How Homeschooling Works

It's all about how it works for you and

your child.

You, the parent, are not required to

have a superior IQ or a knowledge of

all things. Primarily you are a facilitator

, not a teacher. You are a mentor to

your child, helping them to direct and

manage their own learning. You steer

them in the right direction, you provide

what they need and you learn with

them when necessary. It might take

some trial and error to find a solution

that works best for you and your

child, and you'll probably decide on a

few different approaches.

Traditional education is the teacher's

delivery of information to the pupil.

Public schools generally follow this

educational model. Traditional schooling means that approved standards in all the curricular areas will be covered, and parents can therefore be assured that their children are exposed to what other students are learning. Many parents chose to do a little of this, especially in the core subjects of Maths, English and Science.

Unit Studies take a specific area of interest and use it as a platform to develop subject areas such as Maths, Language, History, Science, Art, etc. the idea being that all of us tend to learn more when we are fully interested and engaged in a subject. This approach seems to be a favorite where children of varying ages or abilities are being taught together, because a single topic can easily be modified to meet each child’s needs, levels and capabilities.

For example if your child had an interest in Ancient Egypt, you might incorporate books (both non-fiction and historical fiction) about ancient Egypt, assign spelling words or a writing assignment centered around a specific area – like Egyptian gods or goddesses, review maps and finally, discuss the topographical and geographical elements of the region and how it played into the trades available and agricultural practices. You might discuss the embalming process and rituals performed on the dead, and then round everything out with a craft, like making an Egyptian pyramid from sugar cubes and gold paint.

Project-based homeschooling is a method in which a child may undertake long or short term projects, be provided with the time and tools required and allowed to explore real-world problems and challenges in a way that encourages problem-solving skill and develops critical thinking. In other words, project-based learning gives children the opportunity to learn about and understand a subject through research, critical thinking, planning, and presentation. An example of this might be growing a vegetable garden, which would require research into the growing requirements, timing, care for their produce, and a plan for the harvest, such as sales or cooking.