Need input from all, please!

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • July 17, 2008 at 6:50 pm
    PhotoMom2
    Member

    My local paper asked me to write an article on homeschooling in our area. This is great for me since I am an avid writer. HOWEVER, I haven’t taken the first journalism class, etc. SO, here’s where y’all (I’m from TX!) come in….

    I am drawing a complete blank when it comes to angles to approach this from, as well as questions to ask in the three interviews I have set up. Obviously, I want to positively portray hs, but want to do so without bashing the local public school. I want to give the general public a better, more intelligent idea of what hs is and why people do it. But I want it to be more than that….just not sure what.

    Interviews are set up for Monday, and I want to have everything in order by Sunday. I plan to have the article finished by Wednesday or Thursday of next week to be turned in to the paper no later than Thursday afternoon.

    If any of you have ideas for questions you would want answered in a hs article (as a non-hsler, or newbie hsler). I am trying not to get bogged down in things like curriculum choice, etc. Just the facts, ‘mam, kind of thing, you know?

    I hope and pray that this article will give someone the confidence to take the step to begin hsling their own kids.

    With that, thanks for your help and input! Much appreciated!

    Toni

    July 18, 2008 at 2:15 am
    Sonya Shafer
    Moderator

    Hmmm, I’ll start the brainstorming here and everybody can just chime in. Maybe something listed will give you an idea for an angle.

    ideas for questions you would want answered in a hs article (as a non-hsler, or newbie hsler)

    * Is it legal?

    * How hard is it?

    * How long have you been homeschooling?

    * What factors went into your decision?

    * What advantages do you see in homeschooling?

    * What disadvantages have you experienced?

    * How have you worked to overcome those disadvantages?

    * What’s been the most challenging part?

    * What’s been the best part about homeschooling?

    * OK, here’s a thought. (Background info) Recently I’ve heard a similar concept voiced from some moms when I was the first homeschooler they’d met. They seemed to have a preconceived assumption that homeschoolers do the exact same “program” that public schools do. They asked me things like, “So the school just sends you the materials to do at home?” (end Background info) I’m wondering whether it would be good to show the freedom and variety that homeschoolers have in customizing each child’s education. You wouldn’t necessarily have to do the whole curriculum debate thing, but could emphasize the advantage in having the freedom to select just the right activities and materials to fit each child’s needs.

    Other thoughts? Let’s keep the brainstorming going for Toni.

    July 18, 2008 at 4:46 am
    PhotoMom2
    Member

    Hey thanks, Sonya! Those are all great questions, and actually the angle you mentioned sounds excellent. To anyone else who gets to reply, if I don’t answer back before Sunday forgive me, please! Dh & I have to go cut grass for his grandmother….so I will be out of town until Sunday. (No access to email there!) Anyhow, thanks for all the input, Sonya, and for any other input I can get….very much appreciated!

    Toni

    July 18, 2008 at 11:58 pm
    Doug Smith
    Keymaster

    Every non-homeschooler we know has asked us “what about socialization?” 🙂

    July 19, 2008 at 4:13 am
    hvfth99
    Member

    I’m always told, “I give you a lot of credit. I could never homeschool.” I like to answer that the hardest thing about homeschooling is making the decision. There are so many resources and support groups out there for those who are ready and willing to follow the call.

    It would be great if you could approach your article to those who never thought they could do it!

    HTH, Faith 🙂

    July 20, 2008 at 8:59 pm
    PhotoMom2
    Member

    Thanks for all the help everyone! I’ll let you know how it turns out!

    July 23, 2008 at 12:19 am
    CindyS
    Participant

    Toni, how did it go?

    July 30, 2008 at 5:46 am
    PhotoMom2
    Member

    Well, sorry I am just now getting back to posting….my article is running in tomorrow’s paper! I am so excited! I also have a photo running with it. Here is the link:

    http://www.jaspernewsboy.com/news/2008/0730/people/027.html

    Thanks to everyone who answered and everyone who prayed!

    Oh yeah! Also, I have my first paying photography job tomorrow, and I think we may have found some land to buy for our new house! Please pray all goes well for both!

    Thanks!

    Toni

    July 30, 2008 at 9:11 am
    CindyS
    Participant

    Great article, Toni!

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • The topic ‘Need input from all, please!’ is closed to new replies.