Farmville Gardens seeks individuals, couples, and families with children to participate in planning, decision-making and creating a little neighborhood we would love to live in. Part of the plan includes a “Common House”, which can potentially serve many functions, as agreed upon. One of those functions could be a place to conduct “home school”. Two families living within the greater Farmville community are teaching their children at home. The dedicated moms in these homes have taken on this responsibility, and it is obvious to me that they love their children so much they are happy to take responsibility for their education. Between these two families are 15 beautiful children; three of whom have graduated from homeschool.
I interviewed one of the moms this week who shared valuable information on how she homeschools and learned helpful insights into homeschooling in Missouri. The fruits of her efforts, and that of the other mom have resulted in their children being loving, respectful, kind-hearted, and well-read good kids.
This mom said that there are no registration requirements in Missouri. The state requires 1,000 hours per year of instruction/education, and 600 of those hours are to be “core subjects”, implying science, math, english, social studies, biology, etc. There is a requirement to keep records of what is taught, including a time record of hours.
This mom has formed a “co-op” with two other moms, and they take turns hosting and preparing lessons once each week to cover specific topics. Each of these moms somewhat specializes in areas they feel qualified to teach. This weekly arrangement provides interaction with other children, socialization, and experiencing other perspectives on the subjects being presented. Both families are active in their church, where additional fellowship and social interaction are enjoyed. In church, moral teachings, faith, and social skills are reinforced.
The Monett city YMCA has a weekly exercise class for homeschooled children and the local libraries offer many resources that support homeschooling. Unfortunately, the local Pierce City School District has not provided any integration of activities or academic engagement with homeschooled children, which is a missed opportunity that could perhaps be improved.
Parents may issue a “Parent Issued High School Diploma” to their children. This mom has had success with her oldest three children passing the H. S. Equivalency Test, or “High Set” test, apparently with ease. The local libraries provide supportive resources for students to prepare for and take these tests. Students, who are seeking to matriculate into college may also choose to take the College SAT or ACT test. Homeschooled children may enroll in Crowder College, located in Monett, and earn college credits while being homeschooled, which essentially ensures or greatly increases probability of acceptance into regular accredited colleges.
There are many homeschooling products and programs on the market. The mom I interviewed is open to welcoming other children into her classes insofar as the parents embrace the program and philosophical teaching approach from Charlotte Mason, who was an English educator who lived from 1842 to 1923. Trained in Classical education, Mason believed education should be more gentle and individualized to give children a better learning experience.
SUMMARY
Farmville Gardens encourages homeschooling and confirms it is being done by other families in the larger Farmville community. We are able to arrange conversations with these moms for seriously interested parents. Everything is possible as we create the neighborhood we visualize, which will always love and support children. If homeschooling your priceless children is important to you and you are interested in considering participation in Farmville Gardens, please contact us if you have additional ideas, suggestions, and questions.