Homeschooling Gifted Children

Jo Freitag

Reasons for Homeschooling

Personal philosophy of education Geographical isolation Medical conditions Parents are itinerant workers Religious beliefs Social/emotional issues Special educational needs

Advantages of Homeschooling

Can work at required level for each subject Can work at required pace for each subject Can go on excursions, trips, etc. when it is

most convenient Can learn real life skills Can access a variety of courses

Possible Problems & Solutions

Socialisation

Mother not qualified teacher

Will see friends at church, youth groups, sports, clubs, etc.

Can use whole curricula, Internet courses, tutors, mentors, TAFE and Community House courses etc.

Possible Problems & Solutions

Will the student gain meaningful qualifications?

Will discipline be a problem?

Can use DECV if eligible, TAFE courses and alternative entry for tertiary courses

Can use appropriate strategies

Sources of Teaching Materials

Complete courses TAFE, Community House etc. courses Internet courses Gather collection from book shops, Op

shops, garage sales, fetes, etc. Write own units

Internet courses

Christian studied with the Virtual school for the Gifted

-What a Laugh -Visual Basic

Programming -Writing fantasy

fiction

Chess

Christian played Chess by e-mail with a girl from Western Australia

Learning from everyday happenings

When we found a possum which had been hit by a car the Possum Lady visited and Christian sketched the possum she brought with her.

Mentoring

Christian has sessions with Shaun Hately for maths and Kim Edwards for English

L.O.T.E. Pot-Pourri

L.O.T.E. Pot-Pourri was a little taste of several languages.

We had characters from around the world who shared their phrases and songs with us

Textiles

Erica’s 12 Days of Christmas Quilt

Textiles

Erica refurbished this doll’s cradle and made the mini quilt and pillow

Home Economics

Christmas food

Music

Erica visited her flute teacher once a week.

Maths/Art -3D Constructions

Rainer’s star was made from paper squares and triangles

Maths/Art -3D Constructions

These shapes were made from spaghetti and Milky Way bars

Library

Croydon Library - source of research materials, text books, fiction, foreign language courses on tape & CD, jigsaws, Internet access, family tree research and with a lake for a picnic lunch

Nativity Windows

Painting nativity windows for the Sunday School was an activity for Art and Social service.

Enrichment

Christian attended Aim High and Minds for the Millennium classes

Activities - Society for Creative Anachronism

Sport - Squash