How To Homeschool Like A Pro

by on October 13, 2010
in inspiration · 15 Comments

Written by Amida of Journey Into Unschooling

Ready to rise from the ranks of a newbie homeschooler to a genuine pro?

While I don’t guarantee overnight success, I can offer a few tips to get you headed in the right direction.

Three R’s to Successful Homeschooling

1. Redefine yourself.

Classical, Eclectic, Unschooler… Whatever you call yourself, don’t let the standard definitions confine you.

Just because I blog about our “Journey Into Unschooling” doesn’t mean I never break out the worksheets or <gasp> refer to a textbook. We use whatever feels right at the moment, regardless of how a true “unschooler” is supposed to learn.

Flexibility is the homeschooler’s middle name.
[Read more...]

Erasing the Line Between Home and School

by on September 10, 2010
in a mom's education · 12 Comments

Written by contributor Amida of Journey Into Unschooling

Back to school is upon us and there have been lots of discussions among fellow homeschoolers about the Big Day — the loss of carefree summer days, the stress of preparation, the hopeful direction of the new year.

It is a time filled with promising new materials to try out, and beloved old ones to continue with. For me though, I prefer to take the route less stressful. I propose a different outlook.

One of my goals with homeschooling, after all, is to raise lifelong learners. I want my children to remain naturally curious of their world and to seek information and acquaint learning as a natural part of their lives. Just as learning shouldn’t be limited to specific hours of the day, neither does it need to have a start and end date. [Read more...]

Healthy Obsessions

by on August 11, 2010
in a mom's education · 22 Comments

Written by Amida of Journey into Unschooling

At one time or another, children will go through phases where they are consumed by a subject or hobby. Through the years, we’ve been taken over by Calvin and Hobbes, Harry Potter, and Horrible History, among a host of other infatuations.

Sometimes, these may not be desirable to us. We may not always understand or see the possible educational benefits of leafing through piles of Captain Underpants. It may even cross our minds to limit their exposure to these passing crazes and replace them with something more beneficial or academic.

I think though, that a little obsession does a body good.

It is at these moments of intense study that one really learns. When my eight-year-old was into Pokemon, he pored over a 600-plus guide day and night and studied the ins and outs of the trading card game, learned every character’s weaknesses and strengths, and became the household’s best player.

Sure, we may think Pokemon is nothing, but to that eight-year-old, it was a source of pride and accomplishment — something he was very good at. [Read more...]

Learning Through A Co-op

by on July 14, 2010
in a mom's education · 4 Comments

Like it or not, homeschooling can be a lonely existence. Your children don’t have the instant friends that going to school offers and forget the social events — no school plays to be a part of, no teams to try out for, no year-end parties.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Most of us make a conscious effort to get out and meet people, through local homeschool days or extracurricular activities — just to avoid the dreaded socialization issue.

Yes, there is the argument that the world is your friend and there is no need to remain in one peer group. But kids generally do want to play with other children their own age. They are likely to have similar interests and laugh at the same silly jokes.

One good way to meet socialization needs is through co-ops, a core group of like-minded folk who get together and learn.

Not only will it give your kids a chance to burn energy with others who can keep up, it’s also a chance for the parents to indulge in adult conversation. Whether that be a discussion of the latest vaccines, the state of the laundry, or homeschooling concerns, it’s nice to have someone who understands.

In the beginning, it’s good to just get out and meet people. Like any good relationship, a co-op doesn’t happen instantly. You may love the mom, but don’t like the kids–or vice versa. Give it time and you will find that core group of families who you love hanging out with and growing with.

There are no hard and fast rules as to how to get a co-op going, but here are a few guidelines to get you started: [Read more...]

Keeping up with the Homeschooling Joneses

by on June 4, 2010
in methods & philosophies · 13 Comments

One of the worst mistakes rookie homeschooling parents can make — and sometimes veteran ones do, too — is to compare their kids with another.

“Little Betsy is studying German and French and taking college-level algebra. Her vocal instructor says she has the voice of an angel.”

And while it’s wonderful for Little Betsy, it’s possible that in comparison your own little one, who is fluent in Pig Latin and loves to sing about how Batman smells, might seem less than admirable.

You may start to wonder: Is my child falling behind? Is she missing out on something? Should she be spending two hours a day on Rosetta Stone? Perhaps you’ll even begin to doubt your ability to give a decent education to your child. Don’t go there.

You will be miserable trying to live up to someone else’s expectations, and your child will be miserable forced to follow someone else’s schedule. [Read more...]

Preparing to Funschool this Summer

by on May 7, 2010
in family time · 16 Comments

When we first started homeschooling, I saw summer as a way of preparing for the next year–a few months to dedicate to intense schooling and perhaps, complete half of the next grade-level.

Looking back, I clearly see that this was a totally unrealistic goal, not to mention an unpleasant way to spend the summer. Given the choice, almost no child would chose schoolwork over fun in the summer months. That’s not to say they are opposed to learning. I firmly believe that most children are wired to learn, but on their own terms.

There is no better time to let them explore their own interests — without the constraints of “school” — than during a long summer vacation. For us, that means taking full advantage of the outdoors and local activities.

Although we are relaxed homeschoolers, we are part of a charter school, and therefore must abide by their rules — we have to participate in standardize tests and turn in a certain amount of busywork every month. Summer is a welcomed break from all that and through our years, I’ve learned to embrace the freedom, rather than abuse it to “get ahead.” [Read more...]

« Older Posts
Newer Posts »