The Imperfect Community

Queen Bee

Let's post our questions or comments about homeschooling here so that we aren't taking up important J&K blog space Smile

I am hoping this thread can maintain a conversational tone and not morph into a major debate. Respect to all homeschool parents and professional educators! Mr. Green

Angelica · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

Checking in...I'm here! Very good first post.

Jessica · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

Personally, I would rather chew glass, eat a spider, stand of the edge up top of the Sears Tower, watch the Yu-Gi-Oh movie on a continuous loop and listen to the Doobie Brothers for 8 hours straight, than immerse myself in 6 hours of instruction with my kids everyday.

But, that's just me. I don't have the patience for it and I'd never kid myself into thinking that I do.

I know that home-schoolers are supposedly better prepared for college and are said to do better academically, but the stats are somewhat skewed IMO. They never account for the kids that get put back into the public school system after failed home-school attempts, where are more than officially reported.

Having said that, I don't care or judge those that home-school -- all the power to 'em and I hope it truly is mutually beneficial for all involved and the kids rise to levels of achievement that they may not otherwise achieve. I just know it's not for me or my family.

Friend · Slightly Flawed Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 145

To the Queen and Angelica,

I appreciate the viewpoint you brought out...and I can now see that I was wrong in some of my thinking. Angelica, you are absolutly right on about striving for different...the norm is not good. As I said, I have been around alot of homeschooled kids, mostly in my daughter's sports...some of the Mom's stand out more than the kids in that they didn't see overtly bright and well-adjusted themselves....maybe that is what made more of an impression on me than the kids, thinking back.
Thanks to both of you for bringing some facts to the table that I was unaware of. Nicely done!!!

Queen Bee · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

Ephesians 2:10 · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

IMO with homeschooling, there are 2 different groups. Those that care and give their children an excellent education and those parents that simply don't care and their kids don't get the education and socialization that's needed.

I don't homeschool, but have a lot of friends that do. One of my closest friends is the Principal of a homeschool private school. These kids are homeschooled but are accountable through the school. They have group classes in homes. I know most of the families through church. These kids are highly educated and socialized. They are in sports and music. They go through standarized testing together.

I also have a neighbor that has her Masters in math and teaches high school math through a large home school group. She teaches geometry through calculus. Most of the students she teaches are above grade level, but occasionally she has a student who parents don't care. The student is way behind and the parents get upset with the low grade. They don't help their kids. They expect her to give them a high grade even though they can't do the work. She gets frustrated b/c she expects the kids to be accountable as if they were in the school system.

Just some thoughts with my experience.

Queen Bee · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

Angelica · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject:

Ephesians 2:10 · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

Angelica, that is so true. It's not right or wrong, just what's right for each family.

I went to a church for a few years where most of the families home schooled. We didn't think it was right for our family due to personalities. We were looked down on by many people. We were black sheep.

But ironically my friend that is the Principal, backs us up.

Angelica · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject:

Angelica · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject:

Angelica · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject:

Queen Bee · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

mommyplus3 · Slightly Flawed Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 43

i haven't read all of the posts on the blog (just too time consuming to find them LOL), but...I have been on both sides.

I HS'ed oldest daughter for 2.5 years at the starting middle school age. It was the best thing that I could've done for her. She needed that time to mature and be her own person. She just went back into public school last year around spring break and did wonderfully...both academically and socially. I shudder to think how she would have handled it without those 2 years.

I don't plan on HSing the younger 2, but they seem better equipped to handle things, but....you never know. The younger daughter starts middle school this year - time will tell.

HS works for some, some it doesn't. There can be so many reasons to HS, as there can be so many not to ;o). I'm glad that we have the option and would hate to see it gone.

BTW...I do miss it, but know that where my daughter is is best for her right now.

Very Happy