Home Schooling

[carole]

Ok, I need some input on the above topic. My daughter plans to home school my two grandchildren. Katie will be six in October and would be going to kindergarten. Matthew will be nine in November and going into the third grade. He went to an elementary school in Oxford Mi. for the last two grades. She has done extensive research on this and talked to moms that are home schooling their kids and feels this is the best route for these kids. They would be going on field trips with other home school kids, plus Katie is taking ice skating lessons a couple times a week and Matthew is currently in karate. They will be active in other social activites as time goes on. My son in law is not 100% for this as he feels these children need not only socialization but a schedule and routine to follow as they are growing up. I know how I feel about it, but am keeping quiet about it for NOW!!
What are the advantage/disadvantages of this idea?

 

[Hoosier]

I don't have much of an opinion on this, but I do know that this is a fast growing trend, given some of the issues in certain school districts and the price of private schools. The church I used to go to had a lot of activities for home schoolers. Not sure what you're situation is, but you might want to look into something like that if social activities are a concern.

 

[plumberB]

Not trying to be mean but the few people i know that were home schooled really have a hard time interacting with other people. the only people they can talk to are family members. i hope your grandkids have strong outgoing personalities, good luck.

 

[pistons]

At least Mom wants some form of schooling. Saw a news report on a movement by some that think no education at all is OK.

 

[booondocker]

Dis is a tough one!

One dah one hand....(we gots two hands, don't yah know....) dar is dah idea dat if yur kids go to school where some REAL learn'n goes on...day might actually learn stuff.

On dah utter hand...(dats dah last hand, in dis case...) if day stay home, Mom knows where dem kids are, and day ain't out do'n someton day aren't susposed to be a do'n.

And on dah last hand....day won't be need'n dat darn cell phone and sexting dah boys...all dah time.

Let me tink on dis one a bit longer....cause I might have some extra hands I didn't even knowd about....

Oh, did I tell yah, dat I had home school'n?? Bet youd a never thunk of it...on account I'm so well adjusted and all.....eh?

 

[booondocker]

Actually I think that home schooling for some won't effect them socially if they get lots (an over abundance and a serious effort by the parent) to get them extra socialization in EVERY SINGLE part of their lives. This means religiously (if so inclined) in an intellectual environment, as well as all the other obvious socializing areas, such as out at play, sports, drama, arts and a clear effort to mix the kids in with other kids who are very closely matched in age.

Not all kids will do well with home schooling and often the schooling does not address issues that are unique to the family. This is mom teaching...one teacher...no others. Part of the beauty of schooling thru most educational channels is the fact that a kid gets a healthy dose of several teachers. Mom might "settle" for Johnny just not being a good social studies person...when another teacher that does NOT know little Johnny, might not take that attitude and insist on a better performance from little Johnny.

Think about that! Remember you had ONE teacher who really got you to go to a higher level? One that you simply could not stand? Several you don't even remember? Because teachers are not all equal, and few are experts in all fields (present company exempted) it is often very good to get a change of venue's for a kid to get to his/her highest potential.

There are a thousand reasons NOT to do home schooling....and while you may not like it, you also might be treadin where you should be a tread'n.

Personally I think that home schooling for MOST --short changes a kid. Good kids will excel, in SPITE of bad teachings, or teachers. But we would be kidding ourselves if we thought that this would not affect a kid in one way or another.

Why not home school in ADDITION to regular school? Would that not accomplish the same things?? Does MOM have an alternative motive that she isn't explaining...bully's, bad school systems, afraid for her kids??? The list could be long here.

Finally, Grandma could offer to help in the process and help to broaden the scope of the education that these home schooled kids would receive. It may not seem like a good idea, but YOU could have an impact on these kids because you would teach with a much different perspective than your daughter.

Schooling is not just books and recess, and field trips...it takes hard work and dedication, and insight that few can do with consistency and with effectiveness. Still it can be done, and is being done every day somewhere, but it is surely a very big step and the outcome of the kids futures depends upon how good your daughter takes this assignment.

One last thing...if she does take this task on, and after time gives it up, the mainstream schooling will penalize the kids for lack of formal education. That is enough to give cause for concern all by itself.

 

[kevisip]

what is the other option? Public, private, parochial school? Maybe in todays world you have nothing to loose. Finding a good scrool is easy, finding a crappy one is even ezeier!!

 

[ubee]

lunch would suck !!

 

[brooks]

http://library.georgegordon.com/audio/download/1853/381a-32.mp3

 

[yamahauler]

I think home schooling depends a lot of the parents involvement.

I believe there are groups/organizations for home schooling parents that give them lots of ideas for teaching, socializing, etc...and the parents need to stay on top of it or it won't go well.

I knew a family that home schooled I believe it was seven kids. He worked as an engineer and if there was a problem brewing at home, a phone call would be made and I heard him talk a few times. Let's just say he only had to talk over the phone to straighten them out, lol.

I can see pluses and minuses of both.

One thing to check on would be, o.k., let's say it isn't working and you want them back into the district, are they going to be ready to join up to the grade they are suppose to be in. Kinda like college, do you have all the prereq's needed.

 

[snow_monkey]

Thats one way to make sure your kids will never be smarter than you. What you dont know they dont know. X'2 on the social interaction. I wonder if Lindsey Lohan was home schooled?

 

[techsledder]

I think home schooling depends a lot of the parents involvement.

Ding, ding , ding! We have a winner! It's all on the sturcture and discipline of the teaching parent and their partner to make this work.

I have to admit, when my brother and sister-in-law talked about this back seven years ago, I thought they where going loony. I thought they where going to screw up their children. But those kids are four very well socialized and well adjusted kids. The oldest two have VERY high test scores and are VERY active in FFA, 4H and the local high school's activities. The oldest boy is actually one or two grades ahead for his age and has many friends up at the highschool. Cripes, you look at his facebook site and he's a little stud. He also has a couple of advanced placement classes he takes at the local high school now half of the day. The oldest daughter is a smart young woman and is active in several outside the home activities/sports. The two youngest are still in the primary school grades and are also sports and FFA/4H participants.

They aren't a "holy roller" family. They are just well disciplined and task oriented, but also know how to have fun. I applaud my sister-in-law in taking on this in her life. Mind you she has run two successful side businesses along with doing this gig of stay at home mom / teacher. They chose to home school because the private schools got to be to much $$ and the public school system down where they live is horrible.

 

[samc]

There is going to be pluses and minuses here you'll have to really weight. The major minus is for the kids - not seeing anyone else. Recess and lunch would stink! The major plus is the kids get the one on one time the schools can't/won't do!

 

[frnash]

Thats one way to make sure your kids will never be smarter than you. What you dont know they dont know. X'2 on the social interaction. I wonder if Lindsey Lohan was home schooled?

On the other hand, it could be a great learning opportunity for the parents as well. There's no better way to really learn something than to try to teach it!

 

[michaeladams]

who are we kidding,government can raise a child and teach them all they need to know way better than a snowmobiling parent.were a bunch of two stroke smelling dingbats that enjoy the finer things in life.seriously though, i often thought it would be a good way to go also.it's alot of work.maybe public school would be alright if you were involved in the public school.volunteer,coach a sport,join the p.t.a. it's a good way to get to know the teachers and maybe have some influence over them or know what you are up against so you can reteach your kids some things you feel are wrong with the way they are being taught.just my 2 cents

 

[maddogg]

My mother and wife are both teachers. They have seen it go both ways. It all dpends on the parents and a regimented routine - ie no showing up for school in pajamas. But what do I know. Me stoopid according to another thread.

 

[tealracing16]

In all honesty I agree with the above poster, its there choice. My parents stuck there noses where they shouldn't have an now its really hard to talk to them. They want to parent my girl and won't let us learn with her.

If you raised them right then they will be alright.

 

[snow_monkey]

X'2 Frnash. How about a pop quiz?

 

[frnash]

X'2 Frnash. How about a pop quiz?

Or maybe a mom & pop quiz?

 

[ejhaege]

I'm Carole's daughter who wants to homeschool

The choice to home educate your children is one that should not be taken lightly. That choice is something that should only be done after doing much, much homework on what effects it will have not only on your children but also on your family as a whole. We live in an area that has WONDERFUL schools. However, some might say that the school district is losing sight of the children and only concentrating on awards. The schools are very over crowded with our school having a 30 to 1 child/teacher ratio with NO HELP. They cannot afford teachers aids or para pro's anymore. The schools rely heavily on parent volunteers to fill the gaps. I am one of those parents who was there 2-3 days a week 2 hours at a time helping the children who were not even to their required reading level by 4th quarter. I also have helped a 7 yr old who was not even in a kindergarten math level and she was in second grade. I have seen this scenario for the last 2 years that my son has been attending our local school. If you are not down the middle, not to smart nor not to dumb you will do well. But if you are not, then you will be lost. Private schooling is a great idea but not financially. We are in a community that has a huge home school movement and their kids are some of the most well rounded children I have ever met. Keeping up with the state standards is a must, however, those standards are low. Having your children excel in school without being dumbed down by our system is my priority. That is my opinion!