Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

There are so many choices! How can I know what to focus on in my homeschool? Michael Farris talks about making those tough decisions, on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Michael Farris:
My wife, Vickie, is now in the middle of homeschooling. All 10 of our children are either in some stage of homeschooling or have graduated. She's had to make a lot of choices and knows the frustration of trying to decide what's most important.

What we've discovered is that some subjects need to be mastered, and others just require exposure. When it comes down to it, the two subjects that must be mastered to prepare your children for adult life are the English language and mathematics.

By English I mean reading, spelling, grammar, and writing. Good writing skills are needed by professionals in any field. The best advice I ever received about writing was this: read a lot of good writing and write a lot. Having your student read his work out loud can also help him discover most of his mistakes. Moms, focus a good portion of your time on helping your student master the English language.

The other subject I believe must be mastered is mathematics. Math is the language of the science world and impacts business as well. Though all students may not need calculus, taking students through Algebra 1 and 2 and geometry should be a basic requirement. Get outside help if you need it. We did. Many homeschoolers use community college courses for higher math.

By mastering English and mathematics and exposing students to an overview of other subjects, you'll lay a solid foundation for their future in any field. I'm Mike Farris.