our school is making me furious.

[DawnM]

I think Huck Finn has been removed from several schools. I would get the actual list. There are plenty of books out there.

My DH is the opposite of yours. He went to ps, I went to private. He is against ps, while I am not.

Are there any charter or magnet programs near you? I have found a couple of really good charter programs that I am going to try to get my kids into when or if I decide to stop homeschooling.

Dawn

thanks to all who replied. I called the school today and spoke to the guidance counselor first. I explained to her what my son said and she verified the information as to true, they are not allowed to read certain books from the school, even though they have already been read by most of the children in the class. My son is in AR (advanced reading) and has approximately 30 children in his reading class. The teacher is furious and has called for a meeting with the prinicipal. They are banning books such as The adventures of Huck Finn for language content. I don't know about some of you but I read that book in elementary school. While I know there was questionable language in the book, it is the story that I remember not the language.
I have been wanting to HS my children for at least a yr now, but DH is an adamant public school supporter. His entire family attended PS. I dont' have any issues with PS in general, his neices attend PS and are in the gifted programs and they are challenged. Our school is a small school and they do not challenge gifted children. It is a great school for those with academic struggles, we have a wonderful IU program. They are good for children with learning struggles. If I could afford private school I would send my children there, but $10 K a yr x2 right now is 1/2 of our income. Maybe there are scholarships I can look into. (just thought of that ). I am happy that my DH is finally considering HS but it has to be after I fought the battle in the school to help the kids there. I hope this makes sense and isn't too much rambling. Thank you all for your support and listening.
Lori

 

[Nie0214]

There are lists out there with 100 top banned books. Tons of schools ban books, petitions to ban books etc. I'm glad I live in New England and none of that seems to happen up here as often as elsewhere. But that debate is not for the DIS.

http://ala8.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

Huck Finn
Harry Potter
The Witches
To Kill a Mockingbird
Brave New World
Ordinary People
James & the Giant Peach
Lord of the Flies
Animal Farm

etc. the list can go on for ages.

It is actually "Banned Books Week" this week: Sept 27-Oct 4.

 

[DawnM]

There are so many ways to get qualified math and science courses as a homeschooler. In many states, at age 16, students can enroll in community college classes and get dual credit. Many classes are offered to homeschoolers that they can take. There are all kinds of resources. For us, I am a teacher and certified with 2 MAs. DH has an MA in Business and has done high level math and is good at it (whether he can comminicate that well to our kids has yet to be determined! ). My father is a medical doctor and loves to teach my kids science.

We find ways, we don't just let the kids not learn as seems to be the assumption.

Dawn

And spell checker is not available on a message board. Glad you are here and willing to spend the time to help.

I would love to see some statistics on home-schooling. My sense is that its a relatively new phenomenon and/or we don't have enough data on the qualifications of the teachers. There will be success stories in either arena. Generalizations or not, I would find it very hard to believe that someone who does not have experience with higher level math or science is capable/qualified to teach it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no mandates on having a teaching degree to homeschool. Unless of course, you supplement with tutors when you reach that level.

* note there may or may not be multiple spelling errors in the above post, read at your own risk.

 

[dis-happy]

Thank you for responding with facts. If I'm understaing correctly, there are 5 AP science classes with a maximum total of 45 students. Which leads to the question, how many other grade 11 students in your school did not take an AP science class and why not? Maybe they are not math/science minded and are not willing to try the AP material (and subsequently score a 2 or less on the exam). Isn't it possible that the homeschooled students are the same (ie. not math/science minded) but instead of avoiding the AP class they decided to give it a try and challenge themselves anyway? Are they the same ones that did well in the history and English AP exams?

Most homeschooled students I know are college bound and almost every university requires a variety of subjects, including math and science, to graduate. Given the fact that formerly homeschooled students do graduate successfully from college, at some point in time they must be able to complete college level math and science. Also, in our state any student over the age of 16 is allowed to take classes at the community college level, which many homeschoolers do, thereby skipping the AP step (in fact, my dd rec'd credit for her comm. college writing class at her 4 year university while all others, including those scoring a 4 and 5 on the AP, did not). Perhaps the best and the brightest math and science homeschooled students in your area are not bothering to enroll in high school for 11th grade AP classes, but instead are skipping straight on to college work (ether on-line or in the community college setting). It's something to think about and would be interesting to measure.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

There are factions of homeschoolers who choose to teach some of the sciences differently than PS's do, due to religious beliefs. Here in AL, this may large percentage of homeschoolers. Princessmom's sampling therefore might not be representative of all or most homeschoolers or areas.

I still think you are extrapolating from way too small a sample, princessmom, but I can understand where your observations may have come from in that regard.

Also autodidactism is an ability we all have to some degree or another, you can't place a hard percentage on it. Anyone who has ever researched or studied a subject on their own, without a teacher, and learned something has displayed autodidactic abilities. Some have greater abilities to self teach than others is all.

So you are recommending providing an advanced calculus textbook and allow your child to self-teach?

 

[kathianne]

Sucess in homeschooling depends on the teacher, who, in the case of homeschooling, is also the parent!

I decided to pull my son from public school and homeschool for a variety of reasons. We tried for years to work with the school system with little positive results. I withdrew my child for a variety of unique, personal reasons.

However, I must say I'm appalled at what passes for homeschooling with many of the situations I've seen. I'm invloved in a variety of homeschooling groups, and I feel, for the most part, its a group of mothers who didn't want to lose their identities as moms by letting their kiddos go off to school. Their idea of homeschooling is one "field trip" after another, while they sit and chat and let the kids run around. Most of them don't even have a degree themselves, many haven't even a GED. Some don't even know the difference between "principle" and "principal"--yet they see themselves fit to be responsible for their childrens' education.

Like I said, my reasons for pulling my son were somewhat unique. I'm NOT homsechooling for religious reasons. Its a challenge to find homeschool materials that are not religioius-based. I've spent about half a year pulling together an academic-based cirriculum, along with a variety of social activities, and my goal is to enroll my son in a private school either this Spring or next Fall, he's currently on a waiting list.

Homeschooling might be ok for the younger years, I definitely wish I had homeschooled in lieu of kindergarten, he just wasn't ready for it and that started a lot of problems, but I don't think homeschooling "works" for the high school years. My husband and I are both highly educated---I have 2 bachelor's, an MBA and MLIS, my husband has 3 engineering degrees and an MBA and we don't think we could provide the scope and breadth of education our child needs to succeed in the world.

I'm not really a "homeschooler" but rather someone who decided homeschooling is an effective bridge from one set of circumstances to another and a short-term solution.

 

[DawnM]

You have an entirely different crowd than I do here! Most of my hs mom friends have not only a BA, but many have at least one MA. Most follow a fairly rigid curriculum, in fact, I find myself not nearly measuring up with their rigor of teaching classical languages and classical literature to young ages.

Seriously, find another group!

Dawn

Sucess in homeschooling depends on the teacher, who, in the case of homeschooling, is also the parent!

I decided to pull my son from public school and homeschool for a variety of reasons. We tried for years to work with the school system with little positive results. I withdrew my child for a variety of unique, personal reasons.

However, I must say I'm appalled at what passes for homeschooling with many of the situations I've seen. I'm invloved in a variety of homeschooling groups, and I feel, for the most part, its a group of mothers who didn't want to lose their identities as moms by letting their kiddos go off to school. Their idea of homeschooling is one "field trip" after another, while they sit and chat and let the kids run around. Most of them don't even have a degree themselves, many haven't even a GED. Some don't even know the difference between "principle" and "principal"--yet they see themselves fit to be responsible for their childrens' education.

Like I said, my reasons for pulling my son were somewhat unique. I'm NOT homsechooling for religious reasons. Its a challenge to find homeschool materials that are not religioius-based. I've spent about half a year pulling together an academic-based cirriculum, along with a variety of social activities, and my goal is to enroll my son in a private school either this Spring or next Fall, he's currently on a waiting list.

Homeschooling might be ok for the younger years, I definitely wish I had homeschooled in lieu of kindergarten, he just wasn't ready for it and that started a lot of problems, but I don't think homeschooling "works" for the high school years. My husband and I are both highly educated---I have 2 bachelor's, an MBA and MLIS, my husband has 3 engineering degrees and an MBA and we don't think we could provide the scope and breadth of education our child needs to succeed in the world.

I'm not really a "homeschooler" but rather someone who decided homeschooling is an effective bridge from one set of circumstances to another and a short-term solution.

 

[Ellester]

So you are recommending providing an advanced calculus textbook and allow your child to self-teach?

Wow, pretty impressive stretch to get that conclusion from her post.

 

[LadyShea]

So you are recommending providing an advanced calculus textbook and allow your child to self-teach?

I am not recommending anything. I am simply saying that some people can and do learn that way.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

You have an entirely different crowd than I do here! Most of my hs mom friends have not only a BA, but many have at least one MA. Most follow a fairly rigid curriculum, in fact, I find myself not nearly measuring up with their rigor of teaching classical languages and classical literature to young ages.

Seriously, find another group!

Dawn

Dawn, most of the homeschoolers I know of have at least a Master's degree, and many have Ph.D.'s or Ed.D.'s It is that college town mentality.

Nearly all of the hs'ers skip AP classes and take college courses instead. Far more reliable source of credits, and guaranteed education level for the instructors.

eta: I love banned books...

 

[I_Know_You2!]

So you are recommending providing an advanced calculus textbook and allow your child to self-teach?

I suspect that had a student successfully completed a calculus class, that they probably could self teach advanced calc. I find calc. to be a subject that people either get, or don't get. I took physics as an independent study course in my small high school, and did fine when I entered the college course.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Wow, pretty impressive stretch to get that conclusion from her post.

How so? She states:

There are some whose autodidactic abilities allow them to learn even advanced subjects merely by reading textbooks. Not everyone needs to be taught by a person with an advanced degree in order to learn. Conversely, some will not learn well without such instruction.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

That is terrible that they are not allowing them to do their best, just to get more money.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Dawn, most of the homeschoolers I know of have at least a Master's degree, and many have Ph.D.'s or Ed.D.'s It is that college town mentality.

Nearly all of the hs'ers skip AP classes and take college courses instead. Far more reliable source of credits, and guaranteed education level for the instructors.

eta: I love banned books...

In what though? A masters in one disclipline doesn't make you an expert in all. There are a variety of classes with a variety of teachers in schools, all with expertise in teaching their various subjects. If the parent has a Ed.D you might have an argument but I suspect that is not the majority.

This is just my opinion, of course.

 

[kathianne]

You have an entirely different crowd than I do here! Most of my hs mom friends have not only a BA, but many have at least one MA. Most follow a fairly rigid curriculum, in fact, I find myself not nearly measuring up with their rigor of teaching classical languages and classical literature to young ages.

Seriously, find another group!

Dawn

Well, Dawn, maybe you're right! I've been involved with 3 homeschooling groups, all seem to be cut from the same cloth. They seem to be more interested in how many play dates they can come up with rather than the quality of their childrens' education.

Perhaps its because I look for groups close to home? Now you've got me thinking! Perhaps I should look at home school groups in other areas, near universities, etc?

But homeschooling groups are just one part of being a homeschooler. Its truly an individual thing. For reasons that are too long to go into here, we just felt it best to homeschool for a year or so and transition back to the class room, not public school unless we move to another district. We are on a waiting list for an excellent private school, until then, we continue to homeschool with positive results.

Well, thanks for the suggestion!

I.

 

[LadyShea]

How so? She states:

How did you interpret my observation to be a recommendation?

 

[DISNEYFOS]

How did you interpret my observation to be a recommendation?

Due to the fact you were responding to posts regarding the ability to teach advanced math and science classes without the benefit of an advanced degree.

You seemed to be suggesting that many people have audidactic ability in response to Princessmoms concern that it was a small percentage of the population.

It seemed to me you felt this was a valid method of teaching. Apparently not

 

[seashoreCM]

That was one ap chemisty class we have ... Most of the homeschoolers who did chemistry at home have most of the basic skills, but don't really understand much of the theory behind it. They can work problems just like the examples in the book, but when you change them even a little they are lost. They have a really tough time with essay questions in chemistry also because they do not understand the theory.

Seems like their preparation was not adequate for the AP class. They should take the regular chemistry class which they should ace (get an A in) given their prior preparation and then they should have an excellent foundation for acing the AP course next year (as seniors) or college chemistry next year (as college freshmen).

Going further in college chemistry, organic chemistry comes along and you need to be able to think through and solve problems where you (should) know that certain chemicals produce certain reactions and then you are presented with a problem where something is changed a little and you need to predict what happens.

Been there. Done that. Not well.

 

[SLK1]

I hate to chime in and be negative, but there is really nothing more annoying than having a mom brag about her kids' reading levels. Take it from me, as a mom of a high schooler, it means NOTHING. All the kids learn to read, they all catch up eventually, and once the brilliant children get to high school, you'll find that there is always someone smarter than your child. I'll be the annoying person now and say my 14-year-old has an IQ of 146. In 4th grade, he went to a "special school" for highly gifted kids. Now he is in 9th grade and is just like any other student. There's always a better paper written or a better test score. Him reading at a fourth grade level in first grade matters not one iota now. So, parents, just relax! Let your child read at home whatever he/she wants, at whatever level is appropriate for them (remember, higher reading levels equal some inappropriate subject matter). There is more to school than reading at the highest level or making the best math calculations.

 

[Cindi0511]

To the OP: Homeschooling doesn't mean YOU have to know EVERYTHING you want your child to learn. There are many programs via DVD and the internet to help your child learn things that are advanced beyond any parent or high school teacher's knowledge or abilities.

Most parents who really care about their kids and their kids' education are not nearly as ignorant as many people like to make them out to be. Don't worry about what anyone else says. You care a whole lot more about YOUR child and his/her education than anyone else ever will. There are millions of qualified ways to allow your child to learn very complicated subjects at home.

Mine will begin Latin in 3rd grade next year because I truly belive it is the basis of all language. With a BA in Print Journalism and a minor in English, writing and proper grammar are near and dear to my heart. Steve Spangler science CAN help your kids learn so much that cannot come from just reading a book and listening to a lecture. There are tons of ways to do labs and get more hands-on experience than they'll get in any school setting.

Have a great time with your child no matter how you choose to educate him!