by Sue Forde | Oct 25, 2023 | Homeschooling
In homeschooling my grandson, I taught him penmanship early on (writing in cursive – also called “script” or “longhand”). Penmanship, or cursive as it is known today, is a style of writing in which letters are joined together in a flowing manner, and the pen doesn’t leave the paper while writing each word. It makes for a much faster method of getting words on the page, but there are many other benefits to using this skill as well. There are excellent handwriting books on the market that teach this much-needed skill.
Teaching cursive to children will allow them to read it, as well – to be literate in their own language. Many of the old historical documents are written in this style of English; and unless one can read the handwriting, there is no way to verify that what is being currently taught or said in true. It’s always best to go to the “source” to verify the truth in any situation or issue. It links us to history, which is vital. “Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it” (Edmund Burke). (more…)
by Sue Forde | Sep 4, 2019 | General, Homeschooling
(From “In Search of Liberty” reprinted with permission)
Since its inception in 1787, the US Constitution has been a guiding light for generations of American citizens. It is the blueprint of this great nation. The Founding Fathers took painstaking efforts to create this Supreme Law of the Land that protects the security, freedom and prosperity of WE the People.
But our beloved Constitution is under attack from those who apologize for this nation being the greatest and most powerful in the world. New generations of Americans are not being enlightened about the true importance of our country’s founding documents. By teaching about the US Constitution in schools, we will help protect and uphold our values, rights and freedoms. (more…)
by Sue Forde | Jun 26, 2019 | Family, Homeschooling
According to National Home Education Research Institute, there are over 2.3 million homeschool students in the United State. It appears, according to statistics, to be growing between 2 – 8% each year. It’s also been growing around the world – an indication that parents are looking for better ways to be sure their children are well-educated.
Homeschooling parents sacrifice to be sure their children get a proper education. They do not receive any public funding, saving American taxpayers more than $27 billion, since these students are not in public schools. (more…)
by Sue Forde | Jun 6, 2019 | Homeschooling
The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores are out, and the results are shocking. Only 37 percent of eighth graders are proficient in reading for grade level, and only 35 percent of eighth graders are proficient in math. The results for inner-city schools are much worse. Results in Detroit, for instance, show only five and seven percent proficiency in math and reading. * From these statistics, I’d come to the conclusion that the government (public) school system is failing – miserably. (more…)
by Sue Forde | May 8, 2019 | Homeschooling
There are so many advantages to homeschooling your child(ren). There is also a cost – in terms of loss of personal time and possibly income – a sacrifice many parents believe is well worth it.
Calvert Education’s website has listed some pros and cons for homeschooling. Calvert’s offers a complete homeschool curriculum as well as an online academy. Check out their website here: www.calverteducation.com
Below are several of those for your consideration.
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
TIME
More family time is spent on homeschooling.
Pros:
- You have a more direct role on your child’s daily learning.
- You have the satisfaction that your children are learning, developing skills, and maturing in a way that aligns to your goals and values.
- Build stronger relationships with your children.
Cons:
- You have to plan school-time and activities and handle the administrative work of being a teacher.
- Less time each day for yourself.
- Potential for more stress and fatigue by taking on parenting and teacher responsibilities.
MONEY
More money dedicated to education in homeschooling.
Pros:
- You can use vacations and other activities as part of your homeschool curriculum.
- Purchasing bundled learning packets can help with budgeting and ultimately help reduce costs.
Cons:
- Dedicating time to homeschooling can mean a loss of income or reduced time working.
- Need to tighten your family’s spending.
Pros:
- You can use vacations and other activities as part of your homeschool curriculum.
- Purchasing bundled learning packets can help with budgeting and ultimately help reduce costs.
Cons:
- Dedicating time to homeschooling can mean a loss of income or reduced time working.
- Need to tighten your family’s spending.
TEAM SPORTS
Team sports options change for homeschoolers.
Pros:
- Your children can still participate in recreational leagues, amateur leagues, attend local homeschool sports classes, or create their own sports leagues.
Cons:
- Most school districts do not allow homeschoolers to participate in public school sports teams.
socialization
Different path for your child’s socialization.
Pros:
- Less ridicule and social pressures that reduce self-esteem and discourage learning.
- No bullying.
- Greater exposure to more adults through field trips and other activities.
- Connection to other homeschoolers of varying ages and skill levels.
- Real-life skill building is stronger in home-based learning.
Cons:
- Some kids who were homeschooled recall having a smaller circle of friends.
- Less daily interaction with large groups of kids within the same age group.
Freedom and Flexibility
More educational freedom and flexibility in homeschooling.
Pros:
- Your child can move more quickly through assignments and subjects they understand, and spend more time on topics that are challenging.
- Homeschoolers tend to perform better on standardized tests.
- No homework! Yeah, that’s right. Since all learning is going on during the day, there is no need to task your child with additional work.
- Ability to pursue child’s interests, and have more personalized learning – matching lessons to child’s learning styles.
Cons:
- Possibly fewer resources such as technology that may be available in a public school.
- Parents must teach a broad range of subjects. Greater freedom and flexibility requires more time and responsibility from the parent.
- Potentially less structure when compared to public school.
Recognition for Achievements
Recognition for achievement is limited to homeschool.
Pros:
- Less distraction from students who do not value learning allows for greater achievement
- Homeschool students often show a greater pride in their own achievements, as they are self-motivated.
Cons:
- Less outside family recognition of good work.
- Fewer award ceremonies, as are common in public schools.
Community Involvement
More time for community involvement.
Pros:
- Less distraction from students who do not value learning allows for greater achievement
- Homeschool students often show a greater pride in their own achievements, as they are self-motivated.
Cons:
- More time to be involved in the community whether through volunteer opportunities or community projects.
- Children lose some social interaction with peers.
by Sue Forde | Mar 8, 2019 | Homeschooling
Recently I stumbled onto Ambleside Online ( Ambleside.com ), which offers a free curriculum by Charlotte Mason. It is available for individuals or for groups.
According to the Ambleside.com website:
Charlotte Mason was a British educator who believed that education was about more than training for a job, passing an exam, or getting into the right college. She said education was an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life; it was about finding out who we were and how we fit into the world of human beings and into the universe God created. But this kind of thinking was pretty much eclipsed during the 20th century by demands for more exams and more workers. In 1987, Susan Schaeffer Macaulay wrote a book called For the Children’s Sake, which reintroduced parents to Charlotte Mason’s methods and philosophy, and it started to gain a foothold with a new generation of homeschoolers. (more…)
