Topic : 11/24 Great School Debate

Hi Winterwarmth, first of all, I totally enjoy reading your posts!

 

Secondly, I'm the typo queen.  Sure, if I were writing a manifesto, that would be CHECKED for errors, I would put much more efforts into my posts...

 

hehehe...

 

Pointing out typos, or even real grammatical errors is digging the bottom of the barrel!

 

Though I public school my kids and you unschool your kids, I think our goal is the same...and we're attaining it...

 

:o)

 

Marie

 As a home school mom of a very active, intelligent son I have some problems with todays show. It seemed to me that everyone focused on what they preceive homeschooling is not. When there is so much research out there that shows consistantly that homeschooling is and has always been an excellent way to teach any child.

 

 People seem to forget that all our founding fathers were homeschooled. That public schools have only been around for about 150 years when homeschooling has always been. Who do you think taught the kids before public school was invented to read and write. The parents did. There were not schools unless you apprentised with someone out side the family. Everything was learned hands on and at the feet of family and friends. Yet everyone seems to think that homeschooling is a new thing. It is not. We have been condition to think that anyone but the parent knows what is best for their child.  We have public schools because mom and dad left the farm to work in factories when the industrial revolution began. We had to put little Johnny some where. So someone came up with the idea of a school house and let little Johnny stay there all day while we go to work. But even then some folks kept their kids home.

 

 I have to tell you that I chose homeschooling for several reasons. The first was I was ashamed of the education being taught in most of schools these days. When I was in school I was blessed to have attended a high school where standards were high and the students were not left behind. I was lucky and I liked school. As for socialization if I had not been a extravert then it would not have been as rewarding. I also  am not someone who takes a lot of stock in what other people say about me. So the rumor mill, bullies and others like them could only do so much. And lets get something straight here that was over 20 years ago. Things have changed. Education as a whole is going down hill and has been for some time. Even if you get the cream of the crop these days into a teaching position they dont stay long. The problem is the we are not getting the cream of the crop to teach in school. And if parents are not doing their part at home then it does not make any difference where the kid learns. Parents are the backbone of any education whether it is homeschool or public or private. Mom and Dad need to be involved in school, at home and they need to discipline. And the school needs to be able to discipline also. We as a society have lost control of our kids and school. The second reason I chose to homeschool is I see the same problems in most private schools as I do public schools. Some are great but I don't live near them. The last reason and most important reason of all God confirmed it. He has led me to a wonderful church and homeschool group that is supportive and full of kids.

 

 There are many kinds of homeschooling. And with that comes good and bad formulas for teaching your child. And if a family is not educating their children then it looks bad for those who are. Just as we hear all about the public school mess ups and not about the ones who are doing it right. Homeschooling is a life style and not just a way to educate your child. It takes commitment from both parents and it takes time and patience. This is not something for every family just like public or private is not for every family.  You make sacrifices for what dicisions you make for your family and with that comes great rewards.  You get out of homeschooling what you put into it. Do I make sure my child has time with friends sure I do. Do I make sure he plays sports and does other activities sure I do. Does he miss the school experience no not at this time. His best friend is in public school and my son does not envy him at all. Is it the right decision for us yes of course. Is it right for everyone no. Not everyone could do what I do with son day in and day out. And I dare say probably not even a public school teacher could do what I do with my son day in and day out.

 

 As for testing or not testing. Every child is different. Some kids even with being exposed to tests freeze up and freak out. That is the kid not the test. And as for peer pressure there is not any. A homeschool child in general has a better understanding of he or she is and therefore does not surrender to pressure. When you are strong in the Lord and strong in who He says you are then no one can change that. And as a whole homeschool kids get along with all ages not just their peers. In what world does anyone work with people that is their age. No where that I know of. There are all ages and all kinds of people and homeschooled children can relate to anyone. They grow up strong in who they are and what they want. They love their country and their God. They serve in their communities and take care of their families. Some even grow up to homeschool their own children.  My plan is to homeschool my child until he graduates high school. My son is intelligent and kind. He is helpful and caring. He will be a great citizen some day. And that is all any of can ask for.

Tanya Home school mom of one

I know this board is busy, and there is much to read, but I want to say that the experiences I've had and posted about here are not unique to me.  Many other unschoolers parent their children that way.  People say, "Oh, but that's just you, I'm talking about other unschoolers.".  No, it's not.  Parenting is not for the weak stomached.

The phrase "Learning is a side effect of life" gets misinterpreted.  Learning is a part of life whether we try to stifle it or not.  Learning is HOW we live.  But to many that phrase gets interpreted as "Oh, you mean you just wake up and call it education?"

My life would have to be pretty darned boring and oppressive in order for non-learning to take place.  I and my children would have to lapse into a coma.

When I graduated I pursued a career  that was neither encouraged nor taught by my school.  However I took my own personal passion and obsessively pursued it now that I no longer had anyone to stifle me or tell me "you can't make money doing that!"  But I'm making money doing it. I supposedly can't make money doing it, but people are now paying money to obtain the fruits of my talents.   People learn what they want to learn.   Adults learn what they want to learn.  And so do children. 

If my child were in public school, and wanted to study ancient Egypt during the summer even though it will possibly be covered in school the following year, I'd offer no apologies for fostering that interest.  It's not out of bounds for me to do that, even if they "already know" the material by the time they reach the next school year.  Teachers are a great and valuable resource for those who attend school.  To teach a classroom full of 20 or more children all the same age! is an amazing feat.  But it's not usurping anything to teach my children things myself.  In fact, it's my job. 

 

In grade school I was having a lot of difficulities.  Academically and socially.  My mother decided to send me to a private high school.  What a difference that made!! The teachers were much better, they thought better they were interested in me, it didn't matter if I got good grades as long as I woked hard.  Which I did.  I was fortunate that my mom had the money.  That's the problem.  Everyone I know who went to a private school prefered it, the thing is that not everybody can afford a private school.  Something has to be done, so people who can't afford private schools still can have a good education. 

 

Indeed!  I was discussing this with my good friend who sends her child to  public school just yesterday!  Thank you for expressing that!

That is why I never can pit one  method against another and diss it as being inherently bad or good.  How ridiculous is that?  How can I expect to be taken seriously as a human being if people think I unschool because I think public schooling "is bad". 

I think it puts homeschoolers in a bad light when they do that with regards to public school.  Many of my friends are public educators or parents of public school students so it would be disrespecting their lives and careers to say "Public school is so bad, eww gross".  I'm fostering in my children a working knowledge and respect for ALL.  Their reading of the posts here (yes, they can read!) has been a very interesting study in human psychology, knowledge, ignorance, beliefs, and misconceptions.

Public schooling is NOT BAD.  In some cases it's optimal.  The only difference is public schooling is not what our family wants nor fits our particular lifestyle needs.  So we legally registered as a homeschooling family.

For me, there is no "anything" VS "anything".  If there is anything I've learned along the 4 year so far course of our unschooling it's that everyone is different and what makes one family work may not make another function in the same fashion.

In the same way one person can glean nourishment from blueberries while others may be repelled by them and seek out peaches instead.  Neither blueberries nor peaches are bad or good... they just are.

Hello all!

I have greatly enjoyed reading all of the posts concerning this schooling topic and wanted to share my experience with you all. My experience is unique, but i think others may have had similar experiences.

I am a 21 yr old female, with a good job and a boyfriend.  I was in public school kindergarten through 3rd grade. My mother, who is a teacher, had decided to homeschool my brother and me because we both we bored at school. My brother was in second grade at the time, and by the end of our school year, we both were studying at a 6th grade level together. I went back to public school for 5th and 6th grade. My 7th grade year i begged my mother for homeschooling, I had grown bored of the public school pace. My brother excelled greatly and wanted to stay. My mom homeschooled me, leaving my brother in public school. I was not doing good in algebra in 9th grade so they put me in private school for 10th grade. I loved the learning, but i still could not feel equal to the other kids, i felt 'too smart', ie i loved school, they hated it; i read books, they goofed off; things of that nature. (it was MY choice not to play sports, i would much rather snuggle up with a book). In 11th grade, I was in two seperate private schools, both on the extreme ends of the spectrum. When my senior year came, I begged for homeschooling once again. My parents let me 'teach myself', and i graduated top 5 in the homeschooling program's 400 students.

 

I loved homeschooling, and yes, it is NOT for everyone. My brother did better in public school than in private or homeschool, graduating top 3 in his class of 35. I am glad that there are private schools, religious or not, out there to choose from. I have been in the best and the worst of private, and sadly, private schools are slowly becoming "regect' schools, children kicked out from public schools and are put in the private schools. It is not the case in every private school, but it happens, a lot. Ironically enough, I learned more of life's hardships, rude people, love and hate, work ethics, and swearing in private schools than in public!

 

I think that public schools have a purpose, and serve that purpose the best it can. Same with private and homeschool. When it comes time for my children to begin schooling, I will choose homeschooling/ private schools, and am grateful that we live in a country that gives me that right to choose the best path I deem acceptable for my children.

 

Thanks for letting me interact and share my opinion!

Jacque

I am not a blanket proponent of  unschooling, and actually have  oppositional leanings against it, but to say things like unschoolers are allowed to be stupid or are being given a great disservice is not necessarily fair.  I know of a young man here in Tulsa who was unschooled his entire life, never took a test, went to the SAT and scored over a 1500 which then got him a free ride to the well respected private Tulsa University and is acutally excelling and has been accepted into a program to study to become a member for the NSA.   Did his mom do him a disservice?  Did he grow up stupid?  I would be inclined to think not ESPECIALLY when he has been accepted into a program for the NSA!!!

What it comes down to is the fact that different children are going to learn and grow in different ways, no two students are the same and their education may need to be tailored to fit each student. 

hello my name is keesha. Im 15 years old and i have been in a public schol my entire life. Before this year, my sophmore year started i asked my parents about being homeschooled. They asked me why and i told them that i didnt enjoy going to public schools. I dont like public school at all, I am a christian and being in a public just seams to bring me farther and farther from were i want to be in my walk with God. They are so many people at school that are rude, mean, and just altogether not friendly people. I may sound like a person that is antisocial, or maybe someone that doesnt like being around people, in general. Im not not at all, Im a cheerleader, I play soccer, Im vice president of FCS and FCA, im secretary of my graduating class, and im song and game leader for my 4-h club, im also very envoled with my chruch and my churches denominational conference. I just think my life would be filled with less stress if i was homeschool, not unschool, but homeschool. In order for me learn i have to have things that are very stuctured, and alot of the times i seem to learn better on my own, with very little help from the teacher. I have 4.0 grade point average with much ease. I feel like if i was homeschooled then i would be able to learn better without the distraction of other people around me.

 

When i asked my parent about homeschooling, and after i told them my reason they decided that homeschooling was the best bet for me. I live in a very small town of only about 3 or 4 thousand people. They explained to me that i would get the socialism that i needed to get, because there isnt alot of clubs and organization that i can be envolved in, especially with being in such a small town. If i was in a much larger town, or city then homeschooling would be an amazing alternative to public schooling for me.

 

So in closure, i think that homeschooling or maybe even unschooling is perfectly fine, as long as your around alot of people, and your able to socialize like you need to. I want to be homeschooled so that i could learn better, not so that i could get away from people. For small town people homeschool is defenitaley not a good alternative.

 

My little 5 year old  (who wouldn't enter school this year anyway due to when she did turn 5), is just learning to read this year, well actually, since last year.

The whole time, she's insisted on doing it herself with very little instruction from me.  In fact the idea that I would need to help her and tell her "how to" do something she's already fascinated with makes her feel insulted.  "No, I can do it!"  Then she'll attempt to spell something and ask "is that a word?", and that will be the time I'll suggest other words to her.  She's coming along extremely well.  Reading and literacy and numeracy are a springboard for learning pretty much everything (aside from hands on).  She's thriving so well and there's just no stopping her or restricting her.

Excellent posting!  You brought out some very valid points and I hope that the people that have posted  feeling that their way is the only way read this.  All children are different, all parents are different  -