The Armchair Academic How to Homeschool by Melody Wright |
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This page was last updated on: December 4, 2002
The biggest question in my mind at the beginning of this venture was not "Do I homeschool?" but "How do I homeschool?" It seemed to me that there must be "a way" and all I needed to do was find out what that was, then do it at my house. Well, was I disappointed. I found out that there is no answer to the "How do I homeschool?" question any more than there is an answer to the "How do I parent?" question. There is a wealth of information on each subject, but no real answer. We can more easily answer the question "How do some people homeschool (or parent)?". There seems to be a continuum upon which each homeschooling family can place themselves: *School at Home - packaged curriculum *Relaxed Home Schooling - some curriculum materials *Child-Led Learning - resource based *Radical Unschooling - the child decides Few families can be placed completely in one category. Sometimes one child requires a different approach from their sibling(s). Sometimes a family takes a different approach depending on the subject (more directed in subjects that are difficult for the child(ren) of the teaching parent). Sometimes we change depending on the family situation at the time (holidays, new baby, seasons, etc.). What is important is that the approach works for the family. It is not working if there is stress on the child, the parent or the relationship caused by the schooling approach. So, what is the approach? (I'll try not to sound biased). School at Home is when a family sets a particular schedule based on the age of the child(ren) for school time. Many choose the mornings so there is less danger of being distracted. A curriculum package is purchased, usually from a homeschool supplier, with all the subjects necessary to recreate a school. The math workbook and the readers and the phonics workbook and the science book and the socials book and whatever else is required to cover all of the material for that grade are packaged together. The teaching parent knows (usually from a Teacher's Manual) how many pages must be completed in each area by the end of the school year. The child receives the individual attention that is so much a part of homeschooling, and often they set their own pace with their studies. The parent does not have to create learning materials but often has to work at motivating the child. Relaxed Home Schooling tends to have many of the same curriculum materials but usually many different company's supplies are used. The schedule is less structured and the interests and learning styles of the child are used to determine which materials to use. The teaching parent has found preferences for certain materials through experience or word of mouth. More time is required on the part of the teaching parent to choose materials but the motivation of the child is easier to maintain. Child-Led Learning is where the interests and learning styles of the child are held as foremost in the decision-making. Few curriculum materials are used. The teaching parent is now responsible for finding resources for the child to use. These may be books, but often are not. The teaching parent usually knows what skills the child has acquired and which ones they are still mastering. This is very much how most families raise their pre-school aged children. The child is highly motivated to learn but it can be difficult to measure. Radical Unschooling is an approach that works to be as unlike school as possible. It lets the child(ren) progress at their own pace using their own interests without "interfering" in the learning process by introducing concepts to the child. These children are usually very motivated with their activities but again, it is difficult to measure results along the way. What is important for most new homelearning families to know is that the ultimate results differ very little. Homeschooled children appear to "do better" than their schooled peers at every stage along the way to adulthood and as adults. The individualized attention has never been criticized, even by strong proponents of the public school system. The academic abilities and accomplishments of homeschooled children do not appear to differ with the approach used by their families in the process of homeschooling. So, the approach used is more a matter of what "works right now" in terms of lifestyle, than ultimate academic performance. Melody is a home educating mother of four children. |
"Know the categories of curriculum: 1) Highly structured programs - These include video classroom tapes and workbooks, correspondence schools, and worktext programs. Highly structured programs may help the first year teacher or one who needs discipline and guidelines, but there are drawbacks... 2) Moderately structured programs - This includes typical textbooks and teacher's manuals. Moderately structured materials have daily lessson, but you decide how the lessons are used and answer only to yourself. Again, they may especially help you with the basics. 3) Unit Studies Materials - These are designed to integrate several subject areas under one topic. Look for unit study materials that help you help your children discover the answers. 4) Supplementary Kits or Games - They add sparkle to your basic choices. Save room in your budget for some sparkle!" -Gayle Graham How to Home School |
