Posts Tagged ‘Homeschooling’

Newer Entries »

Homeschooling vs Public School Can We All Get Along?

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Homeschooling vs Public School Can We All Get Along?

Homeschoolers and the public system can (and do in many communities) comfortably and successfully work side by side and in the best case scenarios, these two entities actually become benefactors of each others time and talents. As homeschoolers, having the respect of a local educational community is an essential factor in this co-existing equation and is readily achieved by following three very basic, yet vital, steps.

First homeschooling  parents make a point of meeting and talking with the local school  principal. Explain to him or her why the family has chosen homeschooling vs public school and discuss any long term educational goals which may eventually include entering your child into the public school arena.

This would also be a good time to inquire about other homeschoolers in the area, their relationship with the school system, their successes with re-entry, and their possible participation in public school activities such as band, chorus, art programs and physical education. The conversation will also give the principal an overall view of your genuine commitment to homeschooling and the education of your child. Secondly, make friends with the school librarian. He or she can be one of your child’s greatest allies in learning resources! A librarian who is happy to teach a homeschooling student how to use the school library is generally also willing to keep the family informed of new book titles that become available for a particular area of study as well as any upcoming book fairs, clubs, and so forth. This relationship could provide your child with regular access into the school building itself, thus allowing him or her not to seem isolated from the school, but instead befriended by it.

Thirdly, participate in an active, visible homeschooling group. If there isn’t one, consider forming one. The obvious reason for homeschoolers to get together with other families who are homeschooling is to provide support and camaraderie for both the children and the parents, but a secondary and no less valuable reason is the public image the group will no doubt choose to put forth. Providing the public with the opportunity to see a group of conscientious mothers, raising respectful children who are active in community events, charitable causes and educational endeavors, speaks volumes. Homeschooling vs public school – It’s your choice.

As the number of homeschoolers throughout the United States continues to grow, the public school system is being forced to consider the opinions and needs of homeschooling families but how much nicer it is to meet out of respect rather than force, to find a common ground rather than a source of contention and to build a sense of unity in education through mutual understanding. Tested and retested, the steps presented offer tried and true techniques that will assist homeschoolers and the public school system in achieving a successful working relationship in which all those involved benefit. And that’s education at it’s finest! Homeschooling vs Public School- It’s a Choice.

For more information and resources on homeschooling vs public school visit http://www.homeschoolingvspublicschool.info

Incoming search terms for the article:

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Homeschooling | No Comments »

Homeschooled Children Continue Outperforming Their Public School Counterparts as Homeschooling Increases in Popularity

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

In America, there was a time when the idea of homeschooling raised eyebrows of concern and could result in a visit from social services. A lack of trust by the government and public in general in a parent’s ability to educate their own children made homeschooling a bit of a stigma.

Even today in some circles, there are still many “old school” thinkers that go so far as to say that homeschooling is tantamount to deliberate child abuse. As ridiculous as that sounds to most of us, overcoming such ignorance has been a problem for some parents looking into homeschooling.

Overseas, it can be much worse. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany, a law instituted under Hitler and still enforced today. German families who choose to home school must do so in secret and run the risk of arrest; or worse, having the state take their children away.

Performance of home schools versus public and private schools

It doesn’t take much effort or investigation to discover that homeschoolers excel above their public school counter parts in nearly every category. According to a study conducted by Dr. Lawrence Rudner:

• The average home schooled 8th grade student performs four grade levels above the national average.

• One in four home school students are enrolled in a grade level that is above their age level.

• In every grade and in every subject, home schooled students outperform both public and private school students.

Other studies confirm these findings, showing that home schooled students have a much higher college entry rate, score higher on SAT’s and ACT’s, have a higher rate of college graduation, and earn higher incomes in the workforce.

These numbers come despite the fact that about 25% of parents in America who choose to home school either never attended college, or attended but never received a degree. An additional 7-10% have only an Associate degree.

Why do homeschooled children perform so well?

The advantages to homeschooling are many, and are quite revealing as to why homeschooled children do so well.

One on one attention – Whenever a child needs assistance, the parent is there to give him or her full attention, whereas in public schools a teacher must divide their attention between dozens of children.

Ability to focus more time where needed – If a student excels in math, but flounders in science, then a parent can very easily devote as much time as is needed to teaching science. Public schools are regimented, with each subject receiving equal time regardless as to the performance of the student.

Homeschooled students move at their own pace – If a student excels in math then they can advance much quicker than students in a public school, where all students are required to move at the same pace.

Diminished distractions – The parents control the environment, and there is no peer pressure from other students trying to talk a homeschooled student into doing things other than school work or study.

Do parents need some kind of special training or certification?

Some states highly regulate home schools, requiring training and certification in some instances. However, studies show that there is virtually no difference in performance between homeschooled students in highly regulated states versus homeschooled students in states with little or no regulation.

The truth is that homeschooling is gaining in popularity and as such, more and more information and help materials are becoming available. The modern homeschooling parent can now effectively teach their children, regardless of the parent’s own education level, thanks to pre-developed curriculums such as those provided by Heritage Home School Academy.

Parents today can use these curriculums to guide their children. Some curriculums are so effective that parents can study ahead of their children in any subject for which they are lacking and effectively teach the same subject to their children. Furthermore, many children often “learn to learn,” reaching a point where they are able to teach themselves and follow a curriculum with little interaction required from the parent.

Each year more families choose to start homeschooling, spreading knowledge about its benefits, and erasing old stigmas along the way. For more information about homeschooling and home school curriculums, visit Heritage Home School Academy.

Incoming search terms for the article:

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Homeschooling | No Comments »

So You’re Thinking Of Homeschooling in Michigan

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Today we all know that education is must for everyone but are afraid about the safety of our children due to the increasing number of crimes in Michigan.  Michigan Homeschooling may be the most promising way to give our children a higher level of education while mitigating worries about safety.  As the name implies, with homeschooling programs you may educate your child within an atmosphere that addresses special learning opportunities available in Michigan.  Homeschooling may also offer a self paced study schedule in which the student isn’t forced into their classmates’ pace, required to submit coursework on arbitrary deadlines or complete final examinations. Though powerful vested interests oppose homeschooling, it is also true that parents see the benefits of homeschooling a child.  There are obvious reasons that make homeschooling the best way to teach the values that most parents believe and hold true in Michigan.

Homeschooling provides the best education in moral and religious beliefs for children. Instead of having alternative forms of sexuality thrust upon them by the state-mandated curriculum at the age of seven, parents can introduce these concepts at an age that is more appropriate for the child.  When deciding to educate their child, a big decision and one of the keys concerns that comes to every parent’s mind is whether or not he or she has the ability and knowledge to be a teacher and do the job correctly. But in Michigan, homeschooling parents have the support of over 100,000 other families and over 1,000 support groups and networks that have been set up to assure that parents are successful. In addition, the internet has changed the face of Michigan and homeschooling forever by offering virtual tours, online distance learning programs, educational games and activities that make the Michigan homeschooling dynamic.  Instead of having to settle for the curriculum promoted by lobbyists and special interests homeschoolers may choose from the best and brightest instructional methods in America – or the world for that matter.

Homeschool programs give children more focused education and more individual attention than a school, providing alternative academic time and support through online systems. Furthermore, the Internet can assist busy parents too as children have an entire online library available at their fingertips.  In fact, due to the advances technology there are more tools available than ever to assist parents in the task of providing homeschool education for their children. For those students who live in rural areas, homeschooling is best at providing an efficient learning environment.  Riding a bus for an hour each direction is more a waste of time than anything else. Therefore those students who are homeschooled often have better computer skills than their public school peers. Another benefit that makes homeschooling better than a public school is that it is difficult for a teacher to rotate 25 to 30 students through the use of classroom computers in any timely manner. So now if you are in any confusion about  Michigan homeschooling environment, just consider all the benefits that a homeschool program offers parents and their children as well.

For advice, more information and resources visit http//:www.michiganhomeschooling.info

Incoming search terms for the article:

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Homeschooling | No Comments »

Benefits Of Homeschooling

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Homeschooling is the best way to teach a child if you have the time, the ability and the interest to follow through with his education. After all, nobody can understand or appreciate your child more than yourself. Why let Tim and Lisa learn at home than send them to school? Well, first of all, you don’t have to wake them up at 7 every morning and bundle them off to school with umpteen numbers of instructions, and wait with an anxious heart till they return. Homeschooling gives you more control over the influences that affect your child. The growth and development of your child is removed from the realm of the unknown. You, and you alone can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring the curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschoolingIndividual attention is another salient benefit of homeschooling. For instance, if Lisa needs more time to learn Math, then she can reduce the time for her English lessons. There are no fixed hours of learning per subject. This means that a child has the advantage of assigning more number of hours to the subject that seems tough WITHOUT any additional pressure. The amount of time needed to learn each subject will depend on the abilities and interests of the child.

The schooling of the child becomes an extended family activity. Parents get involved in every step of the learning procedure. Field trips and experiments become family activities. Thus, the child receives more quality time with his parents. The entire family shares games, chores and projects. Family closeness becomes the focus here. The child is also free of any negative peer pressure while making choices and decisions.Competition is limited when it comes to homeschooling.

The child does not need to prove his ability with regards to other children. His confidence remains intact. Since parents have a deep understanding of their child, they can plan the learning program to pique the child’s interest. It is also possible to intersperse difficult tasks with fun activities. A tough hour with Algebra can be followed by a trip to the nearest museum. Learning becomes fun. Parents can also tailor the curriculum to suit the learning style of the child. Some children learn through reading, while others need to write, and still others need to see objects in action.

Tags:
Posted in Homeschooling | No Comments »

Newer Entries »