Homeschooling Methods
For many people, homeschooling may call to mind the picture of two or three children sitting at a table and writing feverishly in their workbooks, while mom or dad stands nearby. This is the not entirely true. There are different methods of homeschooling, and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your style of teaching. Given below are some of the most influential and popular homeschooling methods.
The Charlotte Mason method: Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the homeschooling movement. A homeschooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal to lay out the foundations for an effective a complete homeschooling program that is fun and educational at the same time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music and craft. Mason used a variety of books from classical literature, which she called 'Living Books'. Since this method encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read to daily from the 'Living Books'. After this, the child is asked to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in her book. Mason also advocated the use of 'Nature Diaries'. After each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of the child's personality.
The Eclectic Homeschooling:This is a mixture of various homeschooling techniques. Here, the innovative parents trust their own judgment and pick out the topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents continuously look out for the best products that will meet the needs of their homeschoolers. Most Eclectic homeschooling curriculums are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children. The child's gifts, temperament, learning style and interests dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the museum, libraries and factories.
Unschooling:A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the unschooling method. He believed that children learned best when they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided by their own interests. His message was to 'unschool' the child. This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.
The Montessori Method: This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child. The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather expensive.
These are just a few of the methods of homeschooling. Whatever the method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the child's desire for knowledge to further his education.
Tag: homeschool methods
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
How to Homeschool My Child?
How to Homeschool My Child?
The editors at eLearningYellowPages.com have written a comprehensive guide to homeschooling your child. If you have been looking for answers to your homeschooling questions, you'll find them in the free ebook, "The Parent's Guide to Homeschooling".
Homeschooling your children can be a rich and rewarding experience, enhancing your relationships with your children. But, it can be daunting, as well. Where to start, how to find resources and curriculum, how to meet state requirements, and many more questions can deter even the most resourceful parent.
Download the free ebook now to get answers to all of these questions and much more.
tags: how to homeschool my child free ebook
Monday, January 21, 2008
Benefits Of Homeschooling
Benefits Of Homeschooling
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 homeschooling.
Individual 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.
Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to incorporate their beliefs and ideologies into the child's curriculum. There is no confusion in the child's mind either because there is no variation between what is being taught and what is being practiced.
Lastly, more and more parents are getting disillusioned with the public school system. They believe that their children are being pushed too hard or too little. Other worrying issues pertaining to discipline and ethics also make the school system less welcome. Many repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on the basis of their age. Some parents themselves have unhappy memories of their own public school experience that motivates them to opt for homeschooling when it comes to their own children.
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.
Tag: Benefits Of Home schooling
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 homeschooling.
Individual 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.
Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to incorporate their beliefs and ideologies into the child's curriculum. There is no confusion in the child's mind either because there is no variation between what is being taught and what is being practiced.
Lastly, more and more parents are getting disillusioned with the public school system. They believe that their children are being pushed too hard or too little. Other worrying issues pertaining to discipline and ethics also make the school system less welcome. Many repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on the basis of their age. Some parents themselves have unhappy memories of their own public school experience that motivates them to opt for homeschooling when it comes to their own children.
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.
Tag: Benefits Of Home schooling
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Family and Homeschooling
Family and Homeschooling
According to the National Center For Education Statistics, almost 1.1 million children underwent homeschooling in 2005 alone. That's a lot of children. Once upon a time, homeschooling used to be a radical statement - something like a declaration of independence. It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in the '80s and legalized it in every State. But the typical homeschooler of the day is not religiously motivated.
Recent surveys indicate that parents are actually quite fed up of the public school systems where much of the learning is superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about negative school environment ranging from drugs and abuse to negative peer pressure. As a result, we have a surprising mix of people who form the homeschooling world of today. They cut across all religious and regional borders. Their main aim is providing meaningful and productive learning through a method that strengthens the bond between the various members of the family.
All these families have one thing in common - a long enduring commitment to the sanctity of childhood. The children in these families are accorded a primary position. Many believe, and rightly so, that homeschooling allows parents to bring up children in a more natural and nurturing environment. Public schools can make one nervous, diffident and downright mean. Children who get schooled at home are protected from these damaging negative influences till they reach an age where they can handle it.
Homeschooling draws the whole family into the almost religious task of schooling. Everyone is put to work. The parents together form a bond with the children. Any experience can be turned into an educational experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly what is going into their child's head. Parents also have greater control on the kind of religious and moral values that the child imbibes. Even watching a movie together can become a learning experience. Trips to the libraries and other places become educational as well as recreational.
A homeschooling family is primarily dependent on the income of one earning member. That means that often spending has to be curtailed and proper planning of expenditure is a must. This helps to bring the family members together and everybody gets involved in the process of saving money.
Having a parent at home to supervise, to nurture and care for the children brings with it a lot of love and caring. Even your husband chips in and there just is no room for boredom. Yes, problems do crop up, and there are a lot of misgivings in your mind. But when you know that your kids can always count on you, and your kids know it too, then homeschooling becomes a richly rewarding experience.
Tag:
Family and Homeschooling
According to the National Center For Education Statistics, almost 1.1 million children underwent homeschooling in 2005 alone. That's a lot of children. Once upon a time, homeschooling used to be a radical statement - something like a declaration of independence. It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in the '80s and legalized it in every State. But the typical homeschooler of the day is not religiously motivated.
Recent surveys indicate that parents are actually quite fed up of the public school systems where much of the learning is superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about negative school environment ranging from drugs and abuse to negative peer pressure. As a result, we have a surprising mix of people who form the homeschooling world of today. They cut across all religious and regional borders. Their main aim is providing meaningful and productive learning through a method that strengthens the bond between the various members of the family.
All these families have one thing in common - a long enduring commitment to the sanctity of childhood. The children in these families are accorded a primary position. Many believe, and rightly so, that homeschooling allows parents to bring up children in a more natural and nurturing environment. Public schools can make one nervous, diffident and downright mean. Children who get schooled at home are protected from these damaging negative influences till they reach an age where they can handle it.
Homeschooling draws the whole family into the almost religious task of schooling. Everyone is put to work. The parents together form a bond with the children. Any experience can be turned into an educational experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly what is going into their child's head. Parents also have greater control on the kind of religious and moral values that the child imbibes. Even watching a movie together can become a learning experience. Trips to the libraries and other places become educational as well as recreational.
A homeschooling family is primarily dependent on the income of one earning member. That means that often spending has to be curtailed and proper planning of expenditure is a must. This helps to bring the family members together and everybody gets involved in the process of saving money.
Having a parent at home to supervise, to nurture and care for the children brings with it a lot of love and caring. Even your husband chips in and there just is no room for boredom. Yes, problems do crop up, and there are a lot of misgivings in your mind. But when you know that your kids can always count on you, and your kids know it too, then homeschooling becomes a richly rewarding experience.
Tag:
Family and Homeschooling
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Home School Approval: Home Schooling the Right Way
There is more or less a general consensus on the inherent value of education. However, people may often disagree about the right method toward achieving that education. The majority of the population would rather opt for institutionalized formal education, referring to education offered in public or private education institutions like primary and secondary schools. However, as has been the recent trend, many parents in particular have begun considering or even going on ahead with home schooling their children. Home schooling, prevalent prior the inception of formalized school systems, is making a return to the mainstream because some parents either do not approve of the curriculum of school systems or are even against the idea of formalized school systems, or find themselves holding greater capacity to educate their children in the best possible manner.
Perhaps you are interested in home schooling your child, and conceded, you have your own reasons for doing it. But just like picking a school for your child, the decision to home school is a very big one. This would most obviously translate to you taking your child out of a previous social learning environment and into the home to educate him or her; moreover this also means that from then on, you are going to be fully responsible for the intellectual rearing of your child.
It is perhaps for this reason that certain guidelines are set by the state or local education offices before you can actually home school your child. It is best to consider these guidelines first because your state can help you through the process, and moreover, may enlighten you on relevant issues on home schooling.
Majority of states in the United States would require a legal minimum of state notification of your intention to home school your child. In a rare few (including Texas, Alaska, Missouri, Illinois, and Oklahoma, among others), you may go on ahead with home schooling your child without informing the state.
Other states however, would require you first to notify the state and afterwards acquire your child’s grade records should he or she have attended a public school. After this, some states may require you to create a curriculum you intend to follow for your home schooling program, be accredited as a parent-teacher, and to host a home visit by your local education officials. Later on, during the period when your child is already being home schooled, some states may require for you to submit to them evaluation scores, attendance records (states may require a minimum number of ‘school’ days for home school too) and even test scores.
It is very important for you to find out the different requirements for home schooling in your state. For one, it will help you make sure that once you home school your child, your child’s education is actually being recognized by the state. Without state approval, your home schooling may not be regarded, which may increase the difficulty for your child to move on to a university or college. Second, the state may provide you with various forms and guidebooks as you home school your child. This assistance may prove valuable to you, especially if you are home schooling for the first time. Third, by finding out these requirements, you will be able to submit to the state all the required documents that you must submit periodically. In this way, you are also assured that your child is at par level with any other child enrolled in a regular school setting. In the same manner, by approaching your local education authority you may actually inquire about the college application process of home schoolers.
Home schooled children may be required a marginal number of steps that regular applicants are not required to take in order to qualify for their chosen university. Some universities may require your child to take the G.E.D., an exam that will help test the sufficiency of their knowledge from home school to be considered as qualified college applicants, while others may require state accreditation. Moreover, by visiting your local education authority you will also find out the various state and local government scholarships for which your child may or may not qualify.
While home schooling may pose some added burden once you are ready to return your child to a regular school system, it has proven beneficial to many in the past. Visit your state or local government education office in order to make an educated decision, and in order to get the approval you’d need to push through with home schooling your child.
home school approval by state
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Teaching Kids Phonics
Teaching Kids Phonics
For those of you who don’t know, phonics is a method of teaching elementary reading and spelling based on the phonetic interpretation of ordinary spelling. It is considered by some to be a very important part of a child’s literary education as it allows children to make the jump between the written and spoken word. The teaching of phonics/phonetics has been controversial over the years – particularly in the US. However, controversy aside, there are a number of different resources available online to help you with the teaching of phonics to children – a comprehensive list is available on the eLearning Yellow Pages. The important thing right now is to evaluate the child and begin taking steps in the right direction.
Many children do not need an individual formal study in phonics; if parents spend a lot of time speaking very clearly and emphasizing the right sounds children will generally learn on their own. However, certain children have difficulties, particularly if they are around more than one language or thick regional accents. Every child is different, and the most important thing is to evaluate all children as a matter of course. This should obviously be done in a relaxed, fun, game-like fashion – sing the alphabet song and then try and get them to say each letter individually. If there are problems just make a quick mental note of them and try briefly to correct them – if they don’t get it straight away it is best not to push it. Once you are aware of it, it will come with time and there is always support, particularly online.
A good idea is to make flash cards of words the child hears and uses every day, so that they can see visually how the words they say are formed. This can be extended over time by taking the child out and randomly quizzing on spelling – the real key to this problem is continual improvement over time. No child has perfect pronunciation immediately.
Remember to be patient and use all the resources at your disposal. There is a fairly vast collection of information and teaching aids online; a simple google search or a trip to http://www.elearningyellowpages.com/ will turn up a wealth of information.
Good Luck
Tags: phonics reading tutoring
For those of you who don’t know, phonics is a method of teaching elementary reading and spelling based on the phonetic interpretation of ordinary spelling. It is considered by some to be a very important part of a child’s literary education as it allows children to make the jump between the written and spoken word. The teaching of phonics/phonetics has been controversial over the years – particularly in the US. However, controversy aside, there are a number of different resources available online to help you with the teaching of phonics to children – a comprehensive list is available on the eLearning Yellow Pages. The important thing right now is to evaluate the child and begin taking steps in the right direction.
Many children do not need an individual formal study in phonics; if parents spend a lot of time speaking very clearly and emphasizing the right sounds children will generally learn on their own. However, certain children have difficulties, particularly if they are around more than one language or thick regional accents. Every child is different, and the most important thing is to evaluate all children as a matter of course. This should obviously be done in a relaxed, fun, game-like fashion – sing the alphabet song and then try and get them to say each letter individually. If there are problems just make a quick mental note of them and try briefly to correct them – if they don’t get it straight away it is best not to push it. Once you are aware of it, it will come with time and there is always support, particularly online.
A good idea is to make flash cards of words the child hears and uses every day, so that they can see visually how the words they say are formed. This can be extended over time by taking the child out and randomly quizzing on spelling – the real key to this problem is continual improvement over time. No child has perfect pronunciation immediately.
Remember to be patient and use all the resources at your disposal. There is a fairly vast collection of information and teaching aids online; a simple google search or a trip to http://www.elearningyellowpages.com/ will turn up a wealth of information.
Good Luck
Tags: phonics reading tutoring
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Introducing children to reading from birth to kindergarten: Growing the essence of education
Introducing children to reading from birth to kindergarten: Growing the essence of education
Children are the SPECIAL members of every family. It is the duty of the parents and guardians to educate them right from the beginning. Today every organization is coming up with new and promising publications that could introduce children to reading from birth to kindergarten.
Parents can also search for these possibilities in the internet. There are many organizations and associations that provide online tutorials, learning resources, tips and techniques for the education of children. This will guide the toddler’s effectively right from the beginning of their introduction to learning and reading.
eLearningYellowPages.com is a good website to find academic curriculum and schools for such home education programs.
There are many publications, academy and schools that help in teaching the children through online itself. The individual course curriculum is divided into various chapters and sections to help teaching effectively. The major facility in this program is that students can learn and understand each and every topic distinctly by the help of 3D illustrations, multimedia content, interactive CD ROM’s etc. Regular assessments are also conducted online to evaluate the students.
Many of these online schools provide practice sessions and assignments to nurture the learning and knowledge of the students. These institutes also award high school diplomas for students. There are also doubts clearing sessions where students can enquire the teachers online and can clear their doubts regarding any of the subjects.
The website eLearningYellowPages.com provides huge information of online academy and tutorials who conduct education for students of ages 3-8 in a very fun-filled and effective approach. Learning in this way reduces the burden of education on the young minds. Even the guardians of the students and teachers can communicate between themselves by the help of message boards and emails. Individual online homerooms are provided for students for interactive learning just like in the kindergartens.
Tags: reading eduction children
Children are the SPECIAL members of every family. It is the duty of the parents and guardians to educate them right from the beginning. Today every organization is coming up with new and promising publications that could introduce children to reading from birth to kindergarten.
Parents can also search for these possibilities in the internet. There are many organizations and associations that provide online tutorials, learning resources, tips and techniques for the education of children. This will guide the toddler’s effectively right from the beginning of their introduction to learning and reading.
eLearningYellowPages.com is a good website to find academic curriculum and schools for such home education programs.
There are many publications, academy and schools that help in teaching the children through online itself. The individual course curriculum is divided into various chapters and sections to help teaching effectively. The major facility in this program is that students can learn and understand each and every topic distinctly by the help of 3D illustrations, multimedia content, interactive CD ROM’s etc. Regular assessments are also conducted online to evaluate the students.
Many of these online schools provide practice sessions and assignments to nurture the learning and knowledge of the students. These institutes also award high school diplomas for students. There are also doubts clearing sessions where students can enquire the teachers online and can clear their doubts regarding any of the subjects.
The website eLearningYellowPages.com provides huge information of online academy and tutorials who conduct education for students of ages 3-8 in a very fun-filled and effective approach. Learning in this way reduces the burden of education on the young minds. Even the guardians of the students and teachers can communicate between themselves by the help of message boards and emails. Individual online homerooms are provided for students for interactive learning just like in the kindergartens.
Tags: reading eduction children
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