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Home school article 1: Why teach them at home?

We never really planned to home school our children. My husband attended White County schools for most of his school career and I graduated from Habersham Central. We both received adequate educations and went on to attend college. The reason I mention this is because as I encounter people a lot of them will ask, “did you have bad experiences in school?” I am not anti-public school. Lots of people are surprised to hear I am actually glad they have public schools so that people have a choice of how to educate their children. Another question I frequently hear is “what about the social experiences your child is missing?” To be honest I don’t think they are missing anything at all. Over the years my children have participated in soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, home school group field trips, boy and girl scouts, church, children’s choir, music lessons, educational classes, home school science fairs, living history workshops, art contests, and countless other activities. Because of our flexible schedules we have been able to travel all over the United States and into Canada providing lots of wonderful experiences to enrich our children’s lives.
I feel blessed to live in a country where I can, as a parent choose the education that is best for my children. We love spending time as a family. We love the freedom to choose the educational materials we feel will strengthen and help our children grow and enjoy lifelong learning. I have run into a handful of people, over the years, that do not “believe” in home schooling. It makes me sad that they want to take away my rights. I am glad this country was founded by many home schooled men that felt freedom was important enough to fight for.
It might surprise you to read over the names of home taught people, names like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightingale, “Stonewall” Jackson, Claude Monet, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, John Rutledge, Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin. Home school students today are adding to that list by winning contests, competitions and having major accomplishments in many areas. Many colleges are now recruiting home taught students because overall they tend to be self motivated, have many leadership skills and are excited about learning.
If you watch the news often I do not think you’d have much hope in the future but being part of the home school community I see so many bright young people that have good values and want to make the world a better place. I want to share this hope and give you all some understanding of the place home schooling should have in our country. I hope you will take time to write in with questions, stories and events that might be of interest to the one hundred ten families currently teaching their two hundred and twenty five students in White County.

Home school article 2: Enjoy the simple things........
April 10, 2007

One of the daily activities we have in our home school lessons is group reading time. We have several books that we read a chapter or two from each day. We are currently reading “Farmer Boy” from the Little House on the Prairie series. I am amazed at the joy the children get from this special group reading time. They have been enjoying the adventures of 9 year old Almanzo and his life on the farm. Today, we read about the week that his Mother and Father went out of town to visit an uncle. Almonzo and his siblings were left to take care of the house, the fields and all the animals. This story brought about a lively discussion as to what my children would do if they were left unattended for a week. Just like Almonzo they said they would eat ice cream and play and go to the river and swim. They also admitted they would watch movies, play games and probably have to hurry and clean up before mom and dad got home. It was interesting to compare the children from generations ago to my children wishing they could be on their own for awhile. I am always amazed that although generations have come and gone and life is so different with all the technology available to us today that people are basically the same. We all need and want love, we believe good will win over evil, we hope for the future and we try to make the world a better place.
Summer is headed our way and wether we home school or not we can take advantage of this time with our children or grandchildren. Turn off the television and video games and look for the simple pleasures of life. Plant a garden, take a walk, read together or go pick berries. Spending time together creating memories doesn’t take technology or lots of money. I am looking forward to stepping back in time as we go out to plant the small vegetables that have been on my kitchen counter for weeks. As we garden will enjoy feeling the moist earth between our toes and the sunshine on our backs ... just like Almonzo on his farm so long ago.

Article 3
What I learned.........

Today, we had science at Unicoi Park in Helen. It is so beautiful and peaceful there. We had arranged for park rangers to teach us two different classes. The first class was a lecture on birds of prey. They actually have a small falcon that was injured. We were able to learn about falcons, hawks, eagles, owls and other birds of prey. I never knew that owls can turn their heads 270 degrees. We looked at owl pellets. The ranger discussed the habits and threats to these amazing animals. It was all very educational and fascinating.
Next, the group went outside to learn about orienteering (map and compass use). The second ranger gave us explanations about topographical maps, directions, map keys, magnetic north and compass use. We were instructed step by step and figured out how to use these important tools.
I am constantly amazed at the local resources we have in the Northeast Georgia area. There are so many businesses, parks and people that are willing to teach, share and instruct if we just ask. It is a joy to be a home school family in this community. I am often impressed by the friendliness and warm reception of the field trip hosts. I would encourage home school families to look around and find new places to tour and learn about. We are blessed with an abundance of nature, neat businesses and good neighbors. Hopefully, these people in our community realize we are trying to give our children a well rounded education and a variety of experiences. I am sure many of them also realize the financial, social and personal sacrifices home school families make to educate their children.
So good luck and happy field trip hunting!

article 4
Should I teach them at home????
5/16/07

As the school year is winding down many parents are already contemplating the next school year. I know this because my phone is already ringing off the hook. I guess I am one of the unofficial home school contacts for the Northeast Georgia area and many people call me for information. The questions range from “do you think I should try to home school?” to “what curriculum should I use?”
First, I’d like to discuss the positives of teaching your children at home. Time is a major reason to keep your child home. You have time to bond as a family, time to travel, time to learn and time to enjoy each other. Our friends that school traditionally always complain about rushing here and there and never having enough time to parent. As a home schooling family you will have more influence over your child because of the time you have together.
Another positive you will encounter is that your child can progress at his/her own speed and focus more on their interests. For example, your son loves hiking and mountains so you read about famous mountain climbers for reading. Science this year can be about mountain formations, weather differences, nutrition and the food pyramid, muscles and body systems that help us climb. PE will include hiking. Your son will work on his handwriting by writing out plans for a family hike and a report after the trip or keeping a hiking journal. He will look up mountains and explorers on the computer giving him experience on the computer and learning more about hiking at the same time. During math you will apply math principals to climbing, distances and your child will appreciate the knowledge as it “makes sense and is applicable”. You can really take advantage of the natural interests your child has and work them into your schooling. Of course, all children need a well rounded education (you wouldn’t feed them all cookies just because they are his favorite) so as parents we make sure there is balance but we can make learning fun and more “hands on” at home.
Many of the questions are about what materials to teach from. There is no reason to spend a fortune on materials but it can be hard to pick and choose from the oceans of materials available. Start out slow and talk to other home schooling families. I have not found a magical program that works for every child but you know your child better than anyone else....... consider their learning needs. Look for the special “keys” to open learning doors for your child. One of my children is very hands on and was only able to learn the alphabet when we began learning sign language. It was amazing to watch her learn it so quickly when we found the right key to open that learning door. I am constantly amazed at the differences in learning styles (even between my own six children) and I’m glad that they have time to explore and enjoy their education.
Now a warning to all considering keeping your children home next year. Your children will be with you a lot! It is nice to have extended family support but you can home school w/o it. My mom even helps me teach one day each week. Over the years she has taught history, math, sewing, handwriting, cooking and many other great classes. There are home school support and field trip groups available so look for them. You do have to fill out intent and monthly attendance reports. Home schooling takes organization, lots of patience, lots of dedication and tons of love. You will be rewarded by seeing your children grow and learn. Learning should be a lifelong journey that we enjoy (it should not end at graduation). I guess the only way to know if you can home school is to give it a shot. If you try it give 100% and make it a real priority. You might have to turn off the phone and throw out your television for awhile ....... do whatever it takes ........it is worth it!

Article 5
Free time to grow and learn......

The other day my 12 year old daughter surprised me!
(And having 6 children it takes a lot to surprise me!)
We were outside doing some chores and she ask if she could tag all the animal pens with a number so she could keep track of the animals and their information. I didn’t see any harm and told her that it would be fine. Later in the day (after chores and schoolwork) she used her free time to create a tag for each pen and then she took them out and also carried a notebook to write down her notes. I observed her for quite a while as she sat in the grass, dressed in her khaki shorts and striped shirt and her brown hair pulled back held by two chopsticks, making her observations. Then a bit later, I noticed she had come inside and gotten a ruler to make some graphs and charts with information pertaining to the various pets that reside in our yard.
I was surprised that she had come up with a science project all on her own. She decided to track the eating habits of all the animals, keep a record of the garden produce and also keep a graph showing the egg production of our hens.
I am convinced that children NEED free time to explore and learn. Children must have time to get dirty, to fish, to dig, to build, create and climb. I believe that if they are given this time they will be well rounded, better educated and much happier. I have been pleasantly surprised with what my children will do in their free time and days off. There must be balance in the structured time for our kids. I have been guilty of wearing them out running to sports, music, lessons, and cramming their little heads full of information. Now, I’m not telling you to burn the school books any more than I’m saying to feed them all cookies but, I have come to realize that sometimes all the school work and lessons that fill our children’s day might not be as good for them as a little dirt and sunshine!