This is taken from an email I sent to my sister in law who is thinking about homeschooling.
Homeschooling is the best thing we have ever done for our family. It has changed all of us for good. My children get along better, they love and serve each other more. They respect John and I more. Our home, while messier and busier has a measure of peace I did not know existed. The main thing I have noticed different is that the scriptures have opened up to us and we have received a greater portion of the Holy Ghost. That alone was worth the change, but I had no idea that would accompanying it. I have talked to one other member of the Church who said her family had the same change when they took up homeschooling seriously. My only regret is that I did not learn this sooner.
As far as curriculum goes, I would suggest starting with what you know and feel comfortable with. For us that meant buying text books and workbooks and starting out like it was pretty much public school at home. We didn't have enough money to buy some of the neat fancy curriculum choices that are out there, so I started out by buying the scholastic workbooks for the younger kids and using our old college text books for the older kids. Eventually I bought text books that they use in public schools.
As I have felt comfortable doing so, I have switched things around making our homeschool look less and less like public school. Right now I am actually having all of our good readers spend 1 hour a day reading and acting out Shakespeare, 2 hours studying and then being tested on a topic I provide for them, 1 hour on math, 1 hour on foreign language and listening to me read a fun book for a half hour.
For the kids who are not good readers, we spend about 3 hours on reading and reading skills with a little math thrown in and that is about all.
For that 2 hour study time, I rotate topics. I was having them divide that time between reading, grammar, writing, science, and history, just like the public schools. But, after two years, I felt like they really weren't learning anything. I realized that they needed to learn how to learn. So instead of having them do a little bit of time on each topic each day, I began having them focus on one topic for two hours a day until they have it down and I know they understand it. I am happier with how things are going now. I feel like they are finally learning and thinking. It's hard for them, but they are even surprised at how well they remember things.
Right now I am having them memorize the scriptures in JSH about the First Vision. I am hoping that this will not only help them develop their memory and learning skills, but imprint this story on their hearts. Before, the scripture memorizing, they were learning about chemical bonds and chemical compounds. This morning, we watched a video about electricity and they understood about the exchange and rearrangement of electrons. Next, I will have them study world war 2 until I am satisfied that they have a sound understanding of that, and then continue to rotate through the topics.
Additionally, they are supposed to write one essay or story each week on their own time for our story club, and I bribe them with junk food for every chapter book they read. I am satisfied with how things are going with our homeschool, but will continue to look for ways to improve it.
As I have felt comfortable doing so, I have switched things around making our homeschool look less and less like public school. Right now I am actually having all of our good readers spend 1 hour a day reading and acting out Shakespeare, 2 hours studying and then being tested on a topic I provide for them, 1 hour on math, 1 hour on foreign language and listening to me read a fun book for a half hour.
For the kids who are not good readers, we spend about 3 hours on reading and reading skills with a little math thrown in and that is about all.
For that 2 hour study time, I rotate topics. I was having them divide that time between reading, grammar, writing, science, and history, just like the public schools. But, after two years, I felt like they really weren't learning anything. I realized that they needed to learn how to learn. So instead of having them do a little bit of time on each topic each day, I began having them focus on one topic for two hours a day until they have it down and I know they understand it. I am happier with how things are going now. I feel like they are finally learning and thinking. It's hard for them, but they are even surprised at how well they remember things.
Right now I am having them memorize the scriptures in JSH about the First Vision. I am hoping that this will not only help them develop their memory and learning skills, but imprint this story on their hearts. Before, the scripture memorizing, they were learning about chemical bonds and chemical compounds. This morning, we watched a video about electricity and they understood about the exchange and rearrangement of electrons. Next, I will have them study world war 2 until I am satisfied that they have a sound understanding of that, and then continue to rotate through the topics.
Additionally, they are supposed to write one essay or story each week on their own time for our story club, and I bribe them with junk food for every chapter book they read. I am satisfied with how things are going with our homeschool, but will continue to look for ways to improve it.
2 comments:
I really loved reading about your homeschool experiences. I feel like you have a really good homeschool program. My one daughter does this and I know she feels like you about the benefits.
Continued blessings and hugs!
I read this after your post about homeschooling... I love that you guys are enjoying it, even with the hard days. In my experience, Satan really tempts or tries to impede good things right before something even better happens.
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