Radical New Approach to Education

Great article. Very much like unschooling with a computer around: http://www.wired.com/business/2013/10/free-thinkers/

Homeschooling As A Single Parent

Recently I read on a message board on Facebook a question by a single mom desperately trying to figure out how to work and get all the subjects properly covered. Her son loves science, but she was feeling that science was taking up too much time and other subjects were suffering because of it.

These were some of my comments:

The love of learning is extremely important and the more you unschool - letting the child delve as deeply as possible into the topics they enjoy - really helps with that. Its not always easy and it often requires help.

I would enlist dad's help if possible in reading some science or suggesting they visit some science museums or something. Dads aren't always up for that type of thing.

Perhaps seeing if he could tag along some days at another homeschool house would also help.

We are heavy into media in my home. My son watches endless science documentaries on netflix, youtube, and other online locations.

I purchased a subscription to Educator.com. It is geared towards high school. I taught him how to use Evernote and open two windows. He watches a documentary in 1 window while taking notes in Evernote in the other. It accomplishes writing, typing, reading, science education, and a whole lot more.

I think typing is something they need to learn early.

A program like Time4Learning is something he could do on his own even when you are not there. I'm sure there are others. All you have to do is teach him how to use it and a great deal of his education could be done without your direct input. I'm sure he is not by himself when you are working, so whomever is taking care of him could be instructed to get him started and assist when necessary in using something like Time4Learning for say an hour each day or one module in 2 or 3 different subjects - however long that might be per day. There are quizzes and you can print out a report of what subjects the student studied and how well they did. So its easy to see if he is actually learning or needs to go back and review some things. We used it through the 4th grade and my son really enjoyed it. After that he lost interest.

One of my friends was in a similar situation. She is a single parent with sole custody and zero interaction with the father. She worked nights. He is very science oriented and she was able to make it work.

Best of luck!

Find out about many other curriculum choices at my homeschool website: http://www.homeschoolsantafe.com.

Dolphin Parenting

Wow is that me!

I'm one of the dolphin and whale experts scheduled to speak at Cetacean Summit Hawaii 2014 in March on the Big Island.  You can find out more about that here: http://cetaceansummit.com/Home_Page.html

I came across this article about parenting like a dolphin and boy does it resonate: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/08/01/dolphin-parenting-raising-kids-to-be-smart-and-happy

Enjoy!

Return from Dolphin Parenting to the Homeschool Resources Online home page

Extraordinary Talent and Homeschoolers

Wow - that's all I can say.

My son is now 14 and completely self directed in his educational pursuits. He is dedicated to his academic studies and is very sure of who he is and what he wants.

We began homeschooling from the very start because when he was three someone asked him where he was going to go to school. He looked at the person with all seriousness and said, "My mom is going to teach me." Out of the mouth of babe's I guess. Homeschooling was not something I was familiar with and it certainly wasn't ...

Free Day at 1,400 Museums and Events on September 28th

Just saw a post by the Smithsonian that on September 28th, 2013, over 1,400 Smithsonian and Smithsonian-related museums and event venues will be free.

Visit this link to find a museum near you: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-search/

Enjoy!
Takara

New to Homeschooling and How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum For Your Child

How to choose the best homeschool curriculum for your child can be tricky at first. 

 

Younger kids tend to like Time4learning.com. Its inexpensive and online.

I always went over everything in the books "What Your ________ Grader Needs to Know." You fill in the blank with First, Second, etc. I think they have books through the 6th grade.

There are tons of curriculum choices. You can check out my website: http://www.homeschoolsantafe.com for more ideas.

One of the best resources is also a way to save money: http://homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/ I get lots of things through this site.

Homeschool.com has a bunch of freebies listed for the summer. You can find out more about them here: http://www.homeschool.com/freebie/deals/

Abeka and other similar curricula are decidedly Christian in nature. If that is the type of education you want for your child, then I've heard its a good one. There are many other options that leave religion out, or they talk about all religions, not just one, and are much more similar to the topics they would receive in public school and need at the college level. You will find many choices at the links above.

The beautiful thing about homeschooling is that you can pick and choose the method and format that works best for each child. What works well with one is completely wrong for another. Only you know your child. If you are like me, and many of the other homeschool parents I've talked to over the past 9 years of homeschooling, at first it is a trial and error thing. You try something and see how it goes. Does your child learn better by reading, watching, listening, or doing? Are they highly tactile, needing to hold things and act things out? I highly recommend that you not go out and spend tons of money on a curriculum that may not work until you have discovered the methods and rhythm of your child.

Our education has changed immensely over the years. Time4Learning was wonderful for us for the first 4 years, then it was no longer the right choice. Somewhere around the 6th grade, my son decided on his main area of interest and what we have done to make sure he is ready when he gets to college has shifted a lot because of it. We use a combination of tutors, online programs, books, and live classes. So we don't get one of those out of the box, covers every subject, type of systems. That would really not work for us.

Best of luck,
Takara

Nature Works Everywhere - Another Great Science Homeschool Resource

From Nature Conservancy:

http://www.natureworkseverywhere.org/

They offer lesson plans and videos for 6th through 8th grade.

What I have previewed looks quite good.

Enjoy,
Takara