To homeschool or not to homeschool, that is a tough question which many parents face. The best way to make a decision is to know as much as possible, and even after you take the plunge, you must continue to learn. This article provides all the information you need to provide a great homeschool environment.
You don’t have to homeschool for your child’s entire education. You can do it for one year to correct shortcomings and behavioral issues. You could do it until middle school or high school. If you wish, they can be homeschooled right until college. The best part is that it’s totally up to you!
Limit the distractions in your workspace. This does not mean that you have to have a classroom. Simply, shut off the ringer on the phone, turn off the television and if the computer is not used for school, shut it down. The fewer distractions you have to compete with, the smoother your lessons will go.
Treat homeschooling like a job. You’re a teacher now, and that means you also have to seek out more education. Professional teachers take “PA” days to attend conferences and training, so you should, too! Find homeschooling events near you or even attend one as a vacation. You’ll find they teach you not only specific topics you might not know a lot about, but also how to be a better teacher and how to plan out homeschooling lessons like a pro.
The goals you set for your homeschool classroom need to be easy to measure. Write down exactly what you want your child to know at the end of each day, week, month and lesson plan. For example, “I would like John to be able to multiply up to ten” is a great short-term goal. “I would like John to know all about World War II” is a long-term goal. Both should come with positive reinforcement when achieved.
As you lay out your goals, make sure that they span the entire timeline of your kids’ education. You should have goals which are easier to reach to ensure your kids are being positively reinforced frequently. Long-term goals should come with greater rewards so that your kids will be driven to attain them. Don’t forget to set goals for yourself as well, including rewards which will drive you to be the best teacher you possibly can be.
Prior to making the decision to homeschool your child, evaluate the relationship that you have with them. If you do not have a great relationship, you are likely going to have difficulty in getting them to cooperate with homeschooling. Discipline in the home is critical if the child is going to do well in a homeschool setting.
Try to work learning into your family vacation plans. Coordinate your family vacations to correspond to what you are teaching your child in school. One day of your vacation can be dedicated to learning. This is an enjoyable way to learn new things.
Look into homeschooling conferences in your area. Sometimes, you will have to travel to another city to attend, but it will be well worth the trip. You will be able to get your hands on the latest and greatest homeschooling curriculum. You will also be able to discuss your options with professionals as well as other homeschooling parents.
Make sure you store crafting supplies for your kids. When you are teaching one child, you can direct the other to do some independent arts and craft activity. Encourage them to be creative with the available supplies. Doing this is a great way to learn.
Homeschooling your children should not mean that they are exempt from tests and quizzes. It is important that you give your child a test as often as they would get one in school. This is a great way to determine which area your child is progressing in and which areas require more work on your part.
If you have more than one child, know that they do not all have to be home schooled. While one of your children may benefit from learning at home, the others may benefit from going to school. You know your children and what needs they have, so use this knowledge to make your determination.
Try to develop the proper timetable for how long you plan to home school your child. If you are homeschooling your child for a short period of time, research as best as you can to become a great teacher for them. If home school is not right for your child, search for alternatives.
Make sure your child gets plenty of socialization since they will miss out on this if they do not go to school. There are many options when it comes to getting your child together with other children. They can join a sports team if they like sports. Church is a good place to get with other children, so is 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar clubs. There may also be homeschool groups in your area where children can get together with other homeschooled children.
Consider computer based homeschool curriculum. As technology gets better and better, it is important that you teach your child how to properly navigate a computer. Why not have them do their school work online. There are many advantages to this. One benefit is the material is up to date. Another good thing is you, as your child’s teacher can check on his progress without having to keep up with his papers. It also allows you to have less school material lying around.
Set aside a place in your home for doing your lessons. IF you can make a whole room of your house the classroom. You will create a ‘learning environment’. This will help you get your children to pay more attention and it will seem more like a traditional class room.
