Homeschooling

One of the primary responsibilities we have as parents is to make sure our children are trained/educated properly. I prefer to use the terms "trained" or "educated" instead of "schooled" because to me they are more appropriate. It's similar to saying "children" instead of "kids." I fail quite a lot in my efforts there, but I try to use language appropriately. Frankly, my children aren't goats...I don't like that connotation. The whole sheep and goats thing troubles me. Why would we want to call our children goats? Sorry, I got sidetracked for a moment, but I think it's worth considering.

Every family has different dynamics that make it unique, and every child in a family has different characteristics that makes them an individual. As parents, we have a dedicated interest in our children, and know best what makes our child/children unique. Education is not a one size fits all proposition. Just as each child is unique, part of the homeschooling puzzle is identifying the learning style best suited to each child.

Here's an article that may inspire you to get started.

If that didn't do it watch the video Indoctrination. It's a crash course in "Why Homeschool?"

FYI - I have a beef with most homeschool history curriculum. When looking into a homeschool history curriculum for the first time, you will notice that it tends to have a very loud "patriotic, evangelical" voice. I am irritated some by this, but it is what it is - a manufactured worldview for mass consumption, in my opinion. I think there's a need for an alternative-viewpoint curriculum (history) that doesn't come draped in a flag and carrying a cross...to borrow part of a quote from Sinclair Lewis. We've been using Brother Gregory's books to supplement areas where there just aren't very many options. Regardless of what curriculum you use, I think you should involve yourself in what your child is learning. Correct the propaganda where you see it, and make sure your children are allowed to question what they read. Discussions are important!

Why Homeschool?

Benefits

Flexibility

Whether it's time, vacation, curriculum, or whatever, homeschooling offers a family the ability to make choices that are best for them.

Build Community

Homeschooling can bring families together with other like-minded families to share ideas, resources, and counsel. Homeschool co-ops are a great resource for meeting other homeschool families. When you homeschool and make an effort to find other homeschoolers, you'll find a valuable new circle of friends who, bringing their unique skill sets, are ready to help you succeed.

Learn New Skills

Taking Responsibility

Taking Responsibility for training/educating your children is part of loving your neighbor. The responsibility is yours...take it by the horns! When you rely on the State for your children's education, you're actually coveting/stealing from your neighbor through the agency of a government that is willing to use violence. If you doubt this, try not paying property taxes and see what happens.

Learn What You Didn't Learn The First Time

Customize the Learning Experience for YOUR Child

Education doesn't have to be one size fits all

Limit Indoctrination by the State

When YOU train YOUR children, you're not competing with the world as much as you are for their hearts and minds. If your children are spending 6 - 8 hours a day soaking up other peoples worldview, at some point you're going to have a problem.

For More on "Why Home School"? Watch the documentary film, IndoctriNATION, click here for trailers

School to fool Are schools and educational institutions used as a social tool?[1]

Schools as Tools Has someone used the modern public schools to mold the minds of America for their own purposes. [2] Printable 5" X 8 1/2" Pamphlets Standard 8 1/2"X 11" Print Friendly

School is Meaningless

Cooperative Homeschooling

http://www.home-school.com/

Lots of good information here about how to get started and connected with the homeschool community wherever you are. See the GROUPS link for co-op information.

General Curriculum Information

Free Homeschooling with Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube

Reviews on various curriculum, all subjects:

Also, check out her top 100 picks - the advantage to something like this site is that she doesn't play favorites w/ one curriculum provider. She chooses the providers who are best at what they do - making it easier to tailor your child's education to their talents & interests.

Reviews & Additional Resources

Homeschool Rescource Catalog

Small company that puts together packages of some of the best curriculum, including educational toys, for birth through high school (yes, birth!)

Popular "Box" Type Structured Curriculum

Here's an example of a "box" type curriculum - everything you need to teach comes in a box from the same company....they do some things well & some things are pretty dry.....but sometimes a highly structured, scripted plan can help get you started.

Literature Based Christian Curriculum

Mennonite Inspired

Self-Teaching Curriculum

Dr. Robinson K-12 Homeschool Curriculum. Developed by a scientist and his six children.

Classical Curriculum Online Courses Available

Veritas Press Online Courses Available

Tapestry of Grace

Specific Course Curriculum

Anatomy

http://www.prontolessons.com/anatomy.html

Biology

http://www.prontolessons.com/biology.html

Foreign Language

http://www.rosettastone.com/ Any language you can think of.

http://www.littlepim.com/ Foreign Language for the Little Ones - Get them started early!

http://www.memoriapress.com/ Latin/Classical Instruction

http://www.veritaspress.com/ Latin/Classical Instruction

Geography

Mapping the World by Heart curriculum Students develop a comprehensive knowledge of geography that allows them to map the world entirely from memory. Grades 5-12.

Logic

http://fallacydetective.com/ Really helps your children to develop discernment. Cuts through the propaganda like a hot knife. Teaches children how to debate effectively.

Math

http://www.mathusee.com/ Uses manipulatives and videos to teach math

http://www.mathmammoth.com Math Mammoth: Very effective and affordable. Grades 1 - 12

http://www.TabletClass.com TabletClass: Amazing video math teaching PreAlgebra, Algebra, Geometry & Algebra 2.

Reading

Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons I can't say enough good things about this approach. There are over 1000 reviews on Amazon. Rated 4.5

Science

http://www.apologia.com/ Creation Based Science Curriculum

http://www.superchargedscience.com Supercharged Science K - 12

Various Methods Overview

Methods

Excellent overview of various methods & styles of homeschooling w/ links to a few companies that support each.(There are hundreds more in each category though!). We did pretty straight classical for our first 5-6 years but have transitioned to eclectic & self taught as our children entered high school. Our pre-ks are getting more Charlotte Mason & Montessori right now & will probably stay there awhile ;0)

Homeschooling on a Shoestring Budget

Just like the name says, homeschooling on a shoestring! No or low cost ways to educate your children at home....this link is actually more of the above as far as methods but the site has a lot more to explore...more below on free or low cost curriculum

Thomas Jefferson Education is an educational philosophy and a methodology by which great individuals throughout history were educated. Our family has successfully incorporated this philosophy into our homeschool. We started with the book, A Thomas Jefferson Education, and the articles on the TJed.org website.

More Resources

Books for Children

In this video Libertarian author Connor Boyack explains how homeschooling his own kids helped him discover the need for children's books that embrace the liberty/anarchist worldview. His Tuttle Twins series has started with children's versions of Bastiat's "The Law" and Freidman's explanation of the free market through the creation of a pencil.

Also recommended

Three Friends Free, shows how we all use voluntary interactions in our every day lives and what happens when violence is introduced.

The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible by Ken Schoolland. It's probably more suitable for early teens. The newest edition is even designed with questions at the end of chapters.