Setting Goals

The homeschooling style you use impacts the goals you set. For example, if you choose to do school-at-home, your goals will be the same as the public school's goal and you will try to complete certain lessons by a certain time. If you choose to unschool your children, then you will encourage your children to set their own goals. If you choose relaxed homeschooling, then you might set broad goals for history and science but very specific, semester-by-semester goals for math, grammar, and spelling. The most important thing is to be sure to consider your child's strengths, weaknesses, interests, and learning style when setting goals. You may also want to have a special reward or celebration when a goal is reached. For example, you can offer to take your child to a special amusement park once they have mastered their multiplication tables. Or, instead of paying your child an allowance, you can pay him for the academic jobs he completes. Your goals, like your homeschool, will be unique and will reflect your family's values and personality.

Excerpted from: Homeschooling for Success: How Parents can Create a Superior Education for Their Child by Rebecca Kochenderfer and Elizabeth Kanna