Redefining The Myths About Social Issues With Homeschoolers Basics 1. Homeschooled children are more socially adjusted than schooled children. They typically interact with people of all ages, learn to with children of all ages and have plenty of opportunities to teach younger children. They are mentored by or volunteer with a variety of adults from all walks of life. Why Home School 2. Humans are not a herd species and actually thrive in smaller group settings. 3. It is not the quantity of people to interact with, but the quality of the 1. Way of life relationships established. 2. Believe the educational system is not working for their 4. Homeschooled children are typically more focused, are critical thinkers, more 3. Religious beliefs inquisitive, take on leadership roles, more motivated and responsible. 4. Ability to educate at the child’s pace 5. Homeschooled children enjoy learning, have more fun, are less stressed and 5. Social issues in the schools have more opportunity to have quality time with friends. 6. School curriculum not challenging enough 6. Homeschool children have more opportunities to apply the knowledge they are learning in real life situations, preparing them for adulthood, rather than just memorizing facts. 7. Homeschooled children learn respectful relationship skills through their Homeschooling vs. School At Home and not by poor interactions of other children whom can be exposed to dysfunctional relationships in the home. The true definition of homeschooling requires filing with the Department of 8. Colleges and universities actively recruit homeschool graduates. Public Instruction by the 3rd Friday of September as the educator of your 9. Many homeschool children start taking college classes before graduating from child. You are responsible for selecting the curriculum and meeting the 875 high school. hours of yearly instruction. Visit the website for more details and enrollment. 10. While there is a segment of families who choose to homeschool based on http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms_homeb religious principles, that is not the entire homeschool population. 11. Parents do not have to be teachers or highly educated people to homeschool. School at home involves registering your child with an accredited Online Much of the curriculum on the market today will come with answer guides for Virtual Public School. Application process takes place through Open the parents. The homeschool role is to guide the child through the Enrollment which begins February 4, 2013. All instruction is handled by the education process, being educated is ultimately the child’s responsibility. school district. The child is learning from home on a computer. The school district you enroll with is the educator. 12. With ample access to public libraries and the internet, learning and being educated is very accessible and inexpensive. 13. Homeschool families can be single parents, grandparents, working parents, stay at home parents, even families that travel the world. 14. Homeschooling can be for a few years or all the way through high school.

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Contact * Effective Techniques Recipe for Dolores Kokinos * Identifying Learn Styles Homeschool Success The Empowerment Cafe * Overcoming Challenges 608-221-2775 608-221-2775 * Developing Plan & Routine * Relationship Strengthening * Interest Based Education Consultant Different Homeschool Approaches Homeschool Groups HEART [email protected] 1. Traditional homeschooling; parent led education. HOME http://www.unschoolingconference.com/abouthome.htm 2. Unschooling no traditional academics introduced. Holy Family Homeschoolers Barb Schmiesing [email protected] 3. Interest based learning, with academic support. FISH http://homeschool-life.com/wi/fish/ Lisa Dettinger 608-837-4748 4. Virtual online learning through accredited public school. (not officially TEACH http://homeschool-life.com/wi/teach Gloria Compton 608-835-1758 homeschooling) Homeeddirectory.com/homeschooling-support-groups/Wisconsin http://homeschooling-wpa.org/ FLAME http://homeschoolflame.org/Welcome Jody Delikat 608-445-4877 http://www.wisconsinchea.com/Home

Some Curriculum Options Some Online Virtual Schools http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm http://www.connectionsacademy.com/wisconsin-school/events.aspx http://homeschool.calvertschool.org/Serving Sizes http://www.virtualdiploma.net/ http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/ http://www.k12.com/wiva/enroll http://www.oakmeadow.com/index.php http://www.k12.com/ http://www.homeschoolsupercenter.com/new_site/home.php http://www.wisconsinvirtualschool.org/ https://www.khanacademy.org http://www.wisconsinvirtualschool.org/enrollment.cfm http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/linkcat http://www.stoughton.k12.wi.us/schools.cfm?subpage=1519183 http://www.library.wisc.edu/#books

Organizations Offering Classes Making It Work For Your Family http://www.naturenet.com/alnc/homeschool.htm Aldo Leopold Nature Center http://www.swimwest.com/contact.html Swimming 1. Let go of the belief that there is a right nor wrong way to homeschool http://monroestreetarts.org/art/homeschool-art-and-music-program/ Art and Music 2. Identify goals by child, by subject matter, include your child in this process http://fyi.uwex.edu/dane4hyouth/ Dane County 4-H 3. Have a written plan and routine to follow, readjust every few month if necessary Joanna at [email protected] 4. Don’t be afraid to seek out tutors or mentors http://glaciersedge.org/ Boy Scouts 5. Ensure you are including recommended courses colleges will want on a transcript http://www.gsbadgerland.org/ Girl Scouts Caryl Farkas is the leader for the 6. Document each year the material learned and covered, will aid in high school transcript homeshool troop [email protected] 7. Address your child’s reluctances and avoidances right away, it could be their http://www.ymcadanecounty.org/programguide/programs.asp confidence needs to be strengthened http://www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org/education-programs/classes/ 8. Seek out mentor or volunteer opportunities in your child’s area of interest http://www.kevasports.com/kids-sports-classes/home-school-programs-2 9. Be consistent each day, follow your plan and routine, this teaches your child discipline and accountability 10. Don’t let someone tell you it can’t be done, homeschooling is redefining how children are educated, be willing to walk a new path Ask other organizations that offer youth programs if they offer homeschool classes. 11. Have fun and enjoy learning together

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