about the past. Your child can learn mapping skills by walking around the block, can learn the workings of other cultures buy attending a festival, and can learn about government with a trip to a local government office. Forget memorizing dates and boring facts...let your child experience the learning!
Language Arts might seem like a tough one to figure out field trips for. Not so. Have your child attend book signings and talk with the author, visit a ghost town and have him or her write a creative story about what the history of that town might be. Keep a "field trip" journal and have your child write before, during, and after the trip.
These are just a few ideas for your homeschooler. Don't let them limit you, let them open your mind to see new opportunities. Almost every trip you go on can provide valuable learning experiences in all subjects.
If you are looking into more information on [http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/]homeschooling or would like to know about some great homeschool conventions visit http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Learning-Is-Everywhere---Even-in-Your-Own-Backyard&id=6608580] Learning Is Everywhere - Even in Your Own Backyard
Monday, December 26, 2011
Mind Maps at Home: Helping the Student With a Reading Disability
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Crystal_Pratt]Crystal Pratt
Have you ever watched a movie where you just can't follow the plot? No matter how hard you try to focus and pay attention, very little about the movie is making sense. This is what reading is like for a child who struggles with reading comprehension. If your child continually expresses a dislike for reading and you have noticed that he has difficulty reading or gets easily frustrated, even with simple words, then you may want to consider having him evaluated for dyslexia. While many dyslexic kids can follow along when someone else reads, they are generally unable to comprehend its meaning, especially when trying to do it on their own. Why? Because of neurological patterns in the brain, these children are not able to absorb large amounts of information at one time. Words and sentences often get mixed up, making the entire reading process (even when following along) more difficult to understand. It's almost as if there are two sets of wires, both fully charged, but they don't quite connect all the time. The power is there, but an arc needs to be forged to make the connection. One way to help make that connection is by using something called mind maps.
A mind map is a graphical (or pictorial) way to represent thoughts and ideas and organize ideas. Research shows that visual aids like pictures, illustrations, diagrams, etc. work better with dyslexic learners. These children are better able to absorb the information presented when it's done using a more visually appealing method. Mind mapping is a great visual tool for kids that struggle with reading comprehension. Mind maps are less dense than text, thus creating a more effective learning tool for dyslexic students. With the help of a mind map, a child can take in the information as it is received and break it down into manageable chunks, making it much easier to understand and remember.
When children use mind maps for reading comprehension, their thoughts are better organized. These visual aids illustrate the information and pertinent relationships. For instance, the mind map can be used to focus on the main idea of a story. Additional branches can then be used to fill in important information and other details that relate to the main idea. This, in essence, helps the child see how the story fits together, making the overall meaning easier to comprehend. These same types of learning tools can be implemented into writing lessons as well. Mind maps can be used at the student's own pace, allowing them to add to it later if they are feeling overwhelmed.
Mind mapping tools can be used online or with easy-to-use software programs on your computer. They can be found in the form of worksheets or even created by you or your child-whatever is easiest for your situation. Dyslexia doesn't just go away and should not be ignored. In the same respect, a student with a reading disability doesn't need to feel discouraged. There are numerous tools available, such as mind maps, that can be used at home for children who struggle with reading comprehension.
If you have a child with dyslexia or another learning disability, you may want to look into Verticy Learning as a way to help your child learn. Verticy specializes in home-based curriculum for struggling readers and utilizes many multisensory techniques and language tools. You can learn more about Verticy Learning at http://www.verticylearning.org/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Mind-Maps-at-Home:-Helping-the-Student-With-a-Reading-Disability&id=6611671] Mind Maps at Home: Helping the Student With a Reading Disability
Have you ever watched a movie where you just can't follow the plot? No matter how hard you try to focus and pay attention, very little about the movie is making sense. This is what reading is like for a child who struggles with reading comprehension. If your child continually expresses a dislike for reading and you have noticed that he has difficulty reading or gets easily frustrated, even with simple words, then you may want to consider having him evaluated for dyslexia. While many dyslexic kids can follow along when someone else reads, they are generally unable to comprehend its meaning, especially when trying to do it on their own. Why? Because of neurological patterns in the brain, these children are not able to absorb large amounts of information at one time. Words and sentences often get mixed up, making the entire reading process (even when following along) more difficult to understand. It's almost as if there are two sets of wires, both fully charged, but they don't quite connect all the time. The power is there, but an arc needs to be forged to make the connection. One way to help make that connection is by using something called mind maps.
A mind map is a graphical (or pictorial) way to represent thoughts and ideas and organize ideas. Research shows that visual aids like pictures, illustrations, diagrams, etc. work better with dyslexic learners. These children are better able to absorb the information presented when it's done using a more visually appealing method. Mind mapping is a great visual tool for kids that struggle with reading comprehension. Mind maps are less dense than text, thus creating a more effective learning tool for dyslexic students. With the help of a mind map, a child can take in the information as it is received and break it down into manageable chunks, making it much easier to understand and remember.
When children use mind maps for reading comprehension, their thoughts are better organized. These visual aids illustrate the information and pertinent relationships. For instance, the mind map can be used to focus on the main idea of a story. Additional branches can then be used to fill in important information and other details that relate to the main idea. This, in essence, helps the child see how the story fits together, making the overall meaning easier to comprehend. These same types of learning tools can be implemented into writing lessons as well. Mind maps can be used at the student's own pace, allowing them to add to it later if they are feeling overwhelmed.
Mind mapping tools can be used online or with easy-to-use software programs on your computer. They can be found in the form of worksheets or even created by you or your child-whatever is easiest for your situation. Dyslexia doesn't just go away and should not be ignored. In the same respect, a student with a reading disability doesn't need to feel discouraged. There are numerous tools available, such as mind maps, that can be used at home for children who struggle with reading comprehension.
If you have a child with dyslexia or another learning disability, you may want to look into Verticy Learning as a way to help your child learn. Verticy specializes in home-based curriculum for struggling readers and utilizes many multisensory techniques and language tools. You can learn more about Verticy Learning at http://www.verticylearning.org/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Mind-Maps-at-Home:-Helping-the-Student-With-a-Reading-Disability&id=6611671] Mind Maps at Home: Helping the Student With a Reading Disability
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Dyslexia and Homeschooling: Decoding Solutions for Struggling Readers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Crystal_Pratt]Crystal Pratt
"I hate reading. Don't make me do it. I don't want to read anymore." These are not simply the sounds of an obstinate child. If you've heard this before, and are hearing it frequently, then your child may be in need of some extra help. Dyslexic children often have difficulty with decoding, which is important for reading proficiency. When your child experiences difficulties matching sounds and letters, frequently gets stuck on words while reading, or guesses words based on the first letter or two, he becomes frustrated. And it's easy to understand his or her frustration. No one wants to read this way. So don't get yourself worked up into a frenzy every time your child's daily reading lesson nears. These are simple clues that you can use to help improve your child's decoding skills.
While there are many solutions for struggling readers, it's important to know that these strategies are dependent on your child's unique learning style. And that the presentation of these strategies will make a difference in how they are received. A few of the most common of these strategies include sounding out words, using picture clues, and chunking or breaking up word parts.
Sounding Out Words
There are a number of ways to practice this concept with your child. You could try implementing a 'sound of the week' into the reading lesson. Simply use letters or letter blends to create a sound that will be practiced throughout the week. Keep this in an area that your child can see easily (wall, white board, billboard, etc.) and use as a reference. Allow him or her to practice this sound each day during reading time. Create a list of spelling/vocabulary words that contain the sound. Include additional practice by having your child find objects in the home that use the sound as well. Making the activity more fun or hands-on will help keep your child engaged and reading time more enjoyable.
Using Picture Clues
Reading can also be made to be more fun and engaging by using pictures to decode content and text. Use visually appealing books and encourage your child to look for clues in the pictures to help make sense of the reading material. Use sound recognition from the week's lesson to reinforce the learning concept. Identifying words through meaning using pictures and then practicing or applying the sound being taught can help link the two strategies together and make reading less of a struggle. Additionally, you can create anagrams using picture that provide a clue to each answer while still employing the sound of the week (act/cat, tar/rat, tab/bat, etc.).
Chunking/Breaking Up Word Parts
An additional method to help struggling readers with decoding is by chunking or breaking up words. Chunks of words can be found in the beginning, middle, or ending. Recognizing these chunks help struggling readers to figure out new, unfamiliar words when reading. A great way to practice this concept is through the use of word walls. Use key words from the reading material and vocabulary words to build a colorful wall of words. For instance, each week may have a word wall using new word chunks from spelling words formed from the sound of the week. Little "a" sounding words, for example, could be used to create the chunk word "at," which can then include the following: cat, hatch, atom, bat, etc. Have your child practice writing and saying these words each day. You can also have your child find pictures or objects of these words as well.
There are many ways you can implement these decoding solutions for struggling readers into your homeschooling lessons. Allow your child to lead the way, forming these learning concepts around the individual needs and interests of your child. Never be afraid to try new things, be willing to accept that something may simply not be working for your child, and remember to celebrate even small accomplishments - and before you know it, reading will become a loved subject.
If you have a child with dyslexia or another learning disability, you may want to look into Verticy Learning as a way to help your child learn. Verticy specializes in home-based curriculum for struggling readers and utilizes many multisensory techniques and language tools. You can learn more about Verticy Learning at http://www.verticylearning.org/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dyslexia-and-Homeschooling:-Decoding-Solutions-for-Struggling-Readers&id=6611652] Dyslexia and Homeschooling: Decoding Solutions for Struggling Readers
"I hate reading. Don't make me do it. I don't want to read anymore." These are not simply the sounds of an obstinate child. If you've heard this before, and are hearing it frequently, then your child may be in need of some extra help. Dyslexic children often have difficulty with decoding, which is important for reading proficiency. When your child experiences difficulties matching sounds and letters, frequently gets stuck on words while reading, or guesses words based on the first letter or two, he becomes frustrated. And it's easy to understand his or her frustration. No one wants to read this way. So don't get yourself worked up into a frenzy every time your child's daily reading lesson nears. These are simple clues that you can use to help improve your child's decoding skills.
While there are many solutions for struggling readers, it's important to know that these strategies are dependent on your child's unique learning style. And that the presentation of these strategies will make a difference in how they are received. A few of the most common of these strategies include sounding out words, using picture clues, and chunking or breaking up word parts.
Sounding Out Words
There are a number of ways to practice this concept with your child. You could try implementing a 'sound of the week' into the reading lesson. Simply use letters or letter blends to create a sound that will be practiced throughout the week. Keep this in an area that your child can see easily (wall, white board, billboard, etc.) and use as a reference. Allow him or her to practice this sound each day during reading time. Create a list of spelling/vocabulary words that contain the sound. Include additional practice by having your child find objects in the home that use the sound as well. Making the activity more fun or hands-on will help keep your child engaged and reading time more enjoyable.
Using Picture Clues
Reading can also be made to be more fun and engaging by using pictures to decode content and text. Use visually appealing books and encourage your child to look for clues in the pictures to help make sense of the reading material. Use sound recognition from the week's lesson to reinforce the learning concept. Identifying words through meaning using pictures and then practicing or applying the sound being taught can help link the two strategies together and make reading less of a struggle. Additionally, you can create anagrams using picture that provide a clue to each answer while still employing the sound of the week (act/cat, tar/rat, tab/bat, etc.).
Chunking/Breaking Up Word Parts
An additional method to help struggling readers with decoding is by chunking or breaking up words. Chunks of words can be found in the beginning, middle, or ending. Recognizing these chunks help struggling readers to figure out new, unfamiliar words when reading. A great way to practice this concept is through the use of word walls. Use key words from the reading material and vocabulary words to build a colorful wall of words. For instance, each week may have a word wall using new word chunks from spelling words formed from the sound of the week. Little "a" sounding words, for example, could be used to create the chunk word "at," which can then include the following: cat, hatch, atom, bat, etc. Have your child practice writing and saying these words each day. You can also have your child find pictures or objects of these words as well.
There are many ways you can implement these decoding solutions for struggling readers into your homeschooling lessons. Allow your child to lead the way, forming these learning concepts around the individual needs and interests of your child. Never be afraid to try new things, be willing to accept that something may simply not be working for your child, and remember to celebrate even small accomplishments - and before you know it, reading will become a loved subject.
If you have a child with dyslexia or another learning disability, you may want to look into Verticy Learning as a way to help your child learn. Verticy specializes in home-based curriculum for struggling readers and utilizes many multisensory techniques and language tools. You can learn more about Verticy Learning at http://www.verticylearning.org/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dyslexia-and-Homeschooling:-Decoding-Solutions-for-Struggling-Readers&id=6611652] Dyslexia and Homeschooling: Decoding Solutions for Struggling Readers
Thursday, December 22, 2011
All You Should Know About Home Schooling Programs Regarding High School Graduation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adam_Emerson]Adam Emerson
Homeschooling high school pupils frequently intimidates parents, and many might be worried that their kids will miss out on useful education and social experiences, if not in a standard school environment. Luckily, more and more home schooling programs for highschool are beginning to offer all kinds of other options to their programs than just standard class work. Many offer up advanced placement courses in addition to a various other languages, a few even have graduation events for pupils. Many times local park districts, schools, or well-produced homeschooling network provide athletics, dances, or other extra-curricular events to appeal to many hobbies.
High school is an interesting period in adolescent behavior and a period of wonderful intellectual and personal change. In the American culture it's been romanticized greatly. A great number of changes are gone through by a young adult during his or her highschool years, but rarely does high school surpass the fabled reputation. In most cases, children are bullied, excluded, confused and depressed. Yet they feel forced to separate from their parents and not confide in them. Home schooling for the period of highschool may not avoid all of the negatives, nonetheless it could help hold and harden the parent-child working relationship at a period when it is crucial.
Selecting the appropriate homeschooling programs for high school from the countless number that are available, is crucial for results. Several highschool homeschooling programs are intended for college preparatory work, although some are much less so. Some others have a powerful grounding in faith development and moral personality improvement. Finding out your family's demands and also the student's interests and ability are crucial components to selecting the homeschool program that should work best for you.
High School Home School Solutions
'Kaplan', of SAT preparation as well as ACT preparation fame, offers a school preparatory homeschool curriculum for pupils in grades 9-12. They offer a number of educational selections together with a self-paced classes option for individuals who desire to go at their unique pace. 'Kaplan' offers homeschooling curriculums for high school that are free of charge and tuition based depending on area.
One more college preparatory choice for a highschool home schooling program is 'Laurel Springs'. Laurel Springs provides an customized program for each of their pupils. Furthermore they feature experience in working with pupil athletes and have experience helping pupils in NCAA permitted courses. Additionally, Laurel Springs offers home schooling programs for pupils who're also professional actors or performers. One more essential feature of this home school program is the 'gifted and talented' program. They understand the difficulties that may come with educating a pupil who is quite skilled in one domain and not in another. The variety of homeschooling programs for highschool offered with Laurel Springs is fantastic.
'The Morning Star Academy' is yet another well-known highschool home school curriculum. This program is based in Christianity and presents material through the biblically influenced view. The Morning Star Academy also provides Advanced Placement Classes for pupils which are interested and able. One more fantastic aspect in this high school home school program is the variety of languages offered as part of the curriculum. Due to the fact the parents might not be fluent in the pupil's language of choice, the one on one tutoring offered, is a great advantage.
Conclusion
There are tons of factors that parents could be hesitant to contemplate homeschooling programs for high school. Starting from worrying that they, as parents, will be unable to aid their kid with course work, or the fear of depriving their kids of the cultural phenomena of highschool social frame. Some are even worry about over extra-curricular activity availabilities and so on. But you will find just as many compelling motives to home school through school. If a family finds a well suited program, the majority of the issues are minimized and confidence gained. Again, there's nothing absolute; in case a program ends up being a very poor match, then parents have the freedom to settle on a different program.
For more information on [http://www.HomeschoolingPrograms.net]homeschooling programs plus some great tips and info, look into [http://www.HomeschoolingPrograms.net]http://www.HomeschoolingPrograms.net. Looking forward to see you soon, Adam.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?All-You-Should-Know-About-Home-Schooling-Programs-Regarding-High-School-Graduation&id=6584873] All You Should Know About Home Schooling Programs Regarding High School Graduation
Homeschooling high school pupils frequently intimidates parents, and many might be worried that their kids will miss out on useful education and social experiences, if not in a standard school environment. Luckily, more and more home schooling programs for highschool are beginning to offer all kinds of other options to their programs than just standard class work. Many offer up advanced placement courses in addition to a various other languages, a few even have graduation events for pupils. Many times local park districts, schools, or well-produced homeschooling network provide athletics, dances, or other extra-curricular events to appeal to many hobbies.
High school is an interesting period in adolescent behavior and a period of wonderful intellectual and personal change. In the American culture it's been romanticized greatly. A great number of changes are gone through by a young adult during his or her highschool years, but rarely does high school surpass the fabled reputation. In most cases, children are bullied, excluded, confused and depressed. Yet they feel forced to separate from their parents and not confide in them. Home schooling for the period of highschool may not avoid all of the negatives, nonetheless it could help hold and harden the parent-child working relationship at a period when it is crucial.
Selecting the appropriate homeschooling programs for high school from the countless number that are available, is crucial for results. Several highschool homeschooling programs are intended for college preparatory work, although some are much less so. Some others have a powerful grounding in faith development and moral personality improvement. Finding out your family's demands and also the student's interests and ability are crucial components to selecting the homeschool program that should work best for you.
High School Home School Solutions
'Kaplan', of SAT preparation as well as ACT preparation fame, offers a school preparatory homeschool curriculum for pupils in grades 9-12. They offer a number of educational selections together with a self-paced classes option for individuals who desire to go at their unique pace. 'Kaplan' offers homeschooling curriculums for high school that are free of charge and tuition based depending on area.
One more college preparatory choice for a highschool home schooling program is 'Laurel Springs'. Laurel Springs provides an customized program for each of their pupils. Furthermore they feature experience in working with pupil athletes and have experience helping pupils in NCAA permitted courses. Additionally, Laurel Springs offers home schooling programs for pupils who're also professional actors or performers. One more essential feature of this home school program is the 'gifted and talented' program. They understand the difficulties that may come with educating a pupil who is quite skilled in one domain and not in another. The variety of homeschooling programs for highschool offered with Laurel Springs is fantastic.
'The Morning Star Academy' is yet another well-known highschool home school curriculum. This program is based in Christianity and presents material through the biblically influenced view. The Morning Star Academy also provides Advanced Placement Classes for pupils which are interested and able. One more fantastic aspect in this high school home school program is the variety of languages offered as part of the curriculum. Due to the fact the parents might not be fluent in the pupil's language of choice, the one on one tutoring offered, is a great advantage.
Conclusion
There are tons of factors that parents could be hesitant to contemplate homeschooling programs for high school. Starting from worrying that they, as parents, will be unable to aid their kid with course work, or the fear of depriving their kids of the cultural phenomena of highschool social frame. Some are even worry about over extra-curricular activity availabilities and so on. But you will find just as many compelling motives to home school through school. If a family finds a well suited program, the majority of the issues are minimized and confidence gained. Again, there's nothing absolute; in case a program ends up being a very poor match, then parents have the freedom to settle on a different program.
For more information on [http://www.HomeschoolingPrograms.net]homeschooling programs plus some great tips and info, look into [http://www.HomeschoolingPrograms.net]http://www.HomeschoolingPrograms.net. Looking forward to see you soon, Adam.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?All-You-Should-Know-About-Home-Schooling-Programs-Regarding-High-School-Graduation&id=6584873] All You Should Know About Home Schooling Programs Regarding High School Graduation
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Learning Games to Stimulate the Brain
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Wagner]Maxine Wagner
When your child has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and other conditions that affect children, you may be wondering what you can do at home to help your child. You will soon learn the importance of a routine that is structured and provides everything your child needs. However, when you have the opportunity, it would be beneficial to perform one of these learning games to stimulate your child's brain and encourage learning.
Counting
When your child is young, it is important to teach them numbers. There are many ways to squeeze numbers in your daily life because numbers are all around. One way to get numbers in your life is to count the animals, flowers, cars, or buildings on your way to school. Count them out loud with your child so he or she will see the number of something, hear the numbers with you, and count them over every day then this will create self confidence in counting and learning their numbers.
Writing
You don't have to wait until your child is in school to teach them to write. They can learn to write as soon as they can grasp a pencil. When writing, it takes a considerable amount of brain power to make it work and to create the right lettering, stay in the lines, be coordinated, and more. You can help your child be creative, express themselves more, and be able to communicated when they may struggle otherwise.
Song and dance
When your child is up and moving to music, they can learn anything as long as you put it to rhythm. If you don't have a radio to play music, clap your hands to keep rhythm, dance around, create a drum beat with wooden spoons, and more. You can sing your ABC's, 123's, or learn about colors.
It's important that your child doesn't find stimulation in television shows unless you limit the amount of television time they have. Too much television can be non-stimulating and can lead to an addiction to television. This creates less time to move around.
You can also make cookies with your child. Measuring ingredients and placing them into the bowl one at a time in a certain way will stimulate the brain and create games that are fun for your child. It's important that your child enjoy learning in order to create a positive learning environment.
It doesn't matter where you are and what you are doing, you can always create a game and stimulate the brain; pick up sticks, pick up toys in the room, eating breakfast, walking in the city, going to the park, driving to school, and more. When you go to the grocery store, there are so many different games you could play that will help you stimulate the brain and help them to learn. Having children is a pleasure so enjoy activities that are not only educative but also fun for both of you.
For the latest videos and training information on [http://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/]child development as well as books and curricula on [http://www.earlysignsofautism.com/]Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Learning-Games-to-Stimulate-the-Brain&id=6624663] Learning Games to Stimulate the Brain
When your child has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and other conditions that affect children, you may be wondering what you can do at home to help your child. You will soon learn the importance of a routine that is structured and provides everything your child needs. However, when you have the opportunity, it would be beneficial to perform one of these learning games to stimulate your child's brain and encourage learning.
Counting
When your child is young, it is important to teach them numbers. There are many ways to squeeze numbers in your daily life because numbers are all around. One way to get numbers in your life is to count the animals, flowers, cars, or buildings on your way to school. Count them out loud with your child so he or she will see the number of something, hear the numbers with you, and count them over every day then this will create self confidence in counting and learning their numbers.
Writing
You don't have to wait until your child is in school to teach them to write. They can learn to write as soon as they can grasp a pencil. When writing, it takes a considerable amount of brain power to make it work and to create the right lettering, stay in the lines, be coordinated, and more. You can help your child be creative, express themselves more, and be able to communicated when they may struggle otherwise.
Song and dance
When your child is up and moving to music, they can learn anything as long as you put it to rhythm. If you don't have a radio to play music, clap your hands to keep rhythm, dance around, create a drum beat with wooden spoons, and more. You can sing your ABC's, 123's, or learn about colors.
It's important that your child doesn't find stimulation in television shows unless you limit the amount of television time they have. Too much television can be non-stimulating and can lead to an addiction to television. This creates less time to move around.
You can also make cookies with your child. Measuring ingredients and placing them into the bowl one at a time in a certain way will stimulate the brain and create games that are fun for your child. It's important that your child enjoy learning in order to create a positive learning environment.
It doesn't matter where you are and what you are doing, you can always create a game and stimulate the brain; pick up sticks, pick up toys in the room, eating breakfast, walking in the city, going to the park, driving to school, and more. When you go to the grocery store, there are so many different games you could play that will help you stimulate the brain and help them to learn. Having children is a pleasure so enjoy activities that are not only educative but also fun for both of you.
For the latest videos and training information on [http://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/]child development as well as books and curricula on [http://www.earlysignsofautism.com/]Autism please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Learning-Games-to-Stimulate-the-Brain&id=6624663] Learning Games to Stimulate the Brain
Sunday, December 18, 2011
3 Tips to Help Slow Movers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot]Curt Bumcrot
If you find that school work isn't getting done, here are three tips that may boost your student's productivity.
1. Consider having your student attend a class somewhere. One of the values of a traditional school setting is structure. I know that some home schoolers feel guilty about thinking, let alone suggesting, that anything of value can possibly come out of school. But, like most things, school is not an "all or nothing proposition." Take or use what's good and helpful, and leave what's bad and counter-productive alone. The dynamic of a class meeting creates motivation and accountability that helps most students to get work done. Classes, some of which are offered through co-ops, provide a weekly and regular point of contact and expectation. "Due dates" for daily work, tests, quizzes, and projects are less flexible than courses studied exclusively at home.
2. Combine your home school efforts with another family. Home schooling typically works better when there is more than one child learning in a group setting. At least for the kids, it's more interesting. If you're down to teaching your last child at home, a feeling of isolation may set in. Productivity drops. Home schooling with another family often leads to life-long relationships between the children. It's worth a try.
3. Link consequences to actions that have a real life component. Virtually all home school families use some sort of reward and punishment system. To avoid having your children feel like they're being manipulated or simply "controlled" (and the older they are, the easier they can pick this out), think through why it's important that they do what you want them to do. Link the consequence to real life because outside the home, this is the way it generally works. Think about it. Put things off, don't deliver, and you're typically passed over for a promotion or fired. Exceed your employer's or customers' expectations and typically the opposite happens. Speed regularly and eventually you'll get a ticket. Text and drive and an accident will likely occur.
Help your students think this way by communicating to them that sloppy work means the teacher can't read, evaluate, or get the benefit from it, and therefore it must be done over. Insufficient work completed means access to the TV or to recreational use of the computer or handheld technology is withheld. Work completed and goals met result in rewards or privileges extended. Again, remind them that most adults work an eight- hour day and then come home to relax and recreate. Weekend hobbies take place after they work a forty or fifty hour work week. Reverse this order and problems will follow. Convey to your student that all you are doing is helping them establish a healthy life-long work ethic that will serve them well both now and in the future.
Here is a final thought about consequences. The funny thing is that "what's important" changes as our children get older. Also, what we think is important isn't always seen that way by our children. We have to continually remind ourselves of the point behind the consequence, because consequences must change as our children mature. Keep in mind that for older children, consequences seem to communicate a "life lesson" of their own, unless we get in the way.
I'll discuss more issues related to productivity in another article.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to rel=nofollow [http://www.basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Tips-to-Help-Slow-Movers&id=6619381] 3 Tips to Help Slow Movers
If you find that school work isn't getting done, here are three tips that may boost your student's productivity.
1. Consider having your student attend a class somewhere. One of the values of a traditional school setting is structure. I know that some home schoolers feel guilty about thinking, let alone suggesting, that anything of value can possibly come out of school. But, like most things, school is not an "all or nothing proposition." Take or use what's good and helpful, and leave what's bad and counter-productive alone. The dynamic of a class meeting creates motivation and accountability that helps most students to get work done. Classes, some of which are offered through co-ops, provide a weekly and regular point of contact and expectation. "Due dates" for daily work, tests, quizzes, and projects are less flexible than courses studied exclusively at home.
2. Combine your home school efforts with another family. Home schooling typically works better when there is more than one child learning in a group setting. At least for the kids, it's more interesting. If you're down to teaching your last child at home, a feeling of isolation may set in. Productivity drops. Home schooling with another family often leads to life-long relationships between the children. It's worth a try.
3. Link consequences to actions that have a real life component. Virtually all home school families use some sort of reward and punishment system. To avoid having your children feel like they're being manipulated or simply "controlled" (and the older they are, the easier they can pick this out), think through why it's important that they do what you want them to do. Link the consequence to real life because outside the home, this is the way it generally works. Think about it. Put things off, don't deliver, and you're typically passed over for a promotion or fired. Exceed your employer's or customers' expectations and typically the opposite happens. Speed regularly and eventually you'll get a ticket. Text and drive and an accident will likely occur.
Help your students think this way by communicating to them that sloppy work means the teacher can't read, evaluate, or get the benefit from it, and therefore it must be done over. Insufficient work completed means access to the TV or to recreational use of the computer or handheld technology is withheld. Work completed and goals met result in rewards or privileges extended. Again, remind them that most adults work an eight- hour day and then come home to relax and recreate. Weekend hobbies take place after they work a forty or fifty hour work week. Reverse this order and problems will follow. Convey to your student that all you are doing is helping them establish a healthy life-long work ethic that will serve them well both now and in the future.
Here is a final thought about consequences. The funny thing is that "what's important" changes as our children get older. Also, what we think is important isn't always seen that way by our children. We have to continually remind ourselves of the point behind the consequence, because consequences must change as our children mature. Keep in mind that for older children, consequences seem to communicate a "life lesson" of their own, unless we get in the way.
I'll discuss more issues related to productivity in another article.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to rel=nofollow [http://www.basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Tips-to-Help-Slow-Movers&id=6619381] 3 Tips to Help Slow Movers
Friday, December 16, 2011
Homeschool Record Keeping - Three Great Ways to Save Work Samples
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lee_Binz]Lee Binz
Most parents have papers and materials that their children have completed during their schooling. The problem comes when we need to store them and even more when we need to be able to find them again. There are four typical types of homeschoolers parents that keep their records. Which one are you?
The first kind of person uses a giant rubber-made tub. These I call Tubbies. Tubbies will take everything for all five children and will throw it into the tub year after year. It is a perfectly acceptable form of record-keeping, people do it all the time, and you could, in fact, make a transcript using this method.
The next kind of homeschool parent has a drawer or a cabinet for each of their children and possibly for each year. These parents I call Cubbies. Cubbies have an advantage because they know which child did that specific paper and they know what year that paper was done. It's a good method of record-keeping.
Another kind of record keeping is what I like to call the Binder Queen. The benefit of having a binder is that it has a place for you to put everything. Everything required for state law, the declaration of intent, annual testing, and immunization records are in there with the high school records.
The fourth kind of record-keeping is the homeschooler which has a giant question mark on top of their heads. They are the ones who don't know that they're supposed to keep records. It is very hard to regroup after this record-keeping method, so try not to do this method.
Which one of these homeschool record keepers are you? Whether you are a Tubby, a Cubby or a Binder Queen it is important to be keep samples of your child's work for future record keeping needs.
When it is time to start using those work samples you have worked hard to save, you may find that you need some help putting it all together. My Comprehensive Records Solution can help you create outstanding [http://www.comprehensiverecordsolution.com]homeschool records with confidence.
Would you like to see actual samples of homeschool records? My book Setting the Record Straight will show you samples from real homeschool families of [http://www.thehomescholar.com/parent-training.php]successful homeschool documentation.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Homeschool-Record-Keeping---Three-Great-Ways-to-Save-Work-Samples&id=6622361] Homeschool Record Keeping - Three Great Ways to Save Work Samples
Most parents have papers and materials that their children have completed during their schooling. The problem comes when we need to store them and even more when we need to be able to find them again. There are four typical types of homeschoolers parents that keep their records. Which one are you?
The first kind of person uses a giant rubber-made tub. These I call Tubbies. Tubbies will take everything for all five children and will throw it into the tub year after year. It is a perfectly acceptable form of record-keeping, people do it all the time, and you could, in fact, make a transcript using this method.
The next kind of homeschool parent has a drawer or a cabinet for each of their children and possibly for each year. These parents I call Cubbies. Cubbies have an advantage because they know which child did that specific paper and they know what year that paper was done. It's a good method of record-keeping.
Another kind of record keeping is what I like to call the Binder Queen. The benefit of having a binder is that it has a place for you to put everything. Everything required for state law, the declaration of intent, annual testing, and immunization records are in there with the high school records.
The fourth kind of record-keeping is the homeschooler which has a giant question mark on top of their heads. They are the ones who don't know that they're supposed to keep records. It is very hard to regroup after this record-keeping method, so try not to do this method.
Which one of these homeschool record keepers are you? Whether you are a Tubby, a Cubby or a Binder Queen it is important to be keep samples of your child's work for future record keeping needs.
When it is time to start using those work samples you have worked hard to save, you may find that you need some help putting it all together. My Comprehensive Records Solution can help you create outstanding [http://www.comprehensiverecordsolution.com]homeschool records with confidence.
Would you like to see actual samples of homeschool records? My book Setting the Record Straight will show you samples from real homeschool families of [http://www.thehomescholar.com/parent-training.php]successful homeschool documentation.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Homeschool-Record-Keeping---Three-Great-Ways-to-Save-Work-Samples&id=6622361] Homeschool Record Keeping - Three Great Ways to Save Work Samples
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Home Schooling 24/7?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot]Curt Bumcrot
Now that the "honeymoon phase" of the new school year is over, productivity for some children starts to drop. In some cases, school work that should have been completed Monday through Friday now spills over into the weekend. "School" on Saturday two or three times in a row can be a miserable experience for everybody, not just the kids. If this describes what's happening with one of your children, here are some thoughts that may help you with the situation.
First, if you are seeing this in only one of your children, maybe there is a physiological reason behind it. What I mean by this is that if a child is a slow or reluctant reader, eye fatigue may be a factor. An optometrist could diagnose and prescribe stress lenses or glasses.
If you have a child who is entering into her teenage years, hormonal and/or chemical changes could be taking place which is affecting her mood and personality. Previously compliant, some children become oppositional and lethargic. Some Christian writers would lead you to believe that this kind of behavior is simply spiritual in nature (i.e. rebellion, sin, etc.), but this narrow view often prevents getting to the root of the issue. Making an appointment with a pediatrician for a physical would be a first step in addressing this issue.
Secondly, this may simply be an emerging personality trait. While some children "just get to it," others move methodically and slowly. While the promise of a reward or incentive may increase their productivity to some degree, it usually doesn't last. I saw this with a student who took a timed test in which the results pointed to below-average achievement. Weeks later we gave this student the same test but this time removed the time limits. The results were well-above average achievement. Sometimes you simply need to accept the personality trait and work with it by adjusting the amount of work assigned.
If your child is a "slow mover," consider making the work load on Fridays lighter. This is the day you "catch up" with little if any additional work assigned. Classroom teachers do this all the time (for themselves) when they get behind in their grading.
For older students, another possibility is to schedule the day into half-hour to one-hour time segments in which you move along to the next subject once the time allowed for the current subject is up. For younger students, setting a cooking timer for them to see may help build awareness of time elapsing.
Other issues related to productivity include structure, family dynamics, the use of incentives, interest level, and peer influences. More on this in another article.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to [http://www.basicskills.net]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He holds degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools & has homeschooled his own 3 children.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Schooling-24/7?&id=6619261] Home Schooling 24/7?
Now that the "honeymoon phase" of the new school year is over, productivity for some children starts to drop. In some cases, school work that should have been completed Monday through Friday now spills over into the weekend. "School" on Saturday two or three times in a row can be a miserable experience for everybody, not just the kids. If this describes what's happening with one of your children, here are some thoughts that may help you with the situation.
First, if you are seeing this in only one of your children, maybe there is a physiological reason behind it. What I mean by this is that if a child is a slow or reluctant reader, eye fatigue may be a factor. An optometrist could diagnose and prescribe stress lenses or glasses.
If you have a child who is entering into her teenage years, hormonal and/or chemical changes could be taking place which is affecting her mood and personality. Previously compliant, some children become oppositional and lethargic. Some Christian writers would lead you to believe that this kind of behavior is simply spiritual in nature (i.e. rebellion, sin, etc.), but this narrow view often prevents getting to the root of the issue. Making an appointment with a pediatrician for a physical would be a first step in addressing this issue.
Secondly, this may simply be an emerging personality trait. While some children "just get to it," others move methodically and slowly. While the promise of a reward or incentive may increase their productivity to some degree, it usually doesn't last. I saw this with a student who took a timed test in which the results pointed to below-average achievement. Weeks later we gave this student the same test but this time removed the time limits. The results were well-above average achievement. Sometimes you simply need to accept the personality trait and work with it by adjusting the amount of work assigned.
If your child is a "slow mover," consider making the work load on Fridays lighter. This is the day you "catch up" with little if any additional work assigned. Classroom teachers do this all the time (for themselves) when they get behind in their grading.
For older students, another possibility is to schedule the day into half-hour to one-hour time segments in which you move along to the next subject once the time allowed for the current subject is up. For younger students, setting a cooking timer for them to see may help build awareness of time elapsing.
Other issues related to productivity include structure, family dynamics, the use of incentives, interest level, and peer influences. More on this in another article.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to [http://www.basicskills.net]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He holds degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools & has homeschooled his own 3 children.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Schooling-24/7?&id=6619261] Home Schooling 24/7?
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dave_Buckley]Dave Buckley
Charlotte Mason's Educational Method is centered around the idea of a three-pronged education. Education is atmosphere (environment). Education is discipline (habits of character). Education is life (academics). It is essentially learning through living and ideas, not simply through facts. Mason was a British educator living during the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries. She had unique ideas about educating our youth for the time during which she lived and taught.
Mason's method is a favorite amongst homeschooling parents. In fact, many public schools have adopted and adapted many of her principles of education and are applying them in the classroom.
What is Charlotte Mason's method? According to Wikipedia, it is a method in which children are taught as whole persons through a wide range of interesting living books, first hand experiences, and good habits.
Some of the main components of Mason's method are:
1. Living Books
These actually tell a story instead of having a student learn from a dry textbook. Historical fiction is an example. Children take a great deal more interest in hearing a story than reading some material which is written dully in a textbook.
2. Narration
Students take what they have gleaned from a lesson, field trip, reading and put it in their own words in a journal. These responses do not have to be in words. They can be in pictures, diagrams, brief snippets, etc.
3. Short Lessons
For younger children, no lesson should last longer than 15-20 minutes (this trains their attention span). For older students, the lessons may be lengthened to 30-45 minutes.
4. History
Use historical fiction, living diaries, journals, letters, primary sources, speeches. Tell it like a story, use a time line. Manipulative time lines are very helpful.
5. Foreign Language
Teach the students how to hear and speak the language first. Then worry about reading and writing the language. Isn't that how we learn our native languages?
6. Geography
Children can learn geography through the current reading material and identifying locations on maps and globes. Mason recommended a 10 minute blank map drill weekly for the locations being studied. Many educators today refer to this as visual mapping. Students look at a map for a number of minutes. Then they reproduce everything they remember. They immediately study the original map again to assess their performance and to try to remember more. This activity is repeated several times for 10-15 minutes.
7. Copy work
A child carefully copies a well written passage. He/she absorbs grammar and punctuation rules and improves handwriting.
8. Nature Study
Outdoor studies and field trips. The children keep journals on what they see, labeling each entry with locations, names, and dates observed.
9. Math
Use manipulatives to enable your child to understand the hows and whys of the basics of math.
In order to update to the twenty-first century and stay with Mason's ideas, technology must be integrated. There are so many virtual learning opportunities available in the internet. Just be sure to review the sights thoroughly before introducing them to your child.
Charlotte Mason also had advice for subjects including dictation, Bible, poetry, recitation, Shakespeare, handicrafts, hymn study, music study, and picture study.
Mason's theories do not include a specific curriculum. Rather it is an applied philosophy that is easily adaptable to any state's curriculum and has the ability to fulfill your needs.
If you are looking into more information on the [http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/charlotte-mason-homeschooling-method]Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method or would like to know about some great homeschool conventions visit http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Charlotte-Mason-Homeschooling-Method&id=6615744] The Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method
Charlotte Mason's Educational Method is centered around the idea of a three-pronged education. Education is atmosphere (environment). Education is discipline (habits of character). Education is life (academics). It is essentially learning through living and ideas, not simply through facts. Mason was a British educator living during the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries. She had unique ideas about educating our youth for the time during which she lived and taught.
Mason's method is a favorite amongst homeschooling parents. In fact, many public schools have adopted and adapted many of her principles of education and are applying them in the classroom.
What is Charlotte Mason's method? According to Wikipedia, it is a method in which children are taught as whole persons through a wide range of interesting living books, first hand experiences, and good habits.
Some of the main components of Mason's method are:
1. Living Books
These actually tell a story instead of having a student learn from a dry textbook. Historical fiction is an example. Children take a great deal more interest in hearing a story than reading some material which is written dully in a textbook.
2. Narration
Students take what they have gleaned from a lesson, field trip, reading and put it in their own words in a journal. These responses do not have to be in words. They can be in pictures, diagrams, brief snippets, etc.
3. Short Lessons
For younger children, no lesson should last longer than 15-20 minutes (this trains their attention span). For older students, the lessons may be lengthened to 30-45 minutes.
4. History
Use historical fiction, living diaries, journals, letters, primary sources, speeches. Tell it like a story, use a time line. Manipulative time lines are very helpful.
5. Foreign Language
Teach the students how to hear and speak the language first. Then worry about reading and writing the language. Isn't that how we learn our native languages?
6. Geography
Children can learn geography through the current reading material and identifying locations on maps and globes. Mason recommended a 10 minute blank map drill weekly for the locations being studied. Many educators today refer to this as visual mapping. Students look at a map for a number of minutes. Then they reproduce everything they remember. They immediately study the original map again to assess their performance and to try to remember more. This activity is repeated several times for 10-15 minutes.
7. Copy work
A child carefully copies a well written passage. He/she absorbs grammar and punctuation rules and improves handwriting.
8. Nature Study
Outdoor studies and field trips. The children keep journals on what they see, labeling each entry with locations, names, and dates observed.
9. Math
Use manipulatives to enable your child to understand the hows and whys of the basics of math.
In order to update to the twenty-first century and stay with Mason's ideas, technology must be integrated. There are so many virtual learning opportunities available in the internet. Just be sure to review the sights thoroughly before introducing them to your child.
Charlotte Mason also had advice for subjects including dictation, Bible, poetry, recitation, Shakespeare, handicrafts, hymn study, music study, and picture study.
Mason's theories do not include a specific curriculum. Rather it is an applied philosophy that is easily adaptable to any state's curriculum and has the ability to fulfill your needs.
If you are looking into more information on the [http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/charlotte-mason-homeschooling-method]Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method or would like to know about some great homeschool conventions visit http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Charlotte-Mason-Homeschooling-Method&id=6615744] The Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Measure Progress Without Testing
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot]Curt Bumcrot
A myriad of footnote questions appear on most published tests. Why? Because they are easy to write and easy to score. They're also largely meaningless when it comes to measuring what your student has learned. If you've concluded that the tedium of having your student memorize what seems to be an endless stream of facts is just not worth the investment of time, what do you do instead? Here's a simple but powerful option.
Many textbooks have review questions located throughout and at the end of each chapter. Some are well-written and require the student to use the higher levels of thinking. I recommend that you replace the tests with the review questions using the following simple method to help you determine what your student is learning.
First, choose review questions that seem important to you. Important as opposed to simply recall-type questions. The number of questions you choose to have your student respond to will be proportionate to the length and content of the chapter.
Second, ask your student to write an answer to each question. Make this an open-book test if you like. Let him know that he will be evaluated on the substance and quality of his answer. Suggest, though, that he limit his answer to one paragraph. This forces word economy.
Third, evaluate and score his answers. I suggest the following scale:
Adequate answers are awarded 3 points. "Adequate" means his response demonstrated he understood the basic content called for by the question.
Good answers are awarded 4 points. "Good" means his answer showed a greater degree of understanding than just the "adequate level."
Excellent answers are awarded 5 points. "Excellent" means his answer was well-thought through and showed an even greater depth of understanding than at the "good" level.If you choose questions that require the student simply recite facts back, award full credit (5 points) if completely accurate or no credit if the answer is simply wrong.
Finally, to generate a grade for the chapter based on this approach, simply total the number of points awarded for each question and divide this total by the total number of points possible.
Here's an example. Let's say you choose five questions for your student to answer. You award 4 points each to three questions, 3 points to one question, and 5 points to one question for a total of 20 points. Now, divide 20 points (the number awarded) by 25 points (the number possible). The result is.8. Convert.8 to a percent (move the decimal point over two places to the right and add the percent sign) and you have 80%.
Using a traditional grading scale of A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, etc. the grade for this chapter would be a "B."
This method works best when you keep it simple. Don't spend too much time deliberating over whether an answer should be awarded 4 or 5 five points. Only occasionally split the difference and award a 4.5 or 3.5. You've got better things to do with your time.
Thanks for reading!
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to rel=nofollow [http://www.basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Measure-Progress-Without-Testing&id=6587141] Measure Progress Without Testing
A myriad of footnote questions appear on most published tests. Why? Because they are easy to write and easy to score. They're also largely meaningless when it comes to measuring what your student has learned. If you've concluded that the tedium of having your student memorize what seems to be an endless stream of facts is just not worth the investment of time, what do you do instead? Here's a simple but powerful option.
Many textbooks have review questions located throughout and at the end of each chapter. Some are well-written and require the student to use the higher levels of thinking. I recommend that you replace the tests with the review questions using the following simple method to help you determine what your student is learning.
First, choose review questions that seem important to you. Important as opposed to simply recall-type questions. The number of questions you choose to have your student respond to will be proportionate to the length and content of the chapter.
Second, ask your student to write an answer to each question. Make this an open-book test if you like. Let him know that he will be evaluated on the substance and quality of his answer. Suggest, though, that he limit his answer to one paragraph. This forces word economy.
Third, evaluate and score his answers. I suggest the following scale:
Adequate answers are awarded 3 points. "Adequate" means his response demonstrated he understood the basic content called for by the question.
Good answers are awarded 4 points. "Good" means his answer showed a greater degree of understanding than just the "adequate level."
Excellent answers are awarded 5 points. "Excellent" means his answer was well-thought through and showed an even greater depth of understanding than at the "good" level.If you choose questions that require the student simply recite facts back, award full credit (5 points) if completely accurate or no credit if the answer is simply wrong.
Finally, to generate a grade for the chapter based on this approach, simply total the number of points awarded for each question and divide this total by the total number of points possible.
Here's an example. Let's say you choose five questions for your student to answer. You award 4 points each to three questions, 3 points to one question, and 5 points to one question for a total of 20 points. Now, divide 20 points (the number awarded) by 25 points (the number possible). The result is.8. Convert.8 to a percent (move the decimal point over two places to the right and add the percent sign) and you have 80%.
Using a traditional grading scale of A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, etc. the grade for this chapter would be a "B."
This method works best when you keep it simple. Don't spend too much time deliberating over whether an answer should be awarded 4 or 5 five points. Only occasionally split the difference and award a 4.5 or 3.5. You've got better things to do with your time.
Thanks for reading!
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to rel=nofollow [http://www.basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Measure-Progress-Without-Testing&id=6587141] Measure Progress Without Testing
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Classical Education Model
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dave_Buckley]Dave Buckley
Touted to be the return to a proven method of past centuries, the Classical Educational Model is gaining in popularity among homeschooling parents. The model is characterized by exposure to history, art, culture, languages, philosophy, and literature of Western Civilization. With a Christian emphasis (it also concentrates on the development of a biblical view of the world and Theology is considered to be the queen of sciences), the core of this model is the Trivium, which tailors curriculum subject matter to a child's cognitive development.
The Trivium is based on three levels, or stages of teaching and learning based on the age and ability of the child. The goals of the Trivium are Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric.
Grammar Level
This stage is the based on concrete learning. In Bloom's taxonomy, this is considered to be the base of the learning pyramid. In this stage, rote memorization is the emphasis. Many public school systems call this "kill and drill." The idea is for kids to learn the vocabulary, rules, and basics first. This level is recommended for the elementary ages of children.
During this stage, children are taught Art, Bible, Geography, History, Literature, Math, Music, Oratory, Science, and Writing.
Dialectic Level
Also considered to be the analytical thinking and understanding stage, this is recommended for the middle school age kids.
The student learns to reason and to string isolated ideas together.
During this stage, students are taught more in-depth concepts in Art, Bible, History, Literature, Math, Music, Oratory, Science, and Writing. Language, Logic, and Government are introduced at this time.
Rhetoric Level
This is where abstract thinking and self-expression come in. It is recommended for the high school years.
During this stage, students take all that they have learned and develop the ability to apply that knowledge to abstract ideas. Rhetoric and Philosophy are added to the studies while Government and Logic receive less concentration.
On a side note, history is taught throughout all stages in four year cycles. Repeating the cycle allows for further understanding as the child's cognitive development advances.
This model can be explained in layman's terms by likening it to the process in which a baby learns to speak. A child first learns sounds, vocabulary, and simple sentences. He then learns how to apply the rules of grammar in order to express more complete thoughts. Finally, the child learns to express opinions and more complex ideas.
The supporters of the Classical Education Model argue that the modern education system expects kids to master subjects before mastering the skill of learning. A bit like putting the cart before the horse?
If you are looking into more information on [http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/classical-education-model]Classical Education Model or would like to know about some great homeschool conventions visit http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Classical-Education-Model&id=6631125] The Classical Education Model
Touted to be the return to a proven method of past centuries, the Classical Educational Model is gaining in popularity among homeschooling parents. The model is characterized by exposure to history, art, culture, languages, philosophy, and literature of Western Civilization. With a Christian emphasis (it also concentrates on the development of a biblical view of the world and Theology is considered to be the queen of sciences), the core of this model is the Trivium, which tailors curriculum subject matter to a child's cognitive development.
The Trivium is based on three levels, or stages of teaching and learning based on the age and ability of the child. The goals of the Trivium are Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric.
Grammar Level
This stage is the based on concrete learning. In Bloom's taxonomy, this is considered to be the base of the learning pyramid. In this stage, rote memorization is the emphasis. Many public school systems call this "kill and drill." The idea is for kids to learn the vocabulary, rules, and basics first. This level is recommended for the elementary ages of children.
During this stage, children are taught Art, Bible, Geography, History, Literature, Math, Music, Oratory, Science, and Writing.
Dialectic Level
Also considered to be the analytical thinking and understanding stage, this is recommended for the middle school age kids.
The student learns to reason and to string isolated ideas together.
During this stage, students are taught more in-depth concepts in Art, Bible, History, Literature, Math, Music, Oratory, Science, and Writing. Language, Logic, and Government are introduced at this time.
Rhetoric Level
This is where abstract thinking and self-expression come in. It is recommended for the high school years.
During this stage, students take all that they have learned and develop the ability to apply that knowledge to abstract ideas. Rhetoric and Philosophy are added to the studies while Government and Logic receive less concentration.
On a side note, history is taught throughout all stages in four year cycles. Repeating the cycle allows for further understanding as the child's cognitive development advances.
This model can be explained in layman's terms by likening it to the process in which a baby learns to speak. A child first learns sounds, vocabulary, and simple sentences. He then learns how to apply the rules of grammar in order to express more complete thoughts. Finally, the child learns to express opinions and more complex ideas.
The supporters of the Classical Education Model argue that the modern education system expects kids to master subjects before mastering the skill of learning. A bit like putting the cart before the horse?
If you are looking into more information on [http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/classical-education-model]Classical Education Model or would like to know about some great homeschool conventions visit http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Classical-Education-Model&id=6631125] The Classical Education Model
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Use the Pomodoro Technique To Keep Your ADD/ADHD Homeschooler On Track
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Erika_Finks]Erika Finks
Anyone who homeschools knows that it can be difficult to keep kids focused on their work. There are a lot of distractions that can sidetrack you or your child, and this is particularly difficult for children with ADD/ADHD.
If you have a child with ADD or ADHD, you are probably on the lookout for solutions constantly. The schedule seems to be the biggest challenge for many homeschool moms. The Pomodoro technique may be just what you and your child need to get things done.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is actually from a book on time management. It delves into how we perceive time, and how to change our habits and thought processes in order to better utilize our time.
If you are thinking about using this technique, you should definitely get the book and read the whole thing so that you fully understand all the fundamentals that can't be condensed into this article. But the part that can really benefit your child's homeschooling is the timer technique that the book is centered around.
How the Pomodoro Technique Works
The first thing you should do is find a digital timer that your child can use easily. Obviously this will vary according to your child and their age. Everything from watches to kitchen timers work just fine, but portable timers are best since they can be used anywhere.
As you begin to use the Pomodoro Technique, sit down with your child and make a list of what needs to be accomplished. Do this the night before or first thing in the morning.
For every item on the list, set the timer for 25 minutes. Have your child work on the item for 25 minutes, and when the timer goes off, let them have a break. 5 minutes is the recommended break time, but some people will take a 10 minute break. Whatever length of time you choose, just be sure your child sticks to it.
Once the break is over, they reset the timer for 25 minutes and either carries on with the previous item on the list if it wasn't finished, or starts on the next one.
Give Them Something to Look Forward To
This method can be very effective for anyone, but for a homeschooler with ADD or ADHD, it can really be a breath of fresh air. The child can work on their projects with a better attitude, because they know that there is a finite amount of time before they get to do something they want to do. Children with ADD/ADHD can really get bogged down if they don't know how long a project is going to take, and feel they are stuck there until it is finished. When they know there is a timer counting down, and then they will be allowed to do something fun, they can apply themselves better. There is light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.
Make sure the reward is laid out ahead of time, especially when you first begin using this method. It can be reading, drawing, going outside and playing, or whatever you and your child decide on. Keep in mind that for kids with ADHD, physical activity during breaks may actually help them focus even better.
Try the Pomodoro technique for a week and see how it does for your child. It may be just the right amount of structure and flexibility they need, and you may even find yourself getting more done as well.
Erika is a writer who has not only used the Pomodoro Technique, but also homeschooled her son using the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/]Abeka homeschool curriculum. If you want to start homeschooling, the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/abeka_preschool_curriculum.html]Abeka Preschool curriculum is a complete program that gives you everything you need including lesson plans and teaching guides.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Use-the-Pomodoro-Technique-To-Keep-Your-ADD/ADHD-Homeschooler-On-Track&id=6637074] Use the Pomodoro Technique To Keep Your ADD/ADHD Homeschooler On Track
Anyone who homeschools knows that it can be difficult to keep kids focused on their work. There are a lot of distractions that can sidetrack you or your child, and this is particularly difficult for children with ADD/ADHD.
If you have a child with ADD or ADHD, you are probably on the lookout for solutions constantly. The schedule seems to be the biggest challenge for many homeschool moms. The Pomodoro technique may be just what you and your child need to get things done.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is actually from a book on time management. It delves into how we perceive time, and how to change our habits and thought processes in order to better utilize our time.
If you are thinking about using this technique, you should definitely get the book and read the whole thing so that you fully understand all the fundamentals that can't be condensed into this article. But the part that can really benefit your child's homeschooling is the timer technique that the book is centered around.
How the Pomodoro Technique Works
The first thing you should do is find a digital timer that your child can use easily. Obviously this will vary according to your child and their age. Everything from watches to kitchen timers work just fine, but portable timers are best since they can be used anywhere.
As you begin to use the Pomodoro Technique, sit down with your child and make a list of what needs to be accomplished. Do this the night before or first thing in the morning.
For every item on the list, set the timer for 25 minutes. Have your child work on the item for 25 minutes, and when the timer goes off, let them have a break. 5 minutes is the recommended break time, but some people will take a 10 minute break. Whatever length of time you choose, just be sure your child sticks to it.
Once the break is over, they reset the timer for 25 minutes and either carries on with the previous item on the list if it wasn't finished, or starts on the next one.
Give Them Something to Look Forward To
This method can be very effective for anyone, but for a homeschooler with ADD or ADHD, it can really be a breath of fresh air. The child can work on their projects with a better attitude, because they know that there is a finite amount of time before they get to do something they want to do. Children with ADD/ADHD can really get bogged down if they don't know how long a project is going to take, and feel they are stuck there until it is finished. When they know there is a timer counting down, and then they will be allowed to do something fun, they can apply themselves better. There is light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.
Make sure the reward is laid out ahead of time, especially when you first begin using this method. It can be reading, drawing, going outside and playing, or whatever you and your child decide on. Keep in mind that for kids with ADHD, physical activity during breaks may actually help them focus even better.
Try the Pomodoro technique for a week and see how it does for your child. It may be just the right amount of structure and flexibility they need, and you may even find yourself getting more done as well.
Erika is a writer who has not only used the Pomodoro Technique, but also homeschooled her son using the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/]Abeka homeschool curriculum. If you want to start homeschooling, the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/abeka_preschool_curriculum.html]Abeka Preschool curriculum is a complete program that gives you everything you need including lesson plans and teaching guides.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Use-the-Pomodoro-Technique-To-Keep-Your-ADD/ADHD-Homeschooler-On-Track&id=6637074] Use the Pomodoro Technique To Keep Your ADD/ADHD Homeschooler On Track
Sunday, December 4, 2011
I'm Not a Teacher - How Can I Homeschool?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Erika_Finks]Erika Finks
As crowding, bullying, and other serious issues become more prevalent in public schools, many parents are looking at homeschooling. There are many reasons to homeschool and so many rewards that can be gained from it, but a lot of parents question their ability to teach their children.
A Parent is a Teacher Already
The idea that a parent can't teach properly because they don't have a degree that says they are an official educator is silly. As a parent, you teach your kids for years before they hit school age. You teach them words, sounds, colors, cooking, letters, counting, beginning reading and anything else they do on a daily basis. Teaching a child in homeschool is the very same methods, only the materials and concepts are provided for you in the curriculum. Rest assured there are curriculums out there that actually tell you how to teach the subject.
All You Need Is Passion and a Curriculum
Honestly, the only 2 things you need to be a great teacher for your child are the desire to give them the best education possible and a good curriculum that fits your child's personality. In fact, one of the biggest reasons many parents choose to homeschool is that they are dissatisfied with what public schools offer.
When a child goes to public school, much of their day is spent getting ready, commuting, waiting for teachers, and not getting the attention they need. One study suggests that only 1 out of every 9 hours of public school is spent actually learning. Many parents also dislike what is taught in public school curriculums now.
When you homeschool your children, they don't have to waste hours of their day on all those logistics. Also, when they get stuck on something, they can ask you about it right away and get clarification quickly. This means that homeschooled kids can get just as much learning in considerably less time than public schooled children. That's why many homeschool schedules are between 3-5 hours per day.
All Your Resources Are At Your Fingertips
If you are still worried about how you will teach your children, all you need to do is look at some of the many homeschooling curriculums that are available. You can buy sets of books that not only include a textbook and workbook for your child, but a teaching guide for you as well. Many will even tell you, word for word, how to explain a concept. The curriculums are generally written by professional educators with a Masters or Doctorate degree, so you can be sure the material is accurate.
This means that you don't have to be an expert in any of the subjects in order to teach it to your child. You just have to be able to follow the instructions in the teacher's book.
Your Doubts Will Dissolve
When you head into homeschooling, you need to acknowledge that you will have doubts. You will wonder if you made the right decision for your child, and when they struggle you will question your ability to teach them. But this will pass with time. As you watch your child excel in certain subjects that they love, and have time to work through harder ones at their own pace, you will see that you have given them a great gift: An atmosphere where their learning is not determined by the children surrounding them.
You will also be reassured when you see just how close you and your children become while homeschooling. By homeschooling you are not only giving your kids a great education, you are also creating family bonds that will last a lifetime. You don't have to be a teacher in order to homeschool - teaching comes naturally to you as a parent.
Erika is a writer who is not a teacher, but has homeschooled her son using the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/]Abeka homeschool curriculum. If you want to start homeschooling, the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/abeka_preschool_curriculum.html]Abeka Preschool curriculum is a complete program that gives you everything you need including lesson plans and teaching guides. For older children, there is an Abeka curriculum for every grade level.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Im-Not-a-Teacher---How-Can-I-Homeschool?&id=6637775] I'm Not a Teacher - How Can I Homeschool?
As crowding, bullying, and other serious issues become more prevalent in public schools, many parents are looking at homeschooling. There are many reasons to homeschool and so many rewards that can be gained from it, but a lot of parents question their ability to teach their children.
A Parent is a Teacher Already
The idea that a parent can't teach properly because they don't have a degree that says they are an official educator is silly. As a parent, you teach your kids for years before they hit school age. You teach them words, sounds, colors, cooking, letters, counting, beginning reading and anything else they do on a daily basis. Teaching a child in homeschool is the very same methods, only the materials and concepts are provided for you in the curriculum. Rest assured there are curriculums out there that actually tell you how to teach the subject.
All You Need Is Passion and a Curriculum
Honestly, the only 2 things you need to be a great teacher for your child are the desire to give them the best education possible and a good curriculum that fits your child's personality. In fact, one of the biggest reasons many parents choose to homeschool is that they are dissatisfied with what public schools offer.
When a child goes to public school, much of their day is spent getting ready, commuting, waiting for teachers, and not getting the attention they need. One study suggests that only 1 out of every 9 hours of public school is spent actually learning. Many parents also dislike what is taught in public school curriculums now.
When you homeschool your children, they don't have to waste hours of their day on all those logistics. Also, when they get stuck on something, they can ask you about it right away and get clarification quickly. This means that homeschooled kids can get just as much learning in considerably less time than public schooled children. That's why many homeschool schedules are between 3-5 hours per day.
All Your Resources Are At Your Fingertips
If you are still worried about how you will teach your children, all you need to do is look at some of the many homeschooling curriculums that are available. You can buy sets of books that not only include a textbook and workbook for your child, but a teaching guide for you as well. Many will even tell you, word for word, how to explain a concept. The curriculums are generally written by professional educators with a Masters or Doctorate degree, so you can be sure the material is accurate.
This means that you don't have to be an expert in any of the subjects in order to teach it to your child. You just have to be able to follow the instructions in the teacher's book.
Your Doubts Will Dissolve
When you head into homeschooling, you need to acknowledge that you will have doubts. You will wonder if you made the right decision for your child, and when they struggle you will question your ability to teach them. But this will pass with time. As you watch your child excel in certain subjects that they love, and have time to work through harder ones at their own pace, you will see that you have given them a great gift: An atmosphere where their learning is not determined by the children surrounding them.
You will also be reassured when you see just how close you and your children become while homeschooling. By homeschooling you are not only giving your kids a great education, you are also creating family bonds that will last a lifetime. You don't have to be a teacher in order to homeschool - teaching comes naturally to you as a parent.
Erika is a writer who is not a teacher, but has homeschooled her son using the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/]Abeka homeschool curriculum. If you want to start homeschooling, the [http://www.abeka-homeschool.com/abeka_preschool_curriculum.html]Abeka Preschool curriculum is a complete program that gives you everything you need including lesson plans and teaching guides. For older children, there is an Abeka curriculum for every grade level.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Im-Not-a-Teacher---How-Can-I-Homeschool?&id=6637775] I'm Not a Teacher - How Can I Homeschool?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Getting BIG Scholarships - Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lee_Binz]Lee Binz
Homeschool parents are perfectly situated to get their children the maximum scholarships because they are very involved with their child's schooling and are able to plan early. The biggest problem about getting scholarships is when parents wait until after junior year or sometimes even senior year before they start thinking about. When you realize the need too late it gets a little hard to jump through all of the hoops you need to jump through.
My two children are two years apart but I did end up graduating them at the same time. When I graduated them, there was a time when we were waiting for the phone call about the tuition scholarships. They went to a competition to see who would get the full tuition scholarships; it was a full day competition that lasted about eight hours.
Each of the participants was told to bring something that demonstrated who they were as a person. My older son brought his chess demonstration board and my younger son brought a charcoal drawing of the French economist, Jean Baptiste Say. Each planned on talking about their area of passionate interest.
When they got home, they did not talk about the competition; they talked about how fun it was to talk to all these smart kids who were really nice. I didn't really know what to expect since my kids talked about these kids having great grades and being special.
As typical worrying parents, we were wondering what would happen if one kid got the scholarship and the other didn't - they are both pretty smart, competitive, and they are both boys. The first call I got was actually for my younger son who received a full tuition scholarship. We continued to be anxious as we never heard back on our other son. Eventually, we did get the second call and learned we had received full-tuition scholarships for both of the boys.
Frankly speaking, we didn't have the money for college and $184,000 worth of full tuition scholarships between the two kids really helped us. We were exceedingly thankful that we were involved in our sons' high school education and that they could attend the college they chose.
Knowing how to get the [http://www.thehomescholar.com/vmchk/ala-carte/getting-the-big-scholarships-online-training/flypage.tpl.php]big scholarships is just one of the things homeschool high school parents need to know. My Total Transcript Solution will show you how to create an AMAZING [http://www.totaltranscriptsolution.com]homeschool transcript that will impress the colleges! Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, is a homeschool high school expert. Learn more about her at TheHomeScholar.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Getting-BIG-Scholarships---Full-Tuition-Scholarship-Competition&id=6643980] Getting BIG Scholarships - Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition
Homeschool parents are perfectly situated to get their children the maximum scholarships because they are very involved with their child's schooling and are able to plan early. The biggest problem about getting scholarships is when parents wait until after junior year or sometimes even senior year before they start thinking about. When you realize the need too late it gets a little hard to jump through all of the hoops you need to jump through.
My two children are two years apart but I did end up graduating them at the same time. When I graduated them, there was a time when we were waiting for the phone call about the tuition scholarships. They went to a competition to see who would get the full tuition scholarships; it was a full day competition that lasted about eight hours.
Each of the participants was told to bring something that demonstrated who they were as a person. My older son brought his chess demonstration board and my younger son brought a charcoal drawing of the French economist, Jean Baptiste Say. Each planned on talking about their area of passionate interest.
When they got home, they did not talk about the competition; they talked about how fun it was to talk to all these smart kids who were really nice. I didn't really know what to expect since my kids talked about these kids having great grades and being special.
As typical worrying parents, we were wondering what would happen if one kid got the scholarship and the other didn't - they are both pretty smart, competitive, and they are both boys. The first call I got was actually for my younger son who received a full tuition scholarship. We continued to be anxious as we never heard back on our other son. Eventually, we did get the second call and learned we had received full-tuition scholarships for both of the boys.
Frankly speaking, we didn't have the money for college and $184,000 worth of full tuition scholarships between the two kids really helped us. We were exceedingly thankful that we were involved in our sons' high school education and that they could attend the college they chose.
Knowing how to get the [http://www.thehomescholar.com/vmchk/ala-carte/getting-the-big-scholarships-online-training/flypage.tpl.php]big scholarships is just one of the things homeschool high school parents need to know. My Total Transcript Solution will show you how to create an AMAZING [http://www.totaltranscriptsolution.com]homeschool transcript that will impress the colleges! Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, is a homeschool high school expert. Learn more about her at TheHomeScholar.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Getting-BIG-Scholarships---Full-Tuition-Scholarship-Competition&id=6643980] Getting BIG Scholarships - Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition
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