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Home School Academy
334 2nd Street
Catasauqua, PA 18032-2501
(800) 863-1474
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INTRODUCTION
The following section is intended as a series of suggestions for running an
effective home school. We understand many parents have already designed highly productive
home school environments. We support parents in this effort and do not wish to interfere
with the capable supervision of our parents. However, you may find some helpful practical
information below for administering your home school.
FACILITIES
Select a room in which the child can work without distractions. If more than one
child is working at home, they should have individual work spaces. Partitions could be
made to set on the dining room table to prevent distractions.
Two small tables, one for scoring and one for testing, are preferable. Keep the
Answer Keys where the child must ask permission to use them, and where you can supervise
their use. Under no conditions should the child have unlimited access to Answer Keys. If
the child has immediate access to Answer Keys, he may simply copy answers, thus
short-circuiting the learning process and defeating the purpose of the individualized
study program. The same is true of the mastery tests.
Measure the light in the area where most reading will be done. Most power
companies will send a representative to evaluate the lighting in relation to need for
study purposes. The study surface needs at least 50 to 70 candle power.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
General Equipment and Supplies recommended for all students:
American Flag* Flag Stand* Book Shelf* Globe (large) Blue ball-point pen Pencils
(2)
Bulletin Board* Pencil/Pen, red (for scoring) Christian Flag* Colored Pencils
(assortment) Ruler
Ruled 3" x 5" cards (for research) Dictionary Small supply box Specified
Study Area (desk/table) Two small tables Eraser World Almanac Filing Cabinet* World Atlas
| Elementary Children: |
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High School Students: |
| Elmer’s Glue (squeeze-top) |
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Compass |
| Crayons (16 regular) |
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Protractor |
| Scissors (blunt nose) |
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(* = optional)
STUDENT DRESS
Although your children will be working in the privacy of their own home, an
element of care should be taken about their dress. Experienced educators have found a
relationship between the way students dress and the way they perform academically.
"Sloppy" dress often results in "sloppy" work.
This principle does not mean they should wear formal "Sunday" clothes.
However, they should be neatly, cleanly, and modestly dressed before beginning their work.
Proper dress encourages responsible behavior and aids the academic process. Your high
expectations for your children in every area encourage greater learning.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Maintain as formal an atmosphere as possible; do not allow the student to become
careless through poor work habits at home. Be consistent. Expect high productivity.
STUDENT CALENDAR
The following is a sample daily schedule:
Begin the academic day promptly at the same time each day. The informal setting of
the home will tempt you to allow the students to be late or lazy about getting started.
Laxness must not be allowed. Remember: High expectations yield high results!
- An explanation of special instructions concerning the daily schedule is needed each
day. The student should be accountable for regular scheduled plans once they are
explained.
- Begin by sharing some inspirational thoughts with the children. A brief discussion
of a verse from Proverbs or a daily devotional booklet can be used.
- Begin each day with a brief time of prayer. Prayer is essential for development of
Godly character.
Curriculum studies should begin no later than 9 a.m. daily. The student should
establish reasonable goals in each subject in order to finish a PACE about every three
weeks. Goals are essential for any student. Goals help maintain a balance in each subject,
as well as develop character in the child. Each day’s goals should be completed on
that day.
After curriculum studies for the day are completed by a student, there should be
ample time for domestic and vocational skills training. Such training should be a part of
the student’s education, and recorded as "expanded studies". The academic
day should end at about 3 p.m.
Remember that no two children are alike: for one, English may be easier than the
other subjects; for another, math may be the least difficult subject; and, for a third,
all the subjects may seem difficult. Expect each child to be an individual. Help each one
develop his own individuality.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
The curriculum is designed to facilitate learning. A combination of built-in
controls and quality academics enables a student to attain the highest levels of
scholastic achievement. It is your responsibility to establish classroom procedures and
ensure that your student(s) adhere to those procedures.
YEAR-END EVALUATIONS
At the close of each academic year, students in the state of Pennsylvania must
have an evaluation done by one of three people: a non-public school teacher, a
Pennsylvania certified teacher, or a licensed psychologist. The evaluator is to determine
if an appropriate education is taking place for the student(s). The evaluation is due to
the superintendent of your local school district by June 30th.
You may choose to use our evaluation service free of charge if you have been
enrolled for a full year, or you may use an evaluator of your choice. The evaluation
schedule for the year will be printed in the Academy newsletter and sent to you. Those who
wish to use our no charge evaluation service, must come to the Academy office in
Catasauqua, PA.
What to include in your portfolio and bring to the evaluation . . .
- Log of attendance or school calendar used to keep attendance (to show the
completion of a 180-day school year).
- Goal charts/cards listing the estimated pages your child would complete each day.
- Two examples of written compositions for the year (e.g., letters, imaginative
stories, reports, book reviews, journals).
- Reading list: list of books and other materials read (e.g., magazines, newspapers,
literature books, library books, Bible).
- List of books/materials read as a family.
- List of special projects completed - may have been completed alone or with family
(e.g., photography scrap book, newspaper clipping scrap book, research paper, science
project, computer work, etc.).
- List of field trips/socialization experiences (e.g., Sunday school, camp, youth
activities).
- Music activities accomplished this year.
- Art activities accomplished this year.
- List of hobbies.
- Community Projects - may have been done with family (e.g., visit to the nursing
home, recycling, visit with shut-ins, etc.).
- Plan used to implement a Health/Nutrition Awareness and Fire Safety programs in
your Home School Program.
- Extra-curricular activities.
- The last PACE completed from each subject.
PREPARING YOUR PORTFOLIO
- Keep your portfolio as you go along. Do not wait until the end of the year to put
things into your portfolio.
- Although you are only putting selected material into the portfolio, you should keep
all of your child’s work each school year until after the program has been approved
by the superintendent.
- Divide your portfolio by subject with dividers.
- Insert all tests and quizzes for each subject in chronological order.
- Insert the first and last PACE completed for each subject.
- Include any creative writing in your portfolio.
- Include any compositions or term papers in your portfolio
- Document field trips and/or special activities using pictures and brochures.
- Document art activities and creations with pictures arranged carefully in your
portfolio.
**If you are not using an Academy Evaluator, please contact your evaluator for
the materials that he/she requires when completing an evaluation.
***If you are not residing in the state of Pennsylvania, please contact your
department of education or our office regarding the home school laws in your state.
Please call 1-800-863-1474
with any questions you may have!
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