Day 1: Learn the Lingo – Then Go
Day 2: Homeschool Roots Matter
Day 3: What is NOT Homeschooling
Day 4: ” Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace” – Confronting Relatives & Naysayers
Day 5: Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round & ‘Round – So Get Off
Day 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations
Day 7: Tied Up With Testing?
© Todd Wilson
New homeschoolers tend to have a picture in their mind of what homeschooling is and normally it looks a lot like public school. I have found through the years that sometimes it is easier to explain what homeschooling is by telling you what it is NOT.
Homeschooling is NOT school at home. If the public school system is not working now, why repeat it? You don’t have to have a chalkboard, dry erase board or even a school room. Some families prefer a schoolroom, others don’t and still others just don’t have the space for one. A school room or lack of it does not make a true homeschooler.
A school room is fine if you want one, though set it up to suit YOU. When I started formally homeschooling my sons were 5 years old and 3 years old and newborn. A schoolroom was a place I could organize all of our school items. I did not hail to the way of thinking that just because we did some of our academics in our schoolroom that my children would grow up thinking that learning only took place in the schoolroom. I brought in a couch to my school room to be comfortable on while I nursed my newborn and a changing table to my school area so that I wouldn’t have to leave my oldest as he was learning to read.
At that particular time in my journey, my schoolroom was a huge life saver in helping me to control chaos when I had little help from my young children. Training was in progress to help them to begin a day, have good study habits and help with chores around the house. My schoolroom gave me a sense of control that was needed at that time when I could control very little else going on with children that young.
The thinking that learning just took place in schoolroom was balanced with the fact that the other part of our day was spent lounging around the house reading, playing games, and doing science and history. My children showed me that they will learn because of the loving environment their father and I created instead of doing school in one area or another.
Other families prefer to have their items all over the house. Each family is different and needs to determine how and where to school. From personal experience, if you have ANY area you can possible use, try to start with organization now by keeping a good amount of your school items in one area.
Dumbed down academics is not homeschooling either but you do want proof of homeschool success. Do not try to win debates by explaining your choice to those that criticize it. Present some facts to the naysayers and grab some for yourself too.
Grab some facts from the National Home Education Research Institute. What is NHERI?
From their site: NHERI conducts and collects research about homeschooling (home-based education, home schooling), and publishes the research journal called the Home School Researcher. The institute has hundreds of research works documented and catalogued on home schooling, many of which were done by NHERI. Simply put, NHERI specializes in homeschool research.
http://www.nheri.org/research.html
{loving, learning, fostering sibling togetherness – what more could I ask for?}
So, what is homeschooling and the homeschooling lifestyle?
Day to day meaningful conversations become a normal part of teaching your children. It is about getting to actually know your son or daughter that you thought you knew so well before. Allowing your children to hear your expressions each day of your deep love for Godly things and about His creation is a large part of homeschooling. Homeschooling becomes more about parenting while learning takes place.
Also, letting go of burdensome homework and allowing more time for free play and a simple childhood become the norm. Eventually the line between living and learning becomes blurred. This is a good thing and you are no longer living for your curricula, but making curricula serve your lifestyle. It is about playing together, working together, worshipping together and learning together.
Define your mission and your goals because they are your foot holds to guide you through your journey.
Go here to download my forms for a Homeschool Mission Statement and jot down your goals.
Appreciating that homeschooling is not a mere academic choice but a lifestyle change will help you to seize ALL that homeschooling offers.
Hugs,
I thank you so much for this post. My head and heart are in 2 different places. I have taken the leap and second guessing myself. But reading this blog settles my head. And I know this is the best choice for my family. Thank you so much for this resource I’m so excited now!