Homeschool or Learning On-Line at Home
Navigating your CHOICE in your Child's Education
Many families are on edge awaiting what school districts are putting into place for the fall. There WERE talks of many districts doing a hybrid method (some days in school, some days at home) that would create smaller groups of children in classrooms at the same time and allow for social distancing.
Then, new information came out citing that 3-5 feet is "enough" to social distance. For some reason this made many districts able to cram all the students back 5 days a week at the same time. I know in my district this is the plan and all of a sudden I'm asking myself,
WHAT WILL SCHOOL LOOK LIKE IN THE FALL?
- NOTHING but desks in the classrooms (each desk separated)?
- Taking out flexible seating, learning centers, teacher's desks to fit all the desks in classrooms?
- "SPOTS" on the floor and walls dictating where students should sit or stand
- New policies of how to walk in the halls without touching or being too close to one another?
- No more focus on social, interactive learning or collaboration...
- Encouraging families to take their children's temperatures before entering school and trusting that they won't pre-medicate?
- Different facial covering policies (Most are saying they are necessary for anyone over third grade.)
IS THIS THE EXPEREINCE YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE AT SCHOOL?
OPTIONS FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS: IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL?
With most districts planning to go full speed ahead pushing everyone in class 5 days a week at the same time, families are wanting another option. This leads schools to create some sort of "learning at home option". THIS IS NOT HOMESCHOOLING. It is essential that you know the difference!
ONLINE, VIRTUAL, E-SCHOOL OPTIONS THROUGH DISTRICTS:
The online school options that districts are offering MAY be taught by the district's teachers or may be done by an outside agency (with a separate curriculum). Either way, opting for your district's cyber-school would allow a student to still be recognized as an official district student. That is a major PRO for many parents, because they most likely plan to only school their kids from home temporarily or during the pandemic.
This option CAN be a bit misleading, though. The online option is not as flexible as you may expect. You will not choose your curriculum (the school will dictate what you are teaching and through what program) and their may or may not be real time Zoom/Google Meet times scheduled for teaching and student/teacher interaction.
There is ANOTHER OPTION and it may be the perfect time to consider....
HOMESCHOOLING!
This involves...
- notifying the school district of your intent to homeschool
- choosing a curriculum
- having your child's learning assessed each year (and this doesn't mean a test!)
All of those things are VERY easy to do. Websites even have templates and form letters to use.
- True homeschooling is FLEXIBLE!
- You pick your child's curriculum! You can focus on areas that are your child's weaknesses or play into their interests and strengths, you can incorporate more hands-on and life skills learning, and you make your schedule!
Keep in mind that you are the teacher, but there are so many resources available!!! One, being us at Dandelion Learning! There are lots of homeschooling social/support groups on Facebook and many organizations have “homeschool programs” to offer free or at a low cost to incorporate into your plans.
Don't worry too much about having all your ducks in a row before starting. No matter what you choose, something about it won't be a great fit and you'll need to adjust and make changes. So don't focus too much on getting THE right curriculum -- there is no such thing. You WILL adjust and change and even might throw something out two days after trying it. It's ok to do that, it's expected and it's part of the learning process. You won't know how best they learn outside of a classroom environment until you just jump in and start.
I like to say it this way - Just like when you are pregnant for the first time, you read all the baby books you can get your hands on, then you think you are ready. But then as soon that baby was born, boom!!, reality hits, and 99% of all that advice in the books goes out the window, and instead you start being mom to the actual real life child in front of you. Not the theoretical ones in all those books. That's exactly like getting start homeschooling. Read up, yes, start feeling grounded, sure, but you will never get it ALL figured out before starting. When it comes down to it, just jump in and see where you land, and then make adjustments as needed once you are really truly homeschooling the non-theoretical kids in front of you.
Excerpt from: https://ohiohomeschoolingparents.com
There are LOTS of choices here, too. Just google “homeschool programs” and you’ll find a TON of programs you can purchase (in a wide variety of amounts!). You may go this route if you wish to have the learning plans dictated for you. This would be a computer program or books to follow each day. At Dandelion Learning, we don’t believe that is the way children are meant to learn, though. We advocate an emergent curriculum. This is the way we teach at Parma Preschool (www.parmapreschool.org) and our students LOVE learning and excel in so many learning domains (reading, writing, art, woodworking, clay, painting, movement, dance, nature-based learning, invention…).
Take this quiz and find out what type of homeschool do you fit into?
UNSCHOOLING, REGGIO-EMILIA, OR PROJECT APPROACH?
If you get results that say your style is “unschooling”, “Project Approach” or “Reggio-Emilia” then you probably believe…
· Learning happens every day!
· Each child has a unique learning style!
· It’s easier to learn when you’re interested in what you’re learning.
· Learning is embedded into daily activities (Cooking involves reading the recipe, measuring the ingredients, observing a chemical change!).
· Learning happens through EXPERIENCES. (Think about all the things a child discovered when taking an airplane to a new vacation spot.)
If you’re ready to take the plunge and homeschool with one of those approaches, we may be able to help!
Are you sold and ready for the homeschooling to start?
If you’re interested in meeting with teachers to navigate your homeschool journey click here to tell us more about you and your family! We’re hoping to form small groups this school year that meet to discuss project plans, create experience, and help you navigate your own homeschool journey!
Below are some helpful links about homeschooling in Ohio:
The Ohio Homeschooling Parents Website is GREAT! They’re on Facebook, too!
What type of homeschool do you fit into?
FAQs
Form to Turn in to Notify School District:
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