9 / 24
FALL 2019
HOMESCHOOL IOWA 9
son attended weekly “Creation Apologetics” classes taught by a
Christian scientist via live internet instead of attending the typical
science class in public school. Is he worse off in the “real world” be-
cause he didn’t learn a million-year date of a rock? (Not so far.) His
experiences while being homeschooled were eclectic. He learned
how to live in the real world, which includes interacting with adults.
He watched friends act out in middle school, and he didn’t have to
live it eight hours a day. Homeschooling provides an opportunity for
parents to guide children as they enter the real world at a pace that
works for each individual.
Homeschool Iowa offers resources online and in person for parents
to plan middle and high school years. Regional Representatives lo-
cated throughout Iowa are experienced homeschool parents who
share their knowledge and expertise to guide and support your per-
sonal journey. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
website also provides detailed plans for families and personal help
to members.
Why did you homeschool in the first place? Academic achievement?
Christian choice? Special learning? What would make you change
your initial choice? Does it fit with God’s plan for your students and
family?
Psalm 119:1-4 is helpful. “You’re blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when
you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right -
you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he
set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to
live it.” (The Message)
My homeschool motto is “never alone.” Reach out and ask for help.
Working together, we can do it!
I
enjoy meeting homeschooling parents. As I am apt to do, I share
our homeschool graduation story to encourage elementary stu-
dent families. I ask, “Do you plan to homeschool through high
school?” They often frown, shrug their shoulders, and reply, “Oh, I
don’t know if I can do it. And they have to learn how to handle the
real world at some point.”
Instantly, a picture of screaming adults at the Roman Colosseum
flashes across my mind as I imagine these servant-hearted young
students entering an arena of “the real world.”
Are we making children’s educational decisions based upon feel-
ings? “I feel confident I can teach elementary levels. I don’t feel con-
fident to teach pre-algebra and middle school subjects, so I’ll send
the kids to public school after fifth or sixth grade.”If you were a good
enough teacher to guide your children through fourth grade word
problems and spelling books, prepare them to share with siblings,
manage their activities, drag them along to your meetings, train
them to help out at the grocery store, and plant a garden, what sud-
denly makes you less able to lead students through middle school?
Using a feelings-based theory, I predict there would be many more
only children following that sleepless first year with a baby. Unfin-
ished projects would pile up on desks as feelings of overwhelming
indecision fill our minds. Adults don’t make serious decisions using
feelings. “I want that red convertible more than I want to heat the
house next winter,” isn’t a common statement in Iowa homeschool
families. We use budgets, facts, prayer, and logical thought process
to make decisions.
Serious facts: homeschooled students score higher on standard-
ized testing, graduate in higher rates, succeed in work and college,
and suffer much lower suicide rates than public schooled youth.
Homeschooling is safer, and there is significantly less abuse in
home-educated families.
“You’re just as qualified as anybody else to teach middle school,”
answers a homeschool graduate. “If you do proper research, you can
take hands-on control of your child’s education.”
Isn’t that why you started homeschooling? To have input, control,
and guide these little people on the path that you prayed about
when they were born? Before you turn your children over to national
regulations and corporate goals, make a list of God’s educational
goals. How are these best met?
Remember where your strength comes from. It isn’t public opinion.
God gave you the skills and desire to teach your children. Ignore
others who question or belittle your ability or motives.
Reevaluate the previous homeschool years and take a closer look at
your child. Is he ready for a middle school with 600 other students?
Would he enjoy that school?Will she be challenged to do her best in
a classroomwith 32 others clamoring for a teacher’s attention? Does
the school have the same Christian goals you do? Is there flexibility
in the classroom for unique and personal learning styles?
A family friend was homeschooled until high school. He shares this
observation: “A lot of time was wasted at my public school. Every-
one spends the same amount of time on a subject whether you are
bored or don’t get it. It is like an assembly line. I liked homeschooling.
It’s about the individual, even if there’s ten kids in a family.”
While homeschooling, I learned my limits and strengths. I out-
sourced math and science for middle school and high school. Our
Can I Successfully Teach Middle School?
BY LAURA CARLSON