Posted on 11/13/2004 4:04:54 PM PST by Marinefamilyx3
"I would be very suspicious of a school that gave a first grader 1 1/2 hours of homework a night. Something is radically wrong somewhere."
I wonder myself!
It could be that the child does not want to study. We had a niece that stayed with us for a while and every night she would take forever because she was used to watching TV and had no one to look after her to make sure she studied. So - she never learned to study - until she came to life with us. Now she is in college and studying to be a pharmacist because she learned that all good things come through hard work and studying.
I read your post concerning math requirements in college.
My son is a highschooler that is going to our local college instead of high school (the school board has a program that allows this).
Math requirements for an A.A. or A.S., at least in our local college, are College Algebra and Trigonometry...my son has gone on and is in Calculus w/Analytical Geometry because the advice given to us was that a student should continue in math courses as long as he can pull a passing grade.
We've followed this advice since my son is 16 and he's not sure what kind of degree he wants to pursue. But anything below College Algebra is considered remedial and does not count as a college credit toward math, but would count as an elective credit.
That is something I think should be permitted everywhere. I find it utterly ridiculous that home-schooled children, or even those in private school, are prohibitted from participating in the extras provided by the public school systems.
I hear ya there. They know us by name at our local thrift stores. My son is a junker wannabee and I'm queen of the thrift stores!
In our case, it wasn't so much powerless as fed up. My son is a very unusual child and has academic needs light years outside the mainstream. In our case, "a free and appropriate education" guaranteed by our state constitution was just not going to happen - ever. WE finally saw the light and bugged out.
I can see the value of a day long hike and teaching map skills. It is definitely true that they are more into socializing and group efforts. Maybe discovering they cannot successfully read a map would propel them into learning better *when* in the classroom.
I used to think that allowing 'tweeners the opportunity to work with machinery and vocational things would be beneficial for the students. However, so many of them are so UNfocused (could it be the curriculum?), that I fear for their safety (and the teacher/staff/faculty when/if they are hurt, because they would be).
One of the biggest problems I see is that students are 'forced' into learning some things long before they are ready. One example is reading. Learning to read and phonetically sounding out words is fine, but not everyone can do it before a certain age. Some are not really successful until 10 years of age.
Reading phonetically is one step in reading. It is JUST one step. Too many educators believe that is the end of it. It isn't. There is so much more....comprehending what a paragraph really means, understanding what is implied, connecting more and more words.
We've dumbed down education with the silly primer and basal reading books. The students need to hear the language, hear words above their ability to comprehend.
The students are given too many graphic organizers and not given the assignment to figure out what organization method would work best for them.
I also believe that rewards are punishment. The value should be in learning, not in 'getting something for your hard day's work at school.'
LOL!!!!!
I love our local thrift store, in fact I'm due for a trip there this week, not just for shopping, I have a load of my daughter's clothes to drop off. I love thrift stores and also "junque" shops masquerading as antique stores. I do most of my gift shopping at "junque" shops and flea markets.
I couldn't agree with you more!!!! My daughter can read far, far above her grade level, but there is a point where her comprehension drops to the bottom. Finding the proper balance is not an exact science, but can and is done (in my daughter's case, anyway).
I also believe that rewards are punishment. The value should be in learning, not in 'getting something for your hard day's work at school.'
I understand what you are saying, but I'm not sure I fully agree. I remember all too well how thrilled I was to see a gold star on the top of my spelling test or other assignment. My daughter gets the same thrill now.
"I go through that scenario at least once a week."
Think of it this way: Kids are taught the same subject year after year and not much changes. They get bored to tears.
The one advantage, a serious advantage, is that home schoolers can cover a wider range of topics than public school teachers are allowed to. Homeschoolers can find the true interests of the child instead of treating every child as the same. Homeworks can be funm, not just the same thing over and over again.
I know a bunch of decent public school teachers; it is the system they must operate within that is seriously broken.
"homeschooling only applies to a small percentage of the population and always will."
For now that is very true. Maybe 5% homeschool, if that, BUT, I believe it can and will change. I don’t think it will remain as home schooling. I believe the wave of dissatisfaction will change the public school system by creating something outside of the public schools and then become larger than the public school system. This will probably lead back to community schools as they once were.
More people can homeschool than currently do. They just need to know how and what lifestyle changes are necessary. Most people are in such a rat race they barely keep their heads above their financial floodwaters. With some thought, many people will find they can homeschool.
There are some fantastic national organizations helping people to homeschool. These organizations help to provide all that is needed to know and do to successfully homeschool. I don’t have children, but of all the homeschoolers that I know, many say these organizations were the key to their understanding of homeschooling.
Sounds like you have a reading comprehension problem. I wrote about a new way of thinking through education for teenagers.
They can grow all they want but they will never reach close to 50% of the student body. Why does that upset you? I am all for homeschooling - yet brining up this observation (you are a small group and will always be so) sets you off? Why?
i'm not saying, "EVERYBODY should homeschool." and i am sorry if i came across that way... i am saying, "ANYBODY could if they had to or even wanted to." and again, i am talking with those who think they need a certain income, level of education, amount of "know-how" in working with children, space in the home, organizational skills, etc., etc.,
Gabz, obviously my opinions are not meant for you... they are meant for Dustra, who said only affluent families could really homeschool (which is not true) and for the one in the article who was concerned about lack of family time due to too much homework and too busy schedules... i want people in those situations to know that homeschool is a viable option--if i can do it, then anybody can seriously consider it... (but most people think they can't)... i am sorry if i came across as though i thought you were less of a parent for not homeschooling... i don't think that at all...
but it's true--i do think that anybody CAN do it (notice i did not say SHOULD do it)... i want to encourage those who are looking for something else than what they currently have... it's easy to be discouraged when looking at the homeschool option--it can be quite scary and intimidating at times... heck, i still freak out sometimes when i realize i'm educating my boys...
Exactly - its a hard thing to do. All my posts were about was pointing out how sad I feel that many find the PS system so broken they have to leave it and do what is hardest. Maybe I was being too esoteric and people thought I was making light of homeschooling - I was not. I was lamenting the fact that homeschool is another burden that parents have to take on to protect and do right by their children. Also pointed out how no matter how much more it grows, homeschooling will still be a minority of the student body. Lastly, I am thinking out loud - how can we make the PS better?
I think that was a good thing for your kid. I am just thinking out loud - I will have kids one day and just mulling all this. Thanks.
Reading and math still goes on under this new system as does history. But it is more activity based. History such as how did Native Americans start fire or build a birch canoe, etc.
By the 8th grae the children return refreshed and in possession of important social skills. We shall see.
I pulled mine out of Catholic school over excessuve homework in the primary grades and numerous other issues.
I still think you are viewing homeschooling wrong. I do not find homeschooling a burden at all. It has been the most rewarding part of my life. Everyday is so incredible; being so intimately involved with my children's learning.
Not all systems are broke - many are, I agree, but not all. The teachers in my daughter's school have a great deal of leeway when it comes to covering topics to keep their students from being bored.
I don't know how many times I have to repeat this, but I will once again...........I commend all those who homeschool their children, but it is not for everyone. I happen to be one of those who it isn't for, this does not make me any less of a good parent - it puts me right up there with homeschoolers because I made decisions based upon the best interests of my child.
Oh, and in response to your final question? Dismantle the NEA. Someone commented about schools going back into the community. Local, community control. Schools being able to set up behavior standards, and not being sued. Kids being expected to dress appropriately. Restore natural modesty boundaries.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.