Thoughts on Homeschool

I’m no expert when it comes to homeschooling, but I do have experience. I suppose that is why from time to time, parents approach me about homeschooling.

These days this is happening more and more. Even with an impressively adaptive health and safety plan in place at NR-S, there are families who are considering delivering their child’s (or children’s) education at home. And that’s okay— because, in this challenging time, each family has to consider their options based on their own individual needs.

Homeschooling is an option for all North Dakotans who have either a high school diploma or a G.E.D. Parents who do not meet these requirements can still homeschool but will require a monitor to regularly check in on the student’s progress. A wealth of information is available on the North Dakota Home School Association website, including the century code for Home Education as well as Frequently Asked Questions about homeschooling at https://www.homeschool-life.com/1125/index_public.

If you do choose to homeschool, you are required to submit a statement of intent to the school office. Other than that, requirements for homeschooling are pretty minimal, at least for elementary students. In fact, homeschooling can be a very liberating experience. Parents are expected to deliver a well-rounded education that includes the core subjects of math, English, science and social studies. However, how you choose to school your child in these areas is up to you. There are many kinds of curriculum available for purchase, or you can create your own.

College-bound high school students require a bit more rigidity in their requirements, as colleges like to see a student who has mastered the typical high school curriculum. Parents should keep a log that includes immunization records, reading lists by grade, copies of certificates or awards, samples of school work and a yearly summary page.

Participation in standardized testing is required, however, parents can opt-out of the requirement if they have a religious or philosophical opposition to testing, or have obtained a bachelor’s degree.

Aside from the requirements, there should be much more that goes into choosing homeschool. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before jumping in:

Are you prepared to be with your children all day, every day? I’m exaggerating, and maybe most of us have become accustomed to having the children at home, but still, it can be a stressor on both the kids and parents.

Do you have a commitment to intensive learning? I chose to homeschool my oldest son during his first grade. Overall, it was a great experience for him. He watched monarchs hatch from their chrysalis, learned about his ancestors, and studied fractions while baking. He was a curious one who gained a lot of self-confidence in that year, but he also wanted my attention­— all the time. We read series after series of books together and ventured outside regularly. For me, it was exhausting, as I was an introverted parent schooling a very extroverted child. Public school was a welcome change for both of us come fall.

Are you in tune with your family’s dynamic? We had talked in our family about homeschooling again, but we never thought it would come so soon. But life has different plans, and in March of this year, the Brazil family submitted a statement of intent for our fourth grader and seventh-grader to homeschool.

It wasn’t that we didn’t want to participate in the distance-learning that was being implemented. It was more about the fact that two working parents had little time to help the children manage their studies during the day. We were also realized that the coronavirus crisis seemed to be bringing us closer together as a family.

Are you willing to let your children learn on their own, independently? The homeschool curriculum that we developed built upon our children’s skills and interests. Each week, the boys prepared and presented a proposal. They were expected to include academic subjects such as science, history, math and English and could also propose extra topics to explore. Their plans worked pretty well. The oldest took an interest in vocational skills like painting the kitchen, planting the garden, and his greatest accomplishment, developing a business plan. The youngest was more studious, taking a deep interest in Greek Mythology to the point that it was all he talked about, even when he was practicing his culinary skills or working on his multiplication.

My point is, every homeschool student will be different. What works for one child might not work for another. There will be days that are unpleasant and difficult. There will also be days that are fun-filled and engaging.

Homeschool can be a great learning experience. But it does require dedication and persistence, and is not for everyone. This fall both boys have requested to go back to school. Future homeschool adventures remain to be seen.