by Rachael McMillan
Whether you know you want to homeschool, know you don’t want to homeschool, or haven’t made up your mind yet, you have to admit that it’s nice to have the option.
Homeschooling can bring families closer together. Credit: sxc.hu
Even better, should you choose to go the homeschool route, plenty of options for support exist in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Maya Gouliard, the membership coordinator and playgroup facilitator for local homeschool group “C-U HOUSE,” talked with chambanamoms.com about the ins and outs of the practice, and she also shared some tips on making the upcoming “home”school year a success.
What is C-U HOUSE?
HOUSE stands for Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience. We are a non-sectarian, member-run homeschool support group. Our families get together for fun and learning.
What advice would you have for a family that is considering homeschooling, but may have lingering doubts or fears about the arrangement?
Find other homeschoolers and talk with them. Everyone has doubts and fears about big decisions, and how to educate your children may be the most important decision any parent makes.
I have made a ton of lists about reasons to homeschool vs. public or private school. The list for homeschool is always a mile long, and the list for public school is always two things: more time to myself, and fear that I am not succeeding. The fears are what drive you to do a good job; embrace them.
What are some of the downsides to homeschooling?
It can be hard to spend so much time with each other. Relationships are very strong in a homeschooled family — this doesn’t mean that everyone gets along all the time, just that we all know each other very well because we spend so much time together. This is a positive thing, except that parents don’t get time away when school is at home.
The other downside is how scary it can be. Parenting is scary enough without thinking you are completely responsible for how a child turns out, without the schools to use as a buffer. Educationally speaking, I think that there are no down sides; every family can find a way that works best for each student.
What is one way parents deal with the lack of “alone time” when homeschooling?
I think you have to find out the things you would want to do alone, and then learn to share them with your children. I love to read, watch movies and play board games; I can do all of these things with my kids.
What can you tell us about part-time homeschooling options?
My oldest has gone (to school) part time occasionally; it is a great way to get — as Hannah Montana would say — “the best of both worlds.” I don’t actually know about Urbana, but the middle schools and high schools in Champaign do let students attend part time. Many older homeschoolers have chosen this as an option and are very happy with it, especially those who want to play an instrument. The grade schools are not as open to this, usually they will let a child go part time but only with the long-term goal of being there a full day.
It can be overwhelming for a family to begin homeschooling. What are the top five tips you have for first timers?
1) Find a support group, such as HOUSE, Christian Homeschool Connections, Champaign-Urbana Area Homeschoolers, a co-op, or just another family doing it. You don’t have to be a homeschooling family to join many of these groups — simply considering it is enough. This can be a good way to get contacts and “try out” the arrangement to see if it is a good fit for your family.
2) Remember the freedom you have in Illinois and build a curriculum around each child.
3) Think about what you remember (the activities you enjoyed most) from your own early education.
4) Love your kids and listen to them.
5) Relax and have fun. Everyone learns more when they are having fun.
A former high school teacher who now is spending time at home with her two children, Jack and Kate, Rachael McMillan is a freelance writer and reading tutor.
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I’m looking at homeschooling, but I must disagree with the idea that there are only 2 reasons to consider public school. The number one reason I am still looking at public is that the people there are professionals. They have education, training, resources, experience and facilities that I do not.
For this sort of Q&A, I’d like to see more information on how to get started. I’ve talked to many other HS parents; most of them have a curriculum and a schedule that has helped them. I don’t know how to FIND a curriculum, much less order and apply one. I’d love to see information on what to do with older children, and how to keep them enriched with social activities (without spending a fortune).
Thank you for the links to the HS groups, they will be helpful as I explore my options.
Those were the two reasons on my list, after years (9) of researching alternative education I am convinced that you gain more than you lose homeschooling. I am sure that many people will have different reasons than me.
Choosing a curriculum and applying it takes time and a bit of trial and error. We started with something that I would not use today, but it helped us get started. I would suggest joining a homeschool group and going to their playgroups and meetings, even if you are not a homeschooler yet, it is inexpensive ($10-$25/year) and you can talk and ask the questions you want specific answers to.
Heather–In the near future I’ll have a list of local homeschool resources “A-Z” for this site. Don’t know how soon; currently I need to fill in about 10 letters of the alphabet. But, I’ve been surprised at just how quickly I came up with the others.
I don’t have a lot to add to the curriculum question. I’m sort of a semi-homeschooler at this point–my son will be returning for a repeater year of preschool, and we’ll do a kindergarten curriculum at home. Where it will come from is anyone’s guess at this point. I really like Maya’s suggestion of meeting other homeschoolers to get their input. This may also be a good way to get free materials? I haven’t done a search of free homeschool curriculums yet, but I’m sure that would turn up a lot of good results. (Cost may not be your concern, but I’m thinking you shouldn’t have to pay too much, even for great materials.)
I’ve taught high school, and I remember well the feeling of being an imposter the first time I stepped in front of a class. Despite the fact that I had all of the required training to do my job, I couldn’t believe people were actually letting me/looking at me to perform it. That’s probably similar to the decision to start homeschooling–I’m sure it may take a while to trust that you’re actually qualified to do the job. Keep at it; that should pass before long…
Well, I am looking at homeschooling a high schooler after years of public. Playgroups aren’t really going to help me at this point, and almost all of the curriculum/programs I have seen assume you are starting at the beginning. I know I have a unique situation, and I’m considering adding to or supplementing before I actually attempt homeschool.
Homeschool playgroups are actually for all ages. My 15-year-old comes to our “playgroup”, and there are tons of middle school aged kids.
One thing I think I can say for sure is that the local homeschool community is pretty happy to support any and all who wish to give it a try. Hopefully without too much digging around you’ll be able to locate someone who can give some good advice about the situation you’re in–it may be unique, but I’d bet there’s a “been there, done that” voice out there that can be helpful to you.
I have a debate and i have to oppse homeschooling, what do you think are my strongest points?