Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The BIG Question - Social Stuff!


Homeschooling has one controversial point that needs to be addressed.  Socialization. No, I don't mean socializing our kid.  The topic arises from the unfounded idea that homeschoolers are locked up all day in their homes, alone. 

Not true or at least it doesn't have to be.  Homeschool support groups flourish just about everywhere. So, you and a few other homeschool parents can share an afternoon at a park, kayaking, hiking, museuming,watching a field trip through the Grand Canyon. 

Come on friends, it takes a bit of work but catch a glimpse of the rewards!

I am sorry I am not a fan of public education.  I am a product of the old Public Education. Proud of what I learned.  But, it aint like that any longer.

So, lets open the trunk on Social Skills and homeschooling.

Social skills is an area of deep concern when it comes to homeschooling. Many critics point out that since man needs to hone his social skills, a homeschooling environment where social interaction is limited is detrimental to his growth and development. But studies have proved this wrong.


Children put into the fiercely competitive school environments lack the confidence to hold a conversation. Such children show little genuine interest in the topic of conversation and don't know how to interact with people of various age groups, especially their elders.


Children who learn at home are more aware of the implications and the purpose of their learning. They will ask intelligent questions and make accurate observations. Children begin their life by imitating their parents. Homeschooled children therefore pick up the sterling qualities they see in their parents. On the other hand, they are protected from the detrimental influences of their peers.


These children are thus better equipped with the tools necessary to face the world. The positive reinforcement that takes place in the homeschooling environment as opposed to being abandoned, embarrassed or ignored in a normal school environment strengthens their self-esteem. Children turn out to be better balanced andwell-rounded as they progress into adulthood.

And please remember you don't have to go it alone.  Educational software, support groups all make it possible for you to be the Teacher Of The Year.



I added a few sources of  teaching aids you might want to take a look at.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As we journey,
Larry
http://prek-4homeschooling.com/

Friday, July 9, 2010

Homeschooling Supplies - What to Look For.

Home Schooling has become such an alternative experience and although some people still find it hard to accept the fact that parents are taking responsibility for their child’s education, there is no stopping a parent who is determined to homeschool his child.

The first thing that a first time homeschooling parent would look for is supplies. It’s probably one of the first things that a curious parent would ask. All you need to remember if you are looking for supplies is that the internet is very large, and most likely, you will find resources there. Search engines are especially useful too; all you’ll probably need to do is type “home school supplies” into the search bar and voila, instant resources!

For those parents who choose a certain curriculum, almost “real school” like in itself, or are looking for ready made curriculum based programs, you can get ready made curriculum at correspondence schools, or you can make your own.

So the next question is, where can you get ideas on what to teach? If you are homeschooling your child, chances are you don’t want to employ the normal school type classes. Homeschooling can bring out the creativity in both the child and the parent.

As a parent, the first idea bank that you should look at would be your own experiences, how a certain object or event taught you a certain lesson while you were growing up. There is a big chance that, that certain situation or object can be found or reenacted in your own home, and who best to teach it than you?

Aside from your memory bank, you can also get ideas from several organizations dedicated to supporting home-schoolers. Camps and scouts may have materials that you can buy even if you’re not a member. You can also make use of old publications, newspapers and magazines as “textbooks” for your child, take his favorite story and make it into a lesson. For a greater learning experience, you can take your child to the library. The library would probably be the biggest resource for both you and your child.

Remember natural learning is accepted in home schooling, and supplies for natural learning can be found all around the house, the chair, the bath, even in various flowers and if you want you can recreate the atmosphere that children’s shows create on television. Using normal items, you can teach your children math, science, english, reading, almost everything. Just focus on your child’s interests.

Resources:

Resources For The Homeschooler....Click Here!

Homeschooling Training Course For Beginners...Click Here!

As we journey,
Larry
Homeschooling Pros And Cons

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

5 Mistakes To Avoid

5 Homeschooling Mistakes That Are Easy To Make, And Easier To Avoid




First of all let me congratulate on taking the first step in looking at home schooling your child. I cannot think of a better investment in your child’s future. Keep following along and I will be giving you tips and resources
you can use to help you along in this big step you are about to take.

Resources you need to look at....Click Here!
Click Here!
Click Here!






1. Setting the Bar Too Low

Research has shown that one of the greatest determining factors in a student’s performance is teacher expectation. This is no different for your homeschool student. You may think the world of your little angel, but every parent has their biases. Admit it. Maybe it has crossed your mind that while Bobby is a genius in math, he really struggles at reading. Perhaps Emma loves to read aloud, but she isn’t the best with numbers. Don’t feel bad, every parent has preconceived ideas about their child’s ability and you are no different. However, in order for your student to reach their full potential, it is imperative that you set aside any notions you have about their ability and go into every lesson knowing that they will succeed. When you expect the best, you get the best.

2. Teaching the Way YOU Liked to Learn

You may have heard from others, or experienced yourself, that certain types of teaching styles are more successful than others. I understand this firsthand. Those of us with a lesser ability to navigate the roads may need to look at a map to find our way. Other may not retain those directions until they have driven the route themselves. You might find that when you read something it doesn’t “stick”, but when you attend a lecture or have a friend explains it to you, everything becomes crystal clear. Everyone learns differently. Don’t expect that because you learned best when shown pictures, that the same is true for your child. Experiment with different styles of teaching and ask for your child’s input to help you figure out what works best for them.

3. Ignoring Classroom Management

-“I want the classroom to be a place where my child can explore and learn freely, I don’t want the rules to prevent them from exploring.”

-“I don’t need to go over the rules! My child is always well behaved.”

Parents think that because they have already established a discipline system in their home, with rules and consequences, that there is no need to come up with similar strategies for class time. Well they are wrong. Class time needs to be separated out from your regular at home activity. Rules and routines specific to the classroom need to be put in place so that it is clear for both the student and teacher what is acceptable during learning time. School rules and routines provide for maximum learning time, so don’t leave them out of your plans.

4. Teaching 1 Thing at a Time

When you plan your schedule for each day, do you break up your time by subject? Reading from 8-9, math from 9-10, etc. Of course you do, who doesn’t? This isn’t a bad way to schedule your time either, as long as you have a big picture in mind. Your child will be better able to retain all the subjects that you teach if they are interrelated. If you design units of study with a big picture or theme that applies to math, reading and science, they will retain more and have more fun in the process. For example: if you want your 7 year old to understand that animals have predictable lifecycles don’t just teach it during science time. Use books on the topic during reading. Teach multiplication using frog legs (5 frogs with 4 legs each…how many legs in all).

5. Teaching is Telling

This is a pretty basic mistake, but one that I still hear about all the time. Parents explain a something new to their student and don’t understand why it doesn’t “stick”. The simple answer is that teaching is not just telling. If you want to be a good teacher, as we all do, you need to learn a variety of ways to teach your child. There is hands-on learning, inquiry learning, visual aids, reciprocal teaching, and technology-based learning. I could go on and on with different ways of instructing that can improve your child’s learning, I have a great deal of training and experience in this area that I use on a daily basis in my own home, but the important thing is that you know that part of teaching is learning. You need to constantly be seeking out new techniques and tools to improve your skills. As you improve so will your child.

Resources....Click Here!
Click Here!
Click Here!

Look into the resources I have listed above. Dig deep for information. Check with other Home Schooling Families. In the mean time let me come back with more tips.

Thanks,
Larry
Te Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

3 Good Reasons To Home School!

Summary:

Ever wonder why some students simply adore being homeschooled? Read why this former student thinks homeschooling rocks!



1. It's not boring as all get out.

I spent the first 5 and a half years of my education in public schools. There were, of course, times when I enjoyed learning things and talking to my friends. On the flip side, though, there were long stretches of monotony and boredom. And that was just grade school! I can't even imagine what it would have gotten like in middle and high school. I vaguely remember a class I took in 6th grade before I began to be homeschooled. "Conflict resolution" they called it. It was an entire class we had to sit through for 50 minutes a day on how not to get in a fight. Instead of teaching us something useful like math, history or science, we had to sit and learn that getting in a fistfight wasn't good for anybody.

I think it goes without saying that homeschooling was far more interesting. I was either doing something and learning, or I was enjoying my free time. I never had to sit through extended periods of monotonous lectures or stare at a chalkboard while a teacher catered to the slowest student in the classroom. I was able to learn at my own pace and enjoy it.

2. No one gives you wedgies.

Unless, of course, you have an older sibling and then you might get more wedgies than you can handle. One of the fantastic things about being homeschooled is that there is no awkward social structure that you have to fit yourself into. Unless you live in a very complicated family, there are no bullies, no drug addicts and so forth.

Again, the advantage is more than what you don't have to deal with, but also in what you do get. Being homeschooled enabled me to develop much stronger relationships with my parents and my siblings, and I did find a variety of friends through our homeschool group and church and so forth. I found that when I got to college I was able to comfortably communicate with everyone from the older students (some who were even grandparents, coming back for their education) to the younger students and even the professors and staff. None of these people ever gave me a wedgy.

3. Odds are your teacher will probably like you.

I didn't personally ever have issues with a teacher that didn't seem to like me or treat me well, but I do know that those experiences are out there. The odds increase, I think, as you get into high school that you might run into a teacher that you either don't like or who doesn't like you for some reason. I wouldn't say that it's anything personal, just sometimes there are personality clashes.

On the other hand, I think you benefit from homeschooling because you're able to develop a much deeper relationship with your parents. Instead of coming home from school and simply telling them what you did (if you can even remember all the details) you live it with them.

Remember this is your child. They are a God given gift to you and your spouse and not a gift to the government.

Resources: ClickClick Here!


God Bless,
Larry
The Pros And Cons Of Home Schooling

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Supplies for Home Schoolers

     Once you have considered placing your child in the hands of the rightful teacher, the parent, you will need to find a source of supplies and guidlines to further help you make this right decision. Guide books and material suppliers are also a great source of information to help you along.

      And, let me say, you already have probably heard of a few horror stories that exist in our public schools. The lower grades are not as bad as the higher grades, but the experience of acceptance of all and anything is not something our children should be learning.

      There is nothing difficult about teaching your child the academic lessons needed to achieve success up to the 4th grade. Again, there are traing books and course books that will help you and your child  in meeting the requirements of your State Board of Education.

        And, the plus being your child will be learning not only the academics but the morals they will need to be a success in the adult working world. 

        Here is one source I recommend....Click Here!they will give you all the information you need to make that important decision for your childs future  Another is..Click Here!..An important book for any parent.  It is never too early to begin teaching your child that there is a right and a wrong. Sorry if wrong offends but it exists.

Good luck and "It is worth it!"
Larry
http://www.squidoo.com/homeschooling_pros_cons. Go for it!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Christian Home School Kingergarden

     What better time than kindergarden for Christian families to start to home school their own children.
Actually pre school could be an even better time to start transferring those values you and your family hold dear to your child. 

       I am sorry if I offend anyone but our Public School Program is broken. We hear daily of the physical, sexual abuse.  The bullying as well as failing academics.  With no accountability from our professional educators it is time to bring our children back to a safe learning experience.

     Home schooling has its ups and down. Its pros and cons.  But, I believe sincerely it it the wisest choice we as parents can make in todays post modern culture. Where not only has religion been abolished but our own U S History has been skewed to meet the needs of the educators.

       Take heart, look into a christian home school program for your child today. Kindergarden is an excellent place to start. Now.What is Homeschooling


The term 'homeschooling' basically refers to the process in which
one or more children of not more than 2 families are instructed by
parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household. The
laws that define homeschooling vary from State to State. The legal
requirements for establishing a homeschool also vary with the State.

For most children, the actual process of learning begins much
before school. Many children already know their alphabets, the
names of animals, colors and other more complicated stuff before
they reach school. This is mostly due to the hard work of a member
of the family who has taken the time to teach the child.

Homeschooling is just a natural progression from here. Instead of
sending their children to a public school, parents make their own
curriculum and teach their children in ways that best suit the
child. This is homeschooling, in its most simplistic form.

Before you decide to go in for homeschooling, there are certain
important matters for consideration. First off, meet with parents
of other homeschoolers. Find out the pros and cons of
homeschooling. Then ask yourself why you would want to adopt this
method. This is a very important aspect, as the success of the
program depends on the clarity and sincerity of your purpose.

Next, it is time to consider the expenses of homeschooling. It may
cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand
every year. More importantly, you are also effectively shutting
out any job opportunity for one of the parents. It is only obvious
that one parent will have to stay at home full time to manage the
homeschool. A home-based business however is a great alternative.

Are you qualified to take on homeschooling for your children?
Teaching is a continuation of your own learning process. With the
advent of the internet, information is aplenty. There are various
books and resources for those interested in homeschooling. Go
through the various methods of homeschooling and choose one that
is most suited to you. It helps if you know what kind of learning
style your child has. Also, find out what your child feels about
homeschooling before you start.

Every state has its own laws regarding homeschooling. For
instance, in North Carolina, you must first file a 'Notice of
Intent' to start a home school. In this you have to mention if the
school is a 'Private church' school or a 'qualified non-public
school'. The persons providing the education are required to have
at least a high school diploma. You have to maintain an annual
record of the child's attendance and disease immunization. Every
year, the child is required to undergo a standardized test. Each
student attending the eleventh grade has to take a nationally
standardized test. These are the requirements in North Carolina,
but it is enough to give you a good idea of what homeschooling .
                                                                                                                                             Homeschooling may seem like a lot of fun and freedom from the
outside. However, things are seldom as simple as they seem.
Homeschooling is a lot of added responsibility and hard work. But,
if successful, it will forge a strong bond of love and respect
between parent and child, while providing your child with the best
form of education he needs.  Just click the link below for the best start
information on home schooling.

http://moveto.ws/3xhu565h1


God Bless,
Larry
Home Schooling Pros and Cons
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