I was home-schooled by my mother for a year and a half, OP. The school district we lived in was okay (small town in Illinois) but the specific elementary school that I attended was not a great experience for me. Their academic tracking system was rigid, such that a student entering the school in 4th grade (which I did because we relocated to the area) was not able to place or test into their gifted and talented programs. I was placed in basic reading and math classes, which were well below the level of the 3rd grade I'd attended the year before elsewhere. The teacher was autocratic, dismissive of my previous educational experiences (at a private school that uses an alternative education method) and hostile to my mom, who spent the first quarter of 4th grade trying to figure out ways to work with the teacher to improve my experience. The superintendent was wonderful (and actually remains a family friend to this day), but the staff at that elementary school were terrible, and my mom, who stayed home with my younger siblings, made the decision to pull me out of school at winter break and teach me home the rest of the year and the following year because of that specific elementary school.

We bought textbooks for math and science and a stack of novels and non-fiction books. I wrote essays and learned about basic writing principles. We also did art projects, cooking projects and spent a lot of time outside. I'm not musical or athletic, so we didn't really do those things, but I maintained friendships with neighborhood kids. It was basically the same social set up as the handful of kids who went to private school - we'd all go to our various "schools" in the morning and then when school let out, we'd play in someone's yard.

I returned to public education for 6th grade having begun learning algebra and geometry and reading novels that are usually assigned in high school. My family is not religious, so it was not a religious education issue. I was not being bullied, so it was not a social issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starting around 2nd grade, many home schooled kids are in a co OP. The parents pay a fee and the kids go 1-2 partial
days a week to a place (rec. Center room, library meeting room, church room) with lots of other kids for certain subjects. Also, there are whole catalogues of home school materials available so it isn't like these families are recreating a curriculum. They teach subjects from a book. VA requires home schooled kids to be tested (by the parents) to determine where they are, but I do know one family who specifically home schools so their kids don't have to take the SOLs.

I know several home schooled families. This is what I've seen:

They have difficulty in group settings BUT in subtle ways. If asked to ask a QUESTION the kids will start with a story. (Typical for preschool and kindergarten, but usually by first grade a kid knows a question begins with who, what when, where, why, esp is the adult has already given the instruction more than once)

More difficulty navigating relationships with peers - again in subtle ways: a friend says to knock something off as it is annoying (repeated humming), the home schooled kid continues it smiling, not to be annoying, but just not picking up in the social cue that the friend meant it. If doesn't get his or her way immediately runs to tell the parent in the room (at the age of 9), example "mom, I wanted to play battleship but the 3 others said let's play tag."

They report they are "done" with school in 2 hours a day. Obviously even with time wasted in school, that's a lot of missed learning time.

More immature (by a lot)

Easily overwhelmed in larger setting - cry easily, run to mom and dad, etc.

BUT:

Wonderful manners

Very family focused

Have wonderful experiences (more day time hours to explore museums, try different sports, etc.)

Interesting. I've noticed that home schooled families are always very defensive about whether their children are socialized enough. Thanks for offering some concrete examples

They are socialized as in they are normal, happy kids. Their social issues aren't blatant as in they can't communicate or get along with other kids. It is more subtle as I mentioned above, again navigating social cues, working through conflict with friends, not running to a parent at the drop of a hat, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have quite a few friends that homeschooled their children (from church). Their kids still have some social interaction (through sports, group classes, etc) But the kids have had a *very* hard time with the social adjustments in college.

They've spent most of their minor years at home, so they missed out on the drama of middle and high school, but seem very ill equipped to deal with it in college (but most excelled academically in college).

None of the William & Mary suicide epidemic kids, the UVA gang rapists / lacrosse murderers, VT mass murderers/dining hall beheaders/cop shooters/ft hood terrorists, Penn State pedophile enablers

..... Were home schooled ... That , I can promise you.

Two words, PP: Adam Lanza.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have quite a few friends that homeschooled their children (from church). Their kids still have some social interaction (through sports, group classes, etc) But the kids have had a *very* hard time with the social adjustments in college.

They've spent most of their minor years at home, so they missed out on the drama of middle and high school, but seem very ill equipped to deal with it in college (but most excelled academically in college).

None of the William & Mary suicide epidemic kids, the UVA gang rapists / lacrosse murderers, VT mass murderers/dining hall beheaders/cop shooters/ft hood terrorists, Penn State pedophile enablers

..... Were home schooled ... That , I can promise you.

I don't understand how you can promise me that, especially given that (at least in the case of the UVa gang rapists) you don't know who they were or where they went to school before UVa.

I'm also not sure what your point is. Could you please explain?

+1. How can you possibly know this about all of these students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have quite a few friends that homeschooled their children (from church). Their kids still have some social interaction (through sports, group classes, etc) But the kids have had a *very* hard time with the social adjustments in college.

They've spent most of their minor years at home, so they missed out on the drama of middle and high school, but seem very ill equipped to deal with it in college (but most excelled academically in college).

None of the William & Mary suicide epidemic kids, the UVA gang rapists / lacrosse murderers, VT mass murderers/dining hall beheaders/cop shooters/ft hood terrorists, Penn State pedophile enablers

..... Were home schooled ... That , I can promise you.

I don't understand how you can promise me that, especially given that (at least in the case of the UVa gang rapists) you don't know who they were or where they went to school before UVa.

I'm also not sure what your point is. Could you please explain?

Anonymous wrote:I have quite a few friends that homeschooled their children (from church). Their kids still have some social interaction (through sports, group classes, etc) But the kids have had a *very* hard time with the social adjustments in college.

They've spent most of their minor years at home, so they missed out on the drama of middle and high school, but seem very ill equipped to deal with it in college (but most excelled academically in college).

None of the William & Mary suicide epidemic kids, the UVA gang rapists / lacrosse murderers, VT mass murderers/dining hall beheaders/cop shooters/ft hood terrorists, Penn State pedophile enablers

..... Were home schooled ... That , I can promise you.

Homeschool kids score higher on ACT/SAT, get higher grades in college, graduate at a higher percentage , have more college credits prior to freshman year and are more likely to vote and participate in community service as adults.


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-homeschoolers-do-well-in-college/


Why wouldn't people who care about their kids homeschool?

I think homeschooling has become more mainstream, in part because of the internet. It is much easier for parents to find good teaching resources via the computer, so more parents feel equipped to handle their child's education without sending them off to school. When this factor is added to the many perceived problems in public schools -- and to the incredible expense of choosing private school -- homeschooling begins to look more attractive. Personally I've never been inclined to do it but I can see why others might.

I have quite a few friends that homeschooled their children (from church). Their kids still have some social interaction (through sports, group classes, etc) But the kids have had a *very* hard time with the social adjustments in college.

They've spent most of their minor years at home, so they missed out on the drama of middle and high school, but seem very ill equipped to deal with it in college (but most excelled academically in college).

Anonymous wrote:
Pretty much. There's no time for creativity or individuality for the robots...I mean students

I am sorry that your child's school is like that. My child's school is not like that.

Anonymous wrote:Schools treat boys like they ADHD ridden demons if they wiggle in their seat. Not the best environment for many boys.

Pretty much. There's no time for creativity or individuality for the robots...I mean students

OP, there are many, many reasons why a family might homeschool. If you want to know why this particular family homeschools, then you will have to ask this particular family.

Allergies?

Anonymous wrote:Starting around 2nd grade, many home schooled kids are in a co OP. The parents pay a fee and the kids go 1-2 partial
days a week to a place (rec. Center room, library meeting room, church room) with lots of other kids for certain subjects. Also, there are whole catalogues of home school materials available so it isn't like these families are recreating a curriculum. They teach subjects from a book. VA requires home schooled kids to be tested (by the parents) to determine where they are, but I do know one family who specifically home schools so their kids don't have to take the SOLs.

I know several home schooled families. This is what I've seen:

They have difficulty in group settings BUT in subtle ways. If asked to ask a QUESTION the kids will start with a story. (Typical for preschool and kindergarten, but usually by first grade a kid knows a question begins with who, what when, where, why, esp is the adult has already given the instruction more than once)

More difficulty navigating relationships with peers - again in subtle ways: a friend says to knock something off as it is annoying (repeated humming), the home schooled kid continues it smiling, not to be annoying, but just not picking up in the social cue that the friend meant it. If doesn't get his or her way immediately runs to tell the parent in the room (at the age of 9), example "mom, I wanted to play battleship but the 3 others said let's play tag."

They report they are "done" with school in 2 hours a day. Obviously even with time wasted in school, that's a lot of missed learning time.

More immature (by a lot)

Easily overwhelmed in larger setting - cry easily, run to mom and dad, etc.

BUT:

Wonderful manners

Very family focused

Have wonderful experiences (more day time hours to explore museums, try different sports, etc.)

Interesting. I've noticed that home schooled families are always very defensive about whether their children are socialized enough. Thanks for offering some concrete examples

Anonymous wrote:Everyone knows homeschooled kids are weirdos.

I only knew one homeschooling family growing up and they lived far out on a farm and yes. They were weird.

But these days with so many homeschooling mow that's just not true. There are some who are, of course, just like there are weird kids in public and private schools.