Monday 10 October 2011

10 Easy steps to take back your children’s education

1. Breathe; it’s easier than you think. Realize that you are about to embark on the most rewarding gift you can ever give to your children. This foundation will guarantee them successful futures. There is no greater sense of accomplishment. You will also learn a great deal or relearn what you were never taught. I just figured out fractions!
2. Think about what your children’s needs are. You might want to read up on what other home schoolers’ are doing. Remember that home schooling is a million dollar business; others have done the work for you. All you need is to pay attention and find your child’s needs.
3. Join an online support network. I belong to Blackhomeeducators.com. Some of the members have been schooling their children for decades and have tons of experience to share. They also have a “how to get started” packet co-produced by yours truly.
4. Find like minds in your community or create your own. Reach out to others and let them know what you are doing. Begin by speaking to people you meet in your children’s extracurricular activities. You will be surprised how many people your initiative helps.
5. Start browsing available materials online. You can search by subject and grade and get free downloadable worksheets. Check out some of my favorite cites in the next blog. Not finding the worksheets you need; make them yourself. Check out this worksheet generator for more info. www.worksheets4teachers.com/generators.php
6. Feel free to develop your own curriculum. Not all books, worksheets and materials will work for you; hence why it’s best at times to develop your own. I like materials that are colorful and not too wordy. I don’t like most materials designed for the British and Indian market. I find them too confusing to follow.
7. Frequent local bookstores for other materials you cannot find. Most of the cites listed are limited on science materials. Luckily I found great science materials from Harcourt and Evan-Moor. Some of my favorite book stores are: EPP, Kingdom Books, Systrus in Osu and Ghana Book Trust. My list of favorite educational book companies are listed on this cite.
8. Develop a work place. I designed a classroom where we work; but any corner will do. Design to your taste.
9. Be flexible. Teach when best for you and child. I teach in the mornings and lecture at Ashesi in the afternoons. This is one perk of being an academic; find what works for you. I have colleagues who teach in the evenings after they come home from work.
10. Breathe some more. It will feel as though you are not getting much accomplished in the beginning. Reach out to your community when that happens. You will feel exhausted or frustrated at times; but know that nothing tops the gift of education.

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