Home Schooling

　　All children in the United States have to receive an education, but the law does not say they have to be educated at school. A number of parents prefer not to send their children to school. 　　　　�。�1） There are about 300,000 home-schoolers in the United States today. Some parents prefer teaching their children at home because they do not believe that public schools teach the correct religious values; others believe they can provide a better educational experience for their children by teaching them at home. 　　　　�。�2）

　　David Guterson and his wife teach their three children at home. Guterson says that his children learn very differently from children in school. 　　　　�。�3） For example, when there is heavy snowfall on a winter day, it may start a discussion or reading about climate, snow removal （去除） equipment, Alaska, polar bears （北極熊）, and winter tourism. A spring evening when the family is out watching the stars is a good time to ask questions about satellites and the space program. 　　　　�。�4）

　　Home schooling is often more interesting than regular schools, but critics say that home-schoolers are outsiders who might be uncomfortable mixing with other people in adult life. 　　　　�。�5） However, most parents don't have the time or the desire to teach their children at home, so schools will continue to be where most children get their formal education.

　　A Interestingly, results show that home-schooled children quite often do better than average on national tests in reading and math.

　　B Critics also say that most parents are not well qualified to teach their children

　　C Learning starts with the children's interests and questions.

　　D Children who are educated at home are known as "home-schoolers."

　　E In some countries, however, children are educated by their parents.

　　F If the Brazilian rain forests are on the "IV news, it could be a perfect time to talk about how rain forests influence the climate, and how deserts are formed.

　　【參考答案】

　　1. D　　2. A　　3. C　　4. F　　5. B