I wouldn't consider it because I think Fairfax County schools are wonderful and both of us work full time.

"Not the pp... but I know one of those types. And she is extremely weird.

I was homeschooled until middle school. Not a good experience. My mom's weaknesses and biases reflected onto what she taught us and when I entered middle school I was socially awkward, dressed weird, and had no idea how to function in a classroom. I was also pretty behind in science and math, as well as specials such as art, PE, music, etc. I was unprepared for middle school English and social studies classes. That plus throwing the amount of work at my sister and I (twins), teachers were not understanding, and the fact that kids were merciless middle school was hell. High school was only slightly better.

I've known a lot of homeschoolers - between growing up and working at one camp for a few years which had a specific "homeschool week". None of them broke the stereotype that homeschoolers are socially awkward, dress funny, and and have no self awareness skills. And while I'm aware that not all homeschoolers are like that, quite a few are. I've also run into homeschoolers here and there in this area and they also don't seem to break the stereotype.

I said previously that if parents have previous teaching skills and know how kid's learn, the schools are not sufficient, and their kids have plenty of opportunities to interact with kids of all backgrounds it may be ok. But, I'm still a strong advocate of public schools - even though I know they are not perfect. I also personally think that if parents want to teach their kids at home they should be required to pass the same Praxis tests that teachers do. "

My sister and me....

I would consider it, if only because DC's school system is terrible. Hopefully we will have left the city before my daughter is old enough to attend school. It wouldn't be for religious reasons or anything.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP and I feel that I should explain why I've considered homeschooling. I'm a former elementary teacher and feel that I know all to well how much time is wasted during the school day, and despite the lip service schools give, it is extremely difficult to differentiate to different learners in any real, meaningful way. I do honestly believe that in this day and age, with all the resources out there, that a commited parent can provide a better education than what their child would receive at school. That being said the problem I have with homeschooling is that it does seem that it would be difficult for kids to make friends. I know homeschoolers always talk about the numerous activities their kids are involved in, but from what I've seen from my own kids, it's not easy to become close friends with someone you only see 1x/week in karate. It takes time and a lot of exposure for close friendships to develop. It's that concern that's keeping me from taking the plunge with my own kids.

I am not a homeschooler but have many friends who are. Most are a part of homeschooling groups -- they do field trips, activities, etc, with these groups. They're seeing the other kids more than 1x a week for some activity.

"O wonder if you might be referring to kids who homeschool through high school? I think a lot of parents just homeschol through middle school but let their kids go on to high school for more advanced study than they can get at home. Those who continue homeschooling throughout high school do tend to be more on the extreme end of things I think... and their kids do seem a bit awkward."

What do the stats say?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

O wonder if you might be referring to kids who homeschool through high school? I think a lot of parents just homeschol through middle school but let their kids go on to high school for more advanced study than they can get at home. Those who continue homeschooling throughout high school do tend to be more on the extreme end of things I think... and their kids do seem a bit awkward.

Not the pp... but I know one of those types. And she is extremely weird.

I was homeschooled until middle school. Not a good experience. My mom's weaknesses and biases reflected onto what she taught us and when I entered middle school I was socially awkward, dressed weird, and had no idea how to function in a classroom. I was also pretty behind in science and math, as well as specials such as art, PE, music, etc. I was unprepared for middle school English and social studies classes. That plus throwing the amount of work at my sister and I (twins), teachers were not understanding, and the fact that kids were merciless middle school was hell. High school was only slightly better.

I've known a lot of homeschoolers - between growing up and working at one camp for a few years which had a specific "homeschool week". None of them broke the stereotype that homeschoolers are socially awkward, dress funny, and and have no self awareness skills. And while I'm aware that not all homeschoolers are like that, quite a few are. I've also run into homeschoolers here and there in this area and they also don't seem to break the stereotype.

I said previously that if parents have previous teaching skills and know how kid's learn, the schools are not sufficient, and their kids have plenty of opportunities to interact with kids of all backgrounds it may be ok. But, I'm still a strong advocate of public schools - even though I know they are not perfect. I also personally think that if parents want to teach their kids at home they should be required to pass the same Praxis tests that teachers do.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm not the poster you quoted, but your comment is a generalization and simply not true in the public school my child attends (Alex. city). Yes, I have spent time there as a teacher and a volunteer parent.

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.

O wonder if you might be referring to kids who homeschool through high school? I think a lot of parents just homeschol through middle school but let their kids go on to high school for more advanced study than they can get at home. Those who continue homeschooling throughout high school do tend to be more on the extreme end of things I think... and their kids do seem a bit awkward.

Nope. The teacher at home isn't very patient and doesn't know very much about pedagogy.

OP, what I've seen here in my town with the homeschooling kids is that they spend a lot more time than 1x a week in karate together.

Remember, they have all day to do their projects and activities. Most homeschoolers find that they can accomplish in one or two hours a day what it takes school kids all day to cover. So they might have 2 hours each morning of formal instruction (maybe) and then they start to get together with other homeschoolers for specials -- homeschool PE classes about at the county rec centers, parents gather a group of kids together for science and nature study, etc. It's a limited number of children so they tend to see a lot of the same kids.

I'm a former elementary school teacher myself. I would LOVE to homeschool but as I said earlier I need to wokr at least part time and need the child care aspect of public school. If you think about all those kids in school for 6 hours each day -- really they are seeing the same 25 kids all day long, but they aren't exactly interacting very much -- at lunch they have to be pretty quiet. At recess, yeah, for 20 minutes they do get to socialize together. And sometimes the teachers let them do group projects and so on. But I think the social aspect of school is highly overrated.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP and I feel that I should explain why I've considered homeschooling. I'm a former elementary teacher and feel that I know all to well how much time is wasted during the school day, and despite the lip service schools give, it is extremely difficult to differentiate to different learners in any real, meaningful way. I do honestly believe that in this day and age, with all the resources out there, that a commited parent can provide a better education than what their child would receive at school. That being said the problem I have with homeschooling is that it does seem that it would be difficult for kids to make friends. I know homeschoolers always talk about the numerous activities their kids are involved in, but from what I've seen from my own kids, it's not easy to become close friends with someone you only see 1x/week in karate. It takes time and a lot of exposure for close friendships to develop. It's that concern that's keeping me from taking the plunge with my own kids.

Wow! Were you really a teacher? This is so poorly written. Wow!

Only as a last resort.

I'm the OP and I feel that I should explain why I've considered homeschooling. I'm a former elementary teacher and feel that I know all to well how much time is wasted during the school day, and despite the lip service schools give, it is extremely difficult to differentiate to different learners in any real, meaningful way. I do honestly believe that in this day and age, with all the resources out there, that a commited parent can provide a better education than what their child would receive at school. That being said the problem I have with homeschooling is that it does seem that it would be difficult for kids to make friends. I know homeschoolers always talk about the numerous activities their kids are involved in, but from what I've seen from my own kids, it's not easy to become close friends with someone you only see 1x/week in karate. It takes time and a lot of exposure for close friendships to develop. It's that concern that's keeping me from taking the plunge with my own kids.

In my case, I would consider it if the stars aligned as follows:

1) I had low confidence in the schools available to my child (e.g., she was being mercilously bullied and/or academics was just plain pathetic)

2) I could quit my job to do it

3) husband agreed to participate as a co-teacher, even if for limited hours/content

4) I could find professional development and other ongoing supports for me as an instructor and instructional leader

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?

Middle School doesn't immunize you against a lifetime of everyday cruelty. It's just added torture.