Homeschooling

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Public school kicks it! Where else would kids learn about drugs, sex, and Rock n' roll? :headbang:

...LOL...try teaching how to deal with that kinda stuff in homeschool ;)

All joking aside.....Public school worked great for me and my wife, so I see no reason to homeschool our children in the future. However, if both the public and private schools in the area were so bad that our children would not recieve a proper education....then homeschooling would be an option. Actually, I can not think of a reason for homeschooling besides having a special needs child or lack of proper educational instruction in existing schools in the area. If any of you have other reasons, I would like to hear them just to be educated on the topic ;)

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Thats whats good about it you are faced with REAL decitions!! I have bien asked to drugs before, and I turned them down! And classic rock and roll kicks butt! My cousins freak out when someone says poop. He once said....Mamaw you said a cuss word..No I didnt....Yes you did ...you said poop....Just imagien if i said crap, or better yet my mom says Sh** !! LOL! They need to get out more....What about when they are in JH and hitting puberty? My mom doesnt like to talk about that stuff... and i know theres doesnt either. Same with sex. Crazy crazy.

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Originally Posted by stangs13

Thats whats good about it you are faced with REAL decitions!! I have bien asked to drugs before, and I turned them down! And classic rock and roll kicks butt! My cousins freak out when someone says poop. He once said....Mamaw you said a cuss word..No I didnt....Yes you did ...you said poop....Just imagien if i said crap, or better yet my mom says Sh** !! LOL! They need to get out more....

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oh i can't disagree with you more. if that is how the parents 'choose' to raise their children... without swearing... then that's their choice. it has nothing to do with whether or not they are homeschooled.

we have neighbours down the street who go to school and they are very much like your cousins.

as you are attempting to represent the 'schooled kids' i suggest you spend more time with your spell check! :P

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

oh i can't disagree with you more. if that is how the parents 'choose' to raise their children... without swearing... then that's their choice. it has nothing to do with whether or not they are homeschooled.

we have neighbours down the street who go to school and they are very much like your cousins.

as you are attempting to represent the 'schooled kids' i suggest you spend more time with your spell check! :P

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i dunt ned no spel chek. Not really my point in it all..lol. But im just saying that if they wer in school they would be more ready for the real world.

perhaps you should meet my 20 yr old daughter and tell her she's not ready for the real world. she chooses not to do drugs, although she chooses to drink. she chooses not to hang out with people who do drugs... cause many of her friends over the years have chosen to do drugs and she's watched what their lives became under it's influence.

as her mother... i spoke to her about sex, drugs, AIDS (and other STDs), we've discussed drinking and driving and the repercussions of not paying your bills... among other things...

AND i can tell you... i think the information she received from me was much more accurate than the info she received from her friends!

so... i respectfully disagree with everything you've said. school does not make a child ready for the world, nor is it the only option to gain an education... it is simply one option.

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Originally Posted by stangs13

But im just saying that if they wer in school they would be more ready for the real world.

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And you base this statement on.... ?

No offense, but the only "facts" you seem to bring to this discussion are your experiences with your cousins. If I was to follow that logic, I would have to conclude that all people with tattoos are criminals because I once knew a criminal with a tattoo.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

perhaps you should meet my 20 yr old daughter and tell her she's not ready for the real world. she chooses not to do drugs, although she chooses to drink. she chooses not to hang out with people who do drugs... cause many of her friends over the years have chosen to do drugs and she's watched what their lives became under it's influence.

as her mother... i spoke to her about sex, drugs, AIDS (and other STDs), we've discussed drinking and driving and the repercussions of not paying your bills... among other things...

AND i can tell you... i think the information she received from me was much more accurate than the info she received from her friends!

so... i respectfully disagree with everything you've said. school does not make a child ready for the world, nor is it the only option to gain an education... it is simply one option.

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Of coarse she makes the right decition ...look who her mom is!;) You can disagree all you want. Here in the USA its a free country and you have a right to voice your own opinion. And I voiced mine.;) :D

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Originally Posted by xdeus

And you base this statement on.... ?

No offense, but the only "facts" you seem to bring to this discussion are your experiences with your cousins. If I was to follow that logic, I would have to conclude that all people with tattoos are criminals because I once knew a criminal with a tattoo.

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Non taken.I am using my cousins as an example. Im not following that logic. I was using an example. I like to use examples. It helps me learn.:carrot:

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Originally Posted by stangs13

Non taken.I am using my cousins as an example. Im not following that logic. I was using an example. I like to use examples. It helps me learn.:carrot:

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Ooookay, so if you saw an example of a well-adjusted, intelligent, social homeschooled student would that change your opinion?

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Originally Posted by stangs13

Of coarse she makes the right decition ...look who her mom is!;) You can disagree all you want. Here in the USA its a free country and you have a right to voice your own opinion. And I voiced mine.;) :D

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i suppose i had hoped that as you read the posts within this thread... it would assist you to make a more educated opinion...

oh well...

ps: thanks for the compliment :)

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Ooookay, so if you saw an example of a well-adjusted, intelligent, social homeschooled student would that change your opinion?

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I have seen some well adjusted kids. But as you can see, my opinion hasnt changed.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i suppose i had hoped that as you read the posts within this thread... it would assist you to make a more educated opinion...

oh well...

ps: thanks for the compliment :)

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Well I guess my opinion doesnt count? I believe what I believe. Im just saying it. You dont have to like it. Thats why its called an opinion.:taz:

yes it is... and that's your right. i guess what i was trying to explain to you is this.

if you have only ever tried one apple. one kind. once. and you didn't like it. (perhaps it was a baking apple and not an eating apple and so it was very bitter)...

and so, your opinion of apples would not be a positive one.

then, if someone came along and offered you a banquet of apples. all the different kinds, the varieties. some galas, macintosh, fuji, golden delicious, granny smith, braeburn, jonagold, gravenstein, spartan, honeycrisp...

would you a) refuse to try them because apples are not good and even tasting a different type of apple is not something you are willing to do - or b) take a bite of each kind and open your mind to the possibility that the apple you tried years ago was not the kind of apple you liked but these varieties certainly have the potential to become a fruit you now desire?

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

yes it is... and that's your right. i guess what i was trying to explain to you is this.

if you have only ever tried one apple. one kind. once. and you didn't like it. (perhaps it was a baking apple and not an eating apple and so it was very bitter)...

and so, your opinion of apples would not be a positive one.

then, if someone came along and offered you a banquet of apples. all the different kinds, the varieties. some galas, macintosh, fuji, golden delicious, granny smith, braeburn, jonagold, gravenstein, spartan, honeycrisp...

would you a) refuse to try them because apples are not good and even tasting a different type of apple is not something you are willing to do - or b) take a bite of each kind and open your mind to the possibility that the apple you tried years ago was not the kind of apple you liked but these varieties certainly have the potential to become a fruit you now desire?

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Um B....Cause Thats the only way to the granny smith apples. ...lol...Aside from kidding. B would be the choice cause like snake morphs all colors have diffrent trap doors. Or secrets if you will.

ah yes... nothing like an educated opinion!

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

ah yes... nothing like an educated opinion!

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Did I make one !! Oh yes!!!:carrot:

Aleesha your long post was very well said.. I agree with you all the way.

Being a homeschooled person no one has ever hinted at me that I am 'weird' or 'wacko' ..well until I tell them I have 30 snakes, but that is their problem. :)

My parents taught me about drugs etc.. and I've made my decisions (not to get involved with them) I did not need public school to teach me this.

I believe I am very much ready for the world.. I have a strong sense of my own values and so far I have done very well in the workplace.. I make more than most kids do out of college. I am in no way saying this to brag, only to try to show that homeschooling can produce intelligent, well-adjusted people. :)

With sports, there are plenty of classes to take and teams to be on that arent linked to any school. There is a homeschoolers association in our area, it strives to keep our kids active, and let them do things like organized sports...although some might argue against the whole sport thing to begine with.
But there are plenty of famous athletes that have been taught from home, to name a few: skater Tanith Belbin won the gold in the 2005 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Chad Compton won the title of top Junior Surfer in the U.S., 14-Year-Old Alexa Glatch was named one of the top 5 Americans in the World Junior Tennis Rankings. So I dont think missing out on sports or other social events is really something that can be argued....and is something that for sure no one should worry about.

Sorry but I disagree on the sports and one shouldn't worry about it. Like I said it is a personal choice on if you homeschool or not and if you in your childs life think sports has some merit. The homeschoolers assoc can have all the sports teams they like but if your looking for a scholarship to a div 1 A school in football or basketball then public/private high school programs are where you need to be. Heck homeschoolers here even have to attend public schools for the sports programs in order to have recuit's see them.

No offense but the sports you named where all personal sports not team sports so would fit in well with the whole homeschool deal.

Again, my way of thinking or yours is not right or wrong it's a choice on what we think is best for our children.
My son has a very good chance at a scholarship at a Div 1 A or double A school for football or basketball, so sports programs are very important to our family since being a single mom I just don't have the 15-35k per year hanging around to pay for college. If he can get a good education and play sports which in turn will pay for his higher learning then I am on that bus. The sports he excels in happen to be team sports where reccuits look for talent at the public/private schools, at least around here that's the case.

And the reason a lot of tennis,skating and the like children are homeschooled is due to the amount of training, practice and competions they must be in along with the travel that comes with all that, homeschooled is the smartest solution.
Anyway not trying to start the great debate. We just have to remember there are two sides to every street. If you choose public, private or homeschooled the only thing that is important is that you choose what works best for you and that your child gets a good education to prepare themselves for the world.

Jason Taylor (NFL) was homeschooled

Joe Garolafo (ice hockey) the same.
Jonathan Loe (basketball) the same.
Just to name a few men that are on TEAM sports and were homeschooled.

It's a personal decision I understand that, one that isnt exactly all roses, it's not as easy as some might think it to be, but nothing great in life is.

I just dont agree with anyone who wants to talk about homeschooling as if they know anything about it...when in fact they dont. (not pointing fingers at anyone..but I'm sure someone will get mad about that remark)
And I mean "no one should worry about homeschooled children missing out on anything" there world is in fact more open for them....so dont worry about my daughter becoming some anti-social sports Nazi....homeschooled children have the same oppertunities as any public schooled child.

Out of curiosity, as I don't think it was mentioned yet, when does a home schooled child "graduate"? Do they take a GED exam or do they receive their diplomas via a "home school association"? Also, when applying for colleges, what do they use for transcripts, as I recall, waaaaay back when I was applying for colleges (in the early eighties..no old jokes), they looked heavily at things like GPA, class rank, extra curricular activities, etc....

I would think that if home schooling is as popular these days, as has been suggested by some, that the colleges would have to adapt their acceptance criteria to make it fair to the home schooled? Anyone have any insight on this, or am I going to have to Google?

I little bit from a great homeschooling site:

What about Socialization?


It is a misconception that good socialization requires children to spend most of their day with large numbers of children their own age. What happens instead is that these children become peer-dependent. They learn that to be accepted they must conform to what is currently considered "cool" on the playground. Individualism is punished, and contempt is shown for younger children and adults. Home educated children are socialized primarily by their families. They spend much more time with adults, and learn to value the adult world. Rather than being segregated by age, homeschooled children learn to enjoy children and adults of many ages. They experience much less of the harassment found on the playground, so they are spared many scars to their self-esteem. Tests have proven it, homeschooled kids are are kinder, more responsible, more confident, and more independent. Isn't that what we really mean by well socialized?

The very little I know is what the misses has filled me in on - but I know some resources offer accreditation and a transcript/diploma that is accepted by colleges:

http://compuhigh.com/

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Originally Posted by TheAudOne

Home taught children are graded, depending on how you home school you need to follow the same out line as teachers do, although it isnt as strict as far as passing and failing go.... you turn in a portfolio of sorts that shows what your teaching, what your child has learned and any work you feel would prove this.

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Who do you turn the portfolio into, the college you are applying to, or is there an accredited education council for home schooling that issues a high school diploma based on the approved curriculum that was used by the in-home teacher? Thanks in advance for the replies... :)

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

The very little I know is what the misses has filled me in on - but I know some resources offer accreditation and a transcript/diploma that is accepted by colleges:

http://compuhigh.com/

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thanks you posted as i was typing. :)

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Originally Posted by Gecko Den

Out of curiosity, as I don't think it was mentioned yet, when does a home schooled child "graduate"? Do they take a GED exam or do they receive their diplomas via a "home school association"? Also, when applying for colleges, what do they use for transcripts, as I recall, waaaaay back when I was applying for colleges (in the early eighties..no old jokes), they looked heavily at things like GPA, class rank, extra curricular activities, etc....

I would think that if home schooling is as popular these days, as has been suggested by some, that the colleges would have to adapt their acceptance criteria to make it fair to the home schooled? Anyone have any insight on this, or am I going to have to Google?

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And yes, they take the GED coarse plus the regular college entrance exams.

A question I wonder about is, why are we trusting complete strangers to teach our children? I sleep good at night knowing I protect my daughter from what I can, so with all the sad things happening at schools around the globe, I know I'm doing my part to keep my daughter away from it. She could very well face all those things and worst out side of school, but atleast I know I tried to shield her form them.

quite a few years ago now, i went to a homeschooling meeting which discussed this very issue. there were a group of homeschoolers who were in college/university. one was there to become a teacher, another was getting her degree in nursing. i'm sick right now and can't remember what the others were taking. all of them simply put down they were homeschooled on their applications. the schools had them write acceptance exams, which they passed and were given a place in the school.

it was shared with us, at that time from a representitive of the homeschooling association that top universities in canada and the united states often prefer a homeschooled child to a schooled one... since homeschooling and university are so similar. the child must be a self starter, motivated within and able to work alone.

as for what qualifies a homeschooler to be 'graduated'.

there's a few different ways. you can write your dogwood exam (which you write exams in grade 10, 11 and 12) - you can get your GED or... as in our case, your teacher (me) says you are and then you are!

my daughter hasn't had any problems at all gaining employment as a graduate of homeschooling. not a single employer (during an interview) ever had a problem with her being homeschooled... in fact, they were all very interested and impressed with her ability to learn without being lead.

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Originally Posted by Gecko Den

Who do you turn the portfolio into, the college you are applying to, or is there an accredited education council for home schooling that issues a high school diploma based on the approved curriculum that was used by the in-home teacher? Thanks in advance for the replies... :)

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it depends on how you are registered.

there are lots of choices for homeschooling families.

you can register at a school, many have homeschooling teachers which grade your child's work. (most of these also offer the child access to sports, dances and any classes they may wish to take).

you can register at a school and have them not involved at all in your child's education. just simply use them as a place to register.

you can register with distant education... and they will supply cir. and grades.

there are others... really... the options are almost endless. each created to support the homeschooling family in whatever their goals are.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

quite a few years ago now, i went to a homeschooling meeting which discussed this very issue. there were a group of homeschoolers who were in college/university. one was there to become a teacher, another was getting her degree in nursing. i'm sick right now and can't remember what the others were taking. all of them simply put down they were homeschooled on their applications. the schools had them write acceptance exams, which they passed and were given a place in the school.

it was shared with us, at that time from a representitive of the homeschooling association that top universities in canada and the united states often prefer a homeschooled child to a schooled one... since homeschooling and university are so similar. the child must be a self starter, motivated within and able to work alone.

as for what qualifies a homeschooler to be 'graduated'.

there's a few different ways. you can write your dogwood exam (which you write exams in grade 10, 11 and 12) - you can get your GED or... as in our case, your teacher (me) says you are and then you are!

my daughter hasn't had any problems at all gaining employment as a graduate of homeschooling. not a single employer (during an interview) ever had a problem with her being homeschooled... in fact, they were all very interested and impressed with her ability to learn without being lead.

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Thanks. :)

i think the biggest "theme" in this thread (for me) is... regardless of where you send your child to be educated... or who does the education... as long as you, as their parent, are making an educated choice for them as an individual - then you can feel good about that decision.

if, however, you are simply homeschooling or schooling without really being educated about your child's needs or the options available to you... then IMO you are being remiss in your job as parent. to homeschool simply because you think it would be cool to say you are a homeschooling parent... IMO you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

i know GREAT parents who send their kids to school and their kids are thriving. i also know some GREAT parents who homeschool their kids. one of my favorite homeschooling families in my area - the mom is a university professor and the dad is a music teacher. they have a nanny who cares for the kids when they are both working, but they have flexible schedules to be there to school their kids. and those kids are the coolest kids i've ever met! they hold weekly jam sessions (have a drum set, piano, guitars, bongos etc) in their living room! who needs a dining room table after all!

i aspire to be learn as much from them as i can!

I agree - parental involvement in your child's education is KEY whether it's helping with homework, talking about the day at school or answering random questions - anything can be a potential learning experience - that applies no matter what mode of education your kids are involved with. The lack of parents who show up for parent/teacher conferences is both telling and disturbing.

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

I agree - parental involvement in your child's education is KEY whether it's helping with homework, talking about the day at school or answering random questions - anything can be a potential learning experience - that applies no matter what mode of education your kids are involved with. The lack of parents who show up for parent/teacher conferences is both telling and disturbing.

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*nodding* yup i agree completely matt!

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

I agree - parental involvement in your child's education is KEY whether it's helping with homework, talking about the day at school or answering random questions - anything can be a potential learning experience - that applies no matter what mode of education your kids are involved with. The lack of parents who show up for parent/teacher conferences is both telling and disturbing.

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Smulkin you couldn't have said it better!

Question for homeschooling parents
Do you or you know of a sort of like homeschooling co-op where you have a group to which you take turns doing the schooling among the parents of that group ?

I know a good friend of mine have their preschooler in something like that and he was saying they where trying to get it together for regular schooling.
Seems like a great idea.

SideBar-------
Jason Taylor was homeschooled but had to go to Woodland Hills HS to play football.
Same with Jonathan Loe who had to attend Bartlett HS because recuriters don't check out the homeschooled leagues

there are homeschooling groups all over the place. we share ideas, she costs of hiring tutors, hiring teachers for swimming lessons etc.

dr phil had a show on homeschooling last year and i was completely appauled at his biased opinion and how he shared it with the world, instead of allowing people to make their own choices/decisions regarding homeschooling.

the link is the story of a homeschooling mom who was at the show... and how dr phil padded the audience with school kids, ignored the people who were are knowledgable about homeschooling etc.

if you are passionate about your disdain for dr. phil - you may want to read this. i know this is an old thread... but... i was just sent this link and wanted to share it with you all.

personally i consider dr phil just another jerry springer... it's fake, sensationalized television... at it's worst! i don't watch him, but i did watch that episode... unfortunately :rainon:

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

dr phil had a show on homeschooling last year and i was completely appauled at his biased opinion and how he shared it with the world, instead of allowing people to make their own choices/decisions regarding homeschooling.

the link is the story of a homeschooling mom who was at the show... and how dr phil padded the audience with school kids, ignored the people who were are knowledgable about homeschooling etc.

if you are passionate about your disdain for dr. phil - you may want to read this. i know this is an old thread... but... i was just sent this link and wanted to share it with you all.

personally i consider dr phil just another jerry springer... it's fake, sensationalized television... at it's worst! i don't watch him, but i did watch that episode... unfortunately :rainon:

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But Most springer watchers dont take jerry too seriously...I'm not sure this can be said about Dr. Phil watchers......

Here's a link on some of my thoughts about home-schooling vs the home-schooling movement from my blog.

I have no warm fuzzy feelings about Dr. Phil and I agree that it's pretty sensationalized television.

As someone who went to private schools until 3rd grade and was home schooled 4th and 5th grade, I have a pretty mixed opinion on homeschooling...6th grade through 12th, I was in a public school and I don't think that I was emotionally prepared for the change.

My mother, my two siblings and myself were a part of a home schooling group, in so far as I remember once going on a field trip with them to a chocolate factory...but outside of that I don't remember ever doing anything else with them. We lived in a small neighborhood and I didn't really have any friends--the kids were my sister and brother's age. I lived inside of fiction books a lot during those years.

My mom was a high school graduate (though she admits she couldn't stand school) and I'm glad she didn't attempt to continue home schooling when we moved up to Massachusetts from Florida. The more complex topics presented in High School would have been impossible for her to teach in such a way that we would have been any way prepared to attend college-level classes.

That isn't to say I think high schools do a particularly good job of preparing kids in any case, but better than my mother would have been able to--you can only glean so much from a text book alone.

On the flip side, I have a VERY close relationship with my mother--all of us do ("us" meaning my siblings and myself). I'm sure that comes in part from spending so much time with her during those years of my life--even 1st-3rd grade, she was always there to pick us up from school and she was a "house wife", so was almost always home when we were.

I'm very grateful for the closeness I have with my mother, but I feel like I was pretty ill-prepared for dealing with other children who had grown up in the "real world"...I was an introvert and a half until High School.

Just a few thoughts...I know it's an old thread, and this was a kind of long post--but homeschooling is something that I've been thinking about from time to time. I don't think I ever would do it myself.

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Originally Posted by Mendel's Balls

Here's a link on some of my thoughts about home-schooling vs the home-schooling movement from my blog.

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i think it's really important to remember that every family has different reasons for homeschooling. EVERY family. so lumping people together is never good.

kinda like saying, "all people who keep snakes do it because they want to protest authority". simply because you've met people who are keeping them and have those political views.

honestly, my kids are being raised with my spiritual values and if they went to school... they'd still be raised with my spiritual values. having them homeschooled doesn't change that fact. ;) and saying they aren't going to get the same education/experience as kids who go to school... well YA that's the point of homeschooling LOL

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

I'm very grateful for the closeness I have with my mother, but I feel like I was pretty ill-prepared for dealing with other children who had grown up in the "real world"...I was an introvert and a half until High School.

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i'm not making light of your situation at all.

but...

i always have a little chuckle when people blame homeschooling for being shy or an introvert - as if no one who goes to public school is shy or introverted. :P

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i think it's really important to remember that every family has different reasons for homeschooling. EVERY family. so lumping people together is never good.

kinda like saying, "all people who keep snakes do it because they want to protest authority". simply because you've met people who are keeping them and have those political views.

honestly, my kids are being raised with my spiritual values and if they went to school... they'd still be raised with my spiritual values. having them homeschooled doesn't change that fact. ;) and saying they aren't going to get the same education/experience as kids who go to school... well YA that's the point of homeschooling LOL

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Where did I say that all homeschoolers are the same and that all families homeschool for the same reasons? I never made such a generalization.

Just because there are many different reasons for homeschooling doesn't mean that there are not families that share some of the same or similar reasons. Furthermore, some of these reasons are good and educationally sound, while others are not.

No method of teaching, schooling, or education is right for every student in every situation. Each method will have its own advantages and disadvantages. However, this is not to say that we cant point to bad teaching or educational methods. Within homeschooling itself, there are good and bad practices. Moreover, teaching bad science or teaching science badly is the same regardless of whether it is in a public,private, charter, or homeschool. If you teach creationist physics atr home or in a school, your doing nothing for your child educationally but wasting his or her time as well as your own.

That being said Homeschooling can be a great educational choice for organized, highly educated parents with the time and means to help their children.

I became a teacher for two reasons (1) I have a passion and enthusiasm for science that I like sharing with young people (2) to become advocate on for my students.

This last reason requires a moment of reflection in the context of homeschooling. An advocate is someone who has our best interests in mind and will guide us into promising opportunities as well as argue for us on behalf. None of us lives a life full of advocates. But having a larger number of people who will fight for us and vouch for us is better than having one or none. Most people have their parents and family/close friends as their advocates, but this certainly isn't the case for everyone.

Homeschoolers often don't get to search out or find an advocate outside of their family. For some people this may not be an issue.

Even if the family is full of guidance and advocates, it's helpful to have advocates outside of one's family or social circle. For example, a family may not be equipped to adequately prepare their special needs child in every way, as much as they wish they could do so. Moreover, if a child has very different interests from his or her parents, then he or she may find it helpful to find in advocate in someone who is different than their parents--and that person could be a teacher.

and some kids love science... while others prefer pottery. doesn't make one 'less than'... just different ;)

honestly, i didn't write my post to argue with ya... i was merely stating that when i read your blog... my interpretation was... (see my post) - and after all... we all interpret things differently. :P (a good example is the bible if you really want to see a LOT of different interpretations of one book!)

you are a science teacher, therefore science is your 'thing' your passion... but there's lots of kids out there who could care less about learning science. http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../knitting1.gif i understand and commend you for your passion.

I'm very Pro-homeschool as long as people do it right.
I went to public school as I child (Kindergarten - sixth grade) and I had huge problems. I was extremely withdrawn, overweight and depressed. I became so withdrawn I would not speak to anyone that wasn't close family member or friend, not even doctors. I was constantly sick with one virus or another (often with more than one thing at a time) and always had lice thanks to all the other kids. I had to eat out of a lunch room that literally had roaches crawling around the food and rats running around the floors, how they passed supposed inspections is beyond me. I once had to serve food at lunch time and we had to wash our hands to keep things clean, but there was a huge roach on the hot water handle on the sink (which was connected to the serving table) so they told us just to use the cold water, great logic there! We also ended up bringing some of the roaches home and had to move before we got rid of them all.
When I started seventh grade I persuaded my mom to home school me (not for religious reasons) and for my social skills I volunteered at the local zoo and humane society. I lost weight to the point I had to gain some of it back, I became so outgoing I start long conversations with random strangers and ::knock on wood:: I've rarely been very sick and never had lice again.
I also graduated from high school at 16 years of age.
I will admit it is expensive and it was harder for me with things like calculus since my mother didn't understand it either, but with study I was able to figure it out.

I went back and forth. I was homeschooled most of 8th grade. I was completely miserable. I was thinking about running away, but being homeschooled allowed me to grow as a person and find myself so to speak. I was ready to go to public school come 9th grade, and did well until old friends started crap and harrassing me. I dont think they were too happy that i didnt want to be friends with losers. Anyways, i was homeschooled the rest of 9th grade, and moved to oregon by the next school year. I completed 10-12 grade at a public high school in oregon. It was a much different going to school in another state. I think if i had gone to school in oregon as opposed to iowa to begin with i would have never been homeschooled, but i wouldnt be the same person as i am today. So, i guess it all depends on the situation. Religious homeschoolers were very different than i was (they kinda made me nervous), i just think its kinda weird when people are extreme about the whole thing. Going on a rant....

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

and some kids love science... while others prefer pottery. doesn't make one 'less than'... just different ;)

honestly, i didn't write my post to argue with ya... i was merely stating that when i read your blog... my interpretation was... (see my post) - and after all... we all interpret things differently. :P (a good example is the bible if you really want to see a LOT of different interpretations of one book!)

you are a science teacher, therefore science is your 'thing' your passion... but there's lots of kids out there who could care less about learning science. http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../knitting1.gif i understand and commend you for your passion.

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There nothing wrong with friendly argument or discussion-that's how we all learn. I took nothing you said as a threat--I just wanted to clarify my position.

True, there are a lot of kids that could care less about science. I know and have worked with many of them. :) However, science teaching isn't just about teaching science to those students who are bound for scientific and technical careers. There's a certain level of scientific literacy that everyone should have today just like everyone should know how to read and write, do basic math, and understand personal finances. We live in a technological and scientific world, if you don't understand science....your more likely to fall for quackery in medicine and health care and how can you make an informed vote on an environmental or societal problem involving science? Most of the big problems today involve science somehow......

English class wasn't my favorite subject, but I benefited greatly from having a great English teacher look over my papers. Furthermore, I benefited from reading books that I would have choose not to read.

Please don't take this as a person attack....Not that this probably matters too much to you that you have my stamp of approval, but I see you as one of the strong homeschooling teachers on here because of your personal inquisitiveness--a strong trait in any teacher/learner. Plus if your isolating DNA from bananas....well that says it all......

My general point was also perhaps not made clearly by me in my original blog entry. What I am against is home schooling extremists, not the educational method of home schooling. As an in-home tutor I have worked with homeschooling families and just like regular schooling...you have your good and bad grapes.

Home Schooling Extremists are those individuals who attack public and formal education and offer Home Schooling as a panacea for all of our educational problems.

Lets look at two states....Pennsylvania and Colorado....PA has few home schoolers while CO has quite a bit. Both states have fairly well educated populations and decent economies. Both have areas and schools that perform well educationally.

Home Schooling extremists act as though if we enacted home schooling in mass in a state that is educationally depressed that all that states's educational problems would just disappear. I don't think that's the case at all. Educational problems are woven into larger socioeconomic and cultural factors. Homeschooling is just a piece of the educational puzzle and it can be a good or bad piece just like any school.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

dr phil had a show on homeschooling last year and i was completely appauled at his biased opinion and how he shared it with the world, instead of allowing people to make their own choices/decisions regarding homeschooling.

the link is the story of a homeschooling mom who was at the show... and how dr phil padded the audience with school kids, ignored the people who were are knowledgable about homeschooling etc.

if you are passionate about your disdain for dr. phil - you may want to read this. i know this is an old thread... but... i was just sent this link and wanted to share it with you all.

personally i consider dr phil just another jerry springer... it's fake, sensationalized television... at it's worst! i don't watch him, but i did watch that episode... unfortunately :rainon:

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was this the episode with the "un schoolers" aswell as the homeschoolers?

I'd like to add--Homeschoolers who support pseudoscientific texts are not going to help those that really like the educational method of homeschooling in the long run.

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Originally Posted by worldcupkeeper

was this the episode with the "un schoolers" aswell as the homeschoolers?

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unschoolers are homeschoolers.

it's kinda like saying you are christian... and then you mention you are lutheran (or whatever).

homeschooling is when you have your children at home to learn.

then there are many, many, many alternatives to how you teach... how they learn. the unschoolers on dr. phil should not be seen as what all unschoolers families act.

we are unschoolers and we don't follow anything similar to that family. ;)

and mendel...

i failed english - every year for three years in high school. i am now an editor, publisher and writer.

so... it is my belief learning isn't only done in school. it isn't only done in a classroom. it's done by being curious, finding the answers and living your life.

i teach my children to be curious and assist them to find their answers to whatever their minds can come up with, or a show inspires them to ponder etc. i hope their natural curiousity never ends. ;)