Welcome to the Natural Life
Homeschooling
Our experience with home schooling began in 1989 when our eldest child was two years old and we began to look into educational choices. It didn’t take much time for us to discover the home schooling option and to realize it was a perfect fit for us.
After our other children came along, it was abundantly clear that people have varying learning styles and timetables. It was also obvious that when a child learns something out of a true desire to learn, the learning happens very quickly and is easily retained.
I love being a participant in my children’s learning and growth. We do not do this to isolate us or them, but rather because we love them and enjoy learning along with them. Our children have plenty of friends, friends of all ages. This seems a more natural way to be in the world.
There are as many ways to home school as there are children. And today there is an abundance of resources. It is good to connect with other home schoolers, particularly in the beginning. You will formulate your own style over time and there is plenty of support for whatever path you choose. You are welcome to subscribe to our newsletter and let us know what subjects you would like us to touch on.
Resources
We hope you enjoy the following resources. This list will be continually updated.
•http://sandiegohomeschooling.com For those of you living in the San Diego area, this site is very helpful in showing you what's happening and how to make the connection with others.
•Not Back To School Camp is one of the BEST things my teenaged son has ever done! He came back from this camp very excited, not only about meeting many like-minded new friends, but about his future. I HIGHLY recommend this experience, particularly for those who unschool
•http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/lawregs/lawregs.html (laws about home schooling)
•Unschooling:Family Unschoolers’ Network
•School is Dead; Learn in Freedom
•Home school Chat Rooms and Used Curriculum:Vegsource
•Growing Without Schooling (magazine)
•NEW! AudioMemory.com For those children who learn easily through music and rhythm. These tapes set learning to music. "You never forget what you sing."
•Read a sample chapter and excerpts from A Case of Brilliance by Rebecca Lange Hein at www.rebeccahein.com.
A Case of Brilliance is the author's story of her discovery that her two children are profoundly gifted. This discovery includes the family's decision to home school, and early cello lessons for Annette and Lewis. Home schooling families, musicians, teachers, administrators, and parents of gifted children will identify with the struggles that Rebecca and Ellis Hein encountered in their attempt to give their children the best possible education and upbringing. Order your autographed copy now.
•http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html
Colleges That Accept Home schoolers
•http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html
Colleges That Accept Home schoolers
Everything Homeschooling,
from Abeka Homeschooling
to Wisconsin Homeschooling.
The following sites are especially useful to homeschoolers, who may not have access to a school counselor or college
counseling office.
1. At http://www.get-recruited.com all students can get recruited by colleges, universities, and graduate schools,
FREE.
2. Visitors to http://www.college-scholarships.com will find links to 32 FREE online scholarship searches, college admissions
and financial aid office email addresses and toll free numbers, links to college websites and online applications (by state), a
free college admissions and scholarships email newsletter, and a list of the web's best college and scholarships websites.
3. At http://www.guaranteed-scholarships.com, you'll find a list of scholarships guaranteed by individual colleges to ALL admitted
students meeting the criteria listed.
email: anne@thenaturalife.com
Also read ADD and Nutrition, an article by Dr. John Taylor
Suggested Reading
Click on the underlined book title to go directly to the amazon.com site for more information or to place an order.
"What About College" By Cafi Cohen
How the author helped her two home schooled children apply and get accepted to the colleges of their choice. Useful ideas for everyone thinking about college, but especially for those with nontraditional educations. Appendixes include actual transcripts, cover letters, ideas for creating and reporting curricula, pointers for applying to a military academy, and more!
"The Teenage Liberation Handbook" by Grace Llewelyn
This book presents some good reasons to think about quitting school, how to reclaim a natural ability to learn and become self-taught, how to get parental support and stay out of legal trouble, how to design a personalized education worth getting excited about, how to go to college without first going to high school, how to find volunteer positions and/or apprenticeships and/or other work opportunities, and what other unschooled teens do with their time.
"And The Skylark Sings With Me" by David H. Albert
A wonderful new book on home schooling! This book explores the creative and inspiring world of unschooling. The author takes your through his years of home schooling his daughters. A highly acclaimed book, it will inspire and encourage your endeavors to assist your children in becoming whole humans who can find success in the changing world.
The Unschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith
A practical guide for home schoolers who prefer the unschooling modality. Offers many resources and addresses the misconceptions and criticism unschoolers may encounter. An easy and fun read. It will inspire and encourage you.
In Their Own Way by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.
Although not a home schooling book per say, this wonderful book speaks to the idea that there are various ways we learn. I have referred to it time and again when I become confused by the differences in my children's approaches to learning. It guides you in discovering and encouraging your child's personal learning style.
Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense by David Guterson
This is a GREAT book written by a high school English teacher who home schools his own children. Home schooling is not for everyone but Guterson sees it as a growing and worthy alternative in an educational system badly in need of fundamental restructuring. Thoughtful and well documented, it answers most questions asked about home schooling
Learning All The Time by John Holt
A classic home schooling book written by the father of unschooling. Holt clearly demonstrates how children begin to read, write, count and investigate the world without being taught. He maintains learning cannot be coerced, he maintains, indeed, it is as "natural as breathing". This book will reassure you that your children (and you) have the right stuff to learn at home.
How Children Learn by John Holt
"Children do not need to be made to learn." Each child is born with what Einstein called "the holy curiosity of inquiry." A classic published in 1967, it is a great companion to Learning All The Time. It provides an "effective, gentle voice of reason" (Life).
Homeschooling for Excellence by David and Micki Colfax
Although a bit dated this is an inspiring icon in the home schooling lexicon. The Colfaxes are two former educators who’s sons home schooled through high school and then were accepted at Harvard.
Free At Last by Daniel Greenberg
Although this is not a home schooling book per say, it definitely has influenced the way I look at education and the way I wish to see my children learn. This school is a testament to how freedom plays a major role in a true learning environment. I think all educators who wish to see a real change in education (rather than the current "lets throw money at it" atmosphere) should take a look at the Sudbury Valley School. This book is a pleasurable read and a true inspiration.
