Posted on 04/05/2008 3:09:38 PM PDT by kiriath_jearim
Thanks Dave for keeping us informed - and thanks to Metmom for taking over the ping list.
Homeschooling is not for everybody but consider this:
How many field trips does an average student attend. When I was in school (many many years ago) :-) I think we went on two a year. But my family does many every year...
I traveled to TN one year. Family went with me. While dad worked, guess what mom and the kids did. Toured a Civil War battlefield. Not just read about it in a history book, but visited it up close.
Went through Oklahoma City on a trip. Stopped at Murrow building bombing site. Recent history time.
Visiting grandmother-in-law in San Angelo, TX. Stop at Ft Concho and learned about the “Buffalo Soldier”.
My son is in a Home-Schooling Boy Scout Troop. In February they visited Ft Davis, McDonald Observatory, and Carlsbad Caverns in one weekend...Astronomy, Geology, and History in one weekend.
My four year old wanted to learn to read, so my wife taught her. She would see her big brother everyday and she wanted to learn how.
I think you get the point. (And yes we still stop at the “Rattlesnake Farm” and Stuckey’s)
Home-schooling just happen to be a fit for my family. Whether you home-school or public school or private school, be involved in your child’s learning. They are only under your roof for a short time...
WOW! That sounds so wonderful-—and God bless you for what you are doing for each of these children and our nation. Really, every time a kid stays on track and becomes a solid citizen, and then passes that on to his family, it starts an upward instead of downward spiral.
I take it since 16 year olds can drop out of school, they can be homeschooled without the state saying boo about it? Do you / can you charge for this (just wondering if the state would be on your case if you did)?
The problem we have with homeschooling tends more to be that he could socialize a little (lot) too much! We have Enrichment Days where the moms take turns teaching different units. We have a co-op that hires professors from the local university to teach chemistry labs and other higher level courses. In two months, a lovely lady from Puerto Rico is going to begin teaching Spanish - immersion method.
I’m a graphic designer. My son has started a younger children’s newspaper. The older kids have one too, and do all the work themselves. We have 4H, boy/girl scouts, PE classes taught in a “real” gym by a “real” athlete. The variety is nearly endless.
It’s not all about how much you can afford. It’s all about how creative you are. Homeschoolers are the most creative group of people I’ve ever known.
I just asked both of my teenage homeschooled kids if they felt they were missing prom and homecoming experiences that they would regret later on. Resounding no. We have that discussion periodically, but I just wanted to verify their point of view before I responded to your post.
The difference for many homeschooled children in regards to these activities is they are more mature to begin with and the pressures presented by society have little to no affect on them.
Thanks for all of your hard work!
I do charge, a pittance really. According to Mr.Blu, I should charge double....and some days I'm sure I should get 5 times what I do! Heck, daycare costs more than a private tutor. Whenever I worry about charging, I just remind myself that I'm tutoring, and I don't even advertise in the paper.
I also have a spare bedroom that is “the schoolroom”. It's like a very tiny one-room schoolhouse! I keep asking Mr.Blu to build me a real one-room schoolhouse in the backyard. So far, he has resisted my pleas.
One smart thing I did was keep the same books. That way, my lesson plans are pretty much the same, subject to subject. I don't belong to any of the local homeschool associations, as I'm not a "traditional" homeschool family. I didn't take that bit of news too kindly, but have managed to work around it.
All my students have had previous "socialization", which, in many cases, explains why they're with me, and not with their "posse"! Some of them come complete with their own rap sheets, or babies! But when they leave me, they have a high school diploma which they earned. And they are ready for college, and are a bit closer to being actual adults than when they started.
You should look into your state's laws (I use a Christian-based curriculum, just in case I ever need to use that section of the state education law). My students' parents have always been most grateful for the assist.
As much extra work and worry as it is, as little as it pays, as much of my time it takes up, I'd much rather be "schooling" than doing anything else.
I think our church is planning something special for the kids as they finish school. I am not big on overdone celebrations to begin with, but the elderly people have really enjoyed watching the kids grow and mature and want to do something special for the kids.
DeLaine, you are exactly right. It is the process of learning that is the biggest skill homeschoolers possess. It isn’t about knowing all subjects. It is teaching kids to be self sufficient, reliant, etc.
modest proposal, might I suggest www.hometrainingtools.com for you in regards to science labs. We can’t get enough of this site. All of the way through highschool science. And homeschoolers are becoming so organized in regards to coops as others have pointed out. In the next few months I will need to donate years worth of science supplies since we will be finished with our work. Getting ready to enter the next exciting phases of our lives.
Great point on societal pressures - thanks for getting feedback from your people.
FWIW - my oldest daughter went to a small high school. She took French online from a college in Louisiana, and talked to a professor on the phone to work on her accent. She was quite happy with it, and was making better progress than I did when I took languages in HS.
I saw your post 36, and was going to empathetic to your position that those of us homeschooling come off as egotistical because we have been blessed with an incredible experience and the results of the hard work and love to share it to a fault.
Then I saw this post. Go educate yourself about the success of homeschooled children before posting such moronic diatribes in the future.
Thanks Dave, and thanks for passing it off to someone conscientious.
Reading your story inspires me. I have wondered what I will do once the kids have moved on. Do I get to move into a selfish me stage of my life (I am doing that a bit, going back to school for myself, etc.). But I have considered wanting to work educating others on a small scale, maybe GED prep work or something.
I have not been a traditional homeschool home either, so I understand that reference too. It sounds like you have found a way to continue your work. Thank you for sharing.
Let'see. I'm 42, and last time I have been in a room of 20 or more people my age... huh! Go figure. 1983.
"The only worthwhile socialization skill I learned in the public school system was standing in line." Voddie Baucham
Good luck, Dave. Remember to let us know when you’re going to appear on a show.
Dave, I’d appreciate my name being added to any ping list that will announce your appearances, whether that’s SCCC or another. Looking forward to it!
Yep, quality education for you, shows too.
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