Homeschool World Forum

[Last Place Jason]

Hello all,

I'm a public school teacher with 12 years of experience. As time passes, I'm becoming more dissatisfied with the difference between the theory of public schooling and the practice of public schooling. I'm a major proponent of change, but my ideas usually fall on deaf ears. My wife and I are considering quitting and homeschooling our own three children.

Anyway, I'm fascinated with the ideas behind the homeschooling movement. I most interested in how homeschool parents teach. I am assuming it differs greatly from the methods used in schools simply because of a more forgiving structure and individual attention. Anyone care to share their thoughts on their philosophy of teaching or how you teach?

Thanks!

-Jason
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Jason's Teaching Blog: http://hs-survival.blogspot.com/
Jason's Barefoot Running Site: http://barefootrunninguniversity.com

[Theodore]

1) You can study year-round
2) There's no wasted transit time
3) There's no wasted time waiting for the teacher to answer questions from other students that you already know the answer to
4) While you try for a baseline level in all subjects, you can advance far ahead in the subjects you're best at

Essentially, you can study 2-3 hours a day year-round and be a couple grades ahead by the end of high school, probably more if you count the better foundation in reading, writing, and math. And since homeschooling promotes specialization, you can be extremely good at your area of expertise, which makes it a lot easier to succeed in the business world later on. After all, most jobs focus on just a small range of skills, there's no reward for being good in other subjects.
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The Farming Game - Software Edition for Mac and PC
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

[Last Place Jason]

Theodore, I like that idea. One of the things that bothers me about public schools is a constant emphasis on "mastering" a variety of skills where "mastery" is blatantly mediocre. Instead of utilizing strengths, there's an endless march to prop up weaknesses. It serves no useful purposes.
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Jason's Teaching Blog: http://hs-survival.blogspot.com/
Jason's Barefoot Running Site: http://barefootrunninguniversity.com

[sartasd]

When it comes to homeschool methods. I all depends on the curriculum. There are curriculum in boxes (designed like the classroom), curriculum that is self-instruction with very little teaching needed, unit-study, literature based, religious based, and so much more.

I prefer use a method called delight-directed learning, I also combined this with a old fashioned education using online text books from the 1800's and early 1900's.

Research homeschool methods and resources. There is no one way to homeschool. Each child is unique and one method will not fit every child or family.
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Sharon

[romacox]

Yes, it can be much different than the public school system. However it is the parent's choice, and some choose to duplicate the public school system.

I recommend you attend a Home School Convention in your area. You will get to see and handle lots of curriculum, attend workshops (to learn more about the different methods used by homeschoolers) and network with other home educators. There is a thread in this forum that provides a link to resources in your State.

http://www.home-school.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=19

If you do not find that information there, use this one:
http://www.read-phonics.com/homeschool.html

I like a combination of the different methods using unschooling (real life experience), games, delayed academics...to name a few.