Homeschooling Debate

[Lisa loves Pooh]

3 - Another point in favor of public school over home schooling...Elementary school is where many, if not most, children are first really exposed to people and cultures that differ from their own. Be it race, handicap, nationality, or belief system, this is the first time many children will ever deal in depth with people that differ from them in some significant way. Again, I think that withholding that experience until they are "older" just isn't likely to be beneficial to how that child grows to view those that are different.

My child is 5 years old and has been exposed to more than some and less than some.

Homeschooling does not withhold this experiences.

Being bigoted and avoiding those who are different---that would impact the experience. You will get that whether they go to school or not. The parents play a large role in that. Forced exposure does not make for tolerance if the parents are not interested in tolerance.

 

[Brier Rose]

A have a big problem with teaching creationism in Science class...It's simply not science

But when there really is no one TRUE answer to the subject at hand, you can't see where all theories should be looked at rather than just picking one and going with it?

You would rather only teach one idea, that is not even proven to be true, rather than open the discussion to all possiblities?

Personally I beileve in creationism, but I will teach my children about the theory of evolution as well. I feel they need to know it to make sure that their education is well rounded, as there are some people that believe evolution to be true, and they need to know that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

A have a big problem with teaching creationism in Science class...It's simply not science

I agree--it is only found in the Bible.


I didn't believe all that evolution stuff they taught me in school--but I remembered what they did tell me for the test.

Personally--in reference to the earlier question regarding the college in Georgia that noses down to homeschools who use non-secular curriculum. I am curious as well if they do that to those who graduate for religious high schools.

I don't think a persons entire academic career should be challenged b/c they believe God created the world and not Big Bang or any of the other theories out there.

Cannot count any time EVER when I went to college--that it ever came up--and it didn't compromise my education one bit. And evolution did not ever come up on that AP Calculus Exam either. My belief in God did not hinder my comprehension of that topic.



For other topics---we were looking at history curricula--actually curricula in general. For one who was not raised on religion but practices now---I do feel skiddish about non-secular based general education. Like learning American History from the Christian Perspective. Not learning about Greek mythology.....learning world history only to find out that the non-secular text book...refers to every other religion out there as a myth.

Yeah--sure Jesus existed....but I'm sure many other cultures co-existed. It's not like he had the private company jet and could zip on over to visit the Mayan Civilization.

I think it is important to learn about the whole world and not just the Christian one. So I don't see us tackling subject matter as a whole from only that perspective.

 

[JennyMominRI]

But when there really is no one TRUE answer to the subject at hand, you can't see where all theories should be looked at rather than just picking one and going with it?

You would rather only teach one idea, that is not even proven to be true, rather than open the discussion to all possiblities?

Personally I beileve in creationism, but I will teach my children about the theory of evolution as well. I feel they need to know it to make sure that their education is well rounded, as there are some people that believe evolution to be true, and they need to know that.

In science class only theories based on science should be taught..Religious belief is not science...It's just not.
I don't have a problem with you teaching your child about creationism. I just have a problem with trying to pass creationism off as science

 

[sha_lyn]

2 - Your child isn't likely to encounter serious moral dilemmas in the third grade classroom. They are likely to encounter them if they go away to college. If they've encountered, and dealt with, smaller dilemmas from early childhood on, they will be better equipped to deal with larger issues later in life. Also, mistakes at an early age aren't always a bad thing. They can be used to learn. You, by sheltering them, are depriving them of that opportunity. Yes, your intentions are good, and may even be of benefit to your child in the short term. But long term ? Sorry, but I disagree.

3 - Another point in favor of public school over home schooling...Elementary school is where many, if not most, children are first really exposed to people and cultures that differ from their own. Be it race, handicap, nationality, or belief system, this is the first time many children will ever deal in depth with people that differ from them in some significant way. Again, I think that withholding that experience until they are "older" just isn't likely to be beneficial to how that child grows to view those that are different.

2... It is your opinion, not a fact that homeschoolers shelter their children.

3.... Once again you make an asumption that HS'ers are not exposed to those different than themselves.
However in my experience HS'ers are more likely to be exposed to those different than themselves. Here you attend PS according to your address. Therefore you attend school with those who live close to you. This means you attend school with those who are very similar to you in reguards of income, religion and race.

I agree--it is only found in the Bible.

Not true. Most religions have a creation story. It is not limited to Christianity

 

[JennyMominRI]

2... It is your opinion, not a fact that homeschoolers shelter their children.

3.... Once again you make an asumption that HS'ers are not exposed to those different than themselves.
However in my experience HS'ers are more likely to be exposed to those different than themselves. Here you attend PS according to your address. Therefore you attend school with those who live close to you. This means you attend school with those who are very similar to you in reguards of income, religion and race.

Since my kids played outside a lot,they were friends with all the kids that went to the local school.. They knew the exact same kids..It was that simple.. Most schools are,just what you said,made up of kids in the neighborhood.. Unless you lock them in the house they are going to know them. We lived in a very diverse neighborhood.It was filled with AA's Samoans, Mexicans, Vietnamese people etc.. Through the conventions we go to the met adults and kids from the UK ,Australia and even Norway... Had they been in PS ,I could never have taken them to those events.. Our best family friends are from the UK and Australia..Our friend from the UK spent a month with us last year . They most certainly know about diversity

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Not true. Most religions have a creation story. It is not limited to Christianity

I'm sure they do--but in the United States....when referring to creation---it is referring to the biblical version.

 

[Brier Rose]

In science class only theories based on science should be taught..Religious belief is not science...It's just not.
I don't have a problem with you teaching your child about creationism. I just have a problem with trying to pass creationism off as science

I guess I just don't see how the two can be seperated like that. If you are in Science class and discussing life, how can you not discuss every possible way that could come into existance and it not be totally lacking in content?

How can it be right that just because it's a "science" class, that when it comes time to talk about the human body and how we came to be, that's its right to teach one point of view like it is a fact, when it's not?

I guess I just don't get the logistics of this.

I mean in Science class you teach little Johnny that we evolved from apes, and then later teach him in Bible class that we didn't?
Hey Johnny, well the fact is in Science class what I told you wasn't exactly correct, but that's what I had to tell you at the time, because it was Science class. Now I can tell you another theory?

Just doesn't make since to me.

It just seems more logical to me to discuss things at their point of relevance.

 

[JennyMominRI]

.

I mean in Science class you teach little Johnny that we evolved from apes, and then later teach him in Bible class that we didn't?
Hey Johnny, well the fact is in Science class what I told you wasn't exactly correct, but that's what I had to tell you at the time, because it was Science class. Now I can tell you another theory?

Just doesn't make since to me.

It just seems more logical to me to discuss things at their point of revelance.

It's not another theory..In science Theory means a certain thing..Creationism doesn't,,,Nothing should be taught in science class that doesn't have basis in scientific fact..It's that simple.. When people apply the scientific method to Creationism and the scientific finding support creationism,it would be appropriate to teach it in science class.
Just for the record,the theory of evolution does not state than mankind evolved from Apes.
I'm not sure why you get the idea that evolotion is taught as fact..The word *theory* itself negates that

 

[auntpolly]

And a homeschooler who is in girl scouts or co-op cannot have this experience because........? Or any of the other myriad of experiences available to them.

I am really wondering auntpolly why you feel you have to disagree with every point made by homeschoolers about the positive aspects of it. You have said that you could see if the schools were really bad you could understand it. You have told Jenny you can see she did a good job and it was a good choice for them, but your overall attitude comes off as that public schools are just so superior to homeschooling and in many cases for many children that is simply NOT the case. That seems hard for you to accept. Why?

I decided to step out of this debate because I know I'm not changing anyone's mind and I really don't find this a very debatable topic for me. I don't think that Homeschooling is a very good idea. If you think that this is a person being "just so superior", then, you are just too sensitive.

 

[Brier Rose]

It's not another theory..In science Theory means a certain thing..Creationism doesn't,,,Nothing should be taught in science class that doesn't have basis in scientific fact..It's that simple.. When people apply the scientific method to Creationism and the scientific finding support creationism,it would be appropriate to teach it in science class.
Just for the record,the theory of evolution does not state than mankind evolved from Apes.
I'm not sure why you get the idea that evolotion is taught as fact..The word *theory* itself negates that

Didn't mean the ape thing literally...that was my lame simplistic attempt at humor.

I do believe in a lot of schools that there is not much influence placed on the THEORY part of evolution, and it is in fact presented in a way in which a student would just take it as fact and not theory.
Lots of times it's all in the way something is presented that determines the way it is received.

Like I said I just don't see how there is no room in the discussion for both ideas, but that's me.

 

[Chicago526]

Since I don't have kids yet, I don't have a "dog" in this fight, so to speak. But for what it's worth...

What I plan to do is send my kids to public, and work with them at home if needed and as needed. I'll be working part time, so I'll have time after school and evenings to work with them. I also plan on being involved with the school (PTA, field trip chaperone, etc.). I feel I get the best of both worlds this way. If it turns out the school system is really bad (and it could be, it has a bad reputation, but that could partially racisim, as there is a large hispanic popluation here) then I would look at private schools first, before homeschooling. Not because I think it's bad, but that I'd be a bad teacher!

I think homeschooling, done right, can be very good for kids.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I've thought about that as well Chicago526...but then there's this....

From what I hear from parents with their little ones in school--to supplement...where can the time be found---all day at school...come home--they will need a break...then if there is homework....family time...et cetera.

For me, I thought homeschooling would be easier.

DD always says she wants to ride the bus to school. She doesn't understand that even if she went to school--there is no bus to ride. We are somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 miles to school. No bus to be found anywhere. Poor thing!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Then you are separated by age and not allowed to be around anyone not born within 12 months of you?

Just my personal opinion, but I personally believe that if you are going to get all pissy about the general populace making generalized assumptions about Homeschoolers, then you might be advised not to carry similar false assumptions about traditional schooling to their extremes.

I have 3 children and they have all been exposed to various forms of school. From Montessori Preschools, to Public Schools, to Private Religious based education. At no time have I EVER seen a child forbidden to be around anybody who was not born within 12 months of them.

In fact, my experience says quite the opposite is true. I am quite satisfied with the diversity of people of ALL ages who enter my kid's lives through school - all the way from the Senior Citizens who volunteer in the classes to the Kindergarten/Jr. High read to your buddy program.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just my personal opinion, but I personally believe that if you are going to get all pissy about the general populace making generalized assumptions about Homeschoolers, then you might be advised not to carry similar false assumptions about traditional schooling to their extremes.

Kind of harsh! Not everyone can afford private education. And the September 1 deadline looms in Florida. My daughter would never be allowed classroom interaction with her best friend who's b-day is in December. In Elementary school--the classes eat lunch together, not with other classes...and on the playground--forget it! The hierarchy of grades is well known. For right now--they dont' know that they are in different school years.

So while they are not officially PROHIBITED from co-mingling--it is a reality promoted by how the schools are set up. The kids end up segregating themselves b/c they hang out with the kids in their class at recess.

Sometimes it straigtens itself out by middle school when the lunches are mixed and even better in High School when the classes can be mixed grade as are the extra-curricular activities.

It isn't an assumption--it's the way that it is.

I'm a product of 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 4 elementary schools in 4 different states.

Up until safely in high school.....that is the way that it was. And that is NOT a generalization.

 

[auntpolly]

Oh, I love homeschooling debates!!! lalalalalalala they are so fun!


About the evolution thing - I really think that if you feel very strongly that your child not be taught evolution, that Christian school or homeschooling is a good option for you.

I would rather you take it upon yourself to teach your kids what you believe than try to force it into the public schools.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Oh, I love homeschooling debates!!! lalalalalalala they are so fun!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Well then our experiences must be very different because I am also a product of Public Schools, all the way through a Master's Degree. My best friend in Elementary school was not in my grade. I just simply never experienced this segregation and my children certainly don't either. By the 5th and 6th grade, the majority of their classes are leveled to skill - not age. In fact, in my son's school the only classroom that is age restricted are the 3rd and 4th grade because the Pre-K and K share space and the early elementary ages are mixed classrooms.

Kind of harsh! Not everyone can afford private education.

Very true, and as I said early on I would homeschool to protect my children from a dangerous or unwise environment. However my first choice was and would always be to first try to get them into an acceptable traditional school. I find it sad that so many schools can't or don't deliver a good education now. But overall, I'm not thrilled with homeschooling and it certainly wouldn't be a choice that I would be happy about.

I think I'm with AuntPolly. This homeschooling debate has been raging on the DIS for years now. I haven't seen anything new that is going to change my opinion on homeschooling, so it was really kind of stupid for me to keep opening this thread. Like a fly to honey, I just couldn't resist.

carry on everybody!

 

[sk!mom]

If everyone is truly comfortable in their schooling decisions then I don't understand the need to be so defensive about your decision.

I'm confidant in the choices made for my children and I feel no need to defend them.

I've found that those who are super sensitive about something usually have doubts.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If everyone is truly comfortable in their schooling decisions then I don't understand the need to be so defensive about your decision.

I'm confidant in the choices made for my children and I feel no need to defend them.

I've found that those who are super sensitive about something usually have doubts.

I wonder how sensitive I am, really?


Some people just like to engage in discussion the topic.

I must be sensitive about being called sensitive.


I need a hug .