To inspire you in your journey as a homeschool parent.

going home podcast

10/7/2020

Enjoyed a wonderful conversation with Mary Leppert of the Going Home Magazine about the challenges homeschool parents face today, the importance of discovering your child's learning style, and a bit of reminiscing about the early years of teaching our children.

Mary and her husband Michael are the "founders and publishers of The Link Homeschool Newspaper (1995) which in 2010 was renamed HomeschoolMagazine.com. It is the largest all-inclusive, non-sectarian homeschool magazine in North America." They also produced the kid-friendly Link Homeschool Conferences our family fondly remembers with "speakers such as John Taylor Gatto, Dr. Mary Hood, Pat Farenga, Diane Flynn Keith, Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis and Victoria Kindle-Hodson." These were household names among the homeschool community at the time, and have been advocates of homeschooling for more than 30 years.

The Go Home Podcast Episode 8: Homeschooling with Help found here or here on the Podbean. Produced by Lennon Leppert.

Enjoy!

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HOW DO I CHOOSE A CURRICULUM?!

7/7/2020

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Four Tips for Choosing a Curriculum that WORKS for your Family!

Are you worried about choosing curriculum?

A little panicky about the oodles of options?

You are not alone! The most common question from a new homeschool parent is “How do I choose curriculum?!”

With so many online courses, pre-packaged curriculum, unit studies, and dozens of different books just for pre-reading skills, how do you know what’s right for you?

Today I’m sharing what I learned homeschooling six children through high school and how it will help you narrow your curriculum choices.

In our early years of homeschooling we created our own curriculum!  Hold on!  I’m not saying that’s what you need to do!

Just imagine this: No internet!  No mobile devices!  Only a couple mail-order, very boring workbook-style curriculums available!  And parents couldn't even purchase textbooks or solutions manuals from curriculum publishing companies!

What did we do?

Tip: Keep these ideas in mind when we get to the budget section!

We checked out stacks of books from the public library, along with cassettes (early audio books) and vinyl records (early streaming music)!  We scoured thrift stores for encyclopedias, art and science books, and children’s readers.  We created loads of DIY manipulatives for math, art, and science projects.  We invested in music, dance, and martial arts lessons.  We taught the basics and allowed our children to explore personal interests such as magic, coding, art, dance, woodshop, and robotics. (See the side bar for all the other extras we included!)

We were fortunate to have friends teach our children chess and computer languages. With a group of other like-minded parents, we hired science teachers or grad students for advanced classes.  (Millennials and Gen Z parents are re-inventing this concept with modern homeschool pods!)

As our children got older, we learned what worked and didn't work for our family.  And, as more research became available on multiple intelligences and learning styles, we began to understand why! I’ll talk more about that down the road.

Along the way, I discovered four specific areas critical for choosing curriculum and resources to help you avoid the trial-and-error method!

How you answer these questions will help effectively streamline your process and jumpstart your homeschool adventure!  Let’s get started!

1. WHAT IS YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING STYLE?

How does your child learn?

A lot of parents want to skip this step and get right to choosing curriculum. Don't do that! This is a top priority and critical step in homeschool prep! You have time. You aren’t on anyone else's schedule now!

Consider your child’s personality and the way your child responds to and approaches the world.

Does she watch what you are doing? Or does she listen carefully to instructions?

Does he use his body to express emotions? Does he point out colors, or mimic sounds?

Your child can be learning right along with you. Older children can take online assessments and discuss with you how they learn best. Younger children can do projects and activities while you are researching and planning.

Remember that part about understanding why certain things worked and others didn’t?

Here’s why it’s SUPER important!!

A visual/print learner needs

Workbooks     Textbooks     Print-based integrated curriculum

An auditory/kinesthetic learner needs

Hands-on Projects     Audio books

Tactile learning manipulatives    Lessons read out loud

A visual/auditory learner needs

Online visual learning      Visual manipulatives (such as flashcards)

Color coded assignments and online games

Lessons read out loud   Documentaries or videos

These are widely different approaches to learning!

When you take time to figure out your child’s learning style through assessments, observation, and talking with friends or family, you shift your focus to choices that suit your child’s individual strengths.

You’ll avoid having a visual/auditory learner whine about reading a textbook because she actually learns better drawing pictures while she listens!  Or having an auditory/verbal learner dawdle for hours writing answers to a math lesson he can do in fifteen minutes out loud!

Eventually your VA will read that textbook and your AK will write out the work.  Meanwhile, give them tools to make the process easier for both of you. Their comprehension and retention will increase, and you’ll all be happier!

Learning Style Suggestions

Provide tactile soothing learning aids for ADHD/ADD learners.  Provide resource specific teaching aids for children with special needs. The Homeschool Resource Room blog has a great list, as does our Special Needs section.

For an “I Can Learn This All By Myself” child opt for providing lots of resources, science journals, coding classes, and STEM boxes.

For your social global learner connect with or create a homeschool pod.  Schedule extra-curricular classes and interest-specific lessons.

Gently nudge your ARL (a student who needs sequential, structured assignments) with lots of praise, encouragement and help planning an unstructured assignment. Develop weaker areas in chunks – a bit at a time.

Encourage your visual/auditory learner to record his thoughts on his tablet or phone and then write a three-sentence paragraph about his passion from his recorded notes, or Venn Diagrams!

Use a whiteboard for the visual/auditory learner, too! Or large butcher paper with markers.

Learn more about Different Learning Styles here on Time4Learning, read our doc on Learning Styles here, or take a comprehensive assessment at Power Traits for Life here.  A quick search will pull up free academic and personality assessments that will help you utilize the specific strengths of your learner. (See more assessment links on the Grades K-6 and Grades 7-12 resources pages.)

2. WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE OR METHOD OF INSTRUCTION?

Are you a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants parent, or a super-organized-routine-oriented-check-list person?  Are you working from home and homeschooling?  Are you a full-time homeschool mom of four with multiple grade levels?

Here’s why it’s important.

If you are a first-time homeschool parent, you might want a daily schedule laid out for you and a pre-printed script for teaching.  If so, then you’re going to lean towards a pre-packaged curriculum or what we call full curriculum providers such as Book Shark, The Good and The Beautiful, or Time 4 Learning. (See K-6 Curriculum Providers here and Grades 7-12 here.)

Tip:   You can modify most pre-packaged curriculum to fit the needs of your child!

If you have limited time for instruction, then you might opt for online courses for comprehensive subjects (such as math) and save your one-on-one time for reading or providing extra help.

Tip:  Many online courses have start and end dates, quizzes, exams and deadlines.


Consider a combo-integrated approach for Grades 5 and up.

An example for a combo-integrated approach is two online courses (such as science and math) combined with an integrated history and English program. Add family reading time, hands-on projects, and electives and you've got a fully engaging "curriculum plan." Electives may include community service and personal interests!

The combo-integrated approach helps a student develop autonomy, gives the parent time for personal and household responsibilities, and brings everyone together for engaged, fun learning.

A combo-integrated approach also provides the greatest flexibility for multi-grade instruction and learning. A parent can work individually with one child, while another is studying online, reading, or working on a project. Older siblings can reinforce their skills by helping younger sibs learn.

Integrated curriculums are easily adapted to multiple grade levels.

Example:  When using an integrated English/History/Science module, add an extensive research and essay writing project for a high school student; include a hands-on research and art project for a middle-school student; and an easy art/journaling project for elementary students.

3. BUDGET

How much are you willing to spend on curriculum and extra classes?  Remember the DIY manipulatives and thrifting I mentioned!

Here’s why it’s important.

This will determine whether you are going to opt for expensive online video courses or free tutorials on Khan Academy.

Free podcasts, library books and YouTube science videos?

Or a private tutor and a shelf of brand-new science books and lab equipment!

Purchase texts and workbooks?

Or download unit studies, inexpensive e-books, and use a free online worksheet generator for math and language arts!

Pull together a homeschool pod.  Share resources.

Invest in what is important to your family – whether it’s horseback riding, motocross, or kayaking – then budget for other necessities.

You can provide a World-Class education on a budget.

With the internet and your backyard, or the city park, you can explore science.  Webcams are available for museums around the world!  Public libraries are a fantastic resource.

Khan Academy has free math and science tutorials for Grades 1-12. (You might like 6 Ways to Use Khan Academy for Homeschool, from the Organized Homeschooler.)

Thousands of videos are available on YouTube on every subject.

As you become more comfortable with your homeschool approach, you can create a unit study on just about any topic, and incorporate language, history, science, art, and math.

Look for used books online at Thrift Books or homeschool curriculum swaps.

Even Harvard, Yale, and MIT now offer free online coursework for high school students.

Choose what fits your budget. And your imagination!

4. WORLDVIEW OR PERSONAL BELIEFS

Here’s why it’s important.

Your personal beliefs and worldview may influence your choice of a secular or non-secular curriculum.

For non-secular, you may want a program that aligns with your personal theology or faith.  There are many faith-based resources available. You may find a secular curriculum that fits your budget, and child’s learning style, and also includes a chapter or two that may be sensitive or even challenge your beliefs.  Don’t disregard a curriculum or resources just because it’s not “faith-based.” This can be an opportunity for discussion to help your child build a broader foundation of understanding.

An inclusive secular approach with discussions centering around your core beliefs gives your student a broad knowledge base in which to approach the world. As above, don’t necessarily disregard a curriculum because it is “faith-based.”  These are opportunities to explore the many global faiths and contributions they have made to cultures and societies in art, science, and literature.

Now that you have narrowed your choices, it’s time to look at curriculum providers. In addition to the full curriculum providers listed above, you'll find subject specific resources on the Grades K-6 and Grades 7-12 resources pages.

Plus check out Cathy Duffy’s Homeschool Curriculum Reviews.

TIP:  If you find a curriculum you love, fits your budget and other criteria, and it’s not 100% your learner’s style, adapt!

Read aloud to your auditory learner, encourage your creative child to act out stories or draw or paint, and have discussions with your verbal learner.

Homeschooling is a lifestyle. Engage your children with how they learn and what they are excited to learn!

As you consider your child’s learning style, your teaching method, your budget, and your worldview, you will confidently choose a curriculum to fit your family!

As always, enjoy the Journey!  ~ Cynthia

Branson Academy provides an umbrella covering for homeschooling in California, help Getting Started and support from Kinder through high school graduation! We do not provide classes or curriculum!

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Embracing ADHD

2/6/2019

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Recently I was chatting with a mom who kept apologizing for being late, not turning in assignments on time, and generally failing to be organized.  Classic behaviors of ADHD which goes undiagnosed among girls and women missing the H (Hyperactive) component.

Having observed this young mom for a year and knowing she was smart, talented, and competent in other areas of her life, I asked her if she thought she might be ADD.  “Oh, I’m sure!” she said.

When my daughter was seven, I didn’t know what Auditory Deficit Disorder was.  An educator suggested S. was ADD based on how she pronounced breakfast (as brefdest).  I quickly dismissed the notion with “Oh, we don’t DO that.”  S. was a bright, active, happy child – she was certainly not that ADD thing!

To clarify, the term ADD is no longer used in professional circles and is a sub-type for ADHD under Neurodevelopmental Disorders categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5, for 5thEdition).

A couple years ago S., now in her thirties, and I took online assessments for Adults with ADHD. Our scores were off the charts!  “Well, that explains a lot!”

In a way, I’m glad we didn’t know when she was a child. We found our own tools and strategies to manage how we lived and learned together, and we weren’t burdened by a learning-disabled label which carried enormous negative connotations twenty years ago.

We figured out tricks for breaking tasks into manageable chunks, incorporating physical activity into learning, and how not to rely on other people’s opinions as a barometer of our self-esteem. We learned how to control our restlessness in common situations, such as waiting in line (that's why there are magazines at the check-out counter!) or when listening to someone repeat information we already knew. We learned about multiple intelligences and learning styles, and that there are lots of different ways people's brains process information.

(For a comprehensive assessment for disposition, talents and learning modalities check out Power Traits for Life by pioneering researcher Mariaemma Willis.)

Now ADHD is well-known, commonly understood, and the stigma which was attached to it thirty years ago is diminished.  ADHD and its sub-types: Inattentive, Impulsivity, Hyperactivity (or a Combination of these three) affects thousands of children and adults. There are 9 behaviors for Inattentive and 9 for Hyperactive-Impulsive.  My daughter and I display a combination of behaviors, as is common in women who are missing that H factor.

Dr. David Rabiner, a Duke University Researcher, published a clear article on ADHD symptoms and criteria in 2013.  It is worth reading if you or a family member displays these behaviors, or just to understand more about your creative friends!

These are just a few common behaviors.  Go to Dr. Rabiner's article for the complete list.

Too quick in their work, make careless mistakes
Difficulty sustaining attention on routine tasks
Disorganized, messy, poor time management
Reluctant to engage in tasks – such as writing reports, filling out forms
Easily distracted
Loses or misplaces pencils, books, purse, keys, etc.
Restless or fidgety
Often interrupts or completes other people’s sentences
Difficulty waiting in line

Note:  “To possibly warrant a diagnosis of ADHD, individuals younger than 17 must display at least 6 of 9 inattentive and/or hyperactive impulsive symptoms. … For individuals 17 and above, however, only 5 or more symptoms are needed. This change … was made because of the reduction in symptoms that tends to occur with increasing age.” Rabiner

The good news is people with ADHD behavior tend to be “creative, intuitive, original… independent thinkers…imaginative, … big-hearted, generous” and “when it is managed properly, it (ADHD) can become a huge asset in one’s life.” (Dr. Hallowell. Links to his work below.) Knowing the behaviors to watch out for allows S. and I to support each other, accomplish our goals, help others, and live more fully.

So, focus on yours and your child’s strengths.

And, as always, Enjoy the Journey!

RESOURCES – You’ll find many more resources on our Special Needs page under Parent Resources.

Research article from Dr. David Rabiner, Duke University.
http://www.helpforadd.com/2013/june.htm

Dr. Hallowell – Psychiatrist and author. I like how he focuses on the positive traits of ADHD. The sidebar has links to Adult ADHD, ADHD in teens, ADHD and Marriage… lots of good stuff to read.
http://www.drhallowell.com/add-adhd/top10questions/

Healthline’s article on the difference between ADD and ADHD. The site has a ton more articles on ADHD, just scroll down for more. (contains sponsors and ads)
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/difference-between-add-and-adhd

An online assessment for fun! (this site is also ad-based)
https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-test-adults/

Also from ADDitude: https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/treating-adhd-without-medication/

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Choices

11/14/2018

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“I haven’t practiced this week," moaned Mark, my young piano student.

“What’s been going on?” I asked.

“Too much!  Soccer just started.”

“He still has little league practice for a few more weeks,” interjected his mom.

“And,” my student paused to emphasize, “Cub Scouts. And homework. And piano lessons.”

While Karen, his mother, was enthusiastically and actively providing positive educational and social activities for her son, it was clear from his slumped shoulders and fingers nervously pecking at the piano keys, that Mark was over-scheduled, stressed and unhappy.

As a younger mom, like Karen, I wanted to sign my kids up for every homeschool class, order all the cool puzzles, games and impressive curriculum I saw in the catalog, and volunteer for every service activity. I found myself pulled in so many directions, rushing my kids from one activity to another, and scarcely having time to enjoy teaching and learning together.

“Karen,” I said, “You're a good mom. And from personal experience, I would say you have too much going on. Right?" She nodded and sighed. "So, it's okay with me if you drop piano. I think you should figure out what activities are important to your family, and commit to those. If you're putting time and energy and money into something - and choosing to do that - you should enjoy it!"

Learning to say no is as important as knowing when to say yes. It allows us to access the satisfaction of what we choose to focus on, and gain greater balance in our lives.

So how do you determine what is best to focus on? Questions are a great place to start. Here is a strategy you can start with for activities, classes, or curriculum.

When considering classes, athletics, or music lessons ask:  Is it affordable? How much time will it take, including travel time and practice time? Is it a good investment of our resources?  Do we need this activity for social interactions, life skills, for recreation, or to meet core strengths? How does this impact our schedule?  Does this strengthen our family values?

For curriculum, you might ask: Is it affordable? Does it fit my child's learning style? Can I supplement or duplicate it? Is it worth the investment? How much time will it take each day?  Does it come with testing booklets or teacher’s manuals, and do I need those? Will it allow us to work at our own pace? Will we enjoy using it? Does it support our family values? Is it doable? Will my child need a tutor or online assistance? How will that impact our schedule?

You know when something fits your family. It just feels right! Even if it takes extra effort or sacrifice. Winnowing excess curriculum or activities can help you bring that sense of rightness to your life. Winnow means "using wind to remove chaff from grain." When you divide that word, it becomes "win now." I like that concept. Win. Now. To me that translates into replacing the worry, tension and rushing of an overpacked schedule with balance. We are all calmer and less stressed. And that's a huge win!

Karen and her son dropped piano lessons and focused instead on soccer and drawing lessons, something Mark loved! By refocusing on what was best for their family, my former student was transformed into an enthusiastic participant in his chosen activities. Remember that while saying yes to one activity may mean saying no to another, what doesn’t work for your family now might be a perfect fit later.

Think about your choices, and what best meets your family's needs. Thoughtful questions like those I've suggested can help lead to decisions that will increase your focus on the experiences you choose to share and the enjoyment of learning from them together.

Enjoy the journey!

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HOW DO I CHOOSE A CURRICULUM?!

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