Save time and simplify
your homeschooling life...
Learn from experienced
homeschoolers how to write your own curriculum.
It really is that easy!
"I have most of your books Beverley... Thankyou for your unending support for homeschoolers ... by sharing your experiences,
we are into our third year of homeschooling and enjoying it thoroughly." Marina
"Thank you for your generosity in helping me to make a start in my homeschool adventure. The information you supply is
real and generous -
fantastic reading. I am so inspired... Your honesty is so rare. Most books do not really explain "how" as well as you do." Tracy
© Ann Lahrson Fisher
Here's the scene: after months of DOUBT and inner turmoil, you
finally decide that this is the day! You stop by the school to withdraw
your children. You then help them collect belongings and the phone
numbers of their favorite friends, and drive them on home, all the while
confidently assuring your children that you will all have a blast
learning together at home.
Your cool demeanor reassures your children. Fortunately, they
cannot hear your knees knocking or feel the swarm of butterflies
ravaging your insides. They cannot hear your inner voice wailing, "Can I
really do this? What have I done? Have I ruined my children for life?"
NOW WHAT? Trembling, you sit down to your computer the moment you
arrive home. You log onto the Internet and type "homeschooling help"
into your search engine and here you are.
NOW WHAT? Read and follow your Trusty Homeschool Emergency Kit
instructions below, that's what. Whether you find yourself bewildered by
the avalanche of wonderful resources you've discovered, or completely
unable to lay your hands on even ONE single resource that could possibly
work for your family, this survival kit will help you to a gentle and
fun beginning.
First, relax!
Take heart in knowing that there are no educational emergencies!
Remember, a day without doing math problems is not necessarily a day
wasted. You have time to think this through and make it work. Take a
deep breath, and begin when ready.
Some families take a family trip when they begin to homeschool
to break up entrenched negative patterns children may have about
learning. Consider that option seriously. If you can't sail the
Caribbean, can't even take a weekend trip to Grandma's house, then how
about a picnic at the park? Take day trips to visit your favorite local
sights or take nature walks. If it rains on your outdoor parade, picnic
under the dining room table and play games all afternoon. Stay home and
catch up on hobbies.
If you begin to homeschool at the beginning of the regular school
session, find out whether a homeschooling group offers a"not-back-to-school" special event, such as a Homeschool Amusement Park
Day, on the first day of school. These events are usually open to all
homeschoolers, and everyone has a great time. If you don't find an event
that works for you, plan your own outing for that day. What a great way
to celebrate the beginning of a new educational era!
While you probably won't want to park in front of television for
weeks on end, it is important to spend time together as a family while
exploring the course your homeschooling experience will take. You might
take a few days or weeks or even more: while your kids spend time
re-discovering how to explore their interests, parents spend time
learning about homeschooling styles, methods, and resources. While your
children decompress, perhaps reading for fun or working on personal
projects, make it your project to learn all you can about homeschooling
so you can begin to chart a successful path.
- Do take the time you need and do the following:
- Read everything you can about homeschooling books, magazines, and Internet sites.
- Get in touch with local homeschoolers
- Find out about your state's legal issues
- Explore homeschooling cooperatively with families nearby.
- Plan what and how your family will learn.
- Take your time before deciding to purchase an expensive curriculum
- Make friends in the homeschooling community.
- Do stuff you've always wanted to do and teach the kids as you go!
- Evaluate your routine regularly
- Have fun!
Copyright Ann Lahrson-Fisher, 1994, 2002. Ann gives specific suggestions for each of these points in her article Your Trusty Homeschool Emergency Kit!! which you can read the rest online at http://www.nettlepatch.net/homeschool
Ann Lahrson-Fisher is the author of Fundamentals of Homeschooling: Notes
on Successful Family Living, published by Nettlepatch Press. This is the best book on getting started and continuing with homeschooling that Beverley Paine has ever read!
on this website is of a general
nature only and is not intended as
personal or professional advice.
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Thank you for visiting!
Pioneering members of the home education movement in Australia,
Beverley and Robin Paine
are passionate advocates of true educational choice for families.
They began homeschooling in 1986 and three years later started the
South Australian Home Based Learners
network. Beverley continues to write for homeschooling newsletters
and magazines as well as hosting several websites dedicated to promoting
and supporting home education in Australia. Her aim is to demystify the
education process and make it accessible to all parents. Enjoy Beverley's
wealth of practical knowledge, homeschooling and unschooling tips and
ideas through articles and books and online at
www.homeschoolaustralia.com.
Since the late 1990s Robin and Beverley have been building their home education
publishing business - Always Learning Books - from home with the help of their son Thomas.
"Education is not a preparation for life. Education is life itself." John Dewey
Please visit the following websites for information on homeschooling in Australia:
Homeschool Australia : SAHEN : Australian HS Curriculum : About the Paine Family
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