Last time I talked about Homeschooling In Australia as I was getting a lot of questions about how we were going to teach our boys while on the road traveling in our Motorhome. The next thing people say to me after they find out that we are homeschooling our boys is “Are you a teacher?” So here goes….this is what we do for homeschooling.
How To Homeschool
There are many different methods to Homeschooling and a lot of different ways/system that are out there in Australia and overseas. It depends on your religion, your beliefs and the way you want to Homeschool your children. But here is How To Homeschool our boys….as they are very active hands on children I am working out which style of homeschooling suits each boy. The beauty of Homeschooling is the flexibility to cater for each of their skills, their strengths and what they prefer to do. Because they are not in a school room setting they do not have to “Do The Work Like You Have Been Told”!!!
Finding What Homeschooling System Works
There is no set rules for How To Homeschool, its a matter of working with the individual child and working out what works best. Each of my boys are different, different in looks and different in personality so I am trying to cater for their personal tastes for the work to be completed. The older two are in year 11 and year 10 this year so they are more self-educated. They have finished their test books from Frank and Valerie Homeschooling Supplies. When I was given the test book I was warned with how the boys would not be able to finish the books completely. I was a bit naive when the book arrived, but within a week I so could see how much they did know and how much they did not know. The system let the boys down, not the boys letting the school work down.
How To Homeschool Five Boys
So after speaking with Frank and Valerie each of the boys have their school books ordered and catered for the level of needs. Amazing but Cameron scored the highest with his tests because according to the Homeschooling System compared to the Schooling system he is the perfect age to test what he does/doesn’t know….the longer they are at school the less they can answer in the test books. I have actually kept each test book so that after a year of homeschooling I can see where each boy is at, and if they have improved at all!!
Next time here at How To Homeschool I will sharing how each boy went with their test work, what they did to find out the levels they are at and how I have catered for each individual personalities. There are some days when I am pulling my hair out…..when none of them will sit still long enough to complete at least one page of work….even days when I question what I am doing! But then the other days are such a breeze and I feel like I can cope with their homeschooling. Those are the days I treasure.
Here are my hints about How To Homecshool (and what works for our crazy family)
- Take each day as it comes
- Try to fit in at least two days where we are out of the house
- Walk away when I am not able to teach the boys – if they are too restless I let them go for a bike ride/a swim/a walk or fishing
- Take plenty of breaks if needed. Have a piece of fruit, drink a cup of water and then ask them to sit down and complete the work
- Let them know that they have so many pages that need to be finished each day – its up to them when they complete the work but they have to complete it before any TV/DVD/Movies are allowed
- Give small rewards for when they complete a lot of work at once. Small rewards for their hard earned work (like a lollipop) sure gives them a smile and motivates them to keep on going.
- Try not to focus on getting it all right – just focusing on showing them how to work the answer out so next time they can!
- Give myself a day off…..go and have coffee with friends/take a walk/go for a swim….whatever as long as no school work is discussed in that day!
- Not to be there “Teacher” as such but more of “Support Person” for when they need help.
- Let them choose which book they want to start out with – they sure get a lot more done that way!
These are just guidelines and might not work for your family but then again they might assist you with ideas on How To Home-school.
Cheers
Lisa Wood
New Life on the Road
Hi Lisa, I have not met anybody who has received their education as a result of homeschooling. I think it is a fascinating concept and I would like to see how beneficial it is, in relation to the traditional method.
Sean McLaughlin recently posted..Leadership Development Plan – Step Three
Hello Sean,
There are many different homeschooling groups out there..its a matter of knowing where to look 🙂 I have joined a few that we used to meet up with once a month, and gee some of those children were bright. Actually I have found out that most Uni and Tafe will take on Homeschooling Children before schooled children due to their level of skills and commitment to studying. Will be interesting to see how my older two boys go as they both want to join the Navy when finished year 12!!!
Thanks for stopping by.
Cheers
Lisa
Wow that is quite interesting to know. Come to thinkof it, it does actually make good sense that home schooled kids may be brighter than the traditionally educated, simply because there are not as many distractions. I know that was one of my biggest problems when I was at school; in our free periods everyone would just get together and have a good time. The only time i got some work done was at home in my own evironment without distractions.
Sean McLaughlin recently posted..Leadership Development Plan – Step Three
Hi Lisa,
I found your article on How to Homeschool so interesting. I have been wondering how you were doing it all with five boys myself!
Hello Kristy,
Yeah its sure going to be an interesting year for us on the road with homeschooling!!! I am slowly learning that some days the boys will do heaps of work, and other days they will only want to do a little bit of work…..which evens out in the end 🙂 Will have more about homeschooling as we learn what works for our family while traveling!
Cheers
Lisa
Wow Lisa!! Home schooling your five children sounds like a massive task, but you make it sound so easy.
I like your tips for home schooling, especially allowing them to plan their own day to get the set work completed. Also giving them rewards to promote good habits, is a great idea too.
Glad to hear both you and the boys are enjoying it.
Cheers,
Cade
Not sure if its easy but its sure different!! Some days they fly through their work. Other days they prefer to be outside playing. I do know that there building skills are being explored as they build all sorts of things from the off cuts that David has with re-building Rose The Lifestyle Challenge Bus!!
Thanks Cade
Cheers
Lisa