Information for New Homeschoolers

A Many Christian parents are committed to educating their children at home. Their underlying motivation is the conviction that this is God's will for their family. They are concerned for the spiritual training and character development as well as the social and academic welfare of their children. Specific advantages have been expressed as follows:

• Opportunity is available for spiritual training and presenting a biblical perspective of all academic subjects.
• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Prov. 9:10, NAS).
• Home schooling makes quality time available to train and influence children in all areas in an integrated way.
• Each child receives individual attention and has his unique needs met.
• Parents can control destructive influences such as various temptations, false teachings (including secular humanism and occult influences of the New Age movement), and negative peer pressure.
• Children gain respect for their parents as teachers.
• The family experiences unity, closeness, and mutual enjoyment of each other as they spend more time working together.
• Children develop confidence and independent thinking away from the peer pressure to conform and in the security of their own home.
• Children have time to explore new interests and to think.
• Communication between different age groups is enhanced.
• Tutorial-style education helps each child achieve his full educational potential.
• Flexible scheduling can accommodate fathers' work and vacation times and allow time for many activities.

Q Are parents qualified to teach their children?

A You know your children better than anyone else and have the deepest love and concern for them. You also have the most direct and long-term responsibility for your children before God who commands parents to teach their children His Word, the most important thing they will learn (Deut. 6:6, 7). Educationally, one-to-one tutoring has many advantages over a classroom where one teacher tries to meet the needs of many children at different learning levels. You do not need to know everything in order to teach. Your example and enthusiasm in learning with your children will motivate and encourage them far more than striving to appear as if you knew it all. Dr. Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, conducted an analysis in 1994 of the standardized test results for 16,320 home-school children nationwide. He found these children to average at or above the 73rd percentile in all subject areas. (The national average of all conventionally schooled children is the 50th percentile.)

A 1990 study by Dr. Ray demonstrated that there is little relationship between the parents education levels and their children's scores, and whether the parent is a certified teacher has no bearing on children's scores. Dr. Ray says, "The tutorial method of teaching has always been the superior method. Home education epitomizes this method, providing essentials for success-a close student/teacher relationship, motivation, flexibility, and individualization."

Several resources are available to give home educators on-the-job training: Homeschool conventions, workshops, and book fairs at local, state, and regional levels provide practical instruction in teaching techniques. Information on these events is a regular feature of The Teaching Home. (The Teaching Home magazine presents articles that inform, encourage, and inspire you in various principles and techniques of home teaching.)

State and local home-school support groups can greatly encourage and help you as ideas and information are exchanged. God promises His wisdom and assures you that He will supply your needs as you follow His leading: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5-7).

Q Is home schooling legal in every state?

A Each state sets its own laws governing home education. Meeting the requirements of these laws may be as simple as informing the school district of your intent to home school and having your children tested or as complex as fulfilling requirements to become a private school. Legislation is continually being proposed and considered in many states. It is important for you to work with your state and local Christian home-school organizations to aid the passage of favorable bills.

Constitutional rights to liberty and privacy under the Fourteenth Amendment and the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment guarantee a parent's rights to educate their children according to their convictions. However, lower courts have ruled inconsistently in applying these rights to home schooling.

We encourage you to comply with the law as far as your conscience will allow and then seek an acceptable alternative only if necessary. It is important to obtain a copy of your state's law pertaining to home education. Many problems can be avoided by being accurately informed and by using tact and respect in dealing with school authorities.

For legal defense and assistance, contact Home School Legal Defense Association, Box 159, Paeonian Springs VA 22129, (703) 338-5600. To qualify for membership, apply before you are contacted by any authorities regarding school attendance laws. HSLDA offers a free summary of your state's home-school law. HSLDA will advise members of their rights, deal with school officials and social workers, and represent them in court. Michael P. Farris, founder and President of HSLDA, says in his book Home Schooling and the Law, "One of my life goals is to give every parent who wants to home school the necessary confidence to start and continue home schooling."

Q How much time does it take?

A Home schooling requires a time commitment, but not as much as you might expect. One-to-one tutoring is more efficient than classroom instruction and thus takes less time. The time requirement varies according to the methods used, the ages of the children, and how many children in the family are being taught. Academic instruction might begin with one-half to one hour for the early grades and work up to a few hours of instruction plus independent study for upper grades. Most correspondence courses state that their work can be completed in four or five hours per day.

Q How can we teach several children at once?

A Subjects such as Bible, science, history, and literature that are not dependent on prerequisite knowledge or skills can be taught to several grade levels of children together. Lessons can be presented in an amplified manner with explanations that enable all children to understand. Older students can do much of their work independently.

Q What about socialization?

A This is quite possibly the most misunderstood aspect of home schooling. Popular opinion assumes that children need periods of interaction with a group of peers to acquire social skills. By contrast, however, many believe that extensive peer contact during childhood can cause undesirable peer dependency. Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals"' (I Cor. 15:33 NAS). "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart arid with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today shall be on your heart; arid you shall teach them diligently to your sons arid shall talk of them when you sit in your house arid when you walk by the way arid when you lie down arid when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7, NAS

Young children are more likely to be influenced by the majority than to be a testimony to them. Children who receive their education outside the home are prone to accept their peers' and teachers' values over those of their parents. Some advantages of freedom from peer pressure can be self-confidence, independent thinking, the ability to relate to people of all ages, and better family relations. Godly principles of interaction can be taught, demonstrated, and reinforced at home by parents. Children can learn needed social skills by interacting with siblings or other children and adults under their parents' supervision. Young people who have had this type of training have adjusted very well to adult life.

You can help your children build and maintain lasting Christian friendships with people of all ages through church and family friends. Dr. Brian Ray reports that numerous studies have found that home-educated children are as well adjusted socially and emotionally as, or often better than, students in conventional schools.

Q What about higher education and career preparation?

A Approximately 250 institutions are listed on HSLDA's informal survey of colleges and universities which have welcomed home-educated students. "Many of these schools actively recruit home-educated graduates because of their maturity, independent thinking skills, creativity, and extensive academic preparation," says Inge Cannon, executive director of Education PLUS.

In preparation for college entrance or any other vocational training program, parents should prepare a thorough transcript of high-school level work, award a diploma, and specify an actual high school graduation date. Occasionally GED tests may be required by a college or employer for additional verification. For military enlistment and some employment situations, 15 credit hours of college work validates a student's academic ability. College credit and degrees can be earned at home through various extension programs and or testing. Some home schoolers are entering their chosen fields through apprenticeship pro-grains designed and supervised by parents and professionals.

Q What about my child's special interests?

A A wealth of experiences outside the home can supplement and enrich home education. Unlimited possibilities abound for field trips that individual families or groups can take. These provide valuable in-the-field learning laboratories. Specialized classes are often available through parks, museums, art schools, or private lessons. Church and community teams offer various sports opportunities. There are actually more enrichment activities and time in which to do them available for home-taught students than for those in school.

Q What materials are available?

A Fine Christian materials developed for Christian schools are available to home educators. New materials are also being developed or adapted especially for use in home teaching. These materials may be obtained in three basic ways:

• You may order texts and teaching aids directly from the publishers or through mail-order companies. This issue of The Teaching Home presents more than 80 suppliers of quality teaching materials.
• A home-extension program offered through a local Christian school or church can provide teaching materials, testing, and counseling.
• Materials, testing, and guidance can also be obtained through Christian correspondence courses.
• Home educators can choose or combine elements of any of the following approaches.

Traditional Textbooks. High-quality textbooks are available from Christian publishers. These cover each subject in depth and in a logical order of topics.

Worktexts. Some publishers have combined textbook information with exercises in consumable write-in books.

Classical Approach. Children progress from memory and learning skills to advanced reasoning and finally expressive use of language to discuss their knowledge and beliefs.

Principle Approach. Teachers and students keep notebooks for each subject containing Bible perspectives and principles, personal applications, and information acquired from various sources.

Unit Studies. Theme-centered units integrate information from several subjects. Language arts and math need additional systematic teaching.

Books & Life Experiences. Other than basic teaching in the three Rs, much learning comes through reading good literature and nonfiction. Normal everyday activities also supplement book-learning and give it perspective.

Q What methods do home schoolers use?

A There is no "one right way" to home school. There is no one right method or curriculum. As an artist has at his disposal an entire palette of colors to mix and use, so a home educator has a vast array of effective methods from which to choose. These choices may be based on:

• The ages of the children.
• The subject matter being taught.
• The number of children that you are teaching.
• The learning styles your children find most effective.
• The time you have available to prepare and teach.
• The varying abilities or special needs of your children.
• The motivation that certain teaching methods may provide for your children.

Q What are some difficulties?

A The following are some common difficulties along with some suggested solutions. Lack of Confidence: At first, you may lack confidence in choosing materials and methods, doubting your ability to teach. With experience, you will gain confidence. Fear of Being Unable To Work with Your Own Children: Parents who do not have their children's respect will have trouble getting their cooperation. Gaining their respect through proper discipline, training, and example should be the parents' top priority, whether or not they are home schooling. Home schooling can provide the incentive and optimum setting to accomplish this. Inadequate Time and Energy: Home teaching requires an investment of time and energy, especially by mothers. Self-discipline and good organization will help ensure a well-run household. A daily schedule, lesson plans, and a chore list can keep school and housework organized. Children can also be a great help when trained to assist with the cooking, laundry, and household chores. Lack of Commitment: Families who are home schooling only for convenience or because it is a popular thing to do may soon drop out unless they develop the conviction that home schooling is best for their family and is God's will for them. Social Pressure: Pressure from well-meaning friends or relatives can be a real deterrent. Make a well-informed decision and then stand on your convictions. More information and a loving attitude often help others understand and accept God's leading for the home-school family. Financial Investment: Costs of materials or programs vary considerably, but are always less expensive than a private school. Many materials can be reused for siblings as well.

Q What about children with special needs?

A Many children with special learning needs are being successfully home educated HSLDA membership has proven to be especially helpful to these families. The Teaching Home back issue on "Special Needs" can be ordered for $3.75 postpaid.

Q How do we get started in home schooling?

A Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

1. Seek the Lord and agree together as husband and wife on your decision to home school.
2. Research home education by reading one or two basic books on home education, such as Christopher KIcka's The Right Choice (available for $12.95 from HSLDA, Box 159, Paeonian Springs VA 22129), and The Teaching Home magazine (see ordering information below). Also meet and visit with more experienced home schoolers in your church or at a local support group or event and make an effort to attend your state's home-school convention.
3. Contact your state home-school organization to learn of local support groups, events, and publications as well as your state's laws governing home education. HSLDA has state law summaries.
4. Make arrangements to comply with the law according to your conscience and recommendations of state organizations and/or HSLDA. Consider joining Home School Legal Defense Association.
5. Get your home and life in order by establishing discipline of your children and your use of time. Also, consider getting rid of unnecessary or little-used possessions to make way for learning materials and study space.
6. Choose methods and teaching materials that you feel most comfortable in starting out with and that would be appropriate to the age and number of your children. If you feel overwhelmed by the choices you must make, you may want to use a prepared curriculum from a textbook, worktext, or unit study publisher for your first year.

Reevaluate and experiment with different materials and methods and make adjustments as you become more experienced with home education. Throughout this educational process, you will, of course, want to give top priority to your children's spiritual and character development. Home schooling is a way of life in which the home is the center of life and learning. Through home education, parents can experience in a unique way their responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Copies of this brochure are available from The Teaching Home magazine.
Copyright 1995 The Teaching Home, Box 20219, Portland OR 97220-0219.

Arriving at this point probably was not an easy task. Now, you find yourself at the next major crossroads wondering... where do I go from here?

Below is a list of basic steps for getting started...

- Write down your reasons for home schooling. Establish in your heart and mind why you want to do this and what you truly believe about education. This is where all the reading you have done about education comes in handy! This does not have to be a treatise, but a simple statement of your reasons. You will probably modify this as you continue to home educate your children.

- Study your children; discover how your child learns, find out his/her interests. See Cathy Duffy's Christian Home Educator's Manual for insight into learning styles.

- Consider the type of curriculum and method of study will work the best for your family. Your first year you may be the most comfortable with a traditional or structured curriculum. "The Teaching Home-Back to Basics1' issue is an excellent overview of the many different ideas and approaches to home schooling.

- Investigate legal counsel - It is recommend that you contact both Home School Legal Defense Association and Rutherford Institute and determine which will offer your family the best legal services in the event you have a negative contact with the State or local authorities.

- Contact a local home school support group and attend. This is an excellent source of information and encouragement. This local group will help keep you abreast of what is happening across the state. Subscribe to a home school magazine. (Addresses included in this packet.) It's like having a support group in your own home.

- Keep records of attendance, keep a journal of learning experiences, and keep a list of goals you have achieved. Make sure you're documenting activities required by the new home school exemption.

- Involve your children, especially the older ones, in the decisions concerning your family's adventure into home education.

- Consider how you will schedule your day. Remember tutoring doesn't necessarily take from 9 to 3 daily. Schedule according to your children's attention spans and needs, as well as your own needs. Take days off. Take a Sabbath Day.

-Take time for yourself. Enjoy watching your children discover the world God created. Take advantage of "teachable moments".

Expect to...

- be overwhelmed...where do I start, what do I do, what should I use? Find out what your children know and begin there. (See Book List.. Lopez and Beechick)

- doubt your own abilities and qualifications. Authorities tell us that only certified professionals can teach children. Remember you are the parent. Your mandate comes from scripture. (See Deut. 6:4-7) You have already accomplished one of the most difficult tasks in education. ..teaching your child to speak his native language.

- have an adjustment period for your family; particularly, if you are removing your children from an institutional setting. This may take as long as a year.

- have some criticism from family, friends and neighbors. Many do not understand why anyone would want to keep their children home all day. They may think that the school system was good enough for their families, it should be good enough for your family.

- have less than perfect days or possibly weeks. Teachers in public and private schools have interruptions in their days too. Their interruptions are just different in nature than the home school parents are.

- examine your own attitude about teaching and learning. Remember the goal is to develop a self motivated learner.

- see God's faithfulness in meeting all your needs.

I. Start Reading:

• Search the Word of God for your role and responsibilities as a parent. Pray for wisdom and guidance. Expect the Lord to answer your sincere questions through His Word. (James 1:5)

Here are a few scriptures to get you started in your search: Deut. 4:9, 6:6-9; Prov. 6:20-23, 22:6; and Eph. 6:4. ~lso notice the examples of men who loved and served God but neglected the training of their children and lost them to sin~idolatry.

• The following books are but some of the titles on home education. They are often available at the library and can be ordered if not available at local Christian bookstores. (Great Christian Books is an excellent source for new books at discounted prices. Call or write for their latest catalog featuring Home Schooling books. Great Christian Books3 1319 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington. DE 19504-2895 (302) 999-0595.)

The Christian Home School, by Gregg Harris - This book states the case for home schooling and then gives suggestions and guidelines as to how to get started.

Home Grown Kids, by Raymond & Dorothy Iloore - This book is for parents who take seriously the responsibility for their childs whole education from before birth, and those wanting to know how to train a preschooler.

Home Style Teaching. by Raymond 8 Dorothy Iloore - This is the tloore~s most practical ho~to book. It helps you sort out the classroom techniques from the teaching methods that are both possible and effective in a home shcool.

The Home School Manual, by Theodore E. Wade. Jr. and Others -The twenty-two chapters are divided into three major units: Principles of Home Education, Specific Teaching ~~reas, and Theory into Practice. This is a very practical book.

The How and Why of Home Schooling by Ray E. Ballmann - This is an analysis of the Biblical reasons for home schooling and provides practical guidelines for beginning a home school. Christian parents who aren~t afraid of the truth should read this one.

Survivor's Guide to Horn Schooling, by Luanne Shackelford and Susan White - This is a rarity - a book by veterans - the women who have actually taught their own children.' It is entensely practical and often humorous.

The Way Home, by Mary Pride - What is the Biblical pattern for a woman, wife and mother? This book has been a source of conviction, inspiriation, and encouragement to women (and their husbands) who are looking for God's way.

• The following periodicals will "plug you in" to the home-school community and movement, nationally and locally.

The Teaching Home, P.O. Box 20219 Portland, OR 97220-0219 ($15.00 for a one-year subscription) The Teaching Home is a bi-monthly Christian home-schooling magazine. Each issue usually has a theme and is extremely practical and soundly Biblical. The Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) publishes the 4 to 8 page center section which has state news, a calendar of events (including the annual state convention, Gregg Harris seminars, and regional book fairs), and an order form for selected materials.

II. Attend an Orientation Meeting.

• These meetings are held frequently in the spring and summer. Prospective and beginning home schoolers hear a short presentation by a veteran home-school couple on the basics of home education and have ample opportunity to ask all the questions they might have. They also will benefit from the questions that others ask.
• Newsletter subscriptions, book fair packets, and some materials are available for purchase at the meeting. Some samples of curriculum may be available to examine.
• Those families starting out together can trade names and phone numbers and start a field trip group for their children.

III. Make your decision.

It is wise to make your decision before Nay when planning to home school the following fall This gives you time to decide on a course for the academic instruction of your children and place orders no later than July 1. During the peak ordering season some curriculum orders can take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive. You will want most of the month of August to acquaint yourself with your new texts and make lesson plans.

IV. Name your school.

1. Having a ready answer to the usual "Where do you go to school?" will help both you and your child feel more normal and legitimate.
2. Indiana law categorizes home schools with other non-accredited non-public schools. You should consider your school to be a bonafide school.
3. Occasionally it is also advantageous to order materials in your school name.

V. Order your materials for the coming school year.

1. Your best source of advice will be experienced home schoolers. Don't be shy in asking their opinions about various programs, publishers. and texts. But do not try to copy another family's school. Every family is unique, as is every child, and no home school is perfect. liost families change something every year.
2. Basic Home School Information. compiled by The Teaching Home magazine. ($3.75) will help you sort through the different approaches to home education. This book takes 10 different philosophies and briefly explains each. tells you who the leading proponents are, and then where to get their materials.
3. Ruth Beechick's books, You Can Teach Your Child Successfullv (Grades 4-8). and The Three-R's Series: A Strong Start in Language, A Home Start in Reading. and An Easy Start in Arithmetic (for preschool through grade 3) are intensely practical and encouraging. They could have been listed in the "Read" section but they are put here to emphasize the fact that they should be read before you purchase your curriculum. Dr. Beechick demystifies all the educational jargon and plainly tells you the goal of each subject and practical ways to reach those goals. She makes it sound simple and makes you feel great about your ability to teach.
4. Curriculum fairs: Here you can examine most texts from the major Christian publishers. You can talk to representatives from the companies and schools. You can quiz a few veteran home schoolers about their experience with the different programs and materials. And you will leave with more catalogs and brochures than you ever really wanted.
5. The Big Book of Home Learning, by Mary Pride, is a four-volume set that can help you sort through the different programs. publishers) and materials. It is at least the most comprehensive. This is not just a commentary on curriculum, although that is done subject by subject with dozens of materials and recommendations in each chapter. It also is filled with useful and interesting information on almost any subject relating to home learning.
6. After attending an orientation meeting and a curriculum fair; and after reading the catalogs) brochures, and ,he Bi~ Book you will have enough information to place your orders. If y~u still have a difficult time making your decision because you hiant to start out with the perfect curriculum3 realize that in your first year you will learn where your child is academically. how he learns best, and some of your own preferences in texts. It is important to get started. As your confidence builds, you will begin to see where changes are necessary. One advantage to home schooling is that you can substitute a new text for one that is not working.

VI. Consider joining the Home School Legal Defense Association

VII. Establish your goals.

1. Your most important goals will be the character training of you child. Obedience. self-discipline, forebearance, kindness, etc., are far more important than academics. Ask the Father to show you the way in which your child should be going. Write down those goals. Refer to them occasionally. so that you can encourage yourself or realign yourself with them.
2. Begin to make your lesson plans. Divide a text into the number of weeks you want to spend on it. Then write out some general long term plans and a few weeks of specific short term lesson plans (Use pencil because days have a way of sometimes going awry and you can then be flexible). You can add to and adjust your plans throughout the year. Include field trips and projects that complement your studies.

For a cost of #3.00 you can receive Lesson Planning with the Card File Svstem,, (Light of Faith Christian Academy, c/o Jim and Ann Norris,, 716 Central, Joplin3 NO 64801), which details a flexible lesson plan system which can be modified to reuse the same plans for younger children in the family. It saves much time in the future! OR see the section 'Letters from Leslie' here on the Home Crusaders site where I have a full detail of how to incorporate this method.

VIII. Keep accurate records.

You must keep daily, accurate attendance records. It is wise to date all of your child's work and to keep as much of it as you have room for. As a minirnum, keep tests, reports,, lesson plans. and samples of all other assignments.

IX. Find the support you need, when you need it.

Getting to know other home schoolers in a field trip group may prove to be all the additional support you need. Other times a Nom's meeting. a seminar,, a convention, or a roller skating party full of home schoolers may '1cure what ails ya.

Two further thoughts:

"You can't ruin a child in one year!" At least. loving and concerned parents won't. So relax! Enjoy that first year. You will see fruit at the end, and you can do everything perfectly the second year (or maybe the third...). "Rome wasn't built in a day." There will be bad days,, bad attitudes (parent and child). mental blocks. and a whole bunch more challenges along the way. It takes time to train a child, to teach skills, shape attitudes,, and develop character. It might take a year or more to turn a burnt-out child around. Hundreds of home-schooling families can testify that love,, patience,, faithfulness, firm discipline, and forgiveness will reap a harvest of love, joy, peace,, close family relationships, maturity,, and even academic excellence.