Top 10 Questions on Leaving Public School

 Monday, July 14, 2014 at 2:14PM

Top 10 Questions on Leaving Public School

Assembled from emails of parents considering homeschooling, Guilt-Free Homeschool creator Carolyn Morrison presents the top ten questions parents have on leaving the public school.

1.  How soon can I pull out my child?  Today and right now.

2.  What curricula do I need? You and your child pick a curriculum and a program to deliver it.

3.  Can I remove just one of my children from public school? Yes.

4.  How do I teach several children at the same time? An online curriculum that allows you to be the teacher can serve children in different grades. Projects can be shared such as cooking and gardening at different grade levels.  Field trips allow for different grade level experiences that can be documented in a portfolio.

5. How do I keep up with household chores?  Your children are there. Remember, the school day consisted of passing classes, attendance in every class, lunch and a free period. With a seven hour school day almost two hours were absorbed in the mechanics of the school.  Your children are not traveling to school.  So instead of spending eight or even nine hours traveling to school and at school, they are spending five hours or less on school work at home. Remind them that they have no “busy work” home work that is required at school.  Put them to work helping you. Require them to document their learning experiences for their portfolios.

6.  Is it too soon or too late in the school year to pull out my children.  No.  There is no set school year for homeschooling.

7.  Is my reason for homeschooling a good reason?  You and your caregiving partner(s) and your child must make this decision.

8.  Can I teach my ADD/ADHD/ODD/Etc student without special training? Yes.  You have been teaching them since they were born.  If you have been and can continue to provide a loving and caring and accepting environment, adding a formal education component to that environment will work.  Is your child MISE (more interested in something else)? Use that interest by redirecting it to the subjects of science, math, language arts and social studies. Is your child TETL (too eager to learn)?  Let the eagerness flow and jump ahead levels and grades in certain subjects. You and your child have formed a partnership for this enterprise. Grow this enterprise and enjoy the ride.

9.  What about friends? Friends come from many relationships.  Homeschool groups offer new opportunities for friendship. Neighbors, churches, clubs are sources for friendship.  

10.  What about sports, music and other extra-curricular activities? Some states require public schools to provide opportunities to participate in sports and music and other extra-curricular activities if a student is homeschooled.  Church-based and community sponsored activities may also offer opportunities.