The Homeschool View
Roadschooling
By Hunter Fell

September 30, 2010

Out of my eleven years of homeschooling, I’d have to say that my two years while roadschooling have been the most interesting. In an earlier article I told you that I lived in an RV for two years; and since I am homeschooled, therefore, meant that I was roadschooled during that time. In today’s article I want to show you my biggest pro and con to roadschooling; and then next week, I will tell you more about living on the road.

The main problem that I had while traveling was doing schoolwork while moving. We have a 5th wheel– this does not refer to your spare tire; nor, in this case, does it mean that you are superfluous, unnecessary, or burdensome - a 5th wheel is the type of RV that locks into a hitch in the bed of your truck and you drive/ride from inside your truck; thus, you have to sit in the truck while you do your school work.

If you have ever done homework on the school bus, you know - to a point - what this is like. Now imagine that you and two other students are crammed into one very tiny row of seats and all three of you are trying to do your homework. Add to that the fact that the bus driver is reading something out loud that bores you, and you have a recipe for distraction.

On the opposite end, the biggest pro of roadschooling, hands down, would be the hands-on geography/history experienced while traveling to all sorts of places that you never knew existed, like the Cowpens Battle Field in South Carolina. In addition, traveling to places that you have always wanted to visit, but have never been able to, is very exciting too; though doesn’t always measure up to your expectations. For example, I always wanted to go to Hollywood, California (my dream job is acting), but after visiting downtown Hollywood once, I never want to go back there again. It was dirty, smelly, congested; and there were a few too many “unique” people walking around – from the 6’ tall Yoda in a dirty dress, to the sunburned Elvis. Interesting to be sure, but I don’t need to go there again.

Other than the extreme good and bad sides of roadschooling, there really is not much difference between it and normal homeschooling.
Hopefully this has been helpful in answering some questions you may have, but if you have more, feel free to email me at dillsburgbanner@dillsburgbanner.net; and as always, thanks for reading the Homeschool View.