Taking on the
education of your children is a daunting task, and most of us need simple baby
steps to get started. Here are a few that have worked for me and other
homeschooling families.
Character Development Tips
Character development may need to override academic
development on some days. Choose to see behavior issues as an
opportunity to meld and train rather than as an interruption. Having the
time to develop character is a huge benefit of homeschooling!
Make your own character a priority, and don’t neglect
time with the Lord.
Plan in time for Scripture memory.
Don’t over-plan your child’s day, but what you do ask
them to do, require them to do well.
Resist the temptation to compare your kids to each other
or to other people’s kids. Everyone develops at their own pace.
Scheduling Tips
The best schedule is the one that works for you.
Don’t get bogged down trying to duplicate what the public
schools are doing – a home is not the same as a school, and learning won’t look
the same.
Teach all of your kids together wherever possible.
We do Bible, science, and history together.
Checklists for the day might work better than a schedule
with specific times on it, especially if you have a baby or toddler to work
homeschooling around.
Start with prayer. Even if you don’t do Bible class first, start
each day with prayer. You can lead it or take turns praying aloud.
Incorporate multiple learning styles. Abeka’s curriculum and workbooks incorporate the different learning
styles, but feel free to add more learning games, reading out loud, experiments,
etc.
Taking advantage of
the different styles of learning (hearing, seeing, and doing) creates a
well-rounded education and improves retention.
Stay organized. The best way to stay on track is to stay
organized. Keep a daily planner of goals to achieve by the end of each lesson.
Jot everything down, from schoolwork to household chores. To encourage focus,
try to keep your school space organized, too.
Work with a mentor. Look to other homeschool parents for advice
and help. As you get more experience yourself, look for someone you can mentor.
Join a home school group. Join with other homeschoolers or co-ops in
your area to provide support for each other. Along with offering teaching
resources, these groups give your children a chance to socialize with others.
Don’t take on too much. Saying yes to too many
extracurriculars can leave you and your kids tired and overwhelmed. Participate
in what really matters to your family, and evaluate your commitments throughout
the year to see if something should go.
Tackle the hard subjects first. If your children are struggling with certain
subjects, such as math or science, teach those in the morning when everyone is
more alert. Save the easier subjects for later in the day.
Keep it fun. Look for creative ways to make learning fun.
Younger children
might enjoy having dolls or stuffed animals in the classroom. You can ask these
other “students” questions and have your child answer for them in different
voices. Video your older children pretending to be news anchors as they deliver
“news” that might correspond with a history lesson or book report.
Take breaks. There will be times when you and your
children get frustrated. Don’t be discouraged! Take a break. Go outside for
some sunshine and fresh air, get a snack, or play a game together.
Curriculum Tips
Wherever possible,
let kids explore the topics that they are interested in. Encourage a love of learning.
Don’t be afraid to
ditch a curriculum that isn’t working – in the middle of the year even!
A curriculum that
works for one child may not work for the next child.
It may take a
couple of school years to figure out what curriculum works for you. I
discovered that I hate programs that are too “scripted.”
Grades are not
really necessary until junior high. Some kids get too focused on the
grades rather than focusing on mastering the material.
On the other hand,
grades (along with goals and rewards) can help motivate kids who are
intelligent but lack attention to detail.
Book fairs can be
helpful because you can really get your hands on the curriculum.
If you go to a book
fair, don’t be overwhelmed by the vast selection. All curricula basically
cover the same things – it’s a matter of finding the format and the price that
fits your family.
No one “covers it
all,” not even the schools.
If you’re concerned
that your child may have a learning disability, get him tested, and don’t be
afraid to call on professionals for help.
Tips for beginning
homeschoolers
Write out your reasons for
homeschooling. To home
school or not to home school? It’s a daunting decision. Write out your reasons
for homeschooling and goals for your children. Ask yourself: What are the
schools like where you live? What do you want your children to accomplish
through their education? Why do you want to home school? How long will you home
school? Homeschooling is more than a full-time job and when the schooling gets
tough, a written list of reasons will help you recall why you took on the
challenge. A homeschooling
mission statement will
help you stay focused the ultimate goals for your children
Set measurable educational goals. Whether you’re teaching literature, math or
art, keep specific educational goals in mind. What do you want your child to
learn and how will you track their progress? Divide the list into short-term
and long-term goals. Short term: “I want Susie to be able to add double
digits.” Long term: “I want Susie to have a basic understanding of American
History.”
Make it fun. Homeschooling is never what you
pictured. It’s not always fun and there will be many times when
you wondered why you thought you could be both their teacher and parent. But
homeschooling can also be a lot of fun. Teach a French lesson and then
make crepes as a family. After a unit on the Civil War, watch a reenactment. If
you’ve always wanted to learn guitar or speak a foreign language, now is the
time to learn. Homeschooling will stimulate your curiosity and
you’ll learn new things while teaching your kids.
Reach out. You might be the only one on the block who
doesn’t walk their child to the bus stop each morning. But you can still
be a part of the homeschooling community! Try and find a good homeschooling
co-op in your area. If you can’t find one, start your own. Attend home school
conferences. Check out this Uncoiling on a Cruise Ship
conference if you want to
combine your conference with a vacation.
Learn about teaching. It’s not enough to be a math whiz or geography
guru. You have to know how to apply your knowledge in a way that the
child will understand. Read books on teaching and take teaching courses.
Swap resources with your homeschooling co-op. If your specialty is
in English and you struggle with math, teach the English course and have
another homeschooler teach the math.
Prepare financially. With the rising cost of a private education,
you might feel like you’re making the “cheaper choice.” But homeschooling is
expensive. Consider the cost of keeping one parent home as the
primary educator. Consider the curricula, the supplies, the expense of
transforming your home office into a classroom. Budget for everything
right down to the #2 pencils. Have a financial plan in
place and give yourself a cushion for unforeseen expenses.
Set aside a time and place
for academic work. Don’t
try and turn your T.V. room (plush couches and all) into a classroom --
cartoons and serious learning don’t mix. Before you begin homeschooling,
set up a classroom with chairs, books, desks, and all. Get into a
routine. That is, school begins at 8:00 a.m. and at that time, they must be
dressed (teeth brushed, hair combed) and ready to take on the day.
Get organized. Organize your materials, time, and tasks so
you don’t waste precious minutes looking for worksheets or scrambling to find
that storybook. Set up a filing system for all your
different subjects and organize your library and homeschooling records.
Consider keeping a daily journal and home school work portfolio.
Don’t forget socialization
and life skills. If you
decide to home school, be prepared for the inevitable question, “What about
socialization?” Involve your kids in their community. Sign them up
for sports, scouts, and home-school groups. Take field trips with other
children and make sure to include activities where your child has to work in a
group. Be very certain your child’s social needs are being met and that
they will have a peer group.
Review local regulations. Check your
local regulations if
you’re thinking about homeschooling. Most states are subject to
home-based instruction regulations. For instance, in Washington you must
have earned 45 quarter units of college-level credits, attend a Parent
Qualifying Course, meet with a certified teacher once a week, and receive
approval from the local superintendent of public schools.
Bonus
tip: Read about how Dream Box Learning’s online math curriculum is
ideal for homeschooling families here!
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