Homeschooling...another year

Well we begin another year in homeschooling at my house. My children are in 4th and 7th grades....just this week I will have a teenager in the house! I am a licensed public school teacher with a Master's Degree in Education but after my son left kindergarten feeling he wouldn't do anything in school I knew it was time to do something.

Who is qualified to teach?

I pulled both of my children out of the public school because the principal refused to change my son's teacher. It was a power play on her part but in doing so the school lost several thousand dollars in funding.

I have talked to a lot of parents about my choice to homeschool and whether it will work for them or not. The one comment I always get is.....well you are a teacher so of course you can do it. And my response is always.....actually being a school teacher works against me. Any parent can homeschool.

What curriculum should I use?

Well this question has many parts to it just besides choosing a curriculum. Fortunately for parents there are 100's of curriculums available to use for homeschooling. And depending on which state you live in you might even have the option of public school at home.

The first consideration in choosing a curriculum is always the student. How do they learn best? What are their strengths and weaknesses? All of those are things you already know about your child. How do they spend their free time? How do they choose to learn about a fun subject? You know your child.....go with your gut!

Another consideration is what are you comfortable with in a curriculum? Do you need it all laid out for you telling you exactly what to do everyday? Do you want flexibility in built in? Do you want it all on the computer? These are all options you have today.

MOST IMPORTANT!

Finally....and most importantly.....you need to always know that you working with your child one on one will always result in a better education than in a classroom with 30 students. Keep the faith and hang in there. Find other homeschooling parents and share your concerns and frustrations. The longer you do it the more confident you will feel. DON'T GIVE UP!!