September 1999
Homeschool Profile

Name:      Barb Saxton
Husband: Bill
Town:      State College
Children:   Stephen age 16, David age 14, Daniel age 12, and
                Samuel age 10

We've been homeschooling for ... 11 years

The best thing about homeschooling is ... It provides the flexibility to do special things to enhance learning.  One special thing we have done as a family is to take 2 different month long trips driving west and seeing almost every state. We were able to go along when international students took a trip to Minn. and to Boston (after we had just studied the Mayflower and Plymouth Plantation).

The biggest challenge is ... giving enough attention to each kid and, for me, planning (my weakness).

The best teaching tip I ever heard ... was to study the same unit or topic with everyone but on their own level ... for example, we studied explorers, each kid read books on his own age level and wrote reports appropriate for their age.

My favorite quick and nutritious dinner is ... spaghetti ... I make sauce in the summer with produce and always have noodles on hand ... we can even invite guests at any time if I am not too proud to serve spaghetti!

My best household cleaning or organizational tip is ... get the kids to help ... and to clean a little bit every day ... for example, wash walls, clean the refrigerator, or organize.

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