Often, those unfamiliar with homeschooling have many misconceptions about it. They mistakenly picture the homeschool student bent over a desk in the corner of a kitchen all day, toiling over books with no break or social time. Usually, the opposite is true, as homeschool students and parents participate in homeschool groups, resource centers, and co-ops. This allows them to not only socialize, but also learn in a group setting.
The vast majority of homeschool students do not learn in a bubble. Sure, they learn at home. However, many take classes away from home too, forming friendships and gaining experience with group-style learning. For example, a parent may have difficulty teaching a specific subject. Instead of struggling through teaching that subject with the curriculum materials available, that homeschool parent can simply sign his or her child up in a related class at a local homeschool resource center or co-op.
Who teaches the classes at a homeschool co-op or resource center? For starters, the parents teach. In any group of homeschool parents, there exists a treasure chest of knowledge, skill, and talent. One parent may be a physics wiz, while another may have a true love for literature. Yet, another homeschool parent may be able to share a love of music, while another has in-depth knowledge of economics. Instead of just letting such knowledge go to waste, homeschool parents can use it to teach classes to groups of homeschool parents at a co-op or resource center.
Everyone benefits when homeschool parents arrange group classes. First, the children get a taste of learning from a different teacher. While this is not vital to learning and succeeding in life, it can provide a valuable look at things from a fresh perspective. Also, the homeschool student may get to experience the joy of learning from a person with true passion for his or her subject.
The parents benefit from using a homeschool resource center or co-op as well. They are able to connect with other homeschool parents, gaining valuable support and developing friendships. They may even get a little time to themselves while the kids are in a class.
Sometimes, a homeschool coop or resource center will hire a person outside of the group to teach a class. This is usually done when none of the homeschool parents have the ability or inclination to teach a particular subject. Such subjects might include languages or special art classes.
A homeschool student might take one or two classes per week or learn in the group only occasionally. The idea is not to replace home as the learning environment, but to supplement it. Homeschool students and parents are also able to participate in group activities, parties, and field trips with a homeschooling center or co-op.
________________________________________________________________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi Rothschild is a homeschooling parent, author, children's rights advocate, and Founder and C.E.O. of Learning by Grace, Inc. She and her husband of almost 3 decades reside with their 8 children in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rothschild co-founded Learning By Grace, Inc. because "our current system of education has broken its promise..." Learning By Grace, Inc. delivers Internet-based multimedia education to PreK-12 children in the United States and throughout the world.
Rothschild has authored a number of books about education published by McGraw Hill and others. Her Daily Education News Blog contains feature stories on alternatives in education.