|
Opinion
Snow Days Bring Worries for Adults
What Is Real Purpose of Animal Law?
Let's Get State Police Out on the Road Again
It's Time To Fork Over All that Unspent Pork
Kudos and Thanks for Quick Response
Edgewood Parade Turned Out Nicely
AYP Status Doesn't Tell Whole Story
Letters to the Editor
Editorial: Hibbs Has Done Job of 2 Mayors
Editorial: Law Revised for Problem Animals
More
Opinion
|
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Guest View: Join Home School Alliance
Torrance Homeschool Alliance
If you are home schooling your child or considering home schooling, please contact us. We would like to form a home school alliance in Torrance County.
We propose monthly meetings for the Torrance Homeschool Alliance. A THA Web site listing home school conventions or workshops, local tutors and mentors, information on academic testing and volunteers qualified to give those tests, an online student-produced newsletter, links to laws and regulations for home schooling and to other organizations could keep us all better informed and connected.
THA members could coordinate field trips, spelling bees, family sporting events, workshops on varying subjects of interest, host guest speakers and, most importantly, unite in the effort of parents to control and play a hands-on part in the education, socialization and stewardship of their children.
Benefits of home schooling are many. Home schooling gives immediate feedback to the parent on each of their child's subjects, enabling the parent to timely take appropriate action so that children can more quickly function at or above their grade level in each subject. Some children need more one-on-one instruction and a quieter, more structured environment in which to study and learn. Parents can control any negative peer group influences. The risk for volatility evidenced in our schools today is one less worry for a parent. Children can make doctor's appointments, take vacations and recoup from illnesses without falling behind in their work. Subjects that are difficult for a student can be stretched over a year, rather than crammed into a nine-month period.
Eleven-year-old Shelby receives home schooling from her grandmother and mother. Each has control over subject matter with the ability to do more one-on-one interaction in any subject matter that proves difficult, conversely to challenge Shelby in subjects in which she excels, to incorporate the Christian influence into history and science, plus allow Shelby the ability to include typing, languages and music lessons into the daily curriculum. Shelby participates in drama club at the Estancia Elementary School and is a member of the local Baptist church. Her favorite hobby is showing her dogs in junior conformation handling, stockdog trialing and obedience competitions. THA will afford Shelby more opportunities for socialization and environments for learning via speakers, student workshops, creative writing and interviewing opportunities for the online newspaper, science labs, field trips and student debates. Like others, THA will afford her grandmother and mother a support group of parental educators of varying talents and educational backgrounds.
If you choose to home school, it means "you as the teacher" have committed to not only the academics but also to the social education and development. THA is a vehicle we propose to keep all of us (parent and child) on the road to success for our children's future. It's a proposed alliance of parents dedicated to all facets of their child's education.
Contact Stephanie at 384-2547 or e-mail legendsranch@hotmail.com if you would like to join the THA.
A meeting will be held April 22 at 6 p.m.
|
E-mail Story
Print Friendly
