| u have considered homeschooling your child but | | | | the material. |
| are thinking that you are too busy, you may | | | | Many computerized programs have detailed lesson |
| want to think again! Even if you are a working | | | | plans and automatic grading to help cut down on |
| parent or just have little time to prepare and | | | | the parents’ workload. |
| teach the lessons that they need, there are still | | | | Computerized homeschooling programs are |
| ways that you start homeschooling your kids | | | | generally best for older students who can: |
| using some great independent programs currently | | | | • Work well independently, |
| available. | | | | • Follow directions in order to complete |
| Traditional Independent Homeschooling Programs | | | | assignments, |
| There are many traditional independent | | | | • Be comfortable using a computer. |
| homeschooling programs that will allow children to | | | | Online Umbrella Schools |
| work independently of their parents. They give | | | | Whether your child takes a single subject that |
| complete instructions to allow children to work at | | | | you don't want to teach or uses these resources |
| their own pace. These programs cover the same | | | | for their entire curriculum, even working parents |
| topics as they would have learned in a traditional | | | | can find a way to homeschool their children using |
| school setting. | | | | online schools. |
| In most cases, parents can choose to order a | | | | Most online umbrella schools are similar in schedule |
| complete curriculum package that will include | | | | to traditional public or private schools, but allow |
| everything that they will need for the child to | | | | children to work from home or anywhere else. |
| complete an entire school year. Most also offer | | | | Children are given assignments from a teacher |
| detailed lesson plans so that children know exactly | | | | and are instructed, graded and receive report |
| what is expected of them on a daily basis. | | | | cards just like children who attend schools in their |
| Most parents using these programs spend less | | | | local areas. They can be especially helpful to |
| time assisting their kids one-on-one than they | | | | families who are new to homeschooling and are |
| previously spent just assisting with homework! | | | | nervous to take on too much. |
| Parents often find these programs work especially | | | | The advantage of an online school is that most |
| well for the older children in their families who are | | | | everything is done for a parent similar to sending |
| easily able to work independently. | | | | a child to school. This can also be a disadvantage |
| Computerized Homeschool Programs | | | | as well because you may lose some of the |
| There are also some really excellent computerized | | | | flexibility the other homeschoolers enjoy. |
| homeschooling programs out there that will allow | | | | So, if you are a busy parent who has felt that |
| interactive lessons for children to learn with very | | | | homeschooling was not an option, you may want |
| little help from parents. Many of these programs | | | | to reconsider it. There are ways to successfully |
| provide excellent teaching methods with | | | | homeschool even as a busy parent that will result |
| interactive games and quizzes to reinforce learning | | | | in an excellent education for your child. It may be |
| and make it fun. Many also include DVDs and | | | | the perfect solution for your family. |
| videos to show examples and to further reinforce | | | | |