Homeschooling

[Nirvanadragones]

I'm seriously considering 'homeschooling' my 6 year old. I Know there are various pros and cons. I have done extensive research into the how's, why's, what's etc. So in terms of the details, I have that already.

Share your experiences with me, please?

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I'm seriously considering 'homeschooling' my 6 year old. I Know there are various pros and cons. I have done extensive research into the how's, why's, what's etc. So in terms of the details, I have that already.

Share your experiences with me, please?

I homeschooled mine up until this year... they're 5 and 6... we took a very "unschooling" approach. It's child-led learning, rather than "school at home." We had a blast doing what they called "projects" (we never did call it "school" ) I just sort of took their interests and morphed that into a very vague lesson plan and we followed our noses. We raised caterpillars to butterflies, we learned all the usual preschool stuff about shapes and number and counting and letters, usually just within context of what we were doing. My daughter wasn't ready for letters and reading yet (she's the 6 year old) but my son was (he's the 5 year old) so I just followed their learning levels. Now they're both reading. It's kind of like potty training - rather stupid to do it before they're really 'ready.' Learning to read and basic math skills are probably the most labor intensive things you do as a homeschooler. After that, it's cake. It's just information, and you can disseminate that any way you want to!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

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[Weird Harold]

I'm seriously considering 'homeschooling' my 6 year old. I Know there are various pros and cons. I have done extensive research into the how's, why's, what's etc. So in terms of the details, I have that already.

Share your experiences with me, please?

I've always considered "home schooling" as just a parent's natural responsibility to provide their child with the best education possible but "as an augmentation of" formal schooling rather than "a replacement for."

My experience is similar to Selena's in the the majority of "Home Schooling" was pre-school level "target of opportunity" teaching -- as situations arose they were turned into learning experiences and a desire to learn was planted and nurtured.

Even through high school, I seldom passed up a chance to "teach" as opportunities presented themselves.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

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[Selena_Kitt]

I've always considered "home schooling" as just a parent's natural responsibility to provide their child with the best education possible but "as an augmentation of" formal schooling rather than "a replacement for."

My experience is similar to Selena's in the the majority of "Home Schooling" was pre-school level "target of opportunity" teaching -- as situations arose they were turned into learning experiences and a desire to learn was planted and nurtured.

Even through high school, I seldom passed up a chance to "teach" as opportunities presented themselves.

Oh I'd still be homeschooling if it weren't for circumstances... and I'll probably take them out of school again around 2nd/3rd grade when school becomes more "work" than "fun" and they start driving the spirit out of them... :x

 

[impressive]

I did it for 2 years with my oldest. I found it absolutely exhausting.

 

[trysail]

I (along with numerous members of my family) attended an elementary school that is connected with one of the oldest and most respected home schooling organizations. We (quite literally) served as the "lab rats" for the Home School curriculum development and evaluation. Calvert School has been providing home instruction courses for well over eighty years and has students all over the world. Its educational philosophy concentrates on the "3Rs."

Here's a link to its website:
http://www.CalvertSchool.org

 

[Vermilion]

I like the idea of homeschooling, but if my kids inherit even a fraction of the Fiance's maths and science ability I'll be out of my depth by the time they're 8...

I think we'll probably send them to school, but just bolster their learning outside school - he and I are so enthusiastic about learning ourselves, I can't imagine our kids won't be...

Just out of interest why did you homeschool, Selena? And Why are you considering it Vana? If you don;t mind telling me... Is it just the exam-targetted learning that puts you off, or other things too?
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[Roxanne Appleby]

I know several people who do it, and some adults who were homeschooled. The one thing they all mention is the "productivity" - the tiny amount of hours required to impart the same amount of learning as take place at school. A few hours a day is all it takes. Naturally you are already considering the other "learning" that takes place in school - the social stuff - which may be just as important for life. Naturally you are already considering ways to compensate. Wish I had more for you, doll.

 

[Pure]

i gather some proportion of home school folks are interested in inculcating ideas of the far right and/or xian [or other religion's] fundamentalism. iow the parents wish a better control over the child's acqusition of 'values.'

i have no idea what that proportion is: perhaps it varies by geographic area. the parents' fear is that some 'left' or 'secular' agenda is forced down the kids throats, e.g. that Darwin is taught instead of the Biblical creation story.

presumably there are cases where the parent is highly devoted to individualism, or has anti-authoritarian views, possibly even of a leftish nature. certainly it is possible to equal the academic content of public schools without much trouble.

 

[CharleyH]

I'm seriously considering 'homeschooling' my 6 year old. I Know there are various pros and cons. I have done extensive research into the how's, why's, what's etc. So in terms of the details, I have that already.

Share your experiences with me, please?

Home school? Are you gypsy's?

 

[Vermilion]

I know several people who do it, and some adults who were homeschooled. The one thing they all mention is the "productivity" - the tiny amount of hours required to impart the same amount of learning as take place at school. A few hours a day is all it takes. Naturally you are already considering the other "learning" that takes place in school - the social stuff - which may be just as important for life. Naturally you are already considering ways to compensate. Wish I had more for you, doll.

would not a dance or sports class or a music society or something achieve the socialisation aspect?

Of course the trouble would be integrating them back into the education system later on, if they wanted to go to uni for example... Would it not be hard to fit back into the one-size-fits-all education system when you've been homeschooled and lavished with almost one-on-one attention all your life?

Of course... since the fiance is training to be a maths and science teacher I could delegate all those elements to him... not sure I could teach all the other subjects mind Maybe to GCSE... Oh well, since the babies aren;t even conceived yet I guess I can leave their education up to fate a little longer

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[Selena_Kitt]

I like the idea of homeschooling, but if my kids inherit even a fraction of the Fiance's maths and science ability I'll be out of my depth by the time they're 8...

I think we'll probably send them to school, but just bolster their learning outside school - he and I are so enthusiastic about learning ourselves, I can't imagine our kids won't be...

Just out of interest why did you homeschool, Selena? And Why are you considering it Vana? If you don;t mind telling me... Is it just the exam-targetted learning that puts you off, or other things too?
x
V

I homeschooled because of everything John Gatto says about school - and it was my personal experience, too, in institutional learning. They teach people how to be good consumers, how to conform, how to be great zombies... they teach a LOT of things along with their "curriculum" that they don't really talk about, and that's really what I objected to.

In short, Gatto (a former schoolteacher himself) tells us the seven REAL lessons school teaches (paraphrased, obviously... the above link is the whole article):

1. The first lesson I teach is confusion. Everything I teach is out of context...
2. The second lesson I teach is your class position. I teach that you must stay in class where you belong.
3. The third lesson I teach kids is indifference. I teach children not to care about anything too much, even though they want to make it appear that they do.
4. The fourth lesson I teach is emotional dependency. By stars and red checks, smiles and frowns, prizes, honors and disgraces I teach you to surrender your will to the predestined chain of command.
5. The fifth lesson I teach is intellectual dependency. Good people wait for a teacher to tell them what to do. It is the most important lesson, that we must wait for other people, better trained than ourselves, to make the meanings of our lives.
6. The sixth lesson I teach is provisional self-esteem. If you've ever tried to wrestle a kid into line whose parents have convinced him to believe they'll love him in spite of anything, you know how impossible it is to make self-confident spirits conform.
7. The seventh lesson I teach is that you can't hide. I teach children they are always watched by keeping each student under constant surveillance as do my colleagues. There are no private spaces for children, there is no private time.

We can't afford Waldorf or Montesorri, which are great alternatives. So... we homeschooled. I put them in school (which I am so regretting, but that's another story) to find a job... which seems impossible in this economic climate, at least so far. *sigh*

 

[Guest]

way back when, kat was figure skating full time and competing on a state level, i decided to home school.
i filled out all the applications and bought the materials.
the day we were going to start...
we had a ginormous fight. i decided that for me to stay out of jail and for her to continue living, she should attend public school.

we still love one another.
its a good thing.

i wish you all the best what ever decision you make.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Thank you, Everyone for your replies.

I've always considered "home schooling" as just a parent's natural responsibility to provide their child with the best education possible but "as an augmentation of" formal schooling rather than "a replacement for."

Agree completely, and this is my approach as well. Right now, I'm considering not letting her attend school at all, for a long period of time.

Selena, I like your approach. I have basically been doing the same with mine since birth, but she has also been attending school. Thank you for the websites.

And Why are you considering it Vana? If you don;t mind telling me... Is it just the exam-targetted learning that puts you off, or other things too?
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I like your mindset of being excited about learning. We're in the same space.

There are two parts to my reasoning. Right now, I am exceptionally tempted to travel. As in, semi-permanently. (So yes, Charley, I do want to be a gypsy. ) And I realise that neither my daughter, nor I are getting any younger, and if I want to do it, right now would probably be the best time. She's 6. It would be the opportunity of a lifetime for her. And I know she will learn not only more in quantity, than she ever would in school, but also, it would be "real" learning. It's one thing learning about the Louvre. It's another spending two days exploring it.

Secondly, I do doubt the effectiveness of the typical education systems that are used not only in the UK, but also in South Africa. Adult education is what I do for a living. And for the most part, our children are taught knowledge, a little skill, and not much else. In what I do, we integrate the HHH approach - Head, heart, and hand. Knowledge, attitude, and skill. And the key, is in the integration. You need to do, know, and feel. And this is the approach I've taken with her from birth.

She was in a Montessori school up to the age of 5, as this was the nearest that I could get to what I believe an overall, healthy approach to learning was at that age.

I'm concerned over social aspects - the interaction with other children and what that teaches - teamwork, respect for peers, patience, sharing etc. Then again, she has many of those skill already.

I suppose my main concern is that there might be "gaps." and I don't want to miss out on anything important. I know I can't catch everything. But I'd like to be prepared, and plan for what I can, while I can. And to be honest, the basic "curriculum" they have in school doesn't cover what it should either, so I guess I'd have the same problem if she stays in school.

*Goes to ponder*

 

[CeriseNoire]

Personally, I'm almost always in favor of parents who feel all teachers are the the same (read: out to harm their children) homeschooling. It's hard to teach anyone who's been taught that I'm out to "get them".

On the other hand, I've helped several of my friends who homeschool, for reasons like spending time with their kids, values, or develop various talents, create their curriculum or tailor activities to address their learning styles. I've seen homeschooled people who grew into confident and self-assured individuals, and some that became fanatics or unable to function enough within society to get a job. Kind of the same things I've seen in public school attendees I guess.

That said, I have considered homeschooling for a while (or for part of the day) if I ever have children. In my case, I think this comes from knowing the restrictions already on teachers. In other words, I know that if my child isn't on meds, with some disability, violent, outstandingly gifted, or already failing, chances are, he or she will get little attention.

To Vana: if you want to travel, as long as your child can handle the moving, I think homeschooling is a good idea. Some places will allow you to enroll her in school for half of the day, or for just a few classes. This could cover the social aspect.

 

[Vermilion]

Vana, just found this site

http://www.familyonabike.org/stories/Six Families/sixfamilies.htm

Haven't explored it thoroughly, but it seems like it might be really helpful...

Specifically this page: http://www.familyonabike.org/other info pages/coachingservices.htm
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[Selena_Kitt]

There are always gaps... even in traditional education. The best thing you can do is teach a child HOW to learn. Then they can learn what they want to learn, on a need to know basis

As for socialization, this might ease your fears. Most homeschooled kids are much more socialized in a "natural" way than institutionally socialized children.

I think travelling in a WONDERFUL idea. If we could, we so would!

Oh and Verm, you wanted to know about college.

This and this might give you some info you didn't have before about how well homeschoolers do in college.

Homeschooling isn't for everyone. And doing "school at home" almost never works (except in those Christian households Pure spoke of that want to force that sort of school-structure - only stricter...) It only takes at the maximum a few hours a day to impart the same information school does in an all-day environment.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Vana, just found this site

http://www.familyonabike.org/stories/Six Families/sixfamilies.htm

Haven't explored it thoroughly, but it seems like it might be really helpful...
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Family on a bike Bwah!

Laughing aside, it does seem like an amazing site. Thank you, Sweet.

 

[Pure]

addendum to Gatto

i don't doubt that schools engender conformity, and often stifle genuine genuine learning interests.

that said, we have to look, comparatively, at the "leave it to the parents" solution, as regards, conformity. it's not as if every parent is a creative scientist, as opposed to an unschooled ignoramus.

4. The fourth lesson I teach is emotional dependency. By stars and red checks, smiles and frowns, prizes, honors and disgraces I teach you to surrender your will to the predestined chain of command.

think of the emotional dependence of the child. the parent from day one, is in charge of nourishing emotions. ADD to that that the parent is also in charge of schooling and will use the dependence to promote that schooling.


5. The fifth lesson I teach is intellectual dependency. Good people wait for a teacher to tell them what to do. It is the most important lesson, that we must wait for other people, better trained than ourselves, to make the meanings of our lives.

consider how often a child's views echo those of the parents. many parents defer to authority, for example that of their local evangelical minister. independence of mind in kids can rarely arise where it doesn't exist in the parents.

6. The sixth lesson I teach is provisional self-esteem. If you've ever tried to wrestle a kid into line whose parents have convinced him to believe they'll love him in spite of anything, you know how impossible it is to make self-confident spirits conform.

the opposite holds, as well, for home schooled kids. consider this kid, whose parents tell him or her, 'your learning this will determine whether you're in my good book.' the child's self esteem is thus entirely based on his acceptance of what the parents want him or her to learn.


7. The seventh lesson I teach is that you can't hide. I teach children they are always watched by keeping each student under constant surveillance as do my colleagues. There are no private spaces for children, there is no private time.

if the child is schooled at home, they are under surveillance 24/7. indeed many parents take the kids from public school in order to more closely supervise.

===

the problem of creating independence in kids is not simple: the answer, i submit, is NOT, in 75% of cases, to "leave it [schooling] to parents".

hell, these are the parents listening to mr dobson, and reacting to karl rove's latest tactics. their "independence" is shown, in many cases, by voting for GWB.

even where the public school is mediocre, it may, much of the time, at least allow the child *independence of movement*, and expose the child to thoughts other than those of his or her parents. hence, re independence, the mediocre school away from home, may, in the majority of cases, produce the better result.

does anyone have DATA as to outcomes of home schooling, esp. as regards independence of thought, devotion to lifelong learning etc?? also comparative data for home schooled and other students. independence of mind is rare in the best of situations; perhaps even more rare in many of the home schooled. let's see the comparative data.

 

[Vermilion]

If you liked 'Families on Bikes' you'll love

http://www.kidsintow.co.uk/






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[Pure]

data on outcomes as per some sites, mentioned.

some of the data appear rather biased, but i would like to see

Sutton, J. and Galloway, R. (2000). College Success of Students from Three High School Settings [CD-ROM]. Journal of Research and Development in Education, 33,3, 137-46. Abstract from: Dialog OnDisc: ERIC Item EJ 612 229
--

notice the following from one of the sites:

http://www.ericdigests.org/2005-2/homeschooling.html

Because of regulatory requirements tied to student financial aid, some colleges and universities have raised questions about whether homeschooled students are eligible for admission and for financial aid. The Higher Education Act, the federal law authorizing financial aid, restricts schools from admitting students unless they have obtained a "recognized equivalent of a high-school diploma." To comply with this, some colleges have admitted home schooler students only if they have earned a General Education Development (GED) diploma or have passed a federally approved test showing that they have the "ability to benefit" from attending college (Morgan, 2003).

In June, 2002, Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon introduced a bill (HR4866) that clarified that homeschooled students would not have to obtain a GED or pass any other standardized tests that college use to determine a student's "ability to benefit" from college. The measure was defeated on the House floor, but college officials expect the issue to re-emerge when lawmakers draft legislation in Fall 2003 to renew the Higher Education At (Morgan, 2003).

====
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Pure: In simple terms, some home schoolers wish to prevent an objective assessment of the results, to BAR colleges from subjecting the students to the same admissions tests as everyone else.

 

[rgraham666]

1. The first lesson I teach is confusion. Everything I teach is out of context...
2. The second lesson I teach is your class position. I teach that you must stay in class where you belong.
3. The third lesson I teach kids is indifference. I teach children not to care about anything too much, even though they want to make it appear that they do.
4. The fourth lesson I teach is emotional dependency. By stars and red checks, smiles and frowns, prizes, honors and disgraces I teach you to surrender your will to the predestined chain of command.
5. The fifth lesson I teach is intellectual dependency. Good people wait for a teacher to tell them what to do. It is the most important lesson, that we must wait for other people, better trained than ourselves, to make the meanings of our lives.
6. The sixth lesson I teach is provisional self-esteem. If you've ever tried to wrestle a kid into line whose parents have convinced him to believe they'll love him in spite of anything, you know how impossible it is to make self-confident spirits conform.
7. The seventh lesson I teach is that you can't hide. I teach children they are always watched by keeping each student under constant surveillance as do my colleagues. There are no private spaces for children, there is no private time.

Those were the rules I grew up with. Both at school and at home.

Luckily, I overcame that. Although I still have scars that ache when it rains.

 

[carrie-on]

I homeschooled my daughter and she turned out pretty good. My Husband and I also owned a music store at the time and she got lots of social activity, not to mention she can play several instruments,too. She's 25 now and thanks me all the time for letting her learn on her own who she is and can be.