The Real Reason Homeschooling Works
  by Lee Binz

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The one reason why homeschooling works? Take a look at these verses!

1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

No matter how good you are, or how smart you are, or how much you know about each classroom subject, it's the love of your children that will really make the difference. Compare that to this verse:

1 Peter 4:8: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

No matter how much you fail, how little you plan, what you can't teach, or what record keeping strategy you can't seem to manage, it's the love of your children that will make all the difference.

We succeed at educating our children because we are LOVE-givers, and not just teachers or care-givers. We love our children, and truly want them to succeed. If we are really great at this homeschooling job, but don't love our children, then we're no better than any other school setting. If we aren't so great throughout our homeschooling career, but love deeply, then the love for our children will cover all the difficulties.

I have known a parent or two who have "failed" at homeschooling and yet demonstrated great love for their children. Their kids have still become wonderful members of society, and done great things with their lives. Their kids have not been "drop outs" like public school kids who fail. It's the love that really matters.

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Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, specializes in helping parents homeschool high school. Get Lee's 5 part mini-course, "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make Homeschooling High School". You can find her at http://www.TheHomeScholar.com

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Your feedback is always welcome! Just send your email to heather(at)familyclassroom.net

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Winning Website
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Meal Train

Our "winning website" for this issue has nothing to do with homeschooling, but it is something that touches all of our lives!

If you've ever been a part of organizing meals for a friend whose family is going through illness or has just had a baby, etc., then you will find this website very valuable. It is completely free to use -- and it sets up a calendar that others can sign into and choose days to bring meals. It also allows the meal recipient to register and enter details about delivery time preference, allergies, favorite foods, etc. Everyone can see what others are bringing, too, so the family is not eating the same thing several days in a row!

I think this is a fabulous online application -- and best of all -- it is FREE! :-)

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Helpful Tip
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Homeschool "Strewing"

Okay... this is a FANTASTIC tip that really works -- and it's something I have done over the years without realizing someone had coined a name for it! :-)

Definition of strewn (strn) or strewed, strew-ing, strews: To spread here and there; scatter.

The homeschooling use of the term "strewing" is the act of leaving something interesting lying about the house in a place where it will obviously be seen by your child and arouse their curiosity, being careful to draw no further attention to it. You can leave books or educational toys or any other materials you think will be of interest to your children in places where they will discover them and explore on their own... completely on their own. Read strategies and specific ideas about what you can "strew" here...

www.homeschooling-ideas.com/strewing.html

Have you ever done this with your kids? Please take the time to write and share about your results!

-- Heather

Email me! - heather(at)familyclassroom.net

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New Reader Question
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"I am looking for some advice regarding my 12 year old son, who is galloping through algebra at the pace of a chapter every day or two, but STILL has trouble with math facts, in spite of a large variety of techniques including manipulatives, songs, flash cards, computer programs, mental math rules like the rule of 9's and practice since he was about 6 years old. He is learning his facts, but oh so slowly, and still has trouble frequently.

His older sister had a similar problem. When presented with 3x + 4x, I saw her counting up 3 + 4 on her fingers under the table. And his father, who has a PhD in a science, is notoriously slow in calculation unless he has his calculator handy. So maybe this is a genetic thing and we'll all just have to make our peace with it. But he wants to study engineering, and it's useful in science and everyday life to be able to make quick and accurate mental calculations and estimates. Any advice would be appreciated."

Debra, HSGifted Group

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ADDITIONAL NOTES
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