Homeschooling FAQs: Basics 201 -- Homeschool Christian.com

2) What are homeschool co-ops?

One definition is they are usually groups formed by like-minded parents that set aside one day a week for extracurricular activities or academics. A local co-op here has about 15 families. The parents teach about 10
courses offered each semester, the kids pick and choose the ones they want to attend. They have included soccer, arts and crafts, science, weaving, etc. --Briva

We used KONOS Character Curriculum for several years, participating in co-ops some of those years. We never had more than 4 families working together. Once a week we would have a co-op day, doing activities more suited to groups, going on field trips, and providing an "audience" for our students to present reports related to the unit. Most of the time, all the moms would stay for the coop, assisting with activities. It was a lot of fun to work and play together. Many of our most pleasant memories of homeschooling come from co-op days!--Pat Hunter

3) What about testing?

"All children have equal readiness for all subjects at the same time." Do you agree with this? If you have more than one child, you can probably attest this isn't true! One of homeschooling's advantages is tailoring
curriculum to our child's temperament, learning style and bent. If homeschoolers always agree to standardized testing for the measurements of our children's success, they we are also agreeing to standardized curriculum. When I had to have my child tested in grade 3 as per our states law requirements, we studied for the test. I tailored my curriculum so he could do well. Is this learning? I sure don't want my curriculum driven by government school standards. And is the state responsible for the evaluation of our children? Standardized tests cannot measure individualized curriculum. The measure test-taking skills not thinking skills. One score cannot be used as the sole evaluation for your children Test scores can become the goal rather than the love of learning. Tests don't measure good judgement, creativity, service, cooperation or spiritual growth....all things I hope my homeschool is trying to teach.

If you have options, such as evaluation...where the parent can determine what assessment is required and an evaluator can advise whether testing is necessary...make use of it. If you must test, homeschool friendly tests
such as the PASS Test from Hewitt Homeschooling Resources are less stressful, more accurate and give specifics on how to improve not just scores. The PASS is administered in the home, by the parent. It is
un-timed. And a pretest assigns the student to a testing level(perhaps different for each grade level). The level is closely matched to the real achievement level of the student. And the results are normed two ways,
with the national population and the homeschool population. My friend Brynda (who is a certified teacher, homeschooler, and evaluator) used this test and appreciated seeing how one of her daughter compared to both public and homeschool populations. Her percentiles were not as high as when ranked with her HS peers. Brynda felt is was a more accurate assessment of her homeschooling endeavor. (Tammy M. with help from my HS Mentor, Brynda) --Tammy Montel

4) Where do children that are homeschooled make friends?

Children can make friends everywhere. There are children in your neighborhood you allow your children to play with. There are children in your local scout troops, dancing lessons, and recreation department. And, last but not least there is your church. -- Lynn A

They can make friends at church, in the neighborhood, 4-H, ballet, softball, t-ball, baseball, the park, home schooling support groups, anywhere! Where did you meet your friends? Just because they are home schooled doesn't mean they do not have a life outside the home. They can do just about all the things those in school can do. --Shelly

5) How do I meet other homeschooling families where I live?

Most homeschoolers aren't out advertising so it may seem difficult to find them at the beginning. Ask around your church and if you don't find any homeschoolers, call some other churches near you and ask if they have any homeschooling families. You will then tap into an amazing network of wonderful people!--Martha R.

One of the best places to find other homeschooling families is the library. Ask the librarian. She can probably tell you who homeschools and what day/or time they come to the library!!

Homeschool support groups can usually be found by consulting your state homeschool organizations. Even if you choose not to join the support group, you will have at least connected with other homeschooling families.

Some school boards may also provide you with information about other homeschoolers in your area. --Pat Hunter

6) How do you deal with harsh criticism from family and friends about your decision to homeschool?

Let them voice their opinion, take it as that and leave it as that. I am sure there is something they are doing YOU don't approve of. Maybe it's a good time to bring that up ;) --Lisa C

I have had to develop deep patience in this area. The biggest thing that helped us: When I discovered that there was going to be some serious criticism about our choice to homeschool, I sat down and wrote a newsletter. I cited test scores, various articles on homeschooling, I covered that "s" word (socialization) and discussed our reasons for choosing to homeschool. I put the focus on this being our *choice* and asked that family and friends respect that choice. I really went all out with the first newsletter. I reminded everyone that our children would still be doing school work, still have craft projects, science projects, etc. I included a photo of each child, with a promise to send a new newsletter and photos each year. I also encouraged these people to ask my kids about their school work. (My wonderful kindergarten daughter one-upped me though... at the next family gathering, she was spouting off all about school, and what she learned and how much she liked it, and she stood there reciting her Bible verses and phonics lessons!) I sent copies of the newsletter to all of our family and friends. It hasn't completely solved the problem, but it has helped a lot! --Rochelle C

It is not easy, but you can't let it bother you. Every parent has his/her chance to raise children and we all have to do it in the best way possible. When people (especially relatives) are critical, ask them why they feel that way. If you keep asking them questions in a kind and gentle way, they will soon discover that their objections were probably not well founded. Don't get on the defensive. Just keep smiling and asking gentle questions to get them to clarify their feelings. The best thing you can do is work with your children so they can be the best they can be and let the "proof be in the pudding"!--Martha R.

If they are good friends, then it is good that they question, but they will accept your firmness. Remember, one can choose one's friends. If they are family, then homeschool yourself on the benefits of homeschooling and hope that they are well-enough socialized to accept your answers and conviction. --Chuck S.

7) Why do homeschoolers say that homeschooling is a way of life?

What is that quote? "You learn something new everyday." In my humble opinion, upon bringing our children into this world, we instinctively begin teaching them. We try to teach them healthy sleeping patterns. How to eat, walk, talk, manners, and last but not least right from wrong. Life IS a learning experience! -- Lynn A

I call it a way of life, because I feel that this is what the Bible teaches us to do. We are to be teachers of the home. We teach our children to walk, talk, go potty, we even teach then the ABC's and 1 2 3's, so why not teach them to read those put together and add those put together? We do it everyday in everything we do. We are always teaching our child something, even if we don't realize it. We just continue that teaching as they get older. --Shelly

How I interpret this statement is that learning does not just take place from 9 to 3. It is listening to French tapes on the way to ballet, blasting "Flight of the Bumblebee" while we clean house, reading a biography aloud before bedtime. It is discussions at the supper table, in which everyone can participate because everyone is learning together. It is the family vacation to Gettysburg (researched beforehand) in June, the book entitled "The Greeks," or "Mysteries and Marvels of Nature" that your child picks up and browses in July, the indian teepee the children build in August. It is having a home in which learning can happen on its own, naturally.

Many parents who do not homeschool live this way already (after school, bus runs, sports). Homeschool is simply the natural extension of what is already in your hearts. This is such a wonderful way to fulfill that
desire to instill a love of learning in your children. We encourage you to step into a new world. It may not be so new, after all.

8) How can I be sure of teaching all that needs to be taught?

You can administer achievement tests at the end of the year for your children to see if they are "on grade level." Also, the book series What Your Nth Grader Should Know by Hirsch might be helpful in making sure that you haven't left anything out.--Martha R.

If this is a question of state requirements, the state will have sample subject area descriptions and example test questions to give you a feel for the areas to be covered. If you are concerned about their future life, don't be. First, look at Hirsch's What Your 'Nth' Grader Needs to Know. Next, remember that your children will not only be more advanced then their "peers" in school, but will be able to teach themselves before they get to college. Be sure to relax and not worry about this. Your own level of education will not matter. At worst, you also will learn new subjects.--Chuck S.

Be sure to read Kysa's page, How Then Should We Educate.