A Context of Homeschooling

The Accelerated Christian Education Curriculum A.C.E used by the following family observed, not only supports academic achievement for entering into College but also character building in order to face challenges, accept future opportunities and develop a life-long passion to learn and grow spiritually. There are many other types of homeschool environment including a Montessori style, Charlotte Mason Method, Waldorf Method, Eclectic homeschooling and Classical Homeschooling

The Home Education Handbook  equips the educator to provide a context with regard to the Education Act, the National Curriculum, Accelerated Christian Education Curriculum and also important procedures and practical matters. The European Academy of Christian Homeschooling (2005 p.3-5).

Within the context of Homeschool children have full attention of their educator, of whom sets an individual education suited to each child. Education is suited to the learning styles of the children and they can locate to another part of the house if desired. An example of this includes an observation of two children using space within the livingroom to complete some mathematical work and then returning to the group study table. The children focused well on their tasks and discussed content and mathematical concepts to conclude the learning session. Children were all considerate of each others individual learning needs and were motivated by each others company.

Childrens personal development, social development and well being are regarded highly. Communication skills, literacy skills, knowledge of the world, Mathematical understanding, metacognition, physical development and exploration in the different areas of creativity, are all major areas of the childrens education of which are also noted within the Foundation Phase Curriculum, Welsh Assembly Government (2008). The Homeschool family regard technology as an integral part of education. It is used to enhance learning experiences within the home context as well as within environments such as libraries, museums and areas of interest. Educational games are available at certain times which according to Stephen, are considered helpful in the development of thinking skills Ward, S, (2008 p.5).

Home educators make arrangements for those being educated to have regular experiences with groups of peers, bearing in mind also the importance of diversity in order for children to be educated about different cultures and ways of life within the community. In order to gain extra social experiences, the children within the observed home-school family, attend extra curricular activities including, Guide club, Tennis club, Swimming, informal meetings with peers and church groups. They also attend home-school group meetings whereby education is conducted for a whole group of children within a hall. Field trips have been arranged such as a visit to a helicopter pad, police station, weather station and toy museum.

Within Primary schools, 'catch up' maths programmes are implemented for children who missed areas of learning at a younger age.

Within the homeschool context however, children do not move on to further stages within the curriculum until they pass the assessed criteria by parents and external bodies. Children educated using the ACE curriculum experience easy transition to each stage.

 

References:

 

The European Academy for Christian Homeschooling, (2005) Home Education Handbook, Christian Education Europe Ltd, Wiltshire.

 

Ward, S (2008) A students Guide to Education Studies, 2^nd Edition, Oxon, Routledge.