I had mentioned earlier on that we would be teaching our children Spanish - even though Bob is fluent, I am not and I will be doing the majority of the teaching. I've been looking over lots (and I mean everything I can stumble across) of curriculum and resources. I'm thinking that we'll end up with Rosetta Stone - Spanish Latin American version. (They have numerous different languages...check them out to see if they have the language you are looking for)
They have homeschooling equivalents for each language which are only $10.00 more (for the extra manual and instruction stuff). They also have a 7 day free online trail of the program. And, a five month payment play for the homeschool version. It can also be purchased at Rainbow Resource (and probably a hundred other places), but without the payment plan. Also, if purchased directly through Rosetta Stone, then there is a 6 month, no questions asked, money back guarantee! They also have an online only subscription for 3, 6, or 12 months... something like that. If you think you can learn it fast (or your kids) that might be the way to go. With four kids and myself, I think I'm better off with the whole program.
The down side, a one level program is over $200... the combo of level one and level two is $349... also available in the personal section (not available in the homeschool format yet) is a level three.
Really, for a complete program it's not bad. But as with most homeschoolers, our budget is tight and I'm not sure if we'll be able to fit it in right away.
Bob uses Study Spanish online with his students to help with supplamenting and teaching. It's free, but it doesn't have the "fun interaction" that kids would want.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Welcome to Angela
Say hi and welcome to Angela, our newest member. I'm sure we'll be benefiting greatly from her insight and knowledge. Angela, please share the reasons for your educational decisions, if you don't mind. Thanks.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Local Group
Juanita and I have been talking about starting a local homeschooling support group. I've mentioned this to at least two others in the area as well. You'll find what we're considering below. We welcome and encourage comments which can help make this a great group. Things we might not have considered, things to make an idea better, or any questions you have which might help us to get it figured out better.
This group's primary focus (beyond support) would be service. Service that can be worked on through the year(s), as individuals and groups. As well as service in larger areas as a group (ie. clean up playground or beach, visit the elderly, etc)
Although we're organizing a local group, we're interested in others doing the same with the same primary focus, and then incorporating some regional projects (maybe even a regional meeting or two a year).
This local group would meet every other week on Wednesday. Projects may be planned for times and days other than the meeting group time.
It would include a lunch-on (assigned pot-luck style, rotating who brought what).
It would include a project for the kids (also rotating who's setting it up). This could be an on going project, or a new one. Craft or otherwise, as long as it engages the kids while we discuss what we need. Older children, who are able and willing, can participate (and will be encouraged to participate) in the planning of service projects. There will be no unsupervised children...as in, if the kids are outside, so are we so we can keep eyes on them, etc.
The more social part would be during lunch, with the support and planning happening directly after.
Participation in any group service is voluntary and is not required to participate in the group.
Large service projects will, hopefully, include learning experiences beyond the service. For example, if we clean up a section of the beach, then they have the opportunity to also learn about hermit crabs and tidal pools. They also can have a "built-in reward" by swimming.
Any thoughts, suggestions, or questions are greatly appreciated.
This group's primary focus (beyond support) would be service. Service that can be worked on through the year(s), as individuals and groups. As well as service in larger areas as a group (ie. clean up playground or beach, visit the elderly, etc)
Although we're organizing a local group, we're interested in others doing the same with the same primary focus, and then incorporating some regional projects (maybe even a regional meeting or two a year).
This local group would meet every other week on Wednesday. Projects may be planned for times and days other than the meeting group time.
It would include a lunch-on (assigned pot-luck style, rotating who brought what).
It would include a project for the kids (also rotating who's setting it up). This could be an on going project, or a new one. Craft or otherwise, as long as it engages the kids while we discuss what we need. Older children, who are able and willing, can participate (and will be encouraged to participate) in the planning of service projects. There will be no unsupervised children...as in, if the kids are outside, so are we so we can keep eyes on them, etc.
The more social part would be during lunch, with the support and planning happening directly after.
Participation in any group service is voluntary and is not required to participate in the group.
Large service projects will, hopefully, include learning experiences beyond the service. For example, if we clean up a section of the beach, then they have the opportunity to also learn about hermit crabs and tidal pools. They also can have a "built-in reward" by swimming.
Any thoughts, suggestions, or questions are greatly appreciated.
Another Family's Choice
I have received permission to include the following in this blog. A friend who read our reasons for homeschooling, thought about her reasons for sending her children to public school. I felt this needed to be shared as well. You can find the original post here. Although an exact copy is supplied below.
My Turn...
Most of you wouldn't know (or be surprised), but there are several families in our church in Farmington who homeschool their children. While not a necessity, religion is often a springboard for homeschooling families, as it is a way to reinforce values as a part of the educating process. Certainly faith based ideas are not taught in the public school system, nor do I think they should be, as the contention it would cause would be over-whelming, even in my tiny town of 5,000 or so.
The question was recently presented on a blog that 4 of them contribute to, "Why do you homeschool?" And each of the 4 contributors responded with their own reasons. I read the first one a few days ago, and in doing so even had about 13 seconds of a twinge of guilt. I love my children, I see challenges from public school, I love spending time with them, but also love being able to send them to school, does that mean school is just a (somewhat) cheap babysitter for me?
Then I literally shook my head, and thought, "Wait, what are my reasons for sending my children to public school?" So, in the interest of sharing, and with no Spirit of contention at all (for I truly believe the decision is individual) I would like to share my reasons in this forum.
We bought our house in Jay for a few reasons, it was central to family, the furthest set of grandparents was only 5 minutes away at the time. Taxes are low, thanks to the mill, curbside pickup for everyone didn't hurt, and my husband graduated from the small school district, which was still small. I put Dustin into a private Preschool when he was 4. I was surprised to learn then that some children began at 3. I told people who would ask if he enjoyed school, "Oh yes, my little socialite finally has a social gathering to go to!" When Dustin was 4, he, Brian (2), and my mom and I went swimming at the beach. Dustin started talking to a couple of girls who were maybe 8 or 9. It went like this, "Hi, my name is Dustin Jones, and that's my brother, Brian Jones, and his whole name is Brian Scott Jones, and my whole name is Dustin William Jones, and I'm 4 years old, and he's 2 years old..." And in under 3 minutes he was happily sharing a foam noodle with them. Dustin is a very social person.
He has benefitted greatly from public school. He has had successes, the GT program in Jay is run by his dear friend's father, and this man alone has inspired Dustin to seek for greatness. Mr. Taylor was also instrumental in bringing the Gear-Up program to Jay Middle School, any middle school student could attend. When Dustin arrived home from day 5 of the five day program, he informed me that he wanted to invent the new fuel to replace gasoline. I never would have dreamt I had that potential at his age. His grades are through the roof. His friends all have grades through the roof. Numerous teachers have commented to me personally what a joy his class of 45-50 students is, how attentive and well-behaved and kind they are collectively. We are truly blessed. He also has failed. He did not make the Middle school basketball team, and pretend I told you (though I never would) he cried when he was cut in the first round. But he survived, and realized that basketball is not the end of the world.
Brian came into this world a very different child. Much more like his mom than his dad, socializing is not a natural thing to him. Unlike his mom, he had the added stress of speech problems. His bright shining eyes had many thoughts to share, but he didn't know how to form the words. After 6 months of speech therapy, at age 2 1/2, he finally uttered "Mom" for the first time. People would say, "What does he call you?" "He doesn't, I am always here." At age 3 he was in a preschool for developmentally challenged children, due to his expressive speech delays. It was a great experience for him, and at 4 he went there and to the private preschool Dustin attended.
This preschool taught a concept unheard of to me. Children were not encouraged to take turns. If one child had a toy, and you wanted it, you were told to wait until they were done. But isn't it that way in the real world?
Brian LOVED the other children. He did not readily know how to interact with them, but at that age they were very kind, and he learned from them as much as the teacher. He was so much better prepared for school, because of it. Brian is a child who always roots for the underdog. In our home, he supports the Yankees, and Jeff Gordon. No one else likes either of them. At school, he plays with the children who no one else wants to play with. "Everyone was playing football, but Bradley didn't want to, so I played with Bradley today." Thank goodness his class has him there.
With much suffering on my own part, he has had the extra help to accomplish his lessons at school. An ed-tech for his first 3 years, but he has overcome those needs, and not had one these last 2 years. He still hates writing. But he can come up with ideas now that meet the teacher's request. He likes bugs, even picks them up. He would never have learned that from me. My children all have interests that do not relate to me or Bill, but that enrich their lives.
Michael is a hard one. The preschool closed, so i took him to a daycare in Farmington that had a preschool program. It was expensive, though, and he only went through Christmastime. He didn't like it, and I worried because he would not speak up to the teacher there when he was upset.
He liked kindergarten for the most part, until they put security cameras in the hallways over Christmas break. He had an excellent teacher who maintained order and could teach even with 18 kids. He was sure the security cameras were out to get him, though, and 2 were directly above his classroom door. But I finally asked him if he thought the camera could jump down off the wall and scold him if he was naughty, he laughed, and overcame his fear.
He came home from his first day of first grade, and asked if I would homeschool him. I asked him why, and he missed me, and school was too hard. His best friend Zakary was also in another class. I told him that he was a smart kid, and could learn the things he needed to with time. He still has frustration, but I remind him of how much he has learned already. He made some new friends, particularly Andrew and Owen, and now his complaint is only that he got his name on the board once. "It's a pretty silly rule, only one person at the trash can at a time, I needed to empty my pencil sharpener." But, he still goes back, and he follows class rules as best he can. He also cried last month about the fact that he had never been voted good citizen. I asked his teacher, in an effort to keep the program positive, what could I encourage him to do to be a good citizen. She said he needed to stay on task and complete his work, and also he had been talking when he should have been working, so he had gotten his name on the board. That one he didn't share with me ;-)! I told him this, he tried harder, and today announced he was good citizen this month!! He was tickled pink at his accomplishment.
When baseball starts in April, Dustin and Brian will both be exercising steers daily, and with school, homework, and household chores our life will be very full. I will wish I had more time with them at home. But, I cannot put that above the great accomplishments they have had.
My children are the only Latter-Day Saint children in the entire school district. Thank goodness they are there! Dustin was in a discussion last year with his class about different religions. He came home and asked for a picture of the First Vision, an artist depiction of when Joseph Smith saw God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, in a grove of trees in 1820. He wanted to bring it to school and show the class. This experience did not convert the 13 children in the class to "Mormonism". But, it strengthened my son's testimony, and perhaps touched a heart. Simply having the Holy Ghost with a person, and putting the person in a place, can bring the Spirit to that place.
I am grateful for good teachers. I am grateful for strong children, and a voice that can be heard in our district. I am grateful for public education.
Tanglewood
I called about the tickets. They are $8.00...kids under 2 are free. They can reserve tickets for us (to be paid for and picked up on Thursday) but I need to give them a head count. Let me know if you want to go.
KKS
KKS
More from me....do I talk too much?
We usually don't do many fieldtrips in the winter because skiing takes up so much of our time. I know that we have a month or two left of winter here in the great state of Maine.....but the Smiths are getting CABIN FEVER!!! So tonight I did a little bit of research to find a few upcoming events.
Oh,,,,,but first, par request, here is the used curriculum link. The nitty-gritty details are not yet available, but check back in a month or two....http://www.homeschoolbooks.org/events.htm
2/16-2/24 LL Bean Kids Winter fun week.
2/20-4/28 Maine State Museum-Cabinet of Curiosities. They are open every week day from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 10:00-4:00. Admission is $1-$2.
2/29 Old Fort Western-Augusta. There will be an educators workshop from 8:30-3:00pm. Teaching about 17th-18th century Maine Indians.
3/7-3/8 Maine Homeschoolers Convention http://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/convention.htm
THIS Thursday! Tanglewood Marienettes will be presenting Cinderella. We saw this show last year at UMF and it is so awasome!!! It's at Gorham Middle School (close for you, Heather...little L will love it!) The show is at 10:15am. There will be a book signing by Kevin Hawkes (our former bishop in Cape Elizabeth) from 9:00-10:30. For advanced ticket sales call Mo Terry at 839-7133. This is a fabulous show! Hilarious and very entertaining.
One last thing....For those of you who are night owls...tomorrow night there will be an eclipse. Here are the details http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html
I hope everyone is having a good week.
I'll post events as I find them.
KKS
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Quick Note
I've noticed there are have been times when we are getting dangerously close to being judgmental (or coming across as such) to others both involved in public and home schooling settings in our blogs and notes. I'm glad everyone is able to voice their personal experience, and I want this to continue. But I also need us to be considerate of others and keep in mind that there is NO ONE RIGHT WAY or RIGHT CURRICULUM FOR ALL PEOPLE.
So, just a reminder to all, it is okay to mention things that have been noted for personal or negative educational value in a person's experience and even why this may have been so for them. However, I want to be sure that we do so in a way which is not offensive to others. Remember, each educational choice is personal. No choice is more right than another. Each person, and child, has different needs and is at different levels. Please keep these things in mind as you add your thoughts to this blog. Also, please remember that this is an educational blog, and although most of us home school at least some of our kids at least part of the time, it is not strictly a home schooling blog. Education, as a whole, needs to be widely accepted and respected.
Thank You.
So, just a reminder to all, it is okay to mention things that have been noted for personal or negative educational value in a person's experience and even why this may have been so for them. However, I want to be sure that we do so in a way which is not offensive to others. Remember, each educational choice is personal. No choice is more right than another. Each person, and child, has different needs and is at different levels. Please keep these things in mind as you add your thoughts to this blog. Also, please remember that this is an educational blog, and although most of us home school at least some of our kids at least part of the time, it is not strictly a home schooling blog. Education, as a whole, needs to be widely accepted and respected.
Thank You.
Finding Your Style
I was lent some books to read over to help me determine the best way to home school my children according to their needs and my own. Although I've not finished reading any of them all the way through. I do recommend two of them for others.
1. 100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy
~This one walks you through specific questions and helps you appropriately weigh them out. It also explains the various different styles. (Even though I knew I wasn't traditional and didn't plan to purchase a specific curriculum, it includes that kind of learning and teaching in the assessment as well). It also includes websites, book titles, and other such things to help you. I will include the website for the curriculum reviews: CLICK HERE.
2. Talkers, Watcher, & Doers by Cheri Fuller
~This one helps you understand (or unlock) the learning style of your children. Knowing this information will save lots of energy and maybe even emotional strain while working with your children.
The last book I will list is good if you want direct answers all in one place. It can certainly be helpful, but the above two were my top picks of the three I was lent.
3. The Homeschooling Book Of Answers by Linda Dobson
~Answers to normal homeschooling questions, especially for the beginning homeschooler.
1. 100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy
~This one walks you through specific questions and helps you appropriately weigh them out. It also explains the various different styles. (Even though I knew I wasn't traditional and didn't plan to purchase a specific curriculum, it includes that kind of learning and teaching in the assessment as well). It also includes websites, book titles, and other such things to help you. I will include the website for the curriculum reviews: CLICK HERE.
2. Talkers, Watcher, & Doers by Cheri Fuller
~This one helps you understand (or unlock) the learning style of your children. Knowing this information will save lots of energy and maybe even emotional strain while working with your children.
The last book I will list is good if you want direct answers all in one place. It can certainly be helpful, but the above two were my top picks of the three I was lent.
3. The Homeschooling Book Of Answers by Linda Dobson
~Answers to normal homeschooling questions, especially for the beginning homeschooler.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tried & True (according to the Smith clan).
Math
- Saxon (K-12) They do have an online placement test that is free, which I found to be really helpful.
- Wrap-Ups (PreK-4)
- Mathematicians Are People, Too. Stories from the lives of great mathematicians. (K-4)
- McGraw Hill workbooks (PreK-1)
Language Arts
- Spelling/Grammar
- Explode The Code (This gets my highest recommendation!)(PreK-4)
- Up With Language Series (3-8)
- Literature
- Great Illustrated Classics (1-5)
- Five In A Row (PreK-3)
- Tales From Shakespeare (This one is written in comic book form.)(4-6)
- The Childrens Classics-Tales From Shakespeare (3-6)
- Puffin Classics (2-5)
- Writing
- The Little Red Writing Book (Writing Prompts) (K-2)
- Daily Witing Prompts (3-5)
- Explode The Code (PreK-4)
- Create-A-Story Game
- Phonics tiles
- Learning To Read
- Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons (preK-?)
- The Read Aloud Handbook (Adult)
- Explode The Code (PreK-4)
Science
- Lyrical Life Science (PreK-6)
- Backyard Scientist (PreK-8)
- The Teaching Tank (PreK-12) They also have discovery books you can buy.)
- The Mudpies Activity Book (1-4)
- Do Fish Drink? (1-3)
- You're Taller in the Morning, but Shorter at Night (all ages)
- Animals Without Backbones (1-4)
- Blister Microscope w/slides (PreK-adult)
- Magnets (K-12)
- Potato Clock (1-5)
- Magic School Bus-The World of Germs Science Kit...this came with petri dishes to grow our own bacteria....really cool!! (3-6)
- Real Science-4-Kids Chemistry (Pre Level 1)
- Real Science-4-Kids Chemistry Laboratory Workbook (Pre Level 1) I am not giving an age on these because I learned so much from these books. But I would say that even a kid as young as 6 would understand it---now you all know how much chemistry I learned in school :)
History
- Story of The World (1-5)
- Don't Know Much About....(series) (2-4)
- If You Lived.....(series) We love these books!! (1-7)
- Historical Biographies by Peggy Pancella
- Living History-The Hands On Approach to History ((3-7 but can be adapted for younger kids. I use it for all of my kids).
- Classical Kids-An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient Greece (1-6)
- Founding Fathers.....Uncommon Heroes (2-5)
- I Love America (preK-2) This is put out by The National Center for Constitutional Studies. (It is fabulous for the small kids, we love this!)
- LDS Church History
- Your Story Hour (audio CD's...great for school in the car) (3-8...but even Lauren loves these)
- Where in Time is Carmen SanGiego? (2-4) computer game
- The Learning Calendar
Geography
- Visualize World Geography (1-8)
- Great States!! board game (K-3)
- World Book Encyclopedia Atlas for Kids (1-4)
Social Studies
- Our Communities (1-3)
- Children Just Like Me (K-4)
- Manners Please (K-3)
- Mind Your Manners (4-6)
- A Child Guide to Cultures of the World (2-6)
- The Book of Great Inventions (2-5)
- A Young Persons Guide to Philosophy (4-8)
- Philosophy For Kids (3-6)
- Exploring The Wonders of the World (4-7)
- The Usbourne Book of Explorers (2-5)
- Character Counts (PreK-2)
Art
- Poetry for Young People (2-8)
- Teaching 10 Fabulous Forms of Poetry (3-7)
- Oxford First Book of Art
- The Art Book for Kids (which means no nudes) (1-4)
- The Usbourne Introduction to Art (1-4)
- I Can Do All Things-Beginning book of drawing & painting. (K-?....I use this book)
Music
- Music For Little Mozarts (workbook, flash cards and audio CD) (PreK-2)
- Music Together (birth-5)
- Name That Classical Tune (audio CD 2-4)
- Meet The Masters-The Story and Life of the Great Composers (1-adult)
Anatomy
- Play and Find Out About The Human Body (we love this one, too!) (K-3)
- BODY-An Amazing Tour of Human Anatomy (2-7)
- Understanding Your Body
Let me know if you have any questions.
The list of websites will be coming soon....slumber awaits me.
Also, I would love to hear other peoples' recommendations, too.
KKS
Curriculum
Hello Friends
I am in the process of getting together a list of our favorite homeschooling supplies. It is by no means a complete list, that would take me a month. It is a list of our favorites.
Also, I put the grades in parenthesies.....this is a very loose guideline. Many of the things I have used can be adapted for younger/older children. If you have specific questions (like what I do or don't like about a particular item, or where I bought it), you can ask me. I just don't want to list all of the details for each thing because sometimes I can be really long winded in my descriptions....especialy with stuff that I REALLY like. I will also be including a list of our favorite/most used websites.
Another thing....if you see something that you are interested in but want to be more sure, you can stop by my house and check it out. (like if you want to touch before you buy.)
Last but not least....there is a HUGE used curriculum sale every year in Augusta. I get alot of my stuff there. If any of you are interested in attending, I will post the details here as soon as I can find out. You can also put unwanted homeschooling items in the sale if you give them a heads-up. I think they keep 10% for their overhead cost of renting the building and such.
A word of caution....It is so easy to over buy!! Be careful not to buy stuff unless you are absolutley sure you need it. Alot of distributors have their "Must Haves" list and try to scare you into buying many un-needed products.
The list will be coming soon.
KKS
I am in the process of getting together a list of our favorite homeschooling supplies. It is by no means a complete list, that would take me a month. It is a list of our favorites.
Also, I put the grades in parenthesies.....this is a very loose guideline. Many of the things I have used can be adapted for younger/older children. If you have specific questions (like what I do or don't like about a particular item, or where I bought it), you can ask me. I just don't want to list all of the details for each thing because sometimes I can be really long winded in my descriptions....especialy with stuff that I REALLY like. I will also be including a list of our favorite/most used websites.
Another thing....if you see something that you are interested in but want to be more sure, you can stop by my house and check it out. (like if you want to touch before you buy.)
Last but not least....there is a HUGE used curriculum sale every year in Augusta. I get alot of my stuff there. If any of you are interested in attending, I will post the details here as soon as I can find out. You can also put unwanted homeschooling items in the sale if you give them a heads-up. I think they keep 10% for their overhead cost of renting the building and such.
A word of caution....It is so easy to over buy!! Be careful not to buy stuff unless you are absolutley sure you need it. Alot of distributors have their "Must Haves" list and try to scare you into buying many un-needed products.
The list will be coming soon.
KKS
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Reasons
When I was growing up, I never wanted to be a teacher. Patience is not one of my strong points, nor is spontaneity. And my mom will attest to the fact that I Hate to get my hands dirty. For all these reasons (and probably more) teaching anybody's kids never even crossed my mind.
These are probably the biggest reasons that I am also tempted to send my child to public school.
In fact, my daughter has even tried it. When Em was 4 years old, I researched the new pre-K program our town was starting. The teacher assured me that the kindergarten teachers had gotten together to discuss things like curriculum and "It's going to be like Kindergarten used to be." she said. I loved that! My big girl was soooo ready for Kindergarten but I was nowhere near ready to have her gone ALL day!
A few weeks into the school year, my bright, outgoing, daughter (she is really nothing like me.) started acting up and worrying more about what another child liked than her own interests. So, nice and calmly I decided to talk with his mother. I went to her classroom before school started for the day. ( She was a teacher at the school and had their class once a week.) Anyway, as I was leaving her classroom, the principal guided me out of the hallway and into the teacher's lounge to ream me out for interrupting a teacher's day. "She's not here as a parent, she's here as a teacher." Can I remind you that this took place before school had even started for the day? I didn't even know how to react. It was like being in school myself again. or a really bad job. Hello! This is MY child, not hers. I have every right to look out for her best interests.
Then, I started wondering when the kids were actually going to be learning anything at Em's level. Apparently, the screenings done for the whole class had a very low average in many aspects so the goals for the pre-K were lowered. Academically speaking, Em was ready for Kindergarten, though. Her personal screenings in the ps backed me up on this. They put her at an age equivalent of 5.1 years old.
Before the end of the first quarter, I decided that public school wasn't right for our family. Maybe someday, but not yet. We started Kindergarten at home in November of 2006.
I believe that we as parents have been given such a gift to raise our kids to their full potential. For some, that means sending them to someone else for 6 hours/day, and that's ok. Most people think you have to nurse your babies and vaccinate them for everything, too. (Who knew I could be such a rebel?) Making decisions for our family is a responsibility and priviledge only my husband and I have. Of course, that means we'll get all the blame for the screw-ups, too.
Some people think that the only way to socialize your kids is to put them in school. I admit, I worry about it. I have gone out of my way to make sure that my child is getting out, being around other kids. Em still goes to the public school for our choice of "specials." She has such a busy schedule that my life is no longer my own. Mondays we have Girl Scouts. Wednesdays she has Art. (I mentioned that I don't enjoy getting dirty, right?) Fridays she has Music. (How am I going to fit time in for Daniel's activities?) On all of those days, I take my kids to work with me, too. Not that my job is hard, but it provides gas money to go grocery shopping. Functioning in the real world is something I want to make sure my kids are used to doing. People are constantly amazed at how smart and polite Em is. She's usually better in public than at home, not unlike most kids her age.
I have been sitting here forEVER typing this post, and I'm still not convinced that it gets out all of my feelings and reasons about why we choose to homeschool. It's a lot of work, and a lot of emotion. Fear and guilt, joy and rewarding. Homeschooling is not easy. But I know by the great feelings I get when Em learns something new, that the decisions we make for our children are the right ones for our family. For right now, anyway.
These are probably the biggest reasons that I am also tempted to send my child to public school.
In fact, my daughter has even tried it. When Em was 4 years old, I researched the new pre-K program our town was starting. The teacher assured me that the kindergarten teachers had gotten together to discuss things like curriculum and "It's going to be like Kindergarten used to be." she said. I loved that! My big girl was soooo ready for Kindergarten but I was nowhere near ready to have her gone ALL day!
A few weeks into the school year, my bright, outgoing, daughter (she is really nothing like me.) started acting up and worrying more about what another child liked than her own interests. So, nice and calmly I decided to talk with his mother. I went to her classroom before school started for the day. ( She was a teacher at the school and had their class once a week.) Anyway, as I was leaving her classroom, the principal guided me out of the hallway and into the teacher's lounge to ream me out for interrupting a teacher's day. "She's not here as a parent, she's here as a teacher." Can I remind you that this took place before school had even started for the day? I didn't even know how to react. It was like being in school myself again. or a really bad job. Hello! This is MY child, not hers. I have every right to look out for her best interests.
Then, I started wondering when the kids were actually going to be learning anything at Em's level. Apparently, the screenings done for the whole class had a very low average in many aspects so the goals for the pre-K were lowered. Academically speaking, Em was ready for Kindergarten, though. Her personal screenings in the ps backed me up on this. They put her at an age equivalent of 5.1 years old.
Before the end of the first quarter, I decided that public school wasn't right for our family. Maybe someday, but not yet. We started Kindergarten at home in November of 2006.
I believe that we as parents have been given such a gift to raise our kids to their full potential. For some, that means sending them to someone else for 6 hours/day, and that's ok. Most people think you have to nurse your babies and vaccinate them for everything, too. (Who knew I could be such a rebel?) Making decisions for our family is a responsibility and priviledge only my husband and I have. Of course, that means we'll get all the blame for the screw-ups, too.
Some people think that the only way to socialize your kids is to put them in school. I admit, I worry about it. I have gone out of my way to make sure that my child is getting out, being around other kids. Em still goes to the public school for our choice of "specials." She has such a busy schedule that my life is no longer my own. Mondays we have Girl Scouts. Wednesdays she has Art. (I mentioned that I don't enjoy getting dirty, right?) Fridays she has Music. (How am I going to fit time in for Daniel's activities?) On all of those days, I take my kids to work with me, too. Not that my job is hard, but it provides gas money to go grocery shopping. Functioning in the real world is something I want to make sure my kids are used to doing. People are constantly amazed at how smart and polite Em is. She's usually better in public than at home, not unlike most kids her age.
I have been sitting here forEVER typing this post, and I'm still not convinced that it gets out all of my feelings and reasons about why we choose to homeschool. It's a lot of work, and a lot of emotion. Fear and guilt, joy and rewarding. Homeschooling is not easy. But I know by the great feelings I get when Em learns something new, that the decisions we make for our children are the right ones for our family. For right now, anyway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)