Today, many parents are considering more alternative forms of education, including online schools and homeschools. While the reasons for pursuing alternatives vary depending on each child's situation, many parents discover the same foundational reasons for switching from a traditional form of academic learning to a home-based approach.
Here are a few of the most common reasons parents choose to do school at home:
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No matter if your child finds books fascinating or if reading books is the last thing he wants to do, the benefits of reading cannot be denied. From ages 0-5, children grow language skills faster than any other time in life, and words, speaking, comprehension, and phonics are all built during this time range. Beyond that, reading also helps students prepare for schoolwork and future careers, follow directions, and interact with peers.
In celebration of International Child's Book Day and Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, here are a few tips for encouraging your student's love of reading:
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Science experiments don't have to be limited to frog dissections and lab work with chemicals. In fact, some of the most fun science experiments happen with ordinary, everyday items at home. Make your science lessons more relevant, applicable, and interesting with these popular, do-it-yourself experiments:
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Whether you're considering homeschooling or using an online school, both alternative forms of schooling require parents to be more involved. However, many parents find that the freedoms and flexibility they provide their student are well worth the effort, time, and money. To help you choose the best educational choice for your student's learning needs, here's a quick parent's guide of the major differences between online schools and homeschools:
Spring is finally here, and with it comes an itching to shrug off the schoolwork and get outside to see the blue skies and hear the birds sing. To help your student stay on track for finishing the school year on time, here are a few spring fever cures you can try today.
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You can feel it in the air. Spring is almost here, and that means St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. More than just about shamrocks, St. Patrick's Day is an excellent time to use fun activities to teach or practice academic skills at home. With spring fever about to break, here are some fun St. Patrick's Day activities you can do with your children!
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Online learning may initially seem like a self-explanatory definition; however, the fact is that online learning takes place in a wide variety of formats, and it has many definitions around the world.
For some people, online learning is surfing the Internet and looking at web-based resources in a traditional classroom (digital content). For others, online learning occurs in a physical classroom with an instructor, while a student completes lessons via the Internet (blended learning). Meanwhile, even others access lessons and long distance teachers via the Internet (complete online learning).
A problem arises when people unfamiliar with the various options of online learning believe or spread myths created from the misunderstanding of this broadly defined education format. To eliminate some of these myths, here are responses to five of the most common misconceptions.
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Ready to leap?
Every four years, an extra day is added on the calendar for Leap Year. February 29th is added as a corrective measure to ensure the Gregorian calendar stays correct at 365 ¼ days during an average year. Leap Years add not only an additional day (to sleep and do more homework), but they also add an interesting history of fun facts. [Read more…]
Is your student a motocross racer? How about an ice skater, ballerina, equestrian, football player, or basketball star-to-be? Many K-12 students have amazing athletic talents and abilities. [Read more…]
With online learning, independent learners bloom.
However, it's a fact that not all students (or people for that matter) are independent learners. Some students naturally become independent learners based on life circumstances and learning style. They just take the bull by the horns. [Read more…]