Homeschooling

We soon moved and found that Sariah was now school aged and pressure was mounting on making the decision to homeschool or to send her to public school. I tried finding my niche by trying to do what others were doing. I asked what cirriculum they used and then I looked into it. Then I realized the more pressure I put on myself to be "school like" the worse things got. I learned to "let go" and relax. I did take a lot of advice to heart and others were disgarded because it just didn't fit us.

Here are some of our FAQ:

A: It's the top question asked not just by prospective homeschoolers, but also by curious bystanders who seem to imagine us cloistered alone at home, isolated from what is considered 'The Real World.'

"Home is the training ground for life. We learn practical life skills there, but we also learn relationship skills: how to respect one another, how to compromise, how to fight, how to show love, how to be compassionate. Because we are relating to each other all the time, I believe home schooled children have a better handle on the significance and maintenance of relationships - better than they would have if they were surrounded by the numerous superficial friendships offered in the traditional school setting. Relationships are more than saying "hello" in the hall, or sharing a soda in the lunchroom. They are about living and learning together in all aspects of life."

-Christine Field

Social skills do not come from a public school. Public schools are for education. Most kids I know who went to school got in trouble for talking in class to other kids! I also remember when I went to public school learning some very racy things from other kids. I didn't think socialization meant that my 6 year old should be learning the "F" word from the kid sititng next to her in class. I'm trying to avoid that for now. Wouldn't it be great if she could turn 10 and still not know what that word meant?! I doubt it would happen even with being homeschooled, but the likihood of your 6, 7, and even 8yr old coming home from public school one day and using such language will be far more likely than if they were homeschooled.

Besides, have you ever met my kids?! If you have or if you know them then you tell me, do you think they are getting enough socialization? If not what kind of socializing do you think they need? What aren't they learning?

No one who has ever actually met my kids has ever asked me whether they have been properly socialized. Not one. Which isn’t to say they are perfect but they aren't freaks either!

For mor informative answers to this question visit the following links:

Missing the Mark by Tamara Easton
Marvin Minsky Comment on Schooling
Socialization; Homeschooling FAQ's
NCHE; Socialization; Homeschooling FactsFAQfarm, Homeschool Socialization Question Well I could about a gazillion links all supporting the fact that socialization does happen with homeschooled children and how much better they are socialized but I'll spare you and let you do the extra research if you are so inclined, LOL.

The research shows that no matter what the educational level of the parent, the home schooled student will more likely do better in the home school than the equivalent institutional environment. In the majority of the cases, the child will be potentially more well-rounded, prepared for life, and intellectually motivated for future learning because of the home school. This is what the studies indicate; recent college admissions acceptances for home school graduates bear this out too.

Q: What cirriculum do you use?

A: We are ecclectic in our materials. I don't use one specific outline yet. I am still experimenting to see how Sariah learns. Visual, verbal, hands on, etc etc. Besides she's only 6!! It's not like I am trying to teach her calculus! :D

This school year Sariah is still honing her reading skills but we are also doinga lot of math adn penmenship skills as well as English/verbal skills. Her favorite subject right now is astronomy. She has been enjoying learning about the solar system and when Joe is finished with her lessons they will be taking a field trip to the Cranbrook Planetarium.

Rachel is already reading at a 2nd grade level as well. She really focused in on Sariah's lessons last year and is doing as good if not better than Sariah is at this point in time. Rachel really enjoys reading especially to Liam and Kaden because they are a captive audience for her. We are also starting her in simple mathematics and she is already excelling.

With Mason I am doing the basics with him still. His personality is one in which he wants things done for him and he really like the attention so I know he'll be a tough nut to crack. He purposfully give the wring answer just so he can spend more time with you. He is learning preschool basics now. Colors, numbers, letters, shapes, etc etc etc.

Liam and Kaden adore being read to! They will bring you a book if they know you will read it to them. Even if you don't they will still go through it on their own. They see their siblings learning and already want to join in on the fun.

Q: How long will you homeschool them?

A:Right now it is on a year to year basis for us. I do feel that they are too young still to go to a public school. Also if the neighborhood is any indication of what is waiting inside the school doors around here then I don't see us sending our children to public school any time soon.

By the time they reach about the age of 16 they can start taking community college classes for some of the harder subjects I may have a harder time teaching, be we aren't even at that stage yet. It is nice to know there are options available though.

I am not strong in every subject either, but that is where Co-ops and Mom Schools come in. These groups and co-ops are set up so mom's and even dad's can hold specialized classes for nominal fees. There are also activity groups where large groups of homeschooling families get together and basically take educational field trips together. Back in September we were able to take our family to a dairy farm where the kids learned exactly where their milk comes from and all about dairy farming. They also went on a nature hike with the group and leanred about seasonal changes and local animals and more.

When it comes down to it, we never stop learning. Learning happens on a daily basis and it's what you do with the opportuities that will enrich a childs life. Education doesn't just happen in a classroom filled with books!

These have been the top questions regarding homeschooling that I've had. If you have another that you'd like answered please feel free to e-mail me

National LDS Homeschool Association
Quotes from LDS Church Leaders on Education
LDS Meridian Magazine Educational Series
Homeschooling FAQ's