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Has anyone here homeschooled?

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sKePTiKal:
In addition to organized and more informal "social" networks for home-schoolers... I believe that in some areas, they are invited to local public school events, as well. I'm sure the level of involvement varies a lot. So that original issue with "socialization" is being addressed these days....

... but then that creates a question for me. Is it really better to insulate a child from the "horrors" of public school - real life, in other words... for the perceived benefit of higher scholarship? Will that child have the skills to deal with those things they've been protected from, once they hit college? And what are those skills I'm referring to vaguely? (I'm not sure I can define them).

I'm no fan of public school these days, in general... academically or socially. It's specific things that bother me. There are good ones out there, academically, for sure. I was lucky and blessed, this way - in the days before AP programs, SOL testing, etc. And of course, no one does a headline feature on those schools and what they're doing right... it's always got to be a negative, shocking, sensationally bad story.

But it doesn't have to be an either/or choice. Public school can be a good experience, if a parent becomes an active partner of the teachers. Allowed to reinforce ideas and concepts at home - according to the values at home. Schools shouldn't be selling any particular value or political point of view - that's inappropriate in the academic setting at any level. Some schools/teachers won't permit this partnership, but many will appreciate it. I think it's the way it "should" be... but that's just me. Too often there's a hostile relationship between parents/schools... or a muddying of boundaries/responsibilities... and that's what we hear about more often than not.

lighter:
I was talking to L's piano teacher.

She received a private school education, up to middle school, where her parents chose to homeschool up to highschool.

They chose private highschool, up to her Senior year, where they switched back to public.

She explained the pros and cons (mostly pros) and explained that making appropriate choices throughout her school career, was best for her.

The cons were to do with teachers punishing her for using her own mind, and being independent.

I'm considering homeschooling for one year, longer if it works very well.

That would free me up to do cool ocean labs, museum trips, all kinds of cool things, while being able to visit friends and relatives, moving around where I feel I need to be while not being tied down to school.

They should move ahead with all the one on one attention, if anything changes.

Lighter

Twoapenny:
Yay, Lighter, go for it!  We've been doing it for three and a half years now and it is just amazing; it's astonishing how much children learn on their own when they're given the freedom to do what they want to (and adults as well, I've learnt far more since I took him out of school).  The freedom is incredible :)

sKePTiKal:

--- Quote ---The cons were to do with teachers punishing her for using her own mind, and being independent.


--- End quote ---

This is sad, but true, Lighter. I think you're making a wise choice.... and even better, staying flexible about the future makes sense, too.

lighter:
You guys were supposed to say (what you said,) ALONG with stuff about taking the girls out of their very stable routine.

You were supposed to tell me the girls would lose basic socialization, and that I'm not able to teach basic grammar,much less the new 5th grade math, for heaven's sake!; )

Hey, thanks for all the support.  I would be all over you guys, with questions and such, if I actually made this leap.

You know that, right?

Lighter

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