Homeschooling should never be done on a whim. Parents should try to resolve any problems with the school or teacher before they pull their children out of school. If learning disabilities are suspected, the child's teacher should be notified so that he/she can be observed and a proper course of action ensue. Talk with the teacher and principal regarding your concerns. Sometimes they are already aware of the problems and with your help the matter can be aided or resolved.
Even after an effort and attempt to improve the school situation has been initiated, the parent may choose to homeschool. Research the matter thoroughly. Libraries offer books on homeschooling. Cathy Duffy and Mary Pride have written a number of good resources from curriculum guides to how-to-get-started books. The internet provides websites and home pages for resources and support networks. Attending a support group meeting or convention will give much insight as well.
Once a decision has been made to homeschool, the next consideration would be the means. The parent could teach completely on their own using pre-packaged curriculum or designing their own curriculum using various textbooks and resources. The home school teacher should not be limited by the conventional text book. Learning can be done just through observing the experiences around. Today's computer technology offers learning via internet and learning software. Home education does not require much in the way of materials, provided that the means and resources are chosen carefully.
The home school family can also choose to join a home school satellite or umbrella. These organizations maintain grades and attendance. Home school organizations such as A Beka and Christian Liberty Academy via correspondence maintain these services as well as provide the materials, instruction and support for the student. Video classes have become popular too. Public schools, private schools and state universities offer extension classes that utilize e-mail, video and correspondence. DoDDS has joined in partnership with Alaska’s Galena School District for a homeschool correspondence program as well.
Scheduling varies from homeschool to homeschool. Some home schools are very structured down to a set schedule including lunch and recess. Others go with the flow. If thirty minutes was scheduled for a math lesson, a parent may go an hour if the child did not grasp a particular concept. Homeschooling means flexibility. All prospective homeschooling parents should be aware of the time it takes, though. The parent is the teacher. Although it may not take but three hours to school, nonetheless it is three hours of the parent's time. In addition there is preparation time. Parents find they have to sacrifice themselves and time to take on this task. Flexibility then becomes an important factor not only for learning but for the family and self.
What teaching methods should the homeschooling teacher employ? The parent could teach from a text book or she may use a natural learning style. John Holt refers to this as "unschooling" where the child learns through observation and experience. More independent and self-directed learning is done in the homeschool As a result learning is individualized depending upon the interest and ability of the child.
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