Home School Newbie?

Question

Okay does anyone have any advice on getting me through Home School? I just started on Tuesday March 27. I like it so far. But does it get harder?

Answer 1

It is as hard as you/your parent make it. Do you realize how little actual learning goes on in a school? One study I read said about 14 minutes per subject per day (according to PS teachers themselves). What does that mean? Don't try to do EVERYTHING at once. If you "get" a lesson after doing every other problem, don't force yourself to do the rest. Do them later as a refresher or skip them altogether. You need some decent math & grammar/writing skills. Beyond that, learn what you want to learn. This can include having a part-time job or business, volunteer work, library books, adult education seminars, community college coursework, ag projects or almost anything useful & intriguing to you. Do not think that homeschool needs to bear any resemblance whatever to gov't. school. Also, be willing to take a break. If you are nerve wracked b/c you spent all week trying to get your mind around Geometry theorems, blow off Friday & take a nature walk or watch a great old movie. These things can be just as valuable as anything from a book.

I learned much of this the hard way. We adopted a 15 y/o of reasonable intelligence who had never read a book & could not subtract. I pushed him extremely (TOO!) hard for a couple of years. The last year, I pushed a lot less, but he was still stressed & wanted to quit. I told him he had to take the GED, b/c I didn't think he was finished learning & wouldn't issue a diploma. He took the GED & likened it to the curriculum we used for "5th/6th grade"! Took me a bit to realize that he had learned WWWWAAAAYYYY more than I gave him credit...and that I had made things harder on both of us than they needed to be.

Answer 2

I don't think it will get harder. I was homeschooled all my life so I have no experience with what you're currently going through, but I imagine the hard part would be making the adjustment. Of course, since you've only been doing it a few days it's hard for me to know exactly how much you jumped into the thick of things right away, but I would imagine that you did. There might be a short period when maybe the novelty wears off or something and it'll be harder... but honestly 'hard' is just not a word that comes to mind for me when I think about homeschooling. It all depends on how you're doing and how much you personally are suited to it, though. Good luck.

Answer 3

That is entirely on you and the home school coach. I had an easy coach so created a diverse curriculum that included the arts and a monthly trip to a museum. The beauty of home school is every thing is an opportunity to learn. Try to incorporate a cooking class in science and math you learn fractions, chemical reaction and you get lunch!
Have Fun!

Answer 4

Yes. It does get harder. You might have days where you are ready to throw in the towel and quit. No one will listen or sit down, pencils will break, they need a glass of water, their brother is touching their book, etc. Just rememer, you are the teacher so you can call a snow day in May if you need to. It is much easier to keep your sanity than to regain it. And you will have many more rewards than difficulties.

Answer 5

That's going to depend entirely on what exactly you are doing. It sounds like you've signed up with some sort of at-home program, in which case it probably will get harder, but should be reasonable.

Answer 6

It's easier to start that it is to finish! There will be times when you just don't feel like doing school, but be consistent and keep on, and like the others have said, you'll be surprised at how much you'll learn doing it bit by bit. Good luck!