Homeschooling

Archive for August, 2008

Question: I need to prep for college?

Where is a good place or site to get Homeschooling books, worksheets, and such? While I am graduated by taking my final standardized test, I am completing American School of Corr before June. This way I can get a diploma and take some electives that will help me with the career I want to pursue. However, I am pretty confident that I need to brush up on my mathematics. I'm not completely confident I can pass the placement tests with much ease. So I want to find a math curriculum that I can study over the summer. I also would like to brush up on my cursive writing. Any ideas?

Answer: http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice I looked up the SAT, the most widely used test in the US and found they have practice questions on the site and will email you a practice question a day. Look up the site of any of the other tests you might take. The bookstores are full of practice SAT books, math books (algebra, statistics, etc.) with answers and explanations.

I don't know what the American School of Corr is, but most schools have libraries with study material, teachers who are willing to lend a hand after class, and counselors to give you advice on what worked for other people.

Pearls of Wisdom - Summer Fun For Kids

Question: what is the best Homeschooling program for kids. What is the benefit of these vs. just teaching out of books?

I guess what I'm asking is why pay $1000/year for, say, A beka curriculum if you can get second-hand books and videos, etc. and teach your kids the same info.

Answer: Are you asking about a "program" - such as a virtual school? If so, most virtual schools are public schools, so you have to follow the curriculum the school uses, rather than fitting one to your child's individual learning style. There are some benefits to virtual schools, but to some families, they aren't worth it.

Or are you asking about "programs" in the context of a Homeschooling *curriculum*. A curriculum company that "packages" their curriculum does so for the convenience. If your child's Learning Styles fit *all* parts of that curriculum, then you can use that. Most kids, however, are a mish-mash of grade levels (not all companies let you mix & match grade levels) and Learning Styles.

The best HS'ing program for my HS'ed son may not be the best for your student(s). You need to choose curricula, and "programs" (umbrella schools, virtual schools) with a lot of thought to Learning Styles of both the student and the teacher.

FWIW, my son would shrivel up and die if I taught him "just from books". That is a very dry, and boring way to learn. It works in classrooms, since all the kids are made to work at the same level, and since every kid in a classroom learns differently.

My son is a global learner, so he learns by hands-on activities, audio-visual, movement, etc.

Home School Curriculum: Geography : Early Childhood Home School Geography