I needed to add, I think it is quite funny actually when people say, for instance, "I know this one girl who was homeschooled and she has no social skills." Ha ha ha. LIke you don't know any kids who are in high school and have been going to public school their entire lives that don't have good social skills. PLEASE. Come to my church, I will introduce you to several. There are going to be extremes in everything. One homeschooled kid you know now takes drugs. Uhhh, what about the p.s. kids. Or even private school?
I don't want to be confrontational about this at all, but what is up with this issue? I honestly can't figure out why people have such a problem with this. Yes, there are bad homeschoolers, I will admit that freely, but any good teacher will tell you that home life is the #1 predictor of success in school so how do we know these kids wouldn't be messed up in public school too?
I have to admit something embarrassing though
I am teaching VBS at our church this week. There is this one midlle school kid who is a group leader for the kindergarteners. He is constantly answering the questions for the little ones, raising his hand, insisting on being called on etc. Seriously, this kid has NO social skills. And yes, I did find myself thinking "Pleeeeease don't let him be a homeschooler giving the rest of us a bad image." Found out today, he is not and the staff had serious reservations about letting him volunteer.
I was thinking it would be fun for some of you who are not familiar with any homeschoolers to read about our typical schedule. It's going to make my post pretty long though, so beware!
Daily: Start school around 9:00
First topic is spelling. We use a formal curriculum that is supposed to take 15 min but often takes us 20-25 DD also has some time to work on either Logic or Language arts depending on the day.
Second topic: math
While DD is working on her spelling review and her math assignment, I work with DSs on counting, colors etc. This year DS 1 starts K so he will have a bit more to do.
Third topic All do history together. We are learning about Rome right now and do a combo of reading and hands on projects. The other day we made wax tablets and figured out what each of our ages looked like in Roman numerals.
Snack time
Fourth: Science At home this year we are learning about the Human body, reading books, looking at models and internet sites that show blood flow for intstance and making paper models as well as doing experiments for strength, lung capacity, senses etc are all on the list.
Lunch
After lunch we try to leave open for art activities, play etc. We also have required book time in the afternoons. Many times our science stuff carries over till after lunch too.
However, we don't spend every day at the table. DD used to be in karate but has now finished. This fall she will be taking piano lessons,participating in youth choir, she is taking a class in drama, dance and music and she is in girl scouts. Seems a bit arts heavy, I know, but that is the kind of girl she is. We also have a Weds co-op where we expand our learning about history, are learning Chemistry this year and have one more elective subject as well as gym with a certified fitness trainer. On Friday afternoons we have a playgroup that gets together at a park or gym or whathave you and once a month we go to a local nature center where they do a class for us and we learn various things about the outdoors or animals.
This year we also have field trips planned to: the firestation, the bakery, the local newspaper, the local cable TV station, two living history sites, a homeless shelter and one other one that I am forgetting right now.
Anyway, just thought people might be interested in a bit of info. I am sure I forgot some things, but this gives you an idea of a typical day.
