| Do you know what these famous people have in | | | | the decision to homeschool, the fact that you are |
| common?Alexander Graham BellGeorge | | | | here reading this article says you are curious. |
| PattonAlbert EinsteinBenjamin FranklinWinston | | | | Perhaps you honestly don't know the answer |
| ChurchillAgatha ChristieGeorge Bernard ShawWill | | | | yet?and that's ok. The remainder of this article is |
| RogersIf you guessed that they were all | | | | going to try to help you start to find those |
| homeschoolers, you'd be correct. This is a very | | | | answers.Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but |
| short list of famous and successful people who | | | | each state has it's own set of laws that must be |
| were educated at home. If you would like to | | | | followed. Compulsory (how I hate that word) |
| expand this list, do a search on the Internet for | | | | education here in Washington State starts at the |
| ?famous homeschoolers.? There are many | | | | age of 8. Even though I had been homeschooling |
| websites that list these people and some provide | | | | him from birth, to stay legal once my son |
| detailed biographies. There is even a book called, | | | | reached 8-years old, I was required to become |
| aptly, ?Famous Homeschoolers,? by Nancy and | | | | ?certified.? That meant I either had to have two |
| Malcolm Plant. ( point here is to get into the | | | | years of college education, or take a ?certification |
| mindset that people can be educated and become | | | | class.? I met this requirement by taking an |
| successful adults without attending public school. | | | | independent correspondence class, during which I |
| And because I can almost ?hear? what you are | | | | was asked to put on paper my goals, philosophies |
| thinking, no, it is not necessary to have a high | | | | and reasons for wanting to homeschool. I'd like to |
| school diploma to go to college.So what is | | | | help you do the same right now.Start a |
| homeschooling? In the broadest sense, | | | | page--either the ?tree? kind or a file on the |
| homeschooling is educating your children at home. | | | | computer?and title it ?My Educational Beliefs.? List |
| You, as parent, become teacher. Parents | | | | what personal beliefs you have about |
| homeschool for more reasons than you can | | | | education?especially the education of your own |
| imagine. Some want to avoid having their children | | | | children. Get as detailed as you can here--the |
| exposed to violence and peer pressure. Some | | | | value is in the thinking process behind the list. |
| homeschool so that they can make sure their | | | | Take your time, I'm in no hurry.As an example to |
| children's education adheres to their religious | | | | get you started, I'm going to share with you |
| beliefs. Some live a different lifestyle?perhaps | | | | what I wrote on my list nine years ago.My |
| they travel a lot?and want their children's schooling | | | | Educational Beliefs1. I believe my child's attitude |
| to be flexible enough to fit around that life style. | | | | about learning should be:One of continual curiosity |
| And some, like me, simply enjoy being with their | | | | and seeking of knowledge.2. I believe my child's |
| children. They don't want the public school to | | | | learning should lead towards a lifestyle that is:Rural, |
| interrupt and weaken the parent/child bond that | | | | physically active, creative.3. I believe these basic |
| they have been working hard to create for the | | | | values should be part of my child's |
| first five years of their child's life.Just as there are | | | | learning:Respect for othersLoyalty to family and |
| many reasons to homeschool, there are many | | | | friendsHonestyGenerosity4. I believe children learn |
| methods of homeschooling. All the way from | | | | best:Through hands-on learning experience, |
| ?un-schooling? (learning by doing, learning from life, | | | | reading, workbooks.5. I believe a teacher |
| not using textbook type materials) to ?school at | | | | should:Provide side-by-side assistance and |
| home? (using textbooks at desks set up in a | | | | direction.Interact with the child.Provide the |
| schoolroom at home) and everything in between. | | | | structure within which the child may explore, |
| It's very easy to find hundreds of homeschool | | | | experiment, study and achieve.Provide a good |
| Websites by using a search engine, but just to | | | | example of excitement in learning.6. Other beliefs:I |
| get you started, try:Jon's Homeschool Resource | | | | believe my child should grow up to be self-reliant |
| Page I decided to write this article, I thought hard | | | | and occupationally secure in a field of high interest |
| about what I could offer that wasn't being | | | | to them.Now, that wasn't too bad, was it? Don't |
| displayed on thousands of Websites on the | | | | give up on this until you have at least something |
| Internet. I realized that the only thing I have to | | | | written down, but don't agonize over it either. You |
| offer anyone interested in homeschooling is?my | | | | can come back to it later if need be. Next, start a |
| experience. So everything in the article below | | | | paper or file titled ?Life Goals For My Child.?I want |
| comes from my fifteen years of experience | | | | you to write down what kind of person you |
| homeschooling my four youngest children. I hope | | | | envision your child being as an adult. What are |
| it is of some use to you.Deciding to homeschool | | | | your hopes and dreams for him/her? What |
| your child may be one of the most important | | | | educational gifts do you hope to be able to help |
| decisions you ever make as a parent, and it will | | | | them find that will serve them their entire lives?I'll |
| take a lot of thought and soul searching. To the | | | | share mine from 9 years ago, just to get you |
| newcomer, it may seem impossible, overwhelming | | | | started.?Life Goals for My Child?7. Be literate.8. Be |
| and very, very lonely. But like most huge | | | | self-reliant.9. Compete well in their chosen field of |
| obstacles, once it's broken down into smaller | | | | occupation.10. Appreciate art, music, and |
| pieces, it becomes manageable. We'll take it one | | | | literature.11. Be creative.12. Be inventive and |
| step at a time, in small enough chunks to get a | | | | resourceful.13. Be healthy, mentally and |
| hold of. So, if you're game, roll up your sleeves | | | | physically.14. Co-operate with others.15. Maintain a |
| and let's get to work figuring out if homeschooling | | | | strong sense of self-worth.16. Maintain a life-long |
| is for you and your child.First things first. | | | | curiosity, seeking knowledge as a way of life.17. |
| Organization is the key. Get a three-ring binder | | | | Look to the future with a sense of excitement |
| (homeschooling parent's LOVE three-ring binders) | | | | and adventure.For the last exercise, start a third |
| and put a label on the front. (If you've made the | | | | paper titled: Why We (I) Am Going To |
| transition to digital record keeping, you can just | | | | Homeschool Our (My) Child? (Yes, single parents |
| start a folder on the computer. But it's not as | | | | can successfully homeschool their children.) You |
| much fun.) Label it something serious, like ? My | | | | may not have all the answers for this one yet |
| Homeschooling Plans? or ?Homeschooling | | | | either, but just get something down. All of these |
| Thoughts.? Put some paper in the binder, find a | | | | ideas and beliefs can start getting mixed in with |
| really comfortable ink pen, and sit down | | | | other people's opinions once we start educating |
| somewhere quiet.Ready? Good. Now, let's get | | | | ourselves in depth about homeschooling, and you'll |
| started.What are your reasons for considering | | | | be glad you have these lists tucked away. |
| homeschooling? Even if you haven't actually made | | | | |