Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion has no hold on the mind. Therefore do not use compulsion, but let early education be a sort of amusement; you will then be better able to discover the child’s natural bent. -Plato
So how do you homeschool?
LEGAL ASPECTS
In the state of California parents who choose to homeschool privately are required to file annually with the state in October. This option is for families who are not enrolling in any state funded charter school. After October, if your child is enrolled in a public school, you notify the district so that they can remove your child from their roll. Then you simply file with the state at that time. There are some very good instructions online to help you through filling out the form.
CHN (California Homeschoold Network) has an excellent step by step guide, along with template letters for informing your school district. If you decide to go with a charter school that offers classes or services, then they will file with the state and your child will be enrolled under their organization. They will receive state funds for every child in their program. If you decide to homeschool independently, unfortunately you cannot collect state funds. If the district is uncooperative sometimes it is because of a simple misunderstanding. There are many people in our group that can be of assistance and you should contact us. Put the nature of your difficulty in the comments section. HSLDA the Homeschooling Advocates are a great resource for more difficult cases. |
File Your PSA between October 1st and October 15th
Join HSLDA
|
METHODS
Once you decide to homeschool, the next question is "how?" There are as many ways to homeschool as there are children and families homeschooling. Everyone finds their right balance after some experimentation.
Immediately after ceasing public schools, some families go through a rest period, often called deschooling. The rhythms of learning at home can differ from those in public school and it can take time to adjust. This is a great time for parents to read up on homeschooling, make contacts and find activities. Below are a few generalized styles of homeschooling that may appeal to you.
Immediately after ceasing public schools, some families go through a rest period, often called deschooling. The rhythms of learning at home can differ from those in public school and it can take time to adjust. This is a great time for parents to read up on homeschooling, make contacts and find activities. Below are a few generalized styles of homeschooling that may appeal to you.
But first a short word about...
Religion
One of the joys of homeschooling is the freedom to teach your spiritual views and religious beliefs right alongside math and literature. In many homes faith is integrated into many subjects to help give the student the scope and real world application of core values and morals.
But not all homeschoolers are religious. There are many secular homeschoolers who utilize the freedom of homeschooling to teach their child in the manner they feel is best suited for the student and the family.
And, though, styles of homeschooling can be popular with secular or religious based schooling, no method is exclusive to one or the other. For example, even though many Christians prefer the Classical style of education, there are large groups of Christian Unschoolers. And many secular homeschoolers will participate in some of the wonderful traditionally Christian resources because it fits their needs and moral values.
So keep in mind that when choosing methods, curriculum and communities, you have the freedom to choose what best suits your family.
But not all homeschoolers are religious. There are many secular homeschoolers who utilize the freedom of homeschooling to teach their child in the manner they feel is best suited for the student and the family.
And, though, styles of homeschooling can be popular with secular or religious based schooling, no method is exclusive to one or the other. For example, even though many Christians prefer the Classical style of education, there are large groups of Christian Unschoolers. And many secular homeschoolers will participate in some of the wonderful traditionally Christian resources because it fits their needs and moral values.
So keep in mind that when choosing methods, curriculum and communities, you have the freedom to choose what best suits your family.
Some Different Styles
TRADITIONAL SCHOOLING Or school-at-home, is one method that can work well for families. Basically, the approach replicates the structure and set up of the public school at home, but with the benefit of individualized attention and proper pacing for the student.
CLASSICAL Methods focuses on the trivium of reason, record, research, relate, and rhetoric to teach students successful and productive learning strategies. Early stages focus on grammar when the child is best suited for memorization. Logic follows at the middle school age. And high school emphasizes rhetoric. You can read a little more about classical education from Diane Lockman's article over on the Homeschool World website.
CHARLOTTE MASON METHOD Promotes cultivating an atmosphere of learning through reading and exploring your natural environment. There is greater emphasis on "living books" and outdoor settings. Ultimately, Charlotte Mason believed that forming good habits of discipline in thinking and learning can build a lifetime foundation for education.
The Homeschool Mom has an informative post about this style of teaching.
The Homeschool Mom has an informative post about this style of teaching.
WALDORF Is a more holistic approach, focusing on the mind, body and spirit. Teachers strive to guide the child to find their place in the world. Free thinking is encouraged, as well as taking responsibility for your own outcomes in life. Like classical education, stages of child development are used as guides for the stages of learning. Standard curriculum is rarely used. Oak Meadow is one example of the kind of curriculum packs that might be used.
MONTESSORI Strongly values the sense of self. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician who developed a system of education based on the ways children learn. This method aims to teach the child respect by giving them control over their environment and responsibilities for themselves and their peers. In this way children will learn quickly and easily because they are motivated by their own interests and intrinsic goals. You can read Montessori for Everyone's view of how this method can be used.
UNIT STUDY Is about using a child's interest to integrate many skills and subjects into one activity. It works well for multi-age groups and children who are project oriented. Many combine this approach with other approaches.
Project-Based Homeschooling is another way to use this approach to homeschool. It focuses on helping children become self-directed in their learning while pursuing their interests.
Project-Based Homeschooling is another way to use this approach to homeschool. It focuses on helping children become self-directed in their learning while pursuing their interests.
UNSCHOOLING Is at the opposite end of the spectrum from traditional schooling. It can look very different from child to child. But the driving factor is that the student chooses and organizes their own schooling. The parent acts more as a facilitator than an educator. These students are usually self-driven and have their own goals. Their goals may not look good to adults from the outside, but process over results is the key to this style of learning. Mistakes and wrong turns can lead to a more thorough learning. Specializing in one subject can give the child the skills to take on many new subjects as they mature into adulthood.
John Holt is one of the forerunners of this style.
John Holt is one of the forerunners of this style.
Try out different styles until you find one style or combination of styles that works for you and your children. In the coming years, your methods may shift and evolve as your children grow and develop new goals.