Capitalized and spoken of homeschooling circles in hushed and reverent tones.

The LIST is capitalized because of its importance to teacher and student. Here's what to do.

Have your student make his LIST at the beginning of the year or as soon as possible. You can phrase or approach the wording of your request in various ways.

1. Make a LIST of things you'd like to know more about.

2. Make a LIST of 10 of your favorite things/subjects.

3. Make a LIST of 10 things that you'd like to do.

OR you can have your child make all three LISTS. OR come up with your own ideas for the LIST. However you want to approach the LIST, you will be referring to it throughout the year.

To show you the benefits and ways to use the LIST, I've included a cross-section of my two youngest students' LISTs.

1. I want to learn more about herbs and their uses.
2. I want to learn more about animals, any animal.

3. I want to learn HTML.
4. I want to learn to draw.
5. I want to learn to write for comic books.

Here's how to use the LIST:

1. IT comes in handy when you are just too sick to hold class.

During one week with the flu, I told my son to take his favorite comic book and write a review on it. He was to include what it was about, what he liked about it, and make a comment or two about the art and writing.

The next day I gave him a choice to either add on a few scenes to the ending OR to change the ending completely and write a new one.

During the next few days I was feeling better, but he wanted to pursue the comic book thing. So I gave him the assignment to create his own comic book character, and to write a short story about him.

The results: This character: "Whiplash--Parts One and Two" appeared in the February and May issues of KIDS' HIGHWAY. He also hosts the site "Cole's Comic Desk" where you can find and contribute comic books reviews as well as purchase back issues.

2. When you notice your students on the verge of cabin fever, (this is usually more noticeable at a younger age) it's time act quickly. Get out the LIST and buzz around their favorites.

I selected my daughter's love for animals. I gave them each a tablet, pencil, and binoculars. Their quest? To go in the back yard and list every kind of animal they saw in the half hour it took me to make lunch.

They came back with 20 animals, including a spider and a man who crossed the back field. They never realized how many animals were in our back yard and were proud of their list.

3. The items on the LIST can be used as a springboard to other interests and weed out that which no longer interests them.

From that little expedition above, my son learned that he loved watching the birds. He has since added Birdwatching to his To-Do LIST.

4. The LIST can also define the goal for a visit to the library.

By referring to the LIST, your student will not be roaming aimlessly among the intimidating number of books.

5. The LIST keeps things organized when Research Hour arrives.

Students will NOT forget or become bored when they are on to something interesting.

6. When it comes to finding ideas for field trips, the LIST can help.

Using an item off my daughter's 'Learn LIST', I found a farm that grew and sold herbs of all kinds. Our field trip took us out to the country for the day to see first hand the cultivation and use of herbs. We even purchased a few to harvest ourselves.

Herb gardening is now on both of my students' LISTs.

7. It puts the yearn into learning, and the joy in your employ.

The LIST will rescue you more than once during your career of teaching your children at home. So have at it!