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the other kids are in.

With that being said, what do you think it took to "teach" that lesson? A handful of pocket change for manipulatives, a pencil and some paper, and a little creativity. We all have at least that available in our homes, on a regular basis, so why so much worry over curricula?
How many lessons were actually taught in the above scenario? And all for a few cents. How many science experiments are lying in wait in your kitchen cupboards, laundry rooms, Daddy's tool room or workshop? As you can see, the possibilities are endless- you can home school with items readily available in the home just as well as with thousands of dollars a week (or month, or year). There are, of course, a wide variety of set curriculum available for purchase- from complete kits, which include a variety of subjects and teachers manuals; to single use work books available at a local department store. Don't fear the internet either- I have had great results from the web!

As for scheduling, I myself have been a part of a virtual school set-up where all books, consumables, even a computer and printer were provided to me and paid for through the state. It was just so overwhelming- three students, six subjects each and with an attendance requirement of a minimum of six hours a day! It left me with NO other time (for laundry, dishes, breaks in the day (after all this is HOME school)) and had the kids begging to have a "day off" because it was SO invasive. With scope and sequences that read like college course catalogs, it seemed like a dream come true! But, I really think my kids have picked up more, and faster since we stopped using the rigorous virtual school set-up. They meet me in the morning begging to use the computer at FREE sites that provide links to interactive educational games. They don't want to even allow me time to check my emails- because they are "in school" and "busy"! They go to a game or site, and play to their hearts content (or until I have to say "five more minutes, then its your brothers'/sisters' turn") then they go play or read or ride a bicycle for a while, jabbering on about what they just learned and in no time they are back asking if it is their turn yet! We also have a family game night, once every week or two, and they have discovered that quizzing each other with flash cards is just as much fun! (I am a firm believer that ANYTHING can be taught with flash cards, and they are FUN!)

Lastly (in my article, at least) is the subject of socialization. Do you attend church? Do you participate in Cub/Girl/Boy scouts? Are you a member of a gardening club (theres a lifelong science lesson)? Will you carry your children to the local library, out to run errands or to the local grocer with you? All these places are a much more diverse social circle than any child stuck in public school for 8 hours a daymakes rounds in. When you were in school was it "cool" to play with the younger kids (or the older ones for that matter)? Don't you agree that it is important that children talk to people of all ages, races, colors and religions? Home schooled kids quickly forget that it isn't about how old you are (or aren't)- it's about WHO you are.

Learn more about this author, Cassieopia Hursh.
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