What is homeschooling? Your thoughts!!

[Bethsunshine]

I've been reading a book that a friend of mine gave me, who has been homeschooling for years, called " Essentials for Homeschooling" and one of the things the book emphasizes is that homeschooling is not "school at home" in that school is an institution and that the home part of homeschooling should come first. What are your thoughts about that, especially you veteran homeschoolers? Do you have a structured schedule or more of a flexible routine? Do you give your kids "homework"? How long is your typical "school day"? Do you feel as if your children are being prepared for college? Do you have any homeschooling graduates and if so, what are their "success stories"?

[michiganmom116]

 I substitute "learning" for the word "schooling".

My kids learn at home; they learn about the world around them, about life and their role in family life, about the skills necessary to be productive and positive citizens in this world. 

I use Abeka curriculum.  The kids follow the lesson plans for each day, which takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours.  After lessons are over, they "play" on the computer, learn to work in the kitchen, learn to help out with household duties, or just be kids in general.

Because of the curriculum that I intend to use for high school level (Abeka's DVD Academy) they will be prepared for college. I'm not sure that they will all attend college, but the transcript, SAT scores and diploma will be there if they do.

I do have one son that homeschooled through "high school" and "graduated".  He is not gifted in writing, but he, ON HIS OWN, has learned how to repair computers, repair game systems, how to fix computer software problems, how to do car repairs that don't require special equipment (replacing sensors, dash lights, repair ABS brakes, wiring, etc.)  He currently works at a convenience store for his "real" job and does the computer repairs on the side.  He is very capable of discussing current events with people of all ages and he has a huge variety of books that he likes to read.  Successful in the world's eyes?  Maybe not, but he'll find his niche. 

[Bethsunshine]

IMO, anybody that can make a living these days is a success, especially with the economy being in the state that it's in. Can you send your son to our house to work on our cars?

[cmy3kids]

I agree on the substituting lessons/learning with the word school. I try to say we are doing our "lessons" today instead of "school".

I really think we are a mix, especially now since we have left our state's virtual academy behind. We are structured that we do lessons Tuesday through Friday, and when I mean lessons I mean seat work or worksheets and such. We try to start around 9am and usually finish around 2ish. And that is with a nice lunch and regrouping time (playing time for the kids).

I think we unschool when it comes to certain interests of the kids. Not too long ago, my oldest son became very interested in money and the economy. We ended up researching a lot of things on it and had a lot of fun learning!

I make sure we cover the basics... Bible study/devotional, Math, Spelling, and Reading... all the other stuff comes with their interest and having fun!

[Maddape48854]

Homeschooling is being 100% involved in your child's education! What is the point of an education if it doesn't glorify God and our children are not secure in their family!

[ChristyE]

I am kind of new to home schooling.  I say kind of because this fall I will actually be having them home and teaching them everything myself, with God's help.  But I have been basically teaching my kids all along, in that with 2 of them, the only time they made a good grade was when I sat down with them and helped them understand the points that their teacher in ps was trying to get across to them.  Homeschooling will give more time to teach them and to keep all their grades up.  I already have Abeka for my two that struggle and Lifepac (from Alpha Omega) for my child that doesn't need as much one-on-one.

For me homeschooling will give me the opportunity to bring interest in learning to my 13 year old who finds school boring and doesn't want to bother with it, give me the opportunity to enhance my daughters reading and vocabulary and spelling skills.  And to keep my A-B honor roll son from ruining his life because he can't seem to stay out of fights at school.

Homeschooling will also help bring a closeness in our family that you can't gain with everyone somewhere else all the time.  It will also lower the chances of bad influence from others.

As far as calling homeschooling, school or not really doesn't matter to me, as long as my kids are learning and can futher their education in college and beable to make it through adult hood with as little struggles as possible then it really doesn't matter what anyone calls it.  The bottom line is that my kids learn more from me than they do in public school and so I will keep them home so I will have more time to teach them what they need to know.  It is hard to squeeze in three kids learning, dinner and baths in the short time between when they get home and go to bed.  And then to deal with rude and vulger behaviors they pick up at school that they think is ok, because other kids do it.  There influences will come from their father and I and church associates.  I am tired of ungodly people influencing my children into doing ungodly acts.

[mrsjsawyer]

All the education matter of facts are definitely important  in educating at home -- but the MOST important aspect of schooling at home, as a follower of Christ -  is training them up in the way that they should go!

We should never forget or even neglect that crucial aspect of a little child so preciously and graciously leant unto us in His/Her precious influential years of their life.

We should strive to live by Proverbs 22:6 and Deuteronomy 6:5-9 - no matter how imperfect we may be!! We serve a PERFECT God -- and he's not finished with us yet!!

And we need to keep other momma's who are homeschooling and NOT training them up in the ways of the LORD -- there are even many who are teaching the complete opposites (Wiccans...Atheistism...ect...) we need to lift those families up in prayer and hope that the Lord can change their hearts!!!

but non-the-less : God is ALWAYS good!! And Praise HIM for Homeschool !!! AMEN

[Cenedra64]

Contrary to popular opinion home schooling is not isolating children at home and sheltering them from the world.  Many parents have different reasons for home schooling.  I've known very well educated people with doctorates who home school.  They often feel that public schools are not providing and adequate education. In most cases they are correct.  Children are not challenged like I was in school.  Schools are more interested in making their own state ranks for passing more students, acquiring funding and such.  In my daughter's case I began home schooling again because her teachers refused to honor a IEP plan for her disability.   She was stuck in the back of a classroom and isolated from other children.  She still stresses to me how much she disliked her teacher because the lady would not explain lessons to her or give her extra help.  This is all part of an IEP plan.  So to stop being long winded I will conclude with what are my views of home schooling.  It is making sure your child is actually LEARNING.   Since my daughter is ADHD a less structured classroom setting works best.  

Her mind is being wirled away in 45 minute incriments when she is just grasping a subject.  We can work on a subject all day if we choose to.  

[microcurrent]

Do you have a structured schedule or more of a flexible routine?

We have both a structured and a flexible routine, it all depends on the day.

Do you give your kids "homework"?

My kids are at home so they are given all the time they need to finish their lessons sometimes they can spend 2 hours on their math and 15 min on English the beauty of homeschooling is flexibility.

How long is your typical "school day"?

Some days can be as long as 12 hours but this includes 2 hours of piano and 3 hours of swim-team at the YMCA..

Do you feel as if your children are being prepared for college?

I know my children will be prepared for college I am well aware of what is needed.  My 12 year old has already taken 2 bible classes with my husband.

 I hope this helps

 

[Mommy2gr8kids03]

I like to think of myself as just training wheels for my kids.  They learn everything on their own, with the help of my guiding them along.  Today after the lessons were complete, my 4 year old asked why crickets make noise at night.  Rather than just tell him the answer I helped him google the question.  Then he wanted to know what they eat, what ladybugs eat, how a butterfly becomes what it is, and why the moon has so many holes.   Children are naturally curious and public schools KILL their curiosity because it doesn't move with the currents of their state mandated standards.  We learn all day long, often times about things that my children are just curious about, besides what we are studying in their curriculum and unit studies.  I am leading my children down the path of life and helping them make a map.  When they come to the fork in the road, I am confident that they will make the right choice.

[missionarywifey]

homeschooling is keeping the Government and their Godless theology, teachings, and lifestyle away from my children :-) I have chosen to homeschool because I don't want my children to be indoctrinated by satan. Kind of harsh, but true. I don't believe it is the Government's job or responsibility to teach my children, it is mine. Do I shield my kids from the world by homeschooling? sort of, but not really. We teach them not only what the Bible says, but we allow them to see what satan is capable of. We can also learn two different sides on different subjects like creation vs. evolution (which schools refuse to teach). Government schools are one sided, which is not God's side. That is why I homeschool :-)