The ABCs of Homeschooling
By Suzi Perryman, staff writer

Every good parent is concerned about their child’s education. Many of us may feel that we don’t have enough say in the curriculum, discipline or teaching methods practiced in state schools. There are many different reasons why parents choose to teach their children at home. Here is a basic guide to the benefits of homeschooling, the different styles practiced and resources available.

Hollie Carr is a BYU graduate, a mother of three, plays the trumpet and is a song writer. Although Hollie has many titles, "teacher" is not one she thought she'd ever be called.

"I like working with kids, and I have taught piano lessons, but I never really saw my self teaching school," Hollie said.

Hollie became a teacher last month, but not to a classroom of 20 eager pupils, to a living room of one. Hollie started homeschooling her first grader.

"I'd never have pegged myself as one who would homeschool. Homeschooling kinds of has a bad stigma of antisocial kids who are very book smart, but not well adjusted."

Hollie changed her mind, though, when her first-grade daughter had trouble adjusting to a new school.

"I just had a new baby, we bought a new house, we were attending a new ward, and she had a new school. I think all the change was too much for her."

Since her daughter only had two more months left in school, she decided to teach her at home herself.

"It's been a really positive experience for us. My younger son joins in and sits in 'class' with us. He likes it so much and wants homework too. My daughter is back to her normal, self-confident, outgoing self."

Hollie's not alone, thousands of mothers choose to homeschool their children each year.

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is a way of educating your child by helping them learn skills and develop outside of the traditional schooling system. There are a lot of different methods, depending on what you find most important. The best thing about homeschooling is that you as parents have the power to change the form of teaching to your child’s needs and preferences.

The subsequent links show different homeschooling techniques that will give you a better idea of what your options are and will give you an insight to existing organizations that offer support for homeschooling families.

Unit Studies
Unit studies provide a range of activities for your child on a specific topic: “When we studied "Christopher Columbus", we studied ships (history) (because that is how he traveled) and we studied astronomy (science) (because that is how he navigated). We studied geography as we plotted his travels. We brought in some math as we discussed distances. We brought in health by discussing diet on the travels. We brought in literature by looking for poems about stars or sailing. We even learned a few words in Spanish because Columbus learned how to speak Portuguese and Spanish. We drew sketches of the three ships as well (arts and crafts).”

> A resource for selecting curriculum.

Montessori
Montessori is a style of teaching that is also offered as a school for children to attend as an alternative to traditional schooling. This method gives a holistic approach to teaching with an up to date and dynamic environment one which is supportive and exciting. The focus is that learning is a natural process and the only “control” should be of the learning environment, not of the child.

More useful Montessori sites:

> Montessori.org

> International Montessori Index of schools teachers and teacher training

> American Montessori Consulting has offered free lesson planning information since 1996

“Relaxed” or “Eclectic” Homeschooling
This is the most common form of homeschooling. This method uses whatever the parent deems appropriate. It also allows the freedom to incorporate various other methods. Visit HomeSchool.com for more information on what teaching packs are available.

The Charlotte Mason Method
One of the core beliefs of the Charlotte Mason Method is that children learn better from life experiences. This method allows time to play and interact with nature, visit museums and learn from “living books” (classic literature). There are no tests involved as knowledge can be measured through discussion.

Other methods:

> School-at-Home Just as the name implies, this is regular school with text books, tests and grades – without exposure to the classroom or school environment.

> LDS Homeschooling This is a link to a support site put together by members that homeschool from around the world.

Should I choose to Homeschool?
The church’s official status on homeschooling is neutral. The manner of educating your children is an entirely personal decision (refer to the clarification of the Church educational system (CES) Seminary Policies on Homeschooling, approved by the CES Executive Council on November 2000).

There are certain things that can affect you decision, such as; how the child is doing at school? Do you find your state’s educational system lacking? Do you feel there isn’t enough attention given to your child in a large class? Is there a specific curriculum that you would like your child to take part in, or would you like your child to have more of a say in what they want to learn more about?

Some schools only touch on subjects for a semester and spend a lot of time with “busy work” being a means of just keeping the children occupied. Homeschooling provides time for the child to think for themselves, be creative in finding answers and can build self-confidence by not being intimidated or embarrassed about asking questions.

For Hollie Carr, homeschooling for the last few months of her child's first grade year was the right decision for her.

"We're really happy that we chose to homeschool the remainder of the year. I was planning on sending my daughter back to public school in the fall, but now that homeschool is going so well, I might just change my mind."

School Plus. What Parents Can Do
To Improve Their Children’s Education.

An editorial piece by Suzi Perryman

School curriculums are very hectic and often only an overview of subjects is given
to then prompt an idea of what elective they can chose in grade school.

Both of my parents always tried to stay in tune with what was going on in my life, and welcomed any new pursuit I wished to take up.

All through my youth and leading into adult life my mom and dad spent a lot of time nurturing my interests. Planting and cultivating our small vegetable garden would make me so excited to realize the tiny miracle of seeds turning into dinner. This helped to develop my love for food. I also loved cooking, and indulged in this fabulous, productive mess at every opportunity. I later learnt from my mom how to ice wedding cakes, create the intricate sugar flowers and helped me understand the importance of a maintained working temperature. These skills have stayed with me. I may even be able to make some money out of them if I wanted. Not only do I view them as practical and valuable skills, but as a token of my parents’ sacrifice to enrich my life with the interests that have developed into passions.

Here are some ideas for what you can do to enrich your children’s education outside of school hours:

Read together, animate stories, cover seminary topics in Family Home Evening.

Practice sport, exercise, or try fun and safe science experiments

Invest in classes at community colleges, tuitions and summer camps

On your next vacation learn about the local history of the area.

Plant a garden, sleep in the back yard and discover nocturnal animals

Help you children to create their own charts with chores and rewards

Discover dance classes; try Irish dancing, tap, ballet, jazz. Try Tai Chi, yoga or gymnastics

Art expression with different mediums that include drawing with crayons, painting with acrylics, seashell collages, etc.

Reinforce math with younger children while playing blocks or Legos.