School Daze
Tomorrow is a sad day for me. School starts up again, and my son is headed to second grade. Shouldn't I be happy that he's embarking on wonderful learning adventures? Of course, but I can't shake this nagging feeling in my mind that I'm not doing what's best for him. I have very little faith in this country's public schools. Most of the teachers do their best, but there is only so much they can do when their time and attention are spread out over the needs of 24 students. My son has, on more than one occasion, said to me, "We waste so much time because the teacher is busy with the goof-off kids." He's a good student, and I think we've instilled in him the value of learning. He can certainly do well in the crowded classrooms because he can motivate himself. The difference between him and other kids is that he has a mom and dad who are willing to work with him at home. It's something that I actually enjoy doing. Homeschooling is an option we've talked about, and one we'll implement if the public school system loses any more of my confidence.
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 2:53 PM
8 Comments:
I understand your concern, Phil. I once talked with a woman who homeschools her kids; her eldest was about 8 at the time. What she does is take care of her son's education in science, history, english and the other "major" subjects, then takes him to a regular school for his classes in P.E. and 2 other subjects (can't recall right now). Is that scheme possible over there?
Don't give up on the schools, Phil. I teach middle school and high school in Coeur d'Alene, and I see students who get through very well. Yes, teachers are overworked, and yes, the goof-offs do take up too much of teachers's time and effort, but something magical happens along the way. Those middle-of-the-road and high-performing students come out of it with flying colors. They learn, even if they waste some time along the way.
I've dedicated my professional life to public education, so I may be biased, but I think your kids will take far more out of their education within the community institutions than they will if it's just you and them.
They'll learn how to learn from a variety of different instructors. They'll learn from their fellows what qualities lead to success and what qualities lead to failure. By interacting with other kids from different backgrounds, they'll become comfortable with a greater variety of people. They'll develop some of those characteristics we call "social skills," and before you dismiss that, I've had a lot of kids come into my class from homeschooling that are just, well, different from their peers.
I went to school in Coeur d'Alene from kindergarten through high school graduation, and I know well the many faults our system has. But I'm glad I had the teachers I did. I learned a lot, even if I felt like it was a waste of time. I hated that the teachers moved at the pace of the slowest child. I hated that high school atheletes got a free pass in classes, even when I was one of them. I hated that some classes were pointless, or that the teacher was just riding a desk until retirement.
But I love that I had the experience. When anyone talks about their school days, I can immediately relate. An adolescent's life is tough enough without immediately being an outsider.
At our PTA meeting last week, the principal of our school told us that they are adopting a new teaching model (I can't remember the name of it right now) that allows the teachers to teach to the level of all kids in the class by encouraging the quicker kids to help instruct the slower kids. Is it possible that the goof-off kids are smart kids that are bored, or are they goofing off because they don't pick up the material as quickly as everyone else? I think that if you can help your son to figure out what's going on with the other kids, it would help to inform your decision.
hey family phil. . .
just wanted to tell you that we have decided even before our first was born, that we were going to homeschool. we feel, and believe that we are doing what is best for our children. with all the things that are going on in the schools, we can't/won't submit our children's growing minds to all that is being taught.
Phil, we feel much as you do. After getting recent close-ups of our high school, I was horrified. And we have what's considered a pretty good school. Fortunately, Seth is still about 11 years from high school.
My only advice is keep your eyes open as to how your children do in public school. I suspect you'll know soon enough.
My husband and I often talk about homeschooling our kids. Of course the bulk of the teaching would come down on me, so that's got me on the fence. I do believe that while there are some excellent schools and teachers in the public system, you just don't always know what you're going to get. I used to substitute teach in a fairly well-to-do public elementary school and I was pretty horrified by the behavior/language/attitudes of many of the children that I taught and saw in the lunchroom at recess, etc. And this was second and third grade. It really kind of frightened me, and I'm not putting the blame on the teachers here, but if these are the influences that our kids are subject to in the classroom, then forget it. My children need to be challenged, but not in that way. Certainly more and more parents are homeschooling their kids for some of these reasons. Like Sunnyday, I also know parents who've brought their kids to school for just certain courses, like languages and then taught the other courses at home. I think there are lots of options for you, but good luck to you on whatever you decide. No doubt your son has all the tools he will need to succeed no matter where he is learning.
Hi Phil! I see that my husband (granati) already commented but I'll give my two cents.
I was homeschooled from fifth grade all the way through high school and I am so glad that I was. I know that homeschooling is not for everyone, but I know that it was best for me and my four siblings. My mom is still homeschooling the three that haven't left home yet.
We are planning on homeschooling our kids. Last year I started teaching preschool to our three year old and today we started her pre-k curriculum for four year olds. We do it for religious reasons but there are many people out there who do it because they just feel it is what is best for their kids. I also like having my kids home with me. I would miss them too much if they were gone all day at preschool or daycare.
I urge you to consider it. And, I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
I won't comment on the home-schooling option, except to say I suspect you and I are in roughly the same "gray zone" on this issue. I completely feel your pain re: first day of school blues. I honestly believe it's harder on the parents than it is on the kids.
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