How to Start Homeschooling
New Homeschoolers Information
provided courtesy of
CHASE SC

(Christian Homeschoolers Association of South Eastern South Carolina)

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CHASE SC gives permission to all homeschooling support groups to copy this New Homeschoolers Workshop information in its entirety if 1) copies are not sold at a profit (a reasonable charge for copying is acceptable), and 2) if you note on the copies that you reprinted with the permission of CHASE SC, PO Box 366, Ladson, SC 29456 and list our web site: www.chasesc.com

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I. Homeschooling

II. How do we begin homeschooling?

III. South Carolina Homeschooling Laws

IV. SC State and Local Support Groups

V. Learning Styles/Modalities

VI. Special Needs

VII. Curriculum

VIII. Questions & Answers


I. Homeschooling

Homeschooling is a way of life for my family and me or in other words it's the lifestyle we feel convicted to lead. If you start out with this philosophy you will be much more successful in your homeschooling, because you will be looking at the long term plan. Don't get me wrong, it's okay to go day by day when you're sick or going through a very trying time. However, you will make it through those day by day times by having that long term plan.

II. How do we begin homeschooling?

1. Seek the Lord.

• a. Pray
• b. Read your Bible
• c. Are you and your spouse in agreement?

2. Learn about homeschooling.

• a. The law
• b. Read some books about homeschooling.
• c. Talk to other homeschoolers.

3. Get information on your state and local homeschooling support groups.

• a. Do they have workshops/conventions?
• b. Do they offer field trips?
• c. Do they offer other socials?
• d. Are they like-minded with your homeschooling philosophy?
• f. Attend at least one meeting to make your decision.
• e. Join a support group that can offer you and your family what you need (also be open-minded to contributing your help).

4. Decide how you will comply with the state law and make arrangements to do so according to your convictions.

5. Decide teaching methods and materials you will use.

6. Obtain your curriculum.

7. Get your house in order.

• a. Get it all organized - the whole house - you will have less time to cook, clean and do the normal routine stuff.
• b. Set up or revise a chore chart for the house.
• c. Will you have a certain room for school? - Get it organized.
• d. Make sure you have all supplies needed - paper, pencils, books,
• encyclopedias, dictionaries, markers, crayons, etc.

8. Begin your record keeping.

• a. Organize your record keeping into a filing system.
• b. What is your philosophy of education?
• c. Plan out a schedule for your school year.
• d. Keep an attendance record.
• e. Keep a daily record of subjects, pages, activities, and field trips.
• f. What rules will we use during our school time?
• g. Keep a list of curriculum texts (students; parents), resource books (students & parents), workbooks, etc.
• h. Do at a minimum a semi-annual progress report (this does not have to be a report card but it can be one).
• i. Keep a portfolio for each child with samples of their work. Place any standardized test scores in your child's portfolio.
• j. Prepare lesson plans

1. Plan at least one week ahead.
2. Changes in the lesson plan will happen.
3. List yearly, monthly and weekly goals.
4. Make or buy a lesson plan to assist you.
5. Review you lesson plan each evening before school to refresh your memory and to get all materials in order beforehand.


III. South Carolina Homeschooling Laws

IV. SC State and Local Support Groups

V. Learning Styles/Modalities

A knowledge of your learning style and your child's/children's learning styles is very important when it comes to homeschooling. You need to understand the way you learn best and the way each of your children learn best to most effectively help them when it comes to homeschooling.

Visual
Learns by seeing, watching and demonstrations. Likes TV, magazines, books and just about anything they can look at. Parents should use the TV and VCR prayerfully with much thought as tools to their child's/children's education focusing on the educational shows and videos.

Auditory
Learns through verbal instructions from others or self. Parents should give instructions verbally especially when the child has been having problems understanding the written directions. Cassette tapes are great especially those with songs and rhymes. VCR tapes and educational TV can be helpful. Having the child tape record themselves orally reading is helpful in addition.

Kinesthetic
Learns by doing; direct involvement. Loves games and hands-on activities. Thematic studies are best.

Additional Learning Modality Hand-out with Learning Modality test.

***Make sure you do not just focus on the modality that is your child's strongest. You need to include material that involves the modalities that they are weak in as well. This will help them to become a well- rounded learner.***

Learning Modality Activities
Visual

• Comparing/matching games
• Looking up information
• Tracing
• Educational Video Tapes
• Educational Television Programs (ETV - Discover Channel)
• Flash cards
• Puzzles
• Instructional books
• Charts
• Pictures
• Posters
• Plays/Drama
• Writing
• Computer

Auditory

• Tapes/Tape Player
• Educational Video Tapes
• Educational Television Programs (ETV - Discover Channel)
• Reading orally
• Parents reading orally
• Phonics
• Plays
• Music
• Computer with sound
• Kinesthetic
• Hopping, jump roping, jumping on a trampoline, or playing basketball rhythmically while
• learning anything that needs to be memorized.
• Games
• Projects
• Plays/Drama
• Use clay for making shapes, letters, etc.
• Use sand or sandpaper
• Learn the sign language alphabet
• Use finger spelling
• Outline shapes/words
• Trace shapes/words
• Use a pen or crayon that writes with two or more colors at a time
• Draw on the whiteboard and/or chalkboard
• Typing
• Computer

Books to read about learning modalities:

Growing Up Learning by Walter Barbe
Every Child Can Succeed: How to Make the Most of Your Child's Learning Style by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias


VI. Special Needs

The most important thing to remember with (most) special needs children is that they learn an objection/problem if it's shown to them in a way that they understand. Yes, it does take time and a strong will (on the parents part) to explore the many ways of showing a child something that he/she just cannot get. Children are learning DELAYED instead of learning DISABLED.

Books to read about special needs:

Strategies for Struggling Learners by Joe & Connie Sutton
Special Education: A Biblical Approach edited by Joe Sutton
Learning In Spite of Labels by Joyce Herzog

Resource for special needs/disabilities:



VII. Curriculum

1. Before choosing a curriculum you should know:

• a. Do you want Christ-centered curriculum?
• b. Your learning style
• c. Your child's/children's learning style
• d. The amount of money you can reasonable spend
• e. Is my child college bound?
• f. Which subjects are each of your children's strengths?
• g. Which subjects are each of your children's weaknesses?
• h. What SC law says about curriculum
• Section 59-65-47 (c) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature.

Break down of the required subjects:
Elementary (grades 1-6)

• Reading
• Writing
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies (History)

Secondary (grades 7-12)

• Reading
• Writing
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies (History)
• Composition (additional requirement for grades 7th -12th)
• Literature (additional requirement for grades 7th - 12th)

South Carolina Public School Diploma Requirements
Basic

• Language Arts 4
• Mathematics 3
• Natural Science 2
• US History 1
• Economics &fraq12;
• Government &fraq12;
• Other Social Studies 1
• P.E. (or ROTC) 1
• Electives 7
  

Total 20

College Prep

• Language Arts (College Prep English I, II, III, IV) 4
• Mathematics (Algebra I and II, Geometry) 3
• Natural Science (Biology and Physical Science) 2
• U.S. History 1
• Economics &fraq12;
• Government &fraq12;
• Other Social Studies (Choice of World History, World Geo., Western Civ.) 1
• P.E. (or ROTC) 1
• Electives (2 units of same foreign language may be required by college) 7

Total 20

Beginning with the 1997-1998 school year the requirements have changed for the public school diploma.

• English/Language Arts 4 Mathematics 4
• Science 3
• U.S. History and Constitution 1
• Economics &fraq12; U.S. Government &fraq12; Other Social Studies 1 Computer Science (including
• Keyboarding) 1 P.E. (or Jr. ROTC) 1
• Electives* 8

Total 24 Credits
* For college prep one credit must be in a foreign language. For tech. prep. 4 credits must be occupational units.

2. Types of Curriculum

• a. Self study - short paper-back booklets that are called "paces, units, or lifepacs". Little teacher preparation needed. Examples: ACE, Alpha Omega, and Christian Light.
• b. Textbooks - Lots of different curriculum companies offer textbooks. You can get either Christian or secular. More planning is needed from the parent. Examples: Abeka, Bob Jones, Rod and Staff, and Saxon.
• c. Unit studies - Also known as thematic studies. A study that incorporates lessons for all subjects into one theme. Very good for the hands-on learning and for several children in different grade levels. All most all children prefer this approach. Unit studies require the most planning from a parent. Examples: Amanda Bennett, Greenleaf, Design A Study, Konos, and Weaver.
• d. Relaxed Homeschooling - Also known as Unschooling. A relaxed home atmosphere where the parents help guide their children with studying subjects that interest each different child. Generally more parental assistance is needed the younger the child and less parental assistance is needed as the child matures.

***The curriculum is there to assist you. DO NOT let it control you. If it is not working out perhaps some changes are in order. If your child is not understanding something perhaps they are not ready for the new subject matter, take a break and try it a week later (maybe even a month later).***

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VIII. Questions & Answers
Q. Is homeschooling legal?
A. Yes, take a look at number III. The Law

Q. What about socialization?
A. Socialize (v) as defined by New Webster's Dictionary-render social, as to suit something to the needs of society; participate in friendly interchange. We as homeschooling parents do not isolate our children from everyone else; however, we do get to provide times for socialization that fall within our own beliefs and eliminate most peer pressure. Many opportunities exist that you probably have not even thought of, such as: Sunday school, children and youth programs at church, Vacation Bible School, church social functions, support group field trips, park days, monthly support meetings, homeschooling co-op days, beach days, volunteering at hospitals, nursing homes, church and other places, team sports, gymnastics, PE, 4-H, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. With all the programs available through church, homeschooling and the community our children do learn to participate in friendly interchange.

Q. What about testing?
A. Testing is required only under Section 59-65-40; therefore, testing is only required by state law if you go through the school board of the district you reside in. However, each umbrella association decides whether testing is or is not required. CHASE SC does not require testing. If an association requires testing they will tell you what kind and where you can have your child/children tested. If you would like to test your children even though the association does not require the testing you may contact the following for information on their testing programs:

• 1. Bayside School Services; 800-723-3057 CAT/5 & TCS/2 - These test are administered at home by the parent.
• 2. Bob Jones University; 800-845-5731 - Testing may be done at home if you become a
• qualified tester (with some restrictions).
• 3. Dr. Joe P. Sutton, editor of the book, Special Education: A Biblical Approach and
• co-author to, Strategies for Struggling Learners: A guide for the Teaching Parent, is a certified educational diagnostician and experience special education teacher. He offers the following services to home educators: screening tests, disability evaluations, diagnostic skill evaluations, achievement tests, and special education consulting. Arrangements can be made for on-site testing in home school communities. 803-967-4729
• 4. Hewitt Educational Resources; 360-835-8708 - PASS Test for 3rd - 8th. This test is
• administered at home by the parent. It was designed for homeschoolers.
• 5. Thurber's Educational Assessments; 919-967-5282 - California Achievement Tests (CAT) administered by the parent in the home. Discounts for families with 3 or more children testing and groups of at least 12.
• 6. Check with your local support group to see if they do any group testing.

Q. Are we qualified to teach our children?
A. Yes, we are.

• 1. In South Carolina a parent must have a High School Diploma or the GED. See III. The Law.
• 2. We are told to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. It is normal for us to question whether or not we can do this, but remember through God ALL things are possible. Make sure you keep homeschooling in your prayers everyday. It is a good idea to start your homeschooling day in prayer.
• 3. Workshops are available to help train and prepare you. SCHEA holds an annual workshop for homeschoolers and so does Bob Jones. To find out what else is available check with your local support group.

Q. How can we teach several children at one time?
A.
Self-Study Curriculum -

• 1. Consider having the children check their own or each others work. This will save you time in the biggest time consuming area with the self-study curriculum.
• 2. You can have the children record or check off the work as they complete it. You can use this for your record of what was done each day.
• 3. Have the children help with the goals for the week. This should be somewhat easy because each program is based on having so many pages completed within a certain time. If they need to do 4 pages a day they would write M pg 1-4, T pg 4- 8, W pg 9-12 and so on.

Textbooks -

• 1. Consider having the children check their own or each others work. This will save you time in the biggest time consuming area with the self-study curriculum.
• 2. You can have the children record or check off the work as they complete it. You can use this for your record of what was done each day.
• 3. If you divide the textbook up in some way days, months, quarter you can assign so many pages per day. If they know how many pages per day they can also record the upcoming weeks schedule.
• 4. If they are close to the same grade level many textbooks can be shared and taught together. Bible, History and Science are the easiest to do this with.

Unit Studies -

• This is a very good choice to incorporate shared learning. If you use a guide like Konos it lists activities for the younger, middle and older child. Generally they all can work on the same project, however, they each do it at a different level. Some of the same ideas listed under self study and textbooks could be used depending on how you do your unit study.

Relaxed Homeschooling -

• Ideas from all of the above could be used depending on how you do your relaxed homeschooling.

Q. Do we have to name our homeschool?
A. No, you are not required by law or CHASE SC to name your homeschool. Some
associations however may require you to name your homeschool.

Q. What do the children do when mom/dad is sick?

A.

• 1. Art projects
• 2. Audio tapes
• 3. Computer games or writing project
• 4. Educational Games
• 5. Educational TV programs
• 6. Reading
• 7. Videotapes
• 8. Writing (have them do a rough draft and if they can a final copy on something they are
• interested in).

Q. What if the curriculum just isn't working?
A. Did you consider all the information under Section VII Curriculum? Could it be that your child is not ready for the material? Could you show them the same information in another way? If you've tried everything and nothing seems to work and you want to change curriculum, then you probably should. Make sure you research really good before buying additional curriculum. If at all possible try to see the materials before you buy them!

Q. What is the compulsory attendance age in South Carolina?
A. According to Section 59-65-10 your child must attend kindergarten somewhere (public, private, or homeschool) if they turn 5 by September 1st of that school year. Parents may sign a waiver excusing their child(ren) from kindergarten if the child does not turn 6 by September 1st of that year. Children must attend until their seventeenth birthday or until they graduate from high school.

Q. What do we do about a high school transcript?
A. You can prepare them yourself or you may have your umbrella association prepare them if they offer transcript preparation services. If you are preparing your own transcript you may want to look at Apprenticeship +PLUS by Inge and Ronald Cannon available from their company Education PLUS 1-864-609-5411.

Q. Will our children be able to go to college?
A. More and more colleges are becoming homeschool friendly. They like the studying and learning abilities that homeschool students display. In addition they like their maturity, creativity and independent thinking skills. Parents should prepare a high school transcript, award a diploma and specify an actual high school graduation date. Have your child(ren) take the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT. These tests can be taken more than one time. Colleges use the SAT, ACT and sometimes their own entrance exam. High school students can enroll in a technical college and obtain college and high school credit for the courses (some colleges may not issue credit for the college credited courses if they were used for high school credit).

Many colleges offer nontraditional programs for off-campus study (or to us homeschoolers this would be college at home). Check into distance learning courses, electronic media, and CLEP testing.

Apprenticeship programs is another option for the homeschooler.

Q. How do I withdraw my child from school?
A.

• 1. If your child has not previously been enrolled in a school it is not necessary to contact your local school. However, you must comply with SC's homeschooling laws foraccountability. See Section III. The Law.
• 2. Go to the school and let them know that you will be homeschooling and let them know whom you are enrolled with to homeschool (school district 59-65-40, SCIAHS 59-65-45, or the name of the umbrella association you are a member of 59-65-47). Take a copy of the law and proof of membership with the umbrella association. Ask for a copy of your child's records.

OR

• 3. You may ask the district, or your umbrella association to send for your records if this service is available through them. If the school year has already started you must call and let the school know that you are homeschooling and the name of the district or umbrella association that will send for your records.

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PRACTICAL HOMESCHOOLING IDEA
Over the years I have prayed that the Lord would reveal to me ideas that would make homeschooling easier, more fun and practical. Here are some ideas that I have used or have been shared with me. They really open up so many new and adventurous avenues in educating our children. Isn't it such a blessing that we have the ability to weave into our families educational lives so much more?

TIME: The only way we will have time to home educate our children is to be home. Limit the activities you do. It is fine to only be involved in one activity outside the home a week. For our family we try to choose activities that we all can participate in. Guard your family time like it is a valuable treasure - because it is! In homeschooling you need long days with lots of hours to be able to work with your child. The only way your child will develop creativity is if they have long stretches of TIME to explore, to bake & cook, sew, build, read and be read to, draw and delve into learning. The only way you will have success in educating your children and training them is if you have TIME to do it in. Unfortunately, child training isn't one of those tasks that fit neatly into the "Quality Time" that experts talk about. Training our children will take all of our time!!! LIMIT OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES!! More is not Better!!!

BEING REALISTIC: The time I have with my children is fast passing, yet, they are not containers to dump education into. It's important to be realistic and realize that we have more than just this year to gain education. It's okay to spread learning out over several years. Don't take on too much. We are mothers & fathers of a household of duties - it's important not to overdo.

CHORES: Children need them and parents need their children to do them. Education is a waste if our children do not become parts of the working household. From a young age children can fold clothes, make beds, pick up toys, and help in many areas. As children get older they can take over dish washing, laundry and meal preparations. Someday our children will have to run their own homes - we need to take the time to teach them how to run a household. This is more important than book learning.

PHONE: Do not answer the telephone. Determine if you are just bored and seeking a diversion or if your time on the phone is necessary. If you must know who is calling invest in an answering machine or caller ID. Think of homeschooling as your job and the King of Heaven is watching. Be serious about this commitment to your children and DON'T let the Phone become a problem.

MEALS: Create a menu of simple meals and have the kids help prepare them. Soups and salads are easy. Crockpot meals are a lifesaver. Use meal time preparation as time to teach your children how to cook and clean. It is also a great time to listen to tapes or just talk about what you are studying or reading or thinking about.

ROUTINE: Routine is a must. Set times for getting up, devotions, family worship, meals and basic study are a must. By creating routine - you will have time to do the things your family wants and needs. Routine isn't rigid - it's structure that is somewhat flexible without breaking.

THE BASICS: Strip Homeschooling to Basics academically. Figure out what is most important and foundational. Subjects like Math, Writing, Reading and English are foundational basic subjects. These are subjects that can be incorporated in Unit Studies, but they are your basics. Seek to do a little in each BASIC subject daily.

AUDIOS: I love audio tapes. As a family we have been regular consumers of this type of learning. It is what I term effortless learning. You can be traveling (locally or long distance), cooking, cleaning or washing dishes and learning at the same time. We have loved the audio stories of historical figures or character building stories. We must have listened to Pilgrim's Progress nearly a dozen times. But music tapes are a blessing too. You can choose from hymns, scripture songs, spiritually uplifting music and classics. The audio tape that came with Considering God's Creation is a favorite with the kids - what a great way to learn systems of the body, the planets, creation and more. There are many audio tapes available to choose from now. There are tapes for learning foreign languages, Bible on Tape, history, science themes, Bird songs & calls, sermons and talks, music, devotionals and more. You can even learn math, science, history and other facts to music. Create your own audio tapes too. You can read stories onto cassettes for your children. We cannot always spend every minute with our children, but by reading some of their favorite stories or sharing other information with them, they can always have the material available to them. You can make up your own songs to learn math by. Your children can create their own "Story Hour" tapes - by dramatizing the parts of books they have read.

VIDEOS: One of the easiest ways to learn about something is to find a good video. Through our library system we can take out videos both locally and through interlibrary loan. Yes, you have to be choosy. Take care to choose educational quality videos not just "movie junk". But you can find videos on just about any country or state in the world - what a neat way to spice up your geography unit. Videos can be secured on most science and nature subjects. History documentaries are wonderful too. Some children just learn better by visually seeing something. By having a video it broadens their ability to learn. No, videos are not a necessity, yet, I have found them a great motivation and a way to learn a bit more effortlessly. There are some video themes you can't find in your library. These will be mostly religious or creation-based in nature. Those we try to save and purchase for our own library. Our Reformation video series has been a blessing to watch. It has helped us understand the historical period better. A dear friend purchased for us a set of videos on gardening. These were done by a christian who is also into organic gardening and super nutrition gardening. These will be something that we will watch over and over again. It helps to be able to visualize what is being talked about. There is no end to the subject areas that can be covered using Audio and Visual means.

READING: Reading is a must!!!! And Family Reading is more than a must!!! Through Family reading - we have read through portions of the Bible, many, many, many good religious & missionary stories, Pilgrim's Progress, Hinds Feet in High Places, Tip Lewis and His Lamp, Tiger and Tom, and many many many character reprints and other good books. Family reading binds the family - as you talk about what you are reading. And you can read things along the line of your study themes too. On their own, our children have read through many of the Childhood of Famous Americans, Landmark history series, Signature series and other older historical stories of real people. Reading your way through history is the easiest way to understand this subject. Science, too, can be "read" through. We have enjoyed many books on animals and other science themes.

GAMES: Games can be a wonderful way to learn many things. We have enjoyed Dominoes, Pick up sticks, Chutes and Ladders, Boggle, Scrabble, UpWords, Pilgrim's Progress, Egypt to Canaan, Life of Christ, Memory and others. Some of the nicest games are those you make yourself. Games can be a fun way to learn math and language arts skills. You can also learn Bible Facts and Scriptures along with science and history bits. Peggy Kaye has written several books on games for learning. Most libraries carry her books. Learning through this medium can help give a little zest to education. Many times in the evening we will play games together as a family. This helps bind us together and it's fun - we don't think about the fact we are "learning" - we are just enjoying the time together.

LIBRARY: Using the library is something we all can do. It's easy and can put you in touch with any subject you desire. We try to go to the library once a week. We each find something different that we are studying whether it be Java Script, gardening, learning calligraphy or crafts, herbs or flowers, toy making or fixing a car. It is amazing what you can access at the library.

STUDYING IN THEMES or UNIT STUDIES: We have four children. I have found it is just plain easier to pick themes to study as a family for a period of a few weeks. Because we are all learning the same theme - we can join together in our research, reading and planning. The older boys will do more and get more out of the study than our younger children. That is fine. We might choose to study herbs or the Civil War. It doesn't matter what we are studying, we just all study that together. We don't make a huge production of it. Sometimes our unit studies have lead us to do a lot of projects and writing and other times we have just read through some good books. The point is that we joined together and did it as a family and learned something. I watch to see what the children are interested in learning. By keeping an eye on their interests I can plan to help them find more information or form a simple study on the subject as a family. We have studied through so many different themes. And there are so many more left. It's exciting! Take the time to learn about the stars & planets, geography, tornadoes, gardening, birdwatching, beekeeping, pets, and a host of other areas. You can't exhaust it - but you can sure delve in and enjoy it.

FAMILY WORSHIP: This has been an indispensable time for the best of learning. During this time we sing and work on scripture memorization. We also read the Bible and other good spiritual books. We study Bible passages and themes. Right now we are studying Righteousness by Faith. Some of our favorite books for family worship reading are: Desire of Ages or Christ our Savior, Christ Object Lessons, Tucker's Nature Quest Devotional, Hive of Busy Bees, The Arthur Maxwell Bible Story set, Pilgrim's Progress, Paula the Waldensian, and many others. It's amazing how many Bible books and other good spiritual books can be covered in a relatively short period of time just through systematic Family Worship reading time. We have just finished a series on John Huss and the Hussites of Bohemia. Now we are starting another by J. A. Wylie on Martin Luther. It's so fascinating!!! This can be a great time to learn Scripture Songs. Listen to one song on a scripture tape and then sing it a few times until you can sing it without "help" from the tape. Keep doing this till you learn many.

SCIENCE KITS: Many times you can create your own science learning kit just by purchasing the needed materials to do science experiments. However, sometimes it is just easier to buy a kit with what you need. Through kits we have put together a model of a human skeleton, taken apart owl pellets, learned to do science/chemistry experiments, made volcanoes, put together airplanes and other flying contraptions and many other things. You can make your own science type kits and activities. And easy one is take butcher paper and trace your child's body onto it. Then daily make and cut out the body organs and have your child color and paste them onto their body. It's a simple way to learn about the body. You can do this with science books, too. The Usborne and DK books are great. Take a science book - like magnets and locate all the materials necessary to do the projects in the book - then give it to your child for them to do "science" with. You can create "kits" like this for sewing and simple crafts too. Put the book or instruction in a box with the materials and allow your child the time to explore and learn. We have done this and it's something our children love. My brother in law is a fantastic mechanic. He brings motors and motor parts up when they visit and teaches the boys a little about how they work and then helps them take it all apart and put it back together. This is valuable learning!!!

COLLECTIONS: Kids love to collect things. Allow your children to collect rocks, shells, leaves, flowers, stamps, stickers, and other things. Help them label their collections and keep them neat. Purchase guides that will help them to identify the objects that they are collecting.

NOTEBOOKS & JOURNALS: I have written in depth about this at other times. But there really isn't an easier way to document what your child is reading and studying in science and history than creating notebooks on those themes. You can also use your notebooks to keep your Bible Study notes in. They are so freeing and valuable. And the advantage is you always will have a portfolio of written work by your child about what they are doing and learning! We have a booklet available on making Homeschool Notebooks and Journals that give more details!

FELTS: Many children like to play with Felts. For younger children they may love to have their Bible Stories told to them with felts - then they can "practice" telling the story themselves. This is wonderful for reading comprehension and helps them to learn story sequencing. Felts can also be great visual aid tools for learning the Sanctuary, The Human Body, Nature, and other areas too.

MAPS & OTHER AIDS: Maps are vital. Our boys have maps on the walls in their bedroom. When we read about a certain area, we can go in their room and locate exactly where the area is. We are constantly showing our boys where someone lives, where someone is traveling too, where something took place and how to use the maps. Along the outside of our maps are flags of all the US states and flags of all the countries. Our six year old spent days making and coloring flags of different places. Some other fun visual aids are placemats. You can find placemats with all manner of educational material on them. You can learn about the human body, the United States, letters, numbers, math facts and more. You can make your own placemats too. I have read of families who put all types of educational information on their dining room table and cover it with clear plastic. That material is visible to glean from during meals and other times. What a neat idea!

ARTS & CRAFTS: Keep a box with paper (construction, drawing and tracing paper) at easy access to your children. Another box can house crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors and glue. You can keep boxes of other crafty things available for your children to use. By having boxes of materials available to your children - your helping them have the freedom to create and draw.

SPARE MOMENTS: When we are traveling and running errands we can use the time to talk with our children. We can also discuss what we are learning. We can drill them on math facts and spelling. Younger children can practice reading by noting verbally the signs we pass. Talk with your children as you would an adult friend. Talk about what you and they would like for dinner over the next week, talk about their friends, the church, the family, your goals, God's plan for their life. Take advantage of those seemingly lost moments and pray for wisdom on how to best use them.

CURRICULUM: Obviously there is a certain amount of curriculum you will want to purchase. I try to focus on the above items first What I cannot accomplish through them, I will purchase in a text. Math is one subject that I use strict curriculum in. Yes, I play math learning games with the children, but the textbook just helps me keep on track. Though I know of families that do just fine creating their own math games and unit studies. Each family has to decide what curriculum they need. But choose curriculum that is child friendly, interesting and progressive.

When you take the time to rethink education, there is so much you do with your children that is fun and valuable learning. The time we have with our children is fleeting. It never ceases to amaze me the number of distractions that Satan can place in my pathway so that I get off track and don't take advantage of these precious, passing years. Someday I will stand before the Lord to answer for what I did with the time I had with my children. He won't ask me if my children learned Trigonometry at age 12. But He will ask me if I gave myself to them. He will search my children's hearts to see if their hearts are trained toward Him.

It is my prayer that God will keep me focused on the task at hand. There is nothing I desire more than to someday see Jesus place the crown of Eternal Life on each of my children's heads and know that they are safe with Him. We certainly need to keep our focus in the right place!!!

LaCelle Family Ministries
9199 Howd Road
Camden, NY 13316
EMAIL: lacelle@earthlink.net