1 minute read
Learn Together
One of the most important things as a teacher is that you enjoy and are interested in the subject you are teaching. We've all had the experiences of having both good and bad teachers, and if you think about it I'm sure you'll notice that all your good teachers seemed rabidly interested in the subject matter, while the bad ones seemed bored. Nothing is worse than study topics that don't interest you, as this boredom will quickly rub off on your child, and a situation will be created where neither of you are enjoying yourselves.
This doesn't mean, of course, that in home schooling your children you should simply do whatever you want - there is no way to avoid the fact that the major subject areas must be studied closely - but keep in mind that many of these subject areas have a very broad range of exercises that can be done within them.
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If you're studying literature for example, remember that you don't necessarily have to read the "standard book" for your child's grade level. The subject of literature is about reading and getting familiar with good writing and in many cases one good book can be replaced with another. Think of how much more exciting your literature unit will be if you select a work that interests both you and your child - you will be able to enjoy the experience of good literature together, and have a much more valuable learning experience.
Home schooling is most valuable when it is a shared educational experience between the parent and child. Learning together not only increases family bonds, but ensures more retention of subjects. So don't hesitate to select projects or units of study that interest you as well. If you went though a public school system, there are no doubt many aspects of certain subjects that you wished you explored more - now's your chance to do that with your child. As you learn together, you'll realize that doing so is one of the greatest benefits of home schooling.
