Classic Apple

So you've been homeschooling faithfully all year. It's been an okay year, but you're tired. The weather has changed and it's getting more and more difficult to get up, open up the lesson planner or math notebook and put on the smiling face. You hear yourself saying, "I just don't think I can make it until summer. What difference does it make if I just stop now?" Well it makes a lot of difference! There are three important reasons for holding on through this challenging month, when many teachers, homeschool moms, and even students are asking this same question. What you do know will teach more than you know and how you handle this "temptation" and mood shift will be a precursor to how[..]

Often homeschooling parents choose to supplement what they get from their curriculum guides. Many even form homeschooling co-op groups for things like physical education and science as different parents can share their expertise. The best one day science fair projects have built in do it yourself structure, easy to understand directions, handy materials,and background research and data recording systems. This articles discusses specifics about what the homeschooling parent should look for. The first thing to look for when searching online for great one day science fair projects that will provide your child with an educational and fun experience, is to check the credentials of the author.[..]

The words "teenage" and "rebellion" may seem like they go hand in hand, but it has not always been that way. In the past, getting older meant a child was becoming an adult. Look at their behavior that you call "rebellion" and ask yourself some questions. Is this behavior really my child simply becoming an adult? Because sometimes what we label as rebellion may be the child beginning to making a decision for themselves. One thing that may help (MAY help, mind you!) is to think about the choices that other adults make. If your child makes a decision that you do not agree with, but it is a decision that other adults make all the time, maybe it is not rebellion at all! Maybe it is simply[..]

With so many right brain schools opening everywhere around Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and others, you may just wonder, which is the right school? What do they teach? Can I teach my child? Right brain education placed importance in strengthening the relationship of your family and to provide the right environment for your child to achieve what they want in life. It is also about training your child on his creativity and imagination. The ideal age to start is from four months to three because they use their right brain and are able to absorb a lot of information at an incredible speed. The two most popular and established right brain schools in Japan are the[..]

You can have arts and crafts for your home school inexpensively. You don't have to spend a lot of money on the projects for your children to learn crafts and have fun. For younger children you can have them learn to paint, learn to use crayons, and to use safety scissors. You can use just about anything for them to learn basic craft skills. You can purchase beads, glue, yard and pre-cut shapes that you can have them design pictures with the shapes. For older children you will want to have something that they can create, more complex crafts. Maybe you can teach your child to crochet, or knit. Maybe you like to sew, sewing would make a good craft project for children. There are plenty of[..]

Education is a funny thing, particularly for homeschoolers and those who question it. One of the more common questions I am asked by non-homeschool families, believe it or not, is about things such as graduation ceremonies and proms, as if those had something to do with the education process of preparing and equipping our students for future studies in college and life. However, the point can be made that a thorough preparation for life includes markers of achievement and celebrations, so missing out on those things seems difficult for those who might otherwise consider homeschooling. But the issue of ceremonies and homeschooling is not an "either/or" situation. Homeschoolers know this,[..]

Panic happens. I would lay in bed, filled with concerns and worry about curriculum choices, scheduling conflicts, record keeping problems, and teenage angst. I am fairly certain that I am not alone in my stress about homeschooling high school students. I listen to enough parents when I am consulting to know this is still an issue for parents. Is this one of those things about "increasing our pain in childbirth?" Does that pain extend into our child's young adulthood? I love this positive affirmation of King David. Now there is a guy that had some troubles in his life! But look at his proclamation. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm[..]

p>Homeschoolers are a forgetful bunch. Each new phase of homeschooling is often met with anxiety and uncertainty. "Can I really do this?" is a common question, especially when approaching the high school years. Yet, the Bible has a lot to say about remembering. In fact, the theme of Deuteronomy is "remember." Do not forget what the Lord has done. Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. Do not forget what He has done is YOUR life as well. Remember when you had babies, and they had trouble sleeping through the night.[..]

I sometimes get this question about Abeka, particularly when I am at a homeschool convention and families are shopping for next year's curriculum. I do not think it matters whether Abeka is more advanced or not. It matter if Abeka is a good FIT for you and your children. Any curriculum that is a good fit will help your child learn the most. A good fit with a moderately good program will help your student retain more than a high achieving program that is not a good fit. Abeka feels very classroom-based. Their videos are usually in a classroom setting, and personally, that drives me crazy. Hence, Abeka would not have been a good fit for me, and it would not have worked for my homeschool.[..]

I was talking with a homeschool mom at the pool - "talking" is the very loosest sense of the word. I had just swam 20 minutes of crawl stroke, and I was incredibly short of breath. The other mom said that she avoids such fatigue by alternating crawl stroke and breast stroke. What a genius! Now to be truthful, the real reason I was short of breath is because I am out of shape. But let us put that aside for a moment and think about how this can apply this to homeschooling. Homeschoolers sometimes need a break, the same way swimmers do! First of all, you need to alternate the school year with regularly scheduled breaks. It does not have to be in the summer, but it does have to be a break.[..]

Teaching a child to read is basic in his development. A child's first tools for learning should definitely include a book with which to train him to become familiar with letters and how they sound. Soon the child's reading skills will improve as a result of constant practice and effective coaching. These two basic elements should be present in order for the child to master this skill as early as possible. By starting the child's training early on, you can take advantage of a kid's natural curiosity and ability to learn quickly. You can also take this time to teach him other skills like writing and drawing, and reading comprehension, but be sure to do it in a fun way. Teaching reading to[..]

As a homeschooling mom, I get asked on a regular basis by "professionals" everywhere from the doctor, the therapist, church leaders, even perfect strangers what my children do for socialization. When was the last time any of them has ever looked me in the eyes and asked, "What do you do for socialization?" I am sure I would remember it, because, man -forget the kids, I need more socialization! The average homeschooling mother spends many hours a day with the kids educating, mentoring, and inspiring. Add to that the meal planning, preparing, and eating. Housework is multiplied with the family "living" in the home twenty-four hours a day. We can't forget the man of the house. He needs[..]

With online virtual academies becoming more common, you may have asked yourself, "Is it possible for children to receive a proper education online?" My opinion may differ from others, but I have researched several online schools, through their websites, and formed some generalizations which I think should be understood before enrolling any student. This article is not meant to be a review of any particular school, but rather a summary of common characteristics I have found among several online schools. The schools you consider may differ in their teaching approaches and practices. Consumers should always fully research any school, whether brick-and-mortar, or virtual, before enrolling[..]

Do you remember the commercials for "Hooked on Phonics?" "I am hooked on phonics. I am learning to read..." Those lines are probably etched in your memory. "Hooked on Phonics" was the way thousands of parents helped their children learn to read in the 80s and 90s. Some still use it, but now your child can be hooked on phonics online, because homeschoolers are avid users of the internet for educational purposes. Some homeschoolers use an online phonics curriculum to help their children learn phonics, along with workbooks, and of course, reading, reading, and more reading to them. There are children who, as a result of online phonics, are in the 4th grade and reading at an 8th grade level[..]

So you homeschool - that is great! Homeschooling is wonderful, we have been enjoying it ourselves for a number of years and we love it. The big question - I have all this great stuff - where do I put it? How do I organize the papers, and pencils and pens and those little tiny bears and don't even get me started on the books, oh my the books. I have the stuff, now I need to know how to organize it all. First - take a deep breathe and know that you are not alone, either in your homeschooling journey or in your quest to manage the madness and learn how to organize. The Steps to Organization (a.k.a. How to Organize) are fairly straight forward. Imagine you are putting together a puzzle. What[..]

Many of you have been reading my articles for some time, and know how much I stress teaching with the child in mind. But for those of you who are not familiar with my articles: Workbooks are OK for reinforcing what the student already knows, but they are not very effective in teaching new concepts to them. Forcing children to learn by inefficient methods is like trying to fit round pegs into square holes. It wastes much of your time and theirs. The most successful methods are those that listen to the child, and adjust accordingly. Sequencing is one of the few reading comprehension elements I recommend teaching kindergarten students, and there are several easy and fun ways to do just[..]

It's a big juggling act to figure out how to handle everything in your homeschool. How are you supposed to keep accurate records on top of just getting in all the teaching, field trips, and extracurricular activities you've planned? It's an important thing to figure out - in many states the law requires some sort of record keeping. Keeping good records also lets you see the amazing progress your child is making. You can keep track of accomplishments and goals your child has met. Keeping samples of your child's work in your records also creates treasured memories for both of you to look back on one day. If you have lesson plans those can form the core of your records. Keep a printed or[..]

For any family, homeschooling is an experience that is definitely rewarding. However, financial constraints can be a part of it. For low-income families who needed to make both ends meet, frugal home schooling is gaining recognition. Here's what you can do to save money without sacrificing your child's education. Most families can't live without the internet. It is a priceless commodity that can be a source of essays and curriculum programs. The great thing about it is that it's free and you don't have to go out. You can consider getting secondhand materials such as books and curriculum programs from online auctions. The library in your community can help provide some of your needs. You[..]

A classroom looks good if they are organized in a systematic and clean manner. Among the different goals, one of the important goals that a teacher has to fulfill is to organize the room in a well mannered system. To do this particular job, most important thing that the teacher will need is the adequate space for keeping the different items. Getting the space does not mean that your problem is solved. You have to utilize the place in such a manner that everything gets stored there in a proper manner. For the purpose of storing things, the most important thing that would be needed is the carts in which you can put the things needed to be stored. When you are storing the things, you should[..]

What do you think when you hear the word "homeschooler"? Do you think spelling bees and huge families? Do you think socially awkward? Well, here are some statistics that may surprise you. But be careful, this may turn your image of homeschooling upside down. The HSLDA reports some amazing new statistics in homeschooling. First off, how many children do you think are home-schooled? In the last decade, the population of students in home education has grown from 850,000 to an estimated 1.5 to 2 million. Fact #1: Homeschoolers perform 34-39% above the national average in standardized tests. The national average, by definition, is 50%. Homeschoolers test at 84-89% in subject by subject[..]

A mom poured out her heart to me about pulling her child out of private school. She homeschooled her son until high school, but then put him into private school. There were some issues, and a change was needed, so her son wanted to attend public school. She was considering homeschooling again, but was very concerned. Even though her son was not rebellious, he had no desire to homeschool. She wanted solutions. Unfortunately, there are easy solutions. When a teen has not been homeschooling for a while, and does not want to homeschool, then often it becomes extremely difficult. It is possible to homeschool against their wishes, and there is a greater chance of success if the child is not[..]

For people who wonder why other parents choose to teach their children from home or are themselves considering the transition from public or private school themselves, there are some very good reasons for homeschooling. Some parents do so because they wish to offer their children a certain type of education that may not be available at the schools in their districts. Others because they are concerned about the safety of schools in their area. These are just examples of the many reasons why parents choose to educate their children from home. Knowing that there are a variety of reasons can make you more assured in your decision to consider teaching your children from home. One popular[..]

Yearbooks are both wonderful keepsakes and great learning tools. Here are some tips for how to create a great yearbook for your homeschool. Planning: The first thing you will want to do is to sit down and make some notes about who is to be included and involved with your yearbook project. If your family is large, you'll probably find that the older, high school age children are the most interested. If you work with a larger homeschool organization or group of homeschoolers, you will probably want to get together with them and figure out a plan of action. The earlier in the year that you start your project, the better, especially when you are going to be working with those other groups.[..]

Well you are deciding to home school your kids, this is a big responsibility on both of the parents, mainly the one that is at home most of the time. In order to home school your kids there are certain requirements that you must have in order to home school your kids. Many states do not require certain regulations when you decide to home school your kids, like Texas, Illinois and Missouri, or Oklahoma. Therefore, if you live in these states you will not have to inform the state if you decide you want to home school your own kids at home. However, other states will need to know if you are going to be home schooling your kids or if they are going to attend a regular school or private[..]

Home study is an increasingly popular option for UK adults looking to gain extra qualifications while holding down a regular job, or for those who live too far away to attend classes in person. While such courses are ideal for people in those circumstances, there are a number of hints and tips that can make life even easier when studying from home. The first is the simplest - sort out where you're going to study. If you have the luxury of a spare room in your house it might be best to convert that into a dedicated office or study, where you can get on with your work in peace. Although many families have a PC in a more public room, using it will mean it's easier to get distracted by[..]

Numbers don't lie, and a variety of homeschool information show the positive impact that teaching your kids at home can have. Let's consider some of these numbers. First, you should know that in 2007 (that last year we have for these numbers), approximately 1.5 million students were taught at their own homes. This was a 36 percent increase over the previous numbers in 2003. We can estimate that today, that number is approaching 2 million students. Why such a startling increase? Although there are almost as many reasons as there are students, the most common reasons can also be determined by currently-available statistics. The Department of Education reports that 36 percent of students[..]

Home schooling will provide the ample scope to stay with kids during teaching process. Therefore the parents are showing their keen interest to deliver the training and teaching to their children through the home schooling process. The fact is that as the increasing number in the social crimes is taking place in different schools, and the various incidents of militancy activities in the country, parents and the seniors show their eagerness to take their children to their house and prefer to train them according to their wish. In actuality, the modern society is laden with experiment, scientific revolution and technological advancement. Therefore, home schools are established in the[..]

If you are a math teacher or a parent who is interested in a free program that will enable you to write viable and nice formulas like limit symbol, square root, and several other math symbols and numbers, so that you can always display a decent formula on PowerPoint, this article is for you. You can write most of your worksheets and tests in Microsoft Word using the insert function of Microsoft Equation Editor. With this feature you will be able to locate all the symbols you will ever need for solving 7th grade math problems. Powerpoint and Microsoft have almost the same interface. Go to insert object and insert what you want there, and then click and drag the icon to your toolbar for[..]

There are approximately 3-4 million homeschooled students in North America. Homeschooling has become a popular option for many parents. Such issues as violence, morals and values, cost, and academic performance are always at the forefront in this issue. Before considering a homeschool program for your child, consider the following pros and cons: 1. Mrs. Jones or Mom? Is your child able to sit down and learn with you? Even the best teachers have difficulty teaching their own children. Try it out first. See if you and your child can develop a teacher-student rapport. 2. Class Size. Does your child have difficulty in a class of 30 students? Some kids have no problem focusing and staying on[..]

I know that homeschooling is quite such an adventure. I am also glad that you are thinking about it. My two children have now all graduated now. I am thankful for the time we had together because we home-schooled: pre-school through high school. In this process, we all learned a lot, and I am sure you will too. Before we had to think about homeschooling, we tried to educate ourselves about the entire process. We tried to do our homework correctly before we made the decision, and it was worth it. I have found many written articles and good books over the last couple of years. I have found a link with valuable information too. You will find information there, as well as a number of[..]

Just check the previous educational system. How have you been treated in schools? What was the condition of so called education centers and institutes several decades back? You will see that most schools followed the conventional type teaching methods to train students. They were not very much liberal to change the pattern of educating boys and girls. The limited space and lack of teachers compelled the authority to train the classes as a whole instead of taking care of individual students. There were very strict guidelines and you would have to follow the instruction completely so that you could qualify to the next level/grade. There was grading system as well. Now the modern education[..]

When people talk about home tuition, they usually talk about the children and how they are going to interact with the home tutor, but what about the parents? The parents have to have a lot of interaction with a home tutor because the home tutor is going to play a large role in the early life of their child. So, what can parents do to help know a tutor and even learn from a tutor? One of the first things to do is to have a private meeting with the tutor. This should be done before they even start teaching your child. You want to see what the tutor is like and find out if they are going to be a good fit for your child. You want to know if the tutor is going to be someone who will be able[..]

It is a big decision to choose between private school, home school, and public schools. You have to weigh the advantage and disadvantages of each. What are some of the disadvantages of home schooling? The most common disadvantage that is brought up is socialization concerns. The argument made is that kids are not growing up around other kids like would normally be happening while at a school with other kids. It is possible to have a social child who is home schooled, but if you do not have any time for your kids, it is going to be difficult. In that case, home schooling would not be best for you. Sometimes you do not have the answers to questions. It is hard to know all the answers to a[..]

When you decide to establish the home based school at your home, you need to check the pros and cons of the home schooling. Everyone believes that home schooling will help the steady growth of the children as they will be under the full care of their parents. To some extent it is true but there are a number of hidden faults in this process. Ok, let me tell you one thing more that your child will have the tendency to play through the day and night. Now as you are mother, you will ignore the fact by thinking that child is performing well as you love your child. It is emotional bond and you can't deny the impact of such emotional binding. At the time of making assessment or evaluation you[..]

In the USA alone, the current estimate is that over 1.75 million children are being home-schooled. This is quite a staggering number and has grown rapidly over the last few years for a wide variety of reasons, including religion, dissatisfaction with normal schooling procedures, desire for child safety and many other issues. Additionally, many parents are beginning to work from home and wish to spend some quality time with their children, and find that the home-schooling and work at home options integrate well and provide for a flexible timetable. Taking the first steps towards home-schooling can be a little worrying, but these tips will help you to get started. Talk to your child's[..]

Home schooling during the high school years can be a fun and rewarding time for both the child and parent. This time can be used to keep, maintain and even deepen a relationship with your child during a high stress time of their lives. This can be a time to build a trust with your child so that they are willing to listen to council that you would like to share with them during this time of their lives. Also, as a Christian parent it can be the time to guide your child in their Christian walk and to help with any questions that they have so that their relationship with the Lord is their own; which will help them as new choices and decisions come their way in the upcoming years. As your[..]

Teaching children responsibility is the goal of education whether it takes place in a regular school setting or through home schooling. Many parents feel that the regular school can do this much better than they can, but this is not so. Parents are the child's first and most important teachers and it is through the parents that children learn the quality of responsibility. This means that all parents are responsible for providing this education for their children.   In order to teach responsibility to their children, there are certain things that parents must do. These include:   - create an environment where responsibility is an expectation   - become in role models for the children[..]

Is there such a thing as a get rich legally money making scheme?  I am not talking about get rich quick.  I am referring to legitimate get rich from home programs that have been proven the test of time. But most of these programs require committment that goes into training. Marketing education,  mindset development, the development of leadership skills under the guidance of someone you can refer to as a mentor, are crucial in your quest to earn a decent income in any business that you are undertaking. You will learn what it takes to get rich in today's heavily competitive global economy. Fact: Ground Floor Opportunities Are Not Necessarily Legitimate Get Rich Opportunities. There are[..]

rents think about homeschooling their children versus using the public school system. While there are some downsides, there are also many advantages to this type of education. The first advantage is that you can have curriculum that is suited for your child. Your child might be a grade ahead in one subject but need special care on another. Since children are very different from each other, a homeschool curriculum can work best for your child. You can also teach subjects that might not be taught in a traditional school setting. There are millions of possibilities. Your child will get one on one focus as opposed to being in a busy classroom. This type of tutoring as a whole is better for[..]

I read many different homeschool reviews before I made the decision to homeschool my children. It was by reading about different parents' experiences that helped me see the freedom you have when you can expand your child's curriculum beyond the four to five mandatory core subjects. One of the more interesting homeschool reviews I read focused on a mother who blended a home-based business with her child's education. As she reflected on her homeschooling experience, she said that her child was intellectually well-rounded thanks to this learning. She believed it helped give her child the skills need to thrive in an ever-changing economy. Job security is becoming extinct, though for years[..]

How do you begin making a lifestyle change? I recently purchased a "Biggest Loser" workout video but recognized immediately that that act alone did not constitute a lifestyle change. What will make it a true change is when the video arrives, I put it in the DVD player and actually begin working out! Whether it is exercise, dieting or high school record keeping, the answer is the same. Start by Starting! All the thinking and talking and learning in the world is not going to change your behavior. You have to take the first step IN ACTION. You have to put your first foot forward when you start walking, and you have to start record keeping by STARTING. If you are ready to start, then grab[..]

Staying involved in your children's education is one of the most important acts you can do to encourage future educational success. Most parents have high hopes for their children and wish that their children will live a happy, successful and fulfilled life. Education plays a large role in children's success and can also create many possibilities for their future. To create that success, it is important that parents guide and help their kids at young age in order to create strong building blocks for their educational future. Though many parents are ready and willing to help their children get a head start in their learning, they do not have the ability or understanding of how to[..]

If you are a high school student in Indiana who is attending an accredited home school, some of your courses may be used towards college credits. If you don't already know it, your state has one of the most liberal and progressive ways to earn an education. In Indiana, there are virtually no requirements that a home school or home school teacher must meet. The only provision is that the home school curriculum is taught in English (Ind. Code Ann. § 20-33-2-4(2)). According to Indiana state law, children between the ages of 7 through 18 are required to regularly partake in some sort of academic instruction. Students are expected to attend 180 days of school per year until satisfactory[..]