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Homeschool Parenting Tips Homeschool-Family Homeschooling tips

Mythbuster: How to Motivate Your Child To Learn

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Education does not have be boring for anyone, otherwise learning does not happen!

All of us learn new things when we are having fun, and schooling is no different. Many Indian and other parents start teaching kids at home way before preschool age. When I teach or share knowledge with younger kids, they are like sponge, they absorb everything and naturally curious about things. Somehow many kids and adults lose that natural curiosity as we grow older and we focus on getting scores or passing instead of learning.

7 Ways to Motivate Learning:

Here are 7 ways I have found to motivate learning in a child (or an adult). These tips are written with homeschooling child in mind, but I am sure it will be applicable to public or private school going child as well. While, my experience is teaching younger kids, I hope these tips will work for teenager’s education as well.

1.  Do Not Compare:

Comparing your child with another child of same age might be tempting but it will not flourish the young mind. All kids and adults have unique talents and we all work at our own pace. It will not matter if 7 year friend’s child knows how to read piano music or 4 year old neighbor kids can ride bike without training wheel. Kids learn best when they are ready to learn. That is what Sadbury method or Jiddu Krishnamurthy methods have been working for many kids.

2. Competition Free Education:

We are always pitted against our peers to compete in many subjects since we are born. Schools and colleges are big examples for it with grades or being best student. There is no win win situation as there can be only ONE person who can be 1st, rest of kids may feel dejected. While healthy competition can bring out the best in some kids, in majority time, competition kills the enthusiasm, specially for someone who keeps being second best. Learning is a process and it should be treated as a result.

3.  Memorization is not Real Learning:

Many educational system may encourages memorization and while kids seems intelligent, most kids forget what they memorized during summer break. Any memorization without real understanding will not take deep root of understanding, and hence will not remember what they have learned tomorrow. I am one of these prime example of it as I do not recall what I have learned in my engineering classes but I do recall what I truly understood things and had interest in it. If you have passion for something, you will retain the knowledge much longer.

4. Rewards for Simple Tasks are not needed:

Our current educational system is quick to punish and quick to give rewards for small achievement. Many experts think they are actually hindering the learning process and I agree. Giving Physical reward is different then showing encouragement to a child. When a child is shown a reward of food or new toy, learning is not goal but finishing the task to get a reward becomes the main goal and learning stop. Our mind is like a parachute, it works only when it is open. Child should learn something because there is an interest in it, not because of the reward.

5. Do not blame child for failing:

When a child has failed in learning new concept or old one, do not blame him or her. Do not even blame system. Try to find out the root cause of the failed issue. You may want to step back and take a break or see it from new perspective. Sometimes, child may have certain way to learning style that may be different from teacher’s teaching style. We all learn different way such as some learn better by visually seeing, some learn best for listening the step by step process and some of us learn best by actually trying our hands on it. Find out your child’s learning style. There might be some other issues or simple things that may make understanding the subject easier. Before you blame anyone, try to find the main cause and fix it and love and joy of learning will be back in the child.

6. Learning does not have to be expensive:

Many Asian Indian and other education minded parents spend fortune on kid’s private school, software, special tutoring programs and books. One does not have to spend lot of money for learning to happen. There are lot of free to cheap resources such as public library, PBS station, a few online websites and daily living can be part of learning.

For example, young kids can be taught colors when you fold your laundry, you can point out colors. Teaching shapes is easy as our own home or apartment have furniture, door, clock in various shape. Talking to grandparents or neighbor can make kids and us learn things from different time. My kids learn old mythical stories from his grandparents. Learning can happen anywhere, anytime. It is not confined to school or 9-3 time. There are many ways to finance your education if you are homeschooling or supplementing public school education.

7. Non Traditional Ways of Teaching and Learning:

My mom was a teacher and writer so she taught us at home, when we came from school and learning happened without us knowing that it was education. Learning happens when are having fun. For example, if your young child loves only cars, how can you teach math, history and science with it? It is possible, and it is called Unit Studies. In Car unit studies, you can learn history by learning and reading about early transportation such as first car, you can add cars or take away cars game to teach math. You can teach colors by different colors of cars. Science can be taught by if metal cars sinks and plastic car sinks or not for younger children. For older children, one can learn how car engine works to teach science or technology.

If you or your older child likes Harry Potter then there are Unit studies ideas for that also, such as here.

Keep Learning! and Keep it Fun!

Your Turn: How do you keep yourself or your child motivated to learn new things?

This was originally posted at Heart and Mind blog by Zengirl, it is reproduced with permission here. Source: 7 ways to motivate learning:

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Homeschool News Homeschooling Resource

No Child Left Behind Is Leaving Many Children Behind

President Bush signing the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act at Hamilton H.S. in Hamilton, Ohio. Image source: Wikipedia
Although, I am homeschooling my kindergartner and toddler, I keep eye on public education system in US for two reasons, some of my relatives, and friends are currently teacher in school system and it reminds me how much that how homeschooling education is much better for many parents. Now, I am not saying private school or homeschooling are without issues, as I have written in past does homeschooling magnify the family issues and How to avoid Burnout When Homeschooling, I am well aware that grass may seem greener on other side. However, in homeschooling, parent have much more leeway and control compared to public system, where many working parents are not even aware of all the issues because the way whole system is set up.


The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools. It is known in short form NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office in January 2001. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and lot of funding. While it was supposed to be leaving “no child behind”, many educators since have shown issues with this no child left behind act.

It has been over 10 years since the Act and Since enactment, Congress increased federal funding of education from $42.2 billion in 2001 to $54.4 billion in 2007. Funding tied to NCLB received a 40.4% increase from $17.4 billion in 2001 to $24.4 billion. The funding for reading quadrupled from $286 million in 2001 to $1.2 billion.

What is No Child Left Behind Act?

No Child Left Behind requires all government-run schools receiving federal funding to administer a state-wide standardized test annually to all students. This means that all students take the same test under the same conditions. The students’ scores determine whether the school has taught the students well. Schools which receive Title I funding through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 must make Adequate Yearly Progress in test scores.

In theory and test, it seems that everything is supposed to make education and testing for children better, however, reality has shown different picture than it was painted.

According to Science Daily, No Child Left Behind has created following issuess;

  • Losses of low-achieving students help raise school ratings under the accountability system.
  • The accountability system allows principals to hold back students who are deemed at risk of reducing the school’s scores; many students retained this way end up dropping out.
  • The test scores grouped by race single out the low-achieving students in these subgroups as potential liabilities to the school ratings, increasing incentives for school administrators to allow those students to quietly exit the system.
  • The accountability system’s zero tolerance rules for attendance and behavior, which put youth into the court system for minor offenses and absences, alienate students and increase the likelihood they will drop out.

There has been a study done on NCLB and you can view and learn more about it. The study has been published in the peer-reviewed policy journal “Educational Policy Analysis Archives” and is the first research to track the impact of high-stakes accountability on students, employing individual student-level data over a multi-year period. The study can be viewed at http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v16n3/.

Recently Karen King from Yahoo Contributor Network has written following;

An Associated Press report examines the ups and downs of the No Child Left Behind initiative 10 years after the program’s inception. The intent of No Child Left Behind was a good one. The goals were to increase the accountability of teachers and schools and to track student progress with the aim of improving learning for all students in the public school system.

The Bush administration introduced the plan advocating a federal role in enforcing guidelines for local and state governments to follow regarding education. The initiative was met with bi-partisan support. No one could deny that public schools were struggling and that there were achievement gaps along economic and racial divides.

The success of No Child Left Behind is, at minimum, a mixed bag. School districts claim arbitrary standards and funding contingent upon standardized testing results have tied their hands and left them with little flexibility to adapt to the specific needs of their students and communities.

Some teachers believe the strict focus on standardized testing has forced them to “teach to the test” and spend inordinate classroom time conditioning students to spit out the correct answers on tests verses a better rounded curriculum.

Since No Child Left Behind began, there have been significant gains in math scores for fourth and eighth graders, with African American and Hispanic students improving approximately two grade levels. However little change has been seen in reading scores and scores overall seem to have plateaued. There is still a marked discrepancy between the test scores of African American and Hispanic students and those of White students.

As with any initiative, the vested parties need to have input into the feasibility of the program and in the way the system is implemented, while maintaining accountability on the part of program participants. Are we meeting students’ needs? Are we funding schools sufficiently? Are there checks and balances to be sure children are not left behind? How should education programs be assessed and regulated, and by whom? Should education funding be linked to performance?

While much ado is being made of failures in our educational system, there are many schools that are doing amazingly well. Why not do a better job of examining the models of these outstanding schools and share their methods with other schools?

Education is arguably one of the most important issues facing our society today. Our economic, global and social success depends on our ability to produce competitively educated workers and leaders. Considering the fact that The Alliance for Excellent Education reports that about 7,000 students drop out of school every school day, the U.S. is clearly a long way from a passing grade in education.

Source: Yahoo Contributor Network

The problem is not public school teachers, it is the way the system has been set up, it leaves teacher and students who very much need the help are getting left behind. While ago, Times Magazine also written a article on how to fix No Life Left Behind, as this issue needs much more closer look, so that kids are in public school gets the right help and education just like many others in homeschooling or private school community.

Check out further:

The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education

No Child Left Behind? The Politics and Practice of School Accountability

No Child Left Behind? The True Story of a Teacher’s Quest

Categories
Homeschool Curriculum Homeschooling tips K12 Homeschooling

Where To Get The Best Homeschool Curriculum Packages

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By Jared Wright

If you’re new with home schooling education, finding the right homeschooling curriculum package for your child can be a bit of a challenge. Before you find the right homeschooling programs for your child, assess your kid first. Know his level of learning and all his learning needs. You may find that these particular education resources may be okay for him and this one is not. Assessment is indeed key to the success of homeschooling.

Internet is an extensive place to find the right curriculum package for you child. Try to be meticulous however as not to force your child into a curriculum is not approppriate for him. Certainly, the best homeschool curriculum packages are Customized for your child based on his learning needs. This include his learning capabilities, needs, and desires. Consequently, it will motivate, challenge and enrich your child’s learning experience.

However, if for some reasons you do not want to customize your child homeschool education, you may opt for pre package homeschool curriculum. This means that you just have to choose from the package choices available for preschool, high school and so on and so forth. Moreover, you may alternate subjects also, again depending on your personal and your child’s preference.

What does a Homeschool Curriculum Package includes? In a homeschool curriculum package, it often includes, but is not limited to the Teacher Materials as well as the Students Materials. In the former, expect to see manuals, teacher editions and keywords answers and the like. On the other hand, the latter include text books, worksheets and work books.

Tips on Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum Package:

Before you purchase a homeschool curriculum package online or from your local stores, you may check these tips to guide you in choosing a home school program for your child.

First, you need to know your child’s current condition. Determine your child’s learning needs and your short term and long term goals. Assess your child if you’ll be homeschooling a child for a year or more. In addition, know if you want to teach your child according to the Christian philosophy, another faith or secular.

Second, try to discover your core values. Understanding your core values as well as your child would greatly influence your homeschool curriculum choices. Find out your views on education, your role on your child’s education, your child’s responsibilities and even what success means to you.

Third, be at ease with one or more of the home schooling methods. Don’t give up that easily and try not to change methods every now and then. You’ll know what fits you and your child because the right one would show your core values mentioned earlier. Here are some of popular home schooling methods or approach that you may adapt: Literature or Textbooks, Self-teaching, Unit Study, Principle Approach and Delight Directed.

Fourth, select your home school curriculum and make adjustment. Do not let the product of someone else’s core values become a hindrance for your child to be successful. Don’t waste time with what you don’t need.

Finally, do not overstress yourself and your child. Remember that homeschooling should be fun and a memorable time for you and your child.

Finding the best homeschooling programs? Look no more. We have fantastic information on where to find the best homeschooling curriculum at our site. Visit us online today.

Homeschooling Tips and Our Best Homeschooling Curriculum Packages Choices

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homeschool-Children Homeschooling tips

7 Lies About Homeschooling

 

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Image source: Sing, Spell, Read and Write  from Homeschool Curriculum

In time that I am homeschooling my kids about 3 years, I have heard many misconceptions and lies about homeschooling from media, well meaning but un-informed people. I am sure if you are homeschooling your kids or a homeschooler student, you may have heard many myths of these yourself, such as;

1. Is homeschooling legal? : Yes it is.
2. What do you do all day? : Study, play, meet other homeschoolers, relax, read, build things
3. Homeschooling kids will not survive in “real” world outside. : Yes, they do see : famous homeschooler you did not know.
4. homeschoolers live sheltered life. – I guess they kind of do.
5. Homeschooling kids do not dress up nicely: Yes, they may miss out on designer stuff.. and it is a good thing
6. Homeschooler are all conservative Christians: Yes many Christian are homeschooler but there are many other religious and non religious people do homeschooling also
7. Homeschooling kids have no social life: With many park days and field trip choices, social issue is last thing we have to worry about

Check out: Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe

There are of course many more myths about homeschooling and homeschooling curriculum, religion people may have; I found such a cool video from a real nice kid name Jordon who was homeschooled and now he is in college; Here is one funny, level headed guy. Watch the video yourself below;

7 Lies about Homeschooling Video

Your turn: Have you been asked such myths and lies for homeschooling? Share with us

Categories
Fun Learning K12 Homeschooling

Where To Get Tadpoles


Tadpole Kit

One of the great way to learn about frog life cycle is to raise tadpoles at home. Until recently I did not know how popular raising tadpole was for many kids. It is fun, educational and if done right, easy enough if you follow a few tips. One of the big thing I get always asked is, where to get tadpoles? As many of us live in big cities, finding tadpoles is not always easy. But it does not have to be complicated if you just know where to look and ask. You can find various type of tadpole raising kit that will make your starting out easier, it does not have to be expensive but right tools and food so that you can raise life properly.

Finding tadpoles is easy, but gathering them can be a challenge sometimes. Never remove tadpoles from public areas such as parks, refuges or conservation areas. Ponds, small lakes and creeks are ideal places to catch tadpoles with a small mesh net. Always ask permission on private property. Don’t collect more tadpoles than your tank or aquarium can comfortably hold and never collect more than a few. Most important, know how to take care of tadpoles before you collect them.

Here are a few possible ways to get Tadpoles for seeing life cycle of frogs.

  1. First of all, if you live near creek, lake where you see frogs, that might be a good place to start getting tadpoles. Just make sure it is safe and legal for you to take tadpoles from lake area.
  2. Other thing to do is ask someone you know who might have many frogs in their large yard, they very well have hundreds of tadpoles and can share some with you.
  3. What to do, if you live where there are no creeks, lakes or people with ponds that have tadpoles? Do not worry, there are still a few ways to get tadpoles from online places or local pet stores.

Here are some choices from online places:

Grow Frog Kits

Frog Kits

Planet Frog

Other Frog and Tadpole related Products:

Alex Toys Rock Pets Paint Kit, Garden Frog


Midwest Products Mosaic Frog Stepping Stone kit

Related articles

Learning About Tadpoles
General caring tips about raising Tadpoles
How to raise Tadpoles

 

Raising tadpole from MDC online
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Homeschool Curriculum Homeschool Parenting Tips Homeschool-Family Homeschooling tips

What To Do For Field Trip Ideas

kids-travel-gear

Image Source:Kid travel

My kids learn a lot when we travel, and as a parent and teacher, I love the aspect of finding new ways to teach new things in fun way. Field trip are local or far away travel vacation that are educational as well as they are fun for all.

Here are some free and cheap Field Trip Ideas for every parent.

Here are a few more free and frugal field trip ideas:

  • local restaurant
  • Post Office
  • Camping
  • The City Building
  • Local Manufacturing Plant
  • Car Dealership
  • Restaurant or Pizza Place
  • Visit a sports team
  • Animal Shelter
  • Veterinarian
  • Recycling Center or County Dump
  • Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Local Ministry
  • Newspaper
  • Nursing Home
  • 9-1-1 Call Center
  • Rock Quarry
  • Courthouse
  • Waste Treatment Plant
  • State Park
  • Fish Hatchery
  • A Jeweler
  • Tree Farm
  • Seasonal Fruit Farm
  • National Park or Battlefield
  • Historical Landmarks or Structures
  • Bee Keeper
  • Hardware Store
  • State Highway Patrol
  • Your State Capital
  • A Local Artist’s Studio
  • Manufacturing Plants
  • Local Craft Store classes
  • Historical Homes,
  • Churches, Temple etc
  • Beach
  • Museums
  • Lake, River
  • Farm
  • Aquarium
  • Petting zoo
  • Hay Rides
  • Gardens
  • Hiking
  • Bird Watching
  • National Parks
  • Theme Park
  • Visiting relatives
  • Other culture and Countries
  • Train Rides
  • Boat Ride
  • Road Trips
  • Visiting work place of relative
  • Skiing
  • Planetarium
  • Science Museums
  • Local Fair
  • Food Festivals
  • Harvest Festivals

Okay only stopping thing is your imagination as you can see, kids and parents can have lot of learning opportunities. Some of the field trip activities may not be free or cheap but most of them are. You do not have to spend a lot of money to have fun or teach your kids through field trip.

Further Information check out:

Weird U.S.: A Freaky Field Trip Through the 50 States

The A to Z Guide to Home School Field Trips

Ten-Minute Field Trips, Third Edition : Good old fashioned outdoor field trip

Out of the Classroom and into the World: Learning from Field Trips, Educating from Experience, and Unlocking the Potential of Our Students and Teachers

 

Did I miss any ideas? How do you plan your field trips with kids?

This is from site Travel Ideas with kids . As a homeschooling family, we do lot of learning through museum, field trip travel that are fun, with hands on experience that kids enjoy exploring and learn by doing. My kids look forward to such a hand on experience and learn a lot.

Source: Fun Field Trip Ideas

Categories
Homeschool Curriculum K12 Homeschooling

Robinson Self-Teaching Homeschool Curriculum

What is Robinson Self Teaching Homeschooling Curriculum?

When I first heard about Dr Robinson’s self study homeschooling curriculum, I had to do more research as I did not know much about him or his study method before buying anything for my child to teach. What I found was interesting and inspiring indeed.

Dr. Robinson is a scientist who works on various aspects of fundamental biochemistry, nutrition, and preventive medicine. He is President and Research Professor of the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine. His wife Lauralee, who was also a scientist, homeschooled their children until her death in November 1988, when the children were 12, 10, 8, 6, 6, and 16 months. During the past ten years, Dr. Robinson and the children have continued their homeschooling by developing a program entirely based upon self-teaching.

Here is a write up from Robionson site itself saying about his Robinson Self Teaching Homeschooling Curriculum.

From phonics to physics, these 22 CDs and a set of Saxon math books are all that you need to give your children a superior education. You can use this curriculum to supplement your children’s current schooling or as a stand-alone education using the included self-study methods.The Robinson children teach themselves (as do the 60,000 children now using this system) ­ so well that their 11th and 12th grade work is equivalent to high quality 1st and 2nd year university instruction in science, history, literature, and general education.

They also teach themselves study habits that do not depend upon planned workbooks, teacher interaction, and other aids that will not be available later in life.

They teach themselves to think.

Dr. Robinson has spent less than 15 minutes per day teaching all six children…

Many home schools are limited by the burden of teaching that is placed on parents. Dr. Robinson has spent less than 15 minutes per day teaching all six children ­ ages 6 through 18. Yet, both of his oldest students scored over 1400 on the SAT (over 1500 on the new SAT) and received two years of advanced placement in college. The younger children are doing as well.Teach your children to teach themselves and to acquire superior knowledge as did many of America’s most outstanding citizens in the days before socialism in education.

Give children access to a good study environment and the best books in the English language and then ­ get out of their way! All Curriculum books may be viewed on the computer screen and printed with included software.

This unique curriculum will save you hours of teaching time each day and will give your students an opportunity to develop superior knowledge and life-long study habits.

One caution ­ do not use this curriculum unless you are willing for your children to be academically more learned than you.

Source: Robinsoncurriculum

So what is so special about this course? And why does it make it a good choice for any homeschooler?


Robinson Self-Teaching Homeschool Curriculum

There are several keys to learning, one of them that I believe in that a child learns by example, by seeing. I never taught or had class on my child how to stand and walk on two feet. My son did that simply by observing his parents and others around him. Environment has to be right, new positive habits needs to be created with right curriculum and quality books.

This course, says this is the only and one curriculum you will need to teach your kids. I personally think my kids need other stuff as well, but this comes darn close to it as it has vast information and knowledge that kids needs for KG to 12th grade. From phonics to physics, these 22 CDs and a set of Saxon math books are all that you need to give your children a superior education. You can use this curriculum to supplement your children’s current schooling or as a stand-alone education using the included self-study methods.  The Robinson children teach themselves (as do the 25,000 children now using this system) so well that their 11th and 12th grade work is equivalent to high quality 1st and 2nd year university instruction in science, history, literature, and general education.

What is Included in the Curriculum?

120,000 Page Library Resource 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica 1913 Noah Webster’s Dictionary 2,000 Historic Illustrations 6,000 Word Vocabulary Teacher Progress Exams Keyed to Books Outstanding Science Program Very High Academic Quality Proven Methods of Self Study.

  • Printable books/materials on CD
  • Complete Course of Study
  • 12 Years of Education – 22 CDs
  • 120,000 Page Library Resource
  • 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica
  • 1913 Noah Webster’s Dictionary
  • 2,000 Historic Illustrations
  • 6,000 Word Vocabulary Teacher
  • Progress Exams Keyed to Books
  • Outstanding Science Program
  • Very High Academic Quality
  • Proven Methods of Self Study
  • Vocabulary, Phonics, and Math Flash Cards

Here are a few sample of books by some of the best authors included in the curriculum

The Life of George Washington by Josephine Pollard. “The main purpose of the work [is] to give to its young readers a distinct and vivid idea of the exalted character and priceless services of Washington.” Other books by Pollard: Our Hero General Grant, Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of the New World, The Bible for Young People

Original Children’s Classics: Bobbsey Twins (11 volumes); Tom Swift adventures (8 volumes); 26 Horatio Alger volumes; Five Little Peppers and How They Grew; Heidi; Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farms; The Boy Knight: A Tale of the Crusades by G.A. Henty

History: Life of George Washington by Washington Irving; War Between the States by Alexander Stephens; The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government by Jefferson Davis; The Life of Stonewall Jackson by R.L. Dabney; Picturesque America: A Delineation by Pen and Pencil, 2 volumes edited by William Cullen Bryant

Here is what some of the parents have to say about the Robinson Self Teaching Homeschool Curriculum

She is enjoying learning much more By FR

I can definitely see using this curriculum through high school. I love the Robinson curriculum. We are in our third year of homeschooling, with “older” children who were accustomed to testing and quizzes and spoon-fed material. Math was miserable for the high-schooler and me until this year (we started RC on 8/4/97). She is gaining confidence and is actually enjoying it! My 11-year-old giggled at some of the antiquated phrases (“Oh, pooh!” said one of the Rover boys in book No. 16), but he is learning and developing an interest in history for the first time. I can definitely see us continuing this curriculum through high school for both of them.

He is doing better then Public School: Review by SBB

This is our first year of homeschooling our sixth grader. The Robinson curriculum was recommended by a friend in our church. The ability to work at his own level and speed has made the difference for our son. He is actually doing more work than he did in public school and is enjoying the work. I know it sounds too good to be true, I thought the same thing. But through prayer and a step of faith, I have found that the Lord will be faithful.

Review by – fb in TX

If your children are learning to hate school ….

I was using all of Abeka’s stuff and their day became drudgery.  They were not liking school at all and they had no time to read except for snippets of information.

Now they love history, they love math, and they enjoy reading!

When we started they had to get the definitions of the definitions because they were still dumbed down.  They still have to live a dictionary but they are having a lot of fun.

I did use the Abeka language book because I needed it to correct their work.  I let them use a computer to take advantage of the spell checker and a spelling game.  The husband is still addicted to TV but even that is being curtailed over time.  So I don’t make an issue of it.

It took about a year to make the transition to using the Robinson Curriculum but wow, what a difference.

How much this curriculum sells for?It is complete 12 years of education Curriculum:

I have seen the best price on Amazon or By Robinson site, which both sells around for $200. I think it is great value since it covers 1-12 grades and covers so much information and it is well worth it. If you order through amazon, you may get free shipping to your home.

Click here for the Best price on Robinson Self Teaching Homeschooling Curriculum.

All Image Source: Robinson Education Kit and Robinson Product Site

Categories
homeschool-Children Homeschool-Family Homeschooling tips

Making Most Of Winter Break For Your Kids

winter

Image source: When Winter Comes

During Christmas holidays in US schools are out and weather is cold, and holidays are busy and rushed for many, so how do weas parents make the most of the winter break? Actually, in our household and many other homeschooling family, winter break does not stop us from learning new things and skills. Learning happens during holidays break and even in weekend for many homeschooling family but in relaxed manner a bit.

Winter break are about 2 weeks or so, much shorter compared to summer break, even though it can get trying for some kids if they do not have some routine to follow and do. Here are some ideas for parents and kids to make most of the winter break!

1. Spend time learning weak subject during school break.

If your child has one particular subject area where she is not comfortable, you can spend more time practicing it in relaxed manner. Maybe taking and looking at the subject from different perspective may help understanding the topic much better when there is no pressure to meet deadline.

2. Take a break

Let your child or you take break from learning and teaching for short while. Making them decompress from information overload for short while will do kids and parents much good. That does not mean, sitting in front of television all day!

3. Go for fun field trips

You and your child (children) can take a day trip to local museums for fun field trip that is educational yet does not feel shcoolish. Many children love science museum outing where can see dinosaur fossils, hands on experience with many technological toys and gadgets. Petting zoos, Theme park such as Disney land, or Disney world can be be refresher.

4. Volunteer with your child

Winter break is perfect time to volunteer with your child at homeless shelter, food pantry, helping older neighbours with lawn mowing or son. During Christmas time, many people can use the help. If your child is young, you can still do little help with them to start off in giving spirit.

5. Enjoy Family Time

If you as a parent have break from work or you are at work at home mom, take it easy during last week of the year and spend time with family. You can watch Christmas movies together, play board games, do and make puzzles, sing a silly songs or whatever works well for you and your family.

See WINTER BREAK? LET’S HIT THE POOL.(Holidays)(Swimming, day camps, field trips – there’s a lot to do with kids while school’s out): An article from: The Register-Guard

Whatever you decide, enjoy time and learn while having fun. Have a great Holidays to you and your family!

Categories
Homeschool News Homeschool-Family Homeschooling tips

For Florida Parents,Truant Kids Means 2 Months Of Jail Time

I was just browsing news causally and I came across this shocking news. if your child has miss 15 days of school in 3 months time period, parents will be going to jail for 2 months! California state has recently strict truancy bill earlier this year (2011) and few parents already have spent time in jail. California is not the only one have such a strict rules, Alabama, Texas, North Carolina and now Florida state is implementing such strict rules.

I am afraid that more US states to follow. What does that mean for homeschooling families? Make sure you are not truant, when you file PSA or go through charter school or public school independent program.  Read this article below;

“Florida law says parents of children under 16 who let their kids miss 15 days of school within three months can be sent to jail for up to two months as punishment. The Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Palm Beach prosecutors say the two-month jail sentence will be a last resort, after government and nonprofit workers try to fix whatever problem is keeping parents from getting their kids to school.

About a dozen Baltimore parents were sent to prison for their kids’ truancy in 2011, the Baltimore Sun reported in April. (In 2010, no Baltimore parents were jailed.) After California adopted a strict anti-truancy bill earlier this year, at least five parents in Orange County were sent to jail for the crime, according to the local CBS affiliate. Judges in Alabama, Texas, and North Carolina and other states have also used truancy laws to send offending parents to jail.

Earlier this year, the NAACP sued a Pennsylvania school district for levying what it claimed were illegal fines of thousands of dollars on truant students and their parents. Lenora Hummel, above, was fined $8,000 after her son and daughter stopped going to school because they said they were bullied and harassed by other students.”

I personally think, 2 months of jail for parents is bit overboard. Perhaps, trying to find out case by case to see why parents or kids might have failed going to school. It could be health or financial reason as right now so many families seems to be struggling.

If you are homeschooling parents, that does not mean you are immune, sometimes charters school or public school independent study program also have very strict guideline as school going parents so vigilant to make sure you’re not truant. If you are going to be for health or some un forseen reason, you may want to work to find a proper solution. This is truly a irony as one can recall, Ferris Buller was shown very hip and cool for knowingly missing the school, while reality is much different. Knowing your own state laws regarding schooling can help all parents, regardless of using private, public or homeschooling methods.

 You might be interested in;

Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick-Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in 2 Weeks

The Homeschooling Book of Answers: The 101 Most Important Questions Answered by Homeschooling’s Most Respected Voices

Source: Yahoo news

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Learning About Social Concerns of Homeschooling

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Image source: psych-your-mind.blogspot.com

There are people who are worried about social skills and social aspects of homeschooling as they tend to believe that child and parent stuck in a room learning all day and student will not have enough time to make friends and create skills. Again and again, I am asked about this and this is really myth.

As a homeschooler, child will get plenty of social interaction during park days, field trip and play group. Homeschool kids gets to take physical education classes, music lessons, cooking lesson, horse riding and so on and there is plenty of opportunity to socially interact with other kids and adults alike, just like we do it real life.

The Home-School Connection: Lessons Learned in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community

Social skills is an area of deep concern when it comes to
homeschooling. Many critics point out that since man needs to hone
his social skills, a homeschooling environment where social
interaction is limited is detrimental to his growth and
development. But studies have proved this wrong.

Children put into the fiercely competitive school environments
lack the confidence to hold a conversation. Such children show
little genuine interest in the topic of conversation and don’t
know how to interact with people of various age groups,
especially their elders.

Children who learn at home are more aware of the implications and
the purpose of their learning. They will ask intelligent questions
and make accurate observations. Children begin their life by
imitating their parents. Homeschooled children therefore pick
up the sterling qualities they see in their parents. On the other
hand, they are protected from the detrimental influences of their
peers.

These children are thus better equipped with the tools necessary
to face the world. The positive reinforcement that takes place
in the homeschooling environment as opposed to being abandoned,
embarrassed or ignored in a normal school environment strengthens
their self-esteem. Children turn out to be better balanced and
well-rounded as they progress into adulthood.