HOMESCHOOL

Some Thoughts on Homeschooling

WHY HOMESCHOOL?
    God places the responsibility for the education of children on their parents. You as a parent may transfer that responsibility to public or private schools, but the final responsibility is yours. God will hold you, the parent, responsible for what your children are taught. Homeschool is the best way and in some cases the only way to carry out this responsibility.
    Also homeschooling results in a better education, and protection from peer pressure, teasing, and bullies. Regardless of how your children are educated, you must protect them from the godless philosophy that is common in public schools today and from the religion of evolution.

BUT I’M NOT A TEACHER!
    Parents who never finished high school have been successful in teaching their children. When necessary you learn along with your children. Under your guidance and supervision your children will spend most of their time learning on their own. Homeschool is not standing in front of a class and lecturing.

I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME!
    Learning reading, writing and arithmetic is important. But, it is also important to learn how to wash dishes, cook, shop, clean house, make beds, etc. These activities should be considered a part of the education process, not as a chore. An important part of education is learning responsibility and accountability. By making your children responsible for pets, gardening, household activities, maintenance of house and equipment, they will be learning responsibility. These children will have a greater ability to meet life when they are grown and on their own.

WILL MY CHILD BE ABLE TO ENTER A UNIVERSITY?
    A few years ago my daughter surveyed the 50 top universities in America about their attitude toward homeschooled students. They all stated they accepted homeschoolers. Most were eager to have them because of their better education background, high SAT scores and their ability to be successful in their studies and research.

    WARNING: Great care must be exercised in choosing an institute of higher education. Many have lowered their standards in education. Some are providing dorms where girls and boys room in the same building. In one case I know of, a high school student went to visit a university and to stay overnight. They assigned him a room with a man who had homosexual signs on his door and the room had only one bed. What would your child do in such a case? This student called his father to come get him.

    A BETTER WAY: It is important that your children learn a skill that will result in an income. One of the best ways is through apprentice training. Almost any career can be started through an apprenticeship program, including many professional careers. By having your children apprenticed to a Christian professional or business man or skilled worker, they will end up with a sellable education, one that meets a need. Just as many high school students graduate unable to read, many university students graduate unable to function in society. Homeschooling solves this problem.

WHAT SHOULD I EMPHASIZE?
    It is impossible to know everything there is to know. So, what should I teach that will be of the most value?

    GOD FIRST: First and most important is knowing the ways of God. Emphasize the teachings of the Bible as they apply to life. Use care in teaching the dogmas of your denomination. There are many Christian denominations and they all have divisions within them, proving that they do not know or have the complete truth about God. Knowing God’s truth results in unity not divisions.

    LANGUAGE: It is very important to have a good foundation in language, including grammar, pronunciation, spelling, and writing skills.

    FINANCIAL TRAINING: Teach how to keep financial records, how to shop for the best buys, and how to stay out of debt.

    GO BEYOND THE SURFACE: When learning to cook, teach nutrition. Teach them not only how to use appliances, mowers and cars, but also how to maintain and repair them. When someone is sick, research and learn all you can about the illness.
    Beyond this cater to the interests of your children. Encourage them to become experts in the field of their interest. If they have too many interests you may need to guide them into those that will meet the needs of others.

GOVERNMENT VOUCHERS:
    Should I accept government vouchers if they are available? The answer is NO, because the more you accept from the government the more they will regulate what you can or cannot do.
    The Bible is not anti-government for we are taught that if we disobey the government authorities, we are disobeying God. Homeschool families must obey state requirements. But, there are many enemies of homeschooling, so we must be vigilant in seeing that any legislation that opposes homeschool is not passed. This is best done through membership in organizations that are working to keep homeschool free of government interference. Yet we must obey the authorities God has placed over us.

I NEED HELP:
    The best help is from God. The second best is from other families who homeschool. Is there an association of homeschool families in your area? If so, take an active part in its activities. If there is not one, start one yourself. Other sources of help are the many books, magazines and Internet sites dealing with homeschool.
    Although, all homeschools are similar in a few ways, they show considerable differences in actual practice. Every school uses different teaching materials, methods, and emphasis, so don’t worry about exactly copying someone else. Regardless of the methods, your children are receiving a superior education.

LINK:
    The Family Association for Instruction and Teaching at Home (FAITH) is an association of homeschool families in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Look at their web site to see how an active association helps its members. This site is a gold mine of links to other web pages helpful for homeschooling. The Family Association for Instruction and Teaching at Home [FAITH]

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Updated: February 1999
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