Un/Homeschooling

Lesson 5: Learning Experiences

Schooly Supplies and Curricula

The key to using 'schooly,' or educational, materials is the use of them by your children of their own choosing. Even if you choose to provide your children with the materials from correspondence schools and curricula supply houses, make available also your community resources such as libraries, museums, historical sites, courthouses, nature centers, etc., as well as to people you know who can share skills, answer questions, and allow your children to observe or help them at work.

“Homeschooling is important for what it rejects, but it is equally (or perhaps more) important for what it reclaims on its own terms. Teachers, help, schedules, organization–these are not school things in themselves. They are school things when someone assigns the teachers, tells the teacher what to teach, gives the students no say in the matter, makes the help be compulsory, imposes the schedule according to institutional rather than individual needs, and so on. But when the teachers are chosen freely, the help is requested (and can be refused), and the schedules and organization serve real needs or goals, then these concepts mean something quite different.” - Susannah Sheffer, author of several books and editor of Growing Without Schooling.

A curriculum often consists of lesson plans, textbooks, workbooks, related supplies and materials. It may include the service of a contact teacher and testing. It may be possible for your child to receive school credit for completing correspondence courses and programs should they choose to do so.

Other learning sources include reference books (such as atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias), field guides, newspapers, magazines, library items (books, videos, CDs, audiotapes), science equipment, arts and crafts supplies, tools, musical instruments, etc.

Educational games, software, DVDs, videos, etc., are often used by homeschoolers. Some unschooling families disapprove of such blatant educational products, but the important thing to keep in mind is that the use of them is the choice of your children. The products offer direct information on the topic of interest, although their presentation may be somewhat removed from real life.

Correspondence Schools and Curriculum Suppliers (to name a few):
• Calvert School, http://www.calvertschool.org Complete, accredited homeschooling programs, assessment, educational support, and testing services. Courses complete with detailed lesson plans, answer keys, textbooks, literature, supplies, and access to education professionals.
• Clonlara Distance Learning Program, http://www.clonlara.org K-12 program, contact teacher, complete grades and records, final transcript, diploma.
• Core Curriculum of America, http://core-curriculum.com/ Customized curriculum packages, K-12, all required subjects, complete course materials, teacher’s manual and record keeping materials, certificate of completion.
• Hewitt Homeschooling, http://hewitthomeschooling.com Standardized testing for grades 3-8, unit studies and subjects, ‘a mix of great literature, combined with a good foundation in language and math, and lots of hands-on experience.’
• Oak Meadow School, http://www.oakmeadow.com/ Fully accredited, ‘curriculum materials that respect the spirit of children while helping them achieve academic excellence,’ preschool-12th grade, online resources, online curriculum for grades 3-8.
• Phoenix Academies, http://www.phoenixacademies.org Homeschooling, high school diploma, alternative education, outdoor education, and driver’s education programs. All courses are accredited, recognized and accepted by colleges and universities.

• Living Is Learning Curriculum Guides by Nancy Plent, an unschooling-oriented curriculum guide is available at FUN Books, http://fun-books.com
• Homeschool.com, http://www.homeschool.com ‘Your virtual homeschool.’ Homeschooling kits, how-to CDs, DVD rental program, t-shirts, homeschooling supplies, online courses, articles, and recommended books.
• DVD Rental Program, http://mentura.com/home.aspx?AffiliateID... DVD rentals by category and age. Categories include animals, arts, biographies, business, computer, geography, health, history, language, literature, math, music, science, social studies, and sports.

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