Links of Interest to Homeschoolers

The Poll at the top of the blog asked what you request in future posts. You requested homeschooling resources and I am listening.

I've gone through all of my computer files to find the links I used and favorited over the last 5+ years. There are a lot of great websites for homeschoolers and I've tried to organize them below. (With so much cutting and pasting, the formatting is all off, please forgive.)

Visual learning, I have always been drawn to that modality and my children seem to be as well. I see these links and videos as another way to layer information into their minds. They enjoy the change of pace when they see I've assigned some computer time for their day. I hope you find the time to check these out. The magnitude and quality of these resources is overwhelming! Never been a better time to homeschool!

It occurs to me that a clever mom could craft a nearly free homeschool curriculum out of this list. And...it is not an exhaustive list. There's MORE out there! Did I miss one you really recommend? Put it in the comments! Let's make this list as extensive a resource as possible.

Some of the sites will be familiar to you, some new and, as noted, certainly some missing. I hope the missing ones are your well-known blogs and links,that you already have bookmarked and that here you find something new to delight and inspire you. Back to school time is approaching, may these resources encourage and invigorate you!

So, here's my opus, friends. Now I've really gotta get up and walk around a little.

*SITES THAT COVER ALL CLASS SUBJECTS*

http://learner.org/interactives/
http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy?blend=1&ob=4# like a YouTube school
http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=22883&CategoryID=149

http://charlottemason.tripod.com/ - MacBeth's recommendations

Worksheets and more! http://www.ezschool.com/Grade2.html

Learning videos http://www.neok12.com/
More daily everything http://www.softschools.com/ (9th MODG sci)

http://www.factmonster.com/ is for everything, too!

http://www.mrdonn.org/index.html

http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/students/index.cfm
http://www.kidsknowit.com/

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

http://www.yourchildlearns.com/owlmouse.htm

Kids Encyclopedia - http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Main_Page

*BLOGS & HOMESCHOOLING WEBSITES*

http://learnersathome.blogspot.com

http://catholichomeschool.org/blog/+website http://catholichomeschool.org/

http://www.homeedmag.com/resources/page/4/
http://www.homeschool-living.com/Homeschool-blog.html
http://jimmiescollage.com/
http://maureenwittmann.blogspot.com/ Love of Literature Author
http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/
http://www.hsclassroom.net/
http://wildflowersandmarbles.blogspot.com/
http://AtHomeScience.blogspot.com
http://APrivateEyeNature.blogspot.com
http://ScienceOfRelations.blogspot.com
http://catholicicing.blogspot.com

http://barbarafrankonline.com/ - homeschooler of 20 years

there are many, many more....

*ONLINE CLASSES TO WATCH and/or LISTEN TO*

http://www.zaneeducation.com/Videos/Videos-Introduction.php - science and math videos

Annenberg Chemistry class http://learner.org/resources/series168.html

Annenberg Economics Class http://learner.org/resources/series159.html

Annenberg Ethics Class http://learner.org/resources/series81.html

Annenberg Art Appreciation Class http://learner.org/resources/series1.html

Online AP courses http://www.aphomeschoolers.com/

http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/

*MEDIA REVIEWERS*

http://catholicmediareview.blogspot.com/ and http://love2learnmovieblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.pluggedin.com/

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

http://www.screenit.com/all_titles.html

http://www.whattheyplay.com/

*ON CHARACTER*

http://www.characterjournal.com/html/Character%20Journal%202%20-%20Obedience.htm or http://www.characterjournal.com/ for more topics
http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/ssb/display.cfm?TitleID=451
http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/character.htm
http://fisheaters.com/home1.html - Guide to Happiness in the Home
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14408/14408-h/14408-h.htm#GREETING Manners

*READING RECOMMENDATIONS/BOOK LISTS*

http://www.cominghomecatholic.com/Catholic%20Girl%27s%20Guide%20to%20Summer%20Reading.htm- Catholic Girls reading guide
Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue Online copy By Tim Gray, Curtis Martin
http://literarycompass.blogspot.com/2007/05/literary-testosterone-30-must-read.html
http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000-primary.html - Good Books list
http://www.daytonhomeschool.com/resources/liturature-picks-by-maureen-wittman/

MORE from Maureen, http://maureenwittmann.com/media/LoveLiteratureIndex.pdf

http://www.keepingitcatholic.org/saintstime.html - Saints books by year
http://charlottemason.tripod.com/4real_learning_booklist.htm - Monthly Book lists by age/grade

*ON THE TOPIC OF HOMESCHOOLING*

http://thehomeschoolmom.com/teacherslounge/articles/10_secrets_successful_homeschool.php
http://americanhomeschoolassociation.org/
http://www.bachelorofscience.com/96-essential-sites-blogs-for-gifted-homeschoolers
http://catholicprayerbook.net/CQprayers/homeschoolprayer.htm
http://www.saint-mike.org/library/family_parenting/homeschooling.html
http://www.latinmassmagazine.com/articles/articles_2001_FA_Berquist.html
Free Homeschool docs https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AeyWM0yd6jpMZGhnZmIyOTVfMThkNTV2bnNkMw&hl=en&pli=1

*MATH*

http://www.algebrafree.com/

http://www.math.com/homeworkhelp/Algebra.html

http://school.familyeducation.com/multiplication/math/58885.html?mail-01-16
Math classics reading http://www.pennygardner.com/mathclassics.html

Math baseball http://www.funbrain.com/math/index.html

http://www.livingmath.net/AdditionSubtraction/tabid/316/Default.aspx - math storybooks

much Math help can be found at the general sites at top of list

*GRAMMAR-SPELLING-LANGUAGE ARTS*
Daily Grammar Lessons http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.html and
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601/01/
http://www.thatresourcesite.com/worksheets/copywork_worksheets_for_homeschoolers.htm Guide to Grammar and Writing http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

For Elementary age spelling http://www.spellingcity.com/

Writing helps http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/unit_exposwriting_expository_outline.pdf

Thesis Builder - http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.php

Spelling Rules http://www.dyslexia.org/spelling_rules.shtml

200 Most Commonly MisspelledWords http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/misspelled200.htm

*MAPS/GEOGRAPHY*

http://www.audiomemory.com/ - we luv the States and Capitals DVD

Atlas of Classical History
Europe map for MODG 8th http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/images/maps/decworld/EuropeLateMA.gif
Ancient Persia http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ancientpersia/images/empire.gif andhttp://members.ozemail.com.au/~ancientpersia/images/persia_shepherd.gif
Ancient Greece http://www.unc.edu/awmc/awmcmap3.html andhttp://www.unc.edu/awmc/mapsforstudents.html
Map of Roman Empire http://www.unrv.com/roman-empire-map.php
Maps of Paul's Missionary Journeys http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN092MAPS1.htm andhttp://gbgm-umc.org/umw/corinthians/maps.stm
Europe, maps thru the ages http://www.euratlas.net/history/europe/index.html
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/geography.htm

and map gameshttp://www.maps.com/FunFacts.aspx?nav=FF#
States & Capital Games - http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/wh.cgi?1=s&A15=usa&A2=0&Submit=Show+Me+The+Maps!
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html

*BOOKS TO READ ONLINE *

http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/title/titles.html andhttp://books.google.com/books?id=lbEqAAAAYAAJ&dq=trailblazer+of+the+seas&source=gbs_navlinks_s (9th grade MODG)

http://books.google.com/books?id=3MIAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA4&output=html - Online Catholic Reader

MORE Catholic readers here, http://freehomeschoolinglibrar.blogspot.com/search/label/Catholic%20Readers

*AUDIO BOOKS*

http://www.myaudioschool.com/
https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=19
http://www.artsreformation.com/talespinners/
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/1
http://www.freeclassicaudiobooks.com/
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/History
http://www.readingwell.com/audio.html
http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/
http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/juniorclassics.htm

*SCIENCE*

http://catholicscience.com/
http://hedgeschool.homestead.com/sciencereads.html - Science reading recommendations aligned with Catholicism
Astronomy picture of the day http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/
Creation vs. evolution http://www.love2learn.net/science/creation.htm

Science Songs - The Elements http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/science_songs/educational_videos_elements_song.html
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html
http://www.coolscience.org/CoolScience/KidScientists/TV%20segments/TVsegments.htm
http://www.ptable.com/ - periodic table
http://edheads.org/activities/brain_stimulation/
http://www.exploratorium.edu/
http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/introductory-mit-courses/
http://www.cellsalive.com/
http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html - anatomy
https://www.google.com/bookmarks/l#!threadID=GS1hK7NJn0jI/BDR6uZQoQpZne-_ok Science Interactives
http://sciencehack.com/videos/index
http://www.sciencefriday.com/
http://www.periodicvideos.com/videos/003.htm BEST! Periodic Table of Videos!
http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classroom.html
http://starryskies.com/
http://www.topscience.org/ - MODG
http://www.world-science.net/
http://unityoftruth.blogspot.com/ Catholic Science & Faith Blog
Dissections http://mariemarie0000.free.fr/fichiers/images/frog.swf
http://www.practicalbiology.org/
Heart: http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/index.html
Muscles:http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/body/pg000123.html - how muscles work
and how many the body has and what they do
Brain: http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/brain/index.html - click on
a lobe to learn about the locations, functions and parts of the brain.
http://www.hhmi.org/senses/ - for older kids who are learning about brain,
specifically geared toward the senses.
Eye: learning about how the eye works and how it can be compared to a camera
~http://www.lensshopper.com/eye-anatomy.asp
More links about the human body~
http://www.innerbody.com/ - basically for advanced science learners or
Highschool Students learning about the systems of the body.
for upper grades here is an interesting game for older students to play to put
their knowledge to use~
http://web.archive.org/web/20021216042826/http://www.medfacts.com/crdiodoc/preappnt.htm
and also this one for sports medicine and using lessons learned about the
anatomy of the body in a fun way~
http://web.archive.org/web/20021014174044/www.medfacts.com/sprtsdoc.htm
http://www.innerbody.com/ is a tour of the human body for middle school students
and up.
http://www.medtropolis.com/VBody.asp this site has been posted about before,
the Virtual Body but is a good reminder.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10348/ - this site is for exploring about the body
for ages 11 and up
All Atoms http://www.allatoms.com/
CHEM4KIDS http://www.chem4kids.com/
Chemistry: Periodic Table and More http://www.chemicool.com/
Chemmybear http://www.chemmybear.com/
CHEMTUTOR http://www.chemtutor.com/
Cool Chemistry - Science Experiments For Kids - Activity TV
http://www.activitytv.com/114-cool-chemistry
General Chemistry Online http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/index.shtml
High School Chemistry Teachers http://highschoolchemistryteachers.com/
My Chemistry Tutor http://www.mychemistrytutor.com/
Teach yourself Chemistry http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/learnchemistry.htm
The ChemCollective http://www.chemcollective.org/
The Comic Book Periodic Table of the Elements
http://www.uky.edu/Projects/Chemcomics/index.html
Multimedia Chemistry animations
http://www.klte.hu/~lenteg/animate.html
Chemistry Comes Alive!
http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/CCA/pirelli/pages/cca1NaIHgCl2.html
Science READS http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/science_sleuths.htm
http://thehappyscientist.com/ - subscribe to video experiments

(Of help to Mother Of Divine Grace students)

Ocean Science (9thMODG) http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/default.htm
Geology Rocks (9th MODG) http://geology.com/rocks/ and http://geology.com/teacher/
Earth Science (9th MODG) http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/main_frames.html
Waves http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/waves/index.html
foldedmountains -http://earthsci.org/education/teacher/basicgeol/deform/deform.html and
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/10l.html
Land & Sea Breezes http://www.forestencyclopedia.net/p/p405 andhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0d3fGew-0

Water cycle - http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=water+cycle&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS341US341&q=water+cycle+diagram and video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWe1BQWGv18

Cloud formation - http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=2&oq=cloud+formation&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS341US341&q=cloud+formation+process

DUST - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoHCMGBgIFQ&NR=1

Sound in the Sea http://www.dosits.org/animals/importanceofsound/whyissoundimportant/

and sensory methodshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/blueplanet/infobursts/sense_methods_bg.shtml

Underwater locamotionhttp://wings.avkids.com/Book/Animals/intermediate/marine-01.htmland http://www.xray-mag.com/pdfs/articles/Science_Locomotion_23.pdf

Ocean Floor - http://www.kinderscience.com/ocean_floor_profile.htm Website -http://www.pitara.com/discover/earth/online.asp?story=126 - http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/21953-oceans-understanding-the-ocean-floor-video.htm

Ocean Currents - http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-about-Ocean-Currents-117529352 Great slides -http://www.pass.leon.k12.fl.us/All%20Books/6a%20MS%20SB%20Unit%206%20135-146.pdf

Weathering & Erosion http://www.savevid.com/video/weathering-and-erosion-the-tag-team.html slide presentations http://www.slideshare.net/Teach5ch/crct-weathering-erosion-and-soil-presentation and http://www.authorstream.com/presentation/mwarner1968-149600-weathering-erosion-earth-science-ch-12-technology-ppt-powerpoint/

CAVE FORMATION http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/earth-the-skinny-on-cave-formations.html and http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1746006/5813008andhttp://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1405/es1405page01.cfm?chapter_no=14

*HISTORY*

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ - found interactive Christopher Columbus learning here, but there's so much more, like http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/handsonhistory/

Here's an EnchantedLearning for instance,again Christopher Columbushttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/c/columbus.shtml
http://www.evgschool.org/columbus%27s%20sailing%20ships.htm
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/interactiveadventures/john-smith/

http://www.readingyourwaythroughhistory.com/
http://www.historicalnovels.info/

http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=eggleston&book=great&story=_contents - Stories of Great Americans for little Americans
5th grade History Reading http://www.materamabilis.org/american_reading.html and workbook http://catholictextbookproject.com/purchase/Sea-to_Shining_Sea_Workbook-Chapters1-3_Sample.pdf
http://www.readingwell.com/Audio-Landmark/mp3ss25.htm - Stories your child can listen too! This one on Lewis and Clark's Expedition and there are many others!

Study Guide to Adam of the Road, to help Moms with discussionshttp://www.bookrags.com/content/studyguides/?p=short&u=adam-of-the-road

Civil War book suggestions - http://www.love2learn.net/history/civilwarus/index.html

Uncle Tom's Cabin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5gLVulWa4s&feature=player_embedded

Helps for Moms, Herodotus The Histories http://books.google.com/books?id=dFo7MPWe9V8C&pg=PA526&dq=histories+salamis&ei=THrXSru6GIWgMuj82dAF#v=onepage&q=histories%20salamis&f=false

Helps Mom discuss Door In The Wall http://www.shvoong.com/books/children-and-youth/1662772-door-wall/

Helps Mom with The Amulet http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/The_Story_of_the_Amulet

Anthony& Cleopatra Help http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/antony/
Antigione Help (10th MODG) http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=church&book=tragedians&story=antigone
Plutarch Help (10th MODG) http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=kaufman&book=plutarch&story=_contents andhttp://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/hst/ancient/TheBoysandGirlsPlutarch/Chap1.html
Plato's Crito Help - (10th MODG) http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/crito.html

Video on the Battle of Plataea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHcSPKupxJc

Elementary movies of Early America History http://www.earlyamerica.com/series.html
On this Day in History http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

11th grade MODG St. Thomas More http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/16Croper-more.asp
http://www.besthistorysites.net/LessonPlans.shtml
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/
Movies and Literature related to historical timeframes http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/movies.htm
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html - historical movies, by year
http://www.abookintime.com/index.html
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/diagrams/
Oregon Trail - http://www.learningthroughhistory.com/newsletter/archives/92009.php
Age of Exploration timeline http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/Travel-Facts/exploration-timeline.html (MODG 4)
Explorers Activities + Quizes http://www.mce.k12tn.net/explorers/explorers_start.htm(MODG 4)
Teach History with Movies http://www.teachwithmovies.org/world-history-3.html#46
American Revolution http://library.thinkquest.org/10966/?tqskip=1
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/history/historypages.htm
Ancient Rome activities http://www.mce.k12tn.net/ancient_rome/online_activities.htm

*LITERATURE*

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/ - studying Beowulf this year? Click on B.
Help with C. S Lewis Mere Christianity -http://hope.edu/academic/english/schakel/MCstudy_files/MCstudy.htm andhttp://www.gordy-stith.com/Mere%20Christianity/mere_christianity_study_guide.htm

Shakespeare helps, No Fear Shakespeare - http://nfs.sparknotes.com/

*POETRY*

Destruction of Sennacherib http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CULX5-1GmvY&feature=related
Henry V - Speech - Eve of Saint Crispin's Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-yZNMWFqvM
Tomorrow, MacBeth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LDdyafsR7g and notes on ithttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YGf_goOoDk&feature=related
The Tempest act 5 scene 1-'Ye elves of hills, brooks, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXew1H3abQY
The Lake Isle of Innisfree read by Yeats http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGoaQ433wnw andhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZTZb0GNEoE&feature=related

*RELIGION*

Bible notes http://haydock1859.tripod.com/id49.html
http://www.catholiceducation.org/
http://www.fisheaters.com/forcatholics.html
Apologetics links - http://www.totustuus.com/links.htm
Catholic coloring pages http://www.sjtbre.org/main.cfm?r1=6.00&ID=22&level=1
http://www.dltk-bible.com/advent/index.htm - Advent Coloring Book
http://www.lapbooksforcatholics.com/mercy.html
http://familyfeastandferia.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/rosary-color-book-joyful-mysteries.pdf
Catholic Kids site http://cathkids.ainglkiss.com/

*YOUNGER, ELEMENTARY RESOURCES*
Younger, for reading http://www.starfall.com/
Learning thru the days of the year http://www.universalpreschool.com/learning_calendar/august.asp
Educational games 1st grade - 3rd http://www.learningplanet.com/stu/index.asp?tab=1
Games - http://www.learninggamesforkids.com
http://www.mrcpl.org/literacy/lessons/sight/index.html
Littles, Handwriting :
http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/artrecipes.html
http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/
http://www.homeeducationresources.com/FREEhandwriting.htm
http://www.writingwizard.longcountdown.com/multi-word_handwriting_worksheet_maker.html
http://www.learningpage.com/free_pages/gallery.html
http://www.teachingheart.net/
http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting/handwriting-cursive-trace.html

Vowels and Silent E's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiDMxTBYvVI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R56snVjuqHc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fb3Pdt8kxg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o84ndBQU6vQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVC9TayQIh8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWtEYF3HCY&feature=related

*ASSESSMENTS/TESTING*

About Studying http://www.studygs.net/attmot4.htm and http://www.studygs.net/ and http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdyhlp.html and http://www.homeschool.com/articles/TimeManagement/default.asp

SAT - http://www.proprofs.com/sat/ and other testing http://www.internet4classrooms.com/assistance.htm and http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/maria_links.htm

Learning Styles test http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html and http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm

Math Assessment Tests - http://mathassessments.mscenters.org/view_test.php?Mode=Add&GradeLevelID=3

Reading Assessment Tests - http://www.test4free.com/Assessfam.asp

Standardized Test Prep - http://www.mcsdk12.org/curr/standardized_test_preparation.htm and http://www.testtakingtips.com/test/index.htm and http://www.uwgb.edu/tutoring/resources/taking.asp

Grade Level Help http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htm
By State By Grade Standard http://www.ixl.com/?gclid=CL-Rx8zyxaoCFdZ25QoddBlC0w
http://jeshrall.tripod.com/scopesequenceintr456.htm
Typing and keyboarding games -http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html?utm_source=SpellingCity&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=SC%20NL%2028Sep10and http://www.freetypinggame.net/default.asp
http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/
http://www.touch-typing-tutor.com/

*ART*

ART - Getty Museum games http://www.getty.edu/gettygames/

*MISC.*

Video sites for Mom to navigate http://www.tvlesson.com/ and http://search.ovguide.com/?ci=30&q=water+cycle
Homeschool Freebie of the Day http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/white-house-101/
Learn a language, FREE, online www.busuu.com

Traditional Catholic Radio - http://dc.ferrelli.cc/TCR/TCR.php
Field Trip - Vatican, http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html

Again, please add to the list in comments and I will update. I expect to make lots of updates....

Give Away!

Making Music Praying Twice is a music program you could win just for "liking" Emmanuel Books on Facebook.

Have you looked around Facebook? There are lots of homeschooling resources there.

Many Catholics Choose Homeschooling – Should You?

Many Catholics Choose Homeschooling – Should You?

Click on the above link for an excellent article with resources and links.

Addressing Misconceptions of Socialization

For the complete article - http://kathleenscatholic.blogspot.com/2010/06/your-kids-are-stuck-in-house-all-day.html#comment-form


"Socialization is NOT compiling a list of friends on Facebook. It is NOT spending all day, every day in a classroom with the same teachers and the same children who are the same age. Just when will this ever happen again in your child's lifetime? Socialization is NOT having girlfriends at the age of 12, and a long list of buds to chat with on the cell phone. It is NOT video games, the latest movies, the hippest jeans, or the right color shirt. When children limit themselves by thinking that this is what socialization IS, their world shrinks significantly. This indeed is a shallow and lonely existence, yet peer pressures in school can raise these litmus tests to the top of a child's priority list, even for the kindest and most gentle child."

"Socialization IS also the use of proper manners and conduct at all times under all circumstances. When a child spends six hours a day with other children, it only comes to reason that his instruction in this area would come from other children. Peer pressure surely is the most significant tool youngsters apply throughout the day. And parents desperately try to combat these "lessons" in the few hours their youngster spends at home. If your child is in school, I'm sure you know what I mean."

Indeed and thank you Kathleen! By socialization do most objectors realize that they are encouraging a horizontal model rather than a vertical model? In a school, like Kathleen said, all socializing is mostly limited to 30 other kids the students same age. They learn only from the maturity level of their peers and is there such tremendous value in that? Do those peers, or the teacher for that matter,have their best interest at heart? Not like a parent does! Only a parent can love their child to that extent. In an educational atmosphere with mixed ages there are examples of nurturing the young and admiring and learning from the maturity of those older than oneself that exist. The model runs vertically.

What is more "real world" preparation?

Catholic Homeschooling Conference Dates - 2011

http://www.chaplet.org/Conference.html New Jersey - Saturday, April 30th

http://www.ihmconference.org/national Dulles Expo Center/Virginia - Friday, June 10th thru Saturday, June 11th

See all the curriculum vendors...look through books...get question answered ...purchase...
enroll ... hear the best Catholic speakers speaking in support of homeschooling!

Basically, feel like you've come out of a football huddle pumped up and ready to tackle!

Excellent Catholic Homeschooling website

What an excellent resource! Very helpful storehouse of info for the Catholic Homeschooler.

There's a page on the history of Catholic Homeschooling.

Perhaps most needed is all the info on Sacraments and CCD!

http://www.homeschoolingcatholic.com/

Homeschool Socialization Studies

Homeschooled Kids: But What About Socialization?
by Laura Osborne

Introduction

What about socialization? This is one of the most common questions confronting homeschooling. Socialization is the process whereby the young of a culture learn the rules, mores, traditions, and acceptable interactions of their particular society. Regardless of being at home or at school, a child will be socialized. The question then seems to be: what is the best agent of socialization? Realizing that when a child graduates, he is never again cloistered in an environment with same-age peers makes one question the authenticity of the school as a superior socializing agent. But detractors ask, does the homeschool student do as well in measures of interpersonal and communication skills as his traditionally schooled peers? Let's look at the research.


Research Positive for Homeschooling

The following is a compilation of research studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of homeschool as a socializing agent.


1) John Wesley Taylor (1987) Self Concept in Home Schooling Children. Andrews University. Dissertation Abstracts International, 47, 2809A [ERIC Digest 372460]

Using one of the best validated self-concept scales available, Taylor's random sampling of 45,000 home-schooled children found that half of these children scored at or above the 91st percentile - 47% higher than the average, conventionally schooled child. He concludes: "Since self concept is considered to be a basic dynamic of positive sociability, this answers to the often heard skepticism suggesting that home schoolers are inferior in socialization."


2) Julie Webb (1989) The Outcomes of Home-based Education: Employment and Other Issues. Educational Review; v41, n2, p121-33.

Abstract: Examines aspects of the adult lives of wholly or partly home educated people. Found that all who attempted higher education were successful, that there was no evidence of prejudice regarding employment, and that the socialization of home educated students was often better than that of their schooled peers.


3) Lee Stough (1992) Social and Emotional Status of Home Schooled Children and Conventionally Schooled Children in West Virginia. University of West Virginia. [ERIC Digest 3722460]

Stough, looking particularly at socialization, compared 30 home schooling families and 32 conventionally schooling families with children 7-14 years of age. According to the findings, children who were schooled at home “gained the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to function in society. . .at a rate similar to that of conventionally schooled children. The researcher found no difference in the self concept of children in the two groups.


4) Larry Edward Shyers (1992) Comparison of Social Adjustment Between Home and Traditionally Schooled Students. University of Florida. Dissertations Abstracts International, vol 53 num 12.

Dr. Shyers compared 70 homeschooled children with 70 traditionally schooled children, both groups between ages 8 and 10. The research showed that homeschooled children were found to have “consistently fewer behavior problems”. The traditionally schooled children were more aggressive, loud, and competitive. The homeschooled children tended to talk quietly, play well in groups, and took initiative in inviting others to play. Shyers’ conclusion was that “the results seem to show that a child’s social development depends more on adult contact and less on contact with other children than previously thought.”


5) Thomas C. Smedley (1992) Socialization of Home Schooled Children--A Communication Approach. Radford University; Radford, Virginia.

Abstract: This thesis investigates the commonly held assumption that public school education “socializes” students. The subjects were 33 demographically matched school-aged children, 13 of whom attend public school, 20 of whom are educated primarily by their parents. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales were used to evaluate the communication skills, socialization, and daily living skills of the subjects. These scores, combined into the “adaptive behavior composite”, reflected the general maturity of each subjects. After these data were processed using the Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS), they indicated that the home educated children in this sample were significantly better socialized and more mature than those in public school. The immediate implication is that home school families are providing adequately for socialization needs. The broadest implication is that we may need to reexamine the assumed basis of the socialization process.


6) Judith A. Schickendanz (1995) Family Socialization and Academic Achievement. Journal of Education, vol 177, n1, p17-38.

Abstract: Argues that, while teacher and school efforts are important, the conditions outside of schools hold the key to increasing academic achievement substantially.


7) Jeffrey J. Arnett (1995) Broad and Narrow Socialization: The Family in the Context of a Cultural Theory. Journal of Marriage and the Family, v57, n3, p617-28.

Abstract: Describes theory of broad and narrow socialization with emphasis on placing family socialization in its cultural context. In cultures characterized by broad socialization, socialization is intended to promote independence, individualism, and self-expression. Cultures with narrow socialization encourage obedience and conformity.

[author’s note: can you identify which is homeschool and which is traditional school?]


Institutional Socialization

The theory that public school is the only acceptable agent of socialization is clearly refuted by the previous research. Nevertheless, because traditional schooling is the major agent of socialization for the majority, homeschoolers are being pressured to rethink their position. The careful examination of the institutional nature of schools will lead us to conclude that indeed, the school is a socializing agent. But is it really as beneficial as it’s proponents claim?

In the sociology monograph Situating Children’s Social Competence by Ian Hutchby and Jo Moran Ellis, they examine this very issue. They cite Mayall’s (1994) research observations which closely parallel others’ especially sociologist E. Goffman’s (1961) famous observations on "total institutions". Goffman defined total institutions “in terms of their wholesale control over the organization of the inmate’s existence”. Do the parallels work for traditional schooling? Think about it. If requiring permission to drink, stand up, talk, and use the bathroom isn’t “wholesale control”, then what is? Add uniforms, assigned seating for studies and lunch, and supervised recreation breaks in a common yard, and you’ve got all the characteristics of other institutions (i.e. prison, asylum, military, monastery). Mayall asserts that school “is a closed, complete system, where goals and practices cohere, and where the activities of teachers are limited to a focus on the teaching and training oft he children.” Huchby and Moran-Ellis point out that within an institution, the participants who follow the norms of the institution are considered well-integrated, while those unable to conform are considered troublemakers. As for the staff of the institution, their task is to mold “the inmates to some socially approved purpose...” Nevertheless, even compliant school children, like other institutionalized people, will develop an array of strategies which have been termed “institutional knowledge”. In other words, knowing how to get around some of the control structures. In the teacher’s presence they are compliant, but once she has departed, they “deploy their own procedures...”

Note that this is not a defensive cry from home educators. These studies are a part of the sociological literature published by professors who study these issues in depth. There is more evidence to examine. Again, it’s not produced by the homeschooling community, but by those who tend to be skeptical of the ability of homeschool to provide socialization.

In the professional journal for educators, Adolescence (Fall 1999), David Wren examines the school environment in his report School Culture: Exploring the Hidden Curriculum. He states: “Educators frequently overlook school culture. This article encourages teachers and administrators to gain a more complete picture of the school environment through an exploration. . .of the hidden, or implicit, curriculum. . .administrators need to become cognizant of the almost imperceptible yet powerful influence of institutional culture and climate.” He discusses the process of socialization, saying that “all students must internalize a specific program of social norms. . .” Author of Docility, or Giving the Teacher What She Wants (Journal of Social Issues, 11, 1955) J. Henry is quoted in summary: “Thus, teachers’ and administrators’ interactions with students help shape attitudes and ideals”. This is socialization.

Wren goes on to point out some research investigating positive effects of school socialization. These consist of studies of Quaker and Mennonite schools, which transmit not only academics, but faith and community involvement. Says Wren, “In terms of negative effects. . .the hidden curriculum can also promote student reluctance to challenge teachers on education issues.” This implicit agenda is also reported to cause problems for students who cannot conform to the rigid routines, as well as promoting gender disparities in the teachers’ time and attention.


Conclusion

So we now go back to the original question: What about socialization? Socialization occurs in every culture. The young learn how to behave within the constructs of that culture. The question really is, how? By immersion in a closed, institutional setting with a sub-culture of “institutional knowledge”? Or to be socialized within the same setting where one is expected to eventually function as an adult? Homeschoolers are in the real world on a daily basis. Interactions within the community while shopping, studying, volunteering, working, performing, etc. are legitimate agents of socialization. Yes, both traditionally schooled and homeschooled children receive “socialization”. Both forums are valid. The only difference, as born out by the research and evidence, seems to be the quality.