Telling Tales ~4: #Homeschooling

 

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Each week I'm going to try to bring a little of my experience with homeschool right here. Some of you may have experienced it, some of you most likely will...some may be fortunate enough to have everything run smoothly. In any case, I do hope you'll join me each week for some tidbits.

(Please feel free to send me your myths...I'll see if I can prove them correct or incorrect in upcoming features - socratesisdownstairs@outlook.com)

Myth #4: Homeschooling is for parents that just don't want to deal with the rules of public school.

INCORRECT -- Sort of. Here's why:

I didn't want to deal with the rules of public school and many other homeschooling parents don't want to either. But, it's not for the reason(s) you might think. I didn't have an issue getting up, feeding them, driving them, helping them with required homework, purchasing school supplies, etc. I DID have a problem with my children being lumped into one learning style...being left behind because they learned differently...being bored because it was too easy for them and others weren't learning at their pace. I DID have a problem with them not being able to express themselves, be heard, be different, have a say in the time of day they learned, and have a say when they needed a break to reset...

That being said, rules aren't a problem for homeschooling parents, a commitment to education isn't a problem for homeschooling parents, and a commitment to their children isn't a problem for homeschooling parents.

Public school would have placed my children in boxes, the same boxes as all the others, and I wanted their individuality to shine.

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Telling Tales ~3: #Homeschooling

Each week I'm going to try to bring a little of my experience with homeschool right here. Some of you may have experienced it, some of you most likely will...some may be fortunate enough to have everything run smoothly. In any case, I do hope you'll join me each week for some tidbits.

(Please feel free to send me your myths...I'll see if I can prove them correct or incorrect in upcoming features - socratesisdownstairs@outlook.com)

Myth #3: In order to homeschool, you must be a teacher/have college degrees.

INCORRECT -- The most important thing to consider when homeschooling is having the best interest of your children in mind. A commitment to their education and the ability to know and work with the different learning styles and needs your child(ren) may have. There are also opportunities to co-op with other homeschool parents (in person or virtually) and share teaching opportunities. You aren't good at English? Maybe another homeschool parent is great at it but doesn't do well with History and you do. Make a swap :) (and possibly gain a life-long friend for both you and your kids)

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Telling Tales ~2: #Homeschooling

 

Each week I'm going to try to bring a little of my experience with homeschool right here. Some of you may have experienced it, some of you most likely will...some may be fortunate enough to have everything run smoothly. In any case, I do hope you'll join me each week for some tidbits.

(Please feel free to send me your myths...I'll see if I can prove them correct or incorrect in upcoming features - socratesisdownstairs@outlook.com)

Myth #2: Only religious families homeschool.

INCORRECT -- While I did come from a religious family, that ended shortly before I turned 16. I didn't even think about church or religion for years (and years). Just over the last two years have I been learning to find my faith again (yes, 20+ years later). So, for the longest time, we were a non-religious homeschooling family.

Homeschool really isn't about religion. It's about your children being provided a better education. Yes, it works well for religious families as they can choose a more bible based curriculum and/or work daily devotions into their homeschool setting.

But the main thing to remember, no matter your religious beliefs - your child(ren) deserves the best education they can get, and, more times than not, that is within the walls of your own home.

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Telling Tales ~1: #Homeschooling

 

Each week I'm going to try to bring a little of my experience with homeschool right here. Some of you may have experienced it, some of you most likely will...some may be fortunate enough to have everything run smoothly. In any case, I do hope you'll join me each Friday for some tidbits.

(Please feel free to send me your myths...I'll see if I can prove them correct or incorrect in upcoming features - socratesisdownstirs@outlook.com)

Myth #1: My child won't be socialized if I homeschool. They'll only have limited interaction with adults and siblings and will have trouble when it's time for them to graduate and fight the real world.

INCORRECT -- My children have become closer. They help one another with work. This bonding was something I didn't see when they were in school. They'd come home and try to stay as far away from one another as they could. Family is important. I hope they are forming a bond they will share throughout life.

As far as socialization, there are many options.

1) Events at your local libraries (generally free, but may cost up to $3 in my experience)

2) Children's Workshops at Home Depot (these generally have a fee, however, your child comes home with a neat created craft)

3) Local School Events (that's right. Did you know your child can't be kept from playing sports at the local schools? They also can't be kept from dances such as homecoming, prom, and so on. Just be sure all your required paperwork is filled out at your school district office about your intent to homeschool and then sign them up)

4) Homeschool Groups (Larger areas have a variety of homeschool mom/children groups. Try to get into one or more. If there isn't one, look into rallying a couple moms to help you and start your own)

5) Play dates (these may seem "old fashioned" but they're still lots of fun. Bring a blanket, a picnic lunch and some friends to a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly park date)

6) Create your own events (partner up with several homeschool groups. Combine for the major events: Graduations, Homecoming, Prom and so on)

There are many more ideas and options other than those listed here. Feel free to share your own as well.

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#Notebooking & Little House on the Prairie ( #Homeschool #LittleHouseOnThePrairie )

 

When I originally homeschooled, I didn't think much about notebooking. However, now that I'm working on setting up next year for homeschool, I'm seeing it everywhere. It seems that a lot of people are having success with this option.

So, I'll be looking into Notebooking and found a site that I think maybe one that I use (I'm also planning on making some of my own, as some of the things, especially involving history, I can't always find what I want on). Anyway, if you haven't checked out Notebooking Pages, head on over and give it a look.

Another neat thing I came across while searching the above link is Mom's Tool Belt. I absolutely am thinking about this binder and membership. I love that there's forever access with no renewal fees.

As far as Little House on the Prairie, I'm considering ways to work this series into my homeschooling year. I found some great options on Amazon and now just need to sort out my thoughts/plans for it. I did see it listed with the ages at the top and they go no higher than 12. I'm hoping I can use it a little past that.

There's also the Anne of Green Gables Set. I'm not real familiar with this set, but I've been told that some homeschool families use it as supplemental reading for their curriculum. (By the way, you can get a discount buying the two sets together.)

And let's not forget E.B. Web. I think, no matter how we schooled....we all read Charlotte's Web. Well, Amazon has this neat little box set of three available as well.

If you've used any of these books/sets in your homeschool, I'd love to hear about how it worked for you.

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