There are few things I really like about my job, but one that really seems to get me excited is talking to parents who are looking for information about homeschooling. Being home schooled myself I have a pretty good vantage point from which to explain the good and the bad about teaching your children at home.
Being that part of the store I work at houses one of the only Teaching Stores in Michigan we get a lot of people coming in looking to purchase materials for homeschooling. On occasion I get to talk with people who are considering the option of homeschooling and are looking for advice. Two of the biggest questions I get asked are 1) “Did you like being home schooled?” and 2) “Won't my kids be socially awkward or inept?” My answers are the same to everyone who asks; 1) “I didn't like it at the time, but looking back I got a really good education.” and 2) to quote my mom, “Your kids will have more social life than they could know what to do with.”
Most people researching home schooling don't realize that most home schooled students are done with their classes by noon. There are organized sports for students to get involve in, and there are classes that they can take that are away from the home.
The young couple that came into the store were shocked when I told them that there are organized sports for home schoolers. They also had no idea that there was anything out there to help teach your children at home. This particular couple had recently moved to the area and wanted to finish out the school year at home. However, when they heard that there were so many options for homeschooling her eyes got big like she wanted to do more than half a year.
The whole reason for this post isn't to convince readers that they should home school their children (heck, I'm not sure I will be homeschooling my own kid) it is to help those who are looking for more information on taking the plunge. The above couple were at a loss on where to get information on homeschooling or even how to begin, so I thought I would try and get some links together in one place to help those searching for more and better information. Note: some of the following links are Michigan based.
Teen Works (Michigan Based)
http://www.teenworks.net/
West Michigan Home School Athletic Association:
http://www.wmhsaa.com/index.php
Lansing Home School Athletic Association:
http://www.homeschoolingmichigan.com/kidsports.html
Abeka Curriculum:
http://www.abeka.com/abekaonline/downloadcatalogs/?user=guest
Home School Resources:
http://homeschoolcentral.com/
Homeschooling Conventions:
http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/
Please know that homeschooling is not for everyone. If homeschooling is your education of choice or if you are considering homeschooling please know that this is not a quick fix for children with A.D.D or A.D.H.D. Speaking from experience there will be times when your child will burst into tears because of the frustrations that can come with learning at home. Homeschooling is not easy on the parents, in fact parents need to be more involves than ever before in their child's schooling. If the parent is not attentive the child could end up failing out of school or falling behind their peers in school. While homeschooling can produce some very smart and well rounded students, it can also produce lazy, unhealthy, and uneducated adults.
Looking back on my own experience with homeschooling I realize that I got a good education and I was well socialized. I was involved in home school sports, a top rated youth choir, and had hundreds of friends home schooled and otherwise.
If any reads have any questions feel free to comment and I will try to get back to you in a timely manner.
Being that part of the store I work at houses one of the only Teaching Stores in Michigan we get a lot of people coming in looking to purchase materials for homeschooling. On occasion I get to talk with people who are considering the option of homeschooling and are looking for advice. Two of the biggest questions I get asked are 1) “Did you like being home schooled?” and 2) “Won't my kids be socially awkward or inept?” My answers are the same to everyone who asks; 1) “I didn't like it at the time, but looking back I got a really good education.” and 2) to quote my mom, “Your kids will have more social life than they could know what to do with.”
Most people researching home schooling don't realize that most home schooled students are done with their classes by noon. There are organized sports for students to get involve in, and there are classes that they can take that are away from the home.
The young couple that came into the store were shocked when I told them that there are organized sports for home schoolers. They also had no idea that there was anything out there to help teach your children at home. This particular couple had recently moved to the area and wanted to finish out the school year at home. However, when they heard that there were so many options for homeschooling her eyes got big like she wanted to do more than half a year.
The whole reason for this post isn't to convince readers that they should home school their children (heck, I'm not sure I will be homeschooling my own kid) it is to help those who are looking for more information on taking the plunge. The above couple were at a loss on where to get information on homeschooling or even how to begin, so I thought I would try and get some links together in one place to help those searching for more and better information. Note: some of the following links are Michigan based.
Teen Works (Michigan Based)
http://www.teenworks.net/
West Michigan Home School Athletic Association:
http://www.wmhsaa.com/index.php
Lansing Home School Athletic Association:
http://www.homeschoolingmichigan.com/kidsports.html
Abeka Curriculum:
http://www.abeka.com/abekaonline/downloadcatalogs/?user=guest
Home School Resources:
http://homeschoolcentral.com/
Homeschooling Conventions:
http://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/
Please know that homeschooling is not for everyone. If homeschooling is your education of choice or if you are considering homeschooling please know that this is not a quick fix for children with A.D.D or A.D.H.D. Speaking from experience there will be times when your child will burst into tears because of the frustrations that can come with learning at home. Homeschooling is not easy on the parents, in fact parents need to be more involves than ever before in their child's schooling. If the parent is not attentive the child could end up failing out of school or falling behind their peers in school. While homeschooling can produce some very smart and well rounded students, it can also produce lazy, unhealthy, and uneducated adults.
Looking back on my own experience with homeschooling I realize that I got a good education and I was well socialized. I was involved in home school sports, a top rated youth choir, and had hundreds of friends home schooled and otherwise.
If any reads have any questions feel free to comment and I will try to get back to you in a timely manner.
1 comment:
Aaron, great Blog post! And I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother. It was very informative and included a balanced view of homeschooling. I had no idea that your job would lend itself so well to your homeschool experiences. Great way to share with and get to know your customers. I wish I lived closer. I think I would be a regular customer of Gift and Bible. There's an employee there who knows what he's doing and and has a wealth of knowledge to share. I've heard a LOT of great things about that guy from his boss and fellow employees!
Post a Comment