Homeschool Electives

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Core courses are the backbone of homeschooling, naturally. But homeschool electives play a vital role in your child's education.

These special classes round out the curriculum, provide additional skills and furnish levity. They add sparkle!

Initially, before anything is decided, however, please check the following sources for their requirements/guidelines:

• state law --follow it and document the course activities
• homeschool program--if you use one
• colleges (if this is a high school elective and if your youngster is considering further education)--the admissions departments will be happy to help

Great! Now it's time to plan the homeschool electives. First, choose 2-3 possible ideas. Next, consider:

• What are your child's interests? Strengths? Weaknesses?

• How can you do this? Individually? In a co-op? With a tutor?

• How many hours will be needed? Enough to constitute an entire course? Should you combine it with a complementary activity? For example, "health" might consist of a textbook and a community CPR class.

• How much will it cost? Is it affordable?

• What are other considerations? If an outside source is necessary, is it available locally? How will this affect family life? Let's say your daughter wants to ice skate. Lovely! It will count as physical education and capitalize on her natural grace and athleticism. But this requires an instructor and ice. The rink is an hour away, and you have a baby and a toddler. Perhaps ballet is a better idea.

But the options for homeschool electives are wide open. As the folks at Home School Legal Defense Association write, "You are limited only by your creativity." Now is the chance to really take advantage of the flexibility of homeschooling. When selecting an elective, the sky's the limit!

Special Notes:

• Consider a Business Writing Course. This FREE e-book is ideal for a high school Business, Computer or Creative Writing course. It teaches the student how to make words work for him...how to communicate effectively. Whatever his goals, this skill is priceless!

  Ken Evoy, M.D. writes, "The educational system has NOT improved over the decades, either. I encourage you to share MYCPS! with your teenaged and older children, to teach them how to write TO COMMUNICATE. This is simply a critical skill set that EVERYONE needs, but that is not being taught."

• You may want to check into the many possibilities to be found in distance learning. Get the information you require when it comes to making the right choices about online and home-school education with Distance Education 411.

• While the older children are pursuing art, music or physical education, you might find this the perfect moment to spend individual time with your little one(s). Effective Preschool Activities and Games has engaging activities that younger siblings (and you) are sure to enjoy.

• Busy Bee Kids Crafts provides free instructions to make unique kids crafts for all occasions. All of our crafts for kids are made with inexpensive materials, often free, and are clearly explained with easy to follow directions and pictures. Most importantly they are fun crafts to make!

• Custom Homeschool Curriculum
  Build your homeschool curriculum around your child's learning style and eliminate learning problems, increase learning retention and improve motivation. See how in 3 easy steps!

For related homeschool electives articles:

Is an Online Curriculum Right for You?

Electives: Just a Beginning List of Possibilities

Kids' Activities

How To Make a Timeline

P.E. in Homeschooling: Getting Started

P.E.: Develop Basic Skills

P.E: Activities to "Fill-in" on a Rainy Day

P.E. in Homeschooling: Health Classes

A Simple But Effective High School Art Course

Beginning Homeschool Art Curriculum

Arts and Crafts Projects I

Arts and Crafts Projects II

Arts and Crafts Projects III: Handmade Gifts for Dad/Grandpapas

Arts and Crafts Projects IV: Handmade Gifts for Moms/Grandmamas

Arts and Crafts Projects IV: Autumn Crafts

Homeschool Art Projects V: Thanksgiving

Homeschool Art Projects VI: Christmas

Homeschool Art Projects VII: Valentine Mailbox

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