Standards
I have very high standards for my kids.
I expect them to be clean, polite, well-fed, friendly, and respectful, among other things.
But nowhere do my standards rise to such lofty heights as they do with the education of my children.
Because we school at home, I have the luxury of expecting so much more from my son and daughter than I would if they were still working under the low bar set by the public school system.
Sometimes my kids get a little frustrated that I make them do assignments two or three times.
Like I said, my standards are high. But are they too high?
I make them write neatly. I demand that their sentences be complete. I ask them to stay within the margins of their paper. I require that their thoughts be coherent.
Best of all, I actually expect them to have correct spelling and grammar!
High standards don't have to be impossible standards.
I also expect my kids to read at or above grade level, to memorize the times table, to know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, to be aware of the geography of our planet, and to have a general understanding of the foundations of Western Civilization.
I tell them to learn something new each and every day.
Is that so much to ask?
Kids today lack the basics for one simple reason. Nobody is setting high standards for them. Not the schools, not their parents, not society. In fact, it seems to be just the opposite as children all too frequently hear, "You don't need to know that for the test."
While everyone else is dumbing things down, I'm trying to smarten things up.
My kids know they're expected to do their best, on every lesson and assignment. If they don't, they do it over. And they keep working on it until they get it right.
If they do these things, I believe they'll find success in life, in whatever form they choose.
Those are my standards, and I'm sticking to them.
What are yours?
I expect them to be clean, polite, well-fed, friendly, and respectful, among other things.
But nowhere do my standards rise to such lofty heights as they do with the education of my children.
Because we school at home, I have the luxury of expecting so much more from my son and daughter than I would if they were still working under the low bar set by the public school system.
Sometimes my kids get a little frustrated that I make them do assignments two or three times.
Like I said, my standards are high. But are they too high?
I make them write neatly. I demand that their sentences be complete. I ask them to stay within the margins of their paper. I require that their thoughts be coherent.
Best of all, I actually expect them to have correct spelling and grammar!
High standards don't have to be impossible standards.
I also expect my kids to read at or above grade level, to memorize the times table, to know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, to be aware of the geography of our planet, and to have a general understanding of the foundations of Western Civilization.
I tell them to learn something new each and every day.
Is that so much to ask?
Kids today lack the basics for one simple reason. Nobody is setting high standards for them. Not the schools, not their parents, not society. In fact, it seems to be just the opposite as children all too frequently hear, "You don't need to know that for the test."
While everyone else is dumbing things down, I'm trying to smarten things up.
My kids know they're expected to do their best, on every lesson and assignment. If they don't, they do it over. And they keep working on it until they get it right.
If they do these things, I believe they'll find success in life, in whatever form they choose.
Those are my standards, and I'm sticking to them.
What are yours?
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 12:04 AM
12 Comments:
I sure like your standards. To 'smarten up' makes much more sense, and will pay off later for them. Keep up the good work. The Stickman
High! Very high. Sometimes I wonder if my expectations are a bit unrealistic. I've tried to expect less--but can't bring myself to do that.
Keep at them, man.
Your kids will succeed in life because you will have taught them the real lessons. Keep it up!
I'm really thinking about enrolling my son in YOUR school.
i think most parents expect and want the best for their kids.
how long to you plan on home schooling the kids?
i wish more public school teachers had your approach but they are crippled by bureaucratic b.s.
Good for you Phil.
I had to march to those exact same standards when I was a kid. And if I didn't, the nun with the wooden ruler let me know it!
One can give a kid the tools, guide and nurture, but what they decide to do with those tools at the end of the day, is down to them....
You are the most amazing father and guide Phil....
x
That should be the way, especially they'll be the testimony of how good their dad is as a teacher. I don't put high standard because I know how bad is the education system they're having in schools here..or maybe just because like what their teacher told me..I'm too soft with my kids. I just wish I can do better than that.
I work in a public school in the 4th grade. Pretty much everything on your list is something we do. This may be why we earn both national awards, and the derision of parents who think we are too hard on their kids. Just today I worked with a student, new to our school, who was on the third try of a math assignment. We have great parent and community volunteers. At the same time my family has received criticism for taking our child to this school (a 10 min. drive) instead of going to the school down the street. Our school isn't right for every family, and neither is homeschooling. Most days I can't believe that everyone isn't trying this hard to do the best for their kids though, and that makes me a bit sad.
Seeing as how I live in the state with the lowest ranking public school system I guess I should just be happy if they do well enough to get a nice factory job. Maybe something union.
They are well-fed though.
Gotta allow for less-than-perfect now and then so they can see the difference when they improve.
I was so happy to read this!! My son had a B- in Math and I was ready to pull him from football, another mom said a B- that is good...ahh NO!! It should and will be an A or he will sit on the bench!! They will reach the bar no matter the height.
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