Where's the team? Athletics at Home

Cornell Notes

Main Notes

Home schooling may not be ideal for students aiming for professional team sports careers
The importance of organized team sports for average students is often overemphasized
Home schoolers have various options for participating in team sports
Church and community leagues often welcome home schoolers
Local Parks and Recreation offices can provide information on community leagues
Sports stores' bulletin boards can be sources for special-interest sports groups
Youth groups like Little League, 4-H, Scouts, Camp Fire, and Civil Air Patrol sponsor sports teams
Home-school support groups may sponsor teams for home schoolers
Some states have organized statewide home-school leagues
Private schools may allow home schoolers to play on their teams
Community colleges offer physical education classes for older students
Some states have provisions for home-schooled students to participate in public-school sports
Daily exercise is important from kindergarten through twelfth grade
Focus on general physical fitness and individual or small-group sports
Suggested activities: running, cycling, horseback riding, tennis, golf, handball, swimming
Walking, aerobics, and pickup games are accessible options
Community recreation centers offer classes for various ages and skill levels
Clubs and gyms provide instruction in martial arts, gymnastics, fencing, etc.
High-school students should keep a log of physical activities for credit
120 hours per year of physical activity equals 1 unit of credit
2 units of physical education credit are required for high-school graduation
Physical work (e.g., yard work, animal care) can contribute to physical education
Home schoolers can engage in paid physical work for trusted friends and neighbors
The text begins with a quote from George Orwell's 'The Sporting Spirit'
The quote suggests that serious sport is not about fair play but involves negative emotions
The authors argue that team sports have less importance in post-high school life for most students
The text emphasizes the importance of lifelong physical activities over team sports
The authors suggest approaching private schools for team participation on a trial basis
The text advises against public school participation if the child was removed due to a destructive social environment
The authors recommend playing games together at least twice a week in elementary and middle school

Cue Column

How does home schooling impact professional sports aspirations?
What alternative options exist for home schoolers to participate in team sports?
How can community resources be utilized for home schoolers' physical education?
What role do youth organizations play in providing sports opportunities?
How can home-school support groups contribute to athletic experiences?
What potential exists for home schoolers to join private school teams?
How can community colleges support physical education for older home-schooled students?
What policies exist regarding home schoolers' participation in public school sports?
How should daily exercise be incorporated into home schooling?
What individual sports are recommended for home-schooled students?
How can home schoolers access instruction for various physical activities?
What is the process for earning physical education credits in home schooling?
How can physical work contribute to physical education requirements?
What is the significance of Orwell's quote in the context of home school athletics?
How do the authors view the importance of team sports for average students?
What is the authors' perspective on lifelong physical activities versus team sports?
How can home schoolers balance academic and athletic pursuits?
What considerations should be made when deciding on public school sports participation?
How can parents ensure a well-rounded physical education in a home school setting?
What role do family activities play in physical education for home schoolers?

Summary

This chapter addresses the common concern of athletic opportunities for home-schooled students, particularly in team sports. The authors challenge the notion that organized team sports are crucial for the average student's education, arguing that their importance is often overemphasized. They point out that professional sports careers are rare, and even in traditional schools, only a small percentage of students regularly participate in official teams.

Despite these reservations, the chapter provides numerous alternatives for home schoolers to engage in both team and individual sports. These options range from community leagues and youth organizations to private school teams and home-school support groups. The authors emphasize the importance of daily exercise and suggest focusing on general physical fitness and sports that can be practiced individually or in small groups.

The text outlines a more flexible approach to physical education, encouraging parents to ensure their children exercise regularly from kindergarten through high school. It suggests a variety of activities such as running, cycling, swimming, and martial arts, which can be learned through community centers, clubs, and private instruction. The authors also highlight the value of physical work, such as yard work and animal care, in contributing to physical education.

For high school students, the chapter recommends keeping a detailed log of physical activities to earn credits towards graduation requirements. This approach allows for a personalized physical education program that can accommodate the unique circumstances of home schooling while still meeting academic standards.

Overall, the chapter presents a balanced view of athletics in home schooling, acknowledging the challenges while offering practical solutions. It encourages parents and students to think creatively about physical education, focusing on lifelong fitness and the development of varied physical skills rather than solely on competitive team sports.

Action Items

- Contact local Parks and Recreation office for information on community leagues
- Check bulletin boards at local sports stores for special-interest sports groups and small clubs
- Look into youth groups like Little League, 4-H, Scouts, Camp Fire, and Civil Air Patrol for sports teams
- Contact local home-school support groups to inquire about existing sports teams
- Consider starting your own home-school sports team if none exist
- Approach smaller private schools about allowing home-schoolers to join their teams
- Suggest a trial basis for participation if it's a new concept for the school
- Enroll teenaged home-schoolers in physical education or kinesiology classes
- Use these classes as a pathway to potential team participation
- Ensure children exercise every day from kindergarten through twelfth grade
- Play games together at least twice a week for elementary and middle school children
- Focus on individual or small group sports like running, cycling, tennis, golf, swimming, etc.
- Investigate classes at local community recreation centers
- Look into clubs and gyms for instruction in martial arts, gymnastics, fencing, and other sports
- Keep a log of hours spent doing physical activity for at least two years
- Include brief descriptions of activities and skills practiced
- Aim for 120 hours per year to earn 1 unit of credit (2 units required for graduation)
- Assign tasks like grass cutting, gardening, and animal care
- Consider allowing students to hire themselves out for housework and yardwork to trusted friends and neighbors

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