How I Learned My Lesson
It's been three days since we finished our first year of homeschool, and I'm in decompression mode. There's no end to the chores and projects around our house, but before I get myself prepared for all of that I thought I'd answer some questions about my experience with homeschooling my third grade son.
"I was just wondering how difficult it is for you to teach a subject that you aren't entirely comfortable 'teaching'. Not something you disagree with but perhaps something you still have things to learn about as well?"
At no point did I feel uncomfortable with any subject this year. It is third grade after all. There are things I've forgotten, but nothing that I didn't understand with a little refresher. For example, when we studied light and how the human eye works, I already knew what each part of the eye did. The cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, optic nerve. But I'd forgotten the function of the cones and rods. No problem, I just learned it right along with my son.
The curriculum we use, from K12, gives parents plenty of material to review before sitting down with their children. Personally, I didn't make much use of the teacher's manuals simply because I didn't need that much preparation.
Every night I would review the lessons for the next day so I could think about how to present them to my son. Also, I would think about where to teach a particular lesson, as math seemed better suited for the kitchen table while spelling and grammar worked fine at his desk.
As my son gets older, and into difficult (for me) subjects like trigonometry and chemistry, he'll be relying less upon me and more on outside classes and materials, not to mention his own self-learning habits.
"Do you struggle with your child, expecting more when he is unwilling to want to learn?"
We had plenty of moments where he wasn't in a math mood. One of the most positive aspects of homeschooling is the flexibility it affords. So, rather than struggle pointlessly through a math lesson, we would simply come back to it after lunch. Or the next day. Even though we had a daily schedule, it certainly was not set in concrete. He's slowly learning to communicate with me when he's tired, or unable to focus on a subject, so we can adjust our lessons.
My expectations of him are simple: Do your best, focus on what's in front of you, and let me know if the lesson is moving too fast or too slow.
"How do you stay organized?"
Mainly, through the computer. Again, our K12 curriculum featured online scheduling, calendar, materials, and progress. I also use Google Calendar for keeping track of our day.
Another key to staying organized is having one central area for homeschooling. One corner of our family room is devoted to this, with desk, shelves, materials and computer all in the same place.
"Do you miss public school at all for your son?"
Several times throughout the year I asked my son this very question, and he always said, "No way." People always assume that he is missing out on the social aspect of public school, but they don't realize that he gets more than his fair share of that through sports, Scouts, community classes, friends, and the dozens of field trips he's been on with homeschool groups. In the past year he's learned more about dealing with kids of all ages than he had to in his three years of public school.
Basically, the positive aspects of homeschooling far outweigh the positive aspects of public school. For education, it's not even close and not really worth talking about. That's why anti-homeschoolers trot out the tired old socialization myth. Or maybe we should just call it what it is: a lie. They like to stereotype homeschoolers as timid loners, uncomfortable in social settings and unable to function in large groups of people. Hmmmm, that describes most of the kids in the public school classrooms!
The truth is that homeschoolers come in all shapes and sizes, just like in public school. Positive socialization starts at home. If the kids don't get it there, then they won't get it at all. If you want to talk about something the public schools do better, then negative socialization can be a bragging point for them. And who would miss that?
"I was just wondering how difficult it is for you to teach a subject that you aren't entirely comfortable 'teaching'. Not something you disagree with but perhaps something you still have things to learn about as well?"
At no point did I feel uncomfortable with any subject this year. It is third grade after all. There are things I've forgotten, but nothing that I didn't understand with a little refresher. For example, when we studied light and how the human eye works, I already knew what each part of the eye did. The cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, optic nerve. But I'd forgotten the function of the cones and rods. No problem, I just learned it right along with my son.
The curriculum we use, from K12, gives parents plenty of material to review before sitting down with their children. Personally, I didn't make much use of the teacher's manuals simply because I didn't need that much preparation.
Every night I would review the lessons for the next day so I could think about how to present them to my son. Also, I would think about where to teach a particular lesson, as math seemed better suited for the kitchen table while spelling and grammar worked fine at his desk.
As my son gets older, and into difficult (for me) subjects like trigonometry and chemistry, he'll be relying less upon me and more on outside classes and materials, not to mention his own self-learning habits.
"Do you struggle with your child, expecting more when he is unwilling to want to learn?"
We had plenty of moments where he wasn't in a math mood. One of the most positive aspects of homeschooling is the flexibility it affords. So, rather than struggle pointlessly through a math lesson, we would simply come back to it after lunch. Or the next day. Even though we had a daily schedule, it certainly was not set in concrete. He's slowly learning to communicate with me when he's tired, or unable to focus on a subject, so we can adjust our lessons.
My expectations of him are simple: Do your best, focus on what's in front of you, and let me know if the lesson is moving too fast or too slow.
"How do you stay organized?"
Mainly, through the computer. Again, our K12 curriculum featured online scheduling, calendar, materials, and progress. I also use Google Calendar for keeping track of our day.
Another key to staying organized is having one central area for homeschooling. One corner of our family room is devoted to this, with desk, shelves, materials and computer all in the same place.
"Do you miss public school at all for your son?"
Several times throughout the year I asked my son this very question, and he always said, "No way." People always assume that he is missing out on the social aspect of public school, but they don't realize that he gets more than his fair share of that through sports, Scouts, community classes, friends, and the dozens of field trips he's been on with homeschool groups. In the past year he's learned more about dealing with kids of all ages than he had to in his three years of public school.
Basically, the positive aspects of homeschooling far outweigh the positive aspects of public school. For education, it's not even close and not really worth talking about. That's why anti-homeschoolers trot out the tired old socialization myth. Or maybe we should just call it what it is: a lie. They like to stereotype homeschoolers as timid loners, uncomfortable in social settings and unable to function in large groups of people. Hmmmm, that describes most of the kids in the public school classrooms!
The truth is that homeschoolers come in all shapes and sizes, just like in public school. Positive socialization starts at home. If the kids don't get it there, then they won't get it at all. If you want to talk about something the public schools do better, then negative socialization can be a bragging point for them. And who would miss that?
Permalink posted by Phil at 12:01 AM
7 Comments:
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question!
I think it again depends on the homeschool educator and the student..their willingness to make it happen and be serious about it. I do believe there are some homeschoolers who fail to reach where you've got into now if they don't have discipline. Good job you guys! Any plan to homeschool your daughter after this? (It will be intersting to know hoe you homeschool more than one child together)
Hi, I'm curious. . .did you start with K12, or did you just start using a full curriculum---I'm doing piecemeal right now (my oldest will be starting 1st grade in September)---I like the flexibility it offers, but with three kids born within 3.5 years, a full curriculum would certainly take some of my prep time out of the equation, y/k? You can email me directly at fairlyoddmother @ inbox . com if you'd like.
We live in Idaho as well. Are you going through Connections or Idaho Virtual academy or just the K12? My daughter will be in 8th grade next year and I'm really leaning towards homeschool, but I feel I need back up with a set up program.
Congrats on completing your first year. Keep in mind that each year brings its own challenges and rewards, so don't give up. My oldest just finished his junior year of college with a 4.0. My youngest is 10, and I am still learning new things, both in the schooling and in the teaching.
I agree with hliza. Over the years of meeting homeschool parents, I think the children do... how the parent does. 98% did what I would call more than well. The parents were committed. The first one I met was back in the 70's. It was a teacher who was fed up with the system,dropped out of teaching, then taught his own children. Excellent job. The kids were so far ahead of my public school taught it was shameful. But I didn't have it in me to teach my own kids. As I said it is the parents. I saw in 2 cases, where they gave the assignment to the kids and left for the day. Not to work but to play (the adults). One case the boy was close to teens, did public school to the 5 or 6 grade. Went back when he was 14, did really bad, as the 2 years were wasted. Got discouraged and dropped out at 16. Very sad. To me it was child abuse. He is 36 now. Goes from job to job. Very nice young man, but is not motivated in any way. Sad. So I always try to encourage any parent who does home schooling. It is a very hard job. But rewarding in the end. Just like like raising children.
you homeschool parents make me sick. You believe that your kids are so much better than other kids that go to public schools. You are all doing your kids a disserves by trying to teach them yourselves. They will never have a normal teenage life. Many of you will probably say that you do not want your kids to be normal. Well, your right they won't be normal they will all be freaks that only hang out with other homeschool freaks and will never experience the real world. If you have any comments my email address is ooobadah@yahoo.com.
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