GRAND Magazine - April 2009 - (Page 38)

a break,” Carolyn says. “Todd goes back to his family tomorrow.” An in-depth discussion on the ins and outs of homeschooling doesn’t proceed far before Gabriel begins excitedly sharing his collection of books. “That’s what my mom and me are fighting about,” says Gabriel, as he runs to get more books, “I like to read so much that I’d rather just sit there and read all day than do anything else!” Come again? Yet his ruddy complexion and athletic demeanor make it plain there’s more to Gabriel than bookworm tendencies. Each season, Gabriel plays a sport— basketball or soccer—or takes a weekly homeschool PE class with a teacher who just happens to be a former Major League pitcher. Gabriel also has a major role in three theater productions each year, is an active participant in 4-H and writes a mean cursive. Over Gabriel’s sharing, Carolyn quietly interjects, “You need to get your writing done. Did you do your journal yet today? And don’t forget to practice your lines.” After “one more thing” he has to share, Gabriel heads to his room, closes the door, and can be heard reciting lines for his part as Smee in Peter Pan. Meanwhile, Rachel works on her guide dog responsibility: confirming that regional dog “parents” have gotten each puppy’s required weekly and monthly immunizations. Rachel speaks with each adult and keeps careful notes on the process for her 4-H chapter. Along with 4-H and her guide dog work, 38 GRAND APRIL What’s a grand to do? • Cozy up with a page-turning, super-informative read on the topic by two parents who homeschooled three kids now in elite universities and continue to home educate two teens, Home Schooling: A Family’s Journey by Gregory and Martine Millman. • Be positive. Your adult child still hopes for your approval: Your words have more weight than you know. • Show enthusiasm. Ask to visit a class your grandchild’s taking like gymnastics or science. If you live far away, record yourself reading favorite books from childhood (studies show that reading aloud is valuable for kids 0 to 18 years). Books play an enormous role in home education, and your “presence” will be treasured. • Stay involved. Offer to teach a topic, perhaps on your interests or skills. Baseball? Gardening? • Avoid quizzing your grandkids (“What’s 30 times 4?” “Why did the Pilgrims come to America?”). The homeschool parent resents it. • Remember, you raised a smart child who has likely done a lot of homework before making such a life-changing decision. Rachel has speech club, book club, PE class and theater (she is Princess Tiger Lily in Peter Pan). Both children compete in the Nature Bowl, a science contest (open to public and homeschooled kids) coordinated by the California Department of Fish and Game. As Look explains, the Ricchiuto’s homeschool environment is everything a grandparent could want— and more: Look is included in the kids’ active lives when she visits. Certainly nobody’s suggesting that every parent educating at home is always this organized and dedicated. Yet when asked, seasoned homeschool parents discount the notion that disasters are common. If a parent chooses to homeschool her child from kindergarten into fifth grade and then places the child in public school, that isn’t considered failure, according to veterans. While some homeschool families frown at the idea of ever returning to public school, many aren’t so black and white, and value the option of a return if necessary. Later Look recounts how, worried about her grandchildren’s reaction to the eventual loss of their guide dog, she attempted to comfort them with a story from her own life. “I told the kids, ‘Yes, it will be hard to give up Merlin. When Merlin goes, think about how wonderful it’s been for a blind girl I know who was given a companion dog. I see her in church, and I see how happy she is with her dog. Remember her, and remember that you’ve made that possible for someone just like her.’” G 2009

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - April 2009

GRAND Magazine - April 2009 GRAND View Contents GRAND Central Editor's Podcast Lettuce Love You Bewitched, Betwixt and Tween Ask Grand: The Toxic Mom The Breakfast Club Sibling Boosters Will They Be Misfits? A Return to Elegance What Makes Us Sick? A Quiz Resources GRAND Finale

GRAND Magazine - April 2009

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