Mike Smith:
There are many reasons that parents choose to homeschool their children, not the least of which is a desire to be involved in their spiritual, moral, and academic development. But the decision to homeschool isn’t necessarily easy to make. In a society where the cost of living is high and many families have two parents working full-time to pay the bills, living on one income can be extremely difficult.

This week, we will consider some practical ideas for cutting the costs of homeschooling without cutting the quality.

For starters, there are probably many resources right in your community that are free or low cost. A trip to your local tourist bureau may provide ideas for numerous educational outings. In many towns and cities, you can find historic buildings, the homes and farms of national heroes, and the birthplaces of historic figures. A day trip can provide the springboard for a unit study or a hands-on research opportunity for a paper or project.

Your community may have an active youth program such as 4-H, through which students can learn skills such as sewing, cooking, and woodworking for a lower price than the cost of private lessons. Community drama groups and orchestras provide opportunities to experience the performing arts at a low cost and be involved in these activities outside of a traditional school environment.

Join us tomorrow as we look at ways to cut the cost of curriculum and other resources. And until then, I’m Mike Smith.