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From Public to Home School

Many families are making the decision to remove their children from the public school system to homeschool. The reasons vary among these families but the challenges they face are similar. The transition is often a reaction to something that occurred in the system like bullying or an issue with a teacher or the school wanting to put a child on medication. For some the decision was not dramatic but something the parents kicked around for awhile and decided would be best for their family. Sometimes the reasons bring about challenges within homeschooling but more often than not it is a … Continue reading →

Ideas for keeping homeschooling fun: Passive Learning

Passive learning has a bad rap because it suggests that students need to be entertained to learn anything. One website (http://www.csun.edu) suggests that “Today’s passive learners expect the teacher to thrill, delight, and fill them with wonder so they don’t become bored. I read once that teaching elementary school has become like trying to give a birthday party to the same kids, five days a week for forty weeks without losing their interest. These expectations now extend well into highschool.” This is not the type of passive learning that I recommend. Homeschool parents should not have to dress up as … Continue reading →

Homeschooling puts the individual above the group

I have often been accused of putting my children above the group as a result of homeschooling. I can’t argue with that accusation still I realize the importance of looking out for the group as well. Everyday public and private schools make decisions based on what is best for the whole. I have no problem with that. They set a curriculum that everyone should be able to follow. They make playground rules that are best for the safety of everyone. They even create lunch menus that cater to the nutrition of everyone. Still what is good for the whole, is … Continue reading →

Are You Afraid of What other Homeschoolers will Say?

Homeschoolers tend to disagree with each other when it comes to who should teach a child what. There are some that feel the role of the homeschooling parent is to teach the child each and everything they need to know. This means imparting their own knowledge to the child and it also means learning difficult subjects before teaching it to the child. This approach to homeschooling is certainly honorable, but not the rule. I belong to a different school of thought that says teach the child what you know, and even learn a few things in the process. Meanwhile as … Continue reading →

Has the California Verdict Affected Your View on Homeschooling?

I cannot say I have ever seen as much conversation about homeschooling as I have this past month. It started, of course, with the California verdict declaring homeschooling without credentials illegal. This ruling has been followed with a literal flood of articles, opinion, and comments. While the majority of the articles are positive toward homeschooling and parents rights, the comments are brutal, critical, and often immature. I have personally been trying to ignore the bru-ha-ha, but decided to speak up because I feel that the California verdict has affected the views of many towards homeschooling… in a bad way. I … Continue reading →

Families.com Homeschooling Blog Week In Review

This has been a fun week for at the families.com homeschooling blog. I returned to families.com after a long absence and was welcomed back with open arms by Valorie Delp who will still guest blog for families.com as she has time. Meanwhile she is busy with the baby blog and food blog. I have wasted no time jumping back into my work as the homeschool blogger. Sunday 09 Mar 2008 Edventures Online by Valorie Delp This is one of the best kept secrets of the kid-friendly website world. It is a subscription service, but I have to say I think … Continue reading →

Moments that Make Homeschooling Worth It

We homeschoolers love to point out the academic progress of our kids, and how high they score on academic tests. Since we have an easy time pinpointing their areas of genius, we love to revel in them finding their callings at an early age. These accomplishments definitely make homeschooling worth the struggle… and there is struggle involved. It is the little moments, however that make all the work of homeschooling well worth it. I think it was a moment with my son’s Sunday school teacher that helped me know for a fact that I was on the right track. We … Continue reading →

Things Your Preschooler Learns While Playing Part 2

Are you concerned that your preschooler is too busy playing to learn anything? It seems to be a constant theme for homeschooling moms who want to see some measurable progress in their child. Well, do not worry, your child really is learning. In part 1 of things your preschooler learns while playing. I wrote about the importance of playing with Lego’s and driving toy cars, among other things. Here is Part 2 of things your preschooler learns while playing. Playing with dolls: Roll playing with dolls can teach preschoolers many important life skills. The natural lesson for many children is … Continue reading →

Things Your Preschooler Learns While Playing Part 1

Are you concerned that your preschooler is too busy playing to learn anything? It seems to be a constant theme for homeschooling moms who want to see some measurable progress in their child. Well, do not worry, your child really is learning. Here is part 1 of things your preschooler learns while playing. Driving Toy Cars: Playing with toy cars can teach many basic life lessons. Children learn how to follow road signs like stop and go using activity driving rugs, as well as learning to recognize important buildings like churches, schools, and fire stations. I Spy: Whether you use … Continue reading →

Homeschool Questions: Keeping Preschool Fun

“Q: A lot of people are anti – schooling for preschool age, but by 4yr. old is asking to play school, and wants to do “home work” like his cousins. A friend was generous enough to give me a preschool activity book. I’ve tried to stay away from “instructing” him by counting cars and sorting colors of marbles, but when he’s playing, he gets frustrated with me when I suggest counting or sorting in the situation. But then later he’ll say, “I want to have school” and pull out that activity book and work/play in it for quite a while. … Continue reading →