What Is The Covenant Home School Resource Center?

The Covenant Home School Resource Center started as a full Christian school in 1978 but changed to its present configuration in 2001. Even back in its early days the Covenant Home School Resource Center was known for its openness to home schoolers desiring part time supplemental classes. Karen Borg, the director, had been a teacher and principle in the original school and took much of that experience and knowledge into the Covenant Home School Resource Center.

Covenant Home School Resource Center – A Brief History

In early 2000 plans were being laid out to develop the Covenant Home School Resource Center. Over the next year there was much discussion and few meetings and workshops that were scheduled. By the end of the year the Covenant Home School Resource Center had a sizable collection of book, a 1600 square foot building, and lots of faith and dedication.

With this they opened their doors in August of 2001 and prepared to do whatever they could to help the families of today instruct their kids in the Christian way at home. Fast forward a year to April of 2002 and with over 200 members’ families and over seventy children taking classes in everything from science to music the Covenant Home School Resource Center was in full swing.

The library was full with hundreds of text books for the kids to use and additional workshops for all the basic requirements had been set up. By the next year the school had more then doubled in size and by the third year it had reached its peak with close to 200 class members. This did not include the hundreds of children who took advantage of what the Covenant Home School Resource Center and continued their education at home.

Donations of books and other resources flowed in and the school was able to keep up to date and well stocked on all the materials to keep the kids ready and prepared for whatever they needed. As you can see the Covenant Home School Resource Center is a shining example of what is possible when people are dedicated to a cause and work together. Another is Midlands home school resource center.

From a grass roots movement to a full institution the Covenant Home School Resource Center is there to help families and children a like get the education the want in the way that they want. In this time and age it is important that we instruct our children in what is right, and the Covenant Home School Resource Center is there to support them.

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Home Schooling Education

A home schooling education is a prized asset to anyone’s background. It demonstrates independent work completed in a timely manner, often reflecting an education well above the average education level of that from a public or private school.

A home schooling education most often involves well thought out planning and instruction from a loving parent or guardian who’s gently guided the child through many series of targeted lessons. The lessons have covered in-depth information on not only main topics of focus as required by the local laws by often much more advanced training with onsite visits at local industry establishments and interviews with their company workers as part of the lessons.

The more customized and in-depth lessons learned by those with home schooling education provide a much more well-rounded real-life education for after high school years. While their peers from public and private schools battle learning good independent life skills, work and study habits, their home schooling peers already excel in those areas, for example.

The child’s home schooling education has included plenty of socialization within peers groups of other home schooled children and children who attend their local churches, on average. Plus home schooling education means an average of 3 children or more per household, so others to play with, plus neighborhood children, library groups, etc.

Grades, maturity levels and college work / study habits of those who have had a home schooling education are on the whole at more advanced levels than those of their peers in public and private schools. Those educated at home with a more Christian approach, especially, tend to not have dealt with the negative issues like early sexual activity and pregnancy, substance abuse, neglect, abuse, etc. as witnessed in their public and private school peers. And those with a home schooling education are accepted more often in universities and colleges, often having had scholarships offered, too.

While public and private schools have time-tables for sessions, breaks, months to complete lessons, etc., home schooling education offers a much more flexible training program. It can go with families when they travel, take breaks, are transferred for work / military or other reasons. And home schooling education offers much more flexibility with materials; books, online learning, non-violent materials, Christian materials with incorporated religious training and daily activities, etc.

In summary, a home schooling education can offer a very valuable asset. Anyone interested in giving their child or children a head start in life, a solid foundation for learning and growing should delve further into the subject.

Should I Home School?

We all want our children to get the best education possible, especially in those early, formative years. Yet we have to admit, in most cases, that the public school system has become inadequate at best, and just isn’t teaching our kids the basic skills they’ll need to survive in the real-world job market.

Private schools can offer a better option, but the cost may be greater than the average family can afford, especially if there is more than one child. And the parent usually has little control over the curriculum or the peer group the child will fall in with.

Many people are looking into the option of home schooling. They are asking “Is home schooling for me?” This is an important question. And there are several related questions you should answer before diving in. Answering these questions should give you a better understanding of what home schooling is all about.

First, why would I want to home school?

Most homeschoolers believe the public schools are not doing an adequate job of educating. Slow learners are falling further and further behind while gifted students are not adequately challenged. At home slower learners can get the one-on-one attention they need. And gifted students can move ahead at their own pace and even finish early.

In a home school setting the parents can adjust the schedule to fit the child. I have two children I’m currently homeschooling. The older one is a quick learner with a photographic memory. He doesn’t need much repetition of facts in order to remember them. My second child is just the opposite. He needs hours and hours of repetition. Isn’t it amazing how different two blood brothers can be?

Parents can also adjust the curriculum to fit the child. I had no trouble teaching my older boy to read. So I used the same curriculum with boy number two. It didn’t work. Hmmm, OK. So I switched curriculums. Now my second son is doing much better, and not nearly as frustrated with learning. And Mom didn’t have to get frustrated, either. Parents and students can be flexible when they teach and learn at home.

What are some more reasons?

Many parents are choosing to homeschool for safety reasons. Let’s face it, schools simply are not safe. Sadly, many students in public schools are faced with criminal situations every day. At the very least they probably have to put up with bullies. And when was the last time you heard of any POSITIVE effects from peer pressure? It’s easy to see that this type of environment is usually very stressful and distracts from the real purpose of being at school, namely learning.

Another reason many people home school, is because they are fed up with public schools teaching evolution, sex and other hot button subjects. Homeschoolers generally view these subjects as topics that should be taught at home, not at school.

They feel that when the schools teach these subjects the schools are usurping their parental authority. By choosing to homeschool, parents can take back their God-given authority/responsibility to raise their

children with a Biblical worldview.

Whatever your reason for homeschooling make sure you define it. Knowing why you are doing something will help you to stay focused when things get rough.

How can I be sure I’m teaching my child the things he/she needs to know?

Once you have decided to homeschool, you should contact your local school board and ask them what the requirements are. Some schools require that you register your child, some do not. Some schools will allow you to use their curriculum (if you want to). Virtually every school is different. And every state has different requirements.

Many local libraries also have information on what needs to be taught at different grade levels. Of course, there have been many books written on the subject as well. And let’s not forget the web. Doing a search on home schooling will turn up loads of information.

Where can I find curriculum to use?

There are so many publishers of educational materials out there that the question becomes “How do I know which to use?”

But let’s answer the first question first.

You can find curriculum at your local library, at homeschooler’s book sales, book stores, used book stores, on-line retailers, on-line used curriculum sites, and direct from the publishers.

How do you decide which to use? That depends on you, your child and your goals. For example, if your child has learning problems, you would buy curriculum designed for children with learning problems. If you want to teach Biblical values you would purchase from a Christian publisher.

First, evaluate your child’s situation, decide what your goals will be, and choose the area of study upon which you wish to concentrate. Then go to the stores, libraries or publishers, or spend some time online, and make your selections based on these criteria.

Finally, do I have time to home school?

Ah yes, the big “T” question. There never seems to be enough time with our busy schedules these days. Obviously, if you’re not going to be home for at least six waking hours (your child’s, not yours), then it’s going to be very difficult to provide a quality education.

Ideally, there should be a stay-at-home parent to do the teaching, but even if you have to work the standard 8-hour day, it’s still possible by adjusting and pairing your schedules. It’s all a matter of priorities. We’ll always find the time to do the things we consider most important.

Take the plunge.

Once you have your student(s) and curriculum in front of you the fun can start. Did I say fun? Forgive me, I’m not trying to be sarcastic. Oftentimes it may seem more like work, but you can make it fun with the right attitude. Think of it as a new, life-changing adventure that you and your child will be taking together.

Many home schoolers are even incorporating educational games and toys into their curriculum. Games can make learning easier and a lot more interesting. Just one more reason to make the bold move away from the public school system and over to the home school system.