St. Peter's group helps homeschoolers

The group was started by St. Peter's parishioner Erin Walker during the past year to find like-minded help Catholics who educate their children at home. "I had an interest in meeting other Catholic homeschool families," Mrs. Walker said.

The group allows the children to socialize and the parents to share ideas and resources, Mrs. Walker said.

Eva Loucks, who teaches her four children ranging in age from seven to 14, enjoys the meetings at St. Peter's.

"The fellowship is important," she said. "In this day and age there are not a lot of families that gather together in faith. It's nice to get together with other families that also pray the rosary."

Parent to parent

Mrs. Loucks, a parishioner of St. Mary's in Ballston Spa said parents who homeschool are a great resource for one another. The families share information on textbooks they've used, field trips they've taken, and techniques that have worked for them. "It's nice to look to other families," she said.

Mrs. Walker's husband Michael said the support and guidance other families provide is important. He said one challenge in teaching children at home is sorting through all of the resources that exist and choosing a curriculum.

As the books and materials can be expensive, Mr. Walker said families want to be sure they are purchasing quality products. Hearing other people's experiences with publishing companies can help direct a family to the right item.

Mr. Walker has been impressed with the support the families provide one another in this area. "There is a lot of help from homeschool groups," he said.

Local Catholic homeschool families can also find support online. Joanne Pigliavento started an online Catholic homeschool support group nine years ago. The parishioner of St. Mary's in Amsterdam said, "Support is the very reason that my husband and I began our [online support group]. Though homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular in our country, Catholic homeschoolers are likely in the minority."

The 50 members of the invitation-only group swap ideas as well as support one another through prayer, Mrs. Pigliavento said.

Lessons and laughs

Mrs. Pigliavento said she has learned much from other families that homeschool.

"What I have come to learn is that no two homeschooling families are alike," she said. "I am surrounded by wonderful women on this journey, and I am grateful for them all. We exchange experience, wisdom, laughs, and sometimes tears. Those who have educated their children through high school, and have lived to tell, are a tremendous resource for the rest of us."

While homeschooling families can learn much from each other, some things must be figured out on their own.

Expectations

"We're a pretty structured family," Mrs. Loucks said. "We have a structured time and place for learning."

The Loucks children know that lessons will begin first thing in the morning and will take place at either the kitchen or dining room table. Mrs. Loucks said she knows of other families that will teach their children in the car as they drive. While that works for some, Mrs. Loucks said she knows that wouldn't be the best way to learn for her children.

One of the challenges Mrs. Walker faced during her first year of teaching her son was learning to adjust her expectations. She would plan on her son completing a page of math problems to demonstrate his mastery of a math skill. Her son would rapidly complete six of the problems correctly, and lose interest in completing the rest.

"I am goal-oriented," she said. "My son is not. I'm going to have to work on that."

(07/31/08) [[In-content Ad]]