Over the twenty four + years that we have been homeschooling our children, we’ve pretty much heard all the questions and concerns from concerned parents, grandparents, friends, and “real teachers!” We thought we could attempt to address some of these issues here! If you have more questions, please contact us!
Q: What about socialization?
A: What does that word really mean? Children need to learn how to interact with people in society, but people fear that if you cloister your children at home, they will never learn such skills. Look around at all the children who are being socialized in the public arena, most of them are peer dependant, don’t know how to talk with adults (nor do they want to), pierce whatever they can, dress in the most interesting fashions and so on. These are the influences (usually negative) that social kids come home with and these are the things that become dear to their heart.
We have seen very rare cases where children who are educated at home end up socially awkward. Unless you never watch TV or movies, shade your windows when you drive down the street, and keep your children out of stores, enrichment classes and the like, you cannot cloister your children from society. Home educated students really do better socially and enjoy interacting with people of all ages, from the very young to the very old. THIS is correct socialization!
Q: What if I am not smart enough to teach my own kids?
A: I always say, “If you can read, you can teach!” There are so many educational resources and choices available to use in educating ones children, that you need not fear whether you can do it. You can even sit your child before a satellite teacher (though we don’t recommend this option!) and allow them to learn subjects from the comfort of your living room!
Q: Yes but what about upper level courses?
A: No worries, pioneers have gone before you. There are always classes being offered by other homeschooling parents who have expertise in some area, DVD’s, Jr. College classes and the like. If you pray and ask for guidance, you WILL find an avenue to teach some of the subjects / courses that are beyond your ability.
Q: What about testing and how do I know if my child is where they should be?
A: First, figure out what standards you are using to determine “where they should be.” The beauty of homeschooling allows student to go at a manageable pace…whether that pace is accelerated or remedial. If you are privately homeschooling, you may not have to follow the standards set up by the public school realm so you can determine your course. A good ruler (use but do not become a slave to it) is to find a Typical Course of Study (World Books used to put one out) or a Scope and Sequence.
Testing is a personal decision from one family to another. While we feel it is good for students to take tests mainly to push themselves, we don’t do much testing because we use the unit study method and the interactive nature of our studies enables us to know how our children are doing in all subject areas. We don’t test to come up with some sort of score or number…after all they should all get A’s for our goal is for them to learn until they understand and get it right….not so they will look good on paper!
Q: Do I have to be the creative type to do unit studies?
A: Nope…there are so many ideas out there (contained in our materials too!), that you don’t have to try to come up with creative ideas.
Q: Can I teach all my kids the same unit study topic?
A: Within reason. You probably don’t want to teach your 12th grader and K students about frogs and tadpoles! But for the most part, you can at least teach all of your elementary students the same topic and their work (assignments) will be at their grade level.
Q: I’m afraid I’ll miss something important.
A: Well, you might because you’re not God! I went to public school and missed out something important – it was my education, but I have done well and have had a 2nd chance to get an education by teaching my own children! Seriously, we worry more about this than we need to. Anything you miss can be learned quickly, but focus on character training which takes place all the day long – for there is no class to take if you miss this one!
Q: How do you get it all done? It takes us 2 hours to do math.
A: Include as many subjects as you can INTO your unit study instead of doing them all separately. By the time you get done with all your subjects, there is no time to do a unit study!
Q: What do I do with my busy toddler?
A: This is a season and they grow up…really. Work with the situation the best you can and try to do your most important “quiet” subjects while they are napping or busy playing or eating lunch. You can read to the gang while they are eating because they will be sitting down and can be attentive…you can’t eat, but send them away for a break and then eat your lunch! I have been guilty of sitting them down to a video when I’m desperate for quiet so I can read or teach!
Q: Will my child be able to go to college?
A: Now don’t ask me this if your child is 4 years old…you have lots of time and you will not ruin them in the meantime! Homeschooled students do well mostly because the focus is on teaching them HOW to learn not WHAT to learn. If you accomplish this, you will be way ahead and they will be able to do anything they want to! Also remember every student does not need to go to college…no matter what our society says! This is indeed a matter for careful prayer and planning!
Q: What do you mean by ""Developing a Love for Learning"?
A: So often students just “do school”, the status quo…whatever they “have” to do. This is not truly getting an education but rather going through the motions filling in the blanks of what they are “supposed” to do! We accidentally stumbled upon unit studies which are interactive in nature (we love studying together rather than sitting in different spots around the house!), and we approach the topic using many different senses. This makes learning interesting and fun therefore whatever is covered is retained. We want to spend our time truly learning and enjoying God’s world instead of “doing school!”
Q: What is a living book?
A: Basically a book that is not dead! It is a book that captures your interest and you don’t want to put it down. It can either be a novel / story or even colorful nonfiction books that sort of take you to a museum as you turn the pages! Textbooks generally are not living books!