My Homeschooling Experience

Introduction

• Speaker: M'hach, homeschooled from kindergarten through end of high school.
• Background: Parents were elementary school teachers in the ‘90s.
• Homeschooling not for religious or political reasons; more of a "hippie" or alternative approach.
• Objective: Share personal homeschooling experience for the first time.

Elementary School

• Emphasis on hands-on learning rather than strict curriculums.
• Parents focused on creating enriching environments for learning.
• Topics often integrated (e.g., learning about babies when a sibling was born, later transitioning to space).
• Importance placed on reading and math, but learning was project-based and fluid.
• No strict hours or tests, learning was often experiential (e.g., measuring tree circumferences).
• Socialization through sibling interaction and organized activities like “Homeschool Gym” and "Science Club".
• No TV until about 9 or 10; emphasis on reading, playing, and talking.

Socialization Activities

• Homeschool Gym: Weekly physical education and socialization opportunity.
• Science Club: Parent-led, thematic science learning sessions.
• Writing Workshops: Led by father, involved writing and sharing creative pieces.

Middle School

• Slight increase in structure and introduction of more defined curriculums.
• Continued participation in organized group activities (Science Club, Writing Workshop, Literature Club).
• Projects continued to play a major role (e.g., making a movie, starting a restaurant).

Projects and Extracurricular Activities

• Film Projects: Made films like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" adaptation and "Lunch Money".
• Restaurant Project: Created a home-based pizzeria, learning about business logistics.
• Summer Camp and Robotics: Organized a summer camp and participated in a Robotics club.
• Radio Show: Part of a local radio show called "Kids Speak Columbus".

High School

• More rigorous academic expectations but still project-focused.
• Took advantage of College Credit Plus to enroll in community college classes.
• Made a feature film called "The Red Crystal"; premiered in a local theater.
• Continued balance of traditional studies and personal projects.

Reflections on Homeschooling

• Emphasis on self-motivation and independence.
• Freedom to explore passions led to numerous creative projects.
• Some challenges in socialization typical of traditional schooling environments.
• Unique upbringing contributed to a mindset of "can-do" and doing things in real world.
• Mixed feelings about missing typical school experiences but relishes the unique learning opportunities homeschooling provided.
• Overall, homeschooling facilitated a love for learning and personal development.

Conclusion

• Recognizes the benefits and challenges of homeschooling.
• Acknowledges that homeschooling is not for everyone and can be particularly challenging for those less self-driven.
• Grateful for the opportunities homeschooling provided and how it shaped personal growth and mindset.

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments about my homeschooling journey!