Friday, July 13, 2012

Homeschool Talking Points

Three years ago, Rock Springs, Wyoming was implementing a Daytime Curfew.  There was a general outcry from the homeschooling community.  The Chief of Police ask me to help educate the local Police Force; to help them understand just what homeschooling was/is.  Here are a few of my talking points from that presentation:

  • There are many reasons to homeschool and many methods that parents approach it with. Many of these methods include children being out in public during the “traditional” school day. Additionally there are some families that use a combination of home and public schooling (different children or different times of life).
  • Fear (from Police with the Curfew) limits the ability to effectively Homeschool children. 
  • We use the environment to teach. The world is a learning environment.
  • Volunteer – Community service creates hands on learning opportunities as well as socializing the children.
  • Curriculum and schedules vary by family… think of what could happen to our children if parents that worked away odd shifts (oil fields, mines) were to keep their children home, and school them on a schedule compatible with their work weeks.
  • Wyoming is great about Homeschooling! It’s a very permissive state in which to undertake this adventure!

Some General Information About Different Approaches to Homeschooling


It is interesting to me that while we haven't been officially "Homeschooling" since October 2011, I am still approached by people with queries on the how's and why's of it.  I still consider myself a "homeschooler", and as such remain an advocate for the modality.  Recently, I dug up this bit of information I compiled in 2009 to help educate the Rock Springs Wyoming Police Department.  (I also found all of these photos archived in our 2011 Homeschool Year Adventures.)

One of the best things about homeschooling is the fact that there are different approaches available. No two children are exactly the same. Each child has a different learning style and each family has different routines and needs. Many educational methods lack the ability to adapt to the unique needs of the individual, but homeschooling is different. A homeschool approach can be whatever best fits for the particular student and family.


Although every homeschool is unique, certain homeschooling "styles" have become very popular. Most homeschoolers do not follow one style or method exactly. Instead, they select the ideas and suggestions that fit their family and eventually end up with a method all their own. The following are the most popular homeschooling styles.

  1. School-at-Home - This homeschool approach is very similar to education in a traditional school setting. Homeschool parents who choose this method typically use standardized textbooks and curricula to teach their children. Homeschool parents who use this method often create traditional lesson plans and adhere to homeschooling schedules. Other homeschool parents choose to purchase lesson plans. Some who use this homeschool approach set up separate schoolrooms, complete with desks for both the homeschool children and the parent teacher. However, this is not always the case as homeschooling lends itself to just about any location.
  2. Unit Studies - Available free or for sale to homeschoolers. Also how to make your own.


  3. "Relaxed" or "Eclectic" Homeschooling - Some like to pick and choose among various methods, enjoying the flexibility it affords.
  4. Unschooling - Natural learning is letting your child lead the way.


  5. Classical Homeschooling - Many Christian and other families prefer a liberal arts education for their children, including lessons in Greek and Latin, as well as formal instruction in logic.



  6. The Charlotte Mason Method - This approach advocates reading good books from original sources and spending lots of time in nature.


  7. The Waldorf Method - Developed by Rudolf Steiner, this method emphasizes arts and crafts, music and movement. Students learn to read and write by making their own books.


  8. Montessori - Maria Montessori advocates observing your child, removing obstacles to learning and providing children with real, scaled-to-size tools to use.


  9. Multiple Intelligences
  10. Distance Learning - Companies and schools that provide teaching assistance as well as learning materials. These schools vary widely in their choice of method, let alone formality.
  11. Enki Education Method - Enki is it's own wonderful thing. Besides drawing from the best of Waldorf, Enki also draws from Montessori, the United Nations International School, Theme Studies and even the discovery learning of John Holt.

     
  12. Resource Centers & Cottage Schools - Mini-schools are springing up among homeschoolers all over the world.
  13. Studio Teachers - Young entertainers and athletes often need especially accomodating tutors, willing to travel with them.


  14. Tutoring - Hiring a tutor makes a family (and the tutor) fall under the tutoring laws of a state's education code, rather than under homeschooling laws, especially if they intend to hire a tutor full time.


  15. Umbrella Schools - Independent Study Programs, Distance Learning Programs, Virtual or Cyber (Internet) Schools, Charter Schools, Learning Centers, DVD/Video Schooling.
  16. EarthSchooling - The new generation of ecletic schoolers considers the entire EARTH their school. We don't stay at HOME! Some travel the USA or the WORLD or have a classroom OUTDOORS. We may "homeschool" part-time or full-time or we may be involved in after-school or weekend enrichment activities. What we all have in common is that we base our schooling on the needs of our family &  we create our own "ideal school" from the many varied resources available.


    There is no typical homeschooled child or homeschooling experience. There is no recipe. Parents say it is all about 'customizing' learning for their kids.



    Some homeschooled kids participate in selected public–school classes and activities. There are parents who replicate the regular school day with class periods and packaged alternative curricula. Other parents encourage their children to pursue their current interests and avocations (creating complex Lego villages, modeling clay, writing plays, learning about Native American architecture) as avidly as possible, believing self-directed learning to be the most joyful and rewarding. Immersion in the natural world and volunteerism were mainstays of other homeschooling environments.

    This data was compiled from these websites:

    Other Helpful refrences:
    The Homeschooling Book of Answers by Linda Dobson. Almost four dozen homeschooling experts answer just about every question on homeschooling how-to's. After nine years of homeschooling, I still refer to this book.
    Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8-Year-Old Child by Linda Dobson. The best resource for providing answers to the unique challenges (and opportunities) of teaching the very young child at home.
    Homeschool Your Child for Free by LauraMaery Gold and Joan M. Zielinski offers more than 1,200 resources for home education on the Internet and beyond. Reassuring advice and stories accompany links to amazing educational sites. The most used homeschooling book in my library!
    Homeschooling: The Teen Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 13- to 18-Year-Old by Cafi Cohen. As the cover states, "If you're homechooling a teenager you'll want -- and need -- this outstanding book." Cohen makes homeschooling a teen fun. (Well, almost!)
    How to Get Your Child off the Refrigerator and On to Learning by Carol Barnier.  This book may be the single biggest aide I found in allowing my sons’ to learn in a way best suited to their natures.  It helped me understand that “a math lesson shouldn’t be confused with a writing lesson.”  It really is okay to teach them while they are in motion, instead of forcing them to sit still and be quiet!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Happy Birthday Young Lady!

Time to wish lovely lady I once knew a happy birthday. She turns 18 is just a few short minutes. I have not been able to speak with her since she was 7. Over the years, I have shed many tears over her and my forced separation. I have long-awaited the time when we would be able to speak again. That day is nearly upon me, and now I find myself hoping she will be open and receptive to communications.


Serina Mae Thomas (aka: Sera), I love you so! Years apart have only made that love grow stronger. I hope that one day you and I will be able to speak again... you have only to send me a note or look me up on Facebook, and you will find me there. I hope this day is simply wonderful for you. Happy, happy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sera!!!