Home schoolers - why do you do it?

[Momvic5]

This is not an attack on home schooling, but for you that home school, are you highly educated? I find it kind of disturbing to think about home schooling your children if you yourself are not that highly educated. I do understand if you live in a bad school district tho. I did know someone who was actually on this board a couple years ago that home schooled her children, and she herself had atrocious spelling. I'm sure it does work at times, maybe if your children live in a bad school district, etc. I remember LOVING school. Just trying to understand it, that's all.

I went to school to be a teacher. I have a degree in Education with specializations in math and reading, but I would not consider myself highly educated. Educated - yes - highly educated - no. While in school, I was not taught how to teach certain subjects. I was taught how to manage students and a classroom. I will never forget the first time I was asked to teach a fifth grade science class as a student teacher. I was shocked when they did not give me notes on how to teach the material. The just handed me the material and said teach this. I had to figure out how I was going to present it just like I do as a homeschool parent.

Also, because spelling was mentioned - My dh is an engineer. He is also a terrible speller. He went to public school his entire childhood, attended an university for 5 years, and is a leader in his business. His spelling has not interfered with his success - his desire to succeed is stronger than his weak spelling skills. The same holds true for homeschooling. Your desire to see that your children are successful is what makes you successful at homeschooling. However, like everything else in life, there will always be those that abuse the system or their responsibilities.

In Texas, all that is required is a note to the school district that states your intentions of homeschooling. After that, nothing else is required - no testing, no proof of what is being taught, nothing.

 

[mefordis]

What happens when they go to look at colleges? Do the colleges just look at their SAT scores and other activities they were in, since of course there is no ranking. Can they do AP courses as a home schooled student?

Thanks for all the info!

 

[dmbrez67]

I don't doubt the kids can get a quality education at home, however my years in school involved interacting with many different people both older and younger, teachers who shared their life experience and simply dealing with things like conflict resolution, following directions, time management and so many life lessons that have helped me in my adult life. Many of my lifelong friends were cultivated through my school years. Traveling to sporting events, pep rallies, proms ect, were some of the most memorable times of my life. I would hate to deny my kids those great times. I think sheltering kids from the outside world will hurt them in the long run, think what the Dugger kids will go through when they have to get a real job and mom and dad are not there to tell them what to think and do, just my thoughts, I respect any parent that has that kind of dedication to their kids, I couldn't do it

 

[mefordis]

At first I was annoyed by your post, because I thought you were trying to turn this into a homeschool debate. However, maybe having a debate would help me gather more information about home schooling.

I don't doubt the kids can get a quality education at home, however my years in school involved interacting with many different people both older and younger, teachers who shared their life experience and simply dealing with things like conflict resolution, following directions, time management and so many life lessons that have helped me in my adult life. Many of my lifelong friends were cultivated through my school years. Traveling to sporting events, pep rallies, proms ect, were some of the most memorable times of my life. I would hate to deny my kids those great times. I think sheltering kids from the outside world will hurt them in the long run, think what the Dugger kids will go through when they have to get a real job and mom and dad are not there to tell them what to think and do, just my thoughts, I respect any parent that has that kind of dedication to their kids, I couldn't do it

 

[Brier Rose]

What happens when they go to look at colleges? Do the colleges just look at their SAT scores and other activities they were in, since of course there is no ranking. Can they do AP courses as a home schooled student?

Thanks for all the info!

I know all colleges are different, so around Freshman year we started looking at all the schools DD may even possibly be interested in, and found out exactly what their homeschool admission requirements were. We used that as a guide to make sure she was on track, and then added even more where we could.

For the schools DD applied to, what we needed were her SAT or ACT scores,which were required to be 100 points above the average incoming Freshman scores of the previous year. We need Standardized Test scores, we chose the ITBS and the CAT. The only other thing required was a transcript of her completed work.

We actually used a transcript service. It was very inexpensive, and put together a nice accounting of all subjects along with her GPA, and space to add in extracurriculars.

Not only did DD get into all the schools she applied to, but she also received an Academic Competitiveness Grant. It was small, but every bit helps!

You can do AP courses as a homeschooler. There a tons of programs out there for that.

 

[Brier Rose]

Oh, and as far as the classes on the transcript, those were required to be the same as a Traditional student. A complete College Preparatory Curriculum consisting of..

• 4 English Credits
• 4 Math Credits
• 3 Science credits (at least 2 lab science)
• 3 Social Sciences credits
• 2 Foreign Language credits (same language)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why do you ask? This question gets asked often on the DIS. It can be searched.

I hesitate to respond because there are two types if inquiries:

Those seeking information and understanding

And

Those seeking to prove the responders wrong.

It is really hard to respond when I am puzzled by the intentions of those who ask.

So this is my response for now:

We homeschool because it is what works for our family. There are resources to help me if I have concerns. Colleges welcome homeschoolers. They post their entrance Requirements, so it is not difficult to know what is needed to prepare your student. Socialization has never been an issue and isn't an issue by most homeschoolers despite it being highly ranked as a homeschooling issue by those who don't homeschool.

In Florida, homeschoolers are welcomed in community colleges as dual enrollment students. We just moved to Virginia, and their system allows it. But it isn't free and there is concern about transfer of credits to a 4 yr institution. I'm still learning the basics for this state, but have met many who have graduated their children and those kids got into college just fine.

Www.hslda.com can help with the nuts and bolts of the technicalities of homeschooling.

My 5th grader is taking a math test right now.

I hope you find the answers you seek, While my dd hopes she finds the answers I seek on her test.

 

[DawnM]

A debate won't help you decide. I have seen those kinds of debate, do a search even here on the DIS.....people are 100% sure THEIR concept of homeschoolers is correct, because, after all, they met this one homeschooler once.....or they had 5 of them come into their classrooms over the past 15 years.....or whatever.

I have lost my patience for these types of debates as the only purpose served is to share your personal opinion rather than actual debate.

I would suggest reading books, googling, talking to actual homeschoolers, and going with your gut rather than listening to people who know very little of which they are speaking.

A book that has changed my way of thinking forever is John Taylor Gatto's Underground History of American Education....

http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/

Please understand, I have nothing particularly against public education, it paid my salary for 17 years, and I don't begrudge anyone who chooses that option, although many of them seem to think it is just fine to begrudge me.

Dawn

At first I was annoyed by your post, because I thought you were trying to turn this into a homeschool debate. However, maybe having a debate would help me gather more information about home schooling.

 

[mefordis]

I'm asking because I may be faced with having to home school if a certain policy gets instituted that I am 100% against. I can't say what it is but suffice it to say that I would pull the kids out of school. So my intentions are genuine!

Why do you ask? This question gets asked often on the DIS. It can be searched.

I hesitate to respond because there are two types if inquiries:

Those seeking information and understanding

And

Those seeking to prove the responders wrong.

It is really hard to respond when I am puzzled by the intentions of those who ask.

So this is my response for now:

We homeschool because it is what works for our family. There are resources to help me if I have concerns. Colleges welcome homeschoolers. They post their entrance Requirements, so it is not difficult to know what is needed to prepare your student. Socialization has never been an issue and isn't an issue by most homeschoolers despite it being highly ranked as a homeschooling issue by those who don't homeschool.

In Florida, homeschoolers are welcomed in community colleges as dual enrollment students. We just moved to Virginia, and their system allows it. But it isn't free and there is concern about transfer of credits to a 4 yr institution. I'm still learning the basics for this state, but have met many who have graduated their children and those kids got into college just fine.

Www.hslda.com can help with the nuts and bolts of the technicalities of homeschooling.

My 5th grader is taking a math test right now.

I hope you find the answers you seek, While my dd hopes she finds the answers I seek on her test.

 

[Nayan]

This is not an attack on home schooling, but for you that home school, are you highly educated? I find it kind of disturbing to think about home schooling your children if you yourself are not that highly educated. I do understand if you live in a bad school district tho. I did know someone who was actually on this board a couple years ago that home schooled her children, and she herself had atrocious spelling. I'm sure it does work at times, maybe if your children live in a bad school district, etc. I remember LOVING school. Just trying to understand it, that's all.

Umm...no . I quit school in fact when I was 16. I hated it, I was bored and had no interest in learning things I may or may not need in my lifetime and figured if I really need to know it I can learn it. I did take and pass the test for my GED and I did take some college courses to help me along my chosen path, but no degree. Instead I studied things that interested me and still do that to this day. Now that doesn't mean my son slacks off. He has decided he wants to be an accountant and he is studying to make that happen, along with his desire to be a much better photographer. He, like myself, does much better at self-teaching and learning than sitting in a classroom. Not that he hasn't done that with his photo class, but being inside a classroom for hours isn't something he enjoys.

As a contrast, my neighbor's daughter goes to the same school my son would have went to. I ask her about what they're learning and she sounds bored when she says algebra, Brit Lit, etc. She then tell my son how lucky he is. Oh trust me, he knows .

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm asking because I may be faced with having to home school if a certain policy gets instituted that I am 100% against. I can't say what it is but suffice it to say that I would pull the kids out of school. So my intentions are genuine!

I honestly cannot tell that by your responses.

But I will nibble....

There are homeschool organizations that host proms.

Groups that have sanctioned science fairs (where the winner can go onto county level competition)...but in my old county, apparently the school system may be eliminating science fairs...

Spelling Bees

PE

Social functions including Valentine's exchanges...

Etc...


No a higher degree isn't nor shouldn't be required. A parent can learn alongside the child. With rare exception, the absence of a college education does not cause an issue.

Children with learning or developmental issues are entitled to receive the help of the school system even of they are homeschooled. So even that is not an issue.

With the rights and resources we have today, it simply is a matter of preference and deciding if it is the right fit for your family.


The only thing my children missed about school is riding the bus. That was not available where we used to live. They have ridden plenty of busses elsewhere, so that is no longer a novelty that concerns them.

As far as being sheltered---that can only happen of you make them that way. The Duggar's are not "sheltered" as many believe they are. They are socialized. Just because their friends might be different, does not make them sheltered.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OP--I'm sorry---I just realized that I am confusing posters. Doh!

Many apologies! Some of my answers were in response to the thoughts expressed by someone else.

 

[mefordis]

Thank you! You (and others) have given me tons of information, which I appreciate!

I honestly cannot tell that by your responses.

But I will nibble....

There are homeschool organizations that host proms.

Groups that have sanctioned science fairs (where the winner can go onto county level competition)...but in my old county, apparently the school system may be eliminating science fairs...

Spelling Bees

PE

Social functions including Valentine's exchanges...

Etc...


No a higher degree isn't nor shouldn't be required. A parent can learn alongside the child. With rare exception, the absence of a college education does not cause an issue.

Children with learning or developmental issues are entitled to receive the help of the school system even of they are homeschooled. So even that is not an issue.

With the rights and resources we have today, it simply is a matter of preference and deciding if it is the right fit for your family.


The only thing my children missed about school is riding the bus. That was not available where we used to live. They have ridden plenty of busses elsewhere, so that is no longer a novelty that concerns them.

As far as being sheltered---that can only happen of you make them that way. The Duggar's are not "sheltered" as many believe they are. They are socialized. Just because their friends might be different, does not make them sheltered.

 

[cglaura]

I homeschooled dd19 K-12. At first we started because her dad (now my ex) worked in a job that had us frequently relocate, and I didn't want to keep pulling her in and out of schools.

After the divorce, it was just a personal decision on many factors about her learning style, the schools around here, etc.

For socialization we took many avenues...church youth group, local bb team (summer league for the county-not the local school's team), volunteering at nursing home, neighborhood friends, brownies/girl scouts.

I tried to involve her in socialization environments that involved a wide range of ages, so she could learn how to get along and hold a conversation with anyone at any age.

Curriculum was different depending on what we were doing. I used alot from the Alpha Omega Lifepac series and Saxon Math.

For areas that were beyond me (like chemistry), we were able to get help from the local highshool teacher.

As for teaching time, that was the best thing. Some days it was 30 minutes because she got it right away. Some days we had to spend hours on a concept. I love the flexibility of being able to stay on something until she got it, and not have to move to subject 2 after 45 minutes/bell ring.

My only thing I think I'd change is I would have enrolled her in some sort of summer class, like art, or whatever...just so she could get used to that setting. Her biggest fear in going in to take the GED was not knowing what to expect in that sort of setting. She has alot of friends in school that told her what to expect, so she kind of knew, but it was a bit of stressful days until she finally got in there. And once she did she did just fine, she said she worried for nothing. But I think having that prior class experience would have saved alot of stressful days. She did great on the test, scored in the 99 percentile.

She has only talked to colleges so far, as she is taking a year to travel and work, but from all the tours and meetings she has had, the reps said she should have no problems getting in.

I wrote a letter her first year to the school informing them of our intention to homeschool. That was it. We never submitted anything else, did not have to prove scores or whatever. We did keep very accurate records though, should they ever question anything. In NJ you don't have to report unless something raises a red flag.

ETA: Forgot to mention that dd went to two proms and numerous high school dances as a guest, so she was able to experience those milestones as well.

 

[laurie31]

I don't doubt the kids can get a quality education at home, however my years in school involved interacting with many different people both older and younger, teachers who shared their life experience and simply dealing with things like conflict resolution, following directions, time management and so many life lessons that have helped me in my adult life. Many of my lifelong friends were cultivated through my school years. Traveling to sporting events, pep rallies, proms ect, were some of the most memorable times of my life. I would hate to deny my kids those great times. I think sheltering kids from the outside world will hurt them in the long run, think what the Dugger kids will go through when they have to get a real job and mom and dad are not there to tell them what to think and do, just my thoughts, I respect any parent that has that kind of dedication to their kids, I couldn't do it

You don't have to deny your kids these things to homeschool! We brought DD14 home in 6th grade intending to return her to the public system in high school actually for lots of the reasons you stated that I bolded. She is having so much fun that she has asked to stay home though graduation.

First, we live at the intersection of 3 school districts, so her best friends didn't go to her school. She had friends at school, but her best friends, the ones she invited for sleep-overs and wanted to hang out with, did not go to our system. So her interaction with them did not change at all when she became homeschooled.

Second, our homeschool group is very large (about 750 kids). They have a LOT of social stuff for high school-aged kids. She is in Key Club, band, yearbook staff, and she takes English and Spanish at our co-op (a teacher, in a classroom setting). I don't know jack about Spanish and didn't feel competent to teach her. I am good with English, but we were butting heads over it. She is happier now learning it from someone else. I teach her science, history, and math. DH was a math minor in college (went through Calculus 4) and I used to teach college, so I have no qualms about the quality of her education.

DD *loves* football games and we were at nearly every game this past fall. You don't have to attend the public school to go to the games. She had lots of fun seeing her friends there, just like any kid. She also has many friends now in our homeschooling group. She's going to Key Club state convention this month. Most of the kids there will be from public schools.

We have fall and spring dances. In fact, I just bought her prom dress for this year. Just gotta get the shoes.

As an aside, I went to public school and didn't really care for football, so I found pep rallies boring and I rarely went to the games (don't know where DD gets her football gene - even DH doen't really like it! LOL) and I never went to a dance. Back then, girls didn't go with friends like they do now. If a boy didn't ask you, it was just too bad. And I was slightly overweight and a straight-A student, which meant no boy was ever going to ask me. So these experiences we expect kids to have at public schools aren't true for everyone.

Oh, I almost forgot! Homeschooled kids do very well at learning time management and such, and most do very well in college as they are already used to being self-motivated and managing their assignments through the week. I never help DD with Spanish, and rarely help her with English. (I might proof an essay or help her understand Shakespear - they're reading The Merchant of Venice right now, and she finds the vocabulary challenging) but she is solely responsbile for getting her assignments done through the week. These classes meet one day a week. She learned very quickly it was a BAD idea to wait until the night before to try to do a week's worth of work. Some kids don't figure this out until college. My niece and nephew were both homeschooled K-12, and are doing fantastic in college.

DD12 also came home in 6th grade (our middle school is abysmal!!!) but all of her friends did go to her school and she misses seeing them during the day. She is also a very different peersonality than her sister. She is still saying she wants to go back in 9th grade and we will probably let her. Our main reason for homeschooling was so our kids would get an education. The high school is okay for that, the elementary school was excellent. The middle school...not happening.

When DD14 was nearing the end of 5th grade, we actually had someone tell DH *to his face* that they had nothing to offer DD at the middle school and where did we plan to send her instead. This was a school employee. They suggested a couple of private schools that would be great if we ever win the lottery - lol. (tuition $12K for middle school there ) DH was on the fence about homeschooling, fearing the children would miss out on stuff, but that pushed him over the edge.

DD14 does something out of the house every day. She has band, she volunteers at the Children's Hospital, she takes ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom dance (at a studio with public schooled kids) and she also teaches a beginning ballroom dance class, she rides horses, plays piano and flute, and babysits two days a week. Plus the Key Club, Yearbook, and our church youth group activities. She wouldn't have time for all that if she had to spend 7 hours at school every day! She takes more subjects at home than she could take in school, too. At public school she would only have 6 classes, but at home she has 9. DD12 has 10. (In addition to the required English, Math, history, and science, plus PE, I teach them geography, keyboarding, a foreign language, Bible, and art/art history).

Yes, it takes a lot of my time, but I *love* having my kids home and being with them so much.

 

[Magpie]

I don't doubt the kids can get a quality education at home, however my years in school involved interacting with many different people both older and younger, teachers who shared their life experience and simply dealing with things like conflict resolution, following directions, time management and so many life lessons that have helped me in my adult life. Many of my lifelong friends were cultivated through my school years. Traveling to sporting events, pep rallies, proms ect, were some of the most memorable times of my life. I would hate to deny my kids those great times. I think sheltering kids from the outside world will hurt them in the long run, think what the Dugger kids will go through when they have to get a real job and mom and dad are not there to tell them what to think and do, just my thoughts, I respect any parent that has that kind of dedication to their kids, I couldn't do it

Others have addressed your other points already. So I'll only add my 2 cents to the bit I bolded.

Homeschoolers typically interact with a much wider variety of people than public schooled kids. Your typical public schooled kid goes to the same class every day and spends most of their time interacting with same-age peers and teachers. A homeschooler interacts with the broader community (including infants, the elderly and disabled people), and attends activities and classes with children both several years older and younger. One comment I hear a lot is that homeschooled kids actually know how to talk confidently to adults, while public schooled kids tend to mumble and look away. I'm sure that isn't true for every kid, but it seems to be an overall trend. And it would make sense... the homeschooled child meets and interacts with strange adults every day they're out in the world. The public school kid only interacts with people they already know well.

Homeschooling - to my mind - is the opposite of sheltering your child. Unless of course you're living in a religious compound in the middle of the desert. But the folks don't represent the homeschoolers I know (and once was).

 

[EeyoreEma]

We homeschool for a variety of reasons. The schools around us are not places I would choose to send our children. While there is a private school, I'm not overly impressed with it. I'm also not impressed with their tuition. I feel like my children are learning more here at home with me than they would in a school setting. Plus, it really works with our schedule. We can take days off as we need/want them, and school year round. I don't like the idea of a huge summer vacation - too much time off makes it really hard to get back into a "schedule." We do use a curriculum that has an advisory teaching service, so every 20 lessons papers get sent in to her, then back to us with comments, ideas, etc. I feel confident in most of the areas, especially at this young age but should I ever need a tutor, I wouldn't hesitate. I LOVE the time I have with my kids, and I love getting to experience the learning process. As for socialization, they are involved in activities and spend time with other friends as well. I think that they are great with adults as well - it does help getting out and meeting/talking to adults other than parents!

 

[bumbershoot]

For those who home school their kids -- what motivated you to go this route? I'm just curious. Also, how do you make sure they don't lack in the social department? I'm sure you make that work, since so many people home school their kids these days.

How do you teach subjects you aren't able to (advanced math in some cases, etc.)? Do you bring in tutors?

Thank you in advance!

I despised school. My teachers, for the most part, were just awful. I learn a bit differently than others (something I've only realized AND embraced in the last couple of years) and I was so shy that it was difficult to explain to them what I didn't understand. I remember a 7th grade word root project that was to be done over 2 months. I had sessions with the teacher and they didn't help at all. I finally had a brain-flash the night before it was due, and did my first all-nighter (using a typewriter in a tiny house, so really my mom and brother had an all-nighter too). It took figuring it out on my own to get it, because the teacher couldn't get it.

My husband was on the fence, and felt that he liked his school experience. But he deferred to me, and is so glad he did.

I was school-schooled the whole 12 years, and it never helped me socially. I would still be VERY happy moving to an island and just being with my family with the occasional visit from others. Our son, however, is a social butterfly, and it was because of him that we joined the Y so he could meet other kids. We did their Homeschool PE program last year along with taking tons of classes, and met some kids doing that...but the group was pretty insular (almost all of the homeschool groups around here are religious and we are not, so since he doesn't attend their church...it was hard to get good friends), so he's mainly made friends in the classes he takes at the Y (swim, gymnastics, aikido, and maybe someday the girls in his ballet class will figure out how to be nice to a boy, sigh).

My son can talk to *anyone*. It's pretty awesome. We live in a building with retirees, and he loves having conversations with them. (and yet after a 20 minute long REAL conversation with a neighbor, she turned to me and asked if I'm worried about his socialization...uh...no?)

In WA they allow homeschooled kids to take classes and even be on sports teams without being enrolled. So if I find myself stuck we can always do that. But between me and DH, we've got quite a bit covered.

As I used to tell people, for us homeschooling was like having summer 365 days a year. My children went to swimming classes, martial arts, gymnastics, etc... They got together with their homeschooled friends during the day and went to museums and played in the park. We went to the national park and climbed mountains. And when the day was over, they went outside and played with all their public schooled friend (none of whom went to the same school anyway). Academics in the early grades only takes, at most, a couple hours a day.

I think the biggest advantage to learning along side of a student is that you're modeling independent learning for them. They know they can teach themselves almost anything, because they've watched you do it.

My favorite phrase: "Okay, let's see if we can figure this out!"

It's so fun to do it this way! He has a question, and we'll find the answer. I have many old National Geographic books from my childhood, and it's fun to look through them for answers as well.

This is not an attack on home schooling, but for you that home school, are you highly educated? I find it kind of disturbing to think about home schooling your children if you yourself are not that highly educated. I do understand if you live in a bad school district tho. I did know someone who was actually on this board a couple years ago that home schooled her children, and she herself had atrocious spelling. I'm sure it does work at times, maybe if your children live in a bad school district, etc. I remember LOVING school. Just trying to understand it, that's all.

I am indeed. More so than most of the teachers I know. Oh, I haven't been taught how to teach, but being taught to teach doesn't mean you're automatically an expert in the fields your class will cover.

Atrocious spelling doesn't mean you're not intelligent. I tend to have good spelling (though my grammar sometimes gets lost along the way thanks to my English classes in 9th and 10th grades...I didn't even know what I hadn't been taught until I hit 4th year Spanish and the teacher started talking about tenses I'd never learned about but should have learned in English) but that's separate from anything else I might know. My husband has awful spelling, but he's VERY intelligent.

My husband remembered loving school as well. Over the first few years of our relationship we talked a lot about it, and he finally realized he loved the SOCIAL aspect of it. The friends, the football, the A/V club...he never talked about teachers or classes or what he learned, though. Call me crazy, but school is for learning. Socialization should be done after school. Once he realized it was the friends aspect of school he liked, he realized that it wasn't school he loved at all....

Not everyone loves school. My kids do, and they go because they choose to go. I would not ever make them go to school, if they were miserable. I had to endure that as a child, and I think it's awful. Adults can change jobs, can walk out of abusive relationships... Adults have options. Most kids don't.

I was one of those kids who wasn't even aware that there was such a thing as homeschooling. My mom knew, but felt that she wasn't qualified, and she *had to* work anyway, so there was no point in telling me about the option. Even to the end of my senior year, I would come home covered in red blotches (what I assume were what is called "hives"?) from the nervousness caused by the extreme social interaction. And that was with people I'd known since first grade. If I had to ask a question, I would nearly make myself sick with nerves just *thinking* of putting my hand up. Man I hated school.

What happens when they go to look at colleges? Do the colleges just look at their SAT scores and other activities they were in, since of course there is no ranking. Can they do AP courses as a home schooled student?

Thanks for all the info!

Duke

Yale

Stanford

University of California...I started looking at just Berkeley b/c two of my smartest friends went there, but ended up on the main UC admissions page.

USC

Nice, huh?

 

[bumbershoot]

Others have addressed your other points already. So I'll only add my 2 cents to the bit I bolded.

Homeschoolers typically interact with a much wider variety of people than public schooled kids. Your typical public schooled kid goes to the same class every day and spends most of their time interacting with same-age peers and teachers. A homeschooler interacts with the broader community (including infants, the elderly and disabled people), and attends activities and classes with children both several years older and younger. One comment I hear a lot is that homeschooled kids actually know how to talk confidently to adults, while public schooled kids tend to mumble and look away. I'm sure that isn't true for every kid, but it seems to be an overall trend. And it would make sense... the homeschooled child meets and interacts with strange adults every day they're out in the world. The public school kid only interacts with people they already know well.

Homeschooling - to my mind - is the opposite of sheltering your child. Unless of course you're living in a religious compound in the middle of the desert. But the folks don't represent the homeschoolers I know (and once was).

I totally missed the part you bolded in that response! Oh yes I agree with you.

Teachers were scary grownups that you couldn't really talk to. (thankfully my mom was a hippie and her friends were easy to talk to, but you give me a really formal adult, and yikes!) The other kids I knew in HS were within a year from my age until I put myself into Theater. That, and elementary school gifted and talented program, and a 5th/6th grade combo class, were the only times I was with kids of other ages. School-school got me really used to dealing with kids of the same age, NOT with other ages.

And as I mentioned in my first response, DS is comfy talking to everyone. There are some people that give him the creeps that he gets shy around, but sometimes those people give me the creeps too! With the others, I know why he's being shy, and since I have long experience in being shy, I can help him work it through.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Do any states/districts allow students to take just one class at school and the rest at home? For instance, with the chemistry thing mentioned by a previous poster. Could the child just attend for that class?