Posted on 03/02/2008 7:56:16 PM PST by Coleus
Metmom, my son is the same. And yes, it’s one of the myriad reasons we chose to homeschool.
Sounds as though we both have “sizzlers”.
http://www.sizzlebop.com/index.htm
I’ve heard of that. I recall reading about that several years ago, just didn’t know what it was called.
There’s a condition called *failure to thrive* and it often shows up in kids of vegetarians who put their kids on low fat diets. Fats are really important for proper neurological development.
I kind of makes sense that it would help with other neurological conditions.
That’s great!
It occurs to me that those are the movers and shakers of the world. My grandparents came over from the old country because they weren’t just going to sit back and let a bad life happen to them. I think lots of the ancestors of Americans fit that profile. That probably explains why this country has been at the forefront of so much development in the last few centuries.
It’s just a matter of all that energy being channeled in the right direction.
Dunno about ages, but I would surely agree with you that it's worse than when I was in school. And my teachers - particularly in Jr High and HS, were no great shakes.
We're looking at homeschooling through their younger years, then some sort of a formal environment - a Good Public School (if it exists) or private school - as the kids get older.
I figure that 1) so long as they have a strong moral compass provided in their early years, they'll handle whatever schools can dish out. and 2) Formal Schools can provide things (Chem labs, Phys labs, etc) that Mrs. WBill and I can't.
That, and inasmuch as I dislike the idea, I would hate to see my kids get eaten alive once they get kicked out of the nest. The best lessons that I had in college - after coasting through the first 12 years of schooling - were the ones where I found out that profs didn't give a rip about me or my self-esteem, and where I found out people don't always have my best interests at heart.
Of course, by the time the kids are Jr. High / HS age - homeschooling (and other schools...) will look completely different than they do now. It's a good ways off.
You are then in the 1% category. I left that for the FEW that may actually need it.
If I were to have children now, I would be homeschooling.
We got a very late start in the marriage and kids dept. Although mime are teens, I have friends my age who are grandparents without doing the teen pregnancy thing.
Homeschooling is what’s going to save this country. When I see the literacy rates and lack of motivation among the public school kids I’ve met, (not all mind you, but way more than should be) homeschool kids as a group, are going to have a clear advantage in the business and scientific world.
Between being literate and motivated to succeed, they’ll be in the positions of influence in the next few decades.
*donning flame suit*
Interesting point. I'm assuming that when you say "Little Geniuses" that you're not being sarcastic?
I know several people that have done what we're thinking about and been successful - that's where I got the idea. For the most part, I think the decision was socially-based, rather than academically. The kids that decided to "opt out" of homeschooling and go to a private school were all *very* socially active. For them, they're getting a decent education, and getting all of the interaction with other kids that they want as well. I think - although I don't know - that school provides more interaction with kids their own age than Scouts, or church, or other "outside" activities could provide.
To me, at least, it seemed to work pretty well.
It's too early to tell with my kids as to how social they're going to be. I surely could see what you're talking about happen academically, though. Heck, it happened to me. I was reading Welles, Asimov, Morrison, and Poe (The Raven is still my favorite!) while the other kids were reading "The Cat Saw The Dog. Run Cat, Run!".
I suppose that was an advantage of having parents that kept a decent-sized library in the house (as do Mrs Wbill and I). In contrast, I go to my friend's houses and don't see anything more in-depth to read than "TV Guide". Frustrates me to no end - I always give books as gifts at all birthday parties.
Just this am, I said to another teacher that I wondered at what grade level one of our first graders is performing. She probably about fourth or fifth. I agree. I applaud the parents. There is no reason why a very brilliant, homeschooled kid should be held back to accomodate those who have not been homeschooled.
To be honest, I really do not think I am teaching the homeschooled children much at all. They are absolutely brilliant. I just do the best I can.
IMHO, kids with parents that are interested in their education will do fine regardless of WHERE they go to school - public, private, or home. Formal schooling rounded out my education, it didn't provide it.
I just would prefer to keep my kids away from those whose parents don't give a flip about them and who would round out my kids educations in things like drugs and violence. Or...in liberal feelgoodism - which to me is even worse than the drugs and violence. Nothing is more dangerous than someone who's doing something "For your Own Good" because they'll do it with a clean conscience.
I figure that once I've provided my kids a strong moral compass (Drugs? Get lost!) and they're old enough to think critically about things (AlGore? Get lost!) then they'll be able to handle pretty much whatever the world throws at them. After that, my concern is to be sure that they get the best education possible. If it turns out that it's provided by the family - great. If we wind up looking at a public school - great.
My bet is that by the time my kids are older, there will be some sort of a blending of home/public/private schools. Maybe throw community college into the mix. I've been reading a little about opportunities like that.
Medications were a god-send for my daughter. She is now on a very limited dose for when she needs high concentration. But without them during school, she would have never graduated.
To be honest, I really do not think I am teaching the homeschooled children much at all. ...you may not be. But, it's just as important (if not more) that they're provided with the tools that they need to teach themselves.
Mom and Dad taught me to read and provided me with a fantastic library. Basically, they said "Nothing is out of bounds, go to it!". And I did, and at the risk of sounding immodest, it worked pretty well, I think.
IMHO, the best teachers I had "taught" me less, and "suggested" more.
In the future, I don’t see the disparity being so much between the rich and the poor (as in inherited wealth) as much as the educated and uneducated.
If you were an employer, who would you choose? Doesn’t matter how much money the kid comes from,... unless you’re looking at finding you favorite horse’s head between your sheets some morning...
We used Rod & Staff for our English and Reading and it’s VERY heavy in the Bible. My kids knew more Bible by third grade than most adults even think of knowing. Since Bible is included in so many homeschools, and most of it is pretty thorough, it’s no surprise that you find this situation.
Those kids that you are finding to be so bright would be the norm if more parents put the effort into their education, whatever it is. If the parents are involved in the kids lives and education, and give them that solid religious teaching that it’s their responsibility to, you’d find more kids like that. I really think most of them have that kind of potential.
I am so sorry. I feel like a criminal. I've been with Free Republic for years and this has never happened before.
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