I am Shelley, a mother of three teenagers. I have a British education background and have been home educating my children for the past 16 years with a a few years hiatus in between. I also currently am educating a pre-school/kindergartner. My oldest child, who is now 18, started college at Arapahoe Community College at age 16. After his ACT and SAT scores were released to the college board, many IVY League Universities contacted him. All of this is to say that I have effective educating methods.
I love to educate but particularly in the areas of History and English/Writing. Over the course of teaching different types of students, I found the approach to History dry and somewhat meaningless because it was not tied to the essential question, "How does this affect me today?" "Why do I need to know this information?". My approach to history involves discussion through the use of questions. For example, 'Why do you think the Southerners did not want to give up their slaves? Is it because they were naturally evil or were there other considerations such as economy?'
Then, we discuss economics at the appropriate age level. Everyone can understand wanting to make a buck. Then we would explore the greater subject of slavery as an ancient institution. Is it a good one? Is it a bad one? Why? By discussing all of these aspects, the facts will be easy to remember because so many points of reference are touched upon as to make it exciting and meaningful.
I have had a similar experience with English/Writing. Children get confused with grammar because they do not understand the relationships. I first expose the children to the concept of one word in various relationships just as they are one person in various relationships. In this way, they are able to understand how words work and the rest is much easier.
In addition to educating, I have also been an office manager having to deal with many different types of clients. I am very comfortable working with young, old and in-between. Your child can come away with much more interest and confidence in the areas of History, and/or English/Writing with the enjoyable and useful methods I employ.
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