Thinking
About Homeschooling?
By Christine Webb
Families
come to the decision to homeschool in a variety of ways. For some
it is a lifestyle decision; for others it is an education choice.
Deciding to homeschool can be a little daunting. It will take
research, insight, thought, discussion and perhaps a little courage,
but it is a commitment that is made each year for hundreds of
thousands of children across the nation.
Homeschooling offers families the opportunity to provide a loving
environment in which their children can mature and learn. The
benefits of homeschooling include the strengthening of family
life, providing a superior education geared to their children's
individual needs, learning styles, personalities, and interests,
and the flexibility homeschooling provides.
Homeschooling
is legal in all 50 states. Laws and regulations vary from state
to state, and interpretations can vary among school districts.
A copy of your law can be found in your public library, on the
Internet, or from a local homeschool support group.
To
get information about homeschooling in your state, contact your
state or local homeschooling support group. The support groups
usually have copies of the state law, information about getting
started, lists of activities and resources, and many offer a newsletter
as well.
To find out which approach to use, read, ask questions, listen
carefully and observe. There are as many homeschooling styles
as there are homeschooling families. The approach you choose should
fit comfortably into your lifestyle. This decision will depend
on your philosophy of learning, the structure of your family's
life, and the types of resources through which each of your children
learns best. Households that thrive on schedules are often most
comfortable setting a regular time each day for homeschooling
activities. Others approach homeschooling as an integral part
of what they do each day, with no set schedule. A child who likes
textbooks and workbooks might use a ready-made curriculum. For
a more wholistic learner, you may choose to use the library, museums,
and life experiences as your primary learning resources. Resources
will vary in time commitment, philosophy of learning, and expense.
Be prepared to do some experimenting to find the combination that
works best for each child and understand that as children mature
or situations change so, too, might your approach.
If
your child wants to learn something you can't teach, they might
successfully opt to self-teach, or to get together with other
students to form a study group around a particular subject. You
can hire a tutor or barter for help with another interested family.
Classes over the Internet or via television, videos and computer
software are increasingly available options for many families.
Some students choose to take classes at a community college. When
searching for teachers, don't overlook friends, or businesspeople
in your communityÛmost people are delighted to have a young person
around who is sincerely interested in what they know and do. (More
on homeschooling next month).#
Reprinted
with permission from Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket,
WA 98855
Education
Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001.
Tel: (212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919.Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express
consent of the publisher. © 2002.
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