Military Homeschooling Families
Bringing Uniqueness and Rich Experiences to a Homeschool Setting
Military families have the right to properly teach their children in their home. The Department of Defense has no regulations over homeschooling and the commander does not have to approve the curriculum or processes. This remains the function of the families home state, according to the November 6, 2002 Policy Memorandum on Homeschooling according to the The National Home Education Network. Here some tips for military families wishing to begin a homeschool.
Homeschool as a Regular Classroom
In many ways, a homeschool situation for a military family resembles that of any U.S. civilian homeschooling family. The younger children learn:
- Letters
- Numbers
- Colors
- Shapes
- Reading
- Other topics
The styles of teaching are in no way different from regular homeschooled children.
Middle school children learn:
- Math
- Geography
- Science
- Languages
- English
- Other topics
This is done in an identical fashion to non-military counterparts. The same goes with high school, and the subjects specific to this age group.
In fact, the workbooks are the same used by military families and civilian families alike. This is one situation where the Internet comes in very handy for military families. The teaching parent is able to order the needed textbooks and workbooks that can be shipped directly to her location.
Specific Opportunities for Military Homeschooling
There are some things a military family has no control over. TFamilies often move from base to base and some families spend time overseas. These can be upsetting to the family, but they can also be a source of education for the family.
If the family moves overseas, the children can have a topic that involves the geography and anthropology of the people who live in the area. There can be field trips to various museums, or even places like market squares where students can come to learn about how people live in the place. Children can also learn the history of the area as well as the foods eaten there.
Military homeschoolers have a unique opportunity to learn more about the military itself such as the different branches of the military:
- Navy
- Air Force
- Marines
- Army
- Coast Guard
In this way, children can understand what these various branches are responsible for, and how the different branches came to be.
High school students can learn about the Pentagon and the Department of Defense on a deeper level, learning the responsibilities of these important government offices. Government can be focused on, including the branches of the government:
- Legislative Branch
- Judicial Branch
- Executive Branch
A student can study the area of the world where he is living, compare the government to the U.S. government, and learn why the U.S. military was called to be in that area of the world. The options are endless. While it is true that civilian children can learn these same lessons, how many can say they were actually there to experience some of it?
Support for the teaching parent and the children is crucial in this unique situation, and more difficult to find on a military base. Still, there are support groups that are specifically designed for military homeschooling families. Most of these groups can be found online through the use of forums and discussion boards.
Many military homeschoolers do agree on one thing. It would be more difficult to adjust to changing schools all the time than it is to adjust to the location only. Families do tend to blend and share, and it is generally felt that military homeschooling is a positive experience.
Military Homeschooling Family
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