Question:

I am a Christian but I wonder is it really necessary to purchase a Christian based elementary curriculum

Spiritual Growth in the Elementary Years

If your family is shopping for a Christian-based homeschool curriculum, it is important to research the different companies available and ensure you get a program that fits into your family's faith structure, academic goals and personal learning style.

Textbooks, workbooks, quality manipulatives, educational games and other academic materials need to be top-notch to enhance your child's education. Ones with a world view will prepare your children to be good citizens and care for people of all racial and cultural backgrounds.

Since most young children are unable to grasp abstract concepts, trying to explain to a young child that people all over the world live very different lives from the ones we enjoy here can be very difficult. Look for a curriculum that extends each child's awareness of his or her own place in the world.

Home School Frequently Asked Questions

What are "learning styles?"

How do I start homeschooling?

organize

How do I make paint?

What subjects should I teach?

I want to homeschool. What should I do first?

Where can I find craft recipes?

What is an employability portfolio?

How do I make craft dough?

What if my child just wants to read all day?

Whatīs a creative way to make science īrealī to my kids?

questions, what do i do now?, Now what?

What are the ten steps to spelling?

How do I choose a curriculum to use with my kids?

How do I determine grades for my kids?

What is the Charlotte Mason Method and how do I use it?

Will my child have a high school diploma?

How much does homeschooling cost?

What are the different methods of homeschooling?

How can I get my child to do narrations?

What is the eclectic method and how do I use it?

How can I keep track of grades?

Is homeschooling legal?

What is a good rubric for writing assignments?

What is a documentation portfolio?

how do I teach the Scientific Method?

What about socialization?

How can my homeschooling child be socialized?

How long does homeschooling take each day?

Would homeschooling be good for my learning disabled child?

Will my child have transcripts if I homeschool?

What if all my childīs friends are in school and she feels left out?

Will my child be able to get into college?

Garden Kits

math, income tax

What if I donīt feel qualified to teach my child myself?

How can I choose a math curriculum?

Math, teaching math, Math Help

Meal worm, science

white, color, preschool

What about homeschooling an only child?

How can I teach my preschooler?

What do eclectic homeschoolers do all day? Is there a schedule?

Whatīs a concrete way to get science to a level they will understand?

How do I set up a schedule?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the classical approach?

Should I enroll in the independent study program at the local school?

Do any colleges accept homeschooled students?

What is the Principle Method?

What is the unit study method and how do I use it?

What can I use to help teach science?

What is the parental approach and what do I need to know about it?

How can I possibly teach my children?

Are all the subjects taught in school really necessary?

What if my child doesnīt measure up?

Do you recommend homeschooling for the "gifted" child?

Where do I start in creating a portfolio?

How do I begin creating my portfolio?

Am I good influence for my child all day long?

Do I have to follow my stateīs content standards?

What are content standards?

Typical course of study, science, first grade

Typical course of study, science, eleventh grade

Typical course of study, science, fourth grade

What is a type of homeschooling curriculum that involves collecting objects?

Whatīs a cool tool for teaching science?

What types of portfolios are there?

What is a personal portfolio?

Make a movie, book report

What is the Delayed Academic Method and how do I use it?

Typical course of study, science, tenth grade

Stanford Solar Center, astronomy

What is unschooling?

What should I do about critical family members?

How will my child get into college if I homeschool?

What if my child goes back to school? Can she get in?

Is teaching high school hard?

Typical course of study, science, seventh grade

living on one income

Handwriting, motor skills

Typical course of study, science, second grade

Typical course of study, science, fifth grade

Should I follow the regular school year?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the unit study approach?

What is the unschooling method and how is it done?

Typical course of study, science, kindergarten

Typical course of study, science, ninth grade

Typical course of study, science, third grade

How Stuff Works

What can I use to help teach about the environment?

Where can I find a support group for deaf or heard of hearing children

What about financial aid for homeschoolers?

Must my child attend an accredited high school to go to college?

What is a unit study?

When will my child ever use calculus, trig, geometry or algebra?

What if I love homeschooling but the kids want to go back to school?

How do I get my child interested in history?

Where can I find information about dinosaurs?

Typical course of study, science, sixth grade

Science, weather

What is the eclectic method?

Is it a good idea to let my teen homeschool while we are at work?

How can I incorporate NASA into my Space and Science program?

Donīt teachers know something about "teaching" that parents donīt?

How can I encourage reading?

making butter, preschool

What if my child wants to watch TV all day?

Typical course of study, science, eighth grade

Typical course of study, science, twelfth Grade

gardening, science, worms

If I have three children, do I teach three levels of each subject?

How can we prevent accidents during science labs

What is the parental method?

Where can I find information to teach anatomy?

Is there a good website to use when we study the human body or anatomy

what about crafts ideas?

How does online homeschooling work for elementary students?

How can I save money while homeschooling my child?

Can parents with no teacher-training actually provide their child(ren) with a good education at home?

How can I promote and encourage my child's thinking skills and instinctive curiosity as a natural part of our homeschooling curriculum?

What is the value of creating home-published books as part of our homeschool curriculum?

What should I ask a director or leader of a homeschool group site when I interview and visit the location?

Should everyone be involved when we are choosing a family homeschool group to join?

Is it really that important that I get along with everyone in my homeschool group?

What ar the values to joining a homeschool support group during our first year of homeschooling?

As a new homeschool mom I wonder how in the world I will ever find time to make friends my own age.

I just had a baby and I am already thinking of homeschooling my child, are there other moms like me somewhere?

I am a single homeschooling mom and I would like to find positive male role models for my young sons, any ideas where?

A new member just joined our co-op and our personalities clash, any ideas how I can overcome this?

I am new to homeschooling and I am looking for as much information as I can possibly find, where is the best place to look?

I m new to homeschooling, is there a group designed to help parents stay on track?

Is there a quality Christian homeschool currriculum that I can provide for my homeschooling highschool student?

I am looking for a homeschool curriculum that will enhance the communication of our family unit, do you have any suggestions?

I am new to homeschooling, how should I begin our elementary school program?

Is the number of families that homeschool increasing?

I am trying to create new and innovative thematic units for my homeschool elementary student, any ideas?

My son hates writing, is there a way I can create a curricular unit that makes writing both fun and exciting?

I am a Christian but I wonder is it really necessary to purchase a Christian based elementary curriculum

I would love to think of unique ways to incorporate nature into my everyday homeschool curriculum.

My children are very confused about the concepts of money, is there an easy way to teach them this life skill?

I have finally committed to homeschooling my children and now I am terrified, What if I fail?

Between Phonics and Whole Language Learning, which program offers the best success for a struggling reader?

Science seems so boring to me but I want to "spice" it up so that my children will enjoy it. Do you have any ideas?

Exactly what is social studies and how might I incorporate it into my homeschool curiculum?

Social studies often seems to abstract for my son, how might I make it more real?

My child enjoys coloring, play-doh and other crafts, how can I use these hobbies to teach my child about art?

I have thought about joining a homeschool co-op but wonder if this is really the right thing for my family?

I am considering homeschooling by teen through middle school, but worry about her missing out by not being in a public school?

What should I do if my homeschool student suddenly wants to learn about something I know nothing about?

Will I be able to teach my child high school curriculum?

How can my homeschool student obtain an official looking transcript?

I am a Christian but have been told that using a Christian based homeschool curriculum isn't that important, what do you think?

It is a good idea for my high school homeschool student to take virtual college courses online?

Is there a relevant way I can show my homeschooled child how important history actually is without preaching?

My student is enthralled with one event in history and I cannot get her to move on to another subject, what can I do?

I really want to open up communication with my child but I cannot figure out how to get him talking, any suggestions?

is is possible to create a "real life" langauage arts curriculum for my homeschooled son?

My son wants to tour the castles in Europe but there is no way we can afford to fly there, is there another way?

How useful is the internet for a homeschooled student?

As a parent that homeschools, how can I get an accurate and professional assessment of my child?

Is there a resource book that lists free i tmes available to homeschool classrooms?

How important is the internet going to be for me now that I am a homeschool parent?

How might the internet enhance my childs academic performance?

Is it really necessary for me to keep accurate academic records for my homeschooled children?

I want to "unschool" my child, does that mean I still have to purchase an expensive homeschooling curriculum?

I am looking for inexpensive homeschooling materials, any ideas where I might find them?

Is it possible to get fee homeschool resources off of the internet?

I have heard of free workshops at community colleges, city governments and local businesss how do I find these?

Can I take my homeschool kids to visit the fire and police departments on a field trip?

I want to incorporate mathematical learning into my childs daily activities, how might I do this?

My son is terrified of math, how could I simplify it so it isn't so intimidating?

I hated math in school, how will I ever be able to teach it to my homeschooled children?

Are there any tricks I might use to simplify difficult math concepts for my teenager?

I love to cook and want to share this skill with my children, can I incorporate it into my homeschool curriculum?

We just had our first child, at what age should I begin homeschooling?

How young is to young to introduce the bible to my children?

Is it really so important to read to my child every day?

Is it really necessary to purchase so many different books, music and art supplies for my preschool student?

I want to recognize my child when she does the right thing but my compliments fall short, how might I have better success conveying my pride?

I have heard the term "learning centers" but I am not really sure I understand what it means.

My child loves to play "make believe" but I really need her to pay attention when I am teaching her our homeschool curriculum.

I am worried about the violence in public schools and am considering homeschooling my children, am I alone in this idea?

If I homeschool do I have to follow a predetermined schedule or can I create my own?

Where can I find a solid, respectable Christian homeschool program for my family homeschool program?

Who tells me how to operate my homeschool?

My child is a very slow learner, if I homeschool can I teach at his own pace or must I move him along on a schedule?

I have heard that homeschool programs are very successful for learners with special needs, is this true?

What are the benefits of a Christian based homeschool curriculum such as Sonlight CurriculumŪ?

Why is overscheduling not a problem for the homeschool student?

How can I make sure that my children learn my values, moral and beliefs?

Homeschooling used to be stereotyped as "hippies", if I homeschool will I be considered a "hippie"?

Is there a positive way I can reach my reclusive teenager that is pulling away from everyone in the family?

What do I need to know about standardized testing for homeschool?

When is the best time to start homeschooling a child?

How can you document home schooling on a professional level?

What kind of homeschooling method is playful learning?

How do I create curriculum for home schooling?

How can I get started in homeschooling?

Will my children miss being in a class with other children?

How do I choose a home schooling style?

Is it wise to home school a special needs child?

How do I cope with the stress of home schooling?

Is there a good beginning curriculum package?

What do I do when my child is progressing on different levels in different subjects?

Do homeschool curriculum packages provide a well rounded education?

What Can I add to my homeschool curriculum package to make it more exciting?

What can I do if I can't afford to buy a packaged home school curriculum?

Are there any references I should not be without?

Are there free homeschooling books and home school supplies?

How can I help a student who's having trouble reading?

Do any retailers offer discounts to homeschool families to buy homeschooling books and home school supplies?

Are there any good sources of homeschooling research?

What's the best way for our family to keep up with current events?

How can I evaluate my children's writing assignments?

How can I use the resources in my town to homeschool?

Are there home school resources to help teach vlaues and life skills?

Can my homeschooled child participate in any public school activities?

How do I know if I am in compliance with homeschool laws?

Should I keep records even if it's not required in my state?

Should I give my child placement tests?

Are report cards a home schooling requirement?

What papers and records do I need in case of a homeschool inspection?

Does math always have to be taught by the book?

Are math drills effective?

How casn I demonstrate the everyday uses of math?

Does teaching my students morality and ethics have to be faith-based?

What's an idea for learning from nature?

Can I teach science using household items?

Is it safe to experiment at home?

Can I find organized science activities near home?

Should I invest in a microscope?

How can we make better use of our car time?

How can my child's hard work receive recognition?

How can I add context to history?

How can I teach diversity?

How can we have fun with history?

Does free play off enough physical activity for elementary school students?

Is a group homeschool project a good idea?

How can I lesson distractions from teaching?

What's a good way to read to my child?

How can I teach kids who like to be on the go?

Are there any organziations near me where I can get support and advice?

Where can I find online interesting math projects?

What can a Web Cam provide?

Are there online forums for homeschooling parents?

How can I guide my child's Internet use?

What is edutainment?

Can young children learn from song?

How can I help my preschool child develop well-rounded skills?

How ca I get my preschoolers ready for their elementary years?





Recent Home School Questions

Q. i have my ged and i want to go to college im taking my sat is there any other advice you reccomend
A. Click for the Answer





Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Home School Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Jennifer Mathes, Ph.D.