Do you want to homeschool, but are afraid to teach? You can send your homeschoolers to school instead. Yes, I realize this is an oxymoron. However, as a homeschooler whose children take outside classes, I have the distinct pleasure of being able to choose schools and programs in which my children participate.
The options are numerous.
Informal classes: Informal classes happen as a matter of course. Someone may post on an email list that they are willing to teach a one to three session course and posts the time, date, place and RSVP details. Whoever wants to participate will contact that person and join the class. An informal class can also be as simple as making an agreement with your Spanish neighbor to have daily conversations with your child in Spanish.
Private In home classes: In cases like music instruction, cooking, and math tutoring, sometimes it is beneficial to arrange one-on-one classes in your home. You can find teachers through traditional means like advertisements or you can post notes on homeschooling email lists.
Homeschool Co-ops: A homeschooling Co-op is a group of homeschooling parents who pool their resources in order to educate their children. Parents may teach classes that they are most talented in, or they may hire instructors. Parents generally stay on grounds (the meeting place), to supervise, and monitor their own and each other’s children.
Enrichment Centers: Most large cities have enrichment centers for homeschoolers. One person or a small group of people basically runs a homeschool enrichment center. A building is owned, or space is rented, and teachers are hired to make classes available to local homeschoolers. Parents and children pick and choose the classes they want to take.
Neighborhood resources: The local parks and recreation centers usually run low cost enrichment programs. There are also classes at the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs that your child can attend.
Homeschool Programs or “Schools”: Homeschool programs or schools run very much in the same way a school is run. The curriculum is pre-set, and a child attends the appropriate grade level for him or her. The difference between such a program and a regular school is that attendance is only 1 to 2 days a week, and the bulk of the “work” is done at home.
My kids and I make use of all of these options. Primarily, they attend a Homeschool program, and we make use of Co-ops, Enrichment Centers, and Neighborhood resources as needed. We have music instruction in our home, and my son has gone to work with a male mentor to learn more about computer programming. While some of these options can strain a budget, they do not necessarily have to. Other options are free or at least low cost. Therefore, if you are considering homeschooling, but are afraid of taking on the role of teacher, you should know that if you do not want to teach, you do not have to.
Read This book, homeschooling: Take a Deep Breath – You Can Do This