What is Partial Homeschooling?

Partial homeschooling, often described as "home-based education" or "parent as educational facilitator," involves a hybrid approach where a child spends part of the school day in a traditional setting and part in an alternative educational environment. While homeschooling is legal across all states, the concept of partial homeschooling is less universally acknowledged, although it is permitted in many areas. For instance, Minnesota has a law titled “120B.20, Parental Curriculum Review,” allowing parents to supplement what the school lacks without needing approval from the school. Schools remain funded even when a child is partially homeschooled. In contrast, private institutions often retain their fees, necessitating school approval for partial attendance. I advocate for partial homeschooling because it allows families to cater to their child's specific learning pace and level while also making schools aware of their limitations. If a child is completely withdrawn from school, the institution may not recognize the necessity for a more tailored approach. Even if a parent feels unqualified to teach, a child attending school part-time will still undergo standardized tests, demonstrating that their learning has been positively impacted by this hybrid approach.

My Own Experience with Partial Homeschooling

Before becoming a parent, I taught students from 3rd to 6th grade, bringing seven years of teaching experience into my role as a parent. My inquisitive nature often led me to challenge conventional boundaries, so I encourage you to be patient as you explore your options. Collaborating with another family can also enhance the experience, especially if your children share similar advanced capabilities. When I homeschooled one of my children in the mornings, I welcomed another child into our learning space. This setup motivated me to be more diligent. The children attended the same class during lunch and the afternoons, while their teacher supported my homeschooling initiative by structuring her classroom for social activities later in the day. I covered a wide range of subjects, and by the end of the school year, they had completed sixth-grade material. Years later, the girl I taught remarked that I was her favorite teacher. My journey into understanding the best educational fit for children truly evolved after I became a parent. If you’re interested in further discussions on this topic, please reach out.

Who Should Consider Partial Homeschooling?

Families with children who are capable of advancing beyond the standard curriculum are strong candidates for partial homeschooling. Ideally, schools would group students based on their readiness to learn rather than just their ages; unfortunately, this is rarely the case in most elementary and middle schools. Historically, even before the 1970s, when classrooms had varied reading and math groups, the needs of the brightest students often went unmet. If your school cannot place your child in a learning group that aligns with their capabilities or fails to provide a personalized accelerated learning plan, you may consider implementing partial homeschooling for selected subjects. I will discuss the use of tutors as an additional resource in a future post.

When to Consider Partial Homeschooling

Several key factors should be taken into account when planning for partial homeschooling. Rather than simply adding home lessons to an already full school day, consider having assignments completed during school hours when your child has finished their regular classwork or is excused from certain activities. Coordinate with the classroom teacher to allow your child to engage in designated lessons that you or a designated tutor have prepared as part of their learning plan. I prefer that part-time homeschoolers miss the first hour or more of school to complete these assignments at home or another location, as it tends to garner better cooperation from both the student and teacher. It can be challenging to expect a teacher to oversee a student working on entirely different tasks than their peers. Monitoring at home or through a tutor can often yield more effective results.

Establishing a consistent schedule is crucial for partial homeschooling, with a later start time often being the most effective. This approach benefits both the parent overseeing the homeschooling and the classroom teacher by providing clarity on responsibilities. An erratic schedule can disrupt the teacher’s routine and complicate the child’s integration into the classroom. Additionally, the most beneficial social interactions typically occur during lunch, recess, and afternoon activities. Children often feel more relaxed as the school day winds down. If the child leaves school early, they may feel they are missing out, while arriving later can help them feel less deprived. Furthermore, many academic subjects that gifted children excel in are scheduled in the earlier parts of the day when attention spans are at their peak.

What to Focus on Outside of Regular School Hours

I advocate for a "Big Unit" approach to homeschooling. Fundamental subjects like reading, writing, and math should be taught at an accelerated pace within thematic units that captivate both the child and the adult. Parents or tutors can develop a unit based on a topic of mutual interest, compiling resources—whether digital or physical—such as books, magazines, websites, and maps—that vary in complexity but center on the same theme. For instance, a unit on dinosaurs could encompass literature about dinosaurs and biographies of scientists who uncovered dinosaur fossils. Field trips to museums or archaeological sites can enhance the experience. While your gifted child is still in elementary school, plan family excursions, as you can afford the time away from the classroom! Incorporate note-taking, math problems, map-reading, and photography into these outings to create a rich and engaging learning experience. Collaboratively establish lists and objectives with your child to guide their exploration during trips or when engaging with media.

It may not be immediately obvious where math fits into these excursions. Even if you opt for an online math program, everyday math can be seamlessly integrated into thematic units. Activities like creating charts and graphs, taking measurements, and developing timelines can be incorporated into the unit. Gifted children often grasp mathematical concepts better when they are engaged in solving real-life problems. Thus, it is beneficial to present mathematical concepts as they arise naturally in the context of the theme. You can utilize math books from school for practice, focusing on select problems from each chapter rather than all of them. Teach children how to tackle problems until they reach a stumbling block, then encourage them to consult resources to gain a better understanding.

At What Level Should the Lessons Be?

When homeschooling, particularly with just one student, it isn’t necessary to pinpoint a specific level to begin. Instead, ensure that all collected materials are at or above grade level and offer a diverse range of complexity. You can assign portions of various texts, and it’s not always essential to complete an entire book or chapter. As you navigate through your first unit, you’ll discover the level at which your child can function. Including simpler materials is perfectly acceptable, especially if they feature engaging visuals, but also ensure that there are challenging reading assignments that push current capabilities. It may be simpler to derive unit ideas from the social studies and science materials used in the classroom, allowing you to delve deeper into topics over one or two months.

Teaching vs. Assigning

The “Big Unit” should be crafted to allow the educator—be it a parent or tutor—to invest significant time in planning. With practice, you will become more adept at setting deadlines for reading and assignments. Utilize note cards, calendars, or detailed lists to outline which pages need to be read, which sections of websites must be reviewed, what must be written, and which vocabulary words should be used in context, among other details. This meticulous planning empowers students to manage their time effectively and grants educators the opportunity to engage with questions, participate in discussions, and evaluate completed work while the student is actively learning.

> It should be a rare occurrence when you need to stand in front of the child and “teach.”

Actual instructional time may only need to occur once or twice a week to suffice. This doesn’t imply you won’t be present; rather, you will be available to assist, clarify, and answer questions. Typically, younger children might require three to five interactions each week until everyone becomes accustomed to the expectations, pacing, and logistics. Older students usually need less direct oversight to stay on track.

Released Time During School

Occasionally, the partial homeschooling schedule may still leave the child in school during times when they are already proficient in the subject matter being taught. In these instances, the child should be permitted to focus on assignments from the homeschooling teacher. If the home school curriculum is well-prepared, any other adult can assist in ensuring that the student remains on track with their work. The child can either stay at their desk or move to a more suitable location, depending on what works best for the teacher, child, and class. It’s also important for the partial homeschooler to attend all special classes such as art, music, gym, and recess whenever possible, as these often provide enjoyable and engaging experiences.

Additional Resources

Most states have organizations dedicated to gifted children, with many local affiliates. For a state-by-state list with links, visit www.NAGC.org. Numerous chapters focus specifically on homeschooled students and provide valuable information about local classes, materials, and resources for parents who are new to this journey. As parents realize their capacity to support their gifted children, the process becomes less overwhelming.

For further reading, “A Beginner’s Guide To Hiring a Tutor for Your Child” by Nafeesah Allen can be found in the February 2024 edition of Parents. The article is reviewed by Bethany Hernandez Park, EdD, and accessible at this link: https://www.parents.com/kids/education/tutoring-when-does-your-child-need-it-and-how-much-does-it-cost/

For those seeking a more detailed guide, consider exploring: https://accelerate.us/state-field-guide/

Additionally, to assist in planning field trips and family travels, you might find my guide helpful: https://www.amazon.com/Keys-Successfully-Parenting-Gifted-Child/dp/B0C9GHSJ53