Is Homeschooling Right for You? 10 Things to Consider Part 1

Rachel

The prospect of homeschooling is a daunting task as it has many advantages and disadvantages. We know you want what is best for your children, and so if you are thinking of homeschooling, here are some things you should consider before making your final decision.

Why homeschool?

There are always a number of schooling choices in every neighborhood, so you need to have a really strong idea of why you want to homeschool. Homeschooling takes an enormous amount of your time, requires organization and a whole lot of work on your behalf, so having really strongly formed reasons for why you want to embark on this is important to keep you going.

What are the legal requirements?

Contact your local school boards for curriculums and the legal requirements you have as a parent. Each school board has materials and books for homeschooling that make it easier for you to create and follow a curriculum that covers everything your child needs to learn in each semester.

Join homeschooling groups in your area as they will have a wealth of information too. Register your family for homeschool and ensure that you know your legal responsibilities.

What is your homeschooling style?

As homeschooling develops, so does the number of homeschooling styles. From classic to eclectic to unschooling, select your style and ensure it fits with your child’s learning style.

Who will help you?

Most people have academic strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps you and your husband have different talents and can share the workload or perhaps you will need tutors to guide your child through those subjects that you don’t excel at. Ensure that you have a plan that covers the entire curriculum and don’t be afraid to ask for help; you don’t have to do everything on your own.

Another possibility is to share classes with other homeschooling families in a homeschooling co-op. This will help to reduce your work load and will ensure that your children are getting a great education from likeminded individuals.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

It’s really important to be honest about this; sure we would love to do everything ourselves, but we have to provide the absolute best for our children. If you are poor at discipline or schedules, then ask for help making one that the family has to stick to. Know your strong points and play to them; know your weaknesses and illicit help from your family members, homeschooling community and tutors.

What is your support base?

Create a support base for yourself that will create a community of learning that supports your children. Friends, family members and other homeschooling families will help you to create a community in which your children are free to learn, grow and play. This community is also there to help you and to provide the support you need to enjoy your homeschooling experience and to provide advice and ideas that you can adopt so your homeschooling practice evolves and gro

 

7 Things about Internet Safety Every Parent Should Know

karmastrong9

The internet can be a powerful resources for students with access to videos, worksheets, research materials and test papers. They can use the internet to advance their studies, socialize with friends and play games. However, the internet is also fraught with dangers and parents should be cognizant of its inherent pitfalls in order to protect their children from online bullying and predators.

Institute a security policy

Set out a detailed policy of what your children are and aren’t allowed to do, sites that they can have access to and information that they can share online. Be specific; rather than saying that they shouldn’t interact with strangers online, be very specific about the kinds of interactions that are ok and exactly what information they can share.

Check that they don’t share their last names, addresses, schools, birth dates and phone numbers.

Keep passwords safe

Ensure that your children understand that they are never to share passwords, even with close friends. If you aren’t sure that they are old enough to take on this responsibility, set the passwords yourself and only share them when you are confident that your children will keep them private. Teach your children to log off when using public computers and to change their passwords frequently.

Interactions with strangers

Never allow your children to interact with strangers on the net. This is not only limited to social media, but also applies to apps, games and other sites.

Ensure that your children don’t leave tablets, laptops and smartphone unattended when they are out.

Limit site access

Know what sites your children are frequenting. If they want to explore new sites, make sure that you are around and have given them the go-ahead.

Encourage your children to select email addresses and screen names that are not their own so that people can’t easily guess their contact details.  

No bully policy

Online bullying is a terrible thing for any student to endure. The public ridicule is often perpetrated by friends or school colleagues rather than by strangers. Discuss bullying and encourage your child to report bullies to you, a teacher or a tutor.

Since some children won’t talk about bullying because they are embarrassed or because they are afraid that action on your behalf will cause embarrassment, discuss ways in which they should deal with bullies. Role play various scenarios to ensure that their reactions to online bullying don’t make matters worse.

There should be a no tolerance policy for online bullying whether your child is the perpetrator or the victim.

Be your child’s public relations manager

Regrettable posts, pictures or comments may follow your child for life. While they may be just joking or perhaps not thinking through their actions, when they post inappropriate materials online, they could be jeopardizing their futures.

It’s your job to monitor their online activity to ensure that they are being respectful of themselves and others. 

Best Reading List for Fifth and Sixth Graders

Arraathoonlaa

Whether your child is an avid or reluctant reader, getting them to read fir pleasure is a great way to help them improve their reading and comprehension skills and knock those communication skills right out of the park. One of the best ways to get them hooked on reading is to find books that intrigue them. Here is a list of the some really great books to try online, from your library on from your local book store.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This now-famous series of books is enthralling and follows the trials and tribulations of Katniss Everdeen as she inadvertently leads a rebellion against the oppressive capital in the nation of Panem. The series explores the idea of repression by the state and the courage it takes to stand up to those you are afraid of.

The Great Molasses Flood of 1919 by Deborah Kops

This sticky piece of history recounts the story of a molasses truck that exploded on Boston’s north end in 1919, sending shards of metal and molasses flying in all directions. The story chronicles the events leading up to the mishap, the great cleanup and the court case that followed.

Because of Winn-Dixie  by Kate DiCamillo

Opal’s mum abandoned her and she has trouble fitting in with the residents of the new town she has just moved to with her preacher dad.  When she meets a scraggly stray at her local Winn-Dixie supermarket, her life changes forever. Winn-Dixie is a big ugly dog who misadventures help Opal to connect with her community and come to terms with her loss.

Catherine, called Birdy by Karen Cushman

This medieval coming of age novel follows the story of Birdy who, in moving from childhood to womanhood, must be sold in marriage to an unwanted suitor. Through her diary entries, Birdy at first rebels against her fate, but when she finally resigns herself to it, a wonderful surprise is in store.

Maniac Magree by Jerry Spinelli

Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee is good at everything he does, but his life is difficult living with his aunt and uncle after both his parents die. When he can’t take living with his feuding family, he runs away to two mills, PA where he must settle a feud between rival gangs and deal with issues of race.

Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

The epic tale of one family’s struggle during the depression and how they overcome racism and social injustice. This is the story of Cassie Logan who discovers why land ownership is so important in establishing the Logan family’s send of pride and independence. This is a touching tale with important social themes.