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A Brief Outline of a Sample Home Education Learning Program

[The following outline is an abbreviated sample of a learning program, suggested as a guide to help you devise your own. It is by no means complete, and has not been 'approved' by any educational authority in Australia.]

Belief we can best cater for our child's individual intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual developmental needs, as we 'know' our children best and love them.

Belief that we can provide a learning environment rich in educational resources and opportunities, catering to their individual learning needs and styles.

Desire to allow our children to fully develop all of their unique talents and abilities by providing them with a non-competitive environment to enable them to learn at their own pace.

We aim to offer a broad and basic education which will serve as a platform for continuous, life long learning, and launch our children into any desired direction, further study or employment.

To promote the development of the following skills; communication, literacy, numeracy, analysis and problem solving, information processing, computing, technological, scientific, and work practices.

To develop an understanding of the roles of culture, science and technology in their lives, and an appreciation of Australian and world history, geography and cultural development.

To promote the development of tolerance and respect for all cultures, including the opportunity to learn another language and study another culture in depth.

To develop an appreciation of The Arts (Visual, Performing, Music, Drama, Craft) and the opportunity to develop his own artistic talents and abilities.

To promote and awareness of, and responsibility for, personal care, hygiene, safety, relationships, and citizenship.

There will be an emphasis on effective communication through language development - reading, writing, listening and speaking; skill and process building, comprehension and critical appraisal; drawn from everyday activities meaningful and relevant to the children's immediate life, and supplemented with chosen educational material, texts, workbooks, and resources suitable to their personal developmental levels.

Attainment of mathematical skills and understandings in number, space and measurement will occur through daily activities; art/craft (technological) projects, play, games, and also progression through chosen maths texts.

There will be a focus on environment and science, drawn from personal and cultural interests, and conducted through practical investigation and experience, research and reporting. Extensive use will be made of community and environment resources. Focus will be on interdependence, independence, evolution of species and landscapes, and the physical and chemical nature of all things.

Different cultures and periods in history will be examined, mainly focussing on local, state and national cultural development, including use of mass media, historical and cultural institutions, and a variety of texts and people. These will be drawn from personal interest, cultural interest (special events, etc), and developed theme studies.

We will encourage personal responsibility, an understanding of social structures, the need for law and order, conflict resolution, tolerant and co-operative behaviors.

Attention will be focussed on personal hygiene and physical development, personal health and nutrition.

Opportunities will be made for the development of critical appraisal and appreciation of the full range of artistic expression by other artists; with provision for the development and practice of artistic skills for expression and enjoyment.

We will pursue subjects and activities of general interest or focus, using a variety of activities and learning styles and resources, following the children's inclinations and interests as they develop.

We will introduce activities and lesson plans in particular areas, and use revision and pre-testing as required.

There will be opportunities developed for group learning situations as well as individual study.

Resources used in all areas of the learning program will include local libraries, educational institutions, community organisations, educational suppliers for curriculum information, texts and other materials, computer software and the Internet; participation in community festivals, exhibitions and events, local homeschooling networks (social & educational activities, support, and idea sharing).

This will include continuous reflection and evaluation of the educational process, examining progressive development of abilities, attitudes, feelings, preferences, goals, knowledge, processes, etc.

Recording of progress will be by use of personal journals and diaries, collections of the children's work, scrapbooks, subject work and project books, art folders, photo albums, video and audio tapes, collection of participation and meritorious certificates, use of individualised and commercial tests, reference to checklists and curriculum guidelines, and the use of sequential developmental work books in subject areas.

We will make use of the whole home, including outside, with specific areas set aside for study, storage of resources, display, project work in progress, specific activities (study, work and recreation), etc.

Attention will be given to personal learning needs, including physical and psychological, as well as personal learning styles.

We will use the local and wider community and environment - people (tutors, classes, etc) places (conservation parks, museums, library, field trips, etc) and materials.

We will continue to participate in community events and organisations.

There will be provision for regular access to friends and group activities.

We will participate in home education social networks - excursions, social gatherings, organised sport, conferences, camps, etc.

We will participate in organised community educational program activities - Friends of the Museum, Investigator Science Center Workshops, Double Helix Club, etc.

Outline of Typical Day

a.m. Completion of chores - personal, house hold, and animals.

• Daily focus on maths/language based activities drawn from learning program (about 1-2 hours).
• Snack and stretch.
• Free personal time, hobbies, including play and computer.
• Lunch.

p.m. Time to pursue personal interests and/or ongoing projects - construction, art and craft, researching, technology.

• Outside physical activity - sport, walking, swimming, tree climbing, etc.
• Music practice.
• Reading together, silent and shared.
• Chores - personal, household, and animals, preparation of family meal.
• News and current affairs, discussion and conversation.
• Watching documentaries, movies; or
• Playing educational and fun games; or
• Use of computer for games, projects, etc.; or
• Quiet reading

Home Education can be as varied as the individual families who choose to do it. There is no one right way to educate your children, and your learning program will reflect your family values and personal goals for your children. Many families begin with collections of text and work books, and then relax as they realise the enormous learning potential of normal, everyday living activities. Home education is flexible, dynamic and immensely satisfying!

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Beverley and Robin Paine
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Pioneering members of the home education movement in Australia, Beverley and Robin Paine are passionate advocates of true educational choice for families. They began homeschooling in 1986 and three years later started the South Australian Home Based Learners network. Beverley continues to write for homeschooling newsletters and magazines as well as hosting several websites dedicated to promoting and supporting home education in Australia. Her aim is to demystify the education process and make it accessible to all parents. Enjoy Beverley's wealth of practical knowledge, homeschooling and unschooling tips and ideas through articles and books and online at www.homeschoolaustralia.com. Since the late 1990s Robin and Beverley have been building their home education publishing business - Always Learning Books - from home with the help of their son Thomas.

"Education is not a preparation for life. Education is life itself." John Dewey

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