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Home schooling your own child has certain aspects that teachers in the public school never have to consider. Of those, finding an appropriate location for education is an important one. Public school teachers have a specific classroom that has objectives and tools dictated by the local Board of Education and paid for by the taxpayers. Home schooling offers much more freedom than that. Parents, however, often find themselves intimidated by the public school system and try too hard to emulate the same system they are trying to avoid. Don't be afraid to be creative.

Break Out of the Classroom:

There is no reason to feel confined to one room or even the house for a proper education. Math can be taught by baking cookies and cakes from a recipe. How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon? How many liters are in a gallon? These are practical math skills that any child will feel is necessary for a life in the future.

Taking a child to the grocery store can also be a great math lesson. Which is the best deal for the dollar? Is the expensive brand that's on sale any cheaper than the generic brand? How about that percentage off coupon? These are all lessons that not only teach a child math but let them know that math has a practical use. And, while you're at it. . . don't forget to teach them to count back change from a dollar. That's a good thing to know when the computer crashes or the power goes out when working that first fast food job.

Science can be taught in the back yard. All plants have unique nutritional requirements and, for the older student, are genetically enhanced. Gardening can teach the 4 year old basic biology and can teach the 14 year old advanced biology. Organic gardening can teach chemistry as the child experiments with homemade environmentally safe fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. For those who live in or near a rural area, astronomy can be taught with a simple pair of binoculars and a star chart. For those parents who have a more esoteric interest, advanced astrology requires basic calculus.

Field trips can help a child find their own special interests. Unlike the public school teachers who have to locate the funding then get permission from the Board, a parent teacher can visit any local museum, park, or event with minor preparation. Just go to the local Civil War Reenactment or Renaissance Festival. Go to the art museum or the local brewery. All the parent teacher needs to do before hand is the background research needed to be prepared

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