Homeschoolers at Harvard? Colleges Seek Homeschoolers.

Auburn, Clemson, even Harvard are just a few of the schools that gladly accept homeschool students. Most instituions of higher learning are impressed by the homeschoolers level of maturity, diversified education, and their ability to be independent learners. The following is a quote taken from Jon Reider, a Stanford University admissions officer, “Homeschoolers bring certain skills – motivation, curiosity, the capacity to be responsible for their education – that high schools don’t induce very well.” The following is a basic list that most colleges require prior to admission: • Four years of English (including grammar, composition, and literature.) • Three … Continue reading →

Dyslexia and Homeschooling – A Learning Challenge Shared By Many

Can you guess what the following people have in common? • Orlando Bloom • Tom Cruise • Robin Williams • Albert Einstein • Thomas Edison • Alexander Graham Bell • Nolan Ryan • Agatha Christie • Winston Churchill • George Washington If you guessed that they are all famous…well yes you are correct; however, on their way to fame and fortune they had to overcome a road block that could have stopped them in their tracks…dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to recognize and comprehend written words. Some examples of what a student with … Continue reading →

Homeschooling Your ADHD Child

If you are homeschooling an ADHD child then you are presented with a list of special challenges. The following is a sample list of what some may be experiencing teaching their ADHD student. • Your child being distracted and not being able to stay on task. • Your child being frustrated when they do not understand an assignment. • Easily bored with anything repetitive like spelling, handwriting, etc. • Sloppy work and mistakes due to non-interest. • Unaware of time – taking an unnecessary amount of time to complete an assignment. Most ADHD children do not do well in a … Continue reading →

Home School Legal Defense Association

While homeschooling’s roots go way back, in modern day there are many that are strongly opposed to it. Fifteen years ago two homeschooling fathers, who are attorneys, recognized this fact and saw the opposition that many faced in trying to homeschool their children. Michael Farris and Michael Smith started Homeschool Legal Defense Association in March of 1983. Their mission was simple, “to preserve and advance the fundamental, God-given, constitutional right of parents and others legally responsible for their children to direct their education.” Since 1983 their focus has stayed the same. There is unity in numbers. With a large number … Continue reading →

Ten Tips On Reducing Homeschool Stress

Ten Tips on Reducing Homeschool Stress Homeschooling can be stressful. I know that when I started homeschooling I thought “I have so much to do now, how am I going to manage this too?” It does not matter if you are homeschooling one or many, you still deal with stress. Most of our stress comes from trying to do too much. We set very high expectations for ourselves and our children and don’t allow enough flexibility into our lives. Here are some tips that may help you in your daily walk: 1. Slow down. We are reaching for an imaginary … Continue reading →

Thoughts On Spring Break – Homeschooling and Having Fun!

Spring is in the air! Flowers are blooming, the trees have leaves, and the grass is turning green once again. Finally, there is no need for a jacket to be outside; only a pair of spring sandals. Yes, I do love this time of year. Along with this most wonderful time of year comes the all important and much anticipated spring break. Your children (and you) have anxiously been awaiting this and the last thing that you want to think about is school work, right? Well, don’t be too anxious to rule it out. This may be the perfect opportunity … Continue reading →

“What About Socialization?” – Are Homeschoolers Deprived?

“What About Socialization?” – Are Homeschoolers Deprived? Chances are if you have contemplated homeschooling, then someone has said to you “what about socialization.” Amusing isn’t it? Apparently there is a myth that all homeschoolers and their families are reclusive and never have the opportunity, much less the need, for human interaction. I have never met one of those families, have you? The majority of homeschool families, for that matter most families, are involved in an array of out-of-the-home events. Religious youth groups, football, baseball, ballet, cheerleading practices, scouts, etc. There are neighborhood children, family, and homeschool cooperative gatherings for homeschoolers … Continue reading →

Eclectic Schooling, Unschooling, and Deschooling – New Age or Long Overdue?

In my last few blogs I have discussed many options for you and your homeschoolers regarding curriculum. There are a few more that I would like to mention that seem to be growing in popularity and that you may want to consider. The first one is Eclectic Schooling. This means that homeschooling families use parts of preplanned curriculum along with supplemental workbooks purchased from local educational vendors. This also means using educational games on the internet, maybe using a virtual school or a co-op for more supplemental classes. It could also mean that you may use Alpha Omega for English … Continue reading →

Online Children’s Books

Reading with Online Children’s Books If you are teaching your child how to read, then you may be ready for all of the help that you can get! Fortunately, there are many free resources that will not only help guide and prepare you for this task, but resources that can help any beginning reader enjoy their new found skills. Learning to read is one of the most important educational steps for any child to master. We have all heard of how Johnny can’t read, and have asked the most important questions, “Why?” And though many scholars, doctors, psychologists, and sociologists … Continue reading →

This Isn’t A One Room School House Kind of Thing – Virtual Learning and Umbrella Schools

In my last blog I introduced some of the options available to homeschoolers who choose to incorporate religious beliefs into their curriculum and the different mediums that are available for the presentation of this material. However, we are just getting started when it comes to options. I mentioned before that some of the companies that offer religious curriculum offer it via virtual learning or cyber schools, which is education that is offered over the internet; this is becoming widely popular. Students correspond and study with instructors and classmates via the internet. There are many public school systems that provide courses … Continue reading →