Questions about homeschooling...

This is really for my own nosey information. I really have questions about how you all make this work.
How did you decide to homeschool? Is it for religious reasons?
Do you follow a curriculum? unschool?
Do you set aside specific time during the day? Is there a room set up as a classroom?
Do you feel qualified to teach? Are you qualified because of a degree? life experience? because no one else can teach your kids the way you can?
How do you make sure that you are challenging your child in new and creative ways?
Does technology play a part in homeschooling for you? (do you use computers, internet, tv?)

Like I said, this is really out of curiosity. I don't know that I would have the discipline, myself, to do this and am curious about those who can.

i have the same questions plus an additional one - do you feel that your children have ample time away from you to do their own thing?

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How did you decide to homeschool? Is it for religious reasons?
We had homeschooled one year before with Courtnie (2nd grade) and she had done really well. We only quit that time because I was pregnant with Emma and was afraid it would be too much and she wouldn't get a good education. We ultimately decided to begin again more for concern for our daughters' character, than for religious reasons (although I suppose they intermix). We just felt like with them only getting 4-6 hours a day with us and 8+ with the school, that they were learning things that normally they wouldn't be subjected to.

Do you follow a curriculum? unschool?
We use Alpha Omega Lifepac homeschool curriculum. This year we cover Math, Language Arts, Science & History. Next year we will add Bible to the set.

Do you set aside specific time during the day? Is there a room set up as a classroom?
We have our dining room set up as our "classroom" with a dry erase board and bulletin board for their work. But honestly, sometimes they do their work laying in the floor, on the couch, at their own desks... It really depends on if they are working on something that requires a lot of help or not. We try to start our schoolwork by 9:30am. Sometimes they are finished by lunch and other days, they are still working at 3pm.

Do you feel qualified to teach? Are you qualified because of a degree? life experience? because no one else can teach your kids the way you can?
I feel like I am more than qualified to teach my children on my own at this point. I know that at some point there will be more challenging courses that I will need assistance in. There are terrific homeschool co-ops to join that cover electives and basics alike. I don't feel like there will ever be a time where there won't be a solution for whatever we may need at the time.

How do you make sure that you are challenging your child in new and creative ways?
I try hard to take new ideas anywhere I can. I have friends who teach school, my dad is an administrator for a public school system in the Houston area. I am not too proud to pick people's brains, scour educational magazines... Whatever works. Our curriculum's teacher's guides also list different additional projects to pick from for each chapter.

Does technology play a part in homeschooling for you? (do you use computers, internet, tv?)
We absolutely use the internet! There are loads of educational games online that help reenforce skills the girls are learning.

Like I said, this is really out of curiosity. I don't know that I would have the discipline, myself, to do this and am curious about those who can
I'll be honest that the discipline is a lot of work for me. That is the main reason we use a curriculum - it keeps me on track, and lets me see if we are on schedule, ahead or behind. I never thought I would have ended up a homeschooling mom, but it works great for our family!:love .


To answer your question, do my kids have ample time away from me? My kids are very involved in our church activities for kids. Things like AWANAS and choir. They have core groups of friends just like "school kids" do. I'm not sure that I believe my kids (or anyone's for that matter) really need as much time away from mom and dad as society suggests. Like I keep telling my oldest daughter "choose who you hang out with very carefully, because you will become like the company you keep".

How did you decide to homeschool? Is it for religious reasons?
For a million different reasons, but nope, religious reasons never were a deciding factor. I don't agree with the idea of "school" as it is in our culture -- I think standard education is too narrow. Individual, taylored learning. I disagree with all the standardized testing. Homeschooling is more effiecient. You can learn more in a shorter amount of time when your not teaching 30 kids at once. More learing from Life, rather than from a classroom. Freedom to travel to learn. More field-trips. More social activities, with a wider variety of people, not just people born between August 15, 2002 to August 14, 2003. I want to instill a love of learning, and not make it a "chore" to learn. Applied, real to life learning, rather than "worksheet math". I want them to be challenged in ways that are unique to them. The politics of the public school system. The only-allowed-to-pee-at-certain-alloted-times-of-day that my step-son encounters in his public school. The way behavior is handled at public schools (my step-son is "paid" to behave in his school. Oh, I could go on and on about all the reason I love homeschooling.

Do you follow a curriculum? unschool?
We're definatly more on the unschooling side of the spectrum rather than "school at home'. Unit studies, child-led learning, learning from life. Lots of hands-on. A little Waldorf here, a little Montessori there, etc...

Do you set aside specific time during the day? Is there a room set up as a classroom?
Life is a classroom! We learn whenever a lesson presents itself. Which is everyday. Toddlers learn more in a day than at any other time in their life, without a "scheduled learning time." We learn fractions in the kitchen when doulbling/half-ing recipes and measuring ingredients. Algebra and trig in the workshop when drawing out plans for a new bookshelf or rocking horse. Art lessons at the meausem. We learn about animals at the zoo. I believe that homeschooling doesn't necessarily have to take place at *home*.

Do you feel qualified to teach? Are you qualified because of a degree? life experience? because no one else can teach your kids the way you can?
I believe no one knows your child better than the parent does. That makes the parents uniquely qualified. Together with me, my children learn to walk, to talk, etc. As they grow, we will continue to learn and grow together.

Plus, if you are a good reader, you can learn anything. I constantly teach myself new things, without going to school. If I need help, I seek it out. From a book, from a class, etc. If my child has an interest in learning the history of Zimbabwe, of which I'm not well-versed, together we can read and learn together. We can find resources to learn.

FWIW, I have my BA and am working towards my CPM, but I do not believe that has any bearing on my ability to teach my children. I believe my ability to read, and the desire to teach, and my ability to seek out resources are what make me qualified.

How do you make sure that you are challenging your child in new and creative ways?
Gosh, I challenge myself daily in my life. I'm sure my kids will pick up on that. We are always picking up new subjects...

Does technology play a part in homeschooling for you? (do you use computers, internet, tv?)
We're a TV-free family, although we do rent movies from time to time. The library has many videos (discovery channel, history channel stuff) that you can borrow for free. And yes, the internet is a valuable resource for learning, as long as you don't abuse the technology, IMO. I'm not one for "educational software"... I'd rather teach my children the lessons rather than a computer game saying, "good job, you found the purple triangle!"

do you feel that your children have ample time away from you to do their own thing?

My little ones are still pretty small. I think will the 30+ homeschooling organizations in the area, plus the fact that there are SO many reasourses in Dallas..... My kids will have plenty of activity with and without me and/or Chris. Also, many of my friends are homeschooling families. I'm sure they will spend time with other homeschoolers, as well as their public/private schooled friends. And I agree with Julie, that they don't need the same "away" time that society seems to promote. Homeschooling promotes family closeness.

Right now, my step-son is public schooled during the week at his moms, and we do unschooling on the weekends with him. (Although he calls it fun!)

Michael's craft store does homeschooling art classes. The Allen Gymnastics center does homeschooling gym classes during the day. There are a million places to learn and grow that aren't in a classroom.

That brings up another question...

Why do homeschoolers have their own gymnastics and art classes? They are at the same places that the rest of our children go to and, I would assume, taught the same way.
I agree that for toddlers that unschooling is a great approach...we do a lot of that here, also. I guess I was thinking more like Alex's age. I can't imagine being able to keep up with him at his level of chemistry and French.
If you don't believe in standardized testing, then how do you meet the state's expectations for homeschooling (or are there none?) How do they then compete to get into colleges if they have never had a standardized test?
Again, not necessarily thinking about toddlers, but on down the line.

Why do homeschoolers have their own gymnastics and art classes? They are at the same places that the rest of our children go to and, I would assume, taught the same way.
Homeschool classes are taught during the day, although many homeschoolers also do classes during the evening and weekends with schooled-children. Homeschoolers just have more time to do more if they choose. Personally, I'd rather my son take paino lessons on a Tuesday morning, so come Saturday, we have more family time free, or have time to persue soccer league as well.

I agree that for toddlers that unschooling is a great approach...we do a lot of that here, also. I guess I was thinking more like Alex's age. I can't imagine being able to keep up with him at his level of chemistry and French.
Alex can learn a lot of chemistry and French on his own with books, from a mentor, with a homeschooling co-op, and/or you can learn along with him. Or he can take a class if he wishes.

If you don't believe in standardized testing, then how do you meet the state's expectations for homeschooling (or are there none?) How do they then compete to get into colleges if they have never had a standardized test?

The state of TX believes that it's the parents right to teach their children how they see fit. Homeschooling is considered a "private school" by Texas law, and as a private school is not regulated by the state. You are required to teach reading, grammer, spelling, mathmatics, good citizenship in a bone fide manner. How you do it and when you do it is up to you.

Here's a great FAQ....
http://www.thsc.org/Getting_Started/Dealing_with_the_School_District.pdf

Colleges can request homeschooled kids (as well as public schooled kids) to take college entrance exams, or take the SAT, etc. Colleges often will look at homeschooler's portfolios.

It's not that I'm against my children ever taking a test... But my step-son in public school takes standardized tests 7 our of the 9 months he's in school. And they "teach to the test". My mom is a public school teacher, and she's been told not to teach anything that's not applicable to TAKS testing. She has to submit her lesson plans with each lessons "applicability to the TAKS". And she's a music teacher!

We have definitely lived "teaching towards the test". One school that Alex went to, did that all year. It was to the point at the end of fourth grade, he did not have a clue how to write in cursive because they "didn't have time" to teach it. However, when he switched elementary schools....the next one over in the neighborhood, it was completely different. The teachers were much more imaginative and did not teach the tests. Unfortunately, a huge factor in this were the demographics of the two schools. The one that taught the tests was dealing with the wealthiest in the area and the poorest in the area and had to teach to the lowest one in the class. The other school was much more middle income across the board and didn't have to deal with that.
In Vermont, it was COMPLETELY different. It was a public school, K-8, grouped in multi-age settings. It was very montessori in its approach, but they didn't call it that. He was in a "house" with 5-8 graders (he spent 7th and 8th grade there). They had 4 teachers in the house, each with a different specialty. They were rearranged during the day by levels and classes. For the most part he stayed in the house for everything. He had to go to another house for his math because he tested high enough for them to put him in algebra in 7th grade.
When we came back to Texas, we came with a portfolio...no transcript, no numeric or letter grades. They checked off in the portfolio whether he met the VT standard for that skill set. The school had a very difficult time dealing with that. They ended up taking my word for it that he had been in French and Algebra already and didn't need to repeat those. It came up again a couple of weeks ago. For the Academic Decathlon Team, they have to have a representative from three groups...A students, B students and C students. The coach called me to ask what the heck is grades were in VT. I told him to just make it whatever he wanted it to be...You really couldn't assign a grade to those things.

Luckily with the growth of homeschooling, more and more colleges are prepared to deal with homeschoolers with no "grades" but rather portfolios of their work.

Also, a little fun fact.... ACT Inc., producer of the ACT college entrance exam, reports that homeschool students scored an average of 22.6 for 2003. This compares with 20.9 for public school students for the same period.
http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/hslda/200409/200409150.asp

Good news for homeschoolers that want to persue traditional college work.

Parents Magazine has an article about homeschooling this month! It was pretty good :D

You were probably wanting more answers from Moms who are already homeschooling, but we haven't "officially" yet, so I will tell you how I think I will homeschool, but it's bound to change--LOL!

This is really for my own nosey information. I really have questions about how you all make this work.
How did you decide to homeschool? Is it for religious reasons? For me, it was totally based on my own experiences in public school. I went to excellent schools, people were always moving to our area because the schools were supposed to be so good. My problems with public school were that I definitely had more of my moral foundation decided from being with my peers, instead of my parents. I don't want someone else teaching my child sex education or undermining what I want them to know about God (I had a bio teacher who belittled the stories in the Bible). Even though my schools were supposedly so good, I knew girls having sex in the sixth grade, and my junior high was so out of control as far as fights, and foul language. I talked like a sailor when I was in the sixth grade! In the 9th grade I had a coach for an algebra teacher who taught us NOTHING all year long, except that it was okay for a teacher to check out his students. I could go on and on with the things that I dealt with in those three schools. Yes, religious reasons are a factor, because religious ed will be a part of our standard curriculum.

Another reason I want to homeschool is because I think the dynamic of a family is more "real world" than the dynamic of a classroom. No where else in life will you ever be grouped by your age. I want my children to know how to deal with people of all ages and stages of life.

ADHD runs rampant in my family, and I wouldn't be surprised if I end up with a child that is also ADHD. I really think they learn much better one-on-one, and you may not have to medicate them so that they can cope in a school environment. I want them to have more time in the day to be kids, to be creative, to read, to play in the yard, etc, especially when it comes to boys.
Do you follow a curriculum? unschool? I'm leaning towards structuring a curriculum for my kids. I like a little more structure, to make sure that they are learning. I don't want to let myself get lazy. I doubt that I will use any preset curriculum, I plan to piece one together myself, based on the advice of other homeschooling Mamas, and what I see works and doesn't.
Do you set aside specific time during the day? Is there a room set up as a classroom? I will set up a specific time. I'm a morning person, so it will probably be 8:30-noon, or something like that. I definitely will set up a classroom, because I would be distracted by dishes or phone calls that need to be made. I also made need to have a room that I can close off so that I can keep an eye on a younger child, while teaching an older one.
Do you feel qualified to teach? Are you qualified because of a degree? life experience? because no one else can teach your kids the way you can? The short answer is yes, I do. I will not have finished my degree by then, but I was working on a degree in music education, and dh is finishing his degree in history in August. Funny enough, he intends to teach at a public school! He will definitely be doing the history lessons, and spanish, as he has had more training. I feel like my strong desire to homeschool, and my own love of learning will help me to be a good teacher. I have some ideas for how to teach things that I have had absolutely no experience in. If, for instance, my child is in high school, and is having difficulty with Trig I may recruit a tutor from a high school or community college, if I don't feel like I can adequately teach it.
How do you make sure that you are challenging your child in new and creative ways? I think that is where homeschool groups come in. It would be easy to get stuck in a rut and not even realize it. I hope to be really active in a group, so that I can always get feedback from other homeschooling parents.
Does technology play a part in homeschooling for you? (do you use computers, internet, tv?) I want my kids to be proficient in using these things, but I'm not sure that I will use it to educate. Especially the internet---just too much junk for them to see.

Just wanted to add.....
The purpose of public schools is to make children "employable". 85% of homeschooled children own their own business. Reason enough for me......

Shirelle, you are probably right about things changing as you go. We are using the same curriculum for Ashleigh as we do Courtnie, and she is just not getting it as well. Courtnie's curriculum seems to be a good "fit" for her. Next year we're using the same style, but it will be computer based that is much more interactive and should work well with her. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what Ashleigh's learning style is - so we're definitely in the 'trial and error' stage with her!

This is the mission statement for our school district. It doesn't mention turning out students that are "employable"....

Education is a shared responsibility of students, school, home and community and with that as an essential principle, we believe that:

<LI class=bullet>Each person is ultimately responsible for his/her own learning. <LI class=bullet>Every person can learn; learning is lifelong and unlimited. <LI class=bullet>All people have equal inherent worth and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. <LI class=bullet>Each person is unique. <LI class=bullet>Everyone needs challenge and encouragement. <LI class=bullet>Through building meaningful relationships, people, both individually and corporately, have profound lifelong influence on other people. <LI class=bullet>Honesty is essential. <LI class=bullet>A safe and orderly environment is necessary for learning. <LI class=bullet>Discipline fosters self-discipline.
There is always room for improvement.

http://www.friscoisd.org/images/bnr_mission.gif

By providing quality resources, innovative instruction, and an environment conducive to continually inspiring students...

The mission of the Frisco Independent School District, in partnership with parents and community, is to develop citizens prepared to pursue their aspirations, who enjoy learning, display
compassion, and care about community.

http://www.friscoisd.org/images/bnr_obj.gif


<LI class=bullet>Each student will regularly and actively participate in learning activities. <LI class=bullet>Each student will assist others. <LI class=bullet>Each student will successfully complete graduation requirements based on his or her educational plan. <LI class=bullet>Each graduate will be actively engaged in post high school study or actively pursuing a vocational choice.
Each graduate will participate in the electoral process and in community projects and activities.

http://www.friscoisd.org/images/bnr_strat.gif


<LI class=bullet>We will establish an aligned, written, and tested curriculum focused on the success of every student. <LI class=bullet>We will establish procedures to acquire resources and allocate those resources to areas of greatest need. <LI class=bullet>We will recruit and retain excellent personnel and continually provide quality staff development. <LI class=bullet>We will monitor growth and plan for an orderly, systematic process to ensure quality programs and facilities. <LI class=bullet>We will vigorously enforce policies and procedures which promote a safe and orderly environment. <LI class=bullet>We will encourage and promote a climate that fosters parental participation in the education of his/her child.
We will establish a process that ensures open, honest, and frequent communication with our public.

And honestly, the majority of homeschooled children that I have known, far outshine their public schooled peers. I know there are exceptions to that rule, but the ones that I have known do very well in college, are generally more considerate of others, and able to get along with people of all ages.

I have only known one person who was homeschooled who said that he wished he wasn't. He resents that he was different, but at 20 years old he graduated with an undergraduate degree in Finance and already makes 40k, is in the process of starting a business and starting a graduate program. Whether or not he appreciates it, homeschooling obviously put him far ahead of his peers!

I've not met anyone that has been homeschooled. Has anyone here been homeschooled? Just curious.

I was off and on. About 1/3 of my schooling was at home. I went to public school until 3rd grade. Homeschooled in America for 4th and part of 5th in Spain. When I learned spanish ok, I went to middle school in Spanish Public School. I moved back to the us for a year in highschool and went to a private school, then moved back to Spain and finished at home, correspondence to Pensicola Christain School (Abeka) in Florida. I have done it all. American Public, American Private, American Homeschool, Overseas Homeschool and Overseas Public. I think there is a place for each kind. I will likely do a combo for different stages aswell for Ellie.

[/QUOTE]And honestly, the majority of homeschooled children that I have known, far outshine their public schooled peers. I know there are exceptions to that rule, but the ones that I have known do very well in college, are generally more considerate of others, and able to get along with people of all ages.
[QUOTE]

As far as consideration and getting along.......I feel THAT is due to parenting. I'm not turning over my kids to the school system to raise. I can't seem but get defensive, even insulted when what has been posted here gives the impression that your judgement of public schoolers, in general, is that they are area a bunch of drones (prepared for the workforce) OR that they are heathens w/ no moral compass. I have absolutely no care in the world how others choose to educate their children, but please don't blame public schools for lack of parenting. I just get riled up when stereotypes are thrown out like that.

I'm not against homeschooling by any means. I actually feel that it can be beneficial, I especially like the co-op idea. I have decided that public school is most beneficial for my daughter Lauren due to her learning style - and I have not yet decided about Ian.....I'll know as we get closer to Kindergarten. But I have not ruled out homeschooling........but I have to say, I hope not all homeschooling circles are judgemental of other schooling options. IMO - it's not a competition.

Rachel - Okay, see there I do know someone that was homeschooled. I guess when you get to be my age, it's just not something you ask someone "where did you go to elementary / secondary school?" KWIM? I bet the different cultures you got to experience, were a school in itself. What a great experience!

I don't know that one method of education is truely better then another for all children. Each child is different and responds differently in different enviornments. I did well at home and have very fond memmories of those experiences. I would love for Ellie to experience that too someday. I am sorry to say that often homeschooling families are very judgemental about those who choose public school but we all have our areas where we think we are 100% right about. Parentling is so very personal so naturally we get defensive when someone controdicts us. I have some strong feelings about homeschooling but also see many children thrive in the Public School system. My niece Rachel is one of them. She is naturally very emotional and does not handle any change very well. She is just packed with emotions. I should understand her since she is identical to me only in miniature but when I first started babysitting her, I was often at a loss as to how to respond to her. Don't get me wrong, she is the most precious, obident, good natured child I have ever met, but she was just very emotional. She went to kindergarten this year at a public school and has just blossomed. She is very happy still, but seems to be able to cope with everyday life so much better. We talk about everything now. She used to burst out in tears over everything. She plays better with other children at our playdates and is just blossoming all over. My sister is one of the best mommies I know, so she gets plenty of love and direction at home. My nature is to want to shelter Ellie from the world. My desire is to keep her inocent and safe. My sister and her husband also want to keep Rachel inocent, but also want her to see the world for what it is and make educated choices. Are either of us a better mommy then the other. No, we both love our children more then anything in the world. We all have choices and do what we think is best for our individual children.

I agree Julia. I say if you want to homeschool, go for it! However, for those of us who have chosen to send our children to schools, don't lump them together. I believe Alex is one of the brightest (he has a full schedule of Pre-AP classes and is already checking out universities to study aerospace engineering or rocket science or something) , empathetic (he saw the kids I worked with, endured being "different" himself and has adjusted quite nicely) and well-adjusted kids I know! He is 15, but he still kisses me good bye at the car when I drop him off in the morning, he loves being around his younger siblings and he is a lot of fun to be around. I think it is unfortunate when people make assumptions based on limited experiences.

I guess Rachel is the only person I "know" that has been homeschooled, but I would never assume that they are all the same.

No, we both love our children more then anything in the world. We all have choices and do what we think is best for our individual children.

Exactly :)

You know Lauren has been very emotional too. I think it maybe a five year old thing. Even my friend that has a boy said he would burst out in tears / frustration that stage in development. A lot of changes going on and new expectations/ responsibilities - sometimes it seems overwhelming. Then again she might be a little emotional on top of all of those changes too. lol

Rachel IS a sweetheart and she made great cookies too :) we would love to get together over the summer when we are out of school for a playdate :)

We would love that too Julia!

And I have to agree with you Teri - Alex IS an exceptional young man. I'm in awe of his maturity. I will be looking you up for advice later on down the line :) The girl that lands him later on will be thanking you! :)

All I have to go by is my own experience with public school (which ended only five years ago), and the differences that I have seen between those that have been educated in the public school system, and those that were homeschooled. I'm not basing that on one or two homeschooled children that I know, but a dozen or so that are in my extended family, or that I am friends with. Not that public schooled children don't grow up to be successful, or caring people, it's just that the adults that I know that are the products of homeschooling (and the children that I know that are currently being homeschooled) have the kind of virtue that I want to instill in my children. I think it's a matter of the kind of qualities that you want to see your child grow up with---that in itself is different for everyone. When we all talk about what we are passionate about (parenting-wise), and what we hope for in the future for our children, everyone has different things that they find important to instill in their kids. I find those qualities that I want my children to possess more often in the people who are the products of homeschooling. Naturally, that reinforces my desire to homeschool my own children.

I don't think all (or even the majority of us - maybe just the most outspoken) think that public school is a bad choice or makes for bad kids. I certainly don't. Courtnie got a wonderful education in public school - I had no problems with that at all. I'm sorry that the two sides seem to be on opposite ends on debates. I think we all want the same thing - happy, healthy, well-adjusted adult children.

He is 15, but he still kisses me good bye at the car when I drop him off in the morning

How wonderful! :love
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As passionate as I am about homeschooling as the best option for our family, I think parental involvement ultimately is the most important factor in how children turn out... much more so then where or who does the actual "schooling".

And even as much as I'm for homeschooling, I always allow for the possibility of other options. We'll take it as it comes, and as always, constantly re-evaluate how we like what we're doing and how we're doing it.