Dear Mom,

Welcome to home schooling. Yes, the choices are just about unlimited. For this reason, many parents choose CHC lesson plans to get started with home schooling. The CHC lesson plans will teach you how to teach.

Because the lesson plans clearly separate core subjects from non-core subjects, you could teach your son at an accelerated pace by focusing on the core 2nd grade subjects. However, depending upon your son's attitude and temperament, this approach may not work well for him. I would discuss the matter with him from different angles. Can he read at a beginning third grade level? How are his math skills? How does he see himself performing in these areas? Is he willing to put in some extra effort? Offer options to him. Perhaps he could review the second half of second grade and then move into third grade work. Or you could move slowly through the third grade, backing up and reviewing only when necessary. Ask him which he prefers. One-on-one help is the best way to learn for many people, and it is usually the most efficient.

I am not sure which concepts he struggles with, but many basic concepts are reviewed over several grades. If his basic reading and math skills are holding him back, I would focus on those areas academically and then also with games. There are many reading, spelling, and math games available to help him catch up, so that he is not getting burned out on traditional schoolwork. You can find online games and games in school supply stores. In addition, your daughter may enjoy helping him with these games.

One of the advantages of home schooling is that there is not as much focus on grade levels. Children can skip grade levels or work at a slower or accelerated pace in various subjects. My children never really knew what grade they were in because they moved at their own pace. When they were asked, they gave their age and said that they were home schooled and explained what they were learning in math or what books they were reading. This approach may help your son. He doesn't have to give a grade level if anyone asks him, and you don't have to talk about second or third grade textbooks.

May God grant you the grace to begin your first year of home schooling with your son and your daughter.

Peace,

Sandra Garant