Ornella: There are lots of ways to manage the schoolwork. Some families are proponents of "Unschooling," which is somewhat controversial. Basically, you follow the child's interests -- letting them read what interests them, learn from nature, learning hands-on skills (many of these kids learn computer programming, for example) and avoiding testing entirely. At my university, I have seen some students actually do well in college, although the idea of deadlines and doing the same a assignment as 50 other students takes some getting used to. Homeschooled college students generally do very well. Sometimes the social element can be a shock --- and, if we continue all the way through, we will have to make sure we don't shelter or cater to the kids too much. Mostly, though, these students are self-directed and confident.
In our home, we can personalize the curriculum -- one of the biggest advantages. I chose a math curriculum that would work for two children, not a whole school district. For example, I have one child who would benefit from a "gifted" program, and there is nothing, and I do mean nothing, available in my local school system until high school. He's doing math 2-3 grades higher than his level, and I just basically hand him the book. DH helps him with some of the "honors" supplements we give him. DD does the same program, and is a level behind her brother, but she's thriving because the curriculum is "mastery" based rather than "spiral" -- the terms aren't important, because, truthfully, children are all different and either approach can work. The point is that I can purchase a well-established, tested curriculum that works best for us and supplement where needed, skip sections when it seems best, and, as I did last year, change curriculum when it's not working. I spend about $500 per year on curriculum --- which is high -- you could spend less if you bought everything used. My kids do share textbooks, though, since they're just a year apart in age.
My DS has some sort of "grammar chip" in his brain and he needs no instruction in this area, however his reading is slower than average and he stresses over writing, even though his product is lovely. So, my DD gets more spelling and grammar activities, and he gets more writing assignments. They complain, but it works! They use the iPad for writing projects and Spanish instruction. We also supplement our science with videos from YouTube channels like "Veritasium" and "SmarterEveryDay".
When the kids are younger, the activities are easier, but the teacher is much more hands on. My kids are schooling in the house with me now -- Eric is on his top bunk reading "Lord of the Rings," and he'll have a character analysis do do on Legolas later. Maia is in the living room, at a table by the window, doing a honors math assignment. DH is giving her help at the moment --- something about common numerators! If I'm lucky, I'll get through this email, then grade math (they have to correct mistakes the same day). I'll go the gym, since I don't teach voice lessons on Fridays, and when I come back, we'll do a science experiment and I'll finish grading. It's a short day today, since I pushed the pace earlier in the week, when other kids were out of school due to the extreme cold. I'm surprising them by taking them to a movie (Frozen -- how appropriate) at 1:30pm.
Today I'll spend about 90 minutes giving feedback, assistance and grading. It averages 1-2 hours each day. If they were 6 or 7, I'd be spending more time "hands on," but I wouldn't have to look up answers! You should know there are lot of resources to help with that -- there are local and online tutors, but also amazing web resources -- some connected to the curriculum itself. There is Khan Academy for math, for example, although I also love the "Mahalo Math" tutorials on YouTube, and the grammar apps, yep, apps, that the kids have used. I get a lot of writing rubrics that help me evaluate their writing from Pinterest and a site where teachers post their lesson plans --- sometimes for free, sometimes for a small fee.
This weekend I'll spend about 1.5 hours setting up next week's lessons and entering grades. Next Monday, Eric resumes his Lego Mindstorms programming class and I'm a "helper" to the other homeschool mom who is actually a programmer (but a disorganized one, hence her need for help). 10 boys in her living room. Lawdy!
I do understand why some people are nervous about homeschooling. In my state, Illinois, despite the big state government, there are no laws regarding reporting progress. Parents who choose homeschooling out of fear, but with out putting in the work to educate, would face no accountability. Other states have laws that are ridiculously intrusive, holding homeschoolers to the line when their school systems are failing. Even in my state, however, the graduation rates and college success for homeschoolers are overall a lot higher than the same figures for public school. Parental involvement is a part of all schooling, after all. I spent at least an hour a day helping with homework when they were in school. And it was harder --- because I never hear the original lesson or had access to their textbooks.
Well ... off to grade....... oh, and after the gym I'll try to get dressed in something fab. My closet is boring me at the moment.....
