Homeschooling

A cousin of ours asked me how to get started homeschooling. Here are my thoughts on the subject:

Homeschooling can be very simple and relaxed or very rigid and structured-depending on what you and your husband decide to do. http://www.titus2.com/, and http://www.nogreaterjoy.com/ are great homeschool web site, not for curriculum, but for the reasons WHY to homeschool. If you go to http://www.christianliberty.com/, you can look at curriculums that are made for homeschoolers. You in no way have to follow what they think that you should teach, but for me it was easier having a guideline of what other kids their age were doing.

Example: I don't want to be introducing...say...geography when he is not interested in it and may not be ready for it age wise.

So... Here is what I would do if I were you: Go online and look at the books that are age appropriate, get a library card, and go to the dollar store or Walmart and get some workbooks that the kids probably can already do pretty well. Like...this year's level... And do that this summer.

Find out what they are interested in. Do that.

Example: Michael loves science. He didn't use to like to read, though. Now I let him read science stuff almost all the time for school. He reads a little history, too, and some other things. Now he reads well. Really well. And his retention is enormous. He remembers almost everything he reads about anything scientific.

If your child likes horses, clean the library out of everything related to horses. Eventually, you will be able to reward her with reading a horse book after she is done with other reading...

I would have a schedule, but follow it loosely,
Example: you can incorporate some of school during meals. I don't eat breakfast very often, so I take that time to read a 5th grade reading comprehension book to all of the boys. Even the little boys can answer most of the questions. On a 5th grade book (Jordan is 4)!

Going to Walmart during the morning( when you can take your time) can also be math. Teach the kids with shopping. Have them figure out the best deals by looking at ounces and prices. (Division, multiplication and problem solving). Younger children can look for the...French's mustard in the group by reading the labels. Even younger ones can be told to grab the small green can on the bottom shelf and they will be learning! They will also be paying attention to all of the older one's lessons, and you will be amazed at what they retain if given the chance.

Do not stress out over it. You don't have to school from 8:30 to 2:30 (or whatever they do at public school) with them. It is not a public school. We are usually done with school by 12 or 1pm. On shopping days we don't do school until afternoon and sometimes not at all. That is OK. They are always learning, as long as they are not sitting in front of the TV or playing video games. Even baking/ cooking is a math lesson (fractions) Also: Jordan learned all of his numbers and colors while playing Uno with the boys and Daddy! He knows them all by sight. I repeat, don't stress. Also, don't listen to anyone else as to what is right and wrong with schooling your children. You are meant to be their teacher. God put you in that position for a reason. Public schooling, group schooling, and schooling children by age is something that is pretty new, historically. You will do fine, if you want to do this. Be sure to have your husband's input, but ultimately, it is better for both you and him to agree that you are the main teacher, and you have to do what works for you.



That's it in a nut shell. My boys are smart. They are all somewhere in-between grades. Jordan is doing Prescool/First/Fifth grade stuff. Jeffrey is doing First/Second/Fifth. Michael is doing Fifth/Sixth/ teaching. (He often helps explain a lesson to his brothers and helps them understand what to do if I have to be out of the room). When people ask what grade they are in, I have taught them to just answer Preschool(Jordan)...First(Jeffrey)....Fifth(Michael) Because, some people just wouldn't understand anything but public school-type answers!



Most of the time, I enjoy schooling my boys, but I know that when I got started, the idea of homeschooling was so overwhelming, I was often in tears before we even bought any books! But now, after teaching for 6 years, I feel that I have a little bit of perspective on the subject. I am sure that as I get more years under my belt, I will have better insight. I sure hope so, anyway!