Homeschool Teachers

Scientific research has proven that studying spelling does not make you a better speller. If that’s the case, some of us will be good spellers and some won’t, regardless of studying. So should you include spelling in your curriculum?

Proper spelling is part of communication and the greatest need in our world is for clear communication. I’ll admit that spell checking programs on the computer are easy to use but relying solely on that will not help you communicate “which” child is the better speller if you are using the word “witch.”

I have two kids and both read and comprehend extremely well. One is a good speller, one not so good. My visual learner is the better speller. He can see images in his head, including images of how words are formed. That gives him an upper hand in spelling. My not so good speller is an auditory learner so finding a program to fit his learning style was important as well as an experimental journey for us.

In homeschooling, the goal of the parent is to teach their children skills to engage them in the world around them. That goal can best be met when we understand each child’s strengths and weaknesses and the method by which he learns best. We are not limited to a set curriculum and just because schools use methods that typically teach to one syle of learner does not mean that we should follow down that mistaken path.

There are numerous spelling programs available, but whichever one works for you is the best one. I have spent lots of money and five years working with different spelling curriculum but I think I’ve found the best one for our family: Sequential Spelling.

First of all, it teaches sound patterns. For a kid that can’t picture the word in his head this is important. We start with the word know, then knowing, knowledge, acknowledge, acknowledged, acknowledgment. Breaking words down by syllables and adding prefixes or suffixes is the key skill here. And you should realize that syllables coincide with sound, not pictures.

Second, your kids will become confident spellers because there is immediate feedback and results. Students don’t have to study more words or patterns or rules. They begin to recognize more and more patterns and start spelling words correctly that they’ve never seen before - this is a benefit to the visual learner as well.

Last, and most important for the teacher’s sake, you can use the same program with multiple children at the same time. You no longer have to do 5th and 3rd and 7th grade spelling separately in the same day. Because patterns are learned progressively, a third grader can spell the same words as a seventh grader.

If studying spelling does not make you a better speller than why should you try at all? I’m saying that we no longer “study” spelling. We look and listen for patterns in words and learn how to reproduce them on paper, whether we use visual or auditory skills to do it.

The reliance on technology for communication in the last 25 years has played a huge part in people constantly communicating, but decreasing the value of our communication. I may not have much to say, but I do want to be understood when I speak or write. If you can’t understand me then what I have to say is meaningless to you. No wonder people can’t get along with each other!

Whether at home or between warring countries, clear communication and understanding others is the key to better relationships. Proper spelling is just one of the factors necessary in the communication equation.

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There are a lot of reasons to homeschool but most people choose homeschooling because they love their children and want them to have the best possible upbringing and education.

Regardless of the level of education of the homeshool teacher, homeschooled students regularly outperform their peers that attend public or private schools. But there seems to be more than meets the “standardized test” eye.

Homeschooled students have the opportunities to fully engage in life because they are not chained to a desk at one building and required to study the same information as every other kid their age. Children are uniquely created to be different and should be respected as such. Children are naturally curious and eager to learn and if given the chance, they will learn everything they want to!

Many bookstores, museums and community facilities are recognizing parents as homeschool teachers and offering their services to the homeschool sector. Look what’s happening in the homeschool community of Richmond, Virginia:Home Schooling’s Success Entices

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There are times when you start feeling hemmed in when you stay home all day. But who says homeschooling should only take place in the home?

The world is your classroom. You don’t have to confine yourself to one place, including the home. There are educational opportunities everywhere you look. Do you have a zoo or museum nearby? How about a fish hatchery, dairy or factory? Whether you live in the city or country you can find places to visit and a variety of things to study.

Youth orchestras, county 4-H programs, volunteer activities, local theaters, the list goes on and on. Set the books aside one day and tour your own neck of the woods.

See what local resuorces this homeschool teacher has found by clicking on this link: Step from bedroom to classroom

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Many people believe that completing a grade level and receiving a passing grade equals education. Think again!

Don’t confuse “passing a test” with understanding and knowledge. I may have passed an algebra test in 9th grade but does that mean I could sit down solve a problem with many unknown variables? Not always. Short term learning does not prepare a person for real life.

As a homeschool teacher, I require my children to grasp each subject with understanding that goes beyond coming up with an answer.  True mastery comes with the ability to solve real life problems.  In real life, you are not asked to find the product of two numbers such as 4 X 3 = 12.  A real life example would be when my child can accurately figure the area of a room for carpeting, without me telling him the formula.  Then calculating the cost based on price per yard, etc.  This type of problem requires mastery of math formulas necessary for real life.

Check out this article with another homeschool teacher’s experience: Homeschooling not easy, but rewards are many

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A friend of mine began homeschooling last year and plans to continue this year. When she asked me to help choose curriculum this year I was excited that she had gained enough confidence to continue homeschooling. As we began talking about goals and levels of math mastery it became clear to me she really had very little confidence in herself to continue as a homeschool teacher.

She was concerned that she needed to push her 7th grader in math but she felt inadequate to go beyond this grade. The root of her fear is that she will be putting her kids back into public school when they reach high school and so she must keep them on level with their peers.

Fear of the future will prevent you from doing what’s best for the present. You’ll end up accomplishing little towards your goals and actually sabotage your present efforts. Most parents new to being homeschool teachers fall into the trap of feeling inadequate to finish strong all the way through high school.

For encouragement to continue your homeschooling efforts, read this article about the stages of homeschool: Grace and the Homeschool

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Homeschool teachers are a unique breed of people. They are committed to giving their students an exceptional education while sacrificing great amounts of time, money and energy. All homeschool teachers find themselves discouraged at times or lack the proper tools or resources to fulfill their responsibility to the fullest potential.

Whether you’re a veteran homeschooler or new to homeschooling, this site will bring you help for all your homeschool problems.

People ask me all the time for help with starting a homeschool, how to homeschool, setting educational goals, choosing home schooling resources for various subjects, scheduling time, preparing lesson plans, homeschool grades, keeping up the home, learning styles, apprenticeships, etc.

At Homeschool Teachers Help you will find information for all your homeschool needs! I regularly scour the internet looking for help for homeschooling and have desgined Homeschool Teachers Help to answer all your questions or point you to expert home schooling resources to provide the help you need to be the best homeschool teacher possible.

I’ve read almost every book available about homeschooling and have a wealth of information and experience to share with you. I’ll compile and summarize all the best home schooling information that will make you a better homeschool teacher right away.

You’ll save hours of time by checking out my recommendations for what’s hot and avoiding what’s not. There is no reason for your kids to receive less than the best homeschool education and no reason for you to spend hours searching when all the homeschooling information you need is in one spot!

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