Tag: fun learning

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Homeschool FAQ Homeschooling Resource Homeschooling tips

How To Set Up Private School For Homeschooling?

If you are in California and want to set up your own private school as one of the four options that get started homeschooling your kids legally and right way, here is how to set up and file for PSA (Private School Affidavit) and set up your own private school for your kids to teach. Establishing Your Private School is easy once you know the steps and how to get started on it.  Home educators may establish a private school based in their home by filing a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education as an option for homeschooling your own children.

Please check out our article on : How to Homeschool in California Article for more choices.

How and When to File the PSA?

One of the easiest way for parent to file for The Private School Affidavit can be online at the California Department of Education website from October 1st to October 15th of every year. You can file any other time during school year, but during Oct 1st through Oct 15th is easiest method. Schools that are created after the filing period should file at the time the school is established every year during these time. The CDE usually leaves the form up until early spring. If you need to file your affidavit and cannot do so electronically (or choose not to), you can still file a Statement in Lieu. We will share soon how to file Statement in Lieu in coming next articles.

If you need a step by step instruction on how to file PSA for California, here is free downloadable link: Step by Step Guide to File PSA

How the PSA Works For Homeschooling?

There is a huge misconception about it, as I was also not sure how it work and how it made it all legal. This is what the information I got from official California Homeschool Website. The Private school  affidavit is not a license to private school. The State of California accredits neither public nor private schools if that makes sense.  By filing an affidavit you are showing intent to establish a private school, and informing the state, as required by law. Parents have been legally using this provision for many years to conduct their own home-based private schools. So, I know it works and recommended by experts.

What are California Private School Requirements?

According to http://leginfo.ca.gov/, Education Code sections §48222, §48415, §33190, §51210 and §51220 set the criteria for a private school. The following legal requirements apply to all private schools regardless of size:

  1. The administrator of every private school must file an affidavit with the Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1st and October 15th of each year.
  2. Private school instructors must be “capable of teaching.” There is, however, no requirement in the CA Education Code that mandates that teachers in a private school setting hold a state teaching credential or have the equivalent training.
  3. The names and addresses, including city and street, of the faculty must be kept on file, as must a record of the educational qualifications of each instructor.
  4. Instruction must be in English.
  5. Instruction must be offered “in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools.” The materials and methods you use to teach these areas are up to you. You are not required to teach every subject as long as it is offered and available to the student:
    • Grades 1-6: English, math, social sciences, science, fine arts, health and phys ed.
    • Grades 7-12: All that is included in the above plus: foreign language, applied arts, vocational ed and drivers ed.

For information about record keeping for Private schooling records see here: Private Schooling Records (Coming soon!)

Important Things to know about PSA (Private School Affidavit)

  • Kindergarten attendance is not mandatory in California. You can teach your child at home but do not fill out PSA for Kindergartener.
  • If you are using ISP or Charter school to homeschool, no need to file PSA as it is done by the school itself.
  • Some Correspondence school PSP may require filing PSA while other do not. So check with your PSP when in doubt.
  • Fingerprinting is not needed when a parent or legal guardian is working with his or her own children.
  • State should not be asking more information other that what is listed in California Education §33190.
  • If you are part of ISP, PSP, Charterschool program, no need for filing PSA is required.
  • Best time to file for PSA is between Oct 1- Oct 15 of every year.
  • Do not file for PSA as backup when you have signed in with public school, PSP, ISP or Charter school.

 

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Fun Learning

Homeschooling By Number: Info Graphic Chart

Before I started homeshcooling my kids, I surely did not know there were so many homeschooling families.  I was happily surprised to know that there are many good and concerned parents who homeschool their kids successfully and legally. However I did not know until I found this info graphic that shows homeschooling by numbers so we can see how we fare among others. It is surely interesting facts that I am sure will fascinate all homeschoolers and potential homeschooling parents.

Homeschooling by the Numbers
Comparing 2008-2009 SAT Scores • Independent Homeschooling, Religiously-Affiliated Homeschooling, Public Schools
National Average Percentile Scores, Public School Versus Homeschool
Education Level of Homeschooled Parents
Number of Children Per Homeschooled Family
Via DegreeSearch.org
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Fun Learning

Know Your Learning Style

Discovering your learning style and sometimes teaching style can be a huge eye opener. It sure was for me when I started homeschooling my 3 years old first time. Now that I have tested my own and my child’s learning style, teaching and educating is much easier. This works for daily learning as well, not only for homeschoolers, you know? Try it and check it out yourself.

What Type of Learner Are You?
The Styles of Learning - Visual Learners, Read/Write Learners, Auditory Learners, Kinesthetic Learners
Visual Learners - Characteristics, Learning Suggestions
Auditory Learners - Learning Suggestions, Characteristics
Kinesthetic-Tactile Learners - Learning Suggestions, Characteristics
Percentages of Learners - Kinesthetic-Tactile, Read/Write, Visual, Auditory
Source: See above & onlinecollege.org
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Fun Learning

How Did Homeschooling Started: History

Want to know How Homeschooling Started? Here is fun info graphic on history of Homeschooling! Hope you like it.

Homeschooling
Via: Online College Source

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Homeschooling tips

Home School Humor: 14 Days Of Homeschool

We all need humor and need to laugh out in life when things get too serious or complicated. It is fun to laugh, when things are cool also. This home school humor song was sent to me by friend of mine who also homeschools her kids, Thanks Megan!  The reason, I want to share here is because, I am sure many of you who are homeschooling are asked all or some of the questions by either neighbors or some well meaning friends.

Here to share with you all. I am not a original author of this poem which is sung in tune of 12 days of Christmas. Enjoy.

Home school Humor: 14 Days Of Homeschool

To the tune of “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Can you homeschool legally?”

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?”

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Why do you do this, look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?”

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “They’ll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?”

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “What about graduation, they’ll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “I could never do that, what about graduation, they’ll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “Can they go to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they’ll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?”

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: “They Can go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we don’t like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we’ll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, “How can I get started, why didn’t you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE’RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, we’ll join a sports team, and we’ll homeschool legally.”

Check out more Christmas music and homeschooling tips here.

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Homeschool Curriculum Homeschool Parenting Tips Homeschool-Family Homeschooling tips

Yes, You Can Homeschool Your Kids

Often times, I meet a mom who is frustrated at her kids and schooling systems but does not know what to do. Many parent  do not think they can home school their kids, some may think you need a special education degree or child development degree to start homeschooling. That is not true. Did you know many private schools have some teachers who do not have teacher’s degree also, but they are great teachers. So you can be too.

If you are new to homeschooling check out;

New to Homeschooling

Homeschooling Resources

Homeschooling curriculum Reviews

There are many myths and confusion about homeschooling out there, and I was one of them until I started to homeschool by 2 year old at home a few years ago. Now, I have learned a lot and this website is created for many parents such as you to show you yes, you can homeschool too. Please see our homeschooling tips and homeschooling faq articles;

If you still need further proof that you can homeschool your children, see these two videos created by HSLDA which stands for Home School Legal Defence Advocate. They are leading legal avenue for many US and International Homeschoolers to make sure you can legally and comfortably homeschool your child for your local state or country. After seeing these two videos, I can assure you you will see the way, many homeschooling parents will do. Good luck and if you have questions, ask away in comment section.

You Can Homeschool : Part 1

You can Homeschool : Part 2

Did that help? Any questions, ask in comment. Believe in yourself, You can home school, really!

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Homeschool FAQ Homeschool Parenting Tips Homeschooling Resource

Why Parents Choose To Homeschool

There are many people who are homeschooling their kids at home via independent studies, charter school or other legal ways to homeschool a child at home. Often time, many parent of public going kids also supplement education via private piano, art and language classes in weekend, that is also sort of like part time homeschooling.

If you are already homeschooling parent then you know the benefits such as pros and cons of homeschooling and why you chose to do homeschooling. For those who are thinking about homeschooling or have little knowledge about homeschooling wonder why anyone would want to home school their child at home. If you are wondering this article is for you. There are many reasons parent may choose to home school a child, here are main popular reasons parents choose to homeschool a child or children at home.

Why Parents Choose Homeschooling?

Everyone’s reasons might vary a little but here are a few main reasons most parents choose to homeschool kids at home via many homeschooling methods.

1. Inadequate public school systems

In America, kids can only go to local assigned public school based on their parent’s address of home or rental places. That often means, prices of home or rental apartment are generally higher in good school district. So, if you want your child to go to very good public school, parents either has to buy a expensive house in the area or rent a place there to legally use local public school.

There are many time intra country transfer can be possible but it is surely complicated process for many. If you want your child to get a good education, you would have to either buy a expensive house in great school district or send them to equally expensive private school. If parent have more than one child, cost can add up and not every one can afford expense of private school or great public school house location.

In top of that many good to better public school systems leave much to desire for many parents, some may have budget cuts, out of date books and curriculum and other funding issues to really make it worthwhile for a few parents. So, they choose alternative education method and one of them could be homeschooling, charter school or independent studies through public school means educating at home.

2. Parent have special need child

While many public and private school have special need child related programs, but getting approved for it or custom fitting to a child may be an issue for some school district. Other problem some parents may feel is if their child is special need, they might be harassed or bullied at public school by some kids. There have been many cased of kids, not only special need but also different races, fat child, small thin child have been targeted by bullies at school. In some cases, kid’s self esteem is damaged or a few unlucky ones have killed themselves.

While many school authority and concern parents have worked hard to prevent such harassment, but still happens. Some parents therefore, want to avoid frustration of their special need child by doing one on one schooling or homeschooling which may work better for kids and themselves.

3. Having more control over Learning

If you are homeschooling, in many states in US parents still have to follow local state’s guideline on what to teach for each grade. However, many parents feel that by homeschooling their children they have more control over their learning and less focus on current trend and fashions. Many Christian and other religious parents may want to teach religion at home as many public and private school do not teach religion or moral values in a class.

In addition to some parents value art, music and other form of learning such as cooking, clay making or singing in their teaching can do via homeschooling or take extra classes when in public school as many public school do not offer many artistic education to satisfy some parents.

Reasons Parents Homeschool :

So – WHY Do You Homeschool?

Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8- Year-Old Child

Ten Great Reasons to Homeschool

The Little Book of Big Reasons to Homeschool

What is your reason for choosing to home school?

 

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Fun Learning K12 Homeschooling

How To Raise Tadpoles

Image: Tadpoles

Raising tadpoles can be fun and educational for kids, as they will get to see life cycle from tadpoles to frog. Before you start, here are a few things to know so you can successfully raise tadpoles at home. This article shows how to raise tadpole, if you want to know more details about tadpole raising, how to feed and what type of container and feeding needed please check out our other article, Detailed Caring tips for Raising Tadpoles.

Things to know before you raise tadpoles:

  1. In order to raise tadpoles, you’ll need a suitable container, like an aquarium, fishbowl, or garden pond. You can start in glass jar at home too.
  2. Tadpoles likes shade and avoid direct Sun. Be sure it has good shade – about 3/4 shade is ideal for them.
  3. Tadpoles absolutely depend on having fresh, clean water. Chlorine is deadly to tadpoles!If you take the water from a local stream, creek or pond, be sure it isn’t polluted. Ideally, you can get it upstream from any suspected sources like factories, sewers, etc.
  4. If using tap water, let it stand exposed to full sunlight for 5 to 7 days. This will allow the Chlorine to be removed by evaporation.
  5. If you don’t have that much time, you can buy de-chlorinating drops at your local fish-carrying pet store.
  6. You can get also ready made tadpole raising kit available which has everything you will need to get started.

What do I feed tadpoles?

Frog and toad tadpoles are vegetarians, (unlike the tadpoles of newts and salamanders), and are very easy to feed.

They seemed to love lettuce! You can boil the lettuce for 10 to 15 minutes, drain it, and keep it in a baggie in the freezer. Give the tadpoles a pinch every few days. you can also give them water reptiles food sometimes, but not instead of lettuce! You can feed them tadpole or fish food as well.

Other thing to know is that tadpoles of some toads and frogs can morph from placid plant eaters to fierce cannibals if their pools threaten to run dry or if food is scarce. By becoming meat eaters that snack on other tadpoles, the cannibals speed up their development, hoping to transform into toads before the water or food run out. so be sure to feed them enough! But don’t forget, too much food will get the water all dirty.

If your water gets dirty really fast, slow down on the feeding, and be sure to replace the dirty water with some fresh spare water.

How long will it take from Tadpole to become Frog?

The length of time a tadpole takes to develop really depends on what kind of frog it came from and on the environmental conditions. some tadpoles can remain in their tadpole stage as long as 8 months, while others only take 6 to 9 weeks! So be patience. Some species of frog have known to slow down process during colder climate. You can read kids A Tadpole Grows Up (Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers: Animal Life Cycles) for easy to show the transformation and life cycle as it happens.

When the tadpoles start getting close to developing legs, they will need some sort of perch so they can get out of the water. You can create ledges using stones or even tilting slopes of plastic in tanks.

At the point where they aren’t big enough to eat crickets but are too large to eat lettuce, you can try starting them off with small insects. A good substitute is blood worms which are usually found in pet stores that carry fish.

The tilt of the ledge may be important depending on what type of frog you have. Young tree frogs can climb smooth vertical surfaces such as the plastic pond liners and glass, but the ground dwelling frogs will need a rough slope when the time comes to climb out of the water.

Related Articles:

Learning About Tadpoles

Where to get Tadpoles

Tips for Raising Tadpoles

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Homeschool-Family Homeschooling Resource

Education and Learning Through Camping

camping

Image Source:Camping Tent

Camping and Educational Learning

Lets go camping and learn some educational things. Have you ever taken your children camping? The wonders of wilderness. They can learn so much from this. If your child would like the outdoors, they will love going camping.

What are the basics of camping?
When you first go camping, you have to set up camp. This can be a lot of fun for your children to learn. The first thing you have to do is clean the land off making sure that its free of all the limbs and rock. Your child wants to be comfortable to sleep in his or her camping gear, instead of sleeping on bumpy surfaces.

Setting up:

Your child will learn how to set up tent. This can be a fun experience for your child. Not only does your child learn to come close to nature, your child can learn survival skills in the event his future presents a need to him. There are many simple how to get started camping guide that may help.

Tents are small enough for one child unless the child is small. In this case, you might be able to get two in it. Allowing your child to put up his or her own tent can be a great learning experience. Allow your child to use the instructions to guide him or her through the process of setting up the tent instead of doing it for your child. Help your child when needed; just encourage him or her to do it on his or her own.

Then next thing you will have to do is go and gather the firewood. Letting your child to help you do this will let help him or her to learn how to gather wood. Of course, fire is involved, so you want to teach your child safety first.

Learning About Wild Life:
While you are in the wildlife, pick out something to teach your child about Wild life and wilderness. This can be very educational to a child that wants to learn about the wilderness. Talk to your child about the animals and different types of leaves.

Surviving in Wild:

The wildlife is a great way to teach your kids something about the nature and how it benefits them. Once that is done know its time to play. Get out that rod and reel so we can fish for supper. When getting a fishing pole you want to make sure you get one that is small enough for the little people to handle. Do not get one that is going to be hard for them to manage.

Letting them go fishing is a great way to learn how to catch a meal. Allow your child to help clean the fish.

Once this is done the family, can sit down and enjoy the rest of the night by the fire eating smore’s and popcorn. Singing songs and listening to the wildlife it is so nice to enjoy the great outdoors is another great way to teach your child.

Why is camping good for my child?
Camping is very good for your child. They learn all the ways of the great outdoors. Like fishing having to hunt for their food. Watch the wildlife and enjoying the great outdoors. As well as spending time with the family, what a great way for your child to bond with his or her parents.

Camping is one of the worlds best past time. This great experience will inspire your child to take in nature’s lovely surroundings. Camping will teach your child to enjoy the most out of the great outdoors while teaching him or her survival skills.

How do I find child’s camping gear?
Go online where you will find a wide assortment of children fishing poles, tents, nets and more. There are also specialty kids camping gears available also.

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Educational Toys Homeschool-Family Homeschooling Resource

Educational Toys for Toddlers: Child Development

edutoy

Image Source:Educational Toys

Child Development

Child development is a part of life, which in too many instances it is left behind. Poor developmental skills are a problem in our system, which is part of the reason that technology came up with solutions. Now our children have a variety of educational toys, which include electronics, rings, rattles, sound sorters, shaper sorters, Luke toys, curiosity cubes and more.

How the cubes promote your child’s curiosity?

The cubes promote your child’s curiosity by helping him or her to enjoy multi-activities. The toy helps your child to enjoy play while refining his or her fine-motor skills and cognitive development. The Curiosity cube stimulates your child, since when the baby grabs the toy, touches it something new will take place. Your baby can click the toy, turn it, dialing new graphics or move the beads to a maze. Maze toys are great for teaching your child hand and eye coordination. Once the baby turns over the cube, he or she will notice a colorful disk that spirals down the toy. The child can turn the cube again to see rain sticks transparently spin around. Colorful balls and rain will inspire your child to enjoy nature. Your child will see his or her self grow in the mirror. Not to worry parents, the mirror will not break. The mirror is designed to stimulate your child’s visual. Your child learns to recognize self. Disks slither down the abacus, which helps your child to develop new motor skills, thus taking control of his thoughts and learning to count. The cube is ideal for children nine months and older. Your child will enjoy a six-side cube, which teaches him or her to explore the potentials.

Click here for Activities Cubes For Fun Learning

Musical Education:

Your child may include the musical toys that bring them audio fun time. The toy helps your child develop auditory skills. Your child can benefit from the toy, since it takes them on a journey to think logic. Complexity becomes simple once your child catches on to math he or she learns. Your child will develop Spatial Metaphors or imagery, which means your child learns to use the temporal lobe located in the brain. Your child benefits from the audio musical toys, since he or she can study music, audio play, and more. This toy will help develop your child’s intellectual mind as it build’s his or her I.Q.

Music is a healing source also, so not only will your child learn to love the sounds of music, your child will find a inner peace. As your child finds inner peace, he or she will learn effective listening skills, how to pay closer attention, hear with less problems and perceive things in a new light. Your child will develop rhythm that guides him through pleasant-sounding melodies that soothes the soul.

Musical Learning

Nurturing Your Child With Compassion:

Children today need all the help they can get to develop properly and mature correctly. Today we are plagued with violent videos, games, television, music and so on. Our music today alone is enough to make parents turn down the volume, let alone the unfriendly views aside from violence on television that makes parents want to protect their children. Instead of teaching your children sex, hate and racism teach your children with educational toys that guide them to a successful path in life.

Growing Compassionate Kids Helping Kids See Beyond Their Backyard (Paperback, 2001)

Brain Exercise from Puzzles:
Your child may benefit from puzzles. Online you will find educational, puzzles that help your child develop new skills. Some of the puzzles offer your child the ability to stimulate the mind as he or she develops the ability to solve problems. Motor skills are lifted with some of the puzzles designed today. Your child will find loads of fun while solving puzzles. Your child can develop patience as he patiently solves his new puzzles. The puzzles bring education to a new light.

Puzzles for Kids

Check out all educational toys for toddlers here.