September 19, 2009

Homeschool

homeschool

homeschool

Homeschooling is an alternative form of education that many parents are turning to. Our American Home School website was developed to answer as many questions as possible including questions on homeschool
and to offer resources for the best text books and curriculum information that is available.

What do you look for in a Homeschool Program?

What kinds of things make a homeschool program valuable to you? Do certain things (like cooperative classes or playdates) determine how interested you are in something?

What kinds of things will totally turn you off to a program?
Program meaning club, group, co-op, event.

What do you look for in a homeschooling group? Do you look more for things like classes/playdates/etc.

One of the biggest thing I consider when looking for a group is how well it fits our personalities. We are not religious and are unschoolers, so finding a group where we feel comfortable and free to be ourselves could be challenging. We got very lucky when we found our teaching co-op. It is really great; it has a family atmosphere and is fun and relaxed. It meets once a week in a church (because of the size and the facilities available there) but is not a religious co-op. It also has an impressive array of classes offered each year. And the people there are absolutely wonderful.

I like the fact that if my daughter doesn't want to wear her shoes in class (or all day, which happens a lot), no one minds. I like that there are a lot of families there that believe in natural learning. I also find that the moms who teach in our co-op are very patient and willing to find creative ways to make their classes fun and engaging. The kids are all great too; we haven't found any (even newbies) who have had trouble or caused trouble with anyone else.

There are other co-ops local to us but they don't seem to offer what we're looking for. One is religious, and although that wouldn't keep me from joining in and of itself, it's much smaller and doesn't offer much variety. The other is a very structured program, which might work well for a family that is less relaxed than us. They have their prescribed courses for each grade level and that's all there is. There is no choice as far as which classes to take.

So I guess flexibility, atmosphere, and good personality fit are the biggest factors influencing our interest in a homeschooling group (or any group, for that matter).

Question: How do I start homeschooling?
Answer: Click Here & Come to The Old Schoolhouse !

One of the great resources we have found for Homeschooling Supplies is Amazon.com Here is a selection of their most popular books on homeschool that you may find helpful. You can also search their site for specific books.