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Charter school director Kathy Bass of The
Learning Choice Academy offers tips on
transitioning your child to homeschool.
or approximately 1.5 million families in the U.S.
F
alone, home is where the school is. In fact, according
to a recent survey by the National Center for Education
Statistics, the “trend” of homeschooling in this country
has grown more than 74 percent since 1990, as more and more
parents choose to break away from the “one-size-fits-all” approach
of traditional education. For parents considering homeschooling
as an option for their child, the move from public school to
homeschool requires patience, planning and a practical attitude.
the best-LAid (Lesson) PLAn
Kathy Bass, director of The Learning Choice Academy in Temecula
Life happens! So, understandably, there will be days when you can’t
and San Diego, offers tips to ease the transition.
cover everything in your lesson plan. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Instead, try choosing one or two subjects to cover, and then spend the
soMething to tALK AboUt
time you have to really focus on them.You can also try to minimize
If you’ve decided to homeschool a child who is already attending a
interruptions during lesson time by unplugging your phone and
traditional school, the most important thing to do first is to sit down
hanging a sign on your front door that says, “School in Progress,” to
and have a dialogue with him about it. Talk to your child about what
dissuade visitors from ringing your doorbell.
he can expect from the experience and what is going to be required of
him. Make sure to have an agreement between the two of you before
getting schooLed
the transition or homeschooling won’t work.
Worried about knowing the “new math?” Have trouble recalling a
single scientific element? There are many charter schools that offer
trAnsition tiMeLine one-on-one meetings with highly qualified teachers for parents who
Allow yourself three months to make a successful transition to want or need help understanding certain subjects. Some schools like
homeschooling. During the first month, many parents may find The Learning Choice Academy even offer a weekly Study Hall for
themselves in contact with their charter school nearly every day. By the parents, as well as workshops and online tutorials for additional help.
second month, parents generally begin to get more confident in their
skills, and by the end of the third month, both parent and child have hoMe free
usually acclimated to their new routine. Charter schools are free. They are part of the public school system,
which is funded by the state.
stAYing on trAcK
In the beginning, be sure to designate a certain area of your home—a
separate room or even just a section of the dining room table—for
the learning choice academy (tlc) is a california charter school with
homeschooling and schedule specific times for lessons. When parents
facilities in San diego and temecula. tlc assists parents who homeschool
first consider homeschooling, many assume they’ll be teaching seven their children by providing books and instructional materials, access to
or eight hours a day. In reality, it’s much less than that because, with a
certified teachers, a full-day option of student classes and a student
school of “one,” you’re able to cover more curriculum in less time than
allowance for enrichment classes, field trips and other activities.
for more information, call 951.676.4200 or 858.536.8388 or visit
in a traditional classroom. In addition, as children advance in grade
thelearningchoice.org/index.php.
level, they can begin to work independently.
MYUNDERTHESUN.COM l OCTOBER 31
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