FBC News

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

On your mark, get set, go!

Starting Homeschooling

The first day of homeschooling can be very daunting to the teacher and the student. The best way to begin is to relax. Do you, as a parent, remember helping the child learn to walk? Or, do you remember the thrill of talking to them and then hearing that first word? For those who came from a school setting, do you remember calling out the spelling words? Do you remember helping with homework? Those tasks are homeschooling, or as some people call it, home educating. The main difference between then and now is that it is your responsibility to plan what and when they are to learn.

Homeschooling Classifications

Home educators generally classify homeschooling into four methods. Each method, however, may be mixed with those of another to create your own method. The four main types are eclectic, unit studies, trivium/classical, and "unschooling." Some even consider an additional group who use the term "school-at-home." I will try to explain each of these terms in future newsletters.

If you have any questions about other aspects of homeschooling, I will be glad to either answer, research, or get some of the "oldies" to answer. Just make a list of your questions, and we will try to address them.

Also, any suggestions of programs, classes, ideas, web sites, freebies, etc. will be very welcome. We are always open to input of the parents and children. But, we may just put you to work helping to plan!!!!!


Eclectic Homeschoolers
Eclectic homeschoolers are probably one of the largest groups in the
homeschooling arena. Eclectics mix and match materials, as well as methods.
Someone who uses the eclectic method may choose to use books, such as Saxon
for math and ABEKA for grammar, but only use unit studies for science and
history. They may use all ABEKA during the regular studies, and opt to
unschool for one week at the end of every 9-week period.
Eclectic is just a mix of materials and methods geared by the parents toward
their family's study habits and beliefs.
Families with one or more children may choose an eclectic method. For those
families with multiple children, each child may be different and different
methodologies are sometimes best to reach each student at the level which
will be best for him/her. Those who have only one child, may still use the
eclectic method because of the materials available in a particular subject by
a particular vendor.
Remember, eclectic is a mixture, and no single method will be used by any
family all during their homeschooling years. Remember, that is the beauty of
homeschooling.


Check out the following web sites
The FBC News will offer some interesting web sites for you and your children.
We will not monitor these for content when submitted, however we request
that parents inspect them prior to submission.

http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html- includes the Grammar Gorillas, an
interactive Grammar program

http://webster.commnet.edu/HP/pages/darling/grammar.htm - Guide to Grammar
and Writing

http://www.alhome.com - CHEF - Christian Home Educators Fellowship

FBCS Committees
We will be setting up committees for meal planning, activity and field trip
planning, co-op class planning, newsletter, and others as we see the need. If
you are interested, your help would be greatly appreciated. Also, the kids
can be a great asset in giving us ideas and assisting with the newsletter.
Feel free to ask their opinion. Their interests and ideas may surprise you.

Curriculum
Are you using a packaged curriculum, unit studies, or unschooling? If you are
interested in giving a short synopsis of your materials to the group, please
let me know. Homeschoolers are always interested in hearing how well (or how
bad) materials are when used by others. This will allow for a good discussion
while the kids are involved in their activities. If you wish, you may bring
samples of materials or questions to discuss about things which have worked
or get input into things which just didn't seem to work the way the book said
it should.