Homeschooling Discussion & Experiences #1

[Shanti]

He wouldn't read for me before he started this school, and I am not skilled to teach learning to read.

It's very possible your child simply wasn't ready to learn how to read then. If children are left to learn how to read when they feel ready not when they are 'told' to, generally a child will start teaching themselves how to read from about age 7/8...... I read this somewhere but will have to find the source as it was a brilliant article.

I disagree with your statement that you are not skilled to teach learning to read. If you can read, then you can teach anyone to read.

You don't have to be a teacher or come from an educational background of work to teach children at home.

The quality of teaching when it is a ratio of say 1 adult : 2 kids or even 1 adult : 4kids is profoundly higher (given the adult has a general interest in teaching their kids!) than a teacher in a classroom with 20 kids. (1:20). That's just how it is.

I have nothing against schools at all and may one day send my child to one, however at this stage we are strongly leaning towards HS as we are lucky enough to be in the position to do so.

As for teaching maths, I am not sure how I will go about that yet however maths is everywhere in our daily life.... from counting apples at the grocery store, to handling money over the counter, kids can learn so much from every day things like this when they are HS and out and about with mum or dad, instead of being in a controlled classroom environment where outside exposure to all of this is limited due to school hrs.

I think for maths I would use a combination of online learning programs where the kids use the computer for maths, textbooks, maybe a curriculum maths subject, not sure yet. I certainly don't feel algebra helped me in any part of my life...... don't think I will even teach this TBH. What a waste of time..... if our kids want to be vets or doctors and need this later in life when they enter tertiary study (if they want) then they can look at studying it then no rush.

[christy]

I looked heavily into homeschooling and/or unschooling before DD1 started school. We chose a school that is independant and has 18 students from grade K-6. Its a small school which is an alternative to homeschooling. I felt unqualified, and unable to homeschool. Partially because of me, but the other part was that I did not believe that I was able to teach my child. She is amazing, and I just didn't have the patience to deal with teaching her. I know it sounds a cop out, but I couldn't cope with her going to a conventional school, but at the same time I wasn't coping with her at home either. She has autism, and I have no idea what we will do when she hits grade 7.... but until then she is somewhere that is perfect for her. I worry about bully's... but there isn't bullying in her school because they have to live together... 18 kids, there isn't much room to run away from each other if you don't get along. She's been forced to learn social skills that I couldn't have taught her at home. Her main issues are social and she needed to learn how to cope with them. I felt gently in an environment which was safe was the best way to go. She would not have coped in a mainstream school.

[Phteven]

I certainly don't feel algebra helped me in any part of my life...... don't think I will even teach this TBH. What a waste of time..... if our kids want to be vets or doctors and need this later in life when they enter tertiary study (if they want) then they can look at studying it then no rush.

I use algebra regularly and DS1 is starting to do it in year 2. I'm pretty sure that tertiary is way too late to pick it up because they don't just have to pick up the basic algebra but the 10 years of maths built on top of that. DS1 loves maths and he is given advanced work to do - in just a couple of years his maths knowledge will have outstripped mine.

We send our children to a bi-lingual school. There is no way we could educate them in two languages with all the attendant benefits at home.

I know I can be their teacher because I can read & write and that's all you need to be a teacher of your children It's understanding the full commitment of it all etc that I need to look into it.... knowing that there is always school around the corner if the HS doesn't work out as planned.

I suspect that it is a little more complex than knowing how to read and write

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

It's very possible your child simply wasn't ready to learn how to read then. If children are left to learn how to read when they feel ready not when they are 'told' to, generally a child will start teaching themselves how to read from about age 7/8...... I read this somewhere but will have to find the source as it was a brilliant article.

I disagree with your statement that you are not skilled to teach learning to read. If you can read, then you can teach anyone to read.

You don't have to be a teacher or come from an educational background of work to teach children at home.

The quality of teaching when it is a ratio of say 1 adult : 2 kids or even 1 adult : 4kids is profoundly higher (given the adult has a general interest in teaching their kids!) than a teacher in a classroom with 20 kids. (1:20). That's just how it is.

I have nothing against schools at all and may one day send my child to one, however at this stage we are strongly leaning towards HS as we are lucky enough to be in the position to do so.

As for teaching maths, I am not sure how I will go about that yet however maths is everywhere in our daily life.... from counting apples at the grocery store, to handling money over the counter, kids can learn so much from every day things like this when they are HS and out and about with mum or dad, instead of being in a controlled classroom environment where outside exposure to all of this is limited due to school hrs.

I think for maths I would use a combination of online learning programs where the kids use the computer for maths, textbooks, maybe a curriculum maths subject, not sure yet. I certainly don't feel algebra helped me in any part of my life...... don't think I will even teach this TBH. What a waste of time..... if our kids want to be vets or doctors and need this later in life when they enter tertiary study (if they want) then they can look at studying it then no rush.

Woah - I MAJORLY disagree.

Firstly, I learnt to read before I went to school. I love reading. It is my life. And DS is learning to read, he's going great guns at it. He's doing well. But not good enough for me. He knows his letters, how can he not read? I have no patience for him not being able to read, or remember a "tricky word" from the previous page. If he had been paying attention and reading, he could have read it. Man up and learn. So for DS, it is far better for the school to teach him, I cannot teach someone to read. Well, not unless they are a natural born reader, as I am.

And algebra? I use it every. single. day. And not because I am a scientist, or I teach science. Basic algebra is used constantly. "I have six people coming for dinner but only four clean plates. How many do I need to wash?" That's algebra: 4 + ? = 6. OK so it's not the "hard" (fun) stuff, but you still use it every day. If you feel you cannot or will not teach a basic life skill (as algebra also fits in with reasoning skills), whether you feel it is needed or not, then your children will suffer from being homeschooled.

For example, I don't like PE. But DH is still teaching DS about bikes, I teach him skills he needs for the park, we have a javelin, shot putt, junior tennis set, junior badminton set, frisbee, football... just because I don't see the value in being able to chuck something about doesn't mean it isn't vital for my son to learn it and doesn't mean I play along with enthusiasm. I certainly wouldn't let a computer teach my son: HS is supposed to be about the individual provision. Better than a 1:30 ratio. Computer programmes are written to a 1:10'000 ratio.

[Shanti]

I am pretty sure that when I started this thread, I mentioned that I only wanted to hear from other homeschoolers. It's not open for a debate on whether HS is best or school is best.... If you read over my initial post I was pretty clear.

I feel attacked for starting this thread from those of you who send your kids to school.
This thread is not about you. I am sorry for those who wish they could HS their kids but are not in the position to do so but that doesn't mean you can come in here and start an unnecessary debate.

The flying butter.... that's fantastic your child is in school, sounds like the best place for HIM then no need to justify it to me... It's not the thread for it ok? And to say 'your child will suffer from being homeschooled" is an INcREDIBLY huge judgement call. HS kids actually do EXTREMELY well in their home environments where their parent have the best intentions for them in a very nurturing environment. But you clearly disagree and I choose not to argue with you. Not in here.
But it's ok there is a huge social stigma about HS your kids because it's going against mainstream. And anything that's different or not 'normal' is seen as weird. But that's cool with me.

[Heaven]

Fromscratch - Ive applied to join that forum almost 2 weeks ago and have yet to receive my email do you know how long it takes?

I didn't get an email either and just worked out you can click up the top right to 'resend validation email'. I did that and got it straight away

[~*familyof3*~]

I didn't get an email either and just worked out you can click up the top right to 'resend validation email'. I did that and got it straight away

hehe smarter than me.I went and found them on fb and send them a msg. lmao

[Shanti]

It's very possible your child simply wasn't ready to learn how to read then. If children are left to learn how to read when they feel ready not when they are 'told' to, generally a child will start teaching themselves how to read from about age 7/8...... I read this somewhere but will have to find the source as it was a brilliant article.

I disagree with your statement that you are not skilled to teach learning to read. If you can read, then you can teach anyone to read.

I go back to my quote above in one of my previous posts, with things like reading etc, why the rush? Kids will learn it in their own time when they are ready. Yes we can encourage it by reading to them LOTS of books which I do and have always done with my girls since they were 2 weeks old, but at the end of the day, your child will learn/absorb/be ready when they developmentally are ready. I don't understand why (The Flying Butter) you got so defensive over that statement I made?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Shanti, I am very pro-homeschool. I think children benefit from it, usually. I was part home-schooled myself. But the benefits/drawbacks to that are another story and another thread. And schooling and homeschooling depend on the school - when I initially posted, DS was in a school that was not good for him and if he had stayed there, I would be talking to DH about me not working next year and homeschooling instead.

However, I do not think that all people are skilled to teach all things. While I do have a "he'll get it in his own time" mentality about almost everything, reading is something I cannot fathom not being able to do. DS loves reading, he wants to read, but he can't do it. And I cannot help him. I have no idea what his problem with it is. So I am not the best person to teach him to read. Someone who will not teach part of a subject is also not the best person to teach that subject - that's a fact. It's not to have a go at home schooling. But it is to say if you cannot or will not teach an important part of a key skill (such as reading or algebra in maths) then HSing by yourself isn't the best plan (some HSers have small groups of classes to have the benefits of the no-school with the benefits of group learning and specialists teaching parts of the course). Just because I can read does NOT mean I can teach reading - knowing how much bad teaching and training goes on outside HSing, I'm surprised that anyone thinks proficiency in an area automatically means proficiency to teach something.

[Shanti]

That's all fine, we will just agree to disagree then. I certainly believe I am more than enough to teach my child/ren at home and I believe they will thrive if they do.

Any positive advice welcome in this thread

[boomba]

I hope you work out what will be best for your girls shanti.

I do have to say TFB points out something that I woulad be doing if we ever homeschooled and that would be to have a support group of other HS parents to help out with areas thats you feel you are no good at teacher yourself. All parts if the ciriculum are very important and should be taught, so make sure you dont leave any out.

We are going to do mainstream school but go on a big holiday for say 5 weeks every year taking the kids out of school and teach them about the world and life skills. This will be our take on HS.

Please dont feel attacked by others posting thier opinions and they are thier opinions and you can just skip over them

[Shanti]

Yep! I was just coming in to edit my post actually to say we are already in touch with a local group who meets monthly and another group meets fortnightly in our area.. One mum actually has two kids of similar ages as my kids and she lives in my suburb and we have met already at the park

I completely think its vital to have a homeschool network otherwise it would get pretty lonely doing that journey on your own for sure

[boomba]

Thats great. I guess too you need to think about what sort of things you will need to purchase.
I know a few HS mums and they have sports days and excursions etc so you wont miss out on interaction.

How social is your DD? I know DS1 is so social he would really miss being with his friends. But would love to HS him. but I know I would be lazy and he will miss out and get left behind and I wouold hate that. Iguess once you commit to it you really have to commit.
Good luck I really hope you find the answers you are looking for.

[Heaven]

Ok I have been reading along but haven't posted yet.

I never thought about even considering homeschooling because I thought it was weird. And then I started investigating schools for DD1. She's 3 now and going to kindy next year. I thought I better investigate ALL options, because that's the responsible thing to do to make an informed decision you know. Now the more I am reading the more confused I am. HS sounds so positive. And now I'm worried about sending her to school, eek! I just don't like how school is all about fitting in and performing and getting the best grades and learning what they want you to learn for as long as they want you to learn it rather than also being able to follow your own interests. I'm worried school will kill her creativity and her beautiful little personality, eep! This parenting is hard. I kinda with sometimes I didn't look into things and just followed everyone else and did what I was 'supposed' to, LOL.

For now I have her booked in for kindy next year. I'm ok with that. The kindy we have picked I really like. I like how they treat the children and it feels very homely. I'm starting with that and seeing how she goes. But if she doesn't like it I think I'm likely to take her out. She's still so very little and will be starting kindy before she even turns 4.

I just don't know if I could do homeschooling though. I don't know if I'm organised enough. I always leave things to the last minute, lol. I don't want to teach them to be crammers! rofl. I would have to be really on top of it and organised. I also want 4 kids and I'm not sure how that would work and if I could give them all the attention they needed?

I'm not worried about the socialisation thing. DD hasn't been to daycare or school and she has no social problems. She loves to make friends. I don't think she needs to socialise 7 hrs a day, 5 days a week.

There is so much to think about and consider. As always I just want the best for my little girl, it's so hard not knowing what that is!!

[Sterla]

Ok I have been reading along but haven't posted yet.

I never thought about even considering homeschooling because I thought it was weird. And then I started investigating schools for DD1. She's 3 now and going to kindy next year. I thought I better investigate ALL options, because that's the responsible thing to do to make an informed decision you know. Now the more I am reading the more confused I am. HS sounds so positive. And now I'm worried about sending her to school, eek! I just don't like how school is all about fitting in and performing and getting the best grades and learning what they want you to learn for as long as they want you to learn it rather than also being able to follow your own interests. I'm worried school will kill her creativity and her beautiful little personality, eep! This parenting is hard. I kinda with sometimes I didn't look into things and just followed everyone else and did what I was 'supposed' to, LOL.

For now I have her booked in for kindy next year. I'm ok with that. The kindy we have picked I really like. I like how they treat the children and it feels very homely. I'm starting with that and seeing how she goes. But if she doesn't like it I think I'm likely to take her out. She's still so very little and will be starting kindy before she even turns 4.

I just don't know if I could do homeschooling though. I don't know if I'm organised enough. I always leave things to the last minute, lol. I don't want to teach them to be crammers! rofl. I would have to be really on top of it and organised. I also want 4 kids and I'm not sure how that would work and if I could give them all the attention they needed?

I'm not worried about the socialisation thing. DD hasn't been to daycare or school and she has no social problems. She loves to make friends. I don't think she needs to socialise 7 hrs a day, 5 days a week.

There is so much to think about and consider. As always I just want the best for my little girl, it's so hard not knowing what that is!!

Pretty well ditto to everything you've said Heaven!

I like the idea of home schooling, but with wanting more kids I just don't think I'd have the time to give everyone the attention they needed as well as being organised enough to teach.

Lucky for me, DS doesn't have to go to school till 2013, so he'll have just turned 5. I'm quite happy about that, as a lot of what I read tells me boys are often better to start a little later. The public school we're zoned to is too big for my liking - I worry DS would get lost in the crowd, especially seeing as he is quiet to begin with. So, we've researched another school that we're quite seriously considering. It's private, but not need-to-sell-the-house-to-afford-it expensive. It's also very small and has a slightly alternative method of teaching which is much more one-on-one focused. Having said all that, if that school doesn't work out - I'm still thinking about home schooling as our back-up plan.

[Phteven]

I just don't like how school is all about fitting in and performing and getting the best grades and learning what they want you to learn for as long as they want you to learn it rather than also being able to follow your own interests.

Maybe some schools are like that but the one my boys go to isn't. I'm so impressed by the quality of education my boys get at the local primary. They learn so many interesting things that I have no idea about and TBH I think there is something to be said for guiding students down certain pathways instead of always expecting them to decide what to learn about.

[Shanti]

Thats great. I guess too you need to think about what sort of things you will need to purchase.
I know a few HS mums and they have sports days and excursions etc so you wont miss out on interaction.

How social is your DD? I know DS1 is so social he would really miss being with his friends. But would love to HS him. but I know I would be lazy and he will miss out and get left behind and I wouold hate that. Iguess once you commit to it you really have to commit.
Good luck I really hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Boomba, you've met my DD1! She is super social! She has never had any problems making friends and she is very friendly, hugs kids she has only just met and takes them by the hand in the playground etc I am so proud of her social skills. There is no problem with socialisation with HS because they get plenty of it with their siblings anyway, and other HS kids! I think you have to remember too that with HS, when the kids do meet with other kids, as in other HS kids, or extra curricular activities, it is "quality" socialisation with kids ALL different ages and that's really important. Whereas in schools yes they are with kids all day long but it's only with kids their own age in their classroom. It's very beneficial for kids to socialise with children all different ages.

The biggest stigma with HS is that people think HS kids are disadvantaged socially. But I remember at school the teachers would say "stop talking you are here to learn, not to socialise" (ring any bells?) it's all about putting your head down and learning, doing what you're told. I used to get in trouble for trying to socialise during class when I was waiting for the teacher or something like that.... there is ALOT of waiting for kids in school. What else do they do while they are waiting but want to talk?

I am not against schools at all, and still may send DD1 to a school in 2013 when she starts prep, i have not decided fully yet. but at this stage I am very much leaning towards HS because it just feels so right to me for our family. It's a LIFESTYLE choice too. I love how my girls would have each other to play with if DD1 doesnt go off to school..... and we plan to have more kids. YES my concern is if I want 3-4 kids which we plan on having, that how will this affect my HS each day? I would be one very busy Mumma but there are lots of mum's out there that do it. I think the kids all help each other too remember. You know that HUGE family The Duggards in the states that have something crazy like 18 kids?!?! They homeschool!!! so they work it out somehow..... mind you they are highly religious so I think its part of their religion to HS.

We have a lovely public school 2mins walk from our house and another one 10min drive from our house that is much smaller like a small country school and I will look into those options too. I love the idea of a really tiny country school like 50 kids!!!!!! I think that'd have so many advantages.

Heaven - I could have written your post. You know we both think alike with all this

[Shanti]

I also think that parents in general, don't give ourselves enough credit in terms of thinking if we can homeschool our children or not...... we CAN do it if we REALLY want to if the strong desire is there, it can be done.

I am also considering HS for her first year then maybe school the 2nd year? I don't see a rush for kids to be at school at age 4,5 or even 6. And for every year we HS if we do do this, taking it ONE year at a time. I would never go into it thinking "yes this is for ever" kwim?? One year at a time.....

I know lots of HS families who send their kids to schools only to take them straight out again as the kids asked to be back at home again. Interesting.....

In Finland the average age a child starts school is 7yrs, maybe 8yrs I think? and they have one of the best education systems in the world!! I think kids are rushed into school and education too fast these days. I say let kids be kids.

**Reminder** this thread isn't about Mainstream Vs Homeschool. Please see my first post.