Home Schooling Curriculum
“Phonics versus Whole Language Approach to Reading – How to Create Your Home Schooling Curriculum”
How did you learn to read? Did you learn through reading repetitive words in rhyme such as bat, cat, and sat? Or did you read longer passages and learn unfamiliar words through association and context? Whether you learned through phonics or whole language, the reading approach you learned was most likely based on the state and decade that you were in the public school system
There is a constant debate about what should be taught in public school systems today. When you home school you can choose the home school curriculum that is appropriate for your beliefs. There are different types of home school curriculums to choose from which include: standard textbooks/workbooks, accredited online schools, and life experience learning. You can use one or integrate all of these curriculums at your discretion.
If you choose to teach through standard textbooks/workbooks you can supplement your teaching through online support groups, forums, and educational resources. There is a strong teacher presence on the Internet allowing you to download free lessons, worksheets, and activities.
The academic curriculum standards for your state are also available online. The standards are content area and grade specific. Therefore, you can verify that you are covering the same standards as students in the public school system.
Another curriculum option is academic online institutions. There are a variety of schools, teaching formats, and costs. An example is Morning Star Academy (http://www.themorningstaracademy.org/?ac=y1). It is an accredited private Christian K-12 online school. It is similar to the public school system in that it has a 180 day schedule, grading systems, and tutoring.
Another online option is ED Anywhere (http://edanywhere.com/dp.aspx?pgid=8). You can earn an accredited high school diploma and study at your own pace. Your child can finish high school early and focus on other aspects of life.
Lastly, you can choose to teach your children through life experiences. The progressive movement in education focuses on “hands on” experiential learning. This type of learning is very effective for many types of students, however it is difficult to implement in the public school system. In your home schooling curriculum you have the opportunity to engage in experiential activities such as going to a museum, place of work, or looking at vegetation at a local park.
When deciding what type of home schooling curriculum to use perhaps the best method is to take advice from actual home school students and families. A great website is http://homeschoolreviews.com. There are reviews of methods, subject matter, and items related to home schooling direct from the home schooling population.
The key is that you have the flexibility in choosing a curriculum. Spend time and evaluate different curriculum choices. You can focus on one type or a combination of different parts from each curriculum. Everyone learns differently and you have the power to tap into your child’s learning style to bring out the best learning possible.
For more information about home schooling visit: Home School Tips
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