Are you ready to take the plunge into homeschooling? If so, then you need to learn all you can so you can stay organized, teach effectively and create the best lesson plans. This article will guide you through a plethora of tips and tricks which will be sure to keep you on your toes.
Check the web to find all the days in which local attractions offer free admission. For example, the museum will often have free events available on a certain day of the week, month or year. Check their calendar of events and pencil it into your schedule to ensure you don’t miss it.
Wednesdays can be hard as they’re stuck in the middle of the week, so why not make them a special event? Include fun hands-on activities on this day or excursions around town. Make it something they look forward to and your kids will have an easier time making it through the week.
Figure out what motivates your children. The same thing will not motivate all children, so find a motivational tool for each child and use it. Keep your rewards age appropriate and reward your children for accomplishing each of their school goals for the year. They will work hard for the things that make them happy.
Plan out a ton of activities to accentuate your child’s learning. If they’re learning about history, have them act out the time they’re learning about. They can dress up, speak like people of that time and even engage in battle, if that is what the topic is. It gives them a chance to truly experience what they’re learning, immersing them in the topic and ensuring they learn as much as possible from the lesson plan you present.
Contact your state’s Homeschool Association to learn the guidelines and laws that you must abide by. Homeschool requirements vary by state, you may need to give certain tests or register as a school. Don’t get stuck with truancy fees. Be sure your school district knows you are homeschooling.
When drafting your goals for your homeschooling classroom, be reasonable. Don’t expect your kids to finish high school by the time they’re 12, or to spend every waking minute in the classroom. You need to give them the ability to learn at their own pace while absorbing as much as possible. The goals you set should be both short- and long-term so that you find achievement comes at frequent intervals, meaning rewards can be given as well as congratulations.
Before you begin homeschooling, be cautious of the discipline being used in your home. Each home has a special kind of “discipline” or training that should also be put to use when homeschooling. Know whether the relationship that you have with your children will make this easier or harder, so that you can make any necessary adjustments.
The great thing about homeschooling is that it is very flexible. Traditional classrooms are very structured with a strict curriculum. Homeschooling allows you to stray away from this one size fits all mentality, and structure your classes to suit your child’s learning style. This means if your child does not understand the traditional way math is taught, you can teach them in a way they understand instead.
Get in touch with your local schools. It may be possible for your child to enroll part-time for certain enrichment classes, such as art or music. They may be willing to rent textbooks to your family. Your child may also be able to play on their sports teams. Reach out to the administration and see what resources they can offer.
Carefully research which curriculum you are going to use, but remember that you are the one that makes or breaks it. Having a strong curriculum is important, but it is even more important that you take the materials and put your special touch on them. If you need help, draw on your homeschooling network for support.
Knowing the type of learner that your child is will help make teaching them easier. Some children learn with hands-on techniques while others learn by watching and then doing. Pay attention to how your child learns and adapts the lessons to suit their style to get the best results and the least frustration.
If homeschooling your child is just not working out for them or for you, do not be scared to put them in regular school. Your child may simply be better off going to school, especially if they are not learning well from what you are teaching them. If this happens to you, do not blame yourself; this is simply how things go sometimes.
When you decide to start homeschooling, let your family have time to adjust to it. You want to integrate the changes slowly so that they don’t overwhelm your family. It’s a big change, so you need to be patient with them. If some things are met with opposition, try making compromises and adjustments to help everyone get used to it.
Join a homeschool group in your area. Many people homeschool and when you are around others who school their children at home it is much easier for you and your child. You can share ideas with each other, socialize and have a great support network. You can also swap curriculum materials to help you save money. The best way to school your children is with the help of others who do the same thing as you.
Find ways to add your child’s interests into your homeschool curriculum. When a child has a genuine interest in something, they are going to spend more time and energy on their lessons. There are many ways to add favorite topics into almost all subjects. For instance, if your child loves space, he can read about space. He can write stories about space and research space. You can also give him math problems with space information embedded in them. There are many ways to add just about any interest into learning materials.
With so much advice under your hat, you should now easily be able to set up a home school environment which works for all involved. You’ll be able to leave the public school system behind and focus on your future goals. A little bit of effort goes a long way, so keep truckin’!
