Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it could be really fantastic if done only for middle school years and living in the DC metro area. There are such enormous resources here, many of them cheap or free. The Smithsonian, etc., is just the tip of the iceberg. Done properly, I think children well home-schooled could have such a richer learning experience here.

Socially, middle school is the best time to homeschool. Children will already have learned important social skills in elementary school and have established friendships. Ideally, your children/family will have a rich network of friends from the neighborhood, sports activities, etc. Socially, middle school can be brutal and homeschooling could shield them from some of the worst of it until they are a little older, more confident and can better negotiate their way through peer pressure etc. At the least, it would protect their academic life from social distractions/dilemmas.

I loved reading this! It's actually what DH and I have discussed, combined with extended international travel. I'm a teacher, so am not worried about how she will keep up academically. I just know how brutal middle school is/was and I would rather be exploring India with DD while my she matures, rather than dealing with cliques and peer pressure and mean girls. She'll have plenty of time for that later, and maybe can even avoid some of the worst of it if she's more worldly and less insulated from the realities of life. In any case, it's neat to see others might have a similar plan!!

But isn't middle school immunization that protects against a lifetime of the everyday cruelty of the work setting? Learning to deal with difficult circumstances, and boredom, and peer pressure...this is also part of the education you'd want for your child, right?

Anonymous wrote:No. I am a professor, and my colleagues and I do notice a social difference between the homeschooled children and the rest. It's as if they haven't developed the proper social "filters," for lack of a better word. They are generally bright, articulate students--good students--, but seem unaware of their own social awkwardness. They have no idea how to put other people at ease, and seem rather intense.

Not to mention that they have "weird" parents. That can't help with their self confidence level.

No. I am a professor, and my colleagues and I do notice a social difference between the homeschooled children and the rest. It's as if they haven't developed the proper social "filters," for lack of a better word. They are generally bright, articulate students--good students--, but seem unaware of their own social awkwardness. They have no idea how to put other people at ease, and seem rather intense.

I wouldn't. Simply because I was homeschooled and for me it was not a good experience in the long run.

It's one of those things when done right, it can be alright. But when it goes wrong, it goes terribly wrong and there isn't much of a safety net.

I think if someone is a former teacher and understands how kids learn, and if educational opportunities where they live are so-so and they can provide plenty of activities and social opportunities with other kids of different backgrounds it can work.

[quote=Anonymous]^^Yes, some teachers use the text too much, some use other ways to learn...depends on the teacher. And yes, I teach early elementary and no, I don't have kids slaving over worksheets and textbooks all day [b]wither[/b]. (I'm the 20:32 poster)[/quote]


Maybe you should concentrate on those spelling lessons a bit more, Teach.

^^Yes, some teachers use the text too much, some use other ways to learn...depends on the teacher. And yes, I teach early elementary and no, I don't have kids slaving over worksheets and textbooks all day wither. (I'm the 20:32 poster)

Anonymous wrote:I think it could be really fantastic if done only for middle school years and living in the DC metro area. There are such enormous resources here, many of them cheap or free. The Smithsonian, etc., is just the tip of the iceberg. Done properly, I think children well home-schooled could have such a richer learning experience here.

Socially, middle school is the best time to homeschool. Children will already have learned important social skills in elementary school and have established friendships. Ideally, your children/family will have a rich network of friends from the neighborhood, sports activities, etc. Socially, middle school can be brutal and homeschooling could shield them from some of the worst of it until they are a little older, more confident and can better negotiate their way through peer pressure etc. At the least, it would protect their academic life from social distractions/dilemmas.

I loved reading this! It's actually what DH and I have discussed, combined with extended international travel. I'm a teacher, so am not worried about how she will keep up academically. I just know how brutal middle school is/was and I would rather be exploring India with DD while my she matures, rather than dealing with cliques and peer pressure and mean girls. She'll have plenty of time for that later, and maybe can even avoid some of the worst of it if she's more worldly and less insulated from the realities of life. In any case, it's neat to see others might have a similar plan!!

Anonymous wrote:the thing that burns me when people homeschool is the idea that just because you can pop out a kid you know how to "teach" them. There are so many things you need to know, other than the basic academic things you are teaching. Development - social, behavioral, cognitive - all of these things play into what your child can learn and when they can learn it. Not to mention learning to work with different styles of learners and noticing and working with difficulties and disabilities. I am a teacher (with a Masters) and I have learned SO MUCH in my years of teaching about development and what constitutes "real" learning. Often homeschooling curriculums are workbook/text based and less focused on experiential learning and more focused on what you can "see" - I can do a worksheet, I can write my name, but can I think and solve problems with others and on my own? Another thing to consider is that humans are social learners - we need people to work with, bounce ideas of of, etc. It's hard for one child to learn to their highest capacity by themselves, just like it's hard for adults to do the same.

I don't care if people want to homeschool, but I think if they do it without proper background knowledge and/or training they are doing their child a disservice.

Have you spent any time in a public elementary school recently? With the exception of some GT classes, much of what you find is textbook/workbook/worksheet learning. Experiential learning is great but public schools are subjected to state testing and they aren't testing experiential learning.

the thing that burns me when people homeschool is the idea that just because you can pop out a kid you know how to "teach" them. There are so many things you need to know, other than the basic academic things you are teaching. Development - social, behavioral, cognitive - all of these things play into what your child can learn and when they can learn it. Not to mention learning to work with different styles of learners and noticing and working with difficulties and disabilities. I am a teacher (with a Masters) and I have learned SO MUCH in my years of teaching about development and what constitutes "real" learning. Often homeschooling curriculums are workbook/text based and less focused on experiential learning and more focused on what you can "see" - I can do a worksheet, I can write my name, but can I think and solve problems with others and on my own? Another thing to consider is that humans are social learners - we need people to work with, bounce ideas of of, etc. It's hard for one child to learn to their highest capacity by themselves, just like it's hard for adults to do the same.

I don't care if people want to homeschool, but I think if they do it without proper background knowledge and/or training they are doing their child a disservice.

They can learn all of the same skills in other social situations but not wasting huge chunks of time that could be devoted to academics. Out of the 4 days we've had this week, we have had math just 1 day. One day we had a extended type of evacuation drill, another day the kids had to be checked for lice and the third day was spent in an assembly. This is par for the course unfortunately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you might get more replies from people who actually homeschool if you ask this question on a different message board or one targeted to homeschooling.

Thank you, I was going to say the same thing.

I will be homeschooling and I know better than to ask advice from a general audience.

Anonymous wrote:
I find it to be very selfish when there are decent school options for a kid (most of this area is that way). It sounds so lonely and so isolating for the child. I know there are special circumstances out there but my kids love going to school and knowing their teachers and other kids. I don't see how anyone can replicate that in the home environment.

Good for you and your kids. Perhaps you should learn more about homeschooling, but I have a feeling you are comfortable with your lack of knowledge.

Not the PP but if your knowledge is so extensive, why dont you share it with the "general audience". The OP did ask for advice from anyone who has done it. Im waiting to hear what you have to say.

Anonymous wrote:I would do it if I had a spouse to support us. I have taught in a few different schools and there is a lot of time spent on non-academic things. Standing in line, using the bathroom, discipline issues, etc etc take up tons of time. Really, if I added up the amount of time spent on academics, it would probably amount to 3 hrs or so each day. Socialization doesn't have to occur in a school setting either and most families who home school have their kids in outside activities. Homeschooling is great for kids who don't fit the mold of a school setting. My son is very advanced and will probably spent this entire school year not learning anything he doesn't already know and that is a waste IMO.

Don't overlook the importance of skills like waiting their turn, sharing with others, functioning in a group, and staying focused when the instructor's attention is diverted.

I would do it if I had a spouse to support us. I have taught in a few different schools and there is a lot of time spent on non-academic things. Standing in line, using the bathroom, discipline issues, etc etc take up tons of time. Really, if I added up the amount of time spent on academics, it would probably amount to 3 hrs or so each day. Socialization doesn't have to occur in a school setting either and most families who home school have their kids in outside activities. Homeschooling is great for kids who don't fit the mold of a school setting. My son is very advanced and will probably spent this entire school year not learning anything he doesn't already know and that is a waste IMO.

OP< I would defiitely consider homeschooling! There are a ton of Homeschooling families in our town and the kids all seem to learn a great deal AND have a lot of interactino with their peers. They are great kids, too!

Honestly the only reason I don't homeschool is that I need the child care currently provided by the kids elementary schools, in order to work part time. If I had a more reliable way to have someone watch my kids 4 hours a day, I'd be thrilled to homeschool.

Anonymous wrote:you might get more replies from people who actually homeschool if you ask this question on a different message board or one targeted to homeschooling.

Thank you, I was going to say the same thing.

I will be homeschooling and I know better than to ask advice from a general audience.

Anonymous wrote:
I find it to be very selfish when there are decent school options for a kid (most of this area is that way). It sounds so lonely and so isolating for the child. I know there are special circumstances out there but my kids love going to school and knowing their teachers and other kids. I don't see how anyone can replicate that in the home environment.

Good for you and your kids. Perhaps you should learn more about homeschooling, but I have a feeling you are comfortable with your lack of knowledge.