7 Habits of Successful Homeschoolers

Many homeschoolers worry that they won't "get it all done" or that their children won't be prepared for the real world. If you follow some basic principles or "habits" you can weather any wave of doubt that slips into your mind.

1. Love for kids - This may seem obvious, but we do need to remember that we home school because we love our children and want the best for them. When times get tough, if we remember how much we love them we can keep their best interest at heart and know that we are doing the right thing.

2. Commitment to relationship - Let's face it, home schooling is about relationships. Homeschoolers need to commit to building their relationships with their children and keep the lines of communication open. For those who are Christians, they are also committed to their relationship with God and look to Him for guidance in their other relationships.

3. Desire for Success - If there is no underlying desire for success, then on those days when no one wants to do anything, the parent will allow it. If you want your children to be successful and if they want to be successful, they will need to commit to doing the work they need to do each day to succeed in the end.

4. Structure of environment - While playing games and having fun can definitely be a part of home schooling, structure is also needed. Students need to know what is expected of them not only with school work but also in maintaining the household.

5. Openness to different styles of learning - In schools teachers have to teach a certain way to keep order and also to make sure students perform well on tests so they can keep their jobs. In home schooling you can explore many different learning styles to find better ways to help your children learn and retain what they are learning. So if you have to have them hop up a step every time they get a math flashcard correct, then let them do it an enjoy the smile on their faces.

6. Commitment to Boundaries - Just as your day needs some structure and guidelines, your children need to know that if they aren't pulling their own weight or are stepping out of the boundaries set for them, there will be consequences. You can lovingly enforce these knowing that you will help them be better adults in the long run.

7. Ability to have fun and laugh at yourself - Kids love to have fun and laugh. Don't get too caught up in your to-do list and forget to enjoy your children. There should be lots of smiles and hi-fives flying around your house. Your children probably won't remember many lessons they had, but they will remember the fun times and how you treated them.

Author Info:

For more tips on how to homeschool, grab your free report "How to Homeschool using the Best Resources" at http://www.hjresources.com/freehs Heidi Johnson specializes in helping families find resources to simplify and improve their lives.

Tips For Preparing For Home Schooling Your Children

If you have recently made the choice to educate your children at home you are in for a exciting journey. Not only will a home school setting be full of excitement and joy it will also be a place of frustration and difficulties.But by planning ahead you can limit the amount of set backs you have. In the next few paragraphs this article will touch on the basics of preparing for homeschooling your kids.

Proper Planning Is Critical

Before you begin to home school your child you will want to make sure you are following all your states laws and requirements. Certain states require that parents of home schooled children file a affidavit with the department of education in their state. You may also be required to maintain records of your child's grades and educational abilities . Failure to comply with any state law could wind up costing you money and frustration so always know the legal requirements before you begin in home teaching of your kids.

The next step is deciding what you want your children to extract from their home education. Are you wanting to focus on religious education, do you have a gifted student that needs more challenges? These are all things to consider when developing a teaching plan for your children. And knowing the desired educational goals ahead of time will make lesson planning much easier!

Once you know that you have met all the legal requirements and you know what you want your child to receive from their education you will need to set a curriculum to follow. Do not think for an instant that you can just wing it and make up things to teach everyday. A curriculum will help guide you and your children to an end goal of acquiring new academic skills. If you are having difficulties planning the curriculum there are services that can help you plan an age and ability appropriate home school curriculum.

Although homeschooling is very rewarding and a great way to ensure your children are educated correctly it does require proper planning. So take the time to set curriculums, check state laws and prepare yourself mentally for the task at hand!

Author Info:

For more information about Home School Curriculum and other tips for home schooling visit http://www.whyhomeschoolkids.com

Home Tuition - Give Your Child Home Tuition to Improve School Work

Is your child coping fine with his or her school work? If not, you might want to consider giving your child home tuition to assist him to establish better grades in school. Most of the time, when your child progresses to a higher level of learning; he or she may not be able to catch up with the more complex and faster pacing school work. This is the best time to engage a home tutor for your child.

If your child is struggling in school, he or she may find home tuition very beneficial as it allows him to catch up with the school work. On the other hand, if your child performs academically well, he or she will find that tuition can help them improve their grades even further. This will enable them to break through their own level of excellence.

Therefore, home tuition is suitable no matter whether your child is academically adept or lacking behind in school work. It will definitely be a good choice for you to hire a home tutor for your child.

When you hire a home tutor, make sure that you get one through a reputable agency. When the tutor comes to your house and tutor your child, you can monitor your child's progress and get any feedback directly from the tutor after every session to find out more about your child's academic adaptation.

So where can you look for a home tutor? Firstly, you can opt to hire local students with experience in home tutoring. With this option, you will be able to save yourself some money. However, you may run a risk of hiring an ineffective tutor depending on his or her expertise in tutoring.

Another way is to go onto the Internet and look for potential tutors. Nowadays, Internet has make communication between people very easy and convenient. You can go to student forums and discussion threads to look for interested parties who wish to teach. Again, you may run a risk of hiring an ineffective tutor depending on his or her experience.

The best way is to go to your local tuition agency and look for a certified tutor. This option will most likely be more expensive than the previous 2 options because of the credential of the tutors. However, if you manage to find a good tutor for your child, every dollar and cent is worthwhile. These tutors are experienced mentors who have their own methods of teaching, and they can allow your child to learn more things faster and more effectively.

Home tuition is definitely worth considering if you want your child to improve his or her grades in school. Just take note that you should not stress your child too much. Study is important, but he or she needs to get a life too!

Author Info:

Find professional home tuition services from the website below:

Click Here --> Home Tuition Singapore.

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How to Be a Tutor

There are already a lot of parents who have signed up their children for home tutoring programs. One of the main reasons is to keep track of the grades of a child who is not performing too well in school. Another reason why personal tutors are hired is to assist a child and help him or her advance in class, especially if maintenance of good grades is a top priority.

There is also a question on why some people opt to have a tutoring career. What makes it such a good choice for a part time job or full time job? Though there are cases wherein peer tutoring or personal tutors are on a voluntary or community service basis, it can still be a rewarding and profitable career for many interested individuals. It is a great way to earn extra income while still studying in college, or it can also be a career venture for stay at home moms.

In personal tutoring programs, a tutor can come to the student's home on a fixed schedule, and rates are on a per hour basis. In some arrangements with private tutors, a student is scheduled to come to the tutor's home daily or weekly, such is the case for some stay at home moms who do business from their homes.

If you think you can make a difference to children and other students by being a tutor, then why don't you be one? Here are some basic tips on how you can become a personal tutor or private tutor:

First, make sure that you have a sufficient background in the subject you are to tutor in. Though there are tutors who specialize or focus on specific classes like algebra, physics, music, or English, there are also tutors who are qualified enough to cover all subjects.

To let others know of your interest in this venture, post online announcements or ads in your campus. You can also try to make personal arrangements with family, friends, or neighbors. You are sure to get a few calls when you advertise well. As you have determined with your employer a fixed schedule for studying or tutoring, stick with it.

First have an understanding of what your tutee is going through in school. What topics are they taking up in class? Which topics need to be focused on? Which parts of the lesson seem difficult for the student? Bring all necessary materials with you on your tutoring session. If you have books, magazines, or other documents that you think can assist your student, then use them.

Establish a method of tutoring. You must be organized so as not to confuse your tutee. You can start with a basic exercise first, then move on to discussing the lesson proper. Lastly, before you end your session, have a quick review or recap of what you have talked about. You may give extra assignments to be checked on your next session, as long as these will not serve as a heavier burden on the student's current load.

Have an open line of communication between you, your tutee, and your tutee's parents. Always inform them of what needs to be done, and what has been done. This gives the parents the assurance that they have made a good choice of personal tutor for their child.

Author Info:

You can learn more on how to get a home tutor, personal tutor or private tutor or how to become one when you visit UK Tutors.

Affordable Homeschooling - 10 Tips That Will Save You Money

Although the cost of homeschooling curriculum, supplies and activities can certainly add up, home education does not have to be expensive. Research has shown that homeschooling can be successful regardless of how much or how little a parent spends. Here are 10 steps to inexpensive homeschooling.

1. Set a budget for how much you want to spend for each child per year and resolve to stick to it. Make sure consider the cost of curriculum, books, magazines, supplies, support group dues, legal association dues and outside activities.

2. Use your local library. In addition to providing books and reference materials, public libraries sometimes host story times, reading programs, book clubs, writer's groups, support groups, field trip and volunteer opportunities.

3. Look for free homeschooling materials. You can find textbooks, audio books, novels, lesson plans, printable worksheets and even complete curriculum programs online.

4. Purchase used homeschool books. You can find used curriculum at local used book stores, garage sales, thrift shops and homeschool support group sales. There are also many websites that facilitate buying and selling used materials.

5. When buying new, purchase discount homeschool books. Many online stores like Rainbow Resource and Christian Book Distributors offer great discounts on new materials from popular providers. You can also buy fiction and non-fiction books from Scholastic Book Club's monthly flier for cost savings.

6. Ask your favorite retailers if they offer an educator's discount. Homeschool parents often qualify for teacher's discount programs. If the store requires you to show an official letter or ID card before taking advantage of the discount, print one from your home computer.

7. Purchase high quality materials that can be handed down to younger siblings. Preserve consumable materials by having your child write answers on a separate sheet of paper. You can also cover workbook pages with plastic sheet protectors and have your child write with dry erase markers.

8. Make your own lesson plans, tests, worksheets, flash cards and manipulatives. When possible, avoid purchasing teacher's editions and answer keys.

9. Find low cost extracurricular activities. Schedule field trips for discount or free admission days, or obtain a group discount by attending with other homeschool families. Take music, dance or art lessons from another homeschool mom in order to save money on the cost of tuition.

10. Look for ways to earn income from home. Re-sell used curriculum, tutor students from other families, provide lessons in your areas of expertise or start an at home business.

Homeschoolers who are determined and committed, can significantly lower their homeschooling costs. Some parents who are especially resourceful even manage to homeschool their children for free!

For information about homeschool discounts and free curriculum, visit Successful Homeschooling

Author Info:

Carletta Sanders is a homeschool mom of 3. For homeschool news and monthly activities delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for her homeschool newsletter

You may reprint this article by giving credit to the author. To post this article on your website or blog, provide a live link to successful-homeschooling.com.

Used Homeschool Curriculum - Seven Ways to Save You Money, Time, and Costly Mistakes

Homeschooling is a multi-million dollar industry, but the truth is that most families who are homeschooling are living on a tight budget. With the average family spending $600.00 a year per child for curriculum purchases, homeschooling can be hard on a family's budget. Buying used books and curriculum can save you 25% to 50% or more off the cost of your curriculum, saving you money to use elsewhere for your children's education.

Seven Good Reasons to Buy Used Homeschool Curriculum.

Whether you have plenty of money, or are trying to save money wherever you can.

1. Save Money to Use Elsewhere: If a homeschool mom can save money on her curriculum purchases, this will free up money to use for educational field trips, games, and buying books to build her home library.
2. Finding out of print books and resources: Publishers often discontinue titles, or make small changes in their books in order to publish a "new edition," and homeschool families may need a discontinued title that is sitting unused on another mom's bookshelf.
3. Eclectic Homeschooling: The majority of experienced homeschool families are eclectic homeschoolers, who pick and choose their curriculum from a variety of publishers to find what works best for the teacher and the students in their home. Buying from a used homeschool curriculum board where hundreds of families visit, makes it possible to find just what you are looking for in one place.
4. Save money while purchasing something you need to look at: As a homeschool mom, I know it is often necessary to purchase something to know if it is what I need. I have done this often only to find out it is not what I wanted, or just doesn't work for my child. A costly mistake when I paid full list price. It is not as painful when I have purchased it discounted from another family.
5. Helpful Advice and free unbiased opinions: I recently sold a math curriculum that didn't work for my child, but the very thing that she didn't like was exactly what another mom was trying to find.
6. Finding brand new curriculum at used prices: Soon after the start of the school year many families will sell their curriculum that they purchased new. What doesn't work for them may be just what you are looking for.
7. Clean up your overcrowded bookshelves and cupboards: Free up some room for more books when you sell unneeded homeschool resources.

If you are going to buy and sell second hand homeschooling curriculum, make sure the website forums you use are free from inappropriate advertising, require some sort of login that will help the boards from getting filled up with spam, and has a steady flow of traffic so your ad will be seen.

Author Info:

Used Homeschool Curriculum has free buy and sell message boards and no inappropriate ads or pop-ups.

Online since 2003, visit http://www.usedhomeschoolcurriculum.com/

Home Schooling on a Limited Budget

Homeschooling can be expensive and if you have a limited budget it's easy to get frustrated. The cost of private schools has caused many people to choose the option of homeschooling. Although there are many books and programs out there, it doesn't mean that you need to spend a lot of money or more than your budget allows. Here are a few tips to help you home school and still work within a limited budget:

1. Create your budget and stick with it. It's pretty easy to start buying a bunch of books and programs that you think you need and then find that you have spent a bunch of money and still don't have everything you need. Realistically look at what you have to spend on homeschooling and make that amount work for you.

2. Do your homework. When you come across something that you want to purchase for homeschooling, start looking on forums or even just Google it by typing in the name of the book or curriculum and "review" after it. Chances are someone else on the Internet has used that book and has some advice to offer. Make sure you know your child's learning style so you are purchasing items that fit in with that style for a greater chance of being utilized. Check with other home schoolers you know and trust and ask them what they know about the books or curriculum you are thinking of purchasing. I always like to ask Moms who have several children that are well educated and well behaved.

3. Consider using used materials. With so many more people homeschooling now, used curriculum is very available and affordable. Some support groups have used book sales at the end of a school year. I have found many valuable resources at garage sales and thrift stores. My favorite place to find used curriculum and books is at homeschoolclassifieds.com.

4. Use your local library and free resources whenever possible. With the advent of online library requests, using the library has become even easier. I can get online, request a book that I would like, and usually receive notification of it's arrival at my local library within a week. If I find that I really like the book and feel that I need to use it for a long time, I can always purchase it. The Internet has a tremendous amount of free resources that home schoolers can use.

Homeschooling doesn't have to be expensive. You might need to trade a little time for money, but there is no reason for you to spend more money than what you have in your home school budget.

Author Info:

For more tips on homeschooling, grab your free report "How to Home school using the Best Resources" at http://www.homeschool-how-to.com Heidi Johnson specializes in helping families find resources to simplify and improve their lives.

K12 Virtual Education - Recognizing & Conquering K12 Defeat as a Parent-Teacher of K12 Programs

How will I get them to do some work?

Picture the following scene:

It is Monday morning and the start of another challenging week of teaching. What are your feelings?

Do you find yourself excited and looking forward to the challenge? Are you looking forward to another rewarding week of teaching and learning? The most fortunate among us get to feel that way on a regular basis. Or are you instead feeling something else. Perhaps the dread of convincing your student that the learning experience is going to be well worth the effort! It is a unique yet all too familiar feeling of K12 Defeat.

Parents teaching in the home are often faced with this feeling of K12 Defeat. A sinking feeling that no matter what we try the learner is not going to engage. There are varying degrees of K12 defeat and it is important to know how to recognize it and deal with it.

Mild K12 Defeat.

In some people the feeling of defeat will begin an hour before the start time, but it passes quickly and before you know it you are into the lesson and you and your student are whisked away into new worlds of learning. This feeling of defeat could be compounded by a late night or having to deal with new materials.

What to do:

• Relax and remember: The feeling is only temporary. Your brain will calm as soon as you show yourself you are on your game.
• Keep your lessons short: A short lesson time is known to support retention.

Moderate K12 Defeat:

The next stage of K12 Defeat is characterized by heightened anxiety while planning the lesson for the following day. The curriculum seems so long and arduous but somehow you choose a few lessons and plan your following day. The more you plan the more you question how you are to get the student excited about covering the materials. You are concentrating on the K12 Defeat rather than on what you will be successful at.

What to do:

• In addition to the above suggestions, make sure you are getting adequate sleep.
• Identify things about the teaching process that you enjoy or look forward to.

As crazy as it sounds some people have found that limiting their teaching time helps them focus for a good short burst with lots of interactive exciting materials. Three short bursts are far superior to one long intricately planned lesson.

Severe K12 Defeat

The third level of K12 defeat involves the lack of participation by the student. Defeat to this level is sensed and acted out by the student and forms a double whammy for the parent teacher! Now they are dealing with twice the K12 Defeat as the other two levels. Merely looking at the curriculum will turn ones stomach and the sight of a disgruntled student has the parent/teacher not wanting to bother!

What to do:

• Isolate the areas of the curriculum that really have you feeling uncomfortable. Ask yourself if you have had prior experiences that may have you prejudging your ability to share and teach this with your student.
• Consult a teaching professional to look at where your program delivery might need changing.
• Consider learning more about how your student best learns and see if you can involve more social and interactive aspects to the lessons.
• Be careful in openly sharing your displeasure of the program with your student. Kids will quickly pick up on negative feelings and mirror them!!
• Consider a different learning plan for your student.

All of us experience some form of K12 Defeat from time to time. It is how we respond to it that makes the difference.

Author Info:

Margit Barreras

2Think2Learn.com

Make homework hassles a thing of the past. Have your Virtual Student engaging and excelling in response to your improved teaching skills. Visit us at 2Think2Learn.com for more interactive approaches to implementing k12 Virtual programs in the home.

Homeschool Subjects - What is Taught and What Should Be Taught?

Many people wonder what homeschoolers do all day. Do they get enough subjects in or do they just sit around and watch TV? It is said that public school children actually get 1 hour and 34 minutes of instruction time in a day. The rest of the time is spent on administrative tasks like switching classes, handing out papers, dealing with discipline issues, giving instructions, etc. I believe that homeschool students learn more subjects and have more productive learning time for these reasons:

1. Parents have a vested interest in seeing their child learn and succeed. If the student doesn't succeed or learn enough, usually the parent is to blame. Granted, there are homeschool parents that do no take this initiative, but for the most part, homeschool parents take more initiative and are more driven to pursue ideas and books that can enrich their child's learning environment. Parents have a natural and biological drive to help their children succeed, which in homeschooling drives them to pursue positive educational ideas and books.

2. Parents know their children better than anyone else. They can use the time that they have with their children to interject comments and instruction that they know will be interesting to their child. This can be done on evenings and weekends, even, when most people think that learning can't take place. Parents are teaching something all the time whether they know it or not. As the old saying goes, "More is caught than taught."

3. Homeschooling time is more like tutoring than dealing with a classroom of 25 students. Many children in public school receive one-on-one tutoring which increases their learning. Homeschooling is basically a tutoring time that is very focused and geared toward the individual needing help. Therefore, more subjects can be taught in a shorter period of time.

Not only do homeschoolers teach the "Three R's", reading, writing and arithmetic, they can teach a whole lot more than that based on the reasons given above. Here are just some of those extra subjects that can happen in the normal course of a homeschooling day: character development, time management skills, geology, fire safety, money management, nutrition, public speaking, traffic safety, music, patriotism, religion, cooking, current events and many more.

What should homeschoolers teach? Exactly what each child needs. Just as no 2 classrooms look alike, no 2 homeschools will look exactly alike. You need the basics subjects and then you can build from there.

Author Info:

For more tips on homeschooling, grab your free report "How to Homeschool using the Best Resources" at http://www.homeschool-how-to.com Heidi Johnson specializes in helping families find resources to simplify and improve their lives.

High School Home Schooling Online Programs

If you are between the ages of sixteen and eighteen and are not attending high school, you should consider home schooling online. An online program is specifically designed for those who are of high school age but are not attending traditional high school programs. The home school online program is a perfect solution that allows you to study and obtain a high school diploma right from the comfort of your home.

Unlike GED programs, a home schooling online program offers the ability to complete only necessary coursework needed to graduate, allowing you to earn a high school diploma more quickly. The average program runs from 3 to 12 months depending on the amount of courses you need to take.

Another benefit of a home schooling online program is that it allows you to work at your own pace. Coursework is generally provided via a special website. The instructor is able to provide lectures and assign work online. The student can complete the assignments and turn them in online as well. Personal assistance is available online from licensed teachers.

When choosing a home schooling online program, be certain to verify that it is accredited. This is important in order to receive an actual diploma rather than a GED.

If you are of high school age and have dropped out before graduation, a home schooling online program is the perfect way to continue working towards your diploma. Most students can get their diploma at almost the same time as their peers in high school.

Author Info:

To learn more about home schooling online, visit ContinentalAcademy.com. There are many courses and options to choose from at Continental Academy.

When the Home-School Is Over Your Head!

Many well intentioned parents started out homeschooling their Kindergarten child. Teaching a small child basic math skills is pretty simple to most parents even if they were never really strong in math. However, what about when that sweet little five year old needs a Trigonometry or Calculus teacher? Some parents are faced with this challenge sooner than they expected.

Advanced math classes are not subjects that you can leave to a teenager to figure out on his or her own. They require a great deal of instruction and guided practice. It is time to recognize the need to expand your homeschool horizons and reach out for additional instructional assistance.
There are several very reasonable options available to the parent who has acted as a teacher. One relatively new option is offered through many private schools. They will allow your child to take a class at their school without being enrolled as a full time student. Several of these schools offer an entire program of part-time study for the alternatively educated student. This comes in very handy for your college-minded teenager who is need of advanced placement credit.

Community Colleges are also now offering classes for homeschoolers. These classes are listed as Continuing Education so they do not require traditional college enrollment. They are very effective in offering students classes that their parents are uncomfortable teaching.

Private tutors are another excellent option. Ideally, you can find a certified teacher who is qualified to teach the advanced class. Hire the tutor to teach the student the curriculum and keep the child on track. Tutors can come to your home or meet you in a more public location like the library. It is also a good idea to find someone who is willing to stick with you through the next challenging courses on the horizon. This consistency can be very helpful as your child advances in his or her chosen program of study.

Finally, there are other homeschooling parents out there who have developed networks to help each other through these difficult classes. Parents offer their assistance based on their area of expertise. For instance, a Dad who is really strong in Civics could put a group of students together for an advanced government class. While a Mom in the same group who is a former Calculus teacher can help this group of students by teaching them Advanced Mathematics. This barter system can be found in many communities. It is important to join your local homeschool organization to find out what is available in your area.

Homeschooling is a challenging endeavor. Make sure that you do not hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Your child can have a diverse and challenging educational experience that prepares him or her for college and beyond.

Author Info:

Kelley Phillips is the "Math Mom" of Math Mom Tutoring. Math Mom is an online resource for students and parents who are looking for help with understanding and mastering math. Math Mom also provides tutoring services and creative ideas for improving achievement in the math classroom. Visit http://www.mathmomtutoring.com for more information.

Distance Learning and High School - Preparing For Future Success

What two words do homeschooling families fear the most? High school. The four years of school after junior high intimidate many parents of teenagers. Because homeschoolers don't have the guidance of public or private school administrators (which is not necessarily a bad thing), many parents suffer sleepless nights worrying about how to give their child a quality education without messing up future chances of success in college and beyond. True, the work done in high school carries more weight in the eyes of colleges than the work done in elementary school, but high school shouldn't be something to fear.

While your teens are in high school, you as a parent are afforded a unique opportunity to guide and direct their interests and talents into areas that they may want to pursue for the rest of their lives. You've watched them grow up; you've been with them every step of the way; you've homeschooled them because you care. Now, while they're in high school, you have the chance to continue walking alongside them to prepare them for their future success in the real world.

The decision of what a student should do after graduating is one that requires much thought and planning. Many homeschooling families aren't thrilled about the idea of sending their kids off to college far away, and with good reason. Life at a dorm isn't the ideal living situation for young Christian students who've been under the guidance and authority of their mom and dad all their lives. Because you've kept them at home to school them yourself, family bonding and relationship building is important to you. Your family has taken the time to get to know each other well. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. Who better to give them counsel and advice about what options they should consider pursuing?

If your highschooler is interested in earning a college degree after high school, then consider looking into distance learning. The smooth transition from high school to distance learning is attractive to many homeschoolers who like working at their own pace and studying on their own. Homeschoolers who have developed good study skills will be more likely to succeed as independent learners doing college-level work.

In high school, homeschool students interested in distance learning might want to consider taking one or more CLEP tests to earn college credit. Even if they don't pass, the experience will be invaluable to them, as they learn how to prepare for credit-by-examination tests. If they do pass, that will just be more credits under their belt and less time they'll have to spend on study once they finish high school.

The high school years shouldn't be something to fear. Consider them a unique opportunity to guide your student on the road to graduation. Consider them a time of preparation for college and preparation for God's calling on their lives.

Author Info:

Amanda Suryan is a homeschool graduate and former distance learning student. She has an amazing mini-course called, "Five Reasons Why You Should Consider Becoming a Distance Learner!" To claim your FREE copy, visit: http://www.DistanceLearnerSite.com

Home Schooling Programs

Some parents have opted to keep their children out of the school system, and are looking to give them an education at home. Most parents feel it eliminates distractions and the children learn more. They may also feel that the school system is no longer trying to facilitate the education they want their children to have. Quite a few people learn quickly that this is not an easy thing to do. They learn that they need more help. Luckily there are programs available to help home school families successfully teach their children.

The programs available to help home school parents are online book stores, online schools, community home school programs and private parent groups. Each of these groups help you find resources to school your children efficiently. The world today has converged thanks to the modern technology. Now it is not an issue for any one to find the right resources to come up with the solutions to such problems. Keeping this, in view it is important that you try to find the right kind of the home schooling program for your children. The right program can be a real treat for him or her. It is your responsibility to find the best one for your children. Not all home schooling programs are good so find the right ones for them.

Home school online bookstores are places where text books, curriculum and lesson plans are bought; they take the guess work out of what your child should be taught. They give you many choices on what programs you can order for your child. This is quite easy because all you have to do is follow the guidelines in the lesson plan, and your home school will be a success.

Home schooling online offer online home school environments that have qualified teachers to give your children a great education through the computer at your home. Your children take the same classes most school children would take in regular school for a nominal fee. The schools go all the way from kindergarten to college on up to a doctorate in college. It helps busy parents give their children good quality home schooling.

There are community home school programs where the parents with children in home school networks and plan social engagements for their children, so that they can learn the social skills they would have obtained in schools.

Private parent groups are groups that plan activities for learning such as field trips to museums, parks and science and history themed places. To insure social interaction and for more education, these parents plan awesome trips and even gym group memberships so that the children can attend exercise classes.

Author Info:

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about home school material visit Home School Material for current articles and discussions.

Home Schooling - Why Do It?

Many people look at home schoolers and wonder how and why they do it. Some people think home schooling is a hassle and think "why don't you just send your kids to school so they can be taught by a professional?" It all depends on your world view.

If you believe that you don't have as much to offer your child as a teacher does, then you will think that home schooling is not for you. Actually home schooling can be a positive experience for both parent and child. The parent gets to do some soul searching deciding to take on this endeavor and the student has the benefits of individualized attention and curriculum.

Homeschooling is legal in most states and can be done without fear of doing something illegal as it was at the beginning of the home school movement or in many countries today. We have a tremendous privilege to be able to choose how and what our child learns. There are many people in other countries who would love to home school their children, but are just not allowed to.

Choosing how and what your child learns can be seen as a huge burden and responsibility, but actually can be very rewarding. When you pay attention to what your child likes and how he learns best and then you find a system of learning that you both can live with, true learning takes place. Most school classrooms can't offer the individualized curriculum that home schooling offers. You can't just take your children out of school and let them play, but playing games and creating projects can teach your child many valuable skills.

When you examine what you truly believe about education and learning and trust the fact that this child was given to you to teach and enjoy, then you can move towards home schooling with confidence.

Author Info:

For more tips on how to home school, grab your free report "How to Home school using the Best Resources" at http://www.hjresources.com/freehs Heidi Johnson specializes in helping families find resources to simplify and improve their lives.

Will These Story Starters Tips Help To Improve Your Home School Student's Or Gifted Child's Writing?

When you pick up a book, you usually do three things: you look at the cover; read the blurb on the back and you read the first paragraph to see if you like it.

As an author, you often don't have much control over (1) the book cover or (2) the blurb, BUT every writer knows that a sizzling story start is vital! That first paragraph has to grab the reader's attention instantly. Smart writers know you reveal more about your characters by showing them in action, rather than by writing long slabs of description about where they are and what they wear.

There are lots of ways to create Sizzling Starts. Here are just five suggestions.

Start with a bang

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

Make the reader curious

Let me explain about the divorce, the beach house and the bacon.

Create a Moment of Change

Everything was going well, until my Mum said 'I've got a job in California.'

Use humour

Never let your three year old brother hold a tomato.

Dialogue quickly introduces your characters

'It's just a rat,' I said, breathing hard. 'It's an old house.'

'Rats don't growl,' said Mike.

Share these ideas with your children. Then get them to look at the first paragraphs of books from the library or your home and see what other types of starts they can find.

Here is an Action Activity the whole family can try:

Scaffold a Sizzling Start

Start stories with action! Give your kids one minute to write a start for each of the following phrases. The one minute limit makes them think quickly and not fuss about being perfect -- and that allows the creative side of their brain freedom. (Tell students not to worry about spelling until later too.)

• 'Stop! There's a...'
• It was a trap, but...
• 'Get out of my way. You never...'
• The chocolate was great, but then...
• Suddenly he coughed and...
• The car stopped. Then it turned around and started back ..

If your children enjoy the activity, get them to create more story starters. Next time they can run the same activity for you (yes, YOU write, too) as well as your other kids.

Don't forget, the most effective way to teach children to write is NOT to write full stories all the time. Just practice starting stories well and let kids learn in small, confidence-building chunks.

(C) Jen McVeity - National Literacy Champion

Author Info:

Print our Five Minute Fast Starts worksheet by going to http://sevenstepswriting.com/sample.php then clicking on the Sizzling Starts link.

The Seven Steps to Writing Success program, designed by successful author, Jen McVeity, is used in over 900 Schools. Suitable for the home school curriculum and gifted children, it has been shown to rapidly advance children's writing skills and enjoyment.

Visit our website at http://sevenstepswriting.com/ to learn about all the Seven Steps to Writing Success and to find more free writing resources.

Subscribe to our fast and fabulous Free Parent Newsletter, filled with top writing tips and activities. http://sevenstepswriting.com/newsletter.php

Consider the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling and Make the Best Decision for Your Family!

Taking some time to consider the pros and cons of homeschooling, especially when making a life changing decision like home-based education, demonstrates wise decision making.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling, not only helps you make a good decision but will minimize any discouragement or negative feelings you may encounter when educating your child at home.

Homeschooling is not easy, but it is rewarding!

Anyone can homeschool, but it is definitely not easy. It requires commitment, diligence, and at times, perseverance from both you, and your family.

More Family Time... Yay!?

When homeschooling, your family will experience increased time together. This can be a benefit, or perhaps a drawback, if your family doesn't get along with each other.

Homeschooling forces your family to:

• Work together.
• Get along.
• Help each other.
• Overlook differences.
• Develop patience and acceptance.

... on a daily basis.

Family relationship-building, and learning to interact positively with each other, although seldom easy, is always a good thing!

Enjoy a Simplified Lifestyle!

Other pros and cons of homeschooling may be giving up a second income or staying home full time with your children to school them.

Living on one income may not seem like something you think you can do, especially if you are accustomed to living a certain lifestyle, or enjoying particular luxuries.

Downsizing isn't all negative, however.

Homeschooling makes you to prioritize your values, often causing you to realize, or remember what truly matters in life. It can also help your family start to appreciate and find enjoyment in life's simple pleasures - like taking a walk together or watching ants in your backyard, work tirelessly caring for their colony.

Pros and Cons of Homeschooling Vary from Family to Family.

When talking to homeschooling families, you will discover a variety of homeschool benefits, depending on a family's individual values or goals. Each family is unique and chooses to homeschool for different reasons.

If you are serious about home education for your family, take some time to consider both the pros and cons of homeschooling for your family.

Knowing the good, the bad and the ugly about homeschooling will eliminate potential surprises and minimizes any negative effects of homeschooling you may experience.

Author Info:

You can homeschool your child successfully and affordably! From her personal experience as a home educator and group leader, Heather Gneco shares valuable insight to help you increase time, save money and provide your children the best homeschool experience possible.
For more homeschooling success tips, visit:
http://www.homeschool-curriculum-savings.com

Homeschool Field Trips - How to Plan and What to Take

Field trips can enhance any home school. They provide opportunities for learning that just can't take place in the home. The more senses you use, the more you will remember what you learned. Field trips provide a better opportunity to use more sense and experience learning at a deeper level. Whether you go on field trips because your child has an interest in a certain subject or because you want to spark an interest in a certain subject, there are some basic tips you can use to make any field trip successful:

1. Get the details ahead of time. Where is the place located exactly. What did we do without yahoo maps and GPS's? What time does the tour start? What are the hours for this location?

2. Bring snacks and water for your family. Whether you leave them in the car or take them in with you, keeping your family properly hydrated will make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Nothing ruins a field trip more than hungry and thirsty children.

3. Make sure all the families in your group know what is expected. Do they know when you want to meet? If people in your group tend to be late it might be a good idea to state that everyone should meet 15 minutes beforehand to collect money and be sure everyone is there.

4. Do you know why you are going on this field trip? Read a few brochures or books about where you are going so that you are familiar with what you are going to see. Think of questions you might want to ask when you get there.

5. Make sure the place you are going knows the age range of the group of people you are bringing. Most places can adjust their talk or tour accordingly. They want you to be happy and enjoy their site so that you can come again and recommend them to others.

6. Take your camera! This seems to be the one piece of equipment that gets left at home when our family goes on a field trip. The pictures are fun to take, especially with a digital camera. It will help your children remember the trip and you can use it for future scrapbook practice if you choose.

7. Write a thank you note when you get home. You can write the note and have your children add a line or two or they can each write their own notes. It is good practice for them to be thankful and the people at the field trip site will really appreciate being thanked.

Whether you are taking a field trip around the block or across the country, if you use these field trip tips you will have a greater chance of having an enjoyable and educational trip.

Author Info:

For more tips on homeschooling, grab your free report "How to Homeschool using the Best Resources" at http://www.homeschool-how-to.com Heidi Johnson specializes in helping families find resources to simplify and improve their lives.

Virtual Education in The K-12 Years - Learning, Retention and Technology

"During a learning episode, we remember best that which comes first, second best that which comes last, and least that which comes just past the middle!"

Sousa, D. (2006), How the Brain Learns, Corwin Press.

Simply stated, learning takes place when we are offered information that our brain deems important in the moment to take on. Learning can take place anywhere, for any reason, at any time when the brain is receptive to outside stimulation. Retention is a different issue altogether yet is connected to successful learning episodes to varying degrees as the brain sees fit.

Learning occurs when:

• The learner interacts with the environment and acquires skills and information.

• We find ourselves requiring information to help make sense of a situation we are faced with.

• Meaning is needed in order to make sense of new surroundings experiences or emotions.

It becomes clear that learning is not restricted to a single environment labeled "school". It also is very apparent that the "school" cannot possibly emulate every circumstance that a person may come across in other environments. We perhaps need to consider the ramifications of conditioning our children to grow up believing that "learning" predominantly happens in schools.

Retention: What is it?

Retention is the process where the long term memory stores information that can be later retrieved accurately for a specific purpose. The process of retention is not an exact science and a little unpredictable in it's occurrence.

Keys to more successful retention:

• Attaching sense and meaning to a learning experience will improve retention success.

• Giving the learner time to "rehearse" new information . Rehearsal is geared towards having the learner process the information in numerous ways.. Repeating the process in it's entirety supplies meaning to the experience and enables the brain to make sense of it also.

What retention is NOT:

Retention is NOT learning. Learning can occur yet the information learned in the moment may not be retained. For example you may remember a phone number until you no longer need it. This could be 5 minutes or 5 days. However you are in the position of learning it initially.

Becoming aware of learning as an integral part of being human can bring us all closer to the realization that there are a myriad of answers to the question of "how " to educate ourselves. Moving away from "conditioning" people to "school based" learning could be a huge step forward. To be open to "learning all the time" will provide more people learning opportunities best suited to their particular style of learning. It has the potential to impact retention in an enormous way.

Technology in the home has the potential to bridge the gap and change the way we condition ourselves in regards to where and when we learn. Should we choose to embrace the radical change technology can bring to education we may begin to see the full potential of the human brain

The fabulous part is we all free to choose!

Author Info:

Margit

http://www.2Think2Learn.com

Discover more about the impact of teaching style on learning and retention. Have your student engaging and excelling in response to your improved teaching skills. Visit us at http://www.k12genius.com for interactive approaches to implementing online, web based programs in the home.

Leadership Education - 7 Tips on How to Prepare Your Children to Be The Leaders of Tomorrow

Every parent wants his or her child to be successful in life. More than once we have entertained the thought of how great they will be once they have turned into adults.Our wish is for them to achieve much more than we have.

What many of us don't realize, is that God has already provided for them to be successful and great. God has created each one of our children for a unique purpose on this earth.

And it is our responsibility to lead them to walk in it.

Overwhelmed? True. Our daily routine sometimes looks so chaotic that we can't imagine how we could ever achieve that.

Nevertheless, there are certain guidelines we can follow that will guarantee success:

1.-First of all, keep close to God. Make reading the Bible and praying your number one priority, no matter how crazy your day is. God knows better than anyone what is good for your child. Learn to hear His voice. This is a guaranteed success formula for all areas of your life.

2.-Discover all the promises God has for your children in the Bible. If you have made Jesus the Lord of your life, then you are in a Covenant relationship with God Himself. That is like having signed a lifelong contract with Him. And the promises are part of it.

Start with Isaiah 54: 13. "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children"

Phew, what a relief. He will teach them.

Here is my favorite one: "Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed."(Isaiah 61:9)

Read these verses and burn them into your brain.Write them all over your house, or better still, memorize them. All of Gods promises are received by faith, and faith comes by constantly hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)

Next time you are exasperated about your dear daughter, or son, claim those verses and speak them over their lives. God is faithful, and He has never broken a promise.

3.- Be a good model for them. Whether you like it or not, your children are watching you. Maybe you will have to make some changes. But it is not that hard. Don't try to tackle this with your own strength. It won't work. Rely on God to give you the grace, His divine and supernatural power, to change the weak spots in your life.

Spending time daily with the kindest person in the Universe will powerfully impact your life. It will automatically change you. You will notice that you will become wiser, more patient and more loving.

4.- Read biographies of great leaders together. Make this the most fun time of the day. Choose a good book. Cuddle up on your sofa and get inspired by the great achievements of other men and women throughout history.

Discussions about the book will arise very naturally. Let them talk and don't just impose your opinion. That will

spur their minds. As you analyze the victories and failures of the hero, you can teach them how to apply Biblical wisdom to their own lives.

5.- Give them enough free time to pursue their own interests. This will allow them to develop their God-given talents in a very natural way. Don't clutter their day with unnecessary extracurricular activities. Just give them big blocks of free time to explore their own little world.

Oh yes, and restrict the classical time robbers and brain killers: the TV and computer games.

6.- Identify their talents and gifts. Once you see a particular talent flourishing in them, identify it and talk to them about it. God is giving you a clue about his plan for your children's lives. Praise them and tell them how good they are at this. Help them to develop their gifts and talents.This way you will inspire your child to love learning, and will ultimately develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Don't push them to achieve something they are not ready for. Children are so different, and you cannot treat all of them alike. One of my children started to read at four, and the other at fourteen. And that's okay. Both of them have written a number of books, and they are constantly engaged in their own learning process, each one at his own level.

7.- Good leaders need good mentors. Be very picky with teachers. Whenever you are led to recur to a teacher other than yourself, provide your children with a good mentor. A good mentor has to be:

• An expert in his field.

• Be of high moral character.

• Have good communicating skills.

• Willing to share his secrets.

8.- A good leader has to be prepared to analyze and solve real life situations well. Share as much of your own life with your child. Tell them about your problems, the decisions you have to make, and how you are going to face these situations.

Don't be afraid to tell them about your mistakes. They will learn that adults make mistakes too, and that you can learn from them. This will help them to analyze and solve real life problems. It is also a great opportunity to teach them Biblical wisdom.

9.- Good leaders serve, bad leaders control. Teach your children to be generous. Don't bury them in toys, teach them to bless others instead. Probably one of the biggest mistakes well-meaning parents make in our consumer-oriented society is that of allowing their children to wallow in self-indulgence.

Teach them to share and to serve others. You can start at home by assigning them different tasks and chores. This is the best character training method there is. Watch their heart, don't just focus on outer obedience. This is a challenge. Changes in attitude won't happen overnight, but they will get it.

10.-Have fun together and express your love to them. All parents love their children, but not all children feel loved by their parents. Invest your time in them.You will have their heart and they will always be willing to listen to you, even when they are grown ups.

"One hundred years from now it will not matter what sort of house you had, or what kind of car you drove, or what your bank account was. But the world may be different because you were important in the life of a child".

Author Info:

I'd like to help you find out how you can teach your children leadership traits, entrepreneurial skills, and a love of learning! Visit http://www.Self-DirectedLearningForSuccess.com for tips and tools for creating and growing in your own learning process. Learn how to teach yourself in my FREE e-book: The Power of Self-Directed Learning, and my FREE e-course: Seven Steps to Consistently Change Your Life.

From Bettina Langerfeldt, who enjoys teaching people how to pursue their God-given gifts and talents by designing their own education with self-directed learning.

© 2008 Freedompioneer

Texas Homeschool - Homeschooling the Texas Way

Contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly legal to take your children out of public school and to teach them at home. However, there are some laws directed toward homeschooling and you should understand these before you begin teaching your children at home.

Education is not even discussed in the Constitution. The Department of Education is the entity that impacts the rules that govern educational services.

It is important to understand that each state creates and oversees educational laws of its own. From state to state, you could find great differences in the laws and practices.

If you are trying to set up a Texas homeschool, for example, the laws are considerably relaxed. Parents just need to make sure that they establish and operate their homeschool as if it were a private school.

The only subjects that are required include reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship. There are no attendance requirements, no parental qualifications, no recordkeeping necessary, and no mandatory testing.

Even though homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, some states are easy-going like creating a Texas homeschool, while others are stricter. Some states demand state approval of your child's curriculum and submission of student achievement test scores. Sometimes home visits are even required. In severe cases, one parent must be a certified teacher.

Over the past few decades, there have been many endeavors to discontinue homeschooling. There are many parents who fear the possibility of homeschooling to be illegal in the near future.

Looking at the history of homeschooling law, it is unlikely that this will happen as the courts continue to be in favor of homeschooling.

If you are afforded the ease of a Texas homeschool, you will want to become informed about all of the legal aspects of homeschooling in your state.

The Home School Legal Defense Association, founded in 1983, is the only source of homeschooling legal rights. This association also fights many battles in behalf of parents who choose to homeschool their children.

If you are thinking about homeschooling your children, don't be overwhelmed or intimidated by your legal position. It is essential for you to learn what these laws are and how they would affect your desire to teach your child at home.

Author Info:

Discover How to Raise Your Child to Be a True Leader with Our Classical Christian-based Leadership Program. Great for Homeschoolers and Other Parents Who Want to Make Sure their Child Gets the Best Leadership Training Possible.

What is Classical Homeschooling?

Classical homeschooling is an eye-catching choice for parents to think about. When a child is homeschooled, there are various advantages. First, children who are homeschooled have more one-on-one time. This allows children to receive an excellent education.

Students who are homeschooled also have the advantage of learning in a comfortable and safe environment. It isn't necessary for a child to learn how to become accustomed to different classrooms. Learning to adapt to a new surrounding can be distracting. Parents and children who choose to homeschool also have the chance to create deeper relationships. Parents can also have a greater impact on their child's education.

There are several homeschooling methods. Classical homeschooling methods follow a traditional education model. Classical homeschooling is made up of primary, secondary, and tertiary phases, kind of like elementary, junior high, and high school.

There is a big difference, however, between an institutional form of this education and homeschooling. Classical homeschooling in its true form focuses on the mental development of a child, not just age. A child will not move onto the next developmental phase until they are ready.

Classical homeschooling methods go all the way back to the middle ages. This method has been tested and tried, and found to be very effective. Younger children focus on learning the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Once your child has mastered the concepts of this phase, they move on to the next, which consists mainly of grammar. This phase focuses on composition.

The last phase in Classical homeschooling education is the dialect stage. In this stage children seriously study reading and writing and arithmetic. They also focus on rhetoric and public speaking in this phase.

Classical homeschooling allows a child to move at his/her own pace. It is nice to know that a child has to master a concept before moving on. They aren't just passed automatically from grade to grade.

The great thing about homeschooling, is that even if you want to supplement a Classical approach with something else, you can. You can incorporate units of studies that revolve around a theme for example. Teaching your child at home provides you the flexibility to do this.

Author Info:

Discover How to Raise Your Child to Be a True Leader with Our Classical Christian-based Leadership Program. Great for Homeschoolers and Other Parents Who Want to Make Sure their Child Gets the Best Leadership Training Possible.

Learning Styles - The Secret to Choosing the Best Homeschool Curriculum For Your Child

When choosing a homeschool curriculum, many parents seek recommendations from friends without stopping to consider their child's learning style.

Learning styles, or learning modalities, describe a child's dominant mode of receiving, processing and retaining information. The three learning styles are auditory, visual and kinesthetic (or tactile). Children who are auditory learn by speaking or listening. Children who are visual learn by seeing or making mental pictures. Children who are kinesthetic learn through movement or touch.

By understanding your child's primary learning style, you can choose a curriculum that capitalizes on your child's strengths and compensates for weaknesses.

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners receive, process and retain information by listening or talking. They tend to be vocal and generally enjoy music, instruments, story telling, read alouds and audiobooks. These children may prefer group discussions and oral drill to independent study.

Your child may be an auditory learner if he or she:

• expresses emotion by changing his or her tone of voice,
• enjoys hobbies that involve speech or sound,
• asks questions when encountering something new,
• speaks freely in group settings, and
• solves problems and communicates through conversation.

When learning, auditory children may need to move their lips while reading, repeat directions aloud, or say the answers as they write them. These children may also need to hum or whistle to themselves in order to concentrate. When trying to figure out whether or not an answer is correct, auditory learners may ask themselves, "Does it sound right?"

When choosing a homeschool curriculum for an auditory learner, look for programs that involve reading aloud or group discussion. Unit studies, classical education or the Charlotte Mason method may work well for auditory processors.

Visual Learners

Visual learners receive, process and retain information through sight or by making mental images. These children may think in print, through reading and writing, or in images like drawings, charts, maps and graphs.

Visual learners may favor neatness and organization. They tend to like like reading, math, art, television and computer games. They easily notice similarities and differences, and are good at memorizing the written word.

Your child may be a visual learner if he or she:

• expresses emotion through facial expression,
• enjoys hobbies that involve print or images,
• spends a great deal of time examining when encountering something new,
• watches before participating in group settings, and
• looks for visual clues when solving problems.

When learning, visual learners may need to take notes, highlight information, or make outlines and diagrams. They tend to more readily understand written as opposed to oral instruction. When trying to figure out whether or not an answer is correct, visual learners may ask themselves, "Does it look right?"

Visual processors may enjoy worksheets and can typically handle a traditional textbook or classical program. Children who love books may enjoy a literature based program. Those who enjoy computers may thrive on a computer based homeschooling curriculum.

Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners receive, process and retain information through movement or touch. They thrive on physical activity or hands on projects. They more readily remember information that is associated with an activity.

Your child may be a kinesthetic learner if he or she:

• expresses emotion through body language,
• enjoys hobbies that involve touch or movement,
• uses the sense of touch when encountering something new,
• encourages movement in group settings, and
• uses gestures to communicate.

When learning, kinesthetic learners may need to use manipulatives or construct models to enhance understanding. These children may find it helpful to rock or sit on a bouncy ball while listening to lectures or completing assignments. They may memorize information more easily while bouncing a ball, swinging or jumping on a trampoline.

Kinesthetic processors tend to have the most trouble with traditional classroom education. The best homeschool curriculum for these children is on that involves projects, experiments and models, such as Montessori homeschooling or unit study program.

Determining Your Child's Learning Style

Spend time observing your child to determine his or her learning style, and don't be afraid to ask how he or she prefers to learn. It may take a bit of experimentation to find the best homeschooling curriculum, but by understanding your child's learning style, you are taking a step in the right direction.

Author Info:

Here are some additional tips on teaching to your child's learning style, along with a description of different homeschooling methods.

Carletta Sanders is a homeschool mom of 3 and creator of the website, Successful Homeschooling.

Some Darn Good Reasons to Home School Your Children

When it comes to homeschooling, one of the first questions that often comes to mind is why. That is, why would parents choose to educate their children at home instead of following the more conventional routes such as public and private schools? There may be many reasons why some parents choose homeschooling, and each family may have its own individual goal in mind.

Instilling sound values and providing a superior education are two of the reasons often given by parents who choose to home school their children. Many parents do not want their children to be exposed to the negative peer pressures and bad moral influences that are common in many of today's public schools. Even private schools can suffer from these problems, not to mention the significant cost of tuition.

But can homeschooling really provide a good education? The answer is a resounding yes. Of course, parents must take steps to ensure that they are prepared for the challenging tasks ahead. However, if the parents are up to the challenge, the result can be an education which is as good or better than what most children receive. In fact, there is a good deal of evidence that suggest homeschooling is usually superior than public schooling.

Though there are always exceptions to every rule, it does seem that homeschooling helps children to excel in the overwhelming majority of cases. In fact, the U.S. Dept of education reports that home school children are often a few grades ahead of their peers by the time they enter junior high.

For those interested in homeschooling, whether to avoid the negative influences of a public school or to better prepare the child academically, the results are encouraging. Homeschooling works.

Author Info:

If you would like more information about choosing a homeschool curriculum as well as general information on homeschooling, please visit http://homeschoolingbasics.info

Homeschooling Resources - How to Get the Most Out of Them

It can be really frustrating, time consuming, and costly to locate excellent homeschooling resources. The Internet can be a great place to find free or low-cost quality resources.

There is an immense collection of homeschooling resources online. However, you probably don't have all the time in the world to go through the tons and tons of resources.

If you are planning on using homeschooling resources from the web, you need to be careful. One of your decisions for homeschooling may have been to remove your child from a negative culture.

The Internet can be a place where lack of values can also be found. It is important that you don't just have your kids surf the internet or use homeschooling resources without learning about them yourself first.

The Internet has some awful aspects to it, but it can also be really helpful, especially as you try and locate educational resources. Finding the best homeschooling resources will take some time, but you can present some of the best educational resources from online sources.

Even though you may be a talented parent, you usually start homeschooling rather handicapped. It is really difficult to plan and prepare instruction everyday, especially while trying to be the source of all the knowledge.

That is one of the reasons why some of the best educators in our nation consider themselves to be learning mentors of information instead of the source of all the knowledge.

They know how to direct students toward the information, not just tell them everything. There is nothing saying that a parent can't do the same. Why not tap into one of the best homeschooling resources there is?

Here are some suggestions as you try to choose which resources online are the best for you and your child:

First of all, it is essential that you look at where the source is coming from. Information on the Internet is not equal. A lot of it is garbage. It is important to learn who has developed the information.

One of the greatest advantages of finding homeschooling resources online is the ability to help visual learners. A short video, in many situations would be able to hold a child's attention instead of a long information text.

Google allow you to search for videos and images. You may want to limit your search to videos and image only, so that you don't get as many results.

When trying to find other resources. It is important to be specific in the search terms you use. For example, if you are looking for a virtual tour, you may want to also type in what kind of virtual tour. Typing in "lesson plan" in addition to the topic you are researching can also help you out.

The Internet is not a substitute for persona instruction. However, it can be a great place to find homeschooling resources if you use it the right way.

Author Info:

Discover How to Raise Your Child to Be a True Leader with Our Classical Christian-based Leadership Program. Great for Homeschoolers and Other Parents Who Want to Make Sure their Child Gets the Best Leadership Training Possible.

Home Tuition - What to Look For in a Good Home Tutor

A good home tutor can really help your child to improve his or her grades in school. Sometimes, it is inevitable that when your child progresses to a higher level of learning, he or she may not be able to cope with the stress and fast learning pace. During this moment, engaging a home tutor for your child seems to be the best choice.

When comparing home tuition and group tuition, home tuition usually costs slightly more. But, your child will get the tutor's full attention and time which will definitely help your child in his or her studies. Moreover, if the tutor has good life value, he or she can pass on to your child subconsciously. This will make your child see the tutor as a life mentor and continue to take in good life values from him or her in the future. So, it is obvious that there are more advantages of giving your child a home tuition when compared to sending him or her to a tuition centre.

So what to look for in a good home tutor? Basically, I think that there are 3 things that a good home tutor must have:

1. The tutor must be motivating. Sometimes, home tuition is more than just getting academic grades. I truly believe that a good tutor should impart good life value to his or her student. The tutor must be able to let your child know how important it is to be motivated in whatever things that he or she does. Without motivation, one cannot achieve great things. With a motivated tutor, your child can also be motivated in the right direction of life and achieve excellent results in both studies and life.

2. The tutor must be knowledgeable. The tutor should be knowledgeable in whatever subjects that he or she teaches. Therefore, you should always ask for references when choosing a home tutor for your child. Also make sure that the tutor can communicate well so that he or she can impart the knowledge successfully to your child.

3. The tutor must be patient. The tutor must be patient when teaching your child. Sometimes, your child needs more time to understand a certain topic. The tutor should be patient and passionate in explaining the details again to your child till he or she fully understand.

A good home tutor can really help your child with his or her academic work. Take your time to screen through potential tutors so as to find the right one for your child.

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Do You Want Your Child To Have Great Achievements? Use This Now!

There are more and more successful cases that parents are choosing home schooling rather than main stream schools. How to weigh the benefits of home schooling? It is only when your child succeed later in his or her life. His achievements would be attributed to your hard work.

What Is Home Schooling?

With so much debate and controversies on the pretext of home schooling on whether the child is benefiting from this type of education. Having said that, home schooling is legal in the US, with issues currently debating and some are thinking of banning this procedure if there are evidence that the children do not benefit from such an education.

What are the reasons that parents are turning away from traditional education to homeschooling?

Most parents are hesitant to put their children in special designed school if they are suffering from mental or physical disabilities. Another reason is that they cannot attend normal schools. Parents like to notion that they can have instance supervision on what their kid is studying as they, themselves are the teachers. The child safety are being taken care of all the times. It is beneficial for most single parent who works at home as it is more convenient to know how their children are faring on their studies.

When you see your child's achievements, you realized that your efforts in teaching have finally paid off. This is in fact one of the greatest benefit of home schooling. However, there are some benefits of that I will be discussing:

Bonding will be lost with their children when they send them away to school. You will acquire valuable teaching and leaning experience with your child every day. You are responsible for the results of your kids that you can directly praise or blame them.

Although parents like to benefits of home schooling, but they also have to take note the disadvantages as well.

The home schooled child could be missing on interaction with other kids about the same age as him or her. This may be one of the major disadvantages of home schooling. Parents are getting too strict or sometimes too lenient when performing the teacher's role, this is bad for the child as he or she might be resistance in learning. Parents may not be equipped with the necessary academic knowledge and teaching ability.

For those parents already taken up home schooling for their kids, they will have to do their best and believe that they can get the benefits of home schooling finally. However, for those who are still considering, it is better to think of all perspectives before making the decision. Please do not have high hopes on the benefits of home schooling, for that you might get disappointed leaving you and your child with emotional stress.

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The author Eddy Kong has more than one interesting site - take a look at his good homeschooling strategies site and also his free learning tools for preschoolers similar articles.

Applicable Home Schooling Methods

Home schooling is one of the finest options for students who need special needs, certain educational beliefs that do not go well with traditional lesson plans, or regular scheduling issues. Majority of parents are not satisfied and happy with the performance of their children at school. Home schooling is regarded as the best tool to observe the progress of a child in making him or her capable of handling the educational pressure and also to provide the complete learning cycle in class.

Home schooling skills are specially acquired skills to reach out to troubled children and help them in every aspect to do well in their studies. You can add so much of experimentation and philosophies into the study methodologies to make it a real fun. With so much variety to the home school methods and practices, children will realize their worth and will able to learn fast. Let's take a look at some of these methods.

Structured Home schooling

This particular method is also known as "School-at-home" or "Traditional", where students are taught in a traditional school setting. Here, parents act as initial teachers and try to help their child in their studies or curriculum. Nowadays, packaged curriculum materials are also available and parents can easily purchase it from the market.

Classical Education

The expert resources in this method teach subjects through main three ways:

Grammar - In this phase, grammar or concepts are being taught to get the basic clearly.

Logic - Here, critical thinking is given importance and children are expected to apply logic for solving problems.

Rhetoric - In this phase, proper evaluation of information is done by students, which is followed by healthy information.

The Montessori Method

In this process of learning, students are understood as both teacher and student. Here, learning is considered as a natural and self-directed process. Also, this method tells that children are free to experiment and learn with the results.

The child is free to learn at his/her own pace by interacting with and responding to the environment. The parent or teacher, acting as "keeper of the environment," is supposed to create an engaging setting that encourages the child to explore and react with the surroundings. For younger students, this even includes providing child-sized learning tools such as small chairs and tables.

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The aforementioned article has been contributed by the webmaster of orbitutors.com. An online tutor database where you can find a tutor for all subjects. Find a chemistry tutor, science tutor and more in your local area.

Socialization Opportunities For Homeschoolers

Most homeschoolers get asked the question, "What about Socialization?" If you have been home schooling for any length of time, you can just smile because you know there are plenty of opportunities for socialization. Homeschool children interact with people much more than people think. Here are some opportunities for socialization:

1. Extracurricular Activities - These can be paid for by the parents or offered free through the community. Your child can take classes like gymnastics, ballet, dance, pottery, jewelry making, drawing, tennis, golf, martial arts, swimming, babysitting classes, and many other community activities.

2. Homeschool Support Group or Cooperative Events - Many home school groups offer weekly or monthly classes or events. There are also seasonal events like Science fairs, spelling bees, and field trips. Some groups even have talent nights or offer special rates for lessons at area businesses. There may also be opportunities to attend special musical or theatrical performances as a group.

3. Socializing with siblings and parents - Many people overlook the fact that home school children usually have to interact with their family members all day long. Those are sometimes the most challenging relationships to maintain. Children learn many problem solving skills when interacting with members of their own family all day.

4. Community Sponsored Activities - Many communities have recreation departments that offer team sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball and more. Don't overlook bowling leagues and swim teams either. Some communities also have community choirs, bands and drama groups where your children can participate.

5. Church Activities - Sports teams can be a great outreach opportunity for local churches. Look for these so your children can participate too. Choir and band programs are sometimes available for children to perform and learn. Youth groups sometimes need members to perform in a band playing an instrument or singing. If your church doesn't have a program like these, then maybe you and your children could start one.

6. School Activities - Many schools will allow your children to participate in choir, drama and art classes. For younger grades there are various Biddy programs that are open to all the children in the community. Students are always welcome to attend sporting events when they pay admission. These can be great family outings where you interact with the community and get to see a game.

If you keep your eyes open and interact with people, you will be able to find plenty of ways for your children to socialize with others.

Author Info:

For more tips on homeschooling, grab your free report "How to Homeschool using the Best Resources" at http://www.homeschool-how-to.com

Heidi Johnson specializes in helping families find resources to simplify and improve their lives.

Home School Curriculum - Do I Need It?

Home school curriculum and books are plentiful. Choosing from the huge selection can be overwhelming. Do you really need to purchase a home school curriculum or can you save some money and home school with books alone? Here are some thoughts that can help you make your decision:

1. You need a core plan - Whether you purchase a home school curriculum or develop your own, you need to know what you want to accomplish. What do you think your child should be doing each day? What do you want them to know and understand by the time the school year is over?

2. Focus on reading, writing and arithmetic - Any good home school program focuses on the basics. Make sure you address the core subjects and know what you want to accomplish there before you add any other subjects to your list.

3. Know how you and your child learn best - Learning style plays a key role in how you and your children will learn. In public school teachers can't really teach based on learning style because of the volume of students they have to work with. But a home school parent can certainly know their child's learning style and use resources to support that. If you don't know yours or your child's learning style you can take an assessment online and find out. http://www.hjresources.com/hsrecommend Then when you decide to choose curriculum or books you will know what types of resources you need. You might even save yourself a lot of frustration in the long run.

4. Use your resources - In the early days of home schooling there wasn't much available to parents. That is definitely not the case now. There is almost too much information available now. You have the internet, library and a host of used curriculum sites where you can get books and resources at a fraction of the cost.

5. Do you use a curriculum to learn something yourself? Think about what you do when you want to learn about something. Do you buy a curriculum to learn or do you read books, listen to audio and watch videos? Your children need to see you have a love for learning. You can learn about how to cook, sew, garden, remodel your house, improve your skills at a job, etc.

Even though purchasing a curriculum can give you a feeling of security knowing that everything your child needs to know will be covered, be careful that you don't take on too much and get burned out. If you focus on the basics and know what you want to accomplish, then you can make an informed decision as to whether you will need to purchase a curriculum or whether you can just use books and resources to accomplish the same goals.

Author Info:

For more tips on how to homeschool, grab your free report "How to Homeschool using the Best Resources" at http://www.hjresources.com/freehs Heidi Johnson specializes in helping families find resources to simplify and improve their lives.

Seven Things You Can Do While You Homeschool Through High School

Why would you want to homeschool through high school? Do the advantages really make it worth while? My husband and I homeschooled all four of our boys from kindergarten into early college, and we'd do it all over again in a minute. It was a joyous journey! Here are seven reasons you may want to consider Here are seven reasons you may want to consider homeschooling through high school.

Home educated teens have time to:

Build Strong Relationships

As my boys have grown through their teen years and into adulthood, it's been a joy watch our relationship develop and change. Without negative peer influences teaching them that they shouldn't like or respect their parents, the boys have remained a delightful part of the family. It's fun to have real conversations with your young people, and to see them bring their own insights, knowledge, and understanding to the discussion.

Get a Jump Start on College

Why spend four years just doing high school, when you could exert a little extra effort and earn college credit at the same time? By taking advantage of college-level exams, community college and online classes, and other opportunities, it's possible to graduate from college when most teens are graduating from high school.

Serve Others Through Volunteering

I've heard it said that teenagers are old enough to be useful, but young enough to be dangerous. One thing that can help a teen through this awkward stage of life is serving others. There are countless volunteer opportunities, formal and informal, within the church and community. Homeschooled teens have the opportunity to learn while meeting real needs for real people.

Start a Microbusiness

What could be better than a summer job flipping burgers? Entrepreneurship, for one thing. Just think-instead of spending time in a mindless entry-level job, teens can start and run small businesses, and not only earn money for the future, but also learn about planning, budgeting, organization, marketing, and customer service, and perhaps even gain experience for a future career.

Do Career Sampling or an Apprenticeship

In traditional school, you're lucky to get one day off each year to shadow a worker at his or her job. Homeschooled teens can try different careers through informal mentoring relationships, formal apprenticeships, or volunteering opportunities.

Develop Special Talents

Have you noticed who is winning spelling and geography bees, music competitions and chess tournaments, debates and robotics competitions? Homeschooled students are often at the very top of these contests. Why? It's because they have time to pursue special interests. If they want to spend three hours a day practicing violin, there are no deadlines. They don't have to put down their instrument after 45 minutes and go rushing off to algebra or soccer. A homeschooler's world lacks arbitrary deadlines, which means they can spend time on things that really matter.

Learn Through Travel

Just over a century ago, well-educated students were expected to complete their schooling with a Grand Tour of the world. While you may not have the resources for a Grand Tour, you can probably travel to nearby historic sites, visit other states, or yes, even travel around the world. By preparing wisely and choosing to travel when rates are low, you can experience different cultures and make unique memories without breaking your budget. Travel can be an education all by itself!

Author Info:

Janice Campbell, author of Get a Jump Start on College! A Practical Guide for Teens; Transcripts Made Easy: The Homeschooler's Guide to High School Paperwork; and the forthcoming Excellence in Literature series, has been writing and speaking in central Virginia since the late 1980's. She homeschooled her four sons from kindergarten into college, using the principles she now shares in her books, blog http://www.Janice-Campbell.com workshops, and her free e-newsletter. Sign up for it today at http://www.Everyday-Education.com

The Benefits of Homeschooling Online

If you homeschool your children, it is very likely that you haven't been able to get very much support from your local school district. You can find many resources by homeschooling online.

If you have an Internet connection, homeschooling online is a great method of ensuring your child is getting a quality education. Especially an education related to world events and skills. There are various ways in which you can homeschool online. You can find traditional high school programs that offer courses over the Internet.

If you live in a state where your child needs to meet a specific curriculum criteria, homeschooling online can usually help you meet those standards. Homeschooling online provides an efficient way of receiving support, curriculum, and a check and balance system that helps your child learn the needed subjects. If your state demands the study of certain subjects and testing, incorporating an online program is a great idea. You don't have to ignore your child's interests; you can just supplement the online program with additional learning.

Homeschooling online doesn't have to be as rigid as traditional high school. If you don't have to meet mandated items in your state, you find resources to help you. There are various homeschooling website that provide lesson plans, forums, and resources. These aids can support you and give you some great curriculum ideas.

Online resources can also be great for creative lesson ideas and researching. There are some websites that are just dedicated to providing lesson plans. Others, however, are more for support. You can also find online encyclopedias, dictionaries, and periodical databases. Homeschooling online provides you the opportunity to teach your child no matter where you are living.

You can also find virtual tours of museums and galleries. This makes learning really fun. You don't have to travel anywhere to see what the world has to offer. There are many learning games you can also find online. This can help change things up once in a while, or you can use online games as a reward for working hard throughout the week.

Homeschooling is a great choice that many parents decide to implement. Homeschooling online can be a beneficial way of making learning more interesting and fun. You can also get a lot of help from other through the web.

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