| In this second article about Home Schooling we're | | | | The question many people ask is, "Do children |
| going to discuss exactly how home schooling | | | | really learn anything in a home schooling setting?" |
| works. | | | | Statistics show that, at least at the college level, |
| The most logical question about home schooling | | | | students do very well. Obviously this depends on |
| would have to be, "How can a student learn when | | | | the student and the family. Some children work |
| there is not a trained professional teacher there | | | | very well on their own and can actually accelerate |
| to teach the student?" The truth is, most people | | | | beyond a normal work load. Others don't have as |
| are so convinced that the traditional method of | | | | easy a time and must take things at a slower |
| teaching is the only way that works, that they | | | | pace. That's one of the great advantages of |
| can't possibly imagine home schooling being | | | | home schooling as each child can go at his own |
| successful. | | | | pace. |
| In truth, home schooling is different for every | | | | The majority of critics feel that a home schooled |
| family. Because there is no traditional classroom | | | | child will be at a disadvantage when applying for |
| each family is free to educate it's child the way | | | | college admission or a job because they don't |
| they feel is best, within reason of course as you | | | | have an official diploma to fall back on. The actual |
| want to make sure the child is properly prepared | | | | truth is that most colleges and employers are |
| to be able to go out in the world and handle | | | | willing to look past that if the child can |
| whatever job or profession he or she is | | | | demonstrate a skill in a more personalized way. |
| interested in pursuing. | | | | Many colleges encourage applications from home |
| One method that families use is where they take | | | | schooled children because they feel the child will |
| the child's interest and curiosity in a subject and | | | | be more well rounded and therefore help to form |
| help the child explore the subject. The idea is that | | | | a more dynamic and diverse student body. |
| there are opportunities to explore many subjects | | | | When all is said and done it basically comes down |
| like math, science, history, geography, English and | | | | to the student. One student who would be a |
| many others. By encouraging a child's normal | | | | straight A student in a traditional classroom could |
| curiosity eventually all the subjects that would be | | | | totally bomb out trying to learn at home because |
| taught in a conventional classroom get covered. | | | | they don't have the structure that they need. |
| Another method that families use is that they buy | | | | Another student who would be lost in a traditional |
| all the books and supplies that a school would buy | | | | classroom because he can't keep up with the |
| and follow a normal school curriculum. The material | | | | mandatory pace would be a great home schooled |
| is simply taught at home in a small setting instead | | | | student because he would be able to take things |
| of in a large classroom. The theory behind this is | | | | at his own pace and might even, in the long run, |
| that the child is not distracted by his surroundings, | | | | become better educated than his traditionally |
| feels more comfortable at home and therefore | | | | schooled peers. |
| can concentrate better on his studies. | | | | The debate will surely go on. |