Blog post preview paragraph: In April 2024, we travelled to Canberra for a homeschool PACER tour and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
After teaching 4 children to read, I have an arsenal of various resources for teaching reading, including Logic of English Foundations, The Good and The Beautiful, All about Spelling, The Sound Way and so on. It's not one-size-fits-all as every child learns differently.
The Documentary Club is a presentation session which runs once per fortnight as part of a social homeschool co-op for older children. Usually we are assigned a documentary or two to watch on a pre-assigned theme which is voted by the participants, as preparation for the session.
Volunteering brings many benefits to ones mental and emotional health. It also allows youthful energy to be expended in a meaningful way towards worthy causes, contributing to the betterment of society.
First tip is to register your child. You will need a copy of their birth certificate, a registration form and the address of your nearest education office. It is also handy to have a WA-based home address to register as a WA-based home educator.
| Age range | Stage | Approx Yr | Focus Activities | Homeschool Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | Early Childhood | Pre-K | Pre-literacy and pre-numeracy. Play, Read aloud | Play-based Natural Learning |
| 4-8 years | Lower Primary | K, P, 1, 2 | Lay foundation of behaviour and family values. Literacy and Numeracy Basics. Drills towards mastery (keep it playful). Nurture Curiosity. | Natural learning, real books, real experiences, playful drills, start weekly classes for PE and music |
| 8-12 years | Upper Primary | 3, 4, 5, 6 | Build on Fluency. Gain Knowledge and Skills. | Natural learning, Workbook-based (if suitable) Interest-led: Introduce classes and short courses |
| 12-15 years | Middle Years | 7, 8, 9 | Maturing knowledge. Interest-led: Start introducing structured programmes and full semester-long or year-long courses. | Interest-led learning, Project-based learning, Mentor/Tutoring, Structured Learning, part-time work |
| 15+ years | Senior High/Tertiary study | 10, 11, 12; Cert II to IV, Diploma, Uni | Choose further study pathway, or enter workforce. | Academic Pathway: TAFE, Senior School, Uni, or high-ability homeschool programmes. Apprenticeships or work. |