When I started homeschooling many years ago, one of my main goals was to raise readers. As an avid reader myself, I’ve always understood the value of reading. It expands our vocabulary, teaches us, ignites our imagination, challenges us, transports us to amazing worlds, and so much more.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to teach my girls everything, but if they could read well and enjoyed the process, they would be able to learn anything they wanted to. So I did whatever I could to make reading exciting and accessible. Here are ways to nudge your child toward becoming a lifelong reader.
Create a Book Loving Home
First, it’s important that our children know that we, as parents, think books are important. In our home, we have multiple bookshelves that are filled with a variety of books. Our Kindle ereaders get frequent attention. Library trips were (and still are) frequent and positive. We invest in a literature-rich homeschool curriculum.
My husband and I read regularly, so our kids see us getting caught up in stories and hear us discuss what we’re reading. Remember that our kids tend to value what we value.
What if you’ve done all you can think of and your child still doesn’t like to read? It’s time to ask yourself some questions.
Could your child have a learning disability, like dyslexia, that makes reading hard for him? Sure, we should all challenge ourselves by reading difficult books, but every time we pick up a story, it shouldn’t be a chore.
We’re lucky that today, more than ever, there’s help available for those who have trouble reading. If this is an issue for your child, I would encourage you to seek assistance instead of deciding that he’s just never going to be a good reader.
Is your child a slow reader? Sometimes, especially with longer books, it’s hard to keep motivated when it seems to take forever to finish. Is he slow because he’s having trouble focusing? Is the story or vocabulary too challenging?
Think about what can be done to break down any barriers for him. Reading isn’t a race, but see if you can help him pick up his pace, so he doesn’t get frustrated or lose interest while reading.
Does she find the books she is reading boring? Do you let her choose her own books or is she regularly assigned reading material? Maybe she just hasn’t found the right subject to ignite her passion.
Sure, children have to read books for school, even if they find them boring. Just make sure that you’re encouraging her to read for pleasure as well.
4 More Tips for Turning a Non-Reader into a Reader
If the act of reading is challenging for your child, turn to audio books. By listening to books, instead of reading them, they can still develop the passion for the stories without having to struggle.
Introduce your child to a wide variety of books. Encourage her to explore the various genres and topics to find one that excites her. Make up a list and each time you go to the library, have her choose one or two different types. You both might be surprised by what grabs her attention!
Make sure your child is reading books that are at the right level for him. Books that are too hard or too easy can turn off a child’s interest. Challenge him to move up his reading material as he grows, but don’t jump so far ahead that every page is difficult for him to understand.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that homeschooling or following any of these tips will raise a reader. However, instead of throwing in the towel claiming, “my child’s just not a reader,” persevere in your efforts to turn your non-reader into a reader. Some readers bloom later than others! And your investment may pay off in years to come.
About the Author
Megan Zechman is a veteran homeschool mom of two girls. Over at Education Possible, she shares creative, hands-on learning activities for middle school.
Do you want to use a boxed curriculum but worry that you can’t afford it? If you feel that a boxed curriculum like BookShark is best for your children, don’t give up on purchasing it because you’re intimidated by the price tag. You may find that with strategic planning, you can afford a boxed curriculum.
Before looking for additional money in your budget, first put the price into perspective. For example, consider the price per child if multiple children will be using it.
Let’s say you have a fifth grader, a first grader, and a preschooler. If you purchase the fifth grade BookShark complete package for approximately $998, you receive materials for all the subjects your child needs—readers, read alouds, history, language arts, math, science, and spelling.
If you keep the curriculum, you’ll be able to use it when your second child reaches fifth grade and again when your third child reaches that age. Of course, you’ll need to replace the consumables which cost approximately $350 per child. So, in this scenario, you’re able to teach three children the 5th grade complete curriculum for a grand total of $1,348, or approximately $450 per child. Suddenly, the curriculum has become much more affordable.
Calculate how much you currently spend in one year to homeschool your children and compare that to the price on a complete curriculum. You may think that you’re not spending as much as a complete package, but that’s may be because you buy curriculum little by little throughout the year instead of all at once as you would with a boxed curriculum.
Use Your Tax Refund
Some families who live on a very tight budget earmark their tax refund or a portion of it to buy curriculum each year. A refunt typically comes in the late winter or early spring, just the time you are starting to consider your curriculum choices for the upcoming fall.
Save Each Month
Another option is to set aside a certain amount every month to pay for the curriculum you anticipate buying. If you’re buying the full package for third grade and Kindergarten, for example, you’ll be paying approximately $2,418 for the year, so you’ll need to set aside $202 a month to pay for the curriculum.
When your children get older, your monthly saving plan will be less expensive because you can save a program for the next child. When the children in the above example are in sixth and third grades, you will need to spend only $1570 ($1200 for the full sixth grade curriculum and $370 for the consumables for the 3rd grade curriculum). In this example, you’ll need to set aside only $130 a month.
Teach Your Children Together
If your children are within two to three grades of one another, you can combine them for their studies in history, literature, and science. So, if you have a fourth grader and a second grader, you could choose to teach them at a level in the middle, perhaps 3rd grade, which is suitable for children ages 8 to 11. Keep in mind that you will still need to teach your children at grade level for math, language arts, handwriting, and spelling. By combining some parts of your curriculum, you can see substantial savings.
Sell Your Used Curriculum
Once you’re done with your curriculum and no longer have a younger child to use it, sell it. BookShark curriculum maintains its value. You can sell it via eBay or a BookShark used curriculum Facebook group. You can likely regain at least 50% of your purchase price especially if it’s relatively new and in good condition. You can also try to sell the curriculum at your local homeschool group, but you’ll likely make more money online.
Buy a Used Set of Boxed Curriculum
Since there is a booming market for used boxed curriculum, consider buying it used. You’ll likely pay only half the price of retail. When you’re done using the curriculum, you can sell it again and recoup a good portion of your investment.
While you may initially think that a boxed curriculum is too expensive for your family, when you use these strategies, you may find that it’s comparable to other alternatives.
One Extra Way to Afford Boxed Curriculum
BookShark Payment Plans
BookShark now offers 3, 6, 9 and 12-month interest-free payment plan! Click below to find out more.
Because I love BookShark curriculum, I tell all of my homeschooling friends about it. During such a discussion, it’s not uncommon for a friend to lament that while BookShark looks amazing, it’s just too expensive.
Although this is a common misconception among many homeschoolers, I find the opposite to be true. The way I see it, BookShark is an affordable way to provide my child with a quality education.
1. BookShark Versus Private School
First, I compare BookShark’s cost to private school. When my oldest child was nearing school age, we immediately ruled out public schools because of an inferior school system in our local area. Instead, he attended a private school through third grade.
Since we qualified for tuition assistance at the private school, our monthly tuition payment was $258. Without financial aid, the payment would have been almost $600 a month! Annually, we were paying $3,096 a year for tuition with financial aid! On top of the base costs, we also had to pay for school supplies, uniforms, and fundraisers. With all those additional expenses, the yearly total was closer to $3,500 a year. Without financial aid, we would have paid $7,200 a year.
Yes, compared to private school, BookShark’s full grade curriculum packages of approximately $800 to $1000 a year are a bargain! Plus, I find BookShark’s curriculum far superior to the education my son received in private school.
Better learning for less money? Yes! Sign me up.
2. BookShark Versus DIY Curriculum
Next, I compare BookShark to piecing together your own program. Most moms who tell me BookShark is too expensive are frugal with their money and like to make smart financial choices. They usually prefer to piece together their children’s curriculum by buying used novels and second-hand Instructor’s Guides. This can be a great way to go. I tried it myself during the early years of homeschooling.
What I found, though, is that when buying used, I spent more money than I anticipated over the course of the year. Some of the books I purchased weren’t as described —filled with highlighting and pencil marks, for example, so I’d have to spend more money buying the product again, hopefully in better condition.
What’s worse, I spent far too much of my valuable time searching for the items I needed, corresponding with sellers, and tracking down sellers who didn’t send my product in a timely manner. For me, the few hundred dollars I saved buying used wasn’t worth the hassle, frustration, and time. Now I prefer to buy my BookShark curriculum new, in pristine condition, ready for my child.
3. BookShark Versus Single Use Curriculum
If you homeschool more than one child, the cost of using BookShark curriculum goes down each time you use it with your next child. I have a seventh grader who has used Levels D and E and is currently in Level F. I also have two younger children who are currently in Level B. When they get to Level D, which I already own, I’ll only need to buy the consumables for them, making my yearly cost approximately $300! You really can’t beat that price for a year of quality instruction. Then, when my younger children are done with the material, I’ll sell it used and recoup some of the money I originally spent, lowering my overall cost even further.
While on the surface some may think BookShark curriculum is expensive, when you compare it to the expense of private school, the time spent to piece together used books, and the savings from reusing a particular curriculum package, BookShark can be seen for what it is—a quality education at a very affordable price.
About the Author
Melissa is a homeschool mom to three kids. BookShark is her primary curriculum, and she and her kids love it! When she’s not homeschooling, she’s either shuttling kids from one activity to another or working from home as a freelance writer. You can read more about Melissa’s homeschool journey at her blog Moms Plans.
I want to develop my child’s natural love of learning. But some days it seems he’s more interested in smashing through the next level of a favorite video game than doing his homeschool assignments.
Yes, kids can lose steam with their school work even with the most engaging of curriculum. Encouraging a child’s accountability for their assignments is a challenge, but it is a worthwhile endeavor. When you can motivate your child, you curb their dawdling, you teach them time management, and—in the long run, you raise a young person who can self-regulate.
So, what can a parent do to help a child who seems to be slacking? How can a homeschool parent provide the accountability a child needs without micromanaging?
1. Creating a Partnership Between Kids and Parents
First, we need to understand that sometimes what looks like slacking can actually be boredom or feeling trapped in a routine that they have little control over.
Creating a partnership between yourself and your child is a great step in encouraging accountability and responsibility. It begins by listening to each other and respecting each other.
The outcome of this dialogue will likely include giving children control over their education. Look for all the possible ways you can allow them to choose. Some kids prefer a more structured homeschool plan of checklists while other kids may enjoy an unstructured rhythm. Your child may prefer to do much of their work online, while others may prefer hands-on activities, or a literature-rich approach. Give them ownership over their education by letting them choose topics, curriculum, schedules, formats, etc. The more control they have, the more motivated they will be.
2. Getting Kids Invested in Their Work
A child’s interests can be a great way to get them invested in their work if they are slacking off. Ask your children what they want to learn about. This shows that you care and value their opinions.
Any of those topics can be the focus of a rich homeschool study. Let your kiddo choose the topic! Go to the library and pick books and videos all about the thing that interests them. Let your kid read, research, and dive deep. When your child has satisfied the thirst for knowledge on that subject, let them pick another topic! Or perhaps you may want to have several different interests going at the same time.
If you are concerned about leaving out any particular topics, be assured that you can cover nearly every academic subject with almost any topic. Look for the connections between your child’s current passion and math, science, social studies, English, writing, and history. And then set them free to learn with full excitement!
3. Empowering Accountability
To be successful at anything, our children need accountability to be responsible. The primary way to instill responsibility is two-fold:
be clear about expectations
help your child set bite-sized goals to work through
In all things remember that you want to preserve the joy of learning. So take a step back and consider whether you need to adjust your expectations when your kids appear to be slacking.
External force and negative incentives (punishments) have been proven to be poor motivators in the long run. On the other hand, positive reinforcement and natural consequences are far better ways of building a work ethic in children.
4. Modeling Accountability
If you really want to bring home the idea of accountability, then show your kids by modeling that behavior in your life. Show your curiosity for learning new things, and your kids will do the same.Let them see your personal goal setting and then demonstrate consistency in achieving your own goals even when you’d rather do something else.
Let’s face it, we as adults don’t find certain tasks enjoyable either. How many times have we put off taking out the trash, making an important phone call, or creating that spreadsheet for work?
Showing our kids that even the boring tedious tasks must be done, develops a sense of accountability in our lives and the lives of our young learners. Monkey see, monkey do, so to speak.
5. Rewarding Effort
Finding a balance between external rewards (such as screen time, money, gold stars, or candy) and the internal reward of a job well done is key.
Done sparingly, rewards can be good motivators for reluctant learners who are prone to slacking. But try to encourage effortover outcome. This attitude sets your child up for a growth mindset which helps them overcome obstacles later in life.
As a homeschool mom, I always want to to lovingly motivate my kids instead of using force. Rewards can be helpful but may not ultimately change behavior. So, it’s important to encourage perseverance. Teach problem-solving skills while also giving your children the freedom to choose their interests to get them invested in their work.
It’s not easy as a parent to traverse the continuum of pushing our kids too much to the other extreme of coddling and over-sheltering them. But we can all agree that accountability in adulthood is forged in the early years. Now is the time to lay that foundation with loving accountability!f positive emotional and social benefits far beyond merely escaping a negative public school environment where bullying is rampant.
About the Author
I’m Erin, an introverted homeschooling mom to two intense extroverted kids. We are child led with a heavy emphasis on read alouds, games, art, nature hikes, and hands-on everything! My kids just learn better when they can use their hands. You can find me at Nourishing My Scholar.
We traded the hustle and bustle of city life for the quiet that only farm life can provide. This creates a wonderful environment for our children, complete with chickens, goats, ducks, and cows. I’m a huge fan of Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls. When we’re not homeschooling, you’ll find me curled up with a cup of coffee and a good book or possibly enjoying a random dance party in the front yard to the newest Disney soundtrack.
To celebrate going back to school one year, my mom sewed the prettiest pink and purple, paisley bell-bottom pants for me. Because my mom didn’t know bell-bottoms had been out of style for a few years, I was called names and made fun at school that first day back to class. On the outside, I expressed anger and wanted to punch the bullies in the mouth, but on the inside I was crushed.
When I think about the time and love my mom put into those pants (which we never wore again), I get emotional, yet I’m also grateful that I didn’t resort to fist fighting and that the teasing never went beyond a single occurrence related to the funky pants.
What is Bullying?
As a parent, I’ve wrestled with the definition of bullying as I teach my sons the difference between a personality conflict and abuse. The difference is not always obvious to a child or even to an adult, yet understanding the definition of bullying empowers a victim to take a stand if necessary.
It’s almost impossible to cover every warning sign of a bully, but one simple definition of bullying is intentionally hurting another person or deliberate aggression. As we all know, that definition is still too broad. Other telltale signs of a bullying situation are as follows:
continual physical acts and/or verbal abuse over a period of time
(on the part of the person being bullied) stressing over not only what just happened but also what may happen in the future
the stronger dominating the weaker
Homeschooling as a Reaction to Bullying
Bullying immediately brings out that maternal feeling to shield her child from harm. Parents want to do something, and they may consider a huge change—even leaving public school to homeschool.
So is homeschooling a viable option when a child is facing bullying at school? I say yes! It is a parent’s natural (and good) instinct to shelter her child. If a child is unable to protect himself, it falls to the parents to do so for him.
Is homeschooling the easy way out as some critics may say? Should kids be forced to work out their problems on their own, grow a tough hide, learn how to ignore caustic remarks, and fight back when physically confronted?
Does homeschooling turn our kids into socially inept sissies who can’t handle the pressures of normal childhood squabbles?
No way.
I homeschooled my boys, and they still learned how to get along with their peers and constructively face relationship problems. My children are now reaching adulthood, and they’re confident, secure, and capable of making decisions that go against the crowd. This didn’t happen because I sent them to public school to duke it out with mean girls or bullies.
Is Your Child a Victim of Physical or Verbal Bullying?
When I worked in a lawyer’s office handling divorces, I saw many cases of abuse, and it never got easier to observe. I remember key advice social workers would give an abused spouse—You can never change the person you’re living with. The message was that a victim of abuse has two choices: leave the abuser or live with the abuse.
When an abused spouse choses to leave, nobody thinks that she is not facing up to real-life problems or trying to escape the real world! In another example, no one thinks poorly of the employee who stands up in the face of workplace bullying to exert his legal right to a safe work environment free from prejudice and abuse.
Quite the contrary. We applaud victims of abuse when they take a stand to escape a toxic relationship or to assert their rights.
Bullying is a type of abuse that we don’t tolerate when it happens to adults. Why should a child be forced to stay in an abusive situation that is destroying his sense of safety and confidence? Living in such a fearful situation is no way to build character in a child.
So, yes, homeschooling is a viable fix for bullying (not an easy fix as homeschooling is a big responsibility and sometimes sacrifice). But homeschooling is good for so much more than merely pulling your children out of a toxic environment of bullying.
Here are additional ways homeschooling benefits your child socially:
When a child studies what interests him and manages his time to do so, he grows in to self-confidence.
When a child is focused on his own learning and interacting with others who care for him instead of forced to fend for himself in a doglike pack hierarchy, he can learn truelife skills.
A child can flourish with social skills when he is involved in public speaking in a co-op setting and focuses on rigorous academics.
A warm and loving home is the best place for a child to learn how to build character. School, after all, is an artificial, institutional environment.
There are many team building opportunities in homeschooling like 4-H, football, basketball, and volleyball where a child can learn to work out personality conflicts with others.
A child has the right to learn in a stress-free environment, supported by adults who love and protect him.
When I was a student in my paisley bell-bottom pants, homeschooling was not a well-known option to escape bullying at school. Fortunately, what I faced was a one-time episode of teasing and not full blown bullying. So my parents didn’t have the tough decision of handling a toxic learning environment. If you are considering homeschooling because of persistent bullying, don’t listen to the people who accuse you of being too protective or being a helicopter parent. Trust your parental instincts to protect, and know that homeschooling will provide a wealth of positive emotional and social benefits far beyond merely escaping a negative public school environment where bullying is rampant.
About the Author
Tina Robertson celebrated the graduation of Mr. Senior in 2013 and Mr. Awesome in 2015. Because of her love for new homeschoolers, she mentors moms through her unique program called New Bee Homeschoolers. She loves all homeschoolers, though, as she shares her free 7 Step Curriculum Planner, unit studies, lapbooks and homeschooling how tos. She can’t sing, dance, or craft, but she counts organizing as a hobby. She is still in the homeschool trenches blogging at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.
Navigating the Homeschool Landscape in a Standardized World
As education evolves, homeschooling is becoming a popular choice for families who want a more personalized learning experience. However, this freedom also comes with the challenge of navigating various educational standards that influence homeschooling. In our blog post, “Exploring the Effects of Educational Standards on Homeschool Families: Challenges and Benefits,” we take a closer look at how these regulations, designed to ensure quality education, can both support and complicate the homeschooling journey. From dealing with compliance to exploring creative teaching methods, we explore the balance between meeting standardized expectations and crafting unique learning paths for each family.
Introduction to Educational Standards in Homeschooling
Homeschooling offers a unique educational journey, allowing families to tailor learning experiences to their children’s needs. Yet, as the landscape of education evolves, so do the expectations surrounding it. Educational standards in homeschool settings have become a hot topic among parents and educators alike.
But what exactly are these standards?
How do they influence homeschooling approaches?
For many families navigating this path, understanding these dynamics can mean the difference between feeling empowered or overwhelmed.
In this exploration of educational standards in homeschool contexts, we’ll delve into both challenges and benefits that arise from setting benchmarks for learning. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just starting out, it’s essential to understand how these factors impact your family’s educational experience. Join us on this enlightening journey as we unpack the world of standards in homeschooling!
Understanding Standards and Accreditation: What’s the Difference?
Understanding homeschool standards can be tricky. Many families get confused between “standards” and “accreditation,” but they’re not the same thing.
Standards are educational benchmarks set by various organizations to guide what kids should learn at different stages. They help parents track progress but aren’t mandatory.
Accreditation is different—it’s a formal recognition given to homeschooling programs that meet specific quality criteria. This involves a thorough evaluation and can add credibility to a program.
Many homeschool families skip accreditation because it’s demanding and might limit their teaching flexibility. Knowing the difference between standards and accreditation helps parents decide how to best structure their kids’ education, balancing standards with their own learning goals.
The Impact of Educational Standards on Homeschool Families
Educational standards can have a big impact on homeschool families. These benchmarks often help parents plan their curriculum and lessons, ensuring kids get a well-rounded education.
But not all families find these standards helpful. Some feel overwhelmed by the pressure to follow them, which can lead to stress and anxiety. Trying to stick too closely to these guidelines can sometimes limit creativity and personalized learning.
On the bright side, educational standards can bring accountability, encouraging parents to regularly assess their child’s progress. This structure can lead to more effective learning for some students.
In the end, while educational standards offer helpful guidance, each family has to find their own balance between structure and flexibility. This balance is key to creating a positive and enriching learning environment at home.
Challenges Faced by Homeschool Families in Meeting Standards
Homeschool families often face challenges when trying to meet educational standards. One big issue is the lack of clear guidelines—every state has different rules, which can make it confusing to know what’s required.
Time management is another struggle. Parents, who are already juggling multiple responsibilities, might find it hard to carve out enough time for lesson planning and making sure they meet the standards. This can add stress to the family
Resources are also a key factor. Not every family has easy access to the materials or support systems needed to meet these benchmarks. It can be tough for some to afford quality curricula that align with the standards.
On top of that, many parents wrestle with self-doubt about their teaching abilities. They might wonder if they’re doing enough to prepare their kids for the future while sticking to the guidelines. Finding the right balance between their teaching style and external expectations is a constant challenge on the homeschooling journey.
Benefits of Implementing Educational Standards in Homeschooling
Implementing educational standards in homeschooling has several benefits for families. First, it gives a clear framework for learning, helping parents organize their teaching methods and curriculum choices more effectively.
Sticking to set standards also boosts accountability. Parents are more likely to stay focused and committed when they have clear goals to meet throughout the school year.
Another big plus is that it helps parents better assess their children’s progress. With established benchmarks, families can track how their kids are doing in core subjects, making sure they’re on the right path academically.
Educational standards also create consistency across different homeschool settings, which can make it easier for children to transition back into traditional schools without missing a beat.
Finally, these standards encourage homeschool families to share resources. When everyone’s on the same page, it’s easier to exchange ideas and materials, making the homeschooling experience richer for everyone involved.
Alternative Approaches to Meeting Standards in Homeschooling
Homeschooling offers a world of flexibility. Many families look for alternative approaches to meet educational standards without sacrificing creativity.
Project-based learning is one option that encourages hands-on experiences. Kids can explore subjects through real-life projects, blending various disciplines into practical applications.
Another approach is the use of online resources and courses tailored to different learning styles. Platforms offer diverse curricula that align with standards while allowing parents to customize their teaching methods.
Co-op programs provide an excellent opportunity for social interaction and shared teaching responsibilities. Families band together, pooling skills and resources to cover more ground effectively.
Lastly, integrating life skills into education can also fulfill standards in unique ways. Cooking, budgeting, or gardening teaches valuable lessons beyond textbooks while meeting academic requirements in engaging formats.
These alternatives empower families to find what works best for them within the framework of standards in homeschool education.
The Role of Parents in Developing and Maintaining Educational Standards for their Children
Parents are the cornerstone of a child’s education, especially in homeschooling. Their involvement shapes the learning environment and influences educational outcomes.
Setting standards in homeschool begins with understanding individual needs. Parents must assess their child’s strengths and weaknesses to create a customized curriculum. This personalized approach is often more effective than rigid guidelines.
Maintaining these standards requires commitment. Regular evaluations help track progress and identify areas needing improvement. Parents can adapt teaching methods or materials to keep pace with their child’s development.
Collaboration also plays a key role. Engaging with other homeschool families fosters shared resources and ideas, enriching the educational experience for everyone involved.
Moreover, parents should stay informed about state regulations regarding educational standards in homeschool settings. Being proactive ensures compliance while still allowing for flexibility within their unique framework of learning choices.
Does My Family Have to Meet State Educational Standards?
The question of whether or not homeschool families are required to meet state educational standards is a common concern among parents who have chosen to educate their children at home. The answer, however, may vary depending on the state in which the family resides.
In general, most states do require homeschool families to meet certain educational standards. These standards are put in place to ensure that homeschooled children receive an education that is comparable to what they would receive in a traditional school setting. These standards typically cover subjects such as math, science, English language arts, and social studies.
One way that homeschool families can demonstrate that they are meeting these standards is by keeping detailed records of their children’s academic progress. This can include samples of coursework, grades or evaluations from standardized tests, and any other relevant documentation. Some states also require homeschool families to submit annual reports or portfolios for review by a certified teacher or education official.
While adhering to state educational standards may seem daunting for some homeschool families, there are actually several benefits to doing so. One major benefit is that it provides structure and accountability for both the parents and students involved in homeschooling. By having clear goals and expectations set by the state, parents can feel more confident in their ability to provide a quality education for their children.
Additionally, meeting state educational standards helps ensure that homeschooled students have access to resources and opportunities that may not be available otherwise. For example, many states allow homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities at local public schools if they meet certain criteria, such as maintaining good academic standing.
However, one challenge facing homeschool families when it comes to meeting state educational standards is finding curriculum materials that align with those requirements. This can be especially difficult for families who follow alternative methods of education such as unschooling or Montessori-style learning. In these cases, parents may need to supplement with additional materials or create their own curriculum plans in order to meet the state standards. See your state’s Department of Education website for the latest information.
Finding a Balance between Standards and Flexibility in Homeschooling
Navigating the world of homeschooling often requires careful consideration of educational standards. These benchmarks can offer a framework for what children should learn, but they also introduce challenges. Parents may feel pressure to meet these standards while ensuring their child’s unique needs are addressed.
Flexibility is one of the primary advantages of homeschooling. Families can tailor education to fit individual learning styles and interests. This adaptability can enhance engagement and motivation in students, allowing them to explore subjects deeply rather than superficially ticking boxes.
However, finding harmony between adhering to standards and maintaining this flexibility is key. Striking that balance enables parents to provide a quality education while still offering personalized experiences that traditional schooling may not allow.
As families consider implementing educational standards, it helps to remember their purpose: guiding learners toward essential knowledge and skills without stifling creativity or passion for discovery. Embracing both structure and freedom might just be the ideal path forward in the evolving landscape of homeschool education.
It’s important for homeschool families to research and understand their state’s educational standards in order to ensure compliance. This will not only help them stay in line with legal requirements, but also provide a framework for their children’s academic success. By meeting these standards, homeschooled students can receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for future academic pursuits and beyond.
When I was in graduate school, one of my literature professors assigned a text called The Elements (and Pleasures) of Difficulty (2004). It arrived from Amazon in a tiny box, a thin volume with an 80s-inspired cover. Irritated, I flipped through the pages and tossed it aside. I had weighty selections from the Victorian canon awaiting my time and attention. Why did I have to wade through fluff?
Probably that attitude, for starters. With the exception of the aforementioned book, the reading list for this course was challenging. I had begun to rue the day I decided to pursue this path and was contemplating withdrawing from the program.
Fortunately for me and my graduate career, I finally picked up the little book on difficulty. What a change it made in my attitude! The book not only taught me how to conquer the challenge of a difficult text, but how to recognize and appreciate the beauty of that challenge as well. The more I viewed difficulty as opportunity, the more successful I became in my academic endeavors. Challenge had become a stepping stone, not a stumbling block, and it showed.
The Growth Mindset Philosophy
Several years later, I stumbled upon the research of psychologist Carol Dweck. Her work with thousands of elementary students reflected what I discovered in graduate school: certain behaviors and habits of mind can support or suppress intellectual growth. Dweck called these habits mindsets, noting the crucial role of a positive attitude in rebounding from setback and failure.
In 2007, Dweck compiled her research and analysis into Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In it, Dweck outlines how students learn and succeed when they move from a fixed mindset (“I’ll never be good at that.”) to a growth mindset (“I’m struggling with this topic. What do I do next?”). According to Dweck,
“When students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement.”
Dweck’s title received immediate acclaim. Educators and parents sought to implement the ideology in their classrooms and homes. Students and teachers who exhibited a growth mindset saw an increase in achievement across the board, regardless of age or ability level.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Your Homeschool
As parents, we are the primary influence on our children’s mindsets. Children can’t challenge negative internal dialogue or attitudes effectively until external forces are neutralized. Take some of the fixed mindset phrases we often say without thinking:
“It’s okay, honey. Math is hard.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not much of a reader, either.”
“Don’t compare yourself to your sister. Not everyone’s an expert in the arts.”
There may well be truth to these sentiments. Math is hard, not everyone enjoys reading, and we all have our own talents and interests. But if we want our children to change the way they look at challenge and difficulty, we must change the way we see it as well. It isn’t easy, but putting the next four tips into practice will put you well on your way.
Growth Mindset Tip #1: Practice Purposeful Effort
Doing your best is commendable. Doing your best with the intent to move mountains is admirable and more helpful in the long run.
Growth Mindset Tip #2: Find Joy in the Process
Great minds are curious, not ambitious. Embrace learning for the sake of learning and let go of the desire for accolades.
Growth Mindset Tip #3: Encourage Reflection
Take time to evaluate the progress you have made. Ask these questions:How have we grown?What have we conquered?What lessons have we learned that we can apply going forward?
Growth Mindset Tip #4: See Weakness as an Area for Growth
Remember: Challenges are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. We all have weaknesses, but they neither define us nor dictate our actions.
Preparing for the Future
Looking back on my own academic career, I’m struck by the number of opportunities I let slip by because I was afraid of the challenge. I don’t want that for my own children. We’re working on developing a growth mindset in our own homeschool, and we’re closing in on the day when all of us view challenges as stepping stones. There’s great pleasure to be found in difficulty, as long as you know where to look.
About the Author
Ginny Kochis is a former high school English teacher and adjunct professor of English turned homeschooling mom and business owner. She writes about faith, motherhood, homeschooling and family literacy at Not So Formulaic
We all can recall that feeling from our days in public school when the teacher distributed a test full of letters to be circled and blanks to be filled in. Our sharp pencils would start to tap on our desks as we tried to recall something—anything—about what we had crammed the night before, but it’s gone. We draw nothing but blanks.
We carefully read and reread the questions, maybe ruling out a C here or a D there and making our best guess between A and B. When the test is mostly filled in, we hand it in, hope for a passing grade, and it’s on to the next chapter in the textbook to repeat the cycle again next week.
These icky memories of tests are why I’ve never been a traditional test-giver as a homeschool mom.
I know that my soon-to-be high schooler will need to have testing skills eventually, and we will work on that as it comes, but for younger kids, especially kids who stress out easily, paper tests can be the straw that breaks a love of learning for your child.
As parents though, we want to make sure the things we’ve spent hours teaching our children has stuck with them. For that reason, I want to test my kids but not with tests in the conventional sense. Here are non-test ways I use to gauge a child’s learning without completely stressing them out.
Presentation
At the end of a unit or section, have your child prepare a presentation to give to the family. Invite the grandparents over to make it more official. Give them a short list of things from their Science or History lessons that you’d like them to prepare, for example, recite a part of a speech or create and explain a model of a battle. Set a date for the presentation and have them work a little bit on it daily until it’s ready.
Oral or Written Report
Writing a report, whether it’s several pages or just a drawing that your child talks about is a great way to see all your child has learned. There are lots of ways to do a report.
Have them type a traditional research paper based on what you’ve studied together.
Cover an empty cereal box in construction paper, then print pictures, write out information, and draw maps and cover all the sides of the box with information.
Skit
Have your children choose roles to play based on things you studied and write out their own skit. Have a lot of it be ad lib, because then you’ll know it’s not just memorized to get through the skit. Have them create costumes and a simple setting. When my kids acted out a scene about Alexander the Great and his parents, I saw exactly what they learned about him in a playful, no-stress way.
News Show
Put on one of dad’s ties, set up a desk, give your child a coffee cup, and have them play newscaster for an evening news show. In advance, have your child write out what he’ll talk about on the news. Makes sure he adds in lots of facts and details. It could be all about a new science discovery or ways to do long and short division or a battle in a war in history —anything you’ve studied in homeschool. Just pretend he’s saying it on the news!
Dinner Party
I love tying up a unit study with a great dinner party. Plan a dinner based on a time in history or a fun science theme you’ve been learning about. Gather supplies from around the house and let your child take the reigns. Cook food together, let him decorate, and allow him to have talking points throughout the dinner about things he’s learned. Have him share these facts with the guests at dinner. He’ll love showing off what he knows.
There’s more than one way to make sure your child is retaining what you’ve taught. Pay attention to how your child learns and what makes them tick and what makes them shut down and use those clues to figure out creative ways to test them. You’re going to learn so much together!
You might not be sure about homeschooling, not to mention child-led learning. I know that I had a skeptical reaction initially. As someone who came from a public school education, it only seemed natural that the teacher was the boss and that learning had to happen in the classroom.
But when it came to educating my own children, I quickly realized that this type of model did not work for us. So after homeschooling my kids for more than two years, I can confidently say that homeschooling is the best because it allows for genuine child-led learning.
What Exactly Is Child-led Learning?
In broad terms, child-led learning is allowing your child lead the way. The child has a say in what they want to learn and how long they want to spend on activities. It also means encouraging children to learn at their own pace and in a way that suits them best.
Your initial response to child-led learning might be that this seems impractical. You may think:
Children don’t always know what’s good for them. They need a varied and broad education, but would they choose that on their own? And if I’m going to educate my kids myself, isn’t it safest to replicate the public school experience at home?
Let me give you some insight into what child-led learning in a homeschool can do.
The Benefits of Child-led Learning
A child who learns what they want, is going to be interested, engaged, and motivated.
A child who has the time and encouragement to learn something deeply and fully, is going to become an expert.
A child who takes ownership of their learning is going to develop a sense of self-confidence.
A child who can learn in a way that suits them best, is going to be successful and is also going to develop a love for learning.
Don’t these benefits sound exactly like what you want for your children?
How Can I Move Towards a Child-led Experience?
Even though child-led learning is not just for homeschoolers, it is definitely easier to offer in a home-ed environment. Unfortunately our education systems have a long way to go yet. So my first recommendation would be to consider homeschooling as an option.
Then encourage your children’s learning journey:
Offer them many different learning experiences so that they can discover what sparks their interest. This could mean taking them on field trips, showing them documentaries, and allowing them to use the internet freely (but safely, of course).
Hand over a curriculum catalog and show them the programs that would be a good fit for their age. Then let them choose what programs to study for the year.
Show them where to find information and take them to the library. You could also give them the opportunity to speak to people who are experts in their fields.
Give them the tools they need to do what they want. This could be equipment, resources, curriculum, or travel.
Be supportive and encouraging. Praise their efforts to be independent.
Lastly, set aside your expectations. Let them lead and don’t try to force your visions or ideas on them.
Child-led learning does take a lot of involvement and energy from parents. But once your child has found their way and is deeply involved in an academic pursuit, you will see the magic of child-led learning happening.
About the Author
Charlotte Jones is a multi-tasking mom who works from home. She spends her days blogging at My Little Home School, homeschooling her twins, and teaching English online.
Her home is a small house in a quaint little town on the coast of South Africa. You can often find her swimming in the lagoon or hiking in the forest with her husband, special needs twins, and furbaby.
She loves her family, spending time in nature, running, red lipstick, and drinking too much coffee.
To say my son is not a big fan of reading may be an understatement. How frustrating! Didn’t he know I had big plans for the type of reader he would be? You know, the read-by-age-four-voracious-can’t put-the-book-down type of reader.
I’m a reading teacher after all! Couldn’t I just mold him into the type of read I wanted him to be? Ha! I couldn’t convince him to enjoy reading anymore than I could convince him that peas were his favorite food.
I could try. I could coerce. Prod. Reward. Punish. But I could not make him enjoy the act of reading. Enjoyment comes from within, and reading a book just isn’t his thing.
So, I was faced with a choice—force reading and torture us both, throw my hands up and surrender, or read aloud. The only clear choice—to save my relationship with my son and my sanity—was to read aloud. So that’s what we did. And what I learned along the way was beautiful.
Reading Aloud Builds Connection
Settling in on the couch with a mug of tea in one hand, a book in the other, my kids plop down around the living room. Some encircle the bin of LEGO bricks. Another sprawls, all arms and legs, into the armchair beside the window. Still another climbs into my lap and pulls her blanket up to her chin. They can’t wait to hear the next chapter in Carry On, Mr. Bowditch.
Here we are, all six kids and me, gathered round a book. They giggle at my attempts to pronounce some of the ship terms, and beg me to read another chapter when I close the book. These mornings are building connection—connection between us, building our family tapestry of memories, and connection between each of my kids and the love of story.
Together we are connecting with people of different times and places, learning to walk in their shoes, even just for the span of an hour. Roald Dahl, one of our favorite authors, knew the value of story when, in Matilda, he wrote,
“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.”
Notice that he is not saying reading transported her, but books. The stories in the books transported her, not the act of decoding words. This distinction may seem like splitting hairs, but for kids who don’t like to read, it is a vast canyon.
The act of reading can be cumbersome and get in the way of the enjoyment of the story. Listening to a story read aloud can bring the story to life and create connections that silent reading cannot.
Just as a writer is still a writer if they have no use of their hands, a reader is still a reader when engaging with the story by listening. Writers connect with the world by sharing their ideas. Readers connect with the story by allowing themselves to connect with the characters and the plot.
When reading at their own level, children are exposed to a limited scope of words, as dictated by that reading level. When listening to a read aloud, children (teens and adults, too) have the opportunity to expand their vocabularies in new ways. They hear new words in context, making their meanings purposeful within the story rather than just words to be memorized on a vocabulary worksheet.
The same principle holds true for comprehension. When the act of decoding words is taken out of the reading equation, children are able to comprehend more sophisticated stories and sentence structures. Both of these lay the path for critical thinking and discussion.
When we read aloud with our kids, we experience history with them! We are there as they wrestle with big ideas. They see our facial expressions as we read a poignant paragraph, and hear our inflection as we move between lines of dialogue. From these shared experiences come discussion. When reading aloud, we have the opportunity to pause and chat about the characters’ actions, the author’s word choice, and the surprising plot twist. We are there—building language skills with our kids in a most natural and enjoyable way!
Reading Aloud—What If I’m Too Tired or Don’t Like to Read Aloud?
I get it! Sometimes sitting down to read aloud makes me yawn. I’m tired from a busy week or just plain tired of reading aloud. My voice needs a break.
The solution is audiobooks! We love, love, love audiobooks! They have kept our read alouds flowing through illness and busy seasons when we’re on the run. We listen along on our drive to swim practice or on a quiet Monday morning when we all need extra time to wake up.
I especially like to select read alouds that capture the essence of a historical time period through the added effects of the audiobook. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe wouldn’t sound the same if not read with a British accent. The lilting harmonica notes in Echo draw us deeper into the story, and Bud, Not Buddy deserves the deep, smooth voice of James Avery. Without the subtle nuances added to these audiobooks, our experience of them would have been very different.
Reading Aloud—What About the Teen Years?
Just because there are thirteen candles lit on the birthday cake doesn’t mean that your read aloud days are done. The opposite is true! Reading aloud with a teen is an adventure worth taking! The stories that they choose are meatier and almost always beg for discussion—especially when the subject matter tackles sensitive issues. Read alouds in the teen years keep learning alive when textbooks often become the norm, and the connections we made through books in the earlier years can continue to thrive.
A book-based curriculum is perfect for kids who don’t like to read and for those who do. Human beings thrive on story, and a book-based curriculum is built on just that—story! A book-based curriculum is like a well-crafted booklist, laid out like a feast, and reading aloud brings that feast to everyone. Enjoy!
About the Author
Angela Awald is a homeschooling mama to 6, certified teacher, writer, and doula. Her days brim full of learning, loving, and laundry (lots and lots of laundry)!! She believes that nurturing children (and ourselves) means helping them to see that all of life is about learning – from our mistakes, from each other, and from great books! Angela blogs at nurturedroots.net where she shares the ways she is nurturing her family and inspiration for nurturing your own.
