Home schoolers - why do you do it?

[punkin]

I've been considering homeschoolinf for several years, but still haven't made the plunge. At this point (7th grade) I probably never will but from time to time I get so frustrated with the schools (like right now) that I really think I might.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

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?

While every state and school district are different, here in Washington you can do just that. My kids are enrolled in a program through the public school where they attend a full day of school (entire school, staff, playground is dedicated to home schooled kids) for two days a week and the remaining three are at home. This can be done from K-12. Or you can pick and choose which classes you want. You can take as little as one class at this school. So if you have a highschooler and don't feel confident to teach higher level math or science class, you can enroll your child just for that class. It's very flexible and offers a bridge between PS and homeschool.

 

[Liberty Belle]

While every state and school district are different, here in Washington you can do just that. My kids are enrolled in a program through the public school where they attend a full day of school (entire school, staff, playground is dedicated to home schooled kids) for two days a week and the remaining three are at home. This can be done from K-12. Or you can pick and choose which classes you want. You can take as little as one class at this school. So if you have a highschooler and don't feel confident to teach higher level math or science class, you can enroll your child just for that class. It's very flexible and offers a bridge between PS and homeschool.

That's really cool and I bet more places start doing it.

 

[npmommie]

So OP you asked why others homeschool..........why are you considering homeschooling?

 

[superme80]

My boys are not old enough yet, but they will be homeschooled. My parents homeschooled me for high school. Honestly it was the best thing they could have done. I was attending a private school and my grades were horrible and I was being bullied. I came home and my grades shot up and I made a ton of friends between church and extra activities like dance or theater. I want my boys to get a well rounded education from a Christian world view. Also I like the flexability it gives our family. When I was in school we were able to travel at off peak times and get awesome discounts. I do not have a college degree, but I know I can teach my children. My mom didn't have one and she taught my sister and I Algebra 1 and 2. Good luck with your decision.

 

[mhsjax]

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

Tell that to Tim Tebow.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

Tell that to Tim Tebow.

I don’t agree with Tim Tebow.

I think it is unfair for a homeschooled child to play for their local high school team. The child that is home schooled has an advantage. They don’t have to worry about the big paper due on the same day as the big game. They have more time to practice. They can sleep in the day of a big game, instead of sitting at a desk at 7:30am. Their parents can adjust the course workload during the “sports season”. Etc. Not to mention the recruiting nightmare that would ensue if children that didn’t go to a certain high school were allowed to play sports for that school.

IMO, If you want to play on a high school team, you should attend that school.

Otherwise, I think homeschooling (done under the correct circumstances) is a wonderful thing!

 

[mhsjax]

I don’t agree with Tim Tebow.

I think it is unfair for a homeschooled child to play for their local high school team. The child that is home schooled has an advantage. They don’t have to worry about the big paper due on the same day as the big game. They have more time to practice. They can sleep in the day of a big game, instead of sitting at a desk at 7:30am. Their parents can adjust the course workload during the “sports season”. Etc. Not to mention the recruiting nightmare that would ensue if children that didn’t go to a certain high school were allowed to play sports for that school.

IMO, If you want to play on a high school team, you should attend that school.

Otherwise, I think homeschooling (done under the correct circumstances) is a wonderful thing!

WEll sorry. But those are the rules here in FLorida, weather or not you agree with it. I was responding to the socialization of being home schooled.

 

[bellebud]

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 had always wanted to hs my kids (dd11 and ds9), but didn't know anyone who did when they were little, so off to the preK and private school they went. Things were great, good, fine and bad at times, just like anything in life. The ups and the downs. I pulled them 2 years ago when dd was in 4th and ds was in 2nd. Many reasons - ds's learning style (no LD or anything), but an 'inventor' learning style - I won't go into detail, but this learning style does not do well in a traditional workbook style environment, with a teacher 'telling them what to do and how to do it". DD, on the other hand, has a very well rounded learning style, and would do fine anywhere ( assessed their learning styles when we started hsing, and was amazed (OH, that's why ds can get the math answers, but doesn't show his work, etc).

We're part of a hs group (about 90 families in our group currently, adding members every week), plus there are other hs groups locally, w/ a few hundred members). Our hs group has a yearbook, the kids take classes once a week w/ their friends (we hire professionals in their fields who happen to be wonderful w/ children - not "teachers" - (not bashing teachers in any way, but there's a difference in teaching a group of 10 hs kids and attending to their different learning styles, and teaching 30 kids in a classroom w/ 'classroom management techniques' learned by teachers in college). You'd be surprised how many of the parents in our hs group are former teachers (also doctors, scientists, business owners, farmers, engineers, executives, really every walk of life). Our kids take Shakespeare (we hire professional actors to teach this), we did Mad Science, but the teen group was bored to tears, so we're doing a different Science class now, and Fine Art. We'll change up the classes as we go along. This is from 10am - 1pm, then we head to 'park day' till 5pm. We have field trips 2x's a month w/ our group (every other Friday) - actually, this morning we're heading to an underground cavern). We went to Williamsburg, VA for a week w/ the group, Washington's headquarters, Thomas Edison's Labs and home in NJ (our field trips are usually Science or History based). We have one 'event' a month, Science Fair, Art Fair, Around the World Night, Talent Show, Shakespeare performance, we'll have a 'family dance', again, the list goes on and on. Then of course my kids have friends from their old school, neighborhood friends, friends from classes they take like gymnastics, etc, hs friends (they do the usual sleepovers, get-togethers, etc, that all kids do).

As for advance classes - I personally haven't hit that stage yet, but yes, tutors if necessary, and there are many homeschool 'schools' around, that offer classes like this. There are private schools that allow part-time students, so they can go 2 days a week and take biology, etc, but homeschool the rest. Really, many opportunities. Hope that answers some questions.

Thank you for the replies! How many hours of instruction do you do each day? I have heard real instruction only takes a few hours a day. The rest is filler (in school).

I appreciate the replies! I have never considered home schooling before but I am now.

No set amount of hours each day - more like each week/month. Without a doubt there is much 'filler' in school, so yes, much less time required at home, IF you want. We have families in our hs group who "school at home" (meaning have a strict schedule, work 5 days a week from 9am to 3pm, etc), and then we have "unschoolers", and everything in the middle (which is where honestly most of us fall). For my kids, we do the 3R's and Rosetta Stone Spanish at home a few days a week, then the field trips, events, traveling, short-term classes or clubs, and living life fill in the rest. (ie - my dd learned the basics of decimals and percentages by me teaching her to figure out the tip on a restaurant bill - my ds learned the basis of multiplication by us playing yahtzee (this was before he mastered subtraction btw - the kids DO NOT have to learn things the way the school system sets it up - first addition, then subtraction, then multiplication, etc). The way a child learns best, is when they're interested in something, and that can come anytime of the day, any day of the week.

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'm not highly educated. If you put all my college classes together, it might make a degree, but I never finished one. Back and forth, this college and that, interests changing, etc. Don't find it disturbing that "non-highly educated" people are hsing. This is one of the big differences between 'school' and homeschool (for us and many families like us)... in school, the kids are pretty much 'spoon fed' information and they spew back the info on tests... in homeschool, kids learn how to learn, and usually end up enjoying learning, because it's not shoved down their throats 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, whether they're ready for it or not. Colleges are now realizing this, and many colleges are now looking for homeschoolers.

I have a well-meaning friend who keeps telling me that "oh, when you reach the 6th grade math - forget it, you'll have to send them to school, because the math is so hard." I didn't respond, but thought in my head, "I don't know... I kind of remember doing sixth grade math - in 6th grade... I think we'll handle it".

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.

This is what I was talking about above, but here it is, straight from a teachers mouth.

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'm not there yet, but I do know the kids can start taking community college courses earlier than 18yo, and go from there. There's a community college near us that offers tours every year to the huge population of homeschoolers, because they want them there.

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

There can certainly be some homeschoolers who shelter their kids, but I haven't met them (they're probably not coming and out enjoying our homeschool activities). Read my above comments for all we do. We're honestly rarely home - because we're out w/ other homeschoolers doing tons of different things all the times.

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?

There are private schools that do that where we live.



Hope I've answered some questions... I have to run now, we're going on our field trip soon! I have to make sure I get good pics for our amazing yearbook, and when I get back I have to start organizing the classes for our next session (we have 3 sessions a year of classes). 10 kids to 1 'professional' in each class (I call them a teacher, but none are certified teachers). I then have to call the gymnastics school, because we were taking recreational gymnastics, but it was after school time, and I hate that (crowded), so I'm hopefully organizing a homeschool gymnastics class. Then we have to start work on our Science Fair projects, and art fair.

Here's something that's very important to me as a homeschooling parent... I want to help my kids to find their passions in life, and figure out a way to make a living doing them. There are too many people who go to school, go to college, don't get a job in their college degree field, and hate their jobs.

Homeschooling allows me to give me kids all the time they need in any subjects they want, we fly through the ones that come easy, we go slow when we need to, they get to pick what they want to study and how they want to study it - it honestly becomes a way of life. Learning happens all the time, everywhere - it POPS out at us, in a way it didn't when the kids were in school, because they hated anything that seemed 'schoolish' when they were on weekends or on vacation. They now look for the learning in everything. We look at learning in an entirely different way now - hard to explain - kind of like trying to explain parenthood to a childless person.

I'll be gone till tomorrow evening, but I honestly love discussions like this. I'll happily debate/discuss any points, and I'll check the thread when I return.

Happy schooling or homeschooling to all.

 

[DawnM]

I could not disagree more. I think that as a taxpayer paying for those schools and not even using them, I am entitled to at least some of the programs offered.

Here in NC, it is up to the discretion of the principal but is up for a vote at some point so that the rules will be uniform.

It is also a benefit for the local schools to have a quality player on the team.

There is a lot more I could argue, but I will leave it at that.

Dawn

I don’t agree with Tim Tebow.

I think it is unfair for a homeschooled child to play for their local high school team. The child that is home schooled has an advantage. They don’t have to worry about the big paper due on the same day as the big game. They have more time to practice. They can sleep in the day of a big game, instead of sitting at a desk at 7:30am. Their parents can adjust the course workload during the “sports season”. Etc. Not to mention the recruiting nightmare that would ensue if children that didn’t go to a certain high school were allowed to play sports for that school.

IMO, If you want to play on a high school team, you should attend that school.

Otherwise, I think homeschooling (done under the correct circumstances) is a wonderful thing!

 

[DawnM]

Unfortunately, we aren't seeing it here. There is a large group of homeschoolers who don't want "government intervention" as they call it. I personally think we could find a way to work together, but it seems to be an adversarial relationship and an all or nothing approach (in school full time or homeschool full time).

I would actually love to teach in a part time program where my kids could go part time, but in NC if we did that even in the private schools that offer it, my children would no longer be considered homeschoolers by the state and we would no longer be allowed to be involved in our homeschool only activities.

Dawn

That's really cool and I bet more places start doing it.

 

[npmommie]

I could not disagree more. I think that as a taxpayer paying for those schools and not even using them, I am entitled to at least some of the programs offered.

Here in NC, it is up to the discretion of the principal but is up for a vote at some point so that the rules will be uniform.

It is also a benefit for the local schools to have a quality player on the team.

There is a lot more I could argue, but I will leave it at that.

Dawn

Homeschoolers can participate in sports and extracurricular activities here.

 

[bellebud]

Homeschoolers can participate in sports and extracurricular activities here.

As far as I know, hser's cannot participate here in school activities (in NY, or at least where we are). It's fine w/ me, but I can see where if a child wants to be on the football team, etc, that would be an issue for a hsing parent.

I don't know what the right answer is...

As a hser, my initial gut reaction to allowing the hsers to participate is... I believe most schools have a minimum average grade requirement for their highschool players to meet to stay on the team... how do we, as homeschoolers, arrange to "prove" that to the school? I guess it's fine if they keep it to ONLY hs kids who want to play on the school team sports, but does it then start trickling to all hsers? We have enough regulation in NY, I'm not looking for anymore. So this worries me - again, as my initial gut reaction to this issue. I'm always open-minded and would be willing to listen to all sides, but the schools being more involved in my hsing is not something I'd be for.

 

[Nayan]

I'm always open-minded and would be willing to listen to all sides, but the schools being more involved in my hsing is not something I'd be for.

This. There's been muttering and small chat about home school being more like school itself with testing. Here in Florida taking the FCAT is an optional way that home schoolers can do their yearly evaluations. There's been rumors that they'd like to make it mandatory. I have seen the damage done by the FCAT itself, taking it's toll on both teachers and students. I'd be one of the first in line to say no to it because if this happened then our freedom to teach at home would be taken away. And this is one reason why I am against home schoolers being involved with sports in school. It opens the door, just a bit, to allow the regulation of home schoolers.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don’t agree with Tim Tebow.

I think it is unfair for a homeschooled child to play for their local high school team. The child that is home schooled has an advantage. They don’t have to worry about the big paper due on the same day as the big game. They have more time to practice. They can sleep in the day of a big game, instead of sitting at a desk at 7:30am. Their parents can adjust the course workload during the “sports season”. Etc. Not to mention the recruiting nightmare that would ensue if children that didn’t go to a certain high school were allowed to play sports for that school.

IMO, If you want to play on a high school team, you should attend that school.

Otherwise, I think homeschooling (done under the correct circumstances) is a wonderful thing!

In Florida, the homeschooled student is registered (in Tim's case) with the county who oversees as the law requires, the student's education.

So it is perfectly fair that that student be permitted to participate in extra-curricular activities.

Students homeschooled in a different manner ("600 schools", declared private schools or managed by some other private entity), are not permitted this, b/c they have opted to not register with the county.

It isn't a recruiting nightmare at all if you were familiar AT ALL with Florida law and what it allows.

He was permitted to play at my Alma Mater b/c he was zoned for that school and would have otherwise attended that school. High schools cannot go and cherry pick homeschool students to improve their football program.

The laws vary by state. We do not have that luxury in VA even though they are a bit more particular about managing my children's homeschooling experience.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

As far as I know, hser's cannot participate here in school activities (in NY, or at least where we are). It's fine w/ me, but I can see where if a child wants to be on the football team, etc, that would be an issue for a hsing parent.

I don't know what the right answer is...

As a hser, my initial gut reaction to allowing the hsers to participate is... I believe most schools have a minimum average grade requirement for their highschool players to meet to stay on the team... how do we, as homeschoolers, arrange to "prove" that to the school? I guess it's fine if they keep it to ONLY hs kids who want to play on the school team sports, but does it then start trickling to all hsers? We have enough regulation in NY, I'm not looking for anymore. So this worries me - again, as my initial gut reaction to this issue. I'm always open-minded and would be willing to listen to all sides, but the schools being more involved in my hsing is not something I'd be for.

In FL, a minimum GPA cannot be required of the homeschooling student.

They MUST be performing commensurate with his or her ability.

My girls were on a private dance team last year with a report card requirement. The requirement (I think) was required of some dance competitions, but I am not sure. I simply gave them standardized test scores that showed they were on grade level as that was only quantified scoring I had. But I was happy to provide them with the evaluation each of my girls had by a certified teacher, and even get an updated one if they so required.

As for the public school, they cannot require any more than the state. Since Tim got into UF, I'm sure his "grades" would have been up to snuff.

We also do not know how he was homeschooled, or at least I don't. He could have had a curriculum service manage his portfolio while still be registered with the counting. But that gets sticky--if he "enrolled" with those services, then he would have been a private school student for purposes of homeschooling law and then ineligible to play at Nease.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This. There's been muttering and small chat about home school being more like school itself with testing. Here in Florida taking the FCAT is an optional way that home schoolers can do their yearly evaluations. There's been rumors that they'd like to make it mandatory. I have seen the damage done by the FCAT itself, taking it's toll on both teachers and students. I'd be one of the first in line to say no to it because if this happened then our freedom to teach at home would be taken away. And this is one reason why I am against home schoolers being involved with sports in school. It opens the door, just a bit, to allow the regulation of home schoolers.

I had thought I heard (before we left) that Florida schools wanted to get away from the FCAT and replace it. (My memory is foggy.)

Homeschool lobby would be extremely vocal before "allowing" that to happen. It is such a huge public presence, that I don't see it happening. (Also--I'm still on my old homeschool loops down there and noone has mentioned this--where did you hear about it?)

 

[Nayan]

It's usually mentioned around election time and more locally than state-wide, but we had a candidate who was all for making home schoolers more accountable to the state, more testing and if they 'failed' then they would have to be enrolled in school. Luckily he didn't make it far.

I do wish they'd get rid of the FCAT, but for now it's still in place and they are trying to fast track a bill that will tie teacher's merit pay to the test. With the way things are going here, no doubt our Gov will sign it.

 

[Tinijocaro]

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!

There seems to be a misconception about homeschoolers that the kids are completely isolated and never get to mingle and learn with other kids. The vast majority of homeschoolers are a part of homeschooling groups where they meet up for certain subjects-phys ed, music, field trips, whatever. I would think it would be a much healthier type of socialization than what happens in the public schools. This is probably one way homeschoolers deal with teaching subjects they are not strong in-maybe one family has a mom who is strong in math, they all meet and that mom teaches math while the other mom loves to do phys ed. I would venture to guess that it is the very rare homeschooler that is isolated.

My kids are all public schooled.

 

[Buckalew11]

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!

My DD is a high school JR. We are finding out that colleges are very open and even WANT homeschoolers. My DD sat in on a college class this Fall and could answer most all of the questions the professor was asking even though she had not read the 3 chapters the class was discussing! lol The professor was impressed and asked her a bunch of questions about her education and offered any help if she wanted to attend college there.

I asked her how she knew the material and she said she'd read it in her homeschool material over the last several years (she is her 3rd year of homeschooling--we started in grade 9).

I started hsing because she was being bullied in a private christian school. She asked me if we could try it and I reluctantly agreed. I was not a fan of hsing before we tried.

Our area has a hs co-op that offers classes. We have not participate but it is there for the taking. They have a lot of activities and she is a member ofthe homeschool honor society.

I have a high school diploma and DH has a college degree. He doesn't help much though, lol.

What we have found on the HS level is that the curriculum is so well written and so thorough that we have not had to have any tutors or help. DD does it all herself. Biology, Chemisty, A&P, and Geometry, AlgebraII and Pre-Cal.

There is opportunity of AP classes and tests, CLEP, dual credit at the local CC. Why, there are so many opportunities for homeschoolers it boggles my mind!

I think homeschooling is one of the best kept secrets and we have loved the experience.

Oh and DD is a student athletic trainer for one of our areas high schools and about to receive her 3rd State Champ Football ring for her help with the team! She enjoys the students and attended prom there last year but does not want to go to school there. She did sit in on a few classes last year though. (Just visiting, not taking the class)

I'd love for her to play tennis on one of our area's tennis teams but I have to check with the school she'd be attending if she was going to public school. She'd have to try out and all that so we'll see if she decides to try it or not.