Frequently Asked Questions
Check here for the questions homeschoolers and prospective homeschoolers ask.
QUESTION: I would like to start homeschooling my children and I live in New Zealand. Can you please suggest the easiest and best way to fill out the application form, and are there any questions to watch out for in the form?
ANSWER: When you write your application for an exemption you don’t have to have named curriculum and you don’t have to follow the NZ curriculum. But you do need to explain your understanding of various subjects and how you plan to teach them. Have a look at the ‘getting started’ pages on the home.school.nz website. Go to http://www.home.school.nz/practical-homeschool-issues.htm#Exemption You will find some useful tips for writing your exemption.
QUESTION: I’m homeschooling two boys who are opposite in their interests and development, and this constantly thwarts me when I plan things to do. Have you got any ideas on how I could teach both my boys at once?
ANSWER: Read Rachel’s article on the website about how she got her three sons enthusiastic about learning. Go to: http://www.thebroadroom.co.nz/guest-writers-on-the-broad-room/no-more-bored-boys-at-our-house/
QUESTION: Have you got any tips about balancing everything in a homeschooling home?
ANSWER: Take a look at the articles about keeping the house clean. Go to:
http://www.thebroadroom.co.nz/how-to-get-your-housework-done-while-homeschooling/
http://www.thebroadroom.co.nz/how-to-teach-housework/
http://www.thebroadroom.co.nz/its-easy-to-eat-healthily-even-on-busy-days/
QUESTION: Stephanie, I’d value your opinion on this: I am trying to decide whether to teach straight/manuscript or pre-cursive writing. Do you have an opinion and what did you do?
ANSWER: Generally children have long been taught first to print, and then cursive or joined up handwriting is taught two or three years later. The reasoning behind this is that the printed letters look more like typeset letters in books, printing is easier to read and so easier for the children to write. Studies show that learning to print creates ease and allows the child to produce better writing. I taught my own children to print first and then do joined up handwriting later and this worked well for us.
Have you got a question about homeschooling which has not been answered on this website? Drop a note to FAQs@thebroadroom.co.nz and I will add your question (you will be unidentified) and my answer to this page.
