Are you ready to take the plunge into homeschooling? If so, then you need to learn all you can so you can stay organized, teach effectively and create the best lesson plans. This article will guide you through a plethora of tips and tricks which will be sure to keep you on your toes.
Your child's progress is their own and should not be weighed against others. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing the education levels of your child versus another, yet when it comes to homeschooling, it is like comparing apples and oranges. Each homeschooled child is going to learn at their own pace, which means that their successes will be individual and constant.
Never be afraid to expand beyond the textbook! You can learn from all sorts of different places, have them read the local news, national news, blogs, etc. Current events, especially, can segue into all sorts of useful learning opportunities, especially when it comes to subjects like government and the environment. The skills they learn will stay with them throughout their lives.
When you home school your child, you take on more than the role of teacher. Actually, you'll also have to be the cafeteria worker, physical education coach and possibly even a counselor. Consider the responsibilities each title carries as you plan out your daily schedule and routine. Prepare lunches in advance, schedule outdoor time and make yourself available for emotional support and motivation.
Get in touch with other homeschoolers in your area. Homeschooling can be a lonely path if you do not make an effort to seek out support. Many areas now have homeschooling co-ops, where parents in a community work together to share resources and offer help. These are provide a valuable social outlet for your child, who does not have the same opportunities to make friends as a child in a public school.
Treat homeschooling like a job. You're a teacher now, and that means you also have to seek out more education. Professional teachers take "PA" days to attend conferences and training, so you should, too! Find homeschooling events near you or even attend one as a vacation. You'll find they teach you not only specific topics you might not know a lot about, but also how to be a better teacher and how to plan out homeschooling lessons like a pro.
If you want your children's homeschooling experience to be as well-rounded as possible, then consider putting physical education on the schedule. Not only will this teach your children healthy habits, studies have repeatedly shown that physical activity helps to stimulate the mind. Even better, combine physical fitness with social time by enrolling your children in a dance class or by signing them up for a summer sports team.
You should keep well-organized records of the work that your child is doing and the progress that he is making. You will need to be accountable for this when you report to the state. Keeping good records will ensure that you comply with state standards in case there is a dispute with the state about your homeschool arrangement.
Relying on electronics, like computers, can be a bad thing. Sure they can be great tools to use to teach your kids from home, but what do you do if there was to be a problem with them? Use them, but have alternative teaching methods ready in case your computer dies and will be down for a while.
Read a variety of titles to ensure that your child receives a well-rounded education. How-to articles can give you a variety of hands-on activities to do with your child. Before you child begins studying a specific subject such as World History, visit your local library and check out a children's history book along with an age appropriate book. Use the children's history book to give you a broad overview of the information that should be taught, and use the other book for specific information to include in your lesson plan.
One of the things that holds parents back from homeschooling is the myth that doing so will end up costing more than private school tuition. While some of the learning materials out there are, in fact, expensive, there are just as many affordable, effective resources available. The Internet is a valuable clearinghouse for workbooks, lesson plans and discounted texts to suit nearly any need and curriculum. In this case, at least, money shouldn't be the deciding factor.
Know about the laws in your state regarding homeschooling. Each state has different laws, but in general, there is a certain kind of curriculum you have to follow when teaching your children at home. You can find this information out by simply searching online for homeschooling laws in your state.
Be prepared for your child to request to go to public school when they get older. Many teenagers are tired of being home all the time, and they want to be around other teenagers. If this is something, your teenager wants, your best bet is to sit down and talk with them to figure out what is best for them.
Teach your children Latin and Greek root words. So much of the English language is rooted in these two. Your children will gain a greater comprehension of the words they see and hear. It will also help them on college testing. Understanding how language works is beneficial in a number of every day applications.
Take trips to other lands. Visiting other regions can be a fabulous cultural experience. Your kids can learn about other people this way. Understanding other cultures will help them grasp more about their own. Even if you can't afford to go to other countries, neighboring states can still provide an insight into how others live.
With so much advice under your hat, you should now easily be able to set up a home school environment which works for all involved. You'll be able to leave the public school system behind and focus on your future goals. A little bit of effort goes a long way, so keep truckin'!
Orignal From: Why Homeschooling Is The Best Option For Your Child
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