Just curious - any homeschoolers here?

[Chazbot]

Just wondering if there are any other homeschoolers in the AC? I'm homeschooling our little girl. She started Kindergarten this week and is doing really well.

[BirdOfPray]

Me! I was homeschooled all but 8th and 10th - 12th grades, and my husband was homeschooled from late elementary through high school. Needless to say, we're both big advocates of homeschooling. Our little guy is only 15 months old, so we're not exactly homeschooling him yet, but that's the plan. :)

[Chazbot]

Hey Bird!!

You too, huh? Cool! :19:

I'm a product of public school and so is my husband. When I was carrying Jesse I started considering homeschool but was so intimidated by it that it took me FOREVER to decide to do it! I'm glad I did. The schools in our area aren't the greatest and I finally talked to some folks who told me it's just not that difficult so - here we are! I love it and so does she! Last year we did Horizons preschool curriculum and while I thought it was a bit ambitious for a 4 year old, Jesse did well with it. We're doing Horizons again this year. I'm stuck on the AOP curriculums. :ssmile:

[BirdOfPray]

Awesome -- way to go on deciding to give it a try! I'm glad it's going well, too. I'll have it easy because Texas is one of the friendliest states for homeschoolers -- we're required to teach good citizenship, math, reading, spelling and grammar, and there's no requirement for any sort of notification or accountabiluty to the local school district. Plus, my mom and MIL both live nearby and can help me out when I run into problems. I'm really looking forward to it.

Schools here are pretty decent, and we wouldn't have to move far at all to be in one of the better districts in the state... but I spent three years in high school in that district and wasn't impressed.

[cocoa_pleco]

my parents offered to when i was a kid or do computer school, but i said no to both. with homeschool i would have strangled them and computer school would probably have made me anti-social

elementary and junior high were fairly crappy for me but nothing beat high school, easily to this day best times of my life. made a ton of friends i still have to this day too

[Red]

I agree with cocoa, I don't see why people would home school there kids from the start. Now if your in a bad neighborhood, then I see that, but why take away the outside world from your kids, and interacting with other people, and other kids. I would enjoy how much easier homeschooling is, but high school is fun, same with Jr High and grade school. I would not want those years taken away from me.

EDIT: Nothing against you or your kids, just trying to understand your point of view, not many kids are home schooled around here.

[Kaz]

I've been in good schools and bad schools but I am happy to be taught by a variety of people and I like the school I was in last and the school I am in now.

Wouldn't homeschool be rather difficult when you get into the higher sciences and things?

I'm not entirely sure how homeschool works but what about things like drama, music, sports and tech classes? How do you make up for those kind of things?

Are you at all concerned about trying to provide a objective enviroment?

As in, not end up enforcing all your beliefs on your child?

(Not that I have a problem with that, just wondering what you do)

[BirdOfPray]

Red -- No offense taken here, and none intended in my response. :)

I agree with cocoa, I don't see why people would home school there kids from the start.

In my case, because I firmly believe it's the better option. Why not start out that way? I believe the public school system is far less than ideal. It's especially hard on little boys, who have a legitimate need to expend energy and often do better with kinetic learning -- things that aren't offered in most classrooms. I'm not going to make my son sit at a desk for hours at a time when he can learn just as well (if not better) while also being able to enjoy being a kid.

Now if your in a bad neighborhood, then I see that, but why take away the outside world from your kids, and interacting with other people, and other kids.

This is the standard objection I always find ironic. How am I taking away the world from my kids by homeschooling them? By "the outside world," do you mean the same classroom every single day, with the same teacher, and the same kids who are all exactly the same age as my kid? To me, putting a kid in public school IS taking away the outside world. Letting a kid experience the outside world means letting them see how real life is lived, outside of a classroom. Grocery stores, libraries, parks, the DMV, volunteer programs... all of those things are experiencing the outside world. I hated being cooped up in a classroom when I started attending public school. It was so weird and unnatural. As for other kids, I always played with the neighbor kids and kids from church, and I also liked talking with my adult neighbors and other people I encountered in the "outside world." I had a favorite cashier at the grocery store, and I still go by to visit with my old librarian.

I would enjoy how much easier homeschooling is, but high school is fun, same with Jr High and grade school. I would not want those years taken away from me.

Just wondering, but why do you think homeschooling is easier? I was actually able to slack off a lot in public school and still easily make the top 10%. In public school, I could get by with doing just enough to get the grade I wanted, and I could throw together all of my projects the night before with no one the wiser. At home, Mom made us finish all of our assignments and do them to the best of our abilities, not just well enough to be as good as everyone else's. She knew how much we could do and she expected our best. Most of my public school teachers -- and even a lot of my college professors -- expected far too little. It's thanks to my mom that I really know what I can do if I push myself.

My school years were tons of fun. The really nice thing is, when I look back on my childhood, I *don't* remember sitting in a classroom doing boring schoolwork. I know we did school (heaven knows I've got the education to prove it), but most of my memories are of fun things my family did together, or of playing with my friends. Several of our neighbors also homeschooled, and we'd have been playing for hours by the time the school buses brought the other kids home. We always felt sorry for them, especially since they still had homework to do.

Cocoa -- have to say, I'm so glad high school wasn't the best time of my life! I really did enjoy it, but college was even better and being married and having a kid is better still. I'm glad I have it to look back on, but I'd never go back. I did make some really good friends then, and one I consider a brother to this day.

I'm especially sorry to hear you think you would have strangled your parents... I'm really glad for the years I was homeschooled and able to build close relationships with my parents and my brothers. We drove each other nuts sometimes and still do, but I know my family is there for me no matter what. I'm glad I have so many memories of time spent with my family. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

[BirdOfPray]

Wouldn't homeschool be rather difficult when you get into the higher sciences and things?

It gets a bit more challenging, but then as a parent/teacher you just get to work hard on keeping your brain sharp! You can also pool resources with other folks -- two of my good friends and I got together for a Biology lab taught by one of the moms who was good at that kind of thing, for example. We split the cost of the materials and it worked really well. Another factor is that homeschooling also tends to focus a lot on learning to learn. So by the time you're in high school, you should be able to sit down with your curriculum for the year and plan out a schedule for yourself and use the resources you have to essentially teach yourself. Of course you still have oversight from your parents, but the goal is to work toward independent learning. It's a skill that comes in handy for the rest of your life.

I'm not entirely sure how homeschool works but what about things like drama, music, sports and tech classes? How do you make up for those kind of things?

A lot of that depends on what resources you have available. I was never interested in drama, but some friends of mine participated in a homeschool theatre group in the area that put on a musical every summer. In my area there was also a community theatre group that was open to all ages. There was also a community band, and I've seen homeschool bands as well. I settled for a couple of years of piano lessons, not being musically inclined. We have several recreational sports leagues in our area, and at various points I tried out soccer, basketball, gymnastics, horseback riding, and probably a few others I'm forgetting. Once you get into a high school level or so, dual-credit community college courses are also an option and are good for tech classes. We did typing lessons on the computer when we were younger, and learned to use various computer programs as we needed them for assignments. When I decided I was interested in journalism, I got a summer internship with my local newspaper. That later turned into an after-school job (when I was in public high school) and then a summer job while I was in college. I taught myself a few things like html and graphic design with some help from folks I knew. I think some school districts have options for homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular-type activities, but we never did because we had so many other options.

Are you at all concerned about trying to provide a objective enviroment?

As in, not end up enforcing all your beliefs on your child?

(Not that I have a problem with that, just wondering what you do)

I'd argue that public schools don't provide an objective environment either, so that's sort of a moot point. I don't intend to force my beliefs on my children, but I certainly intend to offer them and hope my children embrace them for themselves. There's a huge difference -- the former does no good, and there's no way of forcing the latter.

[Kaz]

This is the standard objection I always find ironic. How am I taking away the world from my kids by homeschooling them? By "the outside world," do you mean the same classroom every single day, with the same teacher, and the same kids who are all exactly the same age as my kid? To me, putting a kid in public school IS taking away the outside world. Letting a kid experience the outside world means letting them see how real life is lived, outside of a classroom. Grocery stores, libraries, parks, the DMV, volunteer programs... all of those things are experiencing the outside world. I hated being cooped up in a classroom when I started attending public school. It was so weird and unnatural. As for other kids, I always played with the neighbor kids and kids from church, and I also liked talking with my adult neighbors and other people I encountered in the "outside world." I had a favorite cashier at the grocery store, and I still go by to visit with my old librarian.

I think he means having hundreds of people you can interact with and get to know. In highschools that shoots up to thousands. (my school has approximately 1400 kids in it between the ages of 13 and 18)

Now this doesn't mean I completely endorse the public school system.

The middle school I went to was a different program/expirimental system that made many changes that I think really improve on the regular system.

I was in it for 3 of the 4 or 5 years it was good.

The highschool I go to is based around self pacing and Is again different than the normal system.

I can't see myself sitting at home everyday instead of being at school.

Just the sheer number of people you meet means I have tons more friends than I would if I never went.

[BirdOfPray]

I can't see myself sitting at home everyday instead of being at school.

Just the sheer number of people you meet means I have tons more friends than I would if I never went.

Well, sure you wouldn't have any friends if you just sat at home all day. :hmm3grin2orange: Fortunately, I have yet to meet a homeschooler who does that.

[Kaz]

It gets a bit more challenging, but then as a parent/teacher you just get to work hard on keeping your brain sharp! You can also pool resources with other folks -- two of my good friends and I got together for a Biology lab taught by one of the moms who was good at that kind of thing, for example. We split the cost of the materials and it worked really well. Another factor is that homeschooling also tends to focus a lot on learning to learn. So by the time you're in high school, you should be able to sit down with your curriculum for the year and plan out a schedule for yourself and use the resources you have to essentially teach yourself. Of course you still have oversight from your parents, but the goal is to work toward independent learning. It's a skill that comes in handy for the rest of your life.



A lot of that depends on what resources you have available. I was never interested in drama, but some friends of mine participated in a homeschool theatre group in the area that put on a musical every summer. In my area there was also a community theatre group that was open to all ages. There was also a community band, and I've seen homeschool bands as well. I settled for a couple of years of piano lessons, not being musically inclined. We have several recreational sports leagues in our area, and at various points I tried out soccer, basketball, gymnastics, horseback riding, and probably a few others I'm forgetting. Once you get into a high school level or so, dual-credit community college courses are also an option and are good for tech classes. We did typing lessons on the computer when we were younger, and learned to use various computer programs as we needed them for assignments. When I decided I was interested in journalism, I got a summer internship with my local newspaper. That later turned into an after-school job (when I was in public high school) and then a summer job while I was in college. I taught myself a few things like html and graphic design with some help from folks I knew. I think some school districts have options for homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular-type activities, but we never did because we had so many other options.



Do you think that the education suffers at all from the lack of reasources?

I'm not saying that you don't have those reasources, but there would definately be less options and some options that are harder to access.

It seems to me like you have something more like a school built from a lage group of homeschoolers.

I still am a bit caught up on the amount of options though, as in, (assuming you teach up to highschool levels) could you find a way to teach languages? How many languages could you find reasources for?

For me it just seems like you have a higher concentration of skilled people already in the schools (especially canada, where teachers make a lot of money.)

Also, the number of teachers helps with learning IMO.

Oddly enough, my mother probably isn't the best teacher for me but there are many teachers at my school who seem to be able to help me a lot more.

Plus I really like the things school offers in general. I am a member of both thechess club and reach for the top team (canadian quiz game) and I have met more people and as a result made more friends from these activities.

(fingers crossed for the sketch comedy team this year. If I build up the courage to auditition(blush) )

I'd argue that public schools don't provide an objective environment either, so that's sort of a moot point. I don't intend to force my beliefs on my children, but I certainly intend to offer them and hope my children embrace them for themselves. There's a huge difference -- the former does no good, and there's no way of forcing the latter

I see your point, however I think that with so many different influences in highschool it would forceyou to look at things and make your own choice rather than having just one source of influence.

I am just a person who thinks that exposure to different ideas helps a person build ideas of there own.

[aquatic lover]

I was home schooled.

[lobsternoob]

I did home study, similiar to home school but different, I met my teacher 2 times a week for 1 to 2 hours and was given my assignments to do at my own discretion. In a lot of ways it was great, but in a lot of ways it encouraged my horrible habits. I got myself kicked out of 2 highschools, and not to sound racist, but i wound up in a continuation school where i was one of 2 white kids. I was beaten up and picked on a lot. It was bad, very bad, i had my cigs and my assignments stolen from me on a regular basis at the wrong end of multiple weapons. I shouldn't have been smoking anyway but on to the point. I think homeschool can do a lot of good for kids with responsible and caring parents. IMO a lot of public schools have sub standard curriculum, that was my observation when i went from a nice private school to a bad public school in 10th grade. I think it should be up to the parents, and since any good parent wants only the best for their children, the ones that are willing to spend the time and expend the effort towards homeschooling their kids probably have the right idea. As for the social aspect, i look at it from both directions, one way I met a lot of people I wish I had never met, and the other, I met a lot of lasting friends, but there is no rule that says a homeschooled child can't meet friends of their age.

[Goodbye]

This year I'm doing all my classes online. I've never done online classes before, but they seem to be better for me. In the two days that I have been working, I have completed and learned more than I would in a week of public school.

My current classes include English 3, Earth Science (hoping to get switched to chem or physics), US History and Algebra 2. My teacher said she will probably put me in Health and one other class as well.

They said that all the work can be done whenever I have time, but there are dates at which I must have completed certian units. I was told that if I complete all my classes for this year early, then I could begin next years or I could take a few courses at the community college in town.

Agass

[Red]

I don't see why it should be your choice on being homeschooled. I would let your kid(s) grow up, and let them choose. I see what homeschooling is, and understand it a bit more, but you don't sit in a classroom for hours and hours. You make it sound like jail :rolling: When your small, you get around three play times outside. I was one of the boys, who had lots, I mean lots of energy. I got my way through it, and now feel like it has prepared me for life.
The only thing I would feel bad for my child, is not being to go to school dances, homecoming, turnabout, school pep assemblies going to lunch meeting girls.
Just some thoughts, I like to learn new things, and I have always been curious on how it happens and why.

[BirdOfPray]

Do you think that the education suffers at all from the lack of reasources?

I'm not saying that you don't have those reasources, but there would definately be less options and some options that are harder to access.

No, I don't really think lack of resources is an issue. Actually, I think it's a valuable experience to learn to look for your own resources instead of expecting them to be provided at every turn. That's what I did when I wanted to learn html and graphic design. I never had formal teachers for either of those, but I was able to learn them just fine. I actually worked in graphic design for almost a year when I graduated from college, so obviously it worked. I'm also thinking I want to brush up on my Spanish (neglected it after college) and I'll probably pull out my old notes and workbooks and start re-teaching myself.

It seems to me like you have something more like a school built from a lage group of homeschoolers.

That's certainly an option in some areas, including mine -- they actually have sort of homeschool schools where you go one or two days a week and then work independently the rest of the week. I may or may not decided to take part in something like that. However, what my family did was usually pretty informal. For the biology lab I talked about, we had just had three of us who were all ready for biology so our moms talked and one volunteered to lead the lab. We still did all the studying and textbook work on our own.

I still am a bit caught up on the amount of options though, as in, (assuming you teach up to highschool levels) could you find a way to teach languages? How many languages could you find reasources for?

Off the top of my head, I can think of at least half a dozen places I could start asking about Spanish lessons for my kids (that being the most commonly used language in my area) -- two of my neighbors are native speakers, one used to be a Spanish teacher, I could get in touch with any of my old Spanish teachers and see if they have any leads, or I could talk to the guy who translates our church service for Spanish speakers. I also know of at least one playgroup locally where they get together and speak Spanish. Other languages would be a little harder, but I know where I'd start looking for Farsi, Mandarin, and Japanese. In a pinch, there's always things like Rosetta Stone. Heck, my (homeschooled) best friend and I taught ourselves a lot of Japanese when we were in high school. She went on to study it in college and is now living in Japan teaching English.

For me it just seems like you have a higher concentration of skilled people already in the schools (especially canada, where teachers make a lot of money.)

Also, the number of teachers helps with learning IMO.

That may be true, but usually those people are already overwhelmed with all they have to do and simply don't have time to keep up with their best students, and of course the worst ones are always falling more and more behind. Besides that, they have to deal with all the bureaucracy and that holds them up. I'm smart, I have an excellent college education, and I have no doubt I have the necessary skills to teach my own children and the wisdom to know when I need outside help.

Oddly enough, my mother probably isn't the best teacher for me but there are many teachers at my school who seem to be able to help me a lot more.

Ah, but by this age you'd be mostly teaching yourself. It's good to have teachers to teach you how to learn early on, and to help you over rough spots later, but you shouldn't have to depend on them to be able to learn.

Plus I really like the things school offers in general. I am a member of both thechess club and reach for the top team (canadian quiz game) and I have met more people and as a result made more friends from these activities.

(fingers crossed for the sketch comedy team this year. If I build up the courage to auditition(blush) )

Good luck on the comedy team -- get out there and go for it! But really, it's so easy to find those sort of extracurricular activities available outside of the school, too, especially in a larger community.

I see your point, however I think that with so many different influences in highschool it would forceyou to look at things and make your own choice rather than having just one source of influence.

I am just a person who thinks that exposure to different ideas helps a person build ideas of there own.

I think you're misunderstanding a fundamental element of homeschooling. Despite the name, we don't actually sit at home all day -- we get out and do stuff all the time. That's part of the education, really. I had one neighbor who was Muslim and grew up in Saudi Arabia, and I'd go over to visit and she'd show me her photo albums and talk about growing up in Saudi. Another neighbor was handicapped and worked in an adult bookstore -- something that caused most of our neighbors to have nothing to do with her. She and I got to be friends, and she helped me learn Latin in exchange for my helping her around the house. One of my best friends when I was little was Mormon, and I had another good friend who was Jewish. I talked to everyone and my parents always let me. You learn a lot more by talking to people than studying about them in books.

I can't say as my teachers in high school struck me as very diverse. More so in college, but homeschoolers can certainly go to college and have that experience. :)

[VoidParadigm]

I've been homeschooled a good chunk of my life. I hate it. I miss my friends, who are now half a country away. And because I am being homeschooled I can't get into the University I want to go to, because the requirements involve me needing experience with a minimum of 16 lab-times, something, in case any of you hadn't noticed, isn't very possible in the home.

Then again, the public school system is a piece of junk. I hate the teachers. I refuse to do forty math questions for homework that are the exact same as the forty I just proved I could do in-class. And the last time I was at a highschool they weren't very good at keeping tabs on me. In all honesty, I should have been given eight week-long suspensions in the first semester alone. And I never did find my locker. :lol:

Ten points to me for kinda being a hypocrite.

There's my rant for the day.
And I used it so early too.
Sigh. Now what'll I do for the rest of the day?

Also; Yes, I am writing this "in-class", as it's almost 11 here. Goes to show you slacking off can happen in any classroom, school-situation, or learning place. Last week (I do school year-round now because of homeschooling, yippee) I got bored of math and went and cleaned the glass of my ten gallon.

[BirdOfPray]

I don't see why it should be your choice on being homeschooled. I would let your kid(s) grow up, and let them choose.

We may or may not offer them a choice, depending on what we believe is best for them. Given the choice, I would have remained homeschooled and never set foot in public school, but that's just me. One of my brothers actually wanted to go to public school.

I see what homeschooling is, and understand it a bit more, but you don't sit in a classroom for hours and hours. You make it sound like jail :rolling: When your small, you get around three play times outside. I was one of the boys, who had lots, I mean lots of energy. I got my way through it, and now feel like it has prepared me for life.

Being used to the level of freedom I had, public school did feel almost like jail to me. I couldn't believe how many hours it took every day and then they sent you home with still more work. I was shocked at the number of teachers who wouldn't let you do as simple and necessary a thing as going to the bathroom when you needed to because they didn't/couldn't trust the students. There's seriously something wrong with that picture. I also hated that you couldn't get up and take a quick walk to clear your head when needed. I've never encountered another environment like that. Sure, at work I used to sit at a desk for 8 hours, but I could get up and go to the bathroom or outside for a few minutes, and when I left they didn't send more work home with me. I really just don't think schools are a natural or healthy environment, especially for small children.


The only thing I would feel bad for my child, is not being to go to school dances, homecoming, turnabout, school pep assemblies going to lunch meeting girls.
Just some thoughts, I like to learn new things, and I have always been curious on how it happens and why.

I did the prom thing, homecoming, pep rallies, etc. and really, I wouldn't miss them. Prom was ok, but kind of boring. Homecoming about the same, and I hated pep rallies. I tried to get permission to go to the library and do some homework, but they had some sort of stupid policy that everyone had to attend the worship of the football team. Once they had some sort of ceremony in honor of straight-A students, but it was at some ungodly hour before school started and they certainly didn't make the rest of the school attend and cheer for us. Lunches were ok but too short, and, well, I never met anyone I was interested in dating till I was in college, so meeting guys/girls seemed like a moot point.

FWIW, I know in my area there's a homeschool prom, among other things. Not really something I would have gone for, but it's there for the kids (or their parents) who care.

[Rue]

I'm afraid I'm not a fan of homeschooling either.

There is a place for it. I will agree that for some children, with social handicaps, homeschooling might be the better option, but for the 'average' child I believe they need the experience that public schooling (be it actual public school, or private) brings.

It's not just about education. It's about getting along with people that you might otherwise not get along with, or even meet. It's about learning to deal with a variety of issues, dissapointments, acknowledgments that are out in front of a varied group of people, not just a handful of supportive individuals.

From an education POV, any parent can supplement school material by providing 'enrichment' in the form of music lessons, dance, art, sports etc. Because those are the subjects school really can't properly provide for. And those subjects usually fill the 'void' quite nicely.

I've met several homeschooling parents over the years. Of the 10-11 I've talked to, two were successful. One couple were both teachers (with two children) who still had their kids involved in school sports. Both kids eventually opted to attend school (~ Grade 9 upwards) because of social needs - but their homeschooling was exceptional.

The other parents had a socially handicapped daughtered. She was just being bullied too much. She blossomed in the safety of home. But this young woman will never be 'average', in any setting.

When I was teaching intro biology at the university, I met a brilliant young woman who was homeschooled and was doing her M.Sc. in anthropology I believe. She needed an intro biology to proceed. She dropped out of that basic class, frustrated and depressed, because she couldn't get some of the very basic math that was involved. She was getting 'failing' grades on her assignments that overwhelmed her. So instead of getting help and working on it (we know she's capable of the work) she chose to drop out. I still can't believe that she was so lacking in math essentials - or how she managed to get that far without those skills.

Most of the other homeschooled kids didn't make it very far after graduation either, since they were lacking in socialization skills. They just didn't know how to get along with others.

I think too many parents think school is just about education, and I agree that many schools have a poor academic plan. But because humans are such complicated social animals, I think it's vital that we don't overlook the advantages that public schools provide the vast majority of children.

[VoidParadigm]

Could always compare homeschooling to schooling fish. It is of most people's opinions that they do better in groups of six, and the best results and full potential of their personalities shows through in even bigger groups. :14:

[bluebluecow]

I must admit after the last few minutes the thought of homeschooling my middle well he would drive me mad. He has very mild autism just on the spectrum, but basically has behavioural, social issues and global developement delay, and lacks toilet skills, in fact just had to pick him up earky as he soiled himself

Now since hes been back at school, my youngest has come on so much from mummy being able to spend time with her and not her brother, I fill sorry for his older brother as he doesnt get much mummy time

Dont get me wrong I love him just glad he isnt in my hair all day

Liz

[robflanker]

Could always compare homeschooling to schooling fish. It is of most people's opinions that they do better in groups of six, and the best results and full potential of their personalities shows through in even bigger groups. :14:

I'm not sure thats a fair or accurate analogy. Some people shine best when home-schooled, others do not. Schooling fish however ALWAYS excel in groups

[VoidParadigm]

I'm not sure thats a fair or accurate analogy. Some people shine best when home-schooled, others do not. Schooling fish however ALWAYS excel in groups

Fair, fair - however from a seventeen year old's point of view, you have to admit that that's how it could easily feel, especially with my aforementioned problem of only having one friend within a thousand kilometres.

[robflanker]

Void - I agree with your scenario and for you want to be in groups. But the generalization that EVERYONE is schooling fish was a bit much lol

[VoidParadigm]

Void - I agree with your scenario and for you want to be in groups. But the generalization that EVERYONE is schooling fish was a bit much lol

:lol: Aye, I realized that once I went back and read over my own post. I wasn't taking into consideration those with disabilities, or those who have had larger problems than I socially.

I guess some people are just bettas. :14: Joking, joking... *coughs awkwardly* No more analogies, I promise. :hmm3grin2orange:

I do apologize though.

[BirdOfPray]

I'm afraid I'm not a fan of homeschooling either.

There is a place for it. I will agree that for some children, with social handicaps, homeschooling might be the better option, but for the 'average' child I believe they need the experience that public schooling (be it actual public school, or private) brings.

It's not just about education. It's about getting along with people that you might otherwise not get along with, or even meet. It's about learning to deal with a variety of issues, dissapointments, acknowledgments that are out in front of a varied group of people, not just a handful of supportive individuals.

I still think the point that isn't getting across here is that in homeschooling, ideally, children aren't just kept at home all day and only allowed to see a handful of people. As a kid, I was always allowed to talk to strangers as long as I was in a safe environment (most often, within sight of my parents or other trusted adults). I definitely took advantage of that, and I got to know a lot of different people. Aside from random people I'd start talking to, I had my soccer and basketball teammates (few of whom were homeschooled), my gymnastics classmates (mostly homeschoolers), and people I met through other activities like a cake decorating class at Michael's or my dog agility lessons I did with my Border Collie or volunteering at the Humane Society. I met a lot of people I didn't like very much, and had to get along with anyway. Heck, I learned to get along with my parents and brothers, which must be an accomplishment since so many people here have said they can't imagine spending that much time around their kids/parents without strangling someone. There's no "handful" of people you're dealing with -- it's a whole world out there.

I also don't think homeschooling is only for a handful of people, especially if that handful is defined as people with social handicaps. What about all of the bright students who never get to develop their potential because they're held back by the others? Or what about the students who would have the opportunity to shine if they just got a little more individual help?

From an education POV, any parent can supplement school material by providing 'enrichment' in the form of music lessons, dance, art, sports etc. Because those are the subjects school really can't properly provide for. And those subjects usually fill the 'void' quite nicely.

How do you fit all of that in on top of 6 or 7 hours of school plus a few hours of homework and still let your kid have time to be a kid?

I've met several homeschooling parents over the years. Of the 10-11 I've talked to, two were successful. One couple were both teachers (with two children) who still had their kids involved in school sports. Both kids eventually opted to attend school (~ Grade 9 upwards) because of social needs - but their homeschooling was exceptional.

The other parents had a socially handicapped daughtered. She was just being bullied too much. She blossomed in the safety of home. But this young woman will never be 'average', in any setting.

When I was teaching intro biology at the university, I met a brilliant young woman who was homeschooled and was doing her M.Sc. in anthropology I believe. She needed an intro biology to proceed. She dropped out of that basic class, frustrated and depressed, because she couldn't get some of the very basic math that was involved. She was getting 'failing' grades on her assignments that overwhelmed her. So instead of getting help and working on it (we know she's capable of the work) she chose to drop out. I still can't believe that she was so lacking in math essentials - or how she managed to get that far without those skills.

I'm sorry you've had bad experience with homeschoolers. I also find it pretty unbelievable that the student you mentioned wouldn't have basic math skills. I'll grant that math isn't my strong suit by any means, but I fought my way through and learned it. I actually wound up tutoring a fellow student in my math course in college, and the professor told me if my journalism major didn't work out for me I should consider math. My mom nearly died laughing when I told her that... but I worked hard and did pull off an A in the class and I think I had a 97 on the final.

Most of the other homeschooled kids didn't make it very far after graduation either, since they were lacking in socialization skills. They just didn't know how to get along with others.

Again, that's not been my experience at all, and I know quite a number of homeschool alumni. Most I know have excellent social skills and top-notch educations, and have been successful since graduation. I've met plenty of people who lack social skills, and I don't think homeschooling or not is the determining factor.

I think too many parents think school is just about education, and I agree that many schools have a poor academic plan. But because humans are such complicated social animals, I think it's vital that we don't overlook the advantages that public schools provide the vast majority of children.

I completely agree that school is more than just education, which is all the more reason I want to make sure it's done right for my kids. I don't think our government has what it takes to provide the best possible well-rounded educational experience for our kids -- so I'll do it myself.

[BirdOfPray]

:lol: Aye, I realized that once I went back and read over my own post. I wasn't taking into consideration those with disabilities, or those who have had larger problems than I socially.

I guess some people are just bettas. :14: Joking, joking... *coughs awkwardly* No more analogies, I promise. :hmm3grin2orange:

I do apologize though.

Just have to say, you can also do fine socially while homeschooling even without having disabilities or social problems. I made friends outside of school, based on common interests and that sort of thing. Never had a problem with it, and I certainly don't believe I have any sort of disability or social problem. Well, maybe a too-strong independent/stubborn streak, but that could be homeschooling or it could just be me. :hmm3grin2orange:

[Sharon]

Here's my opinion...Homeschooling certainly has it's advantages, if the parents know what they're doing. All that one on one time pays off, and the child's education can be beyond where it would be in the public school system. Socialization, again if the parents know what they're doing, would not be a problem. Actually, in public school systems now, there are a lot of problem kids that don't add to the "school experience".

[Chazbot]

HOLY COW!!! I had no idea this thread was going to turn out to be so HUGE!!

Thanks everyone for keeping it nice, though. We're all entitled to our individual opinions and none of us are right or wrong here - we're all educating our kids and that's what matters.

I can't improve much on what BirdofPray has said. I used to have a lot of the same concerns about homeschooling that a lot of you have mentioned until I started talking to people and learning about what homeschooling really is. What it really boils down to is what Sharon said - "if the parents know what they're doing." That's so true! My opinion is that school isn't a social occasion - the kids are there for education. The social stuff isn't important then. OUT of school is where socializing comes in and most any community provides opportunities for sports, etc. There are TONS of groups available (homeschooling groups) for families to join where the kids get together for all kinds of things both social and academic.

When it comes to those "higher" science and math classes there are ways to deal with that too. One parent can take a couple of kids and teach that class. Here in Virginia, the parent is responsible for 80% of the teaching - the other 20% can be done by another parent or anyone else qualified to teach them. And in my area I can go to any local school for lab equipment (microscope, etc) or my daughter can even go and sit in the class if I think she needs to.

I also have to "report" to the powers that be. Beginning next year, Jesse will have to be tested or evaluated at the end of the year. It's the same test that all the other kids in the area have to take to make sure they're getting all they need to. I have to send those test results in and if they aren't where they're supposed to be then I HAVE to send Jesse to school - so I definitely have to keep on my toes.

My reasons for it are simple, the schools around here are AWFUL! I came through this school system and it was pathetic. I have two stepchildren who came through it and it's gotten worse. I can't afford private school so I turned to homeschooling to make sure my daughter gets the education she deserves because I do NOT believe our local system will give it to her.

Really it's all about individual attention and letting the student move at their own pace. It's so much easier for a child to excel when they are the only student in the class. Homeschooled kids often score higher at the national level and more and more colleges are opening their doors - eagerly! - to these kids, and the kids are excelling in college too. So it can't be all that bad, huh?

I'm not forcing any opinion or belief of mine on my daughter. She has asked me why I don't make her "go to school on the big yellow bus." I told her that it's because I think homeschooling is the best thing for her. (Let me also point out that she says she doesn't WANT to get on that bus and go to school.) That's it. Yes, our curriculum is from a Christian publisher and God and Bible stories are all over the lessons - but I want Jesse to grow up in a Christian home. She'd be getting these same Bible stories whether she were homeschooled or not. As for anything else, I encourage her to observe, question and THINK; To form her own opinions and discuss them. I want her to be her own person - not a carbon copy of her mother.

Homeschooling isn't for everyone. Some parents just don't have the patience for it, some kids would rather not have it that way. If Jesse ever tells me she'd rather go to school then that's fine. But there's a lot more to it that it first appears on the surface and again like Sharon said "if the parent knows what they're doing" and takes advantage of all of the opportunities available to homeschoolers, then there really isn't all that much difference in things other than that homeschooled kids don't have to sit at a desk all day.

[Rue]

I imagine that different parts of the world have different standards perhaps with regards to homeschooling. All I can comment on are on the 10-11 examples I have to draw on. As I said, most of the kids did not benefit, IMO, from being homeschooled. But I do agree, it has a place for certain kids.