Homeschooling 101

Lesson 1: Before You Begin

Am I qualified to homeschool?

Am I qualified to Homeschool? Obviously, if you are reading this, you or someone you love is considering homeschooling. You have decided you want what is best for your child (or grandchildren) and have decided homeschooling is right for you. But is it? Before you decide to take the plunge, there are a few things you should consider.

What is my Role? A school teachers job is to present the curriculum chosen by the school administration to 25-40 children at a time in a classroom setting and moving them through the school year on time. A homeschooling parent’s job is much different. You will be working with your child in a setting you choose and recognize to be what is right for him or her. You can adjust your focus at any time to meet the changing needs of your student and your family. You can work more during one part of the year, and less during other parts. You can spend more time on a "weak" academic topic and less time on a strong one.

Qualifications Virtually every instruction book available - for math, English, history, writing - is self-explanatory because homeschooling is a do-it-yourself field. Homeschooling families own many of the book/learning material companies; others want to court the huge, growing market in home education. These companies provide detailed instructions for the successful use of their products. Any parent with average reading comprehension skills can successfully teach his or her own children.

Am I a good influence? I hear from parents very frequently asking if they are a good influence for their children. I think it reflects a humble self-image, which is admirable, except that its a little blind. What makes you think that you are any less a good influence than a teacher who is doing his or her job? Or a group of children your child’s age? Any way you look at it, for better or for worse, your child is your child, which includes your being his or her main influence. Just as your child has your genetic makeup, s/he should have your cultural and societal makeup as well. Homeschooling is also a wonderful reason for spending time to better yourself. The better you are as a person, the better parent you will be, So, if you’re not the best influence for your child, become the best influence!

Measuring Up We hear stories all the time of homeschooled kids that went to Harvard or Yale or MIT at 12 and got their doctorate. Are you worried that your child won’t measure up to these success stories? There is nothing to measure up to! Each child is unique, and no two can be intelligently compared, except for considerations of taste. (One reason why I am so adamantly against standardized testing - it only measures how well a child can take a test!) Contests like spelling bees and geography bees are not barometers of intelligence. A brilliant person may "freeze" up in front of a crowd and be unable to demonstrate his intelligence, but give him a quiet room with a computer or a notebook and pen and he might give us pages and pages with his thoughts showing us his intelligence. Try not to fall into the trap of comparing. Everyone is good at certain things and not at others If you can let your child show you the best "self" that he or she can be and you can love and respect that person, both of you will have a wonderful experience homeschooling, no matter what!

Highschool Most people who homeschool high schoolers don’t find teaching them a problem. Usually, study habits are already set up; the child is accustomed to completing a certain amount of work. Also, students who have been in school usually enjoy finishing their schoolwork early, leaving enough time to work a part-time job, become an apprentice, practice a sport, or take college classes. Parents of teenagers who have never been in school might have to be more involved in finding out how to teach algebra, chemistry or other tough subjects. Many families in both categories solve this problem by pooling resources and hiring a tutor to instruct a small group in a particular subject once or twice a week. Usually this type of arrangement is conducive to a positive learning experience. The children know why they are there and they want to be there, so it works out well for all.

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