Cynthia, Author at A Home for Homeschoolers

About Cynthia

Posts by Cynthia Livesay:

Traditional vs Homeschooling – Which is Better?

Very simply, one can compare homeschooling methods by using the National Center for Education Statistics traffic data. Despite the numbers, I prefer looking at the standard type of homeschooling methods because they have been standardized by the national center.

Homeschooling is defined as the process by which children, usually at the age of five or six, are given a systematic introduction, instruction, and practice in basic skills of learning and knowledge, reading, language, culture, and nature.

The role of the teacher in the homeschooling process is that of a guide, mentor, and resource. The teacher’s primary responsibility is to provide the student with “hands-on” knowledge and to guide and facilitate the learner’s progress through the process of discovery and application.

Typically, in traditional learning, the process of discovery in learning involves:

Discovery of information and cause and effect,
Choice of course of action, and
Assimilation and application of skills and knowledge.

In the homeschool method, the child’s basic need is to be discovered. The child must receive a basic structure and instruction. The child’s mode of learning is direct instruction. The child’s basic desire is to be instructed and has received direct instruction.

One difference between traditional and homeschool teaching is the level of internal motivation. In traditional teaching, the child may accept an assignment simply because it is what he or she believes the teacher will expect the child to do. Homeschool, on the other hand, gives more weight to the child’s internal drives: desire, interests, dreams, and so forth.

Additionally, traditional teachers were trained to be able to design and implement a curriculum that would best suit each and every child. They would create a daily lesson plan that the child could follow and would be evaluated by his peers. Parents and teachers, then, have more control over what happens to the child.

One example of a traditional lesson plan is the attendance lesson. The attendance lesson is a reading lesson followed by a writing lesson. The idea is to have the child apply what he or she has learned from the previous day’s reading lesson to the text of the writing lesson.

A home school curriculum would have many of its activities and elements planned into the lesson plans already. The home school teacher has more control over how the child is taught and what he or she is learning during the lesson is more of a personal choice and style of teaching.

Needed to make the choice of teaching at home success is the discipline of the parents. It is important to establish early ways for the child to succeed in the learning process. The discipline should be consistent and easy for the child to understand. Adhering to a plan helps the child to make steady progress through the learning process and doesn’t let him or her panic when he or she has a problem.

The homeschool learning process and the day-to-day homeschool schedule are a big change from the traditional teaching methods. The homeschooling schedule is far different from the traditional school schedule. And that’s a good thing! Under the traditional teaching method, the child would be forced to attend 90% of school days or more. The child would forget he or she is even in a classroom. With the use of homeschool methods, the child can learn from the first day he or she sets foot in the classroom.

The use of audio, as well as visual materials, aids many children to learn better. Visual activities make learning fun for children. And learning is the main priority even if it is just through the visual and audio learning materials. The child can easily focus on the main things and learn them visually.

Teaching is a very rewarding and satisfying job. And, as the children learn and grow the quality of the learning process is absolutely amazing. But not all children learn at the same rate or with the same Kind of learning skill.

The different learning styles of the children are a critical component in the long run of a child’s success. Every child has different learning styles and each of these children brings different strengths and weaknesses to the learning process. If you follow the eight types of learning (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, quotation, systematic) you will find that each child brings different strengths and weaknesses to the learning process as well.

So, to succeed with any type of education you have to take advantage of all the different learning techniques and bring your child to a place of success. You need to make sure your child is stress-free and quite organized. The most important thing to do is take your child to a feed consisting of mental, emotional, and physical exercises.

If you continue to give good education to your child he or she will be able to attain maximum learning and maximum satisfaction.

You Can Use Standardized Methods In Homeschooling Your Kids

There are many homeschooling methods and many families have many methods that they settle on. I would consider some of the homeschooling methods and parents’ groups ”organized chaos” because the systems and methods are complex and change constantly.

Homeschooling is very repetitive. As a child, I liked to complete one lesson and then move on to the next, and then the next, and then the next. That is one purpose of homeschooling — to get to know the curriculum and the way it should be done. And as I got older, I began to realize that standardized tests destroy creativity. They don’t have to be as complicated as they are.

For example, I remember when I was doing my first year of teaching. The U.S. History/Social Studies curriculum was standard, with a lot of fine print. I and my fellow students were very frustrated because we knew that the writing was weak. The standards were damaging and unrealistic. When I complained, I was told that someone else would take over the class and it would be turned back to text but someone else would have to come in to teach for the next round. Yes, someone else would have to participate in the devastation that this process was causing to the students.

Today, I see the disaster that is happening to many of our inner-city kids. They have no identity and they don’t know who their friends are. If you tell a young person that they will be turned into a stereotype, they take it as a given. And that is a very dangerous thing for society. When we continue to teach that all people are the same, then we increase the divisions and struggles for each of our students.

Most students who exit school do not know their audience. They don’t know who their parents are. They don’t know where they stand. The parents that look up to them the most, hate them. The worst thing to do is put them in front of a standardized test and talk to them like they are five-year-olds.

We need to stop teaching to the test and teach to the 21st century. Why? We are losing our kids. We are failing to prepare them for the real world. If we produce children who are unprepared for the future then no matter how high the economy is, we will be in a downward spiral of failure.

Production is a way to teach kids to think creatively and adapt to life’s challenges and challenges. Since 1950, statistics have shown that roughly one in seven Americans of the school-age population has not completed high school. The numbers are way up in both urban and rural areas.

This is a travesty and everybody knows it. Yet, we continue to turn our backs on the potential of this massive reservoir of future knowledge. If we can’t teach to the test, then how can we teach the test?

“A full commitment to the goals of literacy must be a primary object of social and government policy.” Dr. Samuel Blumenfeld, author of Getting More Out of Schools.

This was a primary goal of the National Reading Panel: to encourage and guide the school community in the process of increasing the literacy levels and young adults. It is unfortunate that government support for literacy has waned to the point where only one-fifth of our students graduate with the literacy skill of Albert Einstein.

The panel recommends that the government and the private sector support efforts to build the capacity of literacy and writing. Educators must:

Provide daily opportunities for reading whether it is in books, magazines, or newspapers.
Rouse the deepest curiosity about reading.
Create situations that will stimulate the most curious questions about the reading.
Bring every subject or facet of reading into every one of their curriculum and lesson plans
Extend curriculum and lesson plans to the full spectrum of subject matter.
Refuse to ration literacy as a commodity
Attack at the roots.
Demand for standards and accountability of literacy instruction.
Links education to career and workforce.
Call for a reversal of the system of “Detroit schooling”.
Demand for the protection of literacy as a democratic right.
Support parents’ right to choose.
Offer every citizen the chance to receive a high-quality education.
Provide healthcare, including dental and medical services.
Improve the quality of life of our communities by reducing crime.
And encourage adolescents to achieve their dreams and democratic rights and responsibilities.

Homeschooling Advantage and Disadvantages

Many people wonder, “What’s the Homeschooling Advantage and Disadvantages?” In homeschooling, a parent can spend quality time with their child and still have a career. There are many reasons to choose to homeschool. One of the most popular reasons is the opportunity to get a quality education. There is never a lack of learning opportunities, but some states require a student to be in public school.

Another advantage of homeschooling is that you can provide your child with private education. Sometimes this means that you have to move, which can make some parents very uncomfortable. However, if you are considering homeschooling, here are some of the homeschooling disadvantages that you may face.

The first disadvantage of homeschooling is that you may not have the same exposure that your local public school offers. Since you homeschool your child, you will not be able to take your child to the local schools. Instead, you may have to move to another area or attend your local churches and community centers. This is one disadvantage because homeschooling families often like to spread out. If you are a homeschooling mom, for example, you may need to get your child enrolled at two or more different schools. That is another disadvantage.

Another disadvantage of homeschooling is the amount of money it costs to homeschool. Most parents do not have much money to start a home school. Homeschooling is quite expensive and can cost several thousand dollars. Depending on your skill level, it may not be possible to earn a living from homeschooling.

Another disadvantage of homeschooling is that you may not get a good fit with your child. It is difficult to parent a child who is homeschooled. You cannot be there for your child when they have trouble, are ill, or do not seem to get along with you. There is just no local support system for homeschooled children. This can be quite an emotional drain on a parent.

Some homeschooling families also choose to go public rather than private. There are advantages to both. Public schools often have a large amount of support and staff who are familiar with your child and their needs. Private schools have less peer pressure and fewer students who have learning difficulties. In addition, if your child gets sick, there are medical professionals who can provide care.

A very important consideration for you and your child is, what school you would prefer to attend. If this is a decision that you are making for your own sake, then it is best to check local school districts to find out what the average class size is, the percentage of minority students in the classroom, the average test scores, and other statistics. Homeschooled students are more likely to end up in a mainstream educational environment if they are educated in the same setting as their peers. However, if you are looking for the additional benefit of a well-rounded education, then it may be best to home school your child.

As with anything, there are both homeschooling advantages and disadvantages. One decision that you must make is if you would like to educate your child at home, or in a public or private school setting. Many parents feel that homeschooling is the only way to provide an education for their children. Be sure to research the facts and consider all options before making your final decision.

It may also be a good idea to look into the history of homeschooling. There are both pros and cons associated with the method. You will need to research all of the pros and cons. Homeschooling is not for everyone, but it can be the best choice for some children. It does not have to mean a lack of education for your child; it can mean that the public school is not for your child.

There are many different curricula choices to choose from when homeschooling. You can choose classes based on age, interests, or even a certain type of subject. There are no limits to the learning, either, so your child can attend class not only when it is convenient for them, but also when they are available. This is a huge benefit to your children because they can have a more flexible schedule than their peers.

There are many other advantages and disadvantages to homeschooling, and you will want to do your research in order to make the best decision for your child. You should take into consideration their current situation, the time you have to devote to the lessons, and their goals for their future. If you do not know what these things are yet, then you might want to start homeschooling today by taking a short course or two and learning all about this great method of education. You will soon see the many benefits and why it is becoming so popular.

Tips on How to Homeschool and Socialize Properly

There are many homeschooling and socialization programs available for kids. Parents can find great programs that will help teach a child to be more socially interactive and to interact with peers in various settings. Some homeschooling and socialization classes concentrate on particular activities. Others concentrate on certain topics like foreign languages, math, science, reading, music, and other classes. Parents can also choose from regular school activities and volunteer work.

It is important for kids to learn about different people, cultures, and beliefs. Learning about these things when they are young helps them learn about the world when they get older. Most of the time, parents choose activities that their children will enjoy and that will give them a chance to learn about new things. Some parents like to incorporate activities into the curriculum so that the children learn about the activities. For instance, there could be a trip to the zoo or to the park.

Another option parents have is joining religious or community activities. These activities give children opportunities to meet new friends. When the parents join in these activities, it gives them an opportunity to practice their religion or community without having to participate in the activities themselves. In addition, the activities give parents and children a chance to learn about another culture.

Homeschooling and socialization do not always go hand in hand. It can be difficult for parents to find the time to homeschool their children because they have other responsibilities. Many parents also find that they do not know how to homeschooling and socialize properly. There are many tips for parents to learn how to effectively homeschool their child and to homeschool and socialize with other children effectively. Here are some tips for parents to use:

Set realistic goals. Before you start homeschooling and socializing, you need to set some goals. Write down what you want to accomplish for your child when he or she goes to school. Write down both good and bad habits you want to correct in your child. Also, write down what you expect your child to learn while he or she homeschooling and socializing.
Choose an appropriate homeschooling curriculum. To learn how to homeschool and socialize properly, you need to choose a curriculum based on what your child needs. If your child has special needs, look for a curriculum that addresses those needs. Also, if your child is concentrating on Math, choose a curriculum that addresses math so your child will learn how to apply mathematical concepts to his or her daily life. Look for other options if you cannot get a curriculum that addresses all of your child’s specific needs.
Be patient. Homeschooling and socialization can be very hard on children who are new to the process. Some children may also be embarrassed by their lack of prior experience. Keep in mind though that you, as the parent, are a very important part of your child’s learning. If you do not want to participate in homeschooling and socialization because you do not think your child will learn how to use his or her skills in appropriate ways, then you are doing your child a disservice by depriving him or her of learning.
Be consistent. One of the most effective tips on how to homeschool and socialize properly is to be consistent in your efforts. Homeschooling and socialization can be difficult tasks. It can be easy to get distracted. Be sure to get enough sleep, keep a schedule, and take care of any obligations you may have that could potentially get in the way of your homeschooling and socialization.

Quantity Versus Quality For Homeschoolers

Ever notice how “the good stuff” seems to be in smaller supply than the regular stuff? This seems to be a common lesson in life. There are a lot of ordinary days, but only an occasional great day. There are a lot of regular episodes of your favorite television show, but only a rare storyline that you actually remember the next week. Many, many good books are published, but only a few classics…

The quality things in life tend to be a bit harder to come by, don’t they? There’s a reason for that. The quality things take time to develop. They don’t just happen by chance. More often, we find “filler” in life. That happens in dog food, pasta dishes, plot lines in movies, junk mail in our mailboxes, and even in education. Homeschool families have the unique opportunity to focus on the “good stuff” in their homeschooling in order to break this pattern. The expression that comes to mind is that sometimes you have to sacrifice the good for the sake of the great!

Take for example a recent trip to my grocery store. I purchased my regular box of granola cereal, “Wild Oat” flavored, but I also saw a new flavor with nuts and berries added, so I bought one of those to try, too. When I got home and put them on the shelf, what I found was that the regular box was a 17-ounce box. The box with the extra goodies was 13.5 ounces. They were the same price. The regular box had some extra filler in it, but the good stuff was valued higher. Can you guess which flavor I like better? Or, guess which flavor I will go back to next time? The good one, of course!

Homeschool families need to look at this analogy for their homeschool program. Take the time to develop a quality program, based on the “good stuff” and not on filler. Focus on the core learning and academic foundations that will give your students a strong, competitive application for colleges. Focus on teaching-learning skills so that your students will be able to teach themselves anything and know how to process information. Too many homeschool families provide their children with meaningless exercises or workbooks that spoon-feed information rather than teaching children to think and analyze information on their own.

Homeschooling families have an obligation to provide educational substance in their programs. Math, Science, Literature, Grammar, and Social Sciences should be given prime attention in the development and skills training of your children. This can be done in engaging ways, but these core subjects must be given priority over those things that only fill up our lesson plans with numerous activities yet don’t add the same value. This will take your time and your energy. It is a demanding role. But, if you take this role very seriously, you can create a quality homeschool program that will be worth the higher value.

Like my cereal, imagine the future generations you can impact if your children grow up to have such strong foundations and solid skills that they want to return to that type of quality education for their families. Many things can be good to do, but not all things will be great. Go for the great in your homeschool program! Give your children that kind of value so that they can reap the benefits of a sound education for their future.

$spider-web-math$

Top 4 HomeSchool Math Games That Make Learning Fun

Playing games can be fun and math-friendly, and can help at any grade level to happily and painlessly hone math skills. Most classic, well-known games can easily be adapted for math practice. Buzz, Bingo, Tic-Tac-Toe, to name just a few, can be transformed into math skill-building versions. Have fun adapting some family favorites; here are a few to start with:

1-2-3 SPIDERWEB Grade 1 (counting, skip counting)

1) Wind bulky yarn (rainbow’s nice) or soft clothesline into a ball, tying a loop at the end.

2) Players (at least 5) sit cross-legged in a large circle with one of the players holding the ball.

3) That player starts by saying the first number, rolling the ball (while holding on to the looped end) to another player.

4) The yarn or rope is held by each player who then rolls the ball to the next player while saying the next number.

5) Play continues until the ball is unwound and a “spiderweb” pattern is formed.

6) The ball is then rewound as the last player rolls the ball to the next to the last player, following the pattern and either counting the same number sequence backward or starting a new sequence.

1-2-3 BUZZ Grades 1 and up (counting, skip counting, times tables)

1) Players sit in a circle and call out numbers in turn.

2) Start by counting numbers in order up to 100.

3) Move on to skip counting 2s, 5s, and 10s up to 100 by saying the word BUZZ in place of those numbers (for 2s: 1-BUZZ-3-BUZZ-5-BUZZ, for 5s: 1-2-3-4-BUZZ-6-7-8-9-BUZZ, etc.

4) Begin with the lower and progress to the higher times tables as they are learned, by saying BUZZ in place of those numbers.

5) Anyone who misses a number or a BUZZ is out, and the last player wins.

B-I-N-G-O Grades 2 and up (number recognition and ordering)

1) Use small squares of paper to write numbers 1-75 one on each square, with the following letters: 1-15/B, 16-30/I, 31-45/N, 46-60/G, 61-75/O.

2) Make a BINGO card for each of the players with 5 rows of 5 squares, with one of the letters in the word B-I-N-G-O written at the top of each column.

3) Each player chooses 5 random numbers from the groups for each letter, and writes them in the 5 spaces below that letter, in numerical order.

4) The center space (the 3rd one under N) is FREE.

5) Each player is given 25 markers (buttons, stones, glass gems).

6) The 75 numbered and lettered squares are placed in a bowl, and numbers are called, one by one.

7) The first player to spell BINGO, across, down, or diagonally, wins. Fill up all 25 spaces for an extra challenge!!

MAGIC SQUARE TIC-TAC-TOE Grades 3 and up (patterning and addition)

1) Draw 2 parallel vertical lines crossed by 2 parallel horizontal lines to create the classic 9-square Tic-Tac-Toe grid.

2) Assign the even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 to one player, and the odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 to the other.

3) The player with odds goes first, placing one of the odd numbers in any square.

4) The other player does the same with one of the even numbers.

5) The object is to construct a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row that adds up to 15.

6) The first player to do this wins or the game ends in a draw when all squares are filled.

Favorite card games are fun to transform and play with as well. Math can be exciting and interesting, and playing games is a great way to keep math skills sharp!

Homeschooling is an Alternative Method to Deliver Quality Education

You are what you are today because of how you were brought up in your family, the type of environment that you are living, and most especially from the education that you learned in school. Academic education is very important especially that it teaches us all about life. With the different subjects offered, you are able to learn a lot of things from varied aspects. The type of education that you have determines how you deal with other people, what job you will have someday, and how you will face your life in general.

Before you plan to choose a school for yourself or for your children, you cannot deny that you are more of the quality and the cost. Practically, if you cannot afford a private school, you would definitely opt for the public schools in your own locality. Looking for the school that you need is just like looking for stun guns. You check for the producer, the features, and the cost of the product. Since education is very important, you make sure that the school administration and the school have the necessary features which are cost-effective and delivers quality education.

However, when you are not satisfied with your local public schools, you can always prefer homeschooling. There are a lot of families today that selects homeschooling than letting children go to campuses for a lot of reasons. Safety, budget, type of subjects offered and quality are a few of the reasons why people decide to let their children study at home. Though it may not involve interaction with a lot of children, it is still as effective as letting your children go to school if you will follow the correct curriculum and you have the important resources available.

One advantage of homeschooling is that you can create your own curriculum based on the capacity of your child and based on the subjects that you wish your child to learn. If there is no subject in the public school that includes a lesson about your religion, then you can include it in your own curriculum at home. You can really monitor the progress of your child and the pace of his or her learning capacity. Aside from that, it is cheaper because your references can be located in a lot of resources.

There are a lot of resources for your homeschooling curriculum. You can borrow books from the library in your own community or you can ask for books already used by some schools in your locality. Moreover, you can buy your own books in your local store. It is also very easy to look for resources through the internet, just as easy as how you buy stun gun online. You just place your topic on the search engine and there you have it. Different topics will come to you as a list. In addition, videotapes and audio training can be a good source of education. You can make use of your own television for educational purposes.

Homeschooling is also an alternative method to deliver quality education aside from that in schools and colleges. But it must be done in the right way with the up to date curriculum used.

If You Are Trying To Find A Great Homeschool Curriculum You Are Not Alone

You’ve made the huge decision to homeschool your children. You are positive this is the right move for you and your children, but what should you do next? You may have never taught a lesson in your entire life and the thought of choosing a curriculum and writing lesson plans is mind-boggling and intimidating. Do not fret – millions of people have been in the same place before you and have paved the way for you with a host of resources to help you make your decision.

The very best homeschool curriculums come in a variety of styles and varieties and vary by subject. Spelling, math, social studies, science, health, foreign language, and even religion are popular subject areas with various curriculums available. Some curriculums are written and geared toward a Christian centered education while others are traditional non-religious based curriculums.

When reading reviews, you may consistently see the same programs ranked among the best homeschool curriculums. These are curriculums that have been around for a long time and are widely used by homeschooling teachers. There are so many options for curriculum with each subject area, it is impossible to rank them all in just one place. The best approach is to first decide on your child’s learning style and what objectives you want or need your child to master. Next, focus on those subject areas you wish to focus on and research these subjects and their associated curriculum. Your child may learn math differently than he or she learns science or writing, so you may need to cross-pollinate and introduce a few different curriculums and methodologies depending upon the subject matter.

Books are available on the homeschool curriculum reviews with various authors focusing and reporting on the many available homeschool curriculums. Often times these authors use consistent criteria to rank curriculums and present the data in easy to read charts, making it easy to compare and contrast competing curriculums. Core subjects such as mathematics, science, and history will have many more available homeschool curriculums than more specialized subjects such as economics, financial literacy, or government studies.

Depending upon your child’s learning style and interests, homeschooling curriculums provide the flexibility to make learning fun for YOUR child. For example, a 4th-grade curriculum helps students learn division and multiplication facts through audio repetition and songs. Everyone learns and retains information differently. That’s why the best homeschool curriculum is what will work best for YOUR child’s learning style. Some popular math curriculums incorporate everyday, practical exercises such as trips to the grocery store, to reinforce core mathematical concepts.

When selecting the best homeschool curriculum, be sure to first check any specific state criteria or curriculum that will be required for mandatory testing. You want to make sure your student is on par and equally prepared (or more prepared) than those in the public or private schools.

There certainly is no shortage of available information on all the best homeschool curriculums, but it can be overwhelming for the first time homeschool teachers. What works for one child may or may not work for yours, so look at specific ranking criteria rather than just popular opinion when evaluating the best homeschool curriculum options. Again, the best approach is to focus on a subject or two at a time and think about your child’s specific needs and learning style. Once you decide on a methodology for one subject, your research and knowledge will be easily transferable to other subject areas, and choosing a curriculum should become easier for you.

Secret Facts About Home Schooling

For home schooling to work and for children to get the type of learning they will need to successfully navigate the Earth, an array of options ought to be considered.

The Awful Side of Home Schooling

You may not visit a conventional school each day, but it’s still true that you should check in with friends and family about all that important kid stuff! however, it’s also one that can cause them lots of concerns. Other schools may concentrate on the arts, science and math, or internet learning. Most schools have a web site with contact details. In the event the school mentions that you need to do more to withdraw the kid, it’s ideal to not visit the school. As an example, my daughter’s school employs the Montessori method.

What Does Home Schooling Mean?

The students get a chance to look at various aspects involved with film making. Along with allowing enough time to be thorough and clear, you have to be helpful at explaining new things in order for your student will see what you mean. As part of the graduate program, students might be asked to take an exam inside their final semester in order to reach a passing grade.

Who Else Wants to Learn About Home Schooling?

Students have to be withdrawn before the outset of homeschool, and homeschooling should start whenever the student is withdrawn from school. Younger students that are attending college for the very first time could benefit from the conventional learning atmosphere.

Parents do not even need to let anyone know what they’re doing. They choose to homeschool their children for many different reasons. Whatever it’s that you opt to do, attempt to reach out to the parents in the start of the year to begin your working relationship off on the proper foot. however, it isn’t perfect either. Homeschool parents should make sure that their kids get the instruction and the experiences they require.

What a great way to delight in your children growing up. Even if he or she displays most or all of the above criteria, it is still not a given that they should absolutely start kindergarten. Getting in a position to put yourself in the area of somebody who has lost a kid, or other loved one, somebody who has lost a job, or whose marriage or other important relationship has failed, is a fantastic ability to get.

You and your children will be pleased you did. Children learn at their own pace provided that there is daily practice there’s nothing to be concerned about. They are learning all the time.

Even children have become obese and developing type two diabetes. By law, you’re required to supply your children with an education. If your children are in school and you’ll be bringing them home, deschooling is a significant consideration. It is very important to include your son or daughter in the adiscussiona and make them feel part of it.

What You Need to Do About Home Schooling Starting in the Next 7 Minutes

If homeschooling is something that you have thought about, here are a few things you might want to look at. Homeschooling is a huge choice, but it doesn’t need to be difficult or overwhelming to start. Homeschooling wasn’t always a success. Homeschooling is not something which needs to be taken lightly. Homeschooling is governed by the state as opposed to the federal government, which means you will want to look to the particular regulations in your state to discover what, if anything, you’ve got to do to be legally homeschooling.