Homeschool Helps

A: Homeschooling children is very time- consuming and can be frustrating at times;
the more children in the family, the more both of these can and will be the case.

Q: What is the best advice you can give in consideration of time constraints and the frustration factor?

A: The best advice I can give is to center your homeschooling program around a professionally prepared curriculum: Christian, of course. When we originally decided to homeschool our children, my thought was, "I'll prepare the curriculum. After all, between the internet and the library, one can obtain the knowledge equivalent of a PHD." While the latter may be true, about three days into trying to put the curriculum, lesson plans, tests, etc., together, I felt completely and totally overwhelmed. Needless to say, I found a great deal more respect for good teachers in that three-day time span then I had known in my previous thirty-something years.

Q: What curriculum have you centered your homeschooling program around?

A: We use "Lifepacs." Anyone can find the info concerning these on the internet quickly enough, so I'll not go into the details. In the end, the kids get a good education in the variety of subjects.

Q: How long do your children spend in their studies each day?

A: Our children are in "school" and doing actual study about six hours a day. I know that public school children are in school about seven, but at home there is no changing of classes, recess, settling children prior to class, etc.: its all actual learning/study time. If they need more study time, we make sure they get it. Trust me, "study hall" is well known in our house.

Q: Study Hall?

A: You heard it. It's "early to rise," for those who need extra time in the books!

Q: How do you know if they need more study time?

A: Referring back to the curriculum we use, they take plenty of tests...that's for sure, and a passing grade is 80%. Concerning the tests, there are sectional tests, book tests, and end of the year tests. If the children aren't studying (aka learning), as they should, then we know it pretty quick. Besides all else, a certified teacher comes each year and tests the kids as well.

Q: Why does a certified teacher come to tests the children if they already are being
tested throughout the year?

A: State requirement: simple as that. Either the children have to enroll to take the state's learning achievement test each year or they have to be tested by a certified teacher who goes over their portfolio as well. This year, ours did both!

Q: Both? Why?

A: No matter how you slice it, and no matter the reasons one homeschool's their child, it is all about the child actually learning something! In the end, if they want to get a diploma, if the parent wants them to, or (hopefully) both, they have to get it from someone else. I tell my children all the time, "We homeschool but if you want a diploma then you will have to take the tests and earn it just like everyone else in this world, period." This should be kept in mind at all times by everyone who homeschool's or is homeschooled. The fact of the matter is, the state cannot tell you what to teach your children, but common sense should win out over emotional fervor in this case.

Q: What do you mean: "Common sense should win out over emotional fervor?"

A: Listen, I love the Lord just as much as anyone else, and I believe in Him with all of my heart, but my children don't just sit around and read the Bible six hours a day. There is common knowledge concerning Science, Math, Language Arts, History, etc., that they need in this world...and in school what one learns is common knowledge, or just a tad more; it is not rocket science by any means.

Q: Your kids are learning about science, understandable, but what about
"The Theory of Evolution?"

A: I think the Lifepacs cover that...if not, I've gone over this with my children; they were in public schools for years, you know. In the end, it has never been my attempt to shelter my children
from all of man's foolishness; it has only been my goal to tell and teach them the truth!

Q: Don't you think a lot of people would be offended by that remark?

A: They call it a "theory" for a reason. Their explanation for this is never ending, but the real reason is: they dont know what they so adamantly hold to as the truth. Basically they are guessing and they know it. It's the same as when a real genius in this world wrote about black holes some years prior; his book was all the rage and purported to be the authority for over twenty years. Well, just last year he came out and said, "Guess what! I was wrong!" "Big deal!" the scientific community answered back! Why no outrage? Because they all knew he was only guessing anyway...just like the rest of them who present theories as truths. God is their Judge. Back to homeschooling?

Q: Preach it, Brother! Yes, back to homeschooling. You spoke of frustration entering into the equation from time to time and I dont think that was explained: would you care to expound?

A: Some kids are more eager to learn than others. Just like in all schools, some kids just don't put their "minds-to-it," as it were as often as they should. Can that be frustrating? Sure, but you have to keep a steady head and sturdy hand.

Q: Obviously you have faced this: what do you do when your child does not put forth the effort
he or she should?

A: What I do is talk to my kids...okay, okay, preach at them. I tell them that I already have my high school diploma; the person they are helping by learning is themselves. After this, I usually add the dreaded study hall. If they keep up their nonsense, I take cell phones, radios, television, etc., just like every other parent does I suppose.

Q: A lot of parents face the hurdle of a child who just doesn't want to try in school: any advice?

A: Yeah. You're the parent and they're the kid: keep that in mind. I'm not saying that homeschooling is the magic bullet to warrant off this sort of mindset, but it does make it a lot easier to defeat. Firstly, you know right away that it is there; a lot of kids can hide it pretty well going to public schools. Secondly, the influence (on the child) to keep that mindset is not there; influence means a lot...not everything, but a lot.

Q:Why did you first begin homeschooling your children? Due to the influence?

A: Due to a lot of things: influence being chief among them. Leaving alone the fact that the world's children are going downhill fast (speaking to influence), I have to say, honestly, that 80% of my children's teachers in public school were just great! My wife and I really liked them, it was the other 20% that I simply could not allow to influence my childern. One character had the kids in his class role playing as Muslims...and the school was fine with it! Of course, my child did not participate...soon after she wasn't in public school any more either.

Listen, Islam is a religion that denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God: it is a false religion. At the same time, what they teach the kids in science class is that the Word of God is not true. I heard a teacher the other day mention that in the curriculum in her school, Buddha is quoted...not Jesus. For a nation that boasts a population of 80% Christian, it sure allows its children to be told that God is liar easy enough! Yeah, influence was chief among them.

At the same time, my children were learning nothing about their own country! Year after year I asked them, "What are you learning about in 'Geography?' 'History?" The answer always came back, "Africa," or "The Middle East." That's all fine and good, but we are Americans and were born and bred in the United States America; we have a rich history of godly men, wicked too, but this is our land: not Africa and not The Middle East.

I want to add here as well that I was educated in the public school system concerning the United States and was taught that Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were great men...and that George Washington did not really chop down the cherry tree. Years later, studying for sermons and such, I came to realize that Benjamin Franklin was a humanist to the core and made one out of Thomas Jefferson as well. Of the three, the only one who was a true Christian was George Washington...and now that fact is even called a lie. This nation was founded by men of God for the most part: ministers. No child will learn that in public school. There I go again! Back to homeschooling?

Q: One more question for now: why not Christian school? Why homeschooling?

A: Seemingly easy answer: I can't afford Christian school; it's too expensive. "Christian" and "expensive" being contrary terms, of course, in all reality...but not in our day and age, and not in Babylon. Many churches, especially the ones big enough to have a good school program, attempt to worship both God and money...to their shame. Of course they don't pay their teachers very well either...so judgment's coming from both sides. In the end, and as of right now, if I could afford to send my children to Christian school, I would consider it. Then again, who knows what goes on there? Perhaps it's good I'm too poor to find out! Thank you for the questions.

Q: I understand you have some updates for us?

A: Due to time restraints, we have enrolled our older children in something called Virtual School.

Q: What is Virtual School?

A: It is going to school online! Here in Florida, the public school system offers parents and students the option of taking accredited classes right over the internet! This may be the case in other states as well.

Q: Is this expensive?

A: No, it is absolutely free! Of course, just as if a child would actually go to school, there are supplies that need to be bought such as folders, pencils, etc. As well, one needs, of course, a computer, a scanner, and a printer.

Q: How does it work?

A: The children are enrolled online, pick the courses they would like to take, sign up for a class, and the rest is history! A certified teacher has already prepared the curriculum; grades their assignments; and communicates with the children, via telephone and emails, as needed. It is important to note that all studies are known well by the parent...this way we are able to keep a close eye on what our child is learning and/or being taught.

Q: What classes are the children required to take?

A: Well, what classes they take are up to the parent...but there are classes and class hours (credits) needed to receive a high school diploma from the school district in which they reside.

Q: So they don't need to attend school to receive a high school diploma?

A: Well, in order to receive a diploma from the school, they do need to attend school the last three semesters of their Senior year...which is something I'm not too terribly concerned with at this time in that my children are a time off from this. I am sure other options are available, however, such as placing the child in an accredited Christian School.

Q: What, besides the obvious of the child still being home while schooled and the benefits mentioned above, do you see as the greatest benefit of virtual school? Are there any disadvantages?

A: The big ones are professional teachers, the child works at their own pace, and they are receiving credits for their studies. Disadvantages? The spirit of antichrist still lingers. Becareful the books they expect your childern to read!

Q: Work at their own pace?

A: That's right! If the child can learn faster than others, they can graduate years early...with a high school diploma in their hands! I would advise all parents who homeschool to at least check it out...but be very careful! The spirit of antichrist is in the public school system big time!

C: Thank you for the updates, Brother!

A: My pleasure! God bless!

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