If you have already decided to join TEACH, but want a bit more insight into what you have signed up for and some tips to help you out, the next bit of information is for you:

Introducing home education to the family life can be a mountain of a prospect, but TEACH is here to help you conquer that mountain! You don’t have to have all the information in your brain all at once, but we’ve highlighted some of the key things you should prioritise on as you take your journey through homeschooling.

1.  THE REWARDS OF TRAINING:

2.  DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY IS KEY:

3.  ONE POWERFUL RECORD-KEEPING TOOL!:

4.  PREVENT DISCOURAGEMENT WITH ACHIEVABLE GOALS:

5.  SCORING IS NOT BORING: 

A unique element within the use of the ACE curriculum is the self-scoring method. Under supervision of a responsible adult, students mark their own PACE questions, correct any wrong answers, and then check them again, until they have mastered each and every question. Not only does this methodology help a student truly understand what they are learning, it’s a great life lesson -- even though mistakes are sure to happen, we can learn from them and then move forward, growing in knowledge and wisdom. Take time to make sure that students are scoring correctly and honestly. Don’t leave space for cheating or copying. In the long run, cheating only weakens the academic experience and can have debilitating outcomes. 

Remember: Only the PACEs are self-scored by the students; the PACE Tests must be scored by the responsible adult. Both Score Keys and Test Keys (the answer books) must be kept in a secure place away from the students, and Score Keys must only be used by the student with permission from the parent.

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These are 5 really important groundwork practices to focus on if you are just starting out (or need a refresher). Christian Education and TEACH are looking forward to supporting you and your family in 20/21 and hope you will find homeschooling to be a rewarding and blessed venture.

In the upcoming weeks we will be giving all our TEACH members the option to receive a TEACH Tips email. If you would like to sign up for this email, click the link below!

During the COVID lockdown there has been some confusion over who is working, who is on furlough - who is paying for what - who is working from home, indeed what is work! Many large corporations are reassessing how work is managed. Some have said they don’t need large offices in big cities. Office staff can work more efficiently online from home etc. etc. Some have been made redundant (not a biblical term). This all seems far removed from the curse on Adam due to sin, 'by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground’ and the follow up--only slightly more positive--text in Ecclesiastes 9:10: 'Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going’. Through the ages work has evolved from being a curse to becoming a way of salvation. Indeed in many religious traditions good works lead to salvation of one form or another. However, the biblical teaching is that good work is evidence of the saving Grace of God in our lives. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. But then some (not all) in society argue that if you get free gifts--such as Government benefits--you are less inclined to work. Paul corrects the misapprehension of easy grace in Romans 6 and of course in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 he writes: 'For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.' Doesn’t that describe some of the problem of busybodies in society today?

Secular sociologists, historians and philosophers may see the ‘work ethic’ as a method for making money, spawning an industrial revolution or achieving protestant hegemony (as some Chinese researchers have surmised) but for Christians it is simply a matter of diligence before God as an outcome of a great salvation--not looking out for the praise of men but looking forward to the heavenly commendation, “Well done good and faithful servant."

Social media is littered with memes about ‘homeschooling during lockdown’—and most of them are not flattering! As one of these memes depicts, many parents may have started this lockdown period with the sweetness and positivity of Mary Poppins and ended up feeling like Cruella de Vil. And in the aftermath of these experiences, homeschooling is getting a bad rap.

But is ‘lockdown schooling’ a true reflection of traditional homeschooling? I think not!

Homeschooling is a choice!

For those who have made a conscious decision to home educate their children, the experience is both rewarding and a joy. This does not mean it is without its challenges (that would be a lie), but when you have chosen to do something, you are invested in that decision and therefore, usually, more motivated to persevere—and indeed thrive—in your homeschooling journey.

On the other hand, this lockdown (which is already an added stress in and of itself!) has forced many parents into something they would never have chosen to do—and they may feel trapped and ill-equipped. They push on and do the best they can, because they are concerned about their children’s education and feel they have no other choice, but it would seem (for the majority) that the opportunity holds no joy.

Preparation is key!

Perhaps the greatest stress in lockdown schooling is that parents have been ‘thrown into the deep end’, so to speak. With little notice and often minimal support, parents have become overnight educators. In addition to adjusting themselves to being confined to their homes, they are now juggling a host of new experiences—working from home, overseeing their children’s learning, lack of social interaction… the list goes on. Who wouldn’t find this stressful?

When choosing to home-educate, however, parents have time to prepare! Homeschooling should not be entered glibly but requires research and commitment. Parents are usually trained and equipped before starting their homeschooling journey and have access to regular support and events once they’ve started. Homeschooling is a focus rather than another item on the to-do list, and families find a rhythm that works for them—not one that is set by a school or teacher.

Each child is an individual!

During lockdown, teachers have been faithfully working to deliver education to their students as best they can, and they should be applauded for their efforts. However, parents should not confuse conventional school-based learning, with its generic deadlines and expectations that have been ‘translated’ into a home setting, with true homeschooling.

A significant benefit of homeschooling is the ability to adapt to each child’s needs. Children learn in different ways and at different paces; they have different strengths and weaknesses. Parents who have chosen to home educate have the advantage of choosing a structure and curriculum that fits their family’s ethos and suits their individual children. Children, therefore, flourish in their education, mastering their work and enjoying the process.

Have a network!

Another key to a successful home school is networking!

We’ve all been forced into isolation over the last few months, and the adjustment has been easier for some than others. We were not made to work in isolation but to be part of a body (1 Corinthians 12). The danger of these past months is that people could equate this forced isolation with typical homeschooling—but that’s just not the truth!

Homeschoolers are usually active in multiple clubs and social groups. Having this support network established prior to lockdown has benefitted many home-educated students, with clubs and activities switching to online platforms. And where activities can’t go on (e.g. swimming), parents have had the time (since they’re not driving around) to bring in other activities that can be done at home.

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Overall, parents have done their best to face the challenges of this lockdown period head-on and should be commended for it.

Some may have struggled through and be hoping they never have to do it again.

Others may have enjoyed the experience and may now be considering a permanent move to educating from home.

Whatever your stance, remember this… true homeschooling is a calling and a carefully considered choice that requires preparation and ongoing support so that you can provide the best possible education for your children.