May. 24, 2006 - Homeschool Methods Simplified

What helps me simplify homeschool is to mentally follow a checklist of what I think is primary for a quality education. These are methods of teaching I make sure I do every day we have school:

1) Bible/Reading-more than just reading practice (the best kind) and discussing/checking comprehension (10-15 min), but also asking reflective and reasoning questions about why God says/writes and writing that down (10-15 min).

2) Math-practice the basics (5-10 min oral), lesson from curriculum (20-25 min), and play math games for basic operations (10-15 min) (they love that; crucial) 

3) Spelling/English: new words dictation (10 min), old word practice discussion/penmanship (15 min), writing sentences to discuss the word function (15 min) (parts of speech) (That alone is a principle: words have a job/purpose).

4) Read Aloud (20-25 min) to child: this is where you use literature, science, history or other topic to elevate your childrens knowledge and use of language. Discuss and document: setting, plot, characters, and theme for narratives and topic and facts for informatives (a little every day). As a supplement or secondary method, include a color page, map work, or paper (scissors/glue/markers) activity or experiment.

The most important thing to remember is not just to get through a bunch of worksheets, workbooks, or textbooks, which tends to bore and stifle learning. Learning is a time to develop daily disciplines (physical and mental) and experience God and His world to the end of becoming good communicators of His truth, not just having knowledge, but having understanding and wisdom in all of life. Test the curriculum you're using against these ideals and continue to store these treasures in your heart and watch God expand and lengthen your tents. If your curriculum lacks good books for read aloud and you want to supplement, go to FACE website (face.net) and get the Family Program for Reading Aloud or choose a book and syllabus from the grade level book lists. Another good and small investment would be the Self Directed Seminar.