| When we talk about being prepared for | | | | In being prepared for homeschooling it is vital to |
| homeschooling we mean understanding the basic | | | | understand that the parent/teacher does not |
| principles and the general framework that a | | | | have to know or understand everything ahead of |
| parent will build upon. You cannot read or write, | | | | time. It is acceptable to learn even as your child |
| nor can any other learning be undertaken without | | | | learns, and especially as they enter the high school |
| first learning the basics, or the alphabet of the | | | | years. A parent does need a good grasp on the |
| language being spoken. It is the same with | | | | fundamentals in subjects such as reading, writing |
| homeschooling. Here we will try to cover a few | | | | and math. However, the highest need in preparing |
| of the main concepts needed in order to start a | | | | to teach is being determined to be a good |
| homeschool that will be overflowing with rich | | | | student yourself; a learner constantly open to |
| benefits for all involved. | | | | gaining knowledge and understanding and growth |
| We have chosen three important areas of | | | | in every area of your own life. |
| preparing to homeschool: what we want to | | | | It is also important to do your research on what |
| accomplish most by homeschooling, how we can | | | | is available and what will be most effective and |
| best prepare as teachers, and how to conduct | | | | fitting for your children's particular needs and your |
| your homeschool. | | | | family as a whole. A willingness to invest |
| What Do I Most Want To Accomplish? | | | | whatever time and energy necessary for |
| This is the first and most basic issue that you will | | | | everyone's good is paramount. |
| need to establish before you begin to homeschool. | | | | Most states do not require parents to be certified |
| If you are unclear in your mind as to exactly why | | | | teachers in order to homeschool their child. Many |
| you are preparing to remove your child (or not | | | | parents have what it takes to guide their child |
| enroll them) in public school, then you will struggle | | | | through the schooling process but do not have |
| to give a competent answer to the local school | | | | degrees in education. Parenting is a God given |
| board, to select the most beneficial curriculum, to | | | | responsibility, which parents can grow and |
| stay focused and motivated, etc. | | | | improve in, but which does not require |
| Your answer to what you want most to | | | | certification. So do not be intimidated by your |
| accomplish could be any one of many reasons | | | | own lack of credentials if that is the case. Humility |
| people have, such as teaching curriculum that is | | | | on your part and teamwork between you and |
| more acceptable to your values; being able to | | | | your children, is most important in making |
| instill your religious beliefs as your children learn; | | | | schooling easier, more enjoyable and successful. |
| saving your child from the trauma of separation | | | | Note: There are those who will say that an air of |
| from the family until they are ready; keeping | | | | authority should be maintained by the parent, |
| them from negative peer influence till they are old | | | | however it has been observed repeatedly that it |
| enough to stand strong; avoiding the unsafe | | | | is better to achieve an air or environment of |
| conditions that have developed in many public | | | | cooperation and an "understanding" of authority. |
| schools, and many others. | | | | This prevents undue stress and deepens relational |
| You will probably have no difficulty zeroing in on | | | | bonds. |
| the highest priority for your family, and may even | | | | How Will I Conduct My Homeschool? |
| have several reasons of equal importance. It will | | | | This question brings home the wonderful |
| be helpful for you to write down your intentions | | | | awareness that every aspect and direction you |
| and desires regarding what you want to | | | | take in setting up your homeschool, is purely your |
| accomplish most, and then spend the time needed | | | | choice. Nothing must be done as it has been done |
| to thoughtfully consider what you can do to | | | | before. Once you have determined what is |
| implement these. | | | | available to you, you can set up a 3 day schedule |
| For example, if one of your main desires is to | | | | with 9 to 5 hours; a 5 day schedule with half |
| incorporate Christian values into your daily lesson | | | | days; you can choose to school in the back yard, |
| plans you can accomplish that in one of several | | | | at the kitchen table or in a schoolroom; you can |
| different ways. The easiest would be to purchase | | | | follow an exact curriculum you have purchased, or |
| one of the many available curriculums already | | | | map out your own lessons from day to day. |
| designed for Christian families and complete with | | | | Creativity can be unlimited and your imagination |
| everything you will need to teach your child. That | | | | can be utilized to great advantage. Therefore the |
| includes workbooks, teachers manual, and activity | | | | answer as to how you will conduct your |
| planners and in some cases even materials for | | | | homeschooling, is to conduct it in any way you |
| projects. | | | | believe (based on your study) will achieve the two |
| Another option would be to formulate your own | | | | ends of: academic success and emotionally |
| lesson plans so that the subjects include elements | | | | spiritually healthy children. This power of choice is |
| of your beliefs. You can start from scratch and | | | | is one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling. |
| use Bible stories or christian literature to teach | | | | There are of course many other areas we could |
| English, reading, spelling and so forth. You can | | | | list in being prepared for homeschooling, as well as |
| create math problems and choose history lessons | | | | more detail to the aspects of those we covered. |
| which have a focus on character and moral value. | | | | As in every area of homeschooling it would be |
| Or you can choose an inexpensive and basic | | | | wise, motivating and beneficial to regularly go on |
| curriculum and combine that with your own ideas | | | | quests for more practical and specific information |
| to build a faith based plan for the school year. | | | | regarding how to improve your homeschool. |
| How Can I Best Prepare To Teach My Child? | | | | |