I started getting concerned when they mentioned the book “Discovering” for algebra and geometry, and said “It’s also the series our school district has chosen.” First of all, any time our school district chooses anything, run the other way. They have a 46% graduation rate. That is our local high school:-)

“Some of the highest-paying and most competitive careers are in science, technology and medicine – all math-intensive fields. Meanwhile, more colleges and universities are requiring applicants to take up to four years of math in high school.”

That is a very good reason to teach math, and a very good reason to be conscientious about it. I would also like to point out that it is not all about pay either. Nursing, for example, is a math-based careers that is more about mission than money.

But do you have to choose between math “investigations” vs. extensive explanations and practice? I love the fact that homeschoolers can have it both ways. You can take a traditional textbook and add supplements that encourage understanding. But you know, some kids need more practice, and some kids need more explanations. Some kids just flat out need more hands on activities! I am not sure how one math book can serve the needs of every student.

I know that homeschoolers feel very concerned about upper level math. How much harder would it be if you were a non-homeschooling parent? Imagine trying to help your child with homework when you did not choose the book, have not seen it all year, do not have a video or an 800 number to call. What a nightmare! My friend had a child who used the Discovery book in public school. The schools were not able to help her and so they hired a tutor. Even the tutor who had a math degree could not figure out the Discovery book!

It was interesting to see them comparing these math books to the whole language vs. phonics debate. I remember thinking that different children learn to read in different ways, and that a mixture of the two can help. Math may be the same way.

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar shares some of her time each week to provide free homeschooling advice to parents. She also shares many free homeschool resources to help parents in the noble cause of homeschooling their kids through high school. Find more information at TheHomeScholar.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Binz

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For twenty-one years Basic Skills presented the Winter Home Schooling Workshop. Sono Harris was among the many speakers who made regular presentations. Sadly for us, on July 4, Sono passed away after battling cancer.

My wife Jenny and I met Gregg and Sono in the early 80′s when the home school movement was just beginning. While Sono was in the habit of saying “no” to a number of invitations to speak at various functions and events, she always said “yes” to our conference.

Many mothers came simply to hear her. While the men had something worth listening too, they were, after all, still men and did not (or could not) relate or address the topics these mothers needed to hear, to where they were living. While all of our speakers were respected, appreciated, and their expertise recognized and helpful, Sono was all of the above but more importantly, loved.

In the early 90′s she addressed basic, practical topics. But as the home school movement grew, her children as well everyone else’s grew up with it and her focused changed.

Mothers came not so much to hear her teach how to do something, but how to live. Sono filled with them with hope, and that’s what they needed. Many were ready to quit and were tired. But just being around her helped them stay the course. She was gracious, and she lifted spirits. She shared insights that could only be truly understood as spoken by one mother and wife to other mothers and wives. They listened to her because she was completely invested in whatever she was involved in.

I think of Sono when I read the kingdom parable described in Matthew 13:44. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought the field.” She was like that merchant. She held nothing back when it came to her Lord, family, and again, to whatever she committed to. She was, as one of the titles of a talk she gave, a “Joyful Mother of Children.” She invested deeply and completely.

Because of this, her life experiences were rich. She had a way of pulling back the curtain of her life just enough and then inviting the mothers in her seminars to get a glimpse. She related in such a way to those she spoke to that at times it was like having a personal conversation with her. She had the ability to distill ideas into something her listeners could easily take in and remember. If she felt she needed to present a correction (attitude, point of view, etc.), she did so in a way that her listeners did not feel scolded or reprimanded.

As I mentioned before, in her later presentations her topics and focus changed. Near the end our twenty-one years of home school conferences, she spoke more about the difficult issues of life that she and other mothers had in common. Mothers felt she identified with their struggles.

I remember one talk she gave which was titled, “An Anchor for the Soul” in which she introduced her presentation by speaking about the desire most wives and mothers have for stability. She then spent the rest of her session talking about change and in particular suffering. She said “motherhood is about change in a progressively painful direction.” She was talking about the separation we experience with our children as we move through the stages of life.” All of us go through this.

At the end of this particular session, she posed the following questions, “What am I to do with this, how am I to manage this? How am I to handle this suffering, loss, and pain.” She talked about “increasing the sacrifices we make (as mothers) while reducing the expectation of immediate returns.” She said, “It’s about spending all that you have, and letting go. When we embrace God’s will, everything changes.”

In referring to the kingdom parable described in Matthew 13:44, she said the key word was “bought.” We must buy the field. Often we think the field God wants us to buy will be attractive and pleasurable, but it’s often bleak, with trouble, pain, suffering, and loss. But there is treasure in that field. The loss and suffering we experience drives us to the only dependable anchor for our souls, Jesus Christ. That is where our suffering finds its greatest meaning.

For Sono, Jesus was that priceless treasure, and now she is enjoying his presence in person. Sono Harris was and is a joyful mother of children.

If you’d like to make a donation to help the Harris family during this difficult time, an account has been set up at West Coast Bank. Donations can be made at any branch in Oregon and Washington. The account number is 1141007201 under Sono Sato Harris.

To read more about the life of this remarkable wife and mother, go to www.joshharris.com.

Thank you for reading.
Curt Bumcrot, MRE

Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to www.basicskills.net

Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot

Your not alone. Most families that choose to educate their kids at home face these challenges from friends, neighbors, and teachers. But homeschooling is easy to defend. Allow me to outline very briefly a solid three part defense that you can use with anyone picking on you.

First, you have statistics on your side. The statistics favoring homeschoolers are overwhelming. Kids who have been taught at home don’t just out perform their public school counter parts by small margins. They outdo the average public school kid by 30 points. It is also important to point out that these statistics don’t change if the parent providing the education has no college experience. A college degree doesn’t really matter in the process of teaching your kids from home.

Also, money doesn’t matter. The average family teaching their kids at home spends less than $500 a year. In contrast, the local public school can spend as much as $9,000 per child, per year. So the public schools are spending an excessive amount and ending up with scores that are much lower than the average homeschooler.

The second defense that you will need to use are the negative alternatives to homeschooling. This will address head on the concerns that most individuals have regarding socialization. The lack of socialization is a common complaint against home education.

But is this a fair point? The socialization found in most public schools is not ideal. It is out of the parents control. The child attending public school, and even private school, can be exposed to all kinds of things that you as a parent would not approve of. You might remember what things you learned from your friends when you were in school. The awful things your parents were probably trying to shield you from were revealed to you through friends at school.

These negative examples are valid points that must be used as a defense. It is reasonable to point out what a child is spared by staying home.

On top of this, you could share the alternative social events that your child attends. Mention the sports teams they play on, or the dance lessons they take every week. Maybe it is music lessons or Boy Scouts that they enjoy. Remind your opponent of these weekly events.

Finally, share your decision to homeschool as a personal conviction. Instead of demanding that all parents should homeschool, inform the other party that it was a personal choice made based on the conscience. If the person you are talking to can’t accept that, ask them where their authority lies in making such a strong case against your conscience. They should not feel threatened by your choice as long as they know it is your own conviction and not a law you want to mandate for their life.

Who knows, they might be convinced by the end of the conversation. If you keep your cool, share the facts, and welcome the conversation, you will probably win their support.

Josh Turansky is passionate about defending the right to homeschool. For more information about finding a homeschool defense you can check out his blog here: http://www.proshomeschooling.com/category/homeschool-defense/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Turansky

I was talking with an industrial psychologist once about college and making a living. The psychologist said: “the only people who go to college are the ones that aren’t smart enough to make a living without it!” Well, I think that is a gross exaggeration but there is some truth in it. But everyone needs to make a living some time, and the sooner we learn it the better off we are.

As a homeschooler you have the advantage of teaching your child this yourself. It comes naturally to some, some learn it via osmosis from their parents, and unfortunately some never seem to figure it out. Focusing some time on it with your child early will make a difference. I suggest that you teach your child how to make a living by comparing it to how businesses do it. Done right, your child will learn both, and get equipped for either a job or an entrepreneurial venture when he grows up. Here are a few simple things to start with:

Businesses have a purpose, to serve their customers; individuals’ purpose is to serve their employers. Businesses need a product or service that is in demand in the market place; individuals need a service that is in demand. Businesses need to keep their product/service current; individuals need to continue learning to keep theirs current. Businesses need sales people that have relationships with the customers; individuals need relationships with others for personal support, networking for job searches and to help others too.

Businesses need to know their financial situations; individuals need to manage their money also. Businesses need equity to support their business growth or downturns; individuals need savings to support large expenditures and reserves in case they lose their jobs. These are just a few simple comparisons, there are many more. If you are uncomfortable with businesses and how they work, find a friend that is in business or owns a business to talk with your child about these concepts.

Most business people will quickly pick up on the concepts here and can show your child how these things work in their business as well as how they would work for individuals. Not too many colleges I know think like business people, they are educators. I would highly recommend the homeschooler teaches this before investing a large amount of money in college so your child gets the most out of their education. You can teach your child to think like an entrepreneur, that will give him the options he/she needs to make a living.

Rob Severson, Author, Speaker and Financing Coach. I help businesses get new financing to pay off unhappy banks or for rapid growth. I have been in the financial business over 40 years and have a wide breadth of experience in business issues. I have successfully coached 100′s of business to get new financing. I know how to put a deal together. I also wrote a book “Connectiing Peace, Purpose & Prosperity” that is a memoir written for my family showinig them how I learned to live a life that is happy, joyous and free including making a living. It is a short interesting peek into an “average guy’s” life and what he tells his heirs. I also do speaking gigs on the subject for churches, schools, AA groups and others.

http://www.robseverson.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Severson

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School can be broken down into its basic components, which, in the author’s opinion, includes four things;

1. Teacher-student interaction
2. Curriculum
3. Student-student interaction and
4. Feedback (Grading).

Let’s examine each of these components and how each are implemented within a typical online program

1. Teacher-student interaction (instruction). Most online schools do not offer real-time teacher-led instruction. Instead, they provide curriculum materials which should be reviewed and studied independently by the student. The student subsequently submits the materials for grading, and receives a response from the teacher. Most programs offer some form of tutoring by the teacher via e-mail or chat. Most programs are asynchronous (student and teacher not together at the same time.) This offers the advantage of a more flexible schedule where a student can participate in other activities or programs and complete lessons and assignments at differing schedules. The disadvantage, however, is that the program may seem impersonal, resembling strongly old-fashioned correspondence courses. Many students become discouraged from this type of instruction, where others may enjoy the flexibility. The key to success in this type of program, especially for younger students, is strong parental support. Parents should expect to keep kids on track by overseeing lessons, and even assisting if need be. Some programs offer a real-time chat as a substitute for scheduled live lessons. In the real-time chat, students and teacher meet synchronously (at the same time) in a chat room and the students are allowed to ask questions and receive a response. This provides an advantage of live interaction with other people, but the chat should have a “whiteboard” available so that the teacher can clearly illustrate concepts, especially for math and science courses.

2. The next part of any school is its chosen curriculum. Of course, many parents have religious preferences and there is an abundance of curricula out there to support most choices, especially if the family is Christian. For many parents, this is the primary factor driving them to choose a private education for their children. Parents should be certain that the curriculum can be tailored to each students needs, and that it meets standards for their state. It is a good idea to be certain that the student will receive the required state-mandated coursework before choosing a school, because, especially for the high school courses, they may discover too late that the student has not met state requirements for graduation. The good news is that most curricula are tailored to meet state standards, and the parent has little need for concern here. Special needs students are often exempt from these requirements and can benefit from a custom-tailored program that can be chosen in a virtual school. Parents should be cautious, however, when enrolling children in higher-level coursework. Be certain that tutoring is available as part of the program, with a “whiteboard” in the classroom chat. If this option is not available, I would recommend that consumers shy away from these types of programs, as the parent may find himself or herself spending extra money for private tutoring, which defeats the purpose of paying for the virtual education in the first place.

3. Student-student interaction or socialization. We’ve all heard so much about socialization. What is all of the hype really about, and is it relevant to online education? The answer is yes, yes, and yes. People need other people, and those taking online courses can feel very isolated. Most virtual schools offer students the opportunity to interact with each other in an online chat. Some even offer a “virtual world” which resembles a real school campus in a video game type of environment. Students who enjoy playing video games may benefit from the latter option. Parents should be certain that they have time to support their children’s educational needs with outside activities like sports, clubs, etc. There are usually home school groups in any area and those attending a virtual school would certainly find themselves in like company at these meetings. Consider finding a local chapter and getting involved. Students who meet regularly with other students in the area will feel like part of a group in much the same way as those attending a regular school. Students who sit home alone all day will most certainly suffer from the isolation.

4. The final component necessary to any basic educational program is teacher feedback or grading. This component is critical so that the student knows how well he or she is doing in the program, and which areas of study may need work. Virtual programs may offer immediate feedback for curriculum components which may be graded automatically. There should certainly be some live input, however. Parents should ask whether lessons receiving a poor grade may be repeated. Sometimes computerized grading systems can be less that foolproof and a live teacher should be available and willing to review even the computerized answers. Be certain to ask about this critical area of the program.

Parents have quite a few options when considering an online program, and it is possible to find one that fits you and your student exactly. Many students and parents are happy with this educational option. These people find that an online program helps to keep them on track and provides the support they need for more difficult or time-consuming subjects.

Parents who are considering this option may sell themselves short, however, if they do not consider homeschooling their children instead of purchasing an online education. Many virtual schools utilize the exact same curriculum options that are available to home schoolers. Several of these curricula are considered to be “self-teaching,” meaning that each lesson is carefully planned and presented in a package that builds on information previously learned, but does not require the student to review or refer to that material to complete the lesson. Several “curriculum-in-a-box” options are available to home schooled students which offer a complete 5-subject set for each level. Electives are also available. Those considering virtual education may consider using one of these curricula coupled with outside tutoring services when necessary. There are several of these curriculum options available to homeschooling families, and a comparison is beyond the scope of this article. Since the parent will find him/herself monitoring and guiding daily student lessons and activities with either choice, some students may better succeed in a homeschooling program which offers direct tutoring support rather than impersonal online interaction. Money saved from not purchasing the virtual school program can be used for funding the tutoring services. If the parents feel comfortable answering most questions themselves, rather than hiring a tutor, further financial benefit can be realized from the homeschooling option.

Of course, parents should always refer to local and/or state homeschooling regulations. If homeschooling is chosen, parents are required to register their student with a regulating authority. This is also required in some states if a virtual school option is chosen. In some states students are allowed to register with the virtual school only.

Congratulations on your choice of seeking an alternative educational setting for your child! Whichever program you choose, make sure it offers the benefits and support you need as a family to achieve success. I wish you success in whatever choice you make together.

Donna has a PhD in Chemistry, and is a homeschooling mom herself! HomeSchoolingCentral.net is a great place to shop for Alpha Omega Publications Curriculum options including Switched on Schoolhouse, LIFEPACs, The Weaver Curriculum, and Horizons. Find assistance with your homeschooling questions. http://www.homeschoolingcentral.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Pergin

It is not necessary to have a teaching degree or to even be a college graduate for that matter. Although it is a tremendous responsibility to teach your own child the education they will receive from a concerned parent will be much greater than they can get in a public school system. And if you don’t feel comfortable with some of the harder subject materials it’s possible to hire a tutor for those classes.

If you want your child to excel in home school you need to possess two things. One, you must have the desire to teach your children and two, you must have the determination to succeed with home schooling. With home schools that’s all it takes, a desire and some effort. With those two things your child can realize aneducation that will far surpass a classroom environment. Any parent can be an effective teacher if they truly have the desire for their children to learn.

There is no one else that will want your child to succeed as much as you do. And to progress at a better-than-public-school pace a child must have a teacher who knows them and wants them to learn. Many public school teachers are only in it for the paycheck. And most others have so many kids in their classroom there is absolutely no way they can give them the individual time and attention that a parent can with homeschooling. This is why home schooled kids have the potential to far exceed public school children.

The biggest hurdle that most parents’ face is being unsure of their own ability to teach. Schoolteachers must go through many years ofeducation programs before they are qualified to teach others while many parents have no training at all. But should this be the deciding factor?

You may be surprised at how effective you can be as your child’s instructor. Schoolteachers are face with many obstacles and regulations that you will never have. They must overcome many children’s learning styles and behaviors, children with disciplinary problems, school regulations and a host of other things that will not be required of you. As a homeschool parent you are in charge of only one child, not a room full of children who possess different personalities that learn in many different ways.

In the public classroom, when it comes to curriculum, schoolteachers are required to follow a program and use materials that the public system as approved. Plus, they are bound to get through the material no matter how slow some of the children may be. You, on the other hand, with an online homeschool curriculum can proceed at the perfect speed with home schooling. You can make sure your child learns a specific subject before going forward. And possibly, you can proceed much faster because there are no less intelligent kids slowing things down for you. In the public system you can only go forward as fast as the slowest kid, otherwise they will be left behind.

Another positive aspect to homeschool is your individual time. A teacher must start school precisely at a predetermined time and finish at a predetermined time. A parent can adjust the schedule as their children’s learning abilities dictate. It is usually much easier to deliver the subject matter more quickly one-on-one which makes it possible to delve deeper into certain subjects. Deeper examination can help a child understand things greater. By getting through lessons quicker it also allows more time for other activities and field trips.

Take a little time to search the web for ideas and lesson plans. You will find many different topics such as accredited home school, home school materials, Christian home school programs and more. If you think you can’t do it think again. With all of the resources, online home education groups, forums and your desire and effort you can help your child achieve a brighter future that they can achieve in no other way.

To recommend homeschooling support and information to individuals who are all philosophical persuasions who are homeschooling support.

Organization of homeschooling support is a comprehensive group dedicated to help out all homeschooling members in the common aim of educating their children at home. There are many homeschooling support organizations over worldwide. Presently like all features of homeschooling support association, some families use their local groups and some do not. Some families seek such homeschooling support associations as they want to teach their child right from their home.

Homeschooling support offers with customized leaflet and methods which let them to study and grow naturally, normal children climb the academic ladder in a drastically shorter time frame as compared to their peers in traditional schools. They are teaches in a responsive, relaxed setting with procedure matched to their own fastidious learning style and are therefore free to dedicate extra time to discussion, thinking, and exploration of their interests in a full variety of activities, many of which comprise work and service to others.

Possibly the most important advantage is the option that homeschooling support organization have the funds for these families to get back money and rebuild the family unit the backbone of all society. Some extra time is given to the important feature of character training and the development of essential values which form the base of positive spiritual, social and psychological development of the child. Family unit are capable to develop relationships, communication skills and utilize the quality time required in living, working, playing and serving others jointly.

All of this careful preparation is creating exceptional persons and responsible intellectual thinkers who will eventually profit their association and country. Already, universities, colleges, schools and business enterprises are energetically pursuing home educated students to carry brilliance into their own educational bodies. Such educational bodies realize the possible management value and positive brainpower of these young men and women who are passed out from homeschooling support organizations. These young people have had much spend into them by those with the maximum interest in their future – their own parents and families.

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