Why We Decided to Home School

Why did we decide to home school? After all, we were trained and licensed teachers. We weren't advocates of home schooling and we didn't do it for religious reasons either. We even looked into private schools but realized that the tuition for these schools was far beyond what our pocketbook could reach.

What we really were was unhappy with the public school system and how we saw our children struggling with various issues daily. It even seemed like the teachers didn't know what to do with issues apparent in their school or were afraid to take on the problems for fear of becoming involved in legal issues. The fact that there were a few lawsuits already existing is what was bothersome, and how teachers held back because of those fears. And it was like the kids knew that they ruled the roost.

The problems that we heard about or had to deal with first hand and the consequences the school imposed to solve problems but didn't in the long run, didn't seem to have any effect on the kids. After a while, we started questioning who was really running the school . . . the teachers or the kids.

What we did know was that our children were increasingly becoming unhappy with attending school and worried about their safety, the environment in the classroom, and the quality of their education. Because of daily disciplining issues, there was less teaching and we noticed our children were trailing in concepts for their grade level. All these annoyances were creating emotional and physical problems, not to mention boredom, which virtually disappeared once they were at home. School was stressful rather than social and academic achievements.

Since we were both licensed teachers, the decision to home school was an easy one. We both knew we were capable of instructing our children but worried how our decision would affect them in the long run. When we approached our children on the idea of home schooling them, their first impression was worry about having friends and being involved in their outside activities. But we assured them they would still be able to associate with their friends and keep their outside activities. After we started home schooling and joined a local home school association their worries lessened, especially when they joined other home school children in planned activities. It was the realization that there were other children, who like them, were doing the same thing and doing as well, if not better, than their public school counterparts.

One of the first approaches we took was to access where the children were academically in their education. Then the decision on what was needed to get them at their grade level. After researching curriculum and state requirements we decided that custom creating our curriculum would better fit our children than something that was decided for us. We needed a curriculum with flexibility that included the required subjects but other areas of interest as well. It was important too, that our children had some control on deciding what they wanted to explore. All we had to do was incorporate those things.

Custom creating a curriculum worked well for us. Sometimes it took our children to levels that were far beyond their grade level and what they would have ever received in a public school. Home schooling opened up areas that took our children far beyond their limits and broaden their vision of the world.

Custom Creating Home School Activity Packets

Dewey Decimal System Grade 4-5

One of the assignments in our lesson plans called for studying the Dewey Decimal System. Without books or worksheets, we were left to our own devices in creating an activity.

Obviously, the first place to start was our local library. The librarian was more than happy to give a tour of the library and explain how books and materials were catalogued and stored. The card catalogue was demonstrated by using the computer instead of all the drawers upon drawers of indexed cards that use to store all that information. The marvels of technology has generally replaced all those little drawers but it is a possibility there are a few smaller libraries still using this method.

After checking out books on the subject it was decided that there had to be more than reading a few books. An activity packet with information, games, and worksheets would be an ideal way to give hands-on knowledge and practice usage.

Our source was the internet site on Melvil Dewey. Here we found information on the man Melvil Dewey, word search games, crossword puzzles, stories, illustrated explanations, cryptograms, reviews and a test to access comprehension. Either print the pages, keep the pages in a binder or folder or simply print only the worksheets and work directly from the computer.

After finishing the activities, develop a list of fiction and nonfiction titles with space next to each title for your child to record the call numbers on. Then, head off to the library and let your child look up the titles on the library's computers. See how many titles your child can locate on the shelves without aid from you or the librarian.

Determining What Books to Use in a Custom Created Curriculum

When we started researching curriculum and how, exactly, to home school we saw boxed curriculum as too rigid with little flexibility. Plus, there was concern whether there was enough instruction for a parent to aid in explanations. The deciding factor was the cost of these boxed curriculum and if all the material supplied was actually necessary or there would be a need to invest in supplemental materials as well. Therefore, the decision to custom create a curriculum seemed a far better choice. A Custom Created Curriculum gave the ability to control what we needed and how much we wanted to invest in materials.

First, we checked our state's home school laws in what was required. In deciding on books, some of our research started online but with limited information and ability to review the materials. It was during a visit to a local bookstore that we stumbled upon a curriculum guide to teach your child at home. What a wonderful discovery! It contained lesson plans for a full school year along with reading lists and activities. What more could we have asked for? It was all there laid out in front of us and all we had to do was follow along. There was plenty of room for flexibility and inclusion of other activities.

The "Learn at Home" series for grades K-4 was designed by experts in elementary education. It provides for 36 weeks of lesson plans in six curriculum areas--Reading, Language Skills, Spelling, Math, Science and Social Studies. It also includes Art, Music and movement activities into the curriculum and other activities outside of the classroom. Each 36 weeks is divided into three sections: Lesson Plans, Teaching Suggestions and Activities, and Activity Sheets. Each lesson contains detailed directions and suggestions. Worksheets are shown in bold print that coincides with the lesson and perforated for easy removal for scanning and copying.

The "Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills" for grades PreK-6, also designed by elementary education experts, is organized by subject area with lessons in reading, writing, spelling, math, citizenship, and science. The series contains an entire curriculum of basic skill activities. Lessons are organized by subject areas and in sequential order for ease of use. Along with teaching suggestions the series contains review and assessment tools and includes an answer key and bibliography. Perfect as a home schooling resource helps to insure success across key curriculum areas.

With a curriculum guide we chose supplemental workbooks that matched with the teaching suggestions and activities section of each week. When a suggestion did not contain a worksheet included for that week, a workbook page or worksheet on that subject was used. For example: a suggested reading assignment was on dictionary skills and how to use the dictionary. A worksheet was not included and knowing that this would be a continuous subject on and off throughout the schoolyear we invested in a workbook on dictionary skills. Since it came with perforated pages, scanning and copying made the pages reusable.

By following along with the weekly lesson plans laid out by the curriculum guide and supplementing with workbooks and worksheets there was enough material for the entire week. The workbooks chosen were selected for ease of instructions and explanations. As an added bonus, workbooks provided extra material when concepts seemed difficult and more instruction was needed.

This is a partial list of the workbooks we chose to supplement the curriculum guide:

"Spectrum Language Arts" by McGraw-Hill covers the use of appropriate words, parts of speech, understanding the different types of sentences, capitalization, and punctuation. A writer's handbook gives your child the ability to practice their knowledge.



"Spectrum Writing" by McGraw-Hill for PreK-6 helps learners improve and strengthen their writing skills as they learn. As they build skills and comprehension, children will gain confidence by making writing fun. The directions are easy to use and the perforated pages are easy to remove.

"Math: Master Skills Series" by McGraw-Hill is a reproducible workbook for PreK-6 that ensures the mastery of basic skills critical to a child's academic success. With complete directions and examples, the series encourages independent study. An answer key measures your child's progress and guides in instruction. With vivid illustrations, challenging lesson content and real-life application of essential basic skills insures your child's academic success.

"The Learning Library Series: Reading, Spelling, & Grammar" is from America's #1 Teacher magazine "The Mailbox". Selected skills from the national language arts standards gives your child skills that lead to mastery. With easy instructions, word lists, literature selections, answer keys, and Parent Pages makes learning activities quick, easy, and fun. Boxes at the bottom of the practice pages gives activities that children will enjoy to boost learning fun!