"Balance serious academics with play and exploration to keep learning enjoyable." ~ Cindy West

Watch this full interview on our YouTube Channel.

In this insightful edition of our Homeschooling Through the Years Series, Cindy West joins Yvette Hampton to delve into the complexities of homeschooling during the middle school years. Discover how to balance serious academics with play and exploration, while allowing your child the independence they crave. Cindy shares her unique approach to unit studies and gives practical advice on nurturing passions and making learning enjoyable. Learn the importance of setting expectations and involving your children in their education for a tailored, stress-free learning experience. Don't miss out on Cindy's expert advice for homeschooling middle schoolers!" Middle school is a time for kids to assert independence and explore their passions."

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Recommended Resources:

Podcast Note-Taking Guide

Gameschooling! Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Nature Schooling - Cindy West on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast

Cindy’s The Magical Marvelous Years of Middle School (Video Training Course)

Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, by Kristen A. Jensen, MA

The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn

Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You (God's Design for Sex), by Stan Jones and Brenna Jones

Sequence Board Game

 

Recommended Middle School Curriculum:

Apologia Science

BJU Press Homeschool

CTCMath

 

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Discussion Questions:

1. **Understanding Middle School Dynamics:** How do the hormone and personality changes during middle school years impact a child’s approach to independence in academics, and how can parents navigate this transition effectively?

2. **Balancing Academics and Passions:** Cindy West talked about integrating a student’s passions into their studies, like creating a unit study on horses. How can parents identify and incorporate their child's interests into the curriculum to keep them engaged?

3. **Independence in Learning:** What are some effective strategies for allowing middle school students to exercise independence in their education without compromising academics?

4. **Handling Academic Tensions:** Cindy mentioned the normalcy of tensions when kids want to approach academics differently. What are some techniques to handle these situations without conflict?

5. **Involvement and Ownership:** How can involving students in the decision-making process of their education reduce their resistance to learning?

6. **Customized vs. Standardized Education:** What are the key advantages of a homeschool environment where the education can be tailored to individual learning styles compared to a standardized curriculum?

7. **Building Relationships Through Education:** How does balancing serious academics with play and exploration build stronger relationships between parents and their middle school children? How does it contribute to the child's overall education and perception of the school years?

8. **Gameschooling and Logic Learning:** Why is "gameschooling" and teaching logic critical during middle school years, and how can these methods be effectively integrated into a homeschool curriculum?

9. **Support Systems for Homeschooling Parents:** Cindy emphasized finding support f