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