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The Homeschooling Journey

November 24, 2011 Homeschooling
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Scrapbooking is one my favourite ways to keep track of the homeschooling journey. Using lots of pictures, anecdotes, stickers, work samples, results, and anything else that you decide, you can create a record that is visually pleasing, entertaining, and even a legal verification of some of the things achieved throughout the year. There’s nothing to say that maintaining your yearly scrapbook can’t be part of your child’s art studies too!

Journals

It can be a fun activity for both you and the kids to keep a journal of your homeschooling journey. You can look back years later (graduation from Ivy League college maybe?) and bring up old memories both good and bad about your experience. This can also be a great place to keep pictures, programs, win/loss records and other things, if scrapbooking isn’t your thing.

There are some other important things to do as well besides just keep a record. It’s also important to mark other important mile stones on the journey as well.

Blogging and Other Online Options

In these modern times, what would an article about keeping records be with a mention of blogging and social media? With flickr, facebook, and blogs abounding, record keeping and charting a journey has increasingly become an online phenomena. Why not for homeschooling too? With livejournal and other blogging programs you can upload pictures, link to other homeschooling sites, and a variety of other fun things. Not only can you talk about your journey but you can invite others to keep track of your journey with you, including your friends and family! The internet is really amazing this way. Also your blog can be inspiration for others, especially other homeschooling families, and those considering homeschooling.

Keeping the Ceremonies and Memories

Some homeschooled families aren’t too fussed about “graduation,” considering it unnecessary, left over pomp and circumstance from a system that they were never a part of. This does not need be the case, however. Graduation symbolises an achievement that is an important milestone, or right of passage, regardless of the manner through which it was achieved. Ritual, such as a graduation ceremony or party, reinforces accomplishment, and marks the end of a passage of development, clearing the way for the next stage. It’s also a great excuse for a celebration, and a way to show your children how proud you are of them. Some of those events, that may even seem a little embarrassing when you are a teenager, can leave the most lasting fond memories.

It is most important to find a process to record your journey that makes sense for you and your family. Ideally, get your kids/students involved in the process because it will be much more meaningful for them if they’ve contributed to the whole homeschooling journey. At the end of the day, the homeschooling journey is about them!

Homeschooling In California

November 24, 2011 Homeschooling
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The possibilities for homeschooling in California were severely limited in February 2008 when a California judge ruled that only persons with a credentialed teaching degree could now teach children. But in August of that year, the same court changed its decision. If you declare your home to be a private school, your children may be taught by anyone whether they have teaching credentials or not.

But if you want to homeschool your children in California, and you would like to stay within the law, then what are your options? This article tries to clear up the legal situation.

California Homeschooling Options

Basically, homeschooling laws in California give you 4 options for homeschooling. You are free to pick the one that most suits you and your family:

You declare your home to be a private school

This option has the least restrictions and red tape. But you still have to comply with the homeschooling laws in California. Each year between October 1st and October 15th, you have to fill in a Private School Affidavit (R4 Form) . The teacher does not have to have formal teaching qualifications.

You do need to keep an attendance and you have to have a faculty record – a list of people who “work” in your “private school”, so please write down your name on a piece of paper…

You also have to keep a California School Immunization on file to show that your children are not vulnerable to certain transmittable diseases. You should also be able to provide a Report of Health Examination for School Entry or a Waiver of Health Check-up for School Entry.

You also need to write down your children’s curriculum ever year. This doesn’t have to be a lengthy report, but there has to be some kind of written plan for authorities to check.

Finally, you have to teach a minimum of subjects to your children, but you are free to teach them in any way you see fit.

Independent study program through a public school (ISP)

There are 2 marching routes within this option. The first is the Public School Districts. Some offer a home study plan. If they do, run with it. You’ll have to work with a state program teacher, who will check if the education you give your children complies with the minimum standards in California. If they don’t, you will have to use one of the other methods.

The second is the Public Charter School. These are schools that receive public money but are exempt from some of the regulations that apply to other public schools. They are considered to be better than public schools. The California Charter Schools Association keeps a list of good schools in your surroundings. You will have to work with a facilitator from the charter school, who will meet you once a month.

Education provided by a certified private tutor

The easiest but also the most expensive option. The tutor has to be a state certified teacher and the education has to be in English. He should teach for 3 hours for 175 days a year. This option isn’t used much, because parents want to control the education of their children themselves. This way they would still bring the public school into their home, and they would have to pay for it (while it is normally free of charge to them).

Private school satellite program (PSP)

This is an extension program run by private schools. However, they differ among themselves. Some schools allow you to take full control over and responsibility for your children’s education. You can educate your own children at your home.

This option is popular among Californian Homeschoolers as parents don’t have to fill in the tiresome Private School Affidavit (R4 form). The school has to handle the paperwork and red tape, not the parents.

About Homeschooling Education

October 14, 2011 Homeschooling
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It can be difficult for some families who choose home schooling. Family members, neighbors, friends and other people have negative feelings about it. Often the case for education authorities, because they take place outside of school. There are many support groups for parents to help families learn to deal with criticism and all the other parts of the program at home. Although home schooling has become very popular, and many have begun to accept that farmers have started to move. Although the university to accept students who have been educated at home.

The families have decided to apply to the education of their families because they believe that homeschooling is a way to network and create a healthy family, and even increase the socialization of the family. I often feel that their child is more comfortable to learn as well. Be eligible for special education is not what it should be. They can also see what topics they enjoy, when you try to do what they want careers. There is a lack of peer pressure, which disrupts the formation of the same. Families can also find their child is not to isolate as many think. Instead, they can be independent while having fun with their peers. Families and school groups to work together with other families from school to home, ensuring that the social element.

Another advantage is not busy at all. Homeschooling families can take breakfast and come in the comforts of home, which can easily lead to lessons that use them. They even have the option of independent study and teach the individual to devote more time to enjoy places like museums and libraries, and assets of the activities of biking, hiking and more. Each family has lesson plans tailored to the child, as required. It can rearrange the lessons they need to help each child what they need and what they like. This helps the child feel more in control.

But the only disadvantage of this teaching is that children are their peers, Miss taught separately, fun and games in the supply of school. But they have less stress, and the opportunity to be exposed to the wrong side of life, such as alcohol and drugs. Children who are homeschooled are higher than the treatment is better and safer, so you should weigh the pros and cons before you begin homeschooling their children. There are many forums and websites that provide additional information on these alternative methods.

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