Recently this question has weighed heavily on my mind. Before I had Levi, I often entertained the idea of home-schooling my children. I tend to shy away from the topic simply because I lack the knowledge. These thoughts may be a bit premature as Levi is just 18 months, but a decision such as this could take quite a bit of prayer and preparation.
Here's a fun video on the subject :
Here's a fun video on the subject :
So tell me - do you home school? Why? What curriculum do you use? At what age did you start teaching your children? How do you ensure they are well socialized outside of your home? Do you ever plan on sending them to public school? If you don't have the required knowledge for a certain subject, how are you able to teach? Does your spouse support this decision? Do you feel that your kids are "missing out" on anything? Were you home-schooled?
On the flip-side, if your kids go to public school, what made you choose that route? How has the public experience been for your children so far? Do you feel that their teachers really care for their well being and are teaching to the best of their ability? Do you believe the other children are a good influence on your child? Would you do things differently?
I plan to share why I'm interested in home-schooling, but thought I'd gather your opinions first. Please be polite!
10 Comments:
I personally would never give up the school experience. School isn't for the learning - well obviously it is, but don't you think all of the valuable social skills you learned in life came from recess and interacting with children your own age?
I don't know - I just think school is such an amazing and priceless experience. I personally feel sorry for kids that miss out on it.
That's my two cents anyway...
My kids love going to school, and although I would love them to be home and know exactly what they are learning minute by minute I wouldn't change a thing. I have asked around about each grade and what the teachers are like, so around Feb I have a meeting w their current teacher and put in a request for the one I want them to have. I also ask that teacher who she feels they will do best with. I think the socialization is wonderful. I do have a good friend whom homeschools and you can definitely tell the difference. As long as you are interacting with the teacher I feel that putting your child in school is a better option. I email them all the time and normally have an email back within hours. I also spend a lot of time each night going over academics with them and can't imagine having to do it all day. We've been reading a list of 100 words with my 6 yr olds and sometime they'd rather do it for someone other than me, so they become stubborn, but maybe that's just my kids? The only one thing I would change about the whole experience would be to drive them vs taking the bus. They learn way too much info on there (like my 5 yr old finding out the truth about Santa!)
The kids have grown leaps and bounds not just academically but socially also. Good luck in your decision making.
I believe that the choice to home educate your children is the most wonderful, fulfilling, enriching choice you can make for your family. My husband and I have taught our children at home for 13 years. Our primary reason for making this decision was to allow us to be the primary influence in our children's lives. We have been blessed to watch them excel academically, socially, and physically. Most important, we have had the joy and honor of helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus and in learning to live as His child. My eldest was educated at home all the way through high school and is now entering her third year of college. My son was taught at home through his freshman year and is now entering his senior year at our Lutheran High School. My youngest continues to be home educated, entering seventh grade this year. I would love to tell you more about our experience, and to answer questions you may have about homeschooling. If this is something you'd like to do, please contact my daughter Jaimie to get my phone number. May God bless you with wisdom and grace as you consider this step of your families' life journey! Paula Huebschman
This is also something I have been considering. I'm not too fond of what they are teaching in schools these days (evolution being the main one), and I would like my children to learn at their own pace. If I do home school I would probably teach until middle school. You could always try for a few years, and if it's not working out for your child there are other options.
The whole socialization excuse is a load of crap, to be honest. I know home-schooled kids who are very sociable and public school kids who are socially awkward, anti-social etc. It's all in the way parents raise their kids. There are plenty of activities for kids outside of school: little league, dance, boy scouts, etc. to learn valuable "real world" lessons.
As far as materials, I think it would be extremely easy the first few years: just pick up some of those workbooks! I think the library also has some textbooks or resources so you can see what you like and don't like. I also know there are state conventions and groups where you can get materials and get involved in swaps (other people can teach your kid in areas that you aren't knowledgeable in and you teach other kids in areas you are knowledgeable in).
My pastor and his family are huge home-school advocates so I have picked up some tips from him. Let me know if you have any other questions!
You know how I feel, dear. :)
Hi Kayla
I have homeschooled our two children for the last 4 years. As for those who commented that you can tell a homeschool child by a public school child by there social schools are wrong. Many times people are surprised to know that Alex is homeschooled. Her social skills are fine. An other point is when in your life besides in a public or private school are you only interacting with people the same age as you.
There are so many materials out there for every learning style.
We believe that every family needs to seek out what God wants for there family. So pray a lot.
If I could, I'd totally homeschool. I just don't know if I have the patience and organization to do it. I can just see myself freaking out about how to schedule things. But from what I've seen, homeschooling offers so much more flexibility. You can go on field trips as often as you'd like. You can cater to your child's interests and learning abilities. There are all sorts of homeschooling co-ops where other families are involved so the kids would get the socialization and interaction that they need. You just have to think of not only what is best for your child, but what is best for you and your family as a whole. :-)
I was home schooled. And I would like to think I turned out ok.
My mom homeschooled all of us (currently 8) but we aren't the stereotypical homeschooled family. All the negatives (you know, the conservative weirdoes who make their own dresses and hide the kids from society) didn't apply to us. People often were shocked to find out I was homeschooled.
I thought it was pretty great for the most part. I loved the freedom and flexibility of it. I was involved in lots of activities (such as competetive irish dancing) so yes, I DID have a social life and by high school most of my friends weren't even homeschooled. And now I am able to function in society and am doing very well in college so...i think it all worked out alright.
It is great because you can really personalize it to what works for you and your child(ren). that is something that you can't really get in a public school setting.
ps: I was homeschooled from k-12, in case that wasn't clear. :)
My sister-in-law homeschools because of their military lifestyle. They never know what type of public schools they will encounter every few years so she does it herself. If you want, I can get her website for you and you can check out how she does it. Her kids are great and well-balanced, which I can't say is always the case when I have run into homeschooled kids. As a public school teacher, I obviously will put my son in public school. Since he doesn't have siblings, right now he is in preschool to help with socializing skills. Once curriculum begins at the elementary school, our work at home to assist him will begin. And if the school district he is in is a weak one, we'll work harder at home. Schools do not have all the answers so parents MUST play a role. And the role has to be what you and your husband thinks is best for the child. There's my .02 cents...for whatever its worth!
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