OT - Are we doing homeschool already?

[lucincia]

The only problem I see with homeschooling in your situation is time for your wife's business. She's right to be concerned because it's difficult to get work done while your children are home. Even if they play quietly and do their work, it is not the same as not having them there. Scheduled time out of the house for the kids would be important so your wife could do her work.

It does sound like your family could handle homeschooling, but there are other commitments, like choosing a curriculum, planning lessons, etc. The actual school work takes less time, but the behind the scenes part may be challenging for the parents.

A private school might be more engaging for your daughter.

Oh, correction. She may have a side business, but it's not a true business (i.e. we don't depend on it for income). She gets like maybe 1 or 2 bridal clients at a time, so it's not like a real business

 

[momto2girls]

OP here - DW and I used to laugh at homeschoolers. We mocked at those granola and kool-aid drinking freaks who homeschool kids. But, now, with our oldest DD8 in second grade, and watching her through last couple years in PS, our view on homeschool starts to change. Maybe there is something there. We're not doing this for religious, behavior, or non-academic reasons. The only reason we're looking into this is purely academic - if we set her lose in a homeschool environment, how much can our DD8 achieve?

Thanks for all the insight. If we decide to do this, I guess we can try it for next year (3rd grade). If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to PS, right?

Yes, I think you are finding that homeschoolers choose to homeschool for lots of different reasons. I am not doing it for religious, behavioral or non-academic reasons either. I'm doing it because I feel like my children can learn so much more in this environment and the lifestyle works for my family.

Good luck to you. If you decide to try it, you can always change your mind if it doesn't work for you. We love homeschooling and have no intention to stop doing it anytime soon, but I know that I can't tell what the future will bring. So, I try to stay informed about the private schools in our area. In the event that we ever decided to try something different, I am already familiar with our options.

 

[meandtheguys2]

lucincia, I hear you! When my brother told me they were going to homeschool in the 80's I was horrid about it (they wouldn't be socialized, they would be ignorant...yada, yada, yada!) I love that we are able to choose what is best for our kids and our families, regardless of the which option families choose!

 

[perdidochas]

The advantage of homeschooling her is that you don't have to waste her 6 hrs of school as recess. She still has to sit still and do as she is told. It isn't free fun time for her. It seems like homeschooling her at this point would free up her day to be a kid.

We homeschool and have for 5 years now. My oldest was in a similar situation. School for him, was a waste of time. He spent his time helping other kids review stuff and didn't get to work ahead of grade level. Now he works at his pace and is about a year ahead of schedule. Also, he has time to work on things he really enjoys like writing and karate. He hopes to have his first book published in a few years. He wouldn't have had the time to write, compete in karate, and do school if he were in public school.

Homeschool is much more efficient than public school too. You will find that you can accomplish much more in your day.

Define efficiency. I do agree for a student, it is more efficient, but then again, if public schools had a ratio of one teacher to 1-4 students, they would be much more efficient in terms of time. If you look at the amount of adult time per student, homeschooling is remarkably inefficient. That is why conventional schooling came about.

 

[lucincia]

Define efficiency. I do agree for a student, it is more efficient, but then again, if public schools had a ratio of one teacher to 1-4 students, they would be much more efficient in terms of time. If you look at the amount of adult time per student, homeschooling is remarkably inefficient. That is why conventional schooling came about.

DW and I are still researching into homeschooling, so we're neither for nor against. But, when we do talk about efficiency, don't we want to talk about it from the student's point of view, rather than from "business" point of view of "let's crank out as many students through the school as possible with as few little teachers and resources as possible". Because, the latter point of view seems to be where the government is going with our PS system.

Sure, if you're building a car, mass assembly line production is more "efficient". Should we use the same philosophy as teaching our kids?

 

[perdidochas]

DW and I are still researching into homeschooling, so we're neither for nor against. But, when we do talk about efficiency, don't we want to talk about it from the student's point of view, rather than from "business" point of view of "let's crank out as many students through the school as possible with as few little teachers and resources as possible". Because, the latter point of view seems to be where the government is going with our PS system.

Sure, if you're building a car, mass assembly line production is more "efficient". Should we use the same philosophy as teaching our kids?

If it works for you and your kids' personality, I say go for it. I just hate it when homeschooling parents slam public schools (and I try my best not to slam back, but sometimes I fail). Homeschooling isn't for everyone (just like public or private schools or personal tutoring aren't for everyone). Do what you think is best for you and your family. Personally, I go with the public school with parent supplementation method. I think it's the best for my kids. Your ideas may vary.

 

[meandtheguys2]

If it works for you and your kids' personality, I say go for it. I just hate it when homeschooling parents slam public schools (and I try my best not to slam back, but sometimes I fail).

Why do you care if someone slams the public schools? Do you believe they are that great? Have you looked at the students being graduated into the work force? As more and more money is poured into them, student/teacher ratios drop, and recesses are taken away, they fall further and further behind. Where do we rate in math, and science internationally right now? Last I saw, it was still at the bottom.

 

[Denine]

What you are doing is great, but I think you would all be happier and DD more challenged if you did homeschool.

Sure, there are a lot of curriculum's out there to choose from, but a lot of them already have the work done for you. There are a few that are more advanced as far as "boxed curriculum" goes.

How much can DD achieve in HS? The stars. She can work as quickly as she wants. She can study anything she wants. It all depends on her motivation.

 

[perdidochas]

I can think of many historical reasons why conventional schooling came about. Most include training and indoctrinating potential workers.

If you wish to believe that, feel free. The start of schooling, IMHO, was in the colony of Massachussetts, and was pre-industrial. The "Old Deluder Satan Act" is a major clue to the reasoning behind conventional schooling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_olde_deluder_satan_act

 

[perdidochas]

Sure, if you're building a car, mass assembly line production is more "efficient". Should we use the same philosophy as teaching our kids?

Well, I would rather have people who have built cars before, build my car, than to do it myself......

 

[perdidochas]

Why do you care if someone slams the public schools? Do you believe they are that great? Have you looked at the students being graduated into the work force? As more and more money is poured into them, student/teacher ratios drop, and recesses are taken away, they fall further and further behind. Where do we rate in math, and science internationally right now? Last I saw, it was still at the bottom.

My kids go to a great public school. I think there are great public schools out there. My wife is a great teacher, in a great public school (that my kids will go to in a few years, when they are old enough). Kids have recess (and art and music), as well as PE, at my kids' school. They only have about 18 kids per class.

Every generation has talked about the poor quality of youth in their times. The ancient Greeks did this as well. It is part of being human.

We rate low in math and science, because we have too many misguided people that try to make outrageous claims that the Bible is 100% true, thus causing too many kids to look at science teachers like the lying spawn of the devil. It's not a new thing. The problem is not public schools, the problem is our society. Those countries that are kicking our butts in math and science also have primarily PUBLIC schools. We don't reward our scientists and mathematicians, instead we ridicule them. Look at the popular image of the scientist. Why in the world would any kid (besides my geek sons, that is, ) ever want to be a scientist in our society? If I weren't such a geek, I never would have.

 

[lucincia]

My kids go to a great public school. I think there are great public schools out there. My wife is a great teacher, in a great public school (that my kids will go to in a few years, when they are old enough). Kids have recess (and art and music), as well as PE, at my kids' school. They only have about 18 kids per class.

Every generation has talked about the poor quality of youth in their times. The ancient Greeks did this as well. It is part of being human.

We rate low in math and science, because we have too many misguided people that try to make outrageous claims that the Bible is 100% true, thus causing too many kids to look at science teachers like the lying spawn of the devil. It's not a new thing. The problem is not public schools, the problem is our society. Those countries that are kicking our butts in math and science also have primarily PUBLIC schools. We don't reward our scientists and mathematicians, instead we ridicule them. Look at the popular image of the scientist. Why in the world would any kid (besides my geek sons, that is, ) ever want to be a scientist in our society? If I weren't such a geek, I never would have.

In any situation there is good and bad. Good PS. Bad PS. Good HS. Bad HS. It's good your PS serves your family. But does it mean that we have to stay in our PS if it's not serving our family?

Society is screwed up. There is no respect for the teachers. Should we subject our kids to a PS system that traps those beliefs within 4 walls?

I am trying to find out what is good for my kids. I am not here to solve our society's ill.

 

[perdidochas]

In any situation there is good and bad. Good PS. Bad PS. Good HS. Bad HS. It's good your PS serves your family. But does it mean that we have to stay in our PS if it's not serving our family?

Society is screwed up. There is no respect for the teachers. Should we subject our kids to a PS system that traps those beliefs within 4 walls?

I am trying to find out what is good for my kids. I am not here to solve our society's ill.

And that is how you should be. I do the same.

 

[lucincia]

The whole thing with this homeschool option started when a parent at DD8's 2nd grade class basically went up to the teacher and demanded that her DD does not sit next to or share locker space with our DD8. Reason? Our DD8 is too advance and it is dragging down her own DD's self respect. That's this "helicopter mom"'s reasoning. Our DD8 was baffled why she can't sit next to a friend that she had since Kindergarten.

Teacher reassured us that our DD has no issues with any other students in the class. She plays well with them and everyone works wel together, even with this other girl. But, it's just the insane mom.

So, it got us thinking, looking, and pretty soon we're looking at homeschool. Yeah, one thing led to another and kinda snowballed from there

Hmmm, maybe we should send the other girl into homeschool ....

 

[dfarner]

...

Hmmm, maybe we should send the other girl into homeschool ....

 

[MSSANDRA]

What a sad story. Sounds like the other little girls needs less time not more with her parents!!!!!

It sounds like you are really looking at all the options that may work for your family to see what is best for your little girl. keep looking till you find what is best.

As for the parents that teach thier children that the bible is 100% true, that would be us. We are also parents of a child in a excelent public school. The same child had a huge project on elolution in his science class taught by a very strong Christian teacher. We did not belittle the class or the teacher but used it as a stepping stool for exploring how Creative Design and Evolution differ and what we belive and where our values lie. Guess we had our own little homeschool going on.
We also teach respect for what others belive.

MsSandra

 

[laceemouse]

DW and I are still researching into homeschooling, so we're neither for nor against. But, when we do talk about efficiency, don't we want to talk about it from the student's point of view, rather than from "business" point of view of "let's crank out as many students through the school as possible with as few little teachers and resources as possible". Because, the latter point of view seems to be where the government is going with our PS system.

Sure, if you're building a car, mass assembly line production is more "efficient". Should we use the same philosophy as teaching our kids?

Agree 100%!!!!!
We pulled our 4 kids out of PS a couple of years ago for the same reasons you are talking about. We were always in great school districts, and gifted classes, but it still was never right for our kids. A good friend of mine in Chicago is a PhD in child psych. She does a lot of testing for schools. She described PS the very same way you do, a factory. The teacher has sometimes close to 30 kids in there. She HAS to teach to the norm, in the style that is best for the norm. No matter how nice, educated, hard-working, etc. he or she may be there is only so much time that can be spent helping slow learners or challenging gifted learners. We got the the point where we were doing hours and hours a day of mindless homework that our kids didn't really need practice with. It gets to the point where there is no time to supplement what the school is doing if you want to get any sleep, have family time, etc. Most people have no idea what homeschooling is really like. We have a large community of families that we can spend time with for socializing. We have the opportunity to take all kinds of outside classes (either things I don't want to teach or things that would be more fun in a group.) We choose our own curriculum and move at our own pace. AND, we always have our evenings FREE!!!!!!
BTW, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. Do some research. It is easy with the internet. Best wishes!

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, we "afterschool" our kids (I think that's the correct term): we supplement their standard schooling with what we want to teach our kids. Teaching your kids in the morning, I think, is a derivative of this which is basically supplementing what a child is doing in school.

Interesting situation you have because I am part Chinese and am trying to learn plus teach my kids Cantonese. They also go to kung fu classes and their sifu speaks Mandarin to them. I keep them in public school because they have special programs (magnet schools and gifted programs). I don't know how it is where you are (Iowa, right?), but according to statistics that I saw on our district website (I have a grade schooler, middle schooler, and high schooler) they only have 7 to 10 Asian or Pacific Islander students in each school. I keep them in partly because there is some, though limited, diversity.

Have you checked into getting your dd into a program at her school that can challenge her, like a gifted and talented program? I'm sure you will find what you are looking for by either exclusively homeschooling or afterschooling. GL to you!

 

[laceemouse]

In any situation there is good and bad. Good PS. Bad PS. Good HS. Bad HS. It's good your PS serves your family. But does it mean that we have to stay in our PS if it's not serving our family?

Society is screwed up. There is no respect for the teachers. Should we subject our kids to a PS system that traps those beliefs within 4 walls?

I am trying to find out what is good for my kids. I am not here to solve our society's ill.

I must say, you certainly THINK like a homeschool parent!!!!

 

[laceemouse]

My kids go to a great public school. I think there are great public schools out there. My wife is a great teacher, in a great public school (that my kids will go to in a few years, when they are old enough). Kids have recess (and art and music), as well as PE, at my kids' school. They only have about 18 kids per class.

Every generation has talked about the poor quality of youth in their times. The ancient Greeks did this as well. It is part of being human.

We rate low in math and science, because we have too many misguided people that try to make outrageous claims that the Bible is 100% true, thus causing too many kids to look at science teachers like the lying spawn of the devil. It's not a new thing. The problem is not public schools, the problem is our society. Those countries that are kicking our butts in math and science also have primarily PUBLIC schools. We don't reward our scientists and mathematicians, instead we ridicule them. Look at the popular image of the scientist. Why in the world would any kid (besides my geek sons, that is, ) ever want to be a scientist in our society? If I weren't such a geek, I never would have.

My homeschooled kids have PE, art, music and all that jazz too. It is a common misconception that homeschool kids can't have that stuff. There are lots of avenues to getting this stuff (and not just with mom either.)
I really don't see what Christianity has to do with any of this. Not all science is evolution. And, there ARE many scientist out that who believe the Bible is true. I just don't think many folks are interested in being a science or math major. I can do that stuff, I just didn't choose it as my career. In US schools, there is just a huge gulf between the "haves" and "have-nots."