NWFHC

First, Relax and Be Flexible!!!

How do I get started?

    The ABC’s of beginning homeschooling….

• A= A foundation: Ask the question…Why are you homeschooling and what are you seeking to provide for your family?
• B= Be willing to establish a minimum time commitment. How much time are you willing to spend on home educating your child/teen?
• C= Check out your state laws, homeschooling through the district, homeschooling through a private school or Church School for home educators.

I don’t have a teaching degree. I’m just a parent. How can I possibly do this?

   That’s perfect! Parenthood and homeschooling go hand in hand, and neither one comes with directions.

What difficulties might I face?

    Every child is different and each family is different. You may have one child who will not be able to read until 9 years old or a child facing issues in math. Whatever the problem, there is help and ways to solve it.

Who can I lean on for help?

    Other Home Educators through church, support groups, co-ops and friends who agree with home schooling.

My in-laws, family and friends are totally against this idea?

    Go back to your firm foundation, and remember that your kids are your responsibility. There will always be well-meaning concern from relatives, friends, or even strangers. Just remember to be kind and courteous in your responses.

I don’t have the patience to home school.

    We are blessed with patience when we need it, not in advanced. Home schooling is the same way. If you decide that this is what God is calling you through circumstances or conviction, then rest assured He won’t leave you.

Is home schooling expensive?

    Home schooling can be expensive or inexpensive, elaborate or simple. Your choice of books and resources, where you acquire them and the number of children you have will determine the expense. Question to ask…What can my child/teen learn from this?

• Internet: Free to inexpensive, valuable resources for grades K-12.
• Books can be read again and again
• Toys can be taken apart and place back together again

Where can I find Materials and resources?

• Find a home school Convention and Go!
• Book fairs, catalogs and websites
• Talk to Exhibitors
• Field Trips to Zoo’s, National and Local Parks, Libraries

Which method should I use to home school?

     There are so many different methods to home schooling that you’ll definitely be able to find the one-the trick is finding the RIGHT one. Below you will find different methods to teaching. You may use one or a combination of several. Before you try to pick out a teaching method, think about what learning means to you. Question….What is the best fit for my family?  Some families like the security of having a packaged curriculum. Some pick and choose from what’s available and use a little of everything.

• Traditional style: This is probably how you learned if you went to public school. It starts with a curriculum, graded textbooks, a scope and sequence covering each subject, 180 day academic program. Curriculum such as ABeka and Bob Jones are types of curriculum used.
• Classical style: Children/Teens are taught tools of learning in a sequence known as the trivium. Curriculum such as The Classical Teacher and Classical Conversations (Exhibitor), Veritas Press are types of curriculum used.
• Unit Studies: This method is for multiple grades in one household. One topic is used but all subjects are integrated together during several hours of teaching at his or her own level of understanding. Curriculum used is Konos Unit Studies and for younger children Five in a Row.
• Living Books or Charlotte Mason: The method not only helps the learning difference child or a child having difficulties in certain subjects, but it helps involve children in real-life situations, and allowing them to read really good books. Curriculum method is Charlotte Mason. See Cheri Hedden at cheri@freedomacademyoflearning.org. (Special Help, Learning Difference, Special Needs)
• Unschooling: Learning comes from real-life experiences. Children pursue their own interest with support from their parents. Curriculum used is libraries, going to plays, computers and interest of the child.
• Principle Approach: This approach is an effort to restore to American Christians three vital concepts: knowledge of Christian history, and understanding of our role in the spread of Christianity, and the ability to live according to Biblical Principles. Curriculum used is the Noah Plan from the Foundation of American Christian Education.
• Eclectic: This is any combination above. Some if not most unschoolers feel they fall more under this category.

The Old School House Magazine, details many tried and true home schooling methods and models.

What curriculum do I use for my child?

     First Pray about it, look at the above styles for both your child and you. You need to enjoy the method of study, just as much as your child does.

What about Socialization?

    Whether your children are spending time with their peers, parents, grandparents or siblings, they are socializing. If your child is taking music lessons, playing team sports, joining clubs, church organizations/functions and more, they are getting enough socialization.

Elementary age seems pretty easy, but what about high school?

    Once you instill in your children a love of learning and ground them in the basics, they will “finish the race.” There are many different types of DVD curriculum that will teach your child Algebra, Chemistry, Physics and more. If you still need help, you can find tutors (Club Z in-home tutoring, Chalk Dust, Chemistry Professor) (in person or online) on just about any subject.

Won’t they miss out on field trips and activities?

    GET PLUGGED IN TO A CO-OP or SUPPORT GROUP! You will find multitude of ideas, field trips, activities and more.

Do I have to have my Child/Teen Tested?

     If your state law requires you to test, in that case, always obey the law. Questions to consider…

• Which test would be used and why?
• What will be done with the results?
• Are there less intrusive alternatives?

Standardize test tries to give a measurement of the amount of learning that has been taken place up to a specific point. Assessments or Evaluations don’t have any standard of what a child “should” be able to do; instead they look at the child as a whole, focusing on what the child does know instead of what he doesn’t. If you want to test your own child through out the year and on your own time, there is a test you can receive from Liberty Christian at www.libertychristian.com who will send the test and when you are finished, send it back in for scoring. The scoring will come back to you. Only you will know what the score is and what your child knows and what to work on for the following year.

My children don’t behave well. How can I teach them at home if they won’t listen to me?

      While it is true that your children need to be obedient before they can learn from you. Childrearing is also a process that is a natural outgrowth of homeschooling. However, we could all use help from that area. There are several resources to help you accomplish just that. www.nogreaterjoy.org and www.crosswalk.com. Parenting doesn’t come naturally but is a skill to be learned and homeschooling will do it.

I want my kids to go to college! Can they “get in” if we teach them?

      Colleges, universities and vocational schools all over the US seek out responsible homeschooled students.

They recognize the value of capability, motivation, courtesy and consider these in addition to formal transcripts or diplomas.

     There also private schools for home educators who can work with you and your student to provide you with official transcripts. You will need to keep up certain, but not elaborate records in order to obtain them. This will depend on the private institution you choose. There will be some schools who are local in your area and some that are nationwide to international. Here are a few to help you to decide if these schools are right for you.

   Local to the Northwest Florida area and they are Freedom Academy of Learning, The Institute of Christian Arts and Science and Crossroads. Alabama students will need to seek out schools in your local area and they will need to be a Church School for Home Educators. Nationwide and International schools are NARHS (North Atlantic Regional High School), Allendale Christian Academy and A.C.C.E.S. Inc.

There are so many more questions to ask and you will find the answers all in good time!