Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular choice among parents. With the current pandemic and school systems having to reduce in-person classes, this trend has only grown as parents seek ways to continue providing educational opportunities to their kids in a safe environment.
With so many different options available, it can be hard to decide which curriculum is best for your homeschooling needs. This article attempts to answer that question, by exploring the following 15 questions and offering considerations for each.
1. What Are the Benefits of Homeschooling?
Homeschooling offers numerous benefits for students, families, and educators alike. For starters, homeschoolers can move at their own pace and tailor their curriculum to their individual needs and skills. This allows parents to customize their children’s education to their abilities and interests.
Homeschoolers also enjoy the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, establish stronger parent-child relationships, and the flexibility to travel or take days off when necessary. Additionally, homeschooled students often receive more individualized instruction than students enrolled in public or private schools, leading to better performance in both college and the job market.
2. What Is the Best Homeschool Curriculum?
The best homeschool curriculum is one that is tailored to each individual student’s learning style, interests, and goals. This means that parents must assess each of their children’s needs in order to decide which curriculum would serve them best. For example, if a student prefers to engage more in hands-on activities, a more interactive and project-based curriculum might be a better fit.
On the other hand, if a student is a more visual and auditory learner, a more lecture-focused homeschool curriculum might better suit their needs. Additionally, it’s important for homeschool parents to look for curriculum that aligns itself with their state’s core educational standards.
3. Is Homeschooling an Option for Parents with Busy Schedules?
Homeschooling is one of the few educational options that can easily accommodate busy parent schedules. With homeschooling, parents can choose from a variety of short or long-term homeschool curriculum models, allowing them to decide how often, for how long, and when to hold their lessons. Additionally, homeschool parents often have the option to enroll their children in enrichment activities, such as extracurriculars, classes, and camps, to supplement their curriculum.
This means homeschooling may be feasible, even with a busy work or travel schedule.
4. What Materials Do I Need to Start Homeschooling?
Aside from the actual homeschool curriculum materials, there are a few other materials parents should ideally have on hand to get the most out of homeschooling their child. These include desks and comfortable chairs, art supplies, math manipulatives, educational toys and games, reading materials, laptops or tablets, and science materials. Additionally, it may be helpful for parents to remind themselves to take breaks and plan activities spaced throughout the day, to stimulate the student’s mind and give them the opportunity to participate in healthy activities.
5. Is Homeschooling Cheaper Than Private or Public School?
One of the advantages of homeschooling is that it can be significantly cheaper than private or public school tuition fees. Parents need to account for their curriculum purchase or fees, as well as additional materials or services such as extracurriculars, private lessons, and tutors if necessary.
Most likely, the cost of any of these resources will be much lower than that of a private school education. However, it’s important to validate the materials you’re paying for and to decide which ones are truly necessary for your child’s education.
6. How Do I Choose the Right Homeschool Materials for My Child?
To make sure you are selecting the best homeschool curriculum for your child, pay careful attention to their individual needs, abilities, and learning styles. Be sure to take into consideration your own resources and budget as well, as resources are essential for any homeschool lesson plans to be successful.
Additionally, it may be helpful to ask other homeschoolers and family members for recommendations to determine what would be the best fit for your child. Above all, select materials that complement and even challenge your child, providing an adequate level of academic and personal growth.
7. Is Homeschooling More Challenging Than Public School?
The level of difficulty of public or homeschooling is entirely dependent on both the curriculum and the individual student’s level of engagement. Generally, homeschooling parents focus on teaching their children the fundamentals of learning while providing an environment tailored to their student’s need.
Therefore, depending on the nature of their homeschool curriculum, their student’s level of engagement and their teaching methods, homeschooling can either be more or less challenging than public school.
8. Do I Need to Have a Teaching Degree to Homeschool?
Most states do not require homeschooling parents to possess a teaching degree, although some may require parents to possess a high school diploma for eligibility. With that being said, it is still highly beneficial for homeschooling parents to possess a certification or a degree in teaching, as this can offer extensive resources to help construct lesson plans and develop instructional methods.
Furthermore, a degree in education can still be obtained, even while homeschooling.
9. Are Homeschoolers Disadvantaged at College Admissions?
As times have changed, more and more colleges are accepting homeschooled applicants in their admissions process, and most colleges don’t hold homeschoolers to a different acceptance standard than their traditional applicants. However, it is important to note that typically, homeschoolers have to provide more evidence of their academic credentials and experience.
To benefit your child’s chance for approval, make sure to understand the admissions process of the college of choice and to provide your child with ample experiences and extracurricular activities to prove their readiness.
10. Where Can I Find Support if I Decide to Homeschool?
It’s important for homeschooling parents to locate resources, peers, and professionals to gain the necessary guidance for their homeschooling journey. Fortunately, there are several platforms and organizations dedicated to providing support to homeschoolers around the world.
These can include online forums, courses, support groups, co-ops, and more! Additionally, most states include homeschooling communities and resources in their educational regulations.
11. What Is a Co-Op Program?
Co-ops are a type of support system specifically designed for homeschoolers. A co-op is a program where a group of homeschooling families come together in order to provide an educational support system and enriching environment for each other. Co-op programs include classes, field trips, and various special activities to provide homeschoolers with both educational and social opportunities.
Additionally, these programs often allow homeschoolers to get to know other students before enrolling in college or the job market.
12. What Is the Difference Between AfL and Traditional Teaching Methods?
AfL, or assessment for learning, is a modern teaching method that uses assessment to improve the learning process. It is based on the idea that students and teachers must actively collaborate in order to understand how to best meet the learner’s needs.
Contrasted to traditional teaching methods, AfL focuses on assessment being a large part of the learning process, evaluates students often, and provides feedback to the students for them to be self-motivated and drive their own learning.
13. What Else Should I Take Into Consideration Before Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum?
It is important to consider whether the curriculum integrates both subject material and real-world experiences, allows for student input and exploration, and is aligned with state standards. Additionally, you should also look into local homeschooling regulations, as every state has different requirements that can affect the homeschooling curriculum and experience.
Furthermore, it may be beneficial to look into support options, such as virtual tutor services, to ensure your child’s educational needs are being met.
14. Are There Any Resources to Help Me Understand the Different Homeschooling Methods?
Yes, there are countless resources to help you understand different homeschooling methods. These can range from books to online forums. Additionally, you can take classes through colleges, attend homeschooling events, or ask other homeschooling families and educators for advice on the topic.
It is also important to remember that there are no one-size-fits-all methods to homeschooling, so you must do your own research to determine which method is best suited for your needs.
15. What Are Some Strategies to Engage My Child in Homeschool Lessons?
It’s important for any homeschooling parent to understand that no two students learn the same way, so it’s essential to tailor your lessons to the individual needs of your child. Planning out the day and having a balanced blend of academics, physical activity, and creative activities can assist in keeping your student engaged with their lessons. Providing them with additional materials or activities that supplement their lessons can also be helpful in stimulating their mind and providing them with enriching experiences.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is a great way to provide a personalized education to your child. Before committing to any curriculum, homeschooling parents must consider their child’s individual needs, interests, and hobbies, as well as their resources and budget. Additionally, there are plenty of resources, both in person and online, to assist in understanding homeschooling methods, provide support, and answer questions.
With the right resources and curriculum, homeschooling can be an enriching and rewarding experience for both parents and children alike.