Archive through August 30, 2002
TV ClubHouse: Archive: Home Schooling:
Archive through August 30, 2002
Kaili | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 12:56 pm     Okay, I honestly do not know a lot about home schooling but am curious about it. Now, I don't have kids and if/when I do, I intend on sending them to public schools. However, I just want to know more about it. A few things made me want to bring this up, but the main one is a woman in my education classes at school. She has a 2nd grade son and wants to homeschool again, constantly talks about how much better off those kids are, etc. I think this is a bit odd considering she is going to school to be a teacher! She wants to work in the places that she wants to keep her son out of?! Here's my other thought on this- and I would love opinions on this- how can just anybody teach their own kids as in depth as someone who is trained in a specialty area? I can see being able to teach your own kids at lower levels, but how many parents have the knowledge to teach their kids calculus, anatomy, physics, government, oreign languages etc etc at the high school level? My mom couldn't even help me with my math in high school- she sure couldn't have taught it to me! How many parents can understand or are even aware of the symbolism in various books? Opinions anyone? |
Aria | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:02 pm     I don't have any kids either and I when I do have them my husband and I will definitely be home schooling them because the schools where I live are atrocious (I won't get into that here). I know a lot of people who home school some or all of their children for a variety of reasons. I also do a tremendous amount of volunteer work in the community with children and I can tell you that there is a great difference in the children who are home schooled and those going to the public schools. One example from my personal experience I can give you is a short writing project assigned to a group of 25 - 10 & 11yr old kids. There were only 2 assignments that had a complete sentence and no spelling mistakes. One was a girl home schooled and another was the daughter of deaf parents who had recently moved into our community. We were floored. When I was growing up I had 2 friends from different families who were home schooled and both of them (along with their siblings) ended up with the highest GPA's of any kid in the district and went on to graduate at the top of their classes in University. One's parent was a College professor and the others father ran the local Esso station. I understand your concern surrounding the limitations of parent's knowledge, however I also have many friends who are teachers and they don't know all of those things either. Also, most parents who home school know their limitations and make arrangements for their children to participate in outside classes etc, for those subjects they are not familiar with. My friends both attended classes at our high school for chemistry, biology and physics. Remember, that home schooling cirriculum is regulated just as in regular schools. As far as the other topics go, there is more than one way to tackle a problem and as I am sure you have covered in your classes, we do not all learn using the same senses. Here are some advantages to home schooling that cannot happen in the regular school system: 1. The child can learn at their own pace 2. The material can be presented in a way that is most beneficial to that particular child 3. There is opportunity for many interesting educational opportunities like visiting the capital buildings, meeting your MLA, doing an exchange trip for the language and cultural experience. I could list many more. The main disadvantage that everyone cites is the fact that there is not enough social interaction for the children. And I admit this can be a problem for some families. Most home schooled kids I know have regular friends and take music lessons, dance classes and play sports with other kids every day. One note for you. My best friend has two daughters. She decided to home school her oldest after she had many problems in school It turned out to be a wonderful success and she decided to school both the next year. Her youngest daughter really was bored learning at home so she put her back in school. One now goes to the school and one learns at home. |
Kaili | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:12 pm     That's interesting Aria, thank you for your response. What I meant about the limitations of parents knowledge- I did not mean that teachers know all but specialize. I am in social studies but I couldn't teach a calculus class. I guess it seems a lot for a parent or parents to do. I knew the home schooled kids can go into regular schools for gym and stuff but I didn't realize they could pick and choose what classes are done there and which are done at home. I can see the advantages and disadvantages. In my own case I would have had very stunted social skills because I lived pretty far out of town with no neighborhood or anything like that. It must be difficult though for a lot of people who want to do it in terms of finding time (if the parent would otherwise be working). As for working at your own pace, aren't there still standards to meet by certain points? For instance, by 8th grade you need to know this, this, and this. How does this affect working at your own pace? Your pace couldn't be so slow that you would graduate at 25 years old right? Final (for this post anyway) question...how would the mandatory testing requirements impact homeschooling if at all? I don't know how it goes in canada or anywhere else, but do homeschooled kids have to take the high stakes tests that are becoming so much more common? |
Bigd | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:20 pm     I have huge concerns with home-schooling and I desperately hope that someone with some accurate information will respond. My problem is my granddaughter in Louisiana. Her mother, who didn't finish the 11th grade yanked her out of school the 3rd week into first grade (she should now be starting 2nd grade, and started "home-schooling". The child knows nothing, no reading, no simple addition, her vocabulary is lacking, and NO ONE is following this child. Her mother took her out so that she (the mother) wouldn't have to be bothered with an early morning routine. Not only is there not any type of education going on in this home, the only thing this child knows how to do is watch tv and babysit her siblings. I tried reporting it and got nowhere. Are there no requirements to fulfill??? |
Hillbilly | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:22 pm     Kaili Here is a website that might help answer some of your questions: http://www.home-school.com. Most of my friends who homeschool have formed a local organization where they resource share and plan field trips for their children for the socialization skills. In my state, I believe but am not sure, that my friends have told me that their children are required to be tested by the state's Department of Education every two years. There are alot of homeschool curriculum developers. One that comes to mind is the Abeka: http://www.abeka.org. Hope this helps provide you with information. |
Hillbilly | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:29 pm     Bigd..here is a link to the Louisiana legal requirements for homeschooling: http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/LA.asp Yu's have a good un... |
Bigd | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:45 pm     Thanks Hillbilly. You sure are a sweetheart! Now if I can just get someone to enforce it. This child needs an education. |
Marysafan | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:49 pm     I just saw a piece on home schooling on Good Morning America recently. They said that homeschooling has become much more mainstream and the trend is increasing...up 400% over what it used to be. I have come in contact with many homeschooolers as I operate a copier business in a rural community when many homeschoolers. Some are OUTSTANDING! I have seen others not so good. A LOT depends on the homeschooler...both the teacher and the student. Given a choice..if I had it to do all over again...I would love to have given it a try. To have been able to spend that time with my girls when they were young. Priceless. To this day my youngest daughter says the ONLY thing she remembers about algebra...is the FOIL method...and I taught her that at the kitchen table. There is something to be said about one on one instruction. |
Hillbilly | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 02:51 pm     Bigd If they are not following this criteria, it doesn't look like they will be able to renew their homeschooling license. The child will most likely be placed back in school. ***************************************** 4. A renewal application "shall be approved" if the parents submit "satisfactory evidence that the program has in fact offered a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level." Parents must submit "with the renewal application a packet of materials which includes such documents as": (a) a complete outline of each subject taught, (b) a list of books and materials, (c) copies of the student's work, (d) copies of standardized tests, (e) statements of third parties who have observed the child's progress. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 17:236.1(C)(1)(emph. added). |
Kaili | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 07:55 pm     Marysafan...that's funny because I remember FOIL from high school too! First, Outside, Inside, Last!!! Haha. When I took Algebra in college I was waiting for that lesson and we never were retaught it. Thanks for the websites- those are always good for facts but I guess I'm really interested in people's opinions and experiences with homeschooling. I will look at them though! |
Hillbilly | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 08:12 pm     Kaili...why don't you try contacting some of the local homeschool organizations on the first site for names of people to talk to. I'm sure there are probably more people than you know in your area who are homeschooling and are usually more than happy to share their experience and advice. |
Sherbear | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 08:24 pm     I am considering homeschooling our 3 year old little girl. She is extremely bright and I am think she would be bored with school. |
Kaili | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 08:36 pm     Hillbilly...I think you're slipping out of the routine! Yer soundin like a reglar yankee in this here thread! I could, I guess it's just that I'm interested in what people think about it- but since I have no plan of ever doing it and have no kids to even think of doing it with, I don't think I will go that far (to contact organizations and stuff). It really was meant just to be a new topic for us all to discuss! I'm curious about it, but not overly curious. You all have great suggestions though, and I'm sure they could be of use to other people who come in here and may be considering it (like Sherbear). I personally loved school and had really great experiences with it. I know not all people do, but for the most part I had good teachers and had a lot of fun in school. |
Hillbilly | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 08:42 pm     I think homeschooling is a good alternative for folks with bright kids who can move at a faster pace than most public schools are able to accomodate. I can see your interest as a future teacher...you might even consider being a liaison in your area between the public school and homeschoolers. I am surprised there haven't been more responses from people who are actually homeschooling here. It seems like I hear about it at work, church, and everywhere. It is becoming very popular here. My gals go to parochial...i would never let them attend public...but I have friends and co-workers whose spouses stay home and homeschool their kids. They seemed very pleased with it for the most part. |
Sia | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 12:10 am     At the end of last school year, I inquired about our public school district's requirements for home schooling. The elementary school "guidance counselor" nearly refused to help me; he was horrified that I would even consider home-scholing my son. |
Hillbilly | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 03:17 am     Sia...what a goober. The link above: http://www.home-school.com has the legal requirements for each state. Here is the link for Kansas (the state you list in your profile): http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/KS.asp. Of course, it sounds like you have the requirements but just in case someone else is having a problem getting them as well. |
Schoolmarm | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 05:25 am     Hmmmm. I have lots of thoughts about homeschooling. I don't have kids...I am in schools ALL the time, as I am a prof who teaches in a lab school and supervises student teachers. Home schooling (to be or not to be) is really dependant on where you live and your child. I taught in Iowa where the public schools are excellent and you would be crazy to send your child to a private school, because they were not as good as the public schools. I've lived in three other states, and have found that situation to be untrue in other states. In Iowa, the best teachers teach in the public schools, as the private school salaries are REALLY low, and many of the kids in the private schools are behavior problems who had troubles in the public schools. With that said, homeschooling in Iowa is not very popular. Then I moved to Indiana for grad school. Indiana, where home schooling reigns supreme...mainly for religious reasons. I see that home-schoolers usually do have to make more efforts to "get along" with others/have social activities. I had two home-schooled boys in my church choir who couldn't read (AT ALL) even at age 10-12. I think that that is a crime! Also, many times these students miss out on group educational organizations such as band, orchestra and choir...as well as team sports. I'm really concerned about the socialization aspects for all children, and this would be harder for home-schoolers. Now I'm in Pennsylvania...RURAL Pennsylvania. If I had kids I would send them to the Catholic school. Their teachers are good, they push academics hard in the upper grades, and I teach there for lab school. I'm SO dismayed that academics aren't pushed as hard here as when I lived in Iowa. I taught for eight years in an urban district in an inner city Science magnet school. We pushed those kids much harder, even the little munchkins who came to Kindergarten not knowing their last name or how to count, etc. Yes, there were discipline problems, but NOT like others have described in the other thread about schools. The difference? Each teacher in my building was hand selected for the school. We taught an extra 30 minutes per day with no extra pay, and had to infuse science and technology into all of our classes and teach science every Friday afternoon. The pay off: a HUGE budget (lacking at other schools), and making a difference in our kids lives! We had the cream of the crop teachers there. We had high expectations that all children could learn and we challenged not only the kid who was left behind, but the gifted kid. I'm sad that I don't see my situation from Des Moines duplicated in other areas. Many teachers are tired, or just trying to get through the day. Many bright young people don't want to be teachers anymore because they can make more money at a less stressful career. By the way....the SAT scores of education majors are often the lowest on campus. Are we REALLY wanting our children taught by marginal teachers? My dean has put his two children in "cyberschool". There are others in our community who are giving cyberschool a try as well. In any homeschooling situation, the state guidelines must be met regarding materials, student achievement progress, testing etc. Our teachers are now required in most states to meet state and/or national standards in each curricular area. It's tough, even if you are well trained. It would be impossible to meet the music standards unless you have more than one kid in the educational situation, as they state you must sing/play etc. "alone and with others a varied repertoire". In my community, and the surrounding area, we are lucky in that our high school high achievers are allowed to come over to the college campus and take nine college credits per semester. What a great opportunity to push the academically gifted! And their credits will transfer to any university in the state, once they select their college. Sia, from what I know about Kansas....aren't most of the schools pretty good there? They have that work ethic and high standards that I experienced in Iowa. I think if I were a parent, the kids would be in school and I would do enrichment activities at home. |
Tntitanfan | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 05:35 am     Home schooling has become very popular here in Nashville over the last ten years or so. A college degree is required here of the parent doing the teaching. Groups of parents band together and let the most proficient parent teach each "specialty" area as attending public school as well doesn't happen here. Some people also use tutors for the specialty areas but that can be pricey at $25/hour and up! IF the kids get sufficient social interaction, hs can work well. My stock broker has nine kids; his wife home schooled until they each were ready for junior high! Living in a family with eight other kids was enough socialization - I question whether it would be good for an only child! |
Twiggyish | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 07:17 am     My daughter is taught the Beka system at her school. (Not a public school) It's excellent. Our neighbor supposedly teaches her teenager at home. This girl is wild and does not appear to be receiving any instruction. I met a woman at our local park who homeschooled her children. She was not concerned about her seven year old not yet reading. Her older children were not up to the levels required for their age group, either. She was complaining at the high standards required. Homeschooling requires responsibility and hard work. A parent who decides on that route must be committed. |
Mamaanja | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 07:23 am     I'm going to homeschool our children. I've ordered a preschool curriculum for our three year old. I'm going to try it with him this year and see how it goes. I've met many, many homeschooling families through my involvement with church and La Leche League. Almost without exception, the children are well-mannered, kind, smart and generally pleasant to be around. They are comfortable conversing with adults and relate well to children of all ages. I've already joined our local home school group. They have many "socialization" activites for the children, such as Chess club, Parlor night (where the children perform skits, poetry, etc. in someone's living room), and trips to local educational attractions. One of the duties of parenthood is to provide education for your child. Some choose to send their children to school, some do it at home. I think a parent who sends their child to school still needs to be involved in their childs education. ( by volunteering at the school, for example ) |
Maesin | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 09:26 am     I was lucky enough to be in a great school in an excellent district for my k-8 years. I was also lucky enough to have parents that watched over my education like hawks. My parents volunteered at school, were part of the PTA, and I also had at least one parent at my soccer practices with both of them usually there for the games. I feel like I am a rarity! I was a very precocious child, but because my parents took the time with my teachers, and me, I think it helped to keep me settled. Now days it seems like parents send their kids to school and leave it at that. Unless there are discipline problems, parents just don’t seem as worried about their kids and I think in turn that makes teachers frustrated. I don’t think I will opt for home schooling. I do believe I will follow in my parents’ footsteps and be involved on an almost extreme level. I think I had the best of both sides, public school in the morning, homework and extra stuff that my parents thought I should know in the afternoon. I do remember home-schooled children coming to our classes for standardized testing weeks. It was always odd having 3-5 kids show up for a week and leaving again. They were all very nice though, and seemed to think of it as a treat to hang out with us. I am sure I would have thought the same way if I got to go spend a week living their lifestyle. This is a great thread and am looking forward to seeing more responses as I am also thinking of becoming a teacher. I am looking more at the high school level than the little ones though. I like younger children, but I do much better with teenagers. Please keep the stories, opinions and experiences coming. This is a bit of an education in and of itself! |
Juju2bigdog | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 10:51 am     Bigd, I know nothing about kids or home schooling, but I sure hope you succeed in interceding on your granchildren's behalf. Good luck. |
Wargod | Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 11:10 am     Home schooling has become pretty big around here. I know there are several groups that get together so their children can interact with each other, do plays and music recitals (saw quite a few of these groups as they liked to come to the retirement home and do their plays and recitals for the elderly.) Also saw alot of kids in public and private schools come through there, and to tell the truth the home schooled kids were always much politer, friendlier, and interacted with the elderly much better than the public and private school kids. Of course, I think alot of that has to do with the involvement of their parents rather than the school system. In my case, home schooling would not work. It has nothing to do with my dedication to my kids education, but more to do with the way they learn and interact. Both of my kids love to be surrounded by other children. My son does better learning in a group environment...he gets bored working on projects alone. His class at school is set up so that the kids work as groups. Even on individual lessons. If they are working on math or science and have a question, they ask each other, they help each other, and the teacher loves it. Having seen the way he works at home...he gets up, wanders around the house, stares into space, tries anything and everything to put off doing homework, and the way he is in class...eagerly attacking and discussing with his neighbor his work, I know he's better off in that situation. Personally, I think that parents who home school (along with any teacher that truly loves what they are doing) is a saint. Their patience and dedication is an amazing thing. While home schooling for parents like me, with kids like mine, may not be a good choice, for other parents it might be perfect. I am looking forward to volunteering at their schools. Starting in two weeks I will be the "Monday morning" room mom plus whenever I'm needed (that will also include working on projects at home for the class) and feild trips. Once my daughters class starts looking for volunteers, I will be there also. (She's in preschool, and only has 6 kids in the class with one teacher and one aide, so volunteers aren't needed on a regular basis there yet.) Best part of not having to work anymore...get to do the fun stuff with and for my kids. Regardless of rather you choose to home school your kids or send them off to school, the more involved parents are, the better kids do. Also having them involved in sports, dance, music and being involved with that helps children to do better. I know in my case, my kids are happier, and better behaved when they have some kind of activities to keep their attention. |
Schoolmarm | Friday, August 30, 2002 - 05:41 am     Kaili, I replied to you in my members folder with some tips for student teaching...good luck! |
Ratlady | Friday, August 30, 2002 - 10:06 am     I homeschool my 3 year old. She is extremely smart and LOVES to learn. I teach her the basics but, she has almost learned all of it so now, I am trying to think of what to teach her next. She can count to 15, she knows her shapes and colors, is learning the alphabet very quickly, she even knows how to read alittle. She's even a great little artist! LOL She drew a person (she said it was me ) yesterday and the person even had 2 eyes a nose and a mouth along with hair and ears! LOL It was the cutest thing! Anyway, I'm getting off track. I went to one forum that I belong to and bought this subject up. The people over there almost bite my head off at the idea that I would try to start home schooling a 3 year old! I have found some GREAT websites to teach toddlers. I have been schooling her since she was about 1 years old. I don't plan on home schooling her for the entire time she is in school, but I would like to for a couple of years. I also plan to home school my 1 year old. I will be starting that soon. It's not like I sit the 1 year old down amd make her listen and do work. It's all play, just with some learning involved without her knowing it. Like one thing I do is, sit down on the floor with her, roll a boll to her and teach her how to roll it back. Or read a book to her and point out different shapes and colors. I sing the alphabet to her thru out the day along with other songs. (that's for my 1 year old). The 3 listen to classical music during arts and crafts time and while house cleaning as well as when we play. Classical music has been proven to boost their math skills along with many different skills, and they also get an appreciation for different kinds of music. |
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