The past few years have been difficult for most people, especially society’s youngest and most vulnerable. School closures, budget cuts, and mandates have all done their part to interrupt what should be a normal childhood. Today, parents and teachers face the challenge of providing an effective and practical education. That’s why many have turned to hybrid homeschooling as a solution.
Everything You Need to Know About Hybrid Homeschooling
In hybrid homeschooling, students receive both a homeschool and classroom education. The nuances may vary from state to state. Generally, kids are homeschooled, except for one or two days of the week spent in a classroom. The classroom teachers usually do the bulk of the grading and testing. Meanwhile, parents provide guidance, support, and direction at home based on their child’s interests and learning pace.
Benefits of Hybrid Homeschooling
The most apparent advantage of hybrid homeschooling is that it has the best of both worlds. Students get the focus, flexibility, and support of a homeschool environment. At the same time, they also have opportunities for socialization, extracurricular activities, and mentorship of classroom education.
Parents can also benefit from hybrid homeschooling. Not only do they have more involvement in their child’s education, but they also have the support of professional educators. Hybrid homeschooling also encourages time spent together as a family and helps the community by providing more education opportunities outside of public schools.
Resources for Parents
Sure, not every parent is qualified to be a teacher. However, the digital age is the perfect time to homeschool. There are more resources for homeschool parents than ever before, from online materials to co-ops with other homeschool families. The hybrid model is a perfect blend, especially for parents who want the structure of a traditional classroom curriculum.
The world becomes the classroom regarding the “home” aspect of hybrid homeschooling. Experiences like scavenger hunts, nature walks, and field trips can be just as valuable as knowledge gained from a textbook.
Students also have more time to work on projects that speak directly to them with the guidance of their parents. For example, Adobe Education Exchange can be utilized for humanities projects ideas that are educational while helping students develop confidence in their skills. All it takes is a little creativity on the parents’ part. But, of course, they’ll still have the support of professional teachers, as well.
It Takes a Village
To some, homeschooling carries the unfortunate stereotype of being just for religious families or falling short of public education. In actuality, students who have been homeschooled are high achieving and reach positive outcomes.
However, in light of the recent pandemic and its effect on many families’ lives, it makes sense that some parents may be hesitant to send their kids back to school. Hybrid homeschooling is just one option among many, but it can certainly help those seeking a safe, quality education.
