conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me a description for a story titled The Everything Homeschooling Book about Creative, Thinking, AccuWrite with the genre: Education & Teaching, Schools & Teaching.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: the author is the owner of AccuWrite Professionals, as well as the founder and president of HomeschoolFun.com, a leading online homeschooling magazine. She is also a former teacher, tutor, and homeschool parent. Ms. the author, who lives in Cape Coral, Florida, is also author of Creative Thinking, 200 Creative Thinking Journal Topics, and The Learn about Series.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first four paragraphs for the story.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The Everything Homeschooling Book
  For us, it wasn't a conscious decision to unschool. It just evolved that way, and it suddenly made the most sense. When I first heard of unschooling, I didn't give it a lot of thought. It seemed like a very unusual way to get an education, and I gave it no further consideration at the time.
  As things evolved in the unschooling direction, and I eventually realized that ours was, indeed, a form of unschooling, I was past the point where I would have had doubts. I was already in the process of seeing the actual results of my son's learning and improvements in all areas of his education through his own style of unschooling, or interest-driven learning.
  Today, Devin is a professional computer programmer in a highly reputable company. He went to college and excelled in class and on tests—even though he hadn't been in a class or taken a test in years. Most important, he developed the desire to learn, to follow his true interests, and to self-educate himself—as much today as he did when he was twelve years old—a skill that will benefit him the rest of his life.
  As previously noted, it can be hard to relinquish your dependence upon a curriculum. And if your child is truly motivated and stimulated by it, happy, and enjoying the learning process, there may be no need to change directions. But do keep in mind that children will not be following curricula the rest of their lives.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me four more paragraphs.. End with the sentence ' This essay can include her reasons for selecting that college, as well as the career or field of study she's chosen, along with information on her interests, hobbies, abilities, and goals.'.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Colleges often have their own specific subject requirements. One college may require only one year of a foreign language, while another may require two years. Still other colleges may require particular math, history, science, or lab courses. If your child is set on a certain college, find out well in advance what subjects that college requires your child to take. Also determine if the college requires your home-educated student to meet any other special requirements in order to attend their school.
  If a college requires that your child have a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), she may be able to take the exam upon completion of her high-school years. States have varying age restrictions. Check with your local school district to find out what age restrictions may apply in your state.
  During the high-school years, your child will want to collect and document the materials that are generally requested with the college applications package. Of course, you'll want to keep her high-school transcript up to date, along with her portfolio and daily learning log. Most colleges can provide you with a transcript form to fill out. Many make them available on their websites for downloading and printing, or you can contact the colleges that interest your child and ask for a blank transcript form.
  She'll want to assemble letters of recommendation from mentors, teachers, tutors, and people she has worked for or apprenticed with. She'll also want to write and polish her personal admissions essay to include with the package. This essay can include her reasons for selecting that college, as well as the career or field of study she's chosen, along with information on her interests, hobbies, abilities, and goals.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last four paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Yet, life is continually changing, and the day comes when it's time for the young ones to spread their wings and leave the nest. Most parents with grown children can empathize with the feelings associated with the empty-nest syndrome. Many parents who also homeschooled their children feel it even more intensely. Not worse, mind you, but more intensely.
  Take comfort in knowing that you have made a profound impression upon your child's life. Your home may feel a little empty and stark, but his life, his successes, and his future more than fill that small void. True, you may not know what to do with yourself now, or all that time you now have on your hands. But you, like him, know how to keep learning, how to keep finding new interests, how to stay busy, and how to expand your mind and your spirit. After all, you're the one who helped to guide him to where he is today.
  If you need a little prodding, here are some ideas to help you get started as you consider the many possibilities that yet await you:
  The world is your oyster, just as it was and continues to be for your children. They are shining. They are sparkling. Now it's your turn. Get ready to shine!