Q: What are the advantages to taking a homeschool course online?

A: One advantage is that the students get an expert in the field. Sometimes the homeschooled students feel isolated, but with an online class, they can meet "safe" friends and their parents can observe the class too.

Q: What resources and websites do you recommend to new homeschool parents?

A: One good site is www.homeschoolchristian.com. If you are homeschooling teenagers, you might want to check out this site for the Five Paragraph Essay...http://www.geocities.com/soho/Atrium/1437/
For those living in Washington state, how about my daughter Julie's website? www.wahomeschool.com. Well, it has information for those homeschoolers in other states too! Julie is the author of our Latin Activity book, because she is FUN!

Q: How does learning Latin benefit a homeschool student?

A: Latin is really "Basic English". It is the root of our language, and it may interest parents to know that the SAT scores will increase at least 230 points, statistically speaking. Of course, my students ALL love Latin! They enjoy seeing unfamiliar words and knowing what they mean.

Q: What are the important elements to include in a classic Christian education? Why?

A: Classical Christian education really means Biblical Education. It is important that the student learn Truth before learning other points of view, which differ from a regular Classical Education that is based upon the Great Books. The Classical method means that the student's maturity level dictates the type of learning that takes place at a given time. From 0-12, most education focuses on the teacher teaching. From 12-14, the student wants to know why, and when, and what principles are learned in each subject-- how they tie together. After 14, the student should be encouraged to take more responsibility for his education, and also learn public speaking, debates and to write reports.

Q: As a homeschool parent, what are your favorite memories? Your greatest challenges?

A: My favorite memories are sometimes funny. One time we took the children to the Grand Canyon, and of course, I took all of their school books along. That was a joke! I finally realized that hiking down the canyon was education enough for that week... no books needed.
Challenges came every week or so. Days when they did not want to study. I insisted of course, but had to figure out a change of scenery sometimes. We would go to the library to study, or take a field trip. Sometimes the day was just a loss. But, over time, they did manage to complete all their studies and grew up to be wonderful men and women.

Q: Where did you go on your best homeschool fieldtrips?
A: Grand Canyon, science museums (hands-on types), a trip to New York with our teenaged daughter where her choir sang at Carnegie Hall, a trip for our 14 year old daughter to Space Camp. She later became an astrophysicist. I think trips to beautiful hotel lobbies count, as well as all the museums we could find.

Q: What criteria should a new homeschool parent use when evaluating what curriculum is best suited for their child?

A: I personally think that the parent should decide what is valuable and true, the children will adapt. I would suggest a variety of methods, but all should be used. Hands-on, videos, and book learning. Help them to be adaptable!

Q: Do you recommend a certain homeschool method? Why?

A: No, I don't, but I surely do think that moms may overwork their children, or underwork them. I have seen both. My experience is that they can do all of first grade in 4 -10 minute sessions per day and by the time they are in third grade, they should spend about 3 hours a day of formal instruction. High schoolers need five hours a day of school work, plus time to rest, do chores, play games, and read for fun.

Mary Harrington has taught Latin for over fifteen years at various levels, from Middle School aged homeschoolers to community college classes. A mother of eleven, she homeschooled her last four children, including in-depth study in Latin. The two boys were accepted at the Naval Academy, having scored 1400 on their SATs. Doug and David have devoted themselves to the Military for the time being. Denise works as a physicist and is happily married. The youngest, Stefanie, has her AA degree majoring in music, graduating with Honors. She is married to a soldier, and they have two beautiful baby girls.

Mary firmly believes that grounding her children in Latin greatly contributed to their high test scores. Mary teaches at a Christian high school at present, and continues working on more Latin books, and really, really enjoys her grown children and grandchildren. For great Latin Curriculum and other homeschool resources, check out www.homeschoollatin.com