Post by Charity on Feb 16, 2005 18:57:47 GMT -5
Am I really called to homeschool my children?
Parents possess the deepest love and commitment to their children. Parents know their children better than anyone else. Parents have a lifetime investment in their children. Parents have also been given the responsibility for their children before God, who commands parents to teach their children His Word, the most important thing they will learn (Deut. 6:6,7) and to train them in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it.
However, as true as these statements are, it does not necessarily mean that the parent is the best or only one who can teach them. Wise parents will seek out the best teachers and the best situations from which their children will learn. Not all parents are called to teach their children everything themselves, anymore than all of us have cows in our backyard to provide our children with milk.
Can I begin homeschooling anytime during the school year?
Yes, of course! Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and you can begin homeschooling at any time. Many families choose to begin homeschooling at the beginning of the year, however mid-year enrollments are also very popular due to problems at the school, kids falling behind, or illnesses. If you are considering taking your child out of public or private school, please follow the laws and requirements of your state. Students are welcome to enroll in the Learning By Grace, Inc. academies 365 days a year.
What if my child refuses to do the work?
Some children, particularly those who have been turned off from learning through the unpleasant circumstances often foisted upon them in a traditional school, are more difficult to teach. However, if a student is interested in the online content, learning becomes something they seek and devour, instead of being forced to do. Also, it is always important to include your child's doctor as a resource in determining the best way to educate.
What about socialization?
John Taylor Gatto, who was the New York State Teacher of the Year in 1991, explains that, "It is absurd, and anti-life, to... sit in confinement with people of exactly the same age and social class. That system effectively cuts you off from the immense diversity of life." (1)
There are many ways in which families can include socialization as a part of their students’ educational experience. Among the popular options are participating in sports clubs and lessons, music classes, dance classes and drama programs. Many of these activities are also inclusive of a variety of age groups and thus promote an opportunity for homeschoolers to interact with children and adults of all ages.
How do I prevent burn out?
Having your children home all day, every day can be challenging. Families find the most success when they are able to delegate some of the multitude of tasks they face to others. With a support system like that which is available at Learning By Grace, Inc., families find that the daily burdens are significantly relieved. We offer an automatic attendance keeping feature, and an online grade book and transcripts that can be printed out whenever you want. Our daily assignment log helps everyone plan ahead so that every student succeeds. You make the choices we provide the tools. Burn out is simply much less likely! Trying to do it all is the fastest route to burn out. Knowing how to leverage outside resources to support your efforts is the best way to ensure that you can sustain a homeschool commitment.
Because the founders of our online programs have homeschooled first hand for close to two decades, they were uniquely qualified to build a learning system that really meets homeschoolers' needs. “We started out with the idea of designing a program that allows parents to do what only parents can do and leave the rest to technology,” says Mimi Rothschild, one of Learning By Grace’s founders. “We’re real folks who were right there in the trenches trying to find a way to successfully live and educate our own. Because we were there, we know what a homeschooler needs to succeed. And we give it to you.”<br>
How do I teach 6 hours a day?
John Holt has an excellent response to this question which he shared in an interview with Marlene Bumgarner for her bimonthly magazine Mothering. “One question which often comes up is "How am I going to teach my kids six hours a day?" And I respond to that by saying, "Who’s teaching your kids six hours a day now?" I was a good student in supposedly the best schools and it was a rare day that I got five minutes of teaching... that’s five minutes of somebody’s serious attention to my personal needs, interests, concerns, difficulties, problems. What happens when children become ill, or have an injury, etc.? Home teachers come in for three to five hours a week. It has been found that this is perfectly sufficient. These children don’t fall behind. No child needs, or should stand, six hours of teaching a day, even if a parent were of a mind to give it. It would drive them up the wall!” (2)
Can I use your services as a supplement to a traditional school?
Absolutely. Many families come to The Jubilee Academy because of its rich Biblically based curriculum to supplement their child’s non-Christian education. Many parents use the curriculum to help their child with subjects they are struggling with. This is a much more cost effective solution than private tutoring which can run up to $50.00 per hour in many places.
Don’t I need a college degree in education to homeschool?
John Holt says, “The most exclusive, selective, demanding private schools in this country do not hire people who have education degrees. If you look through their faculties - degrees in history, mathematics, English, French, whatever - you will not see degrees in education.” (3)
Can I get other homeschoolers together and start our own virtual academy using your curriculum and learning system?
Of course! Homeschool coops and support groups around the country are gathering together and using the services offered at Learning By Grace, Inc. to educate their children. Some are organized as cooperatives where one parent supervises the group of children while the other parents are free. For example, with 10 children, each parent rotates their supervisory duty once every 10 school days. Some parents pool their resources and hire a supervisor. It is much more cost effective for some parents to work outside the home working in their profession and then pay a qualified and dedicated person to be with the children for those hours. Mimi Rothschild says “Homeschooling does not mean the mom has to do it all anymore!”<br>
How will my child obtain a high school diploma?
The Morningstar Academy was created just for the purpose of enabling qualified high school students who meet state requirements to receive their high school diplomas. Morningstar provides credits for homeschooling work done in high school and also transfers credits from public and private schools. Our evaluators will review your courses and provide appropriate high school credits accordingly. Now, homeschoolers can have all of the benefits of both worlds - an accredited curriculum with a registered private school and a diploma with the safety and nurturing environment of their own home.
Parents possess the deepest love and commitment to their children. Parents know their children better than anyone else. Parents have a lifetime investment in their children. Parents have also been given the responsibility for their children before God, who commands parents to teach their children His Word, the most important thing they will learn (Deut. 6:6,7) and to train them in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it.
However, as true as these statements are, it does not necessarily mean that the parent is the best or only one who can teach them. Wise parents will seek out the best teachers and the best situations from which their children will learn. Not all parents are called to teach their children everything themselves, anymore than all of us have cows in our backyard to provide our children with milk.
Can I begin homeschooling anytime during the school year?
Yes, of course! Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and you can begin homeschooling at any time. Many families choose to begin homeschooling at the beginning of the year, however mid-year enrollments are also very popular due to problems at the school, kids falling behind, or illnesses. If you are considering taking your child out of public or private school, please follow the laws and requirements of your state. Students are welcome to enroll in the Learning By Grace, Inc. academies 365 days a year.
What if my child refuses to do the work?
Some children, particularly those who have been turned off from learning through the unpleasant circumstances often foisted upon them in a traditional school, are more difficult to teach. However, if a student is interested in the online content, learning becomes something they seek and devour, instead of being forced to do. Also, it is always important to include your child's doctor as a resource in determining the best way to educate.
What about socialization?
John Taylor Gatto, who was the New York State Teacher of the Year in 1991, explains that, "It is absurd, and anti-life, to... sit in confinement with people of exactly the same age and social class. That system effectively cuts you off from the immense diversity of life." (1)
There are many ways in which families can include socialization as a part of their students’ educational experience. Among the popular options are participating in sports clubs and lessons, music classes, dance classes and drama programs. Many of these activities are also inclusive of a variety of age groups and thus promote an opportunity for homeschoolers to interact with children and adults of all ages.
How do I prevent burn out?
Having your children home all day, every day can be challenging. Families find the most success when they are able to delegate some of the multitude of tasks they face to others. With a support system like that which is available at Learning By Grace, Inc., families find that the daily burdens are significantly relieved. We offer an automatic attendance keeping feature, and an online grade book and transcripts that can be printed out whenever you want. Our daily assignment log helps everyone plan ahead so that every student succeeds. You make the choices we provide the tools. Burn out is simply much less likely! Trying to do it all is the fastest route to burn out. Knowing how to leverage outside resources to support your efforts is the best way to ensure that you can sustain a homeschool commitment.
Because the founders of our online programs have homeschooled first hand for close to two decades, they were uniquely qualified to build a learning system that really meets homeschoolers' needs. “We started out with the idea of designing a program that allows parents to do what only parents can do and leave the rest to technology,” says Mimi Rothschild, one of Learning By Grace’s founders. “We’re real folks who were right there in the trenches trying to find a way to successfully live and educate our own. Because we were there, we know what a homeschooler needs to succeed. And we give it to you.”<br>
How do I teach 6 hours a day?
John Holt has an excellent response to this question which he shared in an interview with Marlene Bumgarner for her bimonthly magazine Mothering. “One question which often comes up is "How am I going to teach my kids six hours a day?" And I respond to that by saying, "Who’s teaching your kids six hours a day now?" I was a good student in supposedly the best schools and it was a rare day that I got five minutes of teaching... that’s five minutes of somebody’s serious attention to my personal needs, interests, concerns, difficulties, problems. What happens when children become ill, or have an injury, etc.? Home teachers come in for three to five hours a week. It has been found that this is perfectly sufficient. These children don’t fall behind. No child needs, or should stand, six hours of teaching a day, even if a parent were of a mind to give it. It would drive them up the wall!” (2)
Can I use your services as a supplement to a traditional school?
Absolutely. Many families come to The Jubilee Academy because of its rich Biblically based curriculum to supplement their child’s non-Christian education. Many parents use the curriculum to help their child with subjects they are struggling with. This is a much more cost effective solution than private tutoring which can run up to $50.00 per hour in many places.
Don’t I need a college degree in education to homeschool?
John Holt says, “The most exclusive, selective, demanding private schools in this country do not hire people who have education degrees. If you look through their faculties - degrees in history, mathematics, English, French, whatever - you will not see degrees in education.” (3)
Can I get other homeschoolers together and start our own virtual academy using your curriculum and learning system?
Of course! Homeschool coops and support groups around the country are gathering together and using the services offered at Learning By Grace, Inc. to educate their children. Some are organized as cooperatives where one parent supervises the group of children while the other parents are free. For example, with 10 children, each parent rotates their supervisory duty once every 10 school days. Some parents pool their resources and hire a supervisor. It is much more cost effective for some parents to work outside the home working in their profession and then pay a qualified and dedicated person to be with the children for those hours. Mimi Rothschild says “Homeschooling does not mean the mom has to do it all anymore!”<br>
How will my child obtain a high school diploma?
The Morningstar Academy was created just for the purpose of enabling qualified high school students who meet state requirements to receive their high school diplomas. Morningstar provides credits for homeschooling work done in high school and also transfers credits from public and private schools. Our evaluators will review your courses and provide appropriate high school credits accordingly. Now, homeschoolers can have all of the benefits of both worlds - an accredited curriculum with a registered private school and a diploma with the safety and nurturing environment of their own home.