| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
The Homeschool Diner's
Homeschooler's Guide to the Galaxy
Homeschooling Approaches and Curriculum
How Much Choice do I have?
By Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006
In the US, Canada, and many other countries, parents have the right to
decide how their children will be educated. As a homeschooling parent
you are free to choose the educational approach that is best for your
family and for each particular child. That is the main difference between
homeschooling and public or private schooling.
A few states have given school districts the right to oversee and approve
the progress and achievement of homeschooled students -- by approving
the curriculum, reviewing student portfolios, and requiring submission of
standardized test scores -- but the parents (or their designees) are still
in charge of the actual teaching. Does your state or province require
any of these things? All parents who wish to homeschool in the US need
to find out what it says in their State Homeschooling Regulations
before actually beginning to homeschooling.
If you live in one of the few US states that makes it difficult for parents to
use an unstructured, child-led homeschooling approach, such as
unschooling -- and that is the kind of approach you wish to use -- then it
is very important that you get in contact with other local unschooling
families, to find out how they have been able to function within the
constraints of the regulations. Start by contacting your state
homeschooling organization and ask for referrals to local groups. Also
check out the Homeschool Diner's Support Group Primer for more
ideas on how to "get connected".
Various homeschooling philosophies and methods are described in the
Guide to Homeschooling Approaches and each section also has
reviews of a few popular curriculum choices for that method.
Homeschool approaches are also grouped and presented according to
the main types of learning materials they use. Some approaches and
curriculum fit in more than one section, if so, they are listed in each.
Some homeschool curricula have been designed specifically for families
who want their religious beliefs incorporated into their learning materials.
If a product has a particular religious focus it is mentioned in the review.
As the homeschooling population grows in number and variety, new
educational ideas are continually developed and marketed for
homeschool use, so these sections will be added-to and updated
periodically.
So... let's take a look at what's out there -
Guide to Homeschooling Approaches, Curriculum,
and Other Resources
Homeschooler's Guide to the Galaxy
Homeschooling Approaches and Curriculum
How Much Choice do I have?
By Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006
In the US, Canada, and many other countries, parents have the right to
decide how their children will be educated. As a homeschooling parent
you are free to choose the educational approach that is best for your
family and for each particular child. That is the main difference between
homeschooling and public or private schooling.
A few states have given school districts the right to oversee and approve
the progress and achievement of homeschooled students -- by approving
the curriculum, reviewing student portfolios, and requiring submission of
standardized test scores -- but the parents (or their designees) are still
in charge of the actual teaching. Does your state or province require
any of these things? All parents who wish to homeschool in the US need
to find out what it says in their State Homeschooling Regulations
before actually beginning to homeschooling.
If you live in one of the few US states that makes it difficult for parents to
use an unstructured, child-led homeschooling approach, such as
unschooling -- and that is the kind of approach you wish to use -- then it
is very important that you get in contact with other local unschooling
families, to find out how they have been able to function within the
constraints of the regulations. Start by contacting your state
homeschooling organization and ask for referrals to local groups. Also
check out the Homeschool Diner's Support Group Primer for more
ideas on how to "get connected".
Various homeschooling philosophies and methods are described in the
Guide to Homeschooling Approaches and each section also has
reviews of a few popular curriculum choices for that method.
Homeschool approaches are also grouped and presented according to
the main types of learning materials they use. Some approaches and
curriculum fit in more than one section, if so, they are listed in each.
Some homeschool curricula have been designed specifically for families
who want their religious beliefs incorporated into their learning materials.
If a product has a particular religious focus it is mentioned in the review.
As the homeschooling population grows in number and variety, new
educational ideas are continually developed and marketed for
homeschool use, so these sections will be added-to and updated
periodically.
So... let's take a look at what's out there -
Guide to Homeschooling Approaches, Curriculum,
and Other Resources