Author Archives: Michele Thorne

What are You Teaching Your Child? Differences

This question popped into my head the other day after some light reading. I’m not talking the basics here like math, english, science, etc. As a homeschooler, what is homeschooling teaching my child? The life lessons homeschooling can teach a child are endless. I have come up with a few that I will be listing. If you have any ideas to add, please feel free to leave a comment. One big lesson I am teaching my child is not only is it okay to be different, it is an advantage. Using homeschooling as an example, we homeschool. Compared to his … Continue reading →

Why Homeschool?: Family Time

Another one of the many reasons I homeschool is family time. I use this term in more than one way. First I love my son and love to spend time with him. Homeschooling allows me time with my son I wouldn’t otherwise have if he went to public school. Second homeschooling allows us to spend more time with our family as a whole. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone says “I couldn’t stand to spend that much time with my children.” It makes me even more upset when they say this in front of their children. First … Continue reading →

How much does it cost to homeschool? Part One

I’ve heard this question on every list, forum, and Q&A site I’ve ever been to. I’ve also heard it asked several different ways. I know that there are a lot of people who would say something to the effect of “Can you put a price on a good education?” While I understand where they are coming from and if I had more money to spend I would; being a single parent I also understand where the others are coming from too. There is only one true answer to this question. Homeschooling costs as much as you make it cost. I … Continue reading →

Why Homeschool?: Public Schools Have No Obligation to Educate

In 2000 it became official. Public schools are under no obligation to educate public school students. Denver Parents Association brought a lawsuit against Denver Board of Education and its superintendent for breach of contract. They were not suing for monetary gain, but for changes to be brought about and remedy the situation. The court decided that because it is a public school, it had no contract with any of the parents and therefore could not breach a contract where one does not exist. I read about this case way back when I first started to really research homeschooling and it … Continue reading →

How do I Teach Something I Know Nothing About?

One of my main concerns when I started homeschooling, and a concern for many others is “What do I do when they want/need to learn something I know nothing about?” Back when I was starting, this was a really big concern. Whatever would I do when that time came? While this concern wasn’t enough to keep me from starting homeschooling, after all I’m pretty sure I know how to read and do arithmetic, it was always there in the back of my mind. So what did I do? I researched, and got some great answers. The first answer is outsource. … Continue reading →

This Isn’t What I Signed up for

Right about now is the time when many new homeschoolers start stressing, pulling out their hair, and thinking about throwing in the towel. Why? Because “this isn’t how I planned it.” They envisioned everything to go their way. They had everything planned out to the last minute. They knew this curriculum was perfect for their kids. They knew their children would be perfectly behaved from the start of the “school day” to the last 10 seconds. Well, you’ve had a month to try it out, and it’s just not working the way you envisioned it. What do you do now? … Continue reading →

Educational Neglect due to Homeschooling?

Were you aware that informing a school of your intent to homeschool and withdrawing your children from school is educational neglect? Neither was I, but that’s apparently the case in Moberly, Mo. Oh, and by the way, if your children are being intimidated, harassed, threatened, and physically attacked, it’s okay. As long as you leave your children in that environment to continue living this way, and don’t make a fuss about it continuing, you’re safe. If I was Anita Nicoli I would have pulled my children out of the school sooner than she did as well as file charges, but … Continue reading →

Computer use and Rules

One big advantage that homeschoolers of today have is the computer. The many ways the computer can be used to homeschool are endless. You don’t need a computer to homeschool, but the use of one can make life so much easier. While I allow my child to play on the computer by himself whenever he wants, there are some guidelines that he must follow in order to continue to be allowed to play on the computer. When he wants to play on the internet though, that’s a whole new set of rules. The use of a computer to homeschool is … Continue reading →

Including Play in Your Curriculum

In Let There be Play I talked about children learning through play. No matter what the age or interests, the love to play. I talked about finding a curriculum that will allow them to play and have fun while learning. Here are some other ideas to include play and fun in your learning experience. 1. Read, read, read, and read some more. Jonathan knows how to read, but if you ask him, he’ll tell you he doesn’t. His self esteem when it comes to reading is still pretty low, though we are working on it on a daily basis. Does … Continue reading →

Let There be Play!

I am on a lot of homeschooling lists. The question I hear most often is “I need ideas or curriculum suggestions for my 2 or 3 or 4 year old,” or something to that effect. Another popular one is “I homeschooled my kids for preschool and kindergarten. Now that we started first grade, they are fighting all the way.” This is usually followed by a quick explanation of the curriculum. They say for preschool and kindergarten it was mostly hands on and playing, now they are trying to “get serious.” Children love to play. There is no doubt about that … Continue reading →