Will 2021-22 BE A STABLE YEAR?
Students in the public school system had a challenging 2020 – 2021year. It’s looking like the government schools are going to have major challenges again this year. Parents and students are frustrated and tired of the battle. Political issues continue to heat up. Could homeschool be a shining star for some students this academic year?
HOMESCHOOL IS A VIABLE OPTION
Homeschool may be the answer for families who are jaded from last year and are dreading the ever increasing political tensions surrounding the public school. I think that homeschool can produce a stable and positive experience during this chaotic and confusing time. Parents are in a unique position to give their children emotional support and adjust the educational experience as needed. Students who are tied to a school system have no option to adjust for personal needs or drop a course that is poorly administered.
HOMESCHOOL GRANTS CERTAIN FREEDOMS
Wiping the slate clean and planning a year of school for your child could be an enlightening experience. Parents have the freedom to choose inspirational books, eliminate subjects, add subjects, and create relaxed schedules. We can work one-on-one with our children and engage in hands-on learning. Talking is allowed in the homeschool setting! Learning is more fun and effective when it’s interactive. A two-hour school day may be all that is necessary.
A SHORTER, KINDER DAY
Our schedules don’t fill an entire work day like at school because learning is more efficient at home. Either my kids or I read the lesson out loud and then they do the work. Learning at home is an active process so it’s more effective. There are no boring lectures or time wasting activities like at school. My kids have used their extra time over the years to read, write, draw, build things, play outside, or play games with each other. See my posts Is an Eight Hour School Day Necessary at Home; Shorter School Days Work; and What my Kids Do with their Extra Time.
A GOOD FACT TO KNOW
Homeschool curricula tend to be designed for self -study. Parents who must work from home may find refuge in curricula designed for self-teaching. Even elementary students can self-teach. Avoid curricula that require extensive parent preparation, involvement, and grading if that does not fit your situation. Cathy Duffy Reviews is an excellent place to find this kind of information. See my post on Teaching Experience Not Required and Curricula 101.
Homeschooling allows parents to unleash their creativity and ingenuity and apply it to their children’s well-being.
HOMESCHOOLING HAS PROVEN ITS WORTHINESS
Homeschoolers score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools. The reason for this is unclear, but the scores are higher, nevertheless. Homeschoolers get into colleges and receive scholarships too. They have more time to earn early college credits through community colleges, CLEP exams, and AP tests. It’s highly unlikely that one year of homeschool will interfere with future academic success. In fact I believe it has the potential to awaken new understandings about education and the self.
A motivated high school student could prepare for a CLEP exam this year and earn college credit. Read my posts: Earn Early College Credit by CLEP Exam and CLEP Q & A.
GETTING UP TO SPEED QUICKLY
If you are deciding last minute to homeschool, a safe approach is to pick the most popular curricula for each subject a child would be taking in school. If you are unable to get this information, choose a popular homeschool math and writing program appropriate for the grade level. Include spelling and vocabulary if necessary. Add a lot of interesting books for reading experience. You may also consider a complete curriculum like My Father’s World that includes daily work schedules for all subjects. High school students need subjects required on the transcript. To get a basic overview of the types of homeschool curricula see my post Curricula 101. See my posts on separate elementary courses.
If you work from home, choose curricula that require less parent involvement.
IS HOMESCHOOL EXPENSIVE?
I spend no more than $120 per child each year. Buying used books and reselling them is how I accomplish this. Older editions are very affordable. Just because an author publishes a new edition, doesn’t mean the previous one is obsolete. Many students excelled using those editions when they were current. I also have my kids resell their textbooks on eBay when they are done. Sometimes we make a profit! We avoid writing in workbooks (consumable books) so they can be sold. Popular curricula have higher resale value. When I purchase a popular book new, I know we can get back at least 50% of its original price. Selling books cuts our costs below $120 per child.
MANY FREE AND AFFORDABLE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
I avoid purchasing books for things that I can do myself or cobble together from free resources on the internet. For example, vocabulary can be learned from handmade flashcards. There are many vocabulary lists out there. Get creative! We also lend and borrow extensively within the homeschool community.
Don’t feel pressured by well-seasoned homeschoolers to load up on the extras. We homeschoolers can be a bit exuberant about the wonderful choices. Sticking to core subjects is a great way to start.
FAMILY TIME IS A BLESSING
When my kids were in school, the stress of it complicated our relationships. It was difficult relating to each other when we did not see what the other was doing all day. It’s harder to love someone when you don’t know them. Our family relationships have been strengthened by working and playing together. We adjusted to each other and fell into comfortable routines. I found my kids much more enjoyable when they became naturalized to the home setting. They were happier and gained respect for each other. I often get compliments from strangers on how well my kids get along.
SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE COMPROMISED FOR EVERYONE THIS YEAR
Opportunities to socialize at school are hard enough to find under normal circumstances but when the masks and social distancing rules are added, socializing will be infeasible at school. Whether a student schools-at-home, attends live classes, or homeschools, the quality and quantity of social interactions will be compromised this year.
FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
It’s irrational to think that a person’s social life can be normal right now or that school is an answer to this problem. Thankfully our local orchestras met at a shelter this year and performed at an outdoor venue. I hosted outdoor biology labs and a chemistry class at a shelter this summer. We began to take daily hikes at a nearby woodland park. I see parents posting outdoor activities to gather kids together for some fun.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Choosing to homeschool for a year instead of attending school in an iffy environment or staying glued to a computer screen watching dull, sensory-deprived lectures for hours each day could very well be the solution to weathering this school year. Homeschooling has proven itself in education and social opportunities all along. It provides a customizable education. A year of homeschool will probably have its own set of problems especially for newbies, but it may be a better option than government schools this year.
Read: What I Wanted to Know Before Starting Homeschool: Now I Know
Read: Teaching Experience Not Required
Read: Desk Not Needed
Read: Homeschooling the Senior Year 2021-2022
I am not an expert in education. This post is to offer rescue ideas and inspiration for families who have to make emergency decisions about education this year. If you are confused or overwhelmed about your situation, take it to God. You are not alone. Pray for guidance and wisdom for your next step. God has a plan for each of us if we simply ask and trust in Him. The plan may seem unorthodox, but when God is backing it, you will be at peace.
Musing: a period of reflection or thought. As such this post reflects my thoughts, opinions, and experiences on the topic. The choice to home school and the methods you choose are yours to determine.