Viatouch Teacher Articles
Teaching Tips

From Home School to Real School
by Gabrielle Linnell

For a child who has been home-schooled for all his or her life, entering a traditional classroom is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Most home-schoolers have never experienced lockers, gym uniforms, or large amounts of homework. At the same time, many teachers are nervous about teaching a student who's new to the system. But with a few tips, teaching home-schooled students can be an enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved.

Ask them what type of home-schooling they have done.
There are many different forms of home education. Some children have had a strictly disciplined form of school, with workbooks and classes outside the home. Others have experienced "unschooling," or more untraditional education that is interest-based. Understanding where the student is coming from can help you teach the student better.

Go over schoolroom procedures with them.
Sometimes home-schoolers are not used to having to write their name on all worksheets. They may be unfamiliar with the school disciplinary or honors systems. Kindly clarifying those procedures with them will eliminate miscommunications that can be both embarrassing and painful.

Help them find their place in the curriculum.
Your student may have never taken American history, or could be two years ahead in English. It can be hard for the home-schooler to go to a place of mass education, because most home education is tailored specifically to the individual. Any help you can give, whether it is lending the student the previous year's textbook so that they can catch up or giving an extra credit assignment if they are ahead, is appreciated.

Connect with parents.
Parents who have home-schooled their children often are very informed on and involved with education. They are usually very eager to meet with you to discuss their child's adjustment. Come to the meeting ready to listen and share with them class plans and opportunities for involvement such as PTA, fundraising committees, or field trip chaperoning.

Appreciate the differences in home-schooled students.
Creativity and independence are trademarks of a home education. Ex-home-schoolers can be your best students if you encourage them and find outlets for their gifts. Whether appointing them student monitors or asking them to decorate your walls, use their talents for the good of the school and of the individual.

I entered "real school" for the first time in tenth grade. Although the first month was rocky, I had a fabulous time. I was able to bring things that I learned like self-motivated work and a drive to succeed to school, where I learned about grade accountability and the discipline of daily classes. Both teachers and students were eager to help me adjust to a new form of education. Overall, it was a great experience for me. And with your help, it can be a great experience for your new student, too.

Gabrielle Linnell is a writer living in Virginia. She's been published multiple times in magazines and online publications such as Faces, ByLine, New Moon, Stories for Children and KidMagWriters eZine. She blogs about all things literary on www.storytellermag.com.