Overcoming Homeschool Stereotypes
So you're thinking about homeschooling, but you are concerned that your kids might turn out weird. Maybe you fear you won't fit it because you're not like "all" the other homeschoolers you've met. Maybe you think that homeschooled children are undisciplined and don't learn anything. Or maybe you think that all homeschooled families have 8 children that all march in straight lines, are always polite and don't have a mind of their own. There are a lot of stereotypes of homeschoolers out there but they don't fit the vast majority of homeschoolers.
Contents at a Glance
Homeschool Family
Tim Hawkins - A Homeschool Family
http://www.timhawkins.net Oh, the misconceptions and realities of homeschool life, from comedian (and homeschool dad) Tim Hawkins. To view this video in HIGH RESOLUTION, click on the above link.
Runtime: 1:09
683120 views
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Is Homeschooling Legal?
Some of the first questions that many people have about homeschooling are:
"Is it legal?"
"Don't we have compulsory school attendance laws?"
The answer to both of these questions is "YES."
It is legal to homeschool in all 50 states of the United States and many foreign countries. Just as each state still has jurisdiction over its own public education system, each state has passed its own laws concerning homeschooling. Therefore, the requirements to homeschool are vastly different from state to state.
Some states have no homeschool regulations. By this I mean, you can homeschool your child in any manner you see fit without notifying anyone that you are homeschooling. Others have more moderate legislation requiring that you notify the state and keep attendance records, but do not control curriculum choices. There are a few states that mandate what subjects should be taught and require portfolios of students' work to be presented for evaluation.
This page on the Home School Legal Defense Association website shows a map of the U.S. that illustrates the amount of regulation in that state. It also has links to the homeschool laws of every state and U.S. Territory.
"Is it legal?"
"Don't we have compulsory school attendance laws?"
The answer to both of these questions is "YES."
It is legal to homeschool in all 50 states of the United States and many foreign countries. Just as each state still has jurisdiction over its own public education system, each state has passed its own laws concerning homeschooling. Therefore, the requirements to homeschool are vastly different from state to state.
Some states have no homeschool regulations. By this I mean, you can homeschool your child in any manner you see fit without notifying anyone that you are homeschooling. Others have more moderate legislation requiring that you notify the state and keep attendance records, but do not control curriculum choices. There are a few states that mandate what subjects should be taught and require portfolios of students' work to be presented for evaluation.
This page on the Home School Legal Defense Association website shows a map of the U.S. that illustrates the amount of regulation in that state. It also has links to the homeschool laws of every state and U.S. Territory.
Why Homeschool?
Some of the benefits of homeschooling.
- You can educate your children in your world view.
- You can cater to each child's individual needs.
- You can be more efficient in education. (eliminates travel time, class changes, lining up at the door, waiting for school to start, parent-teacher conferences, discipline problems from other students, etc.).
- You can build connectivity in learning by showing relationships between subjects and from year to year.
- You have great flexibility.
- You are forced to keep learning new things.
- You can build a lifelong love of learning in your child.
- You can spend more time with your children.
- Your children can spend more time with each other, know each other better, and hopefully develop deeper friendships with each other for life.
- You spend less on homeschooling than private school tuition.
- You can eliminate much of the negative influence of peers.
- You can eliminate much of the danger of fighting, guns, etc.
Homeschool Books on Amazon
These books are the books that have had the most influence on our decision to homeschool.
For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School (Child-Life Book)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009) 
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, Revised and Updated Edition
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 07/13/2009)
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning: An Approach to Distinctively Christian Education (Turning Point Christian Worldview Series)
Amazon Price: $14.39 (as of 07/13/2009)
100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing The Right Curriculum And Approach For Your Child's Learning Style
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
Approaches to Homeschool
Homeschooling Style
Just as everyone has been gifted with a unique personality, there is no single way to homeschool. These are the major categories of homeschool methods or styles, but each style will be implemented differently in different homes.
- School at Home
This method uses traditional textbooks and a traditional scope and sequence. - Classical Education
This method emphasizes memorization in younger grades, and development of logic and communication of knowledge in the upper grades. This method also focuses on classic literature and languages. - Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason was a British educator of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the characteristics of a Charlotte Mason education include emphasis on "living books", nature study, and building habits. - Unit Study
The unit study approach involves focusing all learning around a specific topic. For example, a unit study on apples, might include a study of the history of apples, climate where apples grow best, recipes with apples, etc. These units can be widely varying in length and subject. - Unschooling
A strict unschooler would not teach any specific curriculum but would allow the child to develop their own interests and learn what they are interested in learning.
Homeschool Stuff on Cafe Press
Homeschoolers Have Class Rectangle Magnet
Price: 4.50
Unsocialized Children Bumper Sticker yellow
Price: 5.00
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