Before our family decided to homeschool, I did not know that much about homeschooling or homeschooled children so I did some research.
In my opinion Homeschooling is not strange or unusual. Before children could attend school in a building, their mothers taught them at home. If you teach them the basic subjects like they would learn at school, life skills, and interact with other children their own age you will have a well rounded child.
Yes, the first thing I did was start looking for answers on the internet, but the next part of my research was the most important. I met a homeschool family like mine and I asked questions and I saw how their children interacted with other children.
It is Plain and Simple, You Can Homeschool Your Child!
Is Homeschooling a bad thing?
In my opinion and experience homeschooling is not a bad thing. We have a boxed curriculum that contains all subject books needed for that year and we follow all laws and regulations that are required by our state.
Sometimes homeschool can be considered a bad thing for the following reason:
- parents are not qualified to teach their children
- children are not socialized enough
- children are not actually doing school work or learning anything
According to the Coalitions for Responsible Home Education, CRHE, only a hand full of states require parent to have a high school diploma, or a GED to educate their children at home.
I can only speak from my personal experience about my children being well socialized. Both of my children have friends and do not have a problem interacting with people of any age. Bailey and Bekah both volunteered at our local food pantry at an early age. They are both very active in our church. We are also members of a local homeschool group.
Bailey started soccer and gymnastics at the age of four. He also started Tiger Rock Martial Arts at the age of six. Bailey is currently a Second Degree Black Belt and a Jr. Instructor. He is also Jr. Ambassador for the Catching Kindness Project. He has sung two solos, is an Acolyte and a member of our church’s choir. He also started playing football this year and he loved every minute of it.
Bekah has started her second year of City League Soccer. She is also taking gymnastics for the second year at Courthouse Gymnastics. Bekah just became a member of our church’s choir.
Here again, I cannot speak about other homeschoolers, but only what happens with us and in our homeschool. Bekah is currently in Kindergarten and using, My Father’s World Curriculum, God’s Creation From A to Z . Bailey is currently in 5th Grade and using, My Father’s World Curriculum, Rome to the Reformation.
Currently, Bekah is leaning phonics, writing and reading. She is also learning basic math skills like shapes, patterns, and refreshing calendar skills, and number 0-100. Bekah also does Bible, science and history with Bailey.
Bailey is currently working on his 5th grade curriculum. It is made up of Bible, Latin root words, spelling, science, math, grammar, history, writing skills and reading.
Here in Mississippi we are not required to keep documentation of our school studies, but I do. Bailey is tested and graded on his progress weekly. This is mainly so I can make sure he understands what I’m teaching him. He does daily worksheets and all these are kept in a notebooking style of record keeping. Homeschool notebooking is defined as, “information inserted into a 3-ring binder that is made up of maps, lab reports, scrapbook pages, worksheet pages, drawings, essays, timelines and any other relevant work that your child creates on a subject.”
Which Famous People were homeschooled?
Did you know that our country is full of successful homeschooled people? That list is made up of CEOs, athletes, singers, political movers and shakers and many more. This list is courtesy of Wikipedia and Homeschool Academy.
- Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s
- Ray Kroc, founders of McDonald’s chain
- Booker T. Washington, famous scientists
- Albert Einstein, famous scientists
- Simone Biles, athlete
- Tim Tebow, athlete
- Venus Williams, athlete
- Serena Williams, athlete
- Justin Timberlake, actor and singer
- Taylor Swift, singer
- The Jonas Brothers, singer
- Sandra Day O’Conner, Supreme Court Judge
- Condoleeza Rice, Former Secretary of State
- John Barry, Senior Navy Officer
- John Pershing, U.S. General
- John Adams, President
- John Quincy Adams, President
- Grover Cleveland, President
- James Garfield, President
- William Henry Harrison, President
- Andrew Jackson, President
- Thomas Jefferson, President
- Abraham Lincoln, President
- James Madison, President
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President
- Theodore Roosevelt, President
- John Tyler, President
- George Washington, President
- Woodrow Wilson, President
What subjects should be taught in homeschool?
The State of Mississippi does not require us to teach certain subjects for certain grades, but check your state’s requirements. The Home School Legal Defense Association, HSLDA, is a great resource for that. Here is the link to their website.
Most Elementary Public, Private, and Homeschool Curriculum teach math, science, social studies, language arts, music, art and reading. Elementary is considered Kindergarten through 6th grade.
Most Middle School/Jr. High Public, Private and Homeschool Curriculum teach math, science, social studies, language arts, music, art, reading, library, physical education and a computer class. Middle school grades will vary between states, and school districts. Jr. High is normally referred to as 7th and 8th grade.
High School Class/Courses vary depending on your local school district and state laws and regulations. The below information shows you what class are required in High School in the State of Mississippi to graduate. The following information came from the Mississippi Department of Education Website.
Traditional Diploma
- Earn 24 credits (Carnegie Units) in a selection of required classes including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Technology or Computer Science, College and Career Readiness, Health, Art, Physical Education and electives
- Local school districts may add graduation requirements to the state requirements
Traditional Diploma + Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsement
- Earn 26 credits
- Earn four credits from the same CTE program
- Achieve at least a 2.5 grade point average
- Score at silver level on ACT WorkKeys
- Successfully complete a dual credit course, a work-based learning experience or earn a national credential
Traditional Diploma + Academic Endorsement
- Earn 26 credits
- Score at least 17 on ACT English section
- Score at least 19 on ACT Math section
- Achieve at least a 2.5 grade point average
- Successfully complete one Advanced Placement course and AP exam, one International Baccalaureate course and exam, or one dual credit course
- Earn at least a C in the advanced course
Traditional Diploma + Distinguished Academic Endorsement
- Earn 28 credits
- Score at least 18 on ACT English section
- Score at least 22 on ACT Math section
- Achieve at least a 3.0 grade point average
- Successfully complete one Advanced Placement course and AP exam, one International Baccalaureate course and exam, or one dual credit course
- Earn at least a B in the advanced course
Do I have laws and regulations that I need to follow?
Yes, every states has laws and regulations that you must follow. The laws are governed by each individual state. So I highly recommend that you check your state’s laws, regulations and requirements every year. I use The Home School Legal Defense Associations or HSLDA to help me with this. It is a great resource for all questions related to Homeschooling.
In conclusion, Homeschooling is not bad if it is done according to your state’s law and regulations, the children are learning, and interacting with children their own age. I have been homeschooling and love every minute of it.
