OT - Are we doing homeschool already?

[hsmamato2]

To the OP... homeschooling should definitely be a consideration for you, it sounds like your dd thrives on doing a lot,and doing things at her own pace. In her case, faster than the average kid. That's where you find the true beauty of homeschooling, is that it can be tailored to exactly fit your childs growing needs.
Homeschooling isn't perfect,or for everybody,and neither is PS,or private schools. For us,it's our 1st choice, above and beyond any other education options out there,and we have plenty.
Sounds like some would like this to devolve into another ps vs. hs debate,and the merits of each, but that's kind of beside the point. Obviously what works for some people doesn;t work so well for others....
but I think OP asks a valid question,and IMHO, it sounds like homeschooling would actually be less stressful and time consuming than the before,during and after schooling that they've described. I'm a homeschooler-consider my family to be very well educated, but your schedule makes me tired,OP!
Try some reading at the local library,anything by John Holt is a good start, that whole"children aren't cars,so why should we approach their educations and futures in a mass production line" type of thinking is addressed in a lot of his writings.

 

[Gillian]

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

Us too. Private school has been wonderful for us, because I do not feel qualified to teach my kids, and it provides what DS needs that a public school cannot. It's not about bad or good public schools here. They're fine, they just don't suit us right now.

We have several friends who homeschool. It seems that networking with other homeschoolers is very helpful, as is seeking out "extras" for you children that you can't provide yourself.

I feel bad for that little girl, that her family can't help her feel good about herself in other ways. All kids are special, but it sure doesn't seem like her mom believes that.

 

[**eeyore**]

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

Umm... I would say that this person thinks like a person that cares about their child's education. I'd go out on a limb and say that doesn't just include homeschooling parents. In fact, one could probably argue that some "non-homeschooling" parents care more about their child's education that some homeschooling parents. Not all I say, but some.

This is a riot - what this thread has turned into!

 

[meandtheguys2]

A peeing contest over who cares more...too funny, eeyore.

I don't understand the denial people have when it comes to the failings of the public school systems. Private and HSers are kicking butt across the nation while PSers are desperately throwing money and legislation at the problem and getting nowhere.

Our colleges are teaching remedial english and math. There is no reason these courses should exist. Pure and simple. But a third of the students going into our local CC are having to take them.

Parents should be up in arms over their child's wasted time, and their wasted tax dollars. But they bury their heads in the sand, say "I went to PS and I turned out fine" and assume it is just everybody else's school that is the problem. OTOH, businesses have employees that can't make change without the computer telling them what to give.

 

[dfarner]

...
I don't understand the denial people have when it comes to the failings of the public school systems. Private and HSers are kicking butt across the nation while PSers are desperately throwing money and legislation at the problem and getting nowhere...
QUOTE]

Do ya think some of the blame should lie within the household? I have had children that show up to Kindergarten on the first day and cannot spell their entire name (if they even know it), say their phone number or address, or even identify how many people they having living in their house. And they are not economically disadvantaged. To me, that is a form of neglect.
No denying, the PS system in America is broken, but let's take a look at everyone involved.

 

[hsmamato2]

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

I don't think laceemouse intended to say that ps parents don't care about their kids educations, but as a veteran homeshooler, many, if not most people who remove their kids from the ps system say those words, "I'm not trying to fix a broken system,I'm trying to find what's best for my kid, now!" almost verbatim.
So while those with kids still within the ps system may think this,or spend time wrangling at school board meetings for better quality schooling for their kids, ( and I know many who do just that) it's the parents who actually *leave* the broken system to try something else that are actually voicing these concerns out loud. In effect what many parents who either private school or homeschool their kids are saying is this exactly.
Again, tempers,tempers! I have good friends who've chosen different paths for their children,and I wouldn't dare presume to think I loved mine more b/c of my personal choices....

 

[Temair]

I understand where you are coming from. You might want to check out k12 and the virtual state schools offered. Its public school at home. For academic reasons we choose to go this route. DD started the year off in Grade 1. She has complete math 1 and now does Math 2. We are 72% complete the work for the school year and should probably finish in the Begning of March.

Its great as the kids are tested and placed where they really are not by grade level, and they can work at thier own speed. I was not sure about Homeschooling, but when I saw my daughter begin K with a certain set of skills, and at the end of the year all she had learned was to sit still, and stand in line. So we looking into other options and this is working out very well for us.

What is comes down to is, is this the best choice for your child, not what everyone tells you to do. Every child is unique and needs to be treated that way.

 

[laceemouse]

...
I don't understand the denial people have when it comes to the failings of the public school systems. Private and HSers are kicking butt across the nation while PSers are desperately throwing money and legislation at the problem and getting nowhere...
QUOTE]

Do ya think some of the blame should lie within the household? I have had children that show up to Kindergarten on the first day and cannot spell their entire name (if they even know it), say their phone number or address, or even identify how many people they having living in their house. And they are not economically disadvantaged. To me, that is a form of neglect.
No denying, the PS system in America is broken, but let's take a look at everyone involved.

I most certainly agree! No school or teacher, no matter how excellent, no matter how well trained the staff is, no matter how much $$$$$$ is spent, can fix all the ills of society!!! If the family is falling apart there is almost no way a child can excel! That is what the PS system is up against. If a child is not clean, well fed, well rested.....if no one is home to help with homework and keep a child on track, if no one at home gives a darn, no way can schools succeed. JMVHO!

 

[lucincia]

I most certainly agree! No school or teacher, no matter how excellent, no matter how well trained the staff is, no matter how much $$$$$$ is spent, can fix all the ills of society!!! If the family is falling apart there is almost no way a child can excel! That is what the PS system is up against. If a child is not clean, well fed, well rested.....if no one is home to help with homework and keep a child on track, if no one at home gives a darn, no way can schools succeed. JMVHO!

Yeah, everyone knows this is the truth here. But how will that help "my" kid? Nothing. I don't have time to fix other household's ills. That's what people are saying here, private school or homeschool may be the option if your PS is not up to par for your kid.

What does this have to do with homeschooling?

Got to love these internet discussion tangents. Without them our lives would be boring and meaningless!

 

[laceemouse]

I don't think laceemouse intended to say that ps parents don't care about their kids educations, but as a veteran homeshooler, many, if not most people who remove their kids from the ps system say those words, "I'm not trying to fix a broken system,I'm trying to find what's best for my kid, now!" almost verbatim.
So while those with kids still within the ps system may think this,or spend time wrangling at school board meetings for better quality schooling for their kids, ( and I know many who do just that) it's the parents who actually *leave* the broken system to try something else that are actually voicing these concerns out loud. In effect what many parents who either private school or homeschool their kids are saying is this exactly.
Again, tempers,tempers! I have good friends who've chosen different paths for their children,and I wouldn't dare presume to think I loved mine more b/c of my personal choices....

Thank you for saying it so much better than I did! We did PS for many years, and like almost every parent I know with kids in PS we had some good experiences and some bad experiences. It just got to the point, for us, that our kids were not getting what they need. I always said that as long as they love learning everything will work out in the end. Unfortunately, it got to where they didn't want to go at all and it was h**l forcing them to do the work. I know lots of PS kids that are doing fine, they do their best no matter what, and they will be successful in the long run. It just wasn't working for us. We have moved a lot and that was a big part of the problem. There was no consistency since each district can do their own thing. I never said PS parents don't care. We have always lived in upper middle class burbs where they all care a great deal. But still, they all have their issues with the schools. We just had more than most and decided to try a different route FOR OUR FAMILY!!!

 

[laceemouse]

Yeah, everyone knows this is the truth here. But how will that help "my" kid? Nothing. I don't have time to fix other household's ills. That's what people are saying here, private school or homeschool may be the option if your PS is not up to par for your kid.

What does this have to do with homeschooling?

Got to love these internet discussion tangents. Without them our lives would be boring and meaningless!

Well, what it has to do with homeschooling is that as soon as the subject comes up people with their kids in PS immediately get their feathers ruffled. They start saying "my school is great, our teachers are great, etc...." You are correct, that has nothing to do with you or me and what we do with OUR kids. We are not calling them bad parents for sending their kids to PS, but somehow they always come away thinking that. I tell my kids there are pros and cons to everything in life. There are things we miss about going to school (mostly, a little free time for mom!) but we have to try and find out what works best for us overall!

 

[dfarner]

Yeah, everyone knows this is the truth here. But how will that help "my" kid? Nothing. I don't have time to fix other household's ills. That's what people are saying here, private school or homeschool may be the option if your PS is not up to par for your kid.

What does this have to do with homeschooling?

Got to love these internet discussion tangents. Without them our lives would be boring and meaningless!

Lucincia, you are right!! You came to this board for advice and it has gotten way off-topic. I think we can all agree that we are discerning parents that are very passionate, to say the least, about our childrens' educations.
Back to your question...IMO you are doing a little bit of both-HS and PS. Have you talked to your DD about what her feelings are on the whole subject? Does she feel like she is in the best place? She is obviously very bright. I have another question...do you want to make a change for her mid-year (if you decide to homeschool)? I would talk to her about this as well, if you already haven't. Perhaps you can look into homeschool groups in your area and talk to some of the parents there, and they can shed some light on your situation since they may have had some similiar experiences in your DD's school or neighboring schools. Good luck to you!!

 

[lucincia]

Lucincia, you are right!! You came to this board for advice and it has gotten way off-topic. I think we can all agree that we are discerning parents that are very passionate, to say the least, about our childrens' educations.
Back to your question...IMO you are doing a little bit of both-HS and PS. Have you talked to your DD about what her feelings are on the whole subject? Does she feel like she is in the best place? She is obviously very bright. I have another question...do you want to make a change for her mid-year (if you decide to homeschool)? I would talk to her about this as well, if you already haven't. Perhaps you can look into homeschool groups in your area and talk to some of the parents there, and they can shed some light on your situation since they may have had some similiar experiences in your DD's school or neighboring schools. Good luck to you!!

Heh - thanks If we do anything, it won't be until the start of the new school year (third grade). We have talked to her, but she's really clueless what the heck we're talking about She's very easy going so she fits into any group. She can play with her 4 years old sister fine, dropping down to her younger sister's level, and she can play with older kids and adults too. Okay, not to insult anyone, but if she's in a "dumber" group of kids, she will "dumb" down to their level. Like I said, I am sorry if I offended anyone here, but that's the best way to describe it. She helps her teacher with slow kids in class and she plays with them fine. She goes to gifted program in school and she plays with those kids fine.

So, she may not know what she's missing, and we don't know what she can achieve. If we do private school or homeschool, set her loose with her imagination and potentials that we know she has, how far can she go?

Or should we leave her in public school, do the afterschool thing, and since she can fit in easily anywhere, just let her chug along the public school system and leave her be.

Nothing against PS here, mind you. It's just when you have so many kids in one place, you obviously will have fast and slow learners.

*ugh* Decisions, decisions. Should never have gotten married and had kids. Should have become a monk

 

[dfarner]

Heh - thanks If we do anything, it won't be until the start of the new school year (third grade). We have talked to her, but she's really clueless what the heck we're talking about She's very easy going so she fits into any group. She can play with her 4 years old sister fine, dropping down to her younger sister's level, and she can play with older kids and adults too. Okay, not to insult anyone, but if she's in a "dumber" group of kids, she will "dumb" down to their level. Like I said, I am sorry if I offended anyone here, but that's the best way to describe it. She helps her teacher with slow kids in class and she plays with them fine. She goes to gifted program in school and she plays with those kids fine.

So, she may not know what she's missing, and we don't know what she can achieve. If we do private school or homeschool, set her loose with her imagination and potentials that we know she has, how far can she go?

Or should we leave her in public school, do the afterschool thing, and since she can fit in easily anywhere, just let her chug along the public school system and leave her be.

Nothing against PS here, mind you. It's just when you have so many kids in one place, you obviously will have fast and slow learners.

*ugh* Decisions, decisions. Should never have gotten married and had kids. Should have become a monk

Well you definitely don't want her to flounder. If you feel she is just too far away from realizing her potential, then I would seriously look at hs or private school for next year. I may have missed a posting here, but have you considered private school? I understand what you mean about how she acts around those around her (ability-wise). Children have a natural tendency to want to fit in, and they sometimes do so by moving out or their normal range of behaviors.

 

[disneymom3]

...
I don't understand the denial people have when it comes to the failings of the public school systems. Private and HSers are kicking butt across the nation while PSers are desperately throwing money and legislation at the problem and getting nowhere...
QUOTE]

Do ya think some of the blame should lie within the household? I have had children that show up to Kindergarten on the first day and cannot spell their entire name (if they even know it), say their phone number or address, or even identify how many people they having living in their house. And they are not economically disadvantaged. To me, that is a form of neglect.
No denying, the PS system in America is broken, but let's take a look at everyone involved.

Okay, see here, we have a huge point of agreement!! YES! I do think that there are many parents out there that do not live up to their side of the bargain when it comes to educating our kids. I do strongly strongly agree that there are many arms of responsibilities for WHY the PS school system is indeed broken. I actually firmly believe that it is almost always NOT the teachers. However, what we don't agree on (at least that is what I am getting from your posts here and on the other homeschooling thread going currently) is that regardless of all this brokenness I should still send MY children there to be educated. I will not do it.

As for the efficiency issue. I don't think anyone was saying that it is a slam on the schools that they are not. I don't have to have my kids listen to announcements before we can start class, we don't have to wait for everyone to find the right page, we don't have to re-explain the directions to the whole class because a couple of kids don't get it. I do spend time redirecting, but while DS is being obnoxious that doesn't keep DD from doing her math. Homeschooling is more efficient on a daily basis because of the fact that lessons do get done faster. Most of the curriculum I use is specifically geared toward a full year. For instance, the math we use is from the Ministry of Education in Singapore. DD could get it done in a year, which it is geared toward in about 20 minutes a day. The curriculum providers themselves state that in a classroom, it would be a 45 minute lesson. It is not a good or a bad thing, it is just a time thing.

 

[perdidochas]

Well, what it has to do with homeschooling is that as soon as the subject comes up people with their kids in PS immediately get their feathers ruffled. They start saying "my school is great, our teachers are great, etc...." You are correct, that has nothing to do with you or me and what we do with OUR kids. We are not calling them bad parents for sending their kids to PS, but somehow they always come away thinking that. I tell my kids there are pros and cons to everything in life. There are things we miss about going to school (mostly, a little free time for mom!) but we have to try and find out what works best for us overall!

I'm sorry for being one of those that jumped to conclusions. It's based on history in other internet forums. I have been called a bad or lazy parent in the past for putting my kids in public schools.

 

[perdidochas]

A peeing contest over who cares more...too funny, eeyore.

I don't understand the denial people have when it comes to the failings of the public school systems. Private and HSers are kicking butt across the nation while PSers are desperately throwing money and legislation at the problem and getting nowhere.

Because public schools in areas with parents that care are pretty darned good. The problem is that too many people assume that the "public school system" is monolithic. It is far from that. My kids' school district has schools that range from horrible to great. One important factor I used in choosing a house was to choose a great school for my kids to attend. I'm happy with it. If I weren't, I would choose private school. I wouldn't choose homeschool, because it wouldn't work for us. Homework is hard enough

Our colleges are teaching remedial english and math. There is no reason these courses should exist. Pure and simple. But a third of the students going into our local CC are having to take them.

That's not so much the fault of the high schools as it is the fault of community colleges having an open policy and allowing almost anyone to enroll. Students should be sorted out by admissions tests and high school transcripts before being allowed to go to college.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I'll give you both points!

I think it goes even further into too many 4 year institutions, also. Even our state college offers remedial classes.

So many kids are just passed up the system without the information to achieve the next level. I work in our adult literacy program, and it is just hard to see these people struggling.

 

[perdidochas]

I'll give you both points!

I think it goes even further into too many 4 year institutions, also. Even our state college offers remedial classes.

So many kids are just passed up the system without the information to achieve the next level. I work in our adult literacy program, and it is just hard to see these people struggling.

The 4 yr state colleges must be doing the same thing--allowing people in who have no business to be in.

 

[bluesaturn]

I understand that high schools are graduating students who are not proficient in math and english and that is unfortunate (I'm not arguing that). But if colleges did not offer remedial classes to help these students, wouldn't it further alienate and hurt those who haven't had a strong foundation (because their schools were not capable of giving it to them). At least now they have a chance to learn the math and english that is essential so they can go on to higher education and a better career. These people are paying for college, so they have the right to classes they need, even if they theoretically should have already learned it.