Wow, homeschooling 6 kids would be hard work. Good on you!
It is something I am considering doing for Jack as he is already reading quite well and I'm worried he might not be well catered for in conventional schooling and might get bored. I am not sure yet, but will be looking into it further soon. I am also considering other options such as composite classes and Montesorri schools.
I would be interested to know how you have compensated on the socialisation front. I know there are organised activities for home-schooled kids - do yours do these, and if so do you find it's enough?
Hi Melanie - Socialisation is always the big negative about homeschooling from people around looking in! I think firstly kids are as social as their parents, you get unsocial kids at school as well as at home and social kids at home, etc. I have been homescho0ling for a 9 years and if you ever met my kids you would see they have no problems with getting along and making friends with anyone. Because they interact with people of various ages instead of just their peers of the same age at school they can talk to anyone. There are alot of activites out there with other homeschoolers and in the community so you can pick and choose what you waht to be involved in. I only go to some homeschool activites when it suits. My children do play sport, swim, do Brigades, music, resthome visits,etc and play with the neighbourhood children in the street. I have friends who have homeschooled children who are now in their 20's and these children are well adjusted adults with good jobs and social skills. Their character is what stands them apart.
Sorry I know this is longwinded but do your research about homeschooling first before you make a decision - it is a huge committment but very rewarding. I hope this helps.
Thanks heaps for that information. It is always great to be able to find out about these things firsthand. It is great that you are enjoying it, your enthusiasm is clear! I hope that when the time comes I make the right decision.
Shannon - you don't have to be a great mum to homeschool its sounds like you are great mum no matter what!! (My oldest boy is special needs).
Meg - depending on how you go about schooling your child at home on our your get qualified. You can go througha distance education school and still choose you own material but they set the work guidelines and exams. etc. ACA and Groves are 2 Christian based Dis. Ed. schools. You could choose to do this when they are high school level. This is what I am choosing.
I have friends who did their own materials and their children finished school with no formal qualifications and they have good jobs. apprenticeships and one has entered uni.
Some children choose to study through correspondence a TAFE or similar course.
I can find out more for you if you want. I hope this helps.
Hi There Caro - it is a shame about your friend homeschooling for the wrong reasons. I have heard of people who do just that and I just don't get it. Why would any parent not want their childs best interests at heart? I make myself accountable for my kids sake - I don't want them accusing me of poor education and homelife. I often remember that with our kids its not a practise run - we only have one chance to get it right!
This is interesting and something I was thinking about the other day then I see this thread!
How does one go about doing this?
What qualifications would one need to do this?
How do you get the work for them?
How do you get all the cleaning and cooking done when educating your children?
How do you find "Me" time, which is essentail for every mother?
What if you are very sick , what happens to their learning for that day or week?
Do the children get sick of being at home everyday and being with there siblings and not been able to chat and gossip like kids do at school?
I aks all these questions as I have been thinking about this myself, sorry for so many questions, but the more I can get answered the more I understand it all and can help me make my own mind up. Mind you, one of my daughters wouldnt want a bar of this as she tells me she needs to breathe her own air! I was shockd but it was funny she is only 10.
So it would be harder for kids that have already had that taste of freedom yeah?
Wow Soul so many questions!! If you are a net junkie there are various homeschooling sites to look at. You get a wide range of people homeschooling from the Exclusive Brethren types (not me) to the real out there hippy types (maybe a little bit!). Do your reasearch and ask heaps of questions!!! I will try to answer some.
Qualifications for me - none required, we are naturally the best thing for our children and know them better than anyone else. Some distant education schools do put you through some training courses.
Resourcing schoolwork - there are 1000's of possibilites for materials. I order some stuff from the U.S, other stuff I can get here in Oz. I am often given materials from friends or teachers. The world is the limit here.
Housework - you have a large brood like myself so you must be semi organised. When homeschooling vs classroom your children are getting more one on one time so most people find schoolwork really only takes a half day - the kids love this!!!
Me time - I have wonderful hubby who is a real help with the kids. During school holidays I stress to the kids that its my holidays too and we work out timeout for all of us!
Sick - one day off - either they can do stuff that needs minimal supervision or an art day. Or...have a day off, think about school and how many days they have doing sports, field trips, visits, etc. I structure my week so we do 4 days english/maths. One day intergrated study/project that includes science, social studies, music, art, computer, etc. This well and truly covers what I need to and its also means if my week goes to custard that at least I have done a few days of core subjects.
Kids sick at home- I keep my kids involved in alot of activites so never have a problems with being at home. They love having the afternoons off and we loosely plan to do something each afternoon, cooking, sewing, electronics, craft, etc. I love having my kids close and building friendships with them.
Long answer there for you Soul but I hope it helps - there is heaps of info out there so have fun looking into homeschooling. It is a 'huge' committment but soo rewarding.
I'm a bit like Shannon, not a very organised person at home... different when I am in the paid workforce for some reason. I plan to do a DipEd (have already a Fine Art degree) so that I can teach art at a secondary level.
My biggest concern (when considering home schooling) is that my DD (12yo) is becoming quite headstrong and I just couldn't imagine her listening to me unless it was a subject that she was interested in. If she feels frustrated she spits the dummy and walks away. I could imagine being able to persue the Humanities subjects (English, social studies, art etc) but nooo way would she deal with me trying to teach her science subjects (which I enjoy) or maths. For this reason I think my DD does better at her school where for a start, her teachers in these subjects are males and she doesn't play up with them... she listens! Infact she isn't whingey with other adults only her parents so we must be doing something wrong I thought most kids were like this... especially pre-teens. I tell my DH that it is because we are isolated as a family and we don't have extended family like grandparents to pull our children into line when they are being disrepectful. That's what my grandparents/aunts/uncles did and I think I really benefitted from it. When somewhen else pulls you into line as a child you listen!
Anyhow, given that we have discipline problems with our eldest I just couldn't see it being of benefit. I know that I probably do the whole "discipline" thing wrong with her and that even the word "discipline" is a wrong concept in some people's minds. I have to admit that with us it's guesswork, although I do try to be consistent. Oh I don't know. But you are so right Hilltribe, you don't get a practise run with kids. I find it hard doing the whole parenting thing virtually solo (just DH and I)... if I lived in a more community oriented place surrounded by family and friends with which we are shared the responsibility of raising the children I really think home schooling could work. As it stands we believe our DDs best chances are at her school: a girls' school with a dedication to small class sizes. It's the best we can do. She absolutely loves going to school, so much so that she complains that holidays are boring and that she would rather be there! Parenting can be pretty demoralising but I think that at least i've got this bit right. At least her school has given her a love of learning... something that I have probably been inable to do as i've been busy with her two little brothers... which leads me to my next question: How on earth could i sit and teach my 12yo with a 3yo jumping up and down for attention and a baby needing what babies need. How on earth do you manage it? I struggle to help her with her homework
Last edited by Bathsheba; September 16th, 2007 at 04:09 PM.
Thanks matey I was wallowing a bit but it's great to be heard and understood. I think I'm kinda extra sensitive to the whole idea because, having been a teacher's assistant for 5 years and about to complete qualifications I guess I am thinking "Geeze, are you kidding yourself??? You can't even help your own children! it's the teaching equivalent of "doctor, heal thyself!" ie don't try to be something unless you've got it nailed on the homefront. I know from experience that working with other people's children is more straightforward... but WHY don't the same strategies work for me at home? My DD just sees through everything. Oh here I go again! LOL Thankyou so much for the support and faith in me Shannon You are right in that she shares my strong will... at school she is different from the other girls in a similar way that I am different here in BB. Outspoken at times but with her heart in the right place, mostly LOL Maybe we clash because we are too similar!?
Another thing I forgot to include in my original post was that as I am losing a fair bit of sleep these days with both my boys I am finding that my "academic" mind is not as sharp as it used to be. So as well as the constant distractions of my littlies I just find it hard to wrap my brain around abstract concepts that i would need to be able to teach my 12yo if I home schooled. I can't even help her with her algebra... DH has to do that when he gets home from work. I used to quite enjoy sitting down and working out a mathematical concept but ATM it is all just beyond me! Once again, if i had the help of a kindly Nana I think it might be possible... maybe.
I hear you Bath. Lack of sleep does nothing for the maths/science part of our brains. I'm amazed I can even get by some days! But I'm hoping that by the time Jack starts school (preschool in 2009, school in 2010) I will be getting enough sleep. Am I deluding myself? Anyway, hugs from me too, I find it very hard to believe you are doing anything other than a fantastic job!
Oh Bathsheba us mothers are our own worse critics! I have never yet meet the perfect mum and never when I look in the mirror! You are doing a fantastic job by the sounds of things and studying as well - you go girl! I know my biggest struggle is when I don't get enough sleep and everybody pays for it but I try to remember it is only for a season. Don't stress about homeschooling - it doesn't make you a good parent just because you do. Hang in there girl and a big hug to you for your great work!!!
Hi all, thought I'd jump in on ths as I love these kinds of topics.
I'm a pre-service teacher (still studying), but don't think I'm biased towards school.
I just wanted to tell you all something I have found to be so true and very important when it comes to deciding whether to go the traditional schooling route, or holistic schooling, or home schooling.
All people have their own learning style... (sounds pretty obvious right... you'd be surprised!).
For simpicity there are four BASIC learning styles...
Sequential: The person who uses the 'sequential' pattern is most comfortable following step-by-step directions and completing assignments from beginning to end without interruption.
Example: Miguel drew a picture of a house exactly as he was told, no less and no more, and took time to doublecheck his work for neatness.
Precise: The person who uses the 'precise' pattern takes detailed notes, asks plenty of questions, and answers questions in a highly specific manner.
Example: Amanda took extra time to draw a picture of a house in great detail, including gutters and shingles on the roof.
Technical: The person who uses the 'technical' seeks to problem-solve, doesn't like to write out answers, and learns best from experience.
Example: Jason enjoyed drawing his house a lot more than writing about it. His drawing included a picket fence he had helped his mom and dad paint.
Confluent: The person who uses the 'confluent' tends to avoid conventional approaches, seeks alternative ways to complete assignments, often starts before hearing all the directions, and improvises.
Example: Ivonne started drawing her house before the teacher finished the instructions. She added a secret entrance on the side of her rainbow-colored fantasy house.
Though most people have a combination, or a mixture, of some or all of the different styles.
Ok, so why is this important to this topic, you ask.
Learning styles are the most essential thing to consider when deciding what kind of schooling you child 'should' have.
Traditional schools - that is, most schools - take the 'teacher is in charge, students sit, be quiet, listen, write, follow directions, obey rules. Traditional schools work VERY well for sequential and precise learners, who like to follow instructions to the T, like writing, take detailed notes, listen carefully etc.
Of course, you can see how a traditional classroom would be really unhelpful for technical and conflunt learners, and these students, instead of being labeled as "different learners" are usually labeled "hyperactive", "disruptive", "learning disabled" etc, because they don't learn in conventional, traditional ways.
Holistic schools (like Montessori, Stiener, community schools, and some independant schools) aim to cater towards all learning styles, though they do usually sway towards technical and confluent learners (with the exception of Montessori schools, which do have a curriculum which cater for all styles).
As for homeschooling, if you know your childs learning style, homeschooling can actually be the very best environment for you child to learn
Its interesting to think about this kind of thing... how society labels "successful" people as those who go on to university, and those people are usually precise and sequential. Thos who do trades are usually seen as the ones who couldn't concentrate in class, and might have been the "trouble makers"... but they're just technical learners. They need the hands on, and the "sit down and listen" approach to school just doesn't work for them. Confluent learners end up being the leaders, problem solvers, entrupreneurs, the ones who find an answer because they aren't stuck to working by the rules!
Just thought this was interesting and relevent... hope it helps someone!
interesting leasha DD's school aims to be holistic but might not achieve this as well as the Montessori schools. They often have lots of free seminars for parents of girls of all year levels (K-12) on this very subject. I think DD is a blend of confluent and technical and maybe be becoming a little bit more sequential recently but hasn't got much precision LOL. I think her school caters for her learning style quite well. Originality of ideas and technique is certainly valued. If I home schooled I think I would continue to strengthen her confluent style but at the risk of failing to encourage her to see the value in "precise" learning. Precision doesn't come naturally to me, but from my formal education experience i have learned to enjoy that process when necessary. So i think, from reading your post Leasha, that my DD is at the right school... her teachers will accomodate her learning style but will hopefully give her some new skills as well. I think at the end of the day 'teachers' will have better success at encouraging mt DD out from her comfort zones than I would. I'm a big believer that it is when we leave our comfort zones that our potential is maximised.
"Traditional schools - that is, most schools - take the 'teacher is in charge, students sit, be quiet, listen, write, follow directions, obey rules. Traditional schools work VERY well for sequential and precise learners, who like to follow instructions to the T, like writing, take detailed notes, listen carefully etc.
Of course, you can see how a traditional classroom would be really unhelpful for technical and conflunt learners, and these students, instead of being labeled as "different learners" are usually labeled "hyperactive", "disruptive", "learning disabled" etc, because they don't learn in conventional, traditional ways."
This is nowhere near as common now as it used to be, teachers are now very aware of the fact that children learn in different ways and we work hard to cater for all our students. As a teacher I find it quite offensive that you would make a blanket statement about teachers, surely there is enough teacher bashing in the media without people who are going to be teachers themselves joining in?
Leasha thanks for that info I had of it before but put a bit differently. I have 6 children so know how different they all are. My oldest 3 have all learnt to read differently. I do agree with Mrsmac that schools have improved in catering for childrens different learning styles. It can't be ideal with one teacher to so many children but most teachers I have meet are very dedicated to giving their best to their students.
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I thought most kids were like this... especially pre-teens. I tell my DH that it is because we are isolated as a family and we don't have extended family like grandparents to pull our children into line when they are being disrepectful. That's what my grandparents/aunts/uncles did and I think I really benefitted from it. When somewhen else pulls you into line as a child you listen!
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