I came across the 1st Edition of my Everything Homeschooling Book a while back. Someone had highlighted various passages with a yellow marker.
It was interesting to read the parts that "clicked" or made an impression on that reader. Here's just a few of the passages that she (or he) highlighted in my book:
* "Children are natural learners, and parents are natural teachers."
* "Homeschooling, however, is not 'school at home.' Rather, it is a lifestyle, a learning style, that is a natural part of each day."
* "Every child benefits from learning in a safe, caring, stimulating environment surrounded by those who truly love and value him. Never doubt that you are the best teacher your child could have."
* "Children are natural learners. Learning is an integral part of their lives, woven throughout the hours that make up each day. As they go about their normal lives, they encounter, gather, process, and grow from the information they naturally absorb. This is learning."
* A statement by former Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, was highlighted. He said: "I believe that all parents, indeed any adult, regardless of his or her station in life, or even their level of education, has the capacity and obligation to teach their children a love of learning."
These are just a few passages from the 1st Edition. The new 2nd Edition of my Everything Homeschooling Book was released in February this year. New chapters were added to the 2nd Edition: "Fun Learning Activities" and "Frugal Homeschooling Hints." Plus, updated homeschool resources and information are included in the new edition.
The new Everything Homeschooling Book also includes homeschool help, activities, and ideas for:
* Veteran homeschoolers
* New homeschoolers
* Single parents
* Two-career families
* Only children or multiple children
* Special-needs children
* Early-years learning at home
* Elementary-years homeschool
* Middle-years homeschool
* High-school homeschool and graduation
* College and career preparations
* Typical homeschool days, curriculum choices, record-keeping tips, and much more!
Visit our online homeschool site at EverythingHomeschooling.com for more information or to purchase the new 2nd Edition of my Everything Homeschooling Book.
Happy homeschooling!
Showing posts with label online homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online homeschool. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thursday, February 12, 2009
How to Start Homeschooling
We've had some questions lately from parents who'd like to know where to start homeschooling.
When starting to homeschool your children -- the best place to start is WITH your children. Discuss what THEY want to learn, what they want to do, regardless of their age.
Remember that "homeschooling" is not "school at home." Rather, it is a natural part of living and learning each day. When families try to "school-at-home," both parents and children often end up disappointed, confused, or frustrated. That's why we are here for you.
Flexibility, variety, and fun ways of learning ARE the KEYS to successful home education.
If you're just starting out, it's helpful to check your state's homeschool regulations and see what they require. The state laws often sound intimidating, but generally they're quite simple to comply with. If you have questions about your state laws, please e-mail us.
In many cases, homeschool families keep a homeschool portfolio, which can include homeschool records. Our "Homeschool Forms" page includes printable Weekly Planner Sheets, Reading Logs, and other forms for our subscribers. For "Homeschool Forms" see EverythingHomeschooling.com. You may use the Forms if you are unschooling, deschooling, homeschooling, or eclectic-schooling.
To use our Weekly Lessons, see our Home page.
Go as far as your children would like to go with the activities -- and, most importantly, let them branch off into any other directions. That's the beauty of homeschooling -- pursuing amazing paths and new adventures sparked by one small idea.
Do the Weekly Challenges, the Hands-On Activities, the Daily Activities, Daily Writing Prompts, Field Trips, Unit Studies -- described on our Home page and designed to provide ideas and inspiration that are interesting, enjoyable, and educational. Write down the activities your children do on the Weekly Planner Sheets from our "Homeschool Forms" page. (Older children can write down the activities they do each day or each week, to save you time.)
The main goal of our site is "Click and Do." It's simple for working parents, single parents, stay-at-home parents. We provide hundreds of educational activities throughout each year.
Simply "Click and Do" the activities, and allow your children to learn, to explore, and to pursue the activities and special interests, or follow new ideas, as well. Help guide them along the exciting paths that inspire or enthuse them.
Feel free to e-mail us with your questions. Our contact information is on our Home page.
Happy Homeschooling!
When starting to homeschool your children -- the best place to start is WITH your children. Discuss what THEY want to learn, what they want to do, regardless of their age.
Remember that "homeschooling" is not "school at home." Rather, it is a natural part of living and learning each day. When families try to "school-at-home," both parents and children often end up disappointed, confused, or frustrated. That's why we are here for you.
Flexibility, variety, and fun ways of learning ARE the KEYS to successful home education.
If you're just starting out, it's helpful to check your state's homeschool regulations and see what they require. The state laws often sound intimidating, but generally they're quite simple to comply with. If you have questions about your state laws, please e-mail us.
In many cases, homeschool families keep a homeschool portfolio, which can include homeschool records. Our "Homeschool Forms" page includes printable Weekly Planner Sheets, Reading Logs, and other forms for our subscribers. For "Homeschool Forms" see EverythingHomeschooling.com. You may use the Forms if you are unschooling, deschooling, homeschooling, or eclectic-schooling.
To use our Weekly Lessons, see our Home page.
Go as far as your children would like to go with the activities -- and, most importantly, let them branch off into any other directions. That's the beauty of homeschooling -- pursuing amazing paths and new adventures sparked by one small idea.
Do the Weekly Challenges, the Hands-On Activities, the Daily Activities, Daily Writing Prompts, Field Trips, Unit Studies -- described on our Home page and designed to provide ideas and inspiration that are interesting, enjoyable, and educational. Write down the activities your children do on the Weekly Planner Sheets from our "Homeschool Forms" page. (Older children can write down the activities they do each day or each week, to save you time.)
The main goal of our site is "Click and Do." It's simple for working parents, single parents, stay-at-home parents. We provide hundreds of educational activities throughout each year.
Simply "Click and Do" the activities, and allow your children to learn, to explore, and to pursue the activities and special interests, or follow new ideas, as well. Help guide them along the exciting paths that inspire or enthuse them.
Feel free to e-mail us with your questions. Our contact information is on our Home page.
Happy Homeschooling!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Homeschool Curriculum & Homeschool Lessons
Do you provide a Homeschool Curriculum?
This is one of the questions we're often asked at Everything Homeschooling.
Yes, we do!
However, different people have different concepts of what a curriculum is. By definition, a curriculum is "a course of study" or "a set of courses."
The Weekly Homeschool Lessons and Homeschool Activities at EverythingHomeschooling.com follow, or complement, the "Typical Course of Study" that most educational institutes follow across the nation.
Yet, even those educational curriculums will vary, depending on the regions or districts where the curriculum is being used.
What one probably means when asking if Everything Homeschooling provides a curriculum is: Do we provide a "packaged curriculum"?
A "packaged curriculum" is not the best educational resource for homeschooling your children.
Why not? Because every child is unique, every child has his or her own learning styles, and every child learns at his or her own pace. A "packaged curriculum," on the other hand, is not designed specifically for your individual child's learning style, pace, or interests.
At EverythingHomeschooling.com, we help YOU help your children learn, by providing Weekly Homeschool Lessons and Homeschool Activities that interest YOUR CHILDREN. Plus, this Homeschool Curriculum can be adapted to YOUR CHILD's individual learning styles and abilities, at any time.
The best Homeschool Curriculum is the one that captures your children's interests, keeps them wanting to learn more, and helps them retain what they've learned. This occurs when the homeschool lessons are fun, interesting, and hands-on. And also because the homeschool curriculum is adaptable, flexible, and varied -- to work for YOUR child!
This is the type of homeschool curriculum we offer at EverythingHomeschooling.com. It's easy to use, very affordable, and, above all, it helps to make your homeschool successful, interesting, and enjoyable, as well as educational for your child.
Happy homeschooling!
This is one of the questions we're often asked at Everything Homeschooling.
Yes, we do!
However, different people have different concepts of what a curriculum is. By definition, a curriculum is "a course of study" or "a set of courses."
The Weekly Homeschool Lessons and Homeschool Activities at EverythingHomeschooling.com follow, or complement, the "Typical Course of Study" that most educational institutes follow across the nation.
Yet, even those educational curriculums will vary, depending on the regions or districts where the curriculum is being used.
What one probably means when asking if Everything Homeschooling provides a curriculum is: Do we provide a "packaged curriculum"?
A "packaged curriculum" is not the best educational resource for homeschooling your children.
Why not? Because every child is unique, every child has his or her own learning styles, and every child learns at his or her own pace. A "packaged curriculum," on the other hand, is not designed specifically for your individual child's learning style, pace, or interests.
At EverythingHomeschooling.com, we help YOU help your children learn, by providing Weekly Homeschool Lessons and Homeschool Activities that interest YOUR CHILDREN. Plus, this Homeschool Curriculum can be adapted to YOUR CHILD's individual learning styles and abilities, at any time.
The best Homeschool Curriculum is the one that captures your children's interests, keeps them wanting to learn more, and helps them retain what they've learned. This occurs when the homeschool lessons are fun, interesting, and hands-on. And also because the homeschool curriculum is adaptable, flexible, and varied -- to work for YOUR child!
This is the type of homeschool curriculum we offer at EverythingHomeschooling.com. It's easy to use, very affordable, and, above all, it helps to make your homeschool successful, interesting, and enjoyable, as well as educational for your child.
Happy homeschooling!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Avoid Homeschool Burnout
Your family can avoid homeschool burnout by discussing what is still enjoyable each day and what is not.
Try these tips to reduce the chance of burnout in your homeschool:
- Discuss what is working and what is not. Ask for suggestions and ideas to inspire and motivate learning.
- Determine the ways your children learn best and use those learning methods.
- Add more flexibility to your homeschool days, and take advantage of spontaneous learning opportunities.
- Avoid over-scheduling your days. You need a good balance of quiet activities with the busy activities.
- Add more fun and laughter to your homeschool lessons and homeschool activities.
- Set aside homeschool curriculum packages or programs that are not interesting to your children. (If your children aren't interested, they won't learn as well.)
- Switch from "busy-work" -- such as worksheets, writing assignments, or dull reading assignments -- to fun, hands-on learning projects and science experiments.
- Try unit studies or "unschooling" for a while, rather than traditional subjects. Remember that "homeschool" is not "school at home." Experiment with different learning methods.
- Ask children what they would like to learn this week, this month, this year. Encourage them to find and share fun ways to learn those things.
- Take field trips to the library and allow children to check out books that appeal to them. Also guide them in selecting informative books that look interesting. Use those books as the backbone of your daily learning, and discuss the books you read.
- Use arts and crafts as an excellent way to reinforce learning and to complement the topics you read, study, or explore.
- Find online homeschool activities that promote family learning projects. Many interesting projects and activities are available at EverythingHomeschooling.com.
- Reduce stress by lowering your expectations. Try not to do so much each day. Get support and help from others.
- Have children record their daily lessons in their homeschool logs, organize their homeschool books and supplies, and clean up after homeschool experiments or learning projects.
- Ask family members to help with daily chores around the home and to be responsible for specific aspects of the homeschool day.
- Take time for yourself to relax and unwind. Spend at least an hour each day on something you especially enjoy, such as reading, painting, knitting, or sitting in the sunshine.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Weekly Homeschool Lessons & Homeschool Activities
How do you find weekly homeschool lessons to keep your children actively involved in learning each day? New Weekly Homeschool Lessons are provided at EverythingHomeschooling.com.
It's simple, easy homeschooling, designed to make your homeschool run smoothly every day. It's a huge time-savings for you, too! The homeschool lessons and the homeschool activities are right there at your fingertips, any time, day or night! The research has been done for you, and your children can start learning and exploring right away, in a fun, interesting way.
At EverythingHomeschooling.com, we provide lessons for Grades K-2, or Grades 3-8, or Grades 8-12 Weekly Lessons for your children.
In addition, we provide Hands-On Activities, Homeschool Unit Studies, Virtual Field Trips, Writing Activities, Creative Thinking Activities, Unschooling Activities, Book Lists for Homeschoolers, Weekly Challenges, Science Experiments for all ages, and much more.
This site is here to make your homeschool experiences enjoyable, educational, and successful! Stay tuned!
Happy homeschooling!
It's simple, easy homeschooling, designed to make your homeschool run smoothly every day. It's a huge time-savings for you, too! The homeschool lessons and the homeschool activities are right there at your fingertips, any time, day or night! The research has been done for you, and your children can start learning and exploring right away, in a fun, interesting way.
At EverythingHomeschooling.com, we provide lessons for Grades K-2, or Grades 3-8, or Grades 8-12 Weekly Lessons for your children.
In addition, we provide Hands-On Activities, Homeschool Unit Studies, Virtual Field Trips, Writing Activities, Creative Thinking Activities, Unschooling Activities, Book Lists for Homeschoolers, Weekly Challenges, Science Experiments for all ages, and much more.
This site is here to make your homeschool experiences enjoyable, educational, and successful! Stay tuned!
Happy homeschooling!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Creating Homeschool Lessons & Homeschool Activities
It's not difficult to create Homeschool Lessons or Homeschool Activities. It starts with "wondering" and "thinking."
These are two critical abilities that some people "don't have time for" in their busy days. But it's imperative that people shift their priorities, so that they do, indeed, have plenty of time for wondering and thinking about a wide variety of topics each day. Especially homeschool families!
What is it that sets human beings apart from animals? "Wondering" and "thinking" are a couple of those elements that distinguish humans from animals.
Right there is a Homeschool Lesson, in itself. For your Homeschool Activities today, have children think of how many ways humans and animals differ from each other. Have them look at and compare pictures of both, research and consider instincts of both, wonder and think about the qualities of each species. Then write a descriptive paper on what they learned, along with drawings and illustrations, depicting some of the differences between humans and animals.
Wonder. Think. This is how Homeschool Lessons and Homeschool Activities are created, and enjoyed, and learned from.
Brainstorm with your children on more ideas that THEY would like to learn about. And, for more ideas and encouragement for your homeschool, be sure to visit EverythingHomeschooling.com!
Happy homeschooling!
These are two critical abilities that some people "don't have time for" in their busy days. But it's imperative that people shift their priorities, so that they do, indeed, have plenty of time for wondering and thinking about a wide variety of topics each day. Especially homeschool families!
What is it that sets human beings apart from animals? "Wondering" and "thinking" are a couple of those elements that distinguish humans from animals.
Right there is a Homeschool Lesson, in itself. For your Homeschool Activities today, have children think of how many ways humans and animals differ from each other. Have them look at and compare pictures of both, research and consider instincts of both, wonder and think about the qualities of each species. Then write a descriptive paper on what they learned, along with drawings and illustrations, depicting some of the differences between humans and animals.
Wonder. Think. This is how Homeschool Lessons and Homeschool Activities are created, and enjoyed, and learned from.
Brainstorm with your children on more ideas that THEY would like to learn about. And, for more ideas and encouragement for your homeschool, be sure to visit EverythingHomeschooling.com!
Happy homeschooling!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Remove Child from School
About six weeks into the school year, I begin getting e-mails from parents who want to remove their child from school.
"My son is having problems in school. Can I take him out?"
"My daughter is being harassed in school. Can I withdraw her from school?"
Yes, and yes. No child HAS to go to a certain school. Every child CAN be educated at home.
So that you'll know your homeschool laws, check with your state's Department of Education. Don't rely upon information from your school or from the local school district. Call your state's Department of Education and request to speak with the Homeschool Department. (Every state Department of Education has a Homeschool Division.)
Armed with the information you receive from them, write a letter to your son's or daughter's school and explain that you are withdrawing them from school. There is no need to explain why, or to get into a lengthy discussion at your child's school, or try to "defend" your decision. At the same time, if you need to submit an "Intent to Homeschool" notice to your school's superintendent, you can do so. (The homeschool information you receive from the Dept. of Ed. will tell you if a Notice needs to be filed or not.)
Caution: If you start feeling overwhelmed by the legalese contained in the packet of homeschool information you receive from the State, don't let it bother you. Call your local homeschool support group, and they will explain what you need to do. It's truly much simpler than it sounds!
Once you have removed your child from the school system, the fun begins! And so does the learning! You'll be amazed at how much enthusiasm your child will begin showing for learning!
But FIRST, he or she will need to "decompress." This is a very important step that falls between the removal of your child from school and the beginning of the homeschool adventure.
Children are "conditioned" to function in a certain manner in school settings. When they are taken out of school, they need time to get used to NOT going to school. They need time to begin viewing their home as a place where their education will continue. They need to get a feel for how their days will play out in their home. They need a couple weeks -- sometimes more -- to get used to their new routine.
Don't worry. Your child won't "fall behind" during this decompression time. Many homeschoolers finish their homeschool year in half the time of a regular school year!
So go ahead, find out your state laws and withdraw your child from school. Then let the fun and learning begin!
If you need help or guidance, just contact us at EverythingHomeschooling.com.
Happy homeschooling!
"My son is having problems in school. Can I take him out?"
"My daughter is being harassed in school. Can I withdraw her from school?"
Yes, and yes. No child HAS to go to a certain school. Every child CAN be educated at home.
So that you'll know your homeschool laws, check with your state's Department of Education. Don't rely upon information from your school or from the local school district. Call your state's Department of Education and request to speak with the Homeschool Department. (Every state Department of Education has a Homeschool Division.)
Armed with the information you receive from them, write a letter to your son's or daughter's school and explain that you are withdrawing them from school. There is no need to explain why, or to get into a lengthy discussion at your child's school, or try to "defend" your decision. At the same time, if you need to submit an "Intent to Homeschool" notice to your school's superintendent, you can do so. (The homeschool information you receive from the Dept. of Ed. will tell you if a Notice needs to be filed or not.)
Caution: If you start feeling overwhelmed by the legalese contained in the packet of homeschool information you receive from the State, don't let it bother you. Call your local homeschool support group, and they will explain what you need to do. It's truly much simpler than it sounds!
Once you have removed your child from the school system, the fun begins! And so does the learning! You'll be amazed at how much enthusiasm your child will begin showing for learning!
But FIRST, he or she will need to "decompress." This is a very important step that falls between the removal of your child from school and the beginning of the homeschool adventure.
Children are "conditioned" to function in a certain manner in school settings. When they are taken out of school, they need time to get used to NOT going to school. They need time to begin viewing their home as a place where their education will continue. They need to get a feel for how their days will play out in their home. They need a couple weeks -- sometimes more -- to get used to their new routine.
Don't worry. Your child won't "fall behind" during this decompression time. Many homeschoolers finish their homeschool year in half the time of a regular school year!
So go ahead, find out your state laws and withdraw your child from school. Then let the fun and learning begin!
If you need help or guidance, just contact us at EverythingHomeschooling.com.
Happy homeschooling!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Back to "HomeSchool"
August is "Back to School" month for some. For homeschoolers, it could be viewed as "Back to Homeschool" month.
However you think of it, one of the most important things to remember about homeschooling is that it's not "school at home."
Homeschool parents are scrambling right now to find the "perfect" homeschool supplies, the "most educational" curriculum, and some are even seeking teachers to teach their homeschooler and to grade assignments!
Please, parents, remember WHY you are homeschooling!
The reasons are varied, and each family has their own educational goals, objectives, and philosophies. Most reasons to homeschool have to do with family values, social issues, faith, flexibility, one-on-one learning, higher academic achievement, natural learning, unschooling as a way of life, and so on.
Whatever your reasons, avoid turning your homeschool adventures into a "school at home!"
For lots of fun and interesting homeschool activities, weekly learning ideas, reading suggestions, hands-on projects, thinking activities, and more, remember to visit us at EverythingHomeschooling.com.
Happy Homeschooling!
However you think of it, one of the most important things to remember about homeschooling is that it's not "school at home."
Homeschool parents are scrambling right now to find the "perfect" homeschool supplies, the "most educational" curriculum, and some are even seeking teachers to teach their homeschooler and to grade assignments!
Please, parents, remember WHY you are homeschooling!
The reasons are varied, and each family has their own educational goals, objectives, and philosophies. Most reasons to homeschool have to do with family values, social issues, faith, flexibility, one-on-one learning, higher academic achievement, natural learning, unschooling as a way of life, and so on.
Whatever your reasons, avoid turning your homeschool adventures into a "school at home!"
For lots of fun and interesting homeschool activities, weekly learning ideas, reading suggestions, hands-on projects, thinking activities, and more, remember to visit us at EverythingHomeschooling.com.
Happy Homeschooling!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)