Home Education with LEM
Home education has been something of an educational revolution over the past few decades. Thousands of
Christian parents across Australia are teaching their children at home, many with excellent results.
Why choose home education?
The success of home education is due to its unique advantages.
- It allows for more productive learning time through individual attention
- It produces better socialized children able to relate to a wider age range
- It allows more flexible curriculum choices
- It provides significant financial benefits (especially over private school tuitions)
- It gives opportunity to create a learning environment free from ungodly influence.
Why choose LEM?
Light Educational Ministries has been serving Christian education since 1980. Drawing on our long experience we have explored and developed a godly approach to education. Our experience in Christian schools and in home education enables us to help you plan an appropriate curriculum. The competent and diligent use of LEM materials will achieve an excellent standard of education.
Since LEM is not aligned with any government department, we are able to advise the best and most godly path for your child.
Before you begin
CONVICTION AND UNITY
Ideally Christian parents should have a conviction of God’s call to home education. Both parents need to be united and agreed in their decision to home educate. In most families the mother is the main teacher but the father is charged with the responsibility to oversee his children’s education.
SELF DISCIPLINE
Since children follow their parents’ example, it is important to model good habits and attitudes. Luke 6:40 tells us that when a child is completely taught, he will be like his teacher. Appropriate personal habits, a good work ethic, submission to each other and a calm, orderly home and lifestyle are invaluable in home schooling.
TIME
Home education requires a time commitment of approximately four to six hours of your attention a day (depending on the number of children you have) for up to 200 days per year. Remember, too, that you will have your children with you all day, every day!
STUDY AREA
It is highly recommended that an area of the house be set aside for study and instruction. A specific school room is ideal, but portions of other rooms may also be suitable.
CURRICULUM
It is essential that home educators give due attention to a well-structured curriculum. As children develop at varying speeds in different subject areas, home education allows children to do appropriate work for their skill level in each subject.
CAN WE AFFORD IT?
Develop a savings plan to set aside enough money to purchase materials for the following year. Seek our advice to help you select good quality curriculum in the major (core) subject areas.
Depending on the child’s year level, yearly home education curriculum costs vary from around $300 in the first year of school to around $1250 in year 12. Whilst many textbooks are designed as write-in texts, younger children can re-use books in later years if exercises are done in an inexpensive exercise book.
CAN WE DO IT?
Of course! Experience has taught us that the most successful home educators are those who are well organised and are committed to the task. Teaching your children prompt, cheerful obedience and respectfulness is a key to success.
OUR POLICY
LEM aims to serve home educating parents in encouraging their children in the Christian faith and towards academic excellence. We believe that the scriptures give the responsibility for education to parents.
Recommended resources
LEM has produced a number of resources which are invaluable to homeschoolers. Click on the titles for more information and ordering.
The Home Education Planner is a work diary which contains an attendance roll and places to record a student’s progress. The LEM Planner is extremely helpful for fulfilling the legal requirements for record keeping.
The Career Questionnaire for Grades 9–12 helps parents discern their senior student’s gifts, talents and interests. The information is helpful in career decisions and curriculum selection.
Order LEM Homeschooling products here