Homeschool stereotypes and how we don't fit into them...
Summer left an interesting comment on a previous post:
A lot of people would rather believe the stereotype than actually get to know someone as an individual.
I've been contemplating this a lot and have a few reactions to it.
My first reaction: Yes! I actually hadn't had the opportunity to develop a 'stereotype' before being asked to teach at ( Read more... )
A lot of people would rather believe the stereotype than actually get to know someone as an individual.
I've been contemplating this a lot and have a few reactions to it.
My first reaction: Yes! I actually hadn't had the opportunity to develop a 'stereotype' before being asked to teach at ( Read more... )
Actually, I just think its fun and I like that it is time efficient for the kids and frees up their day. I also like that a child can work at their level and that the activities can be more hands on than would be possible in a busy classroom.
What technique or curriculum do you use? Do your kids work above or below grade level (or both!)?
I use an eclectic approach--meaning one curriculum for math and a different one for science, etc. My oldest is years ahead in LA and slightly above in math. My youngest is just starting out.
What is your educational level? Do you feel this has an effect on your teaching (both limits and abilities)?
I have a college degree--no, not at the elementary level I wouldn't feel comfortable teaching 30 unknown kids of a wide range of abilities all day without some training, but I know my kids better than anyone.
What does your daily schedule look like?
We start about 9am and finish around lunch. The afternoon if free for group activities or play.
Are your kids always polite and ready to learn? (*snicker*) Do the kids (or you!) get frustrated?
Uh, no, not always... and yes sometimes
How has this affected your parenting?
We have frustrating moments occasionally but we also have a whole lot of positive interactions that help us get through the hard times. I try to always have some fun things to do during the day or mix up the routine enough to keep things from getting stale. As a homeschooling parent, I think I have learned to really use my creativity and think outside the box. We are not replicating public school in our home--homeschooling is really very different.
How much free time do they have? What do they do during their free time? What hobbies do they have?
We keep the TV off, so they are left with art projects, imaginative play and lots of time to read and also to explore the woods and creek we live near. There is also time for music, dance and art lessons.
What difficulties and challenges do you have with homeschooling?
As a parent, you do need to work harder at finding group and social outlets for your kids--you can't take that for granted like you might if they were in school. It is also hard to do something different from the mainstream, especially when you are a conformist at heart!
What makes homeschooling enjoyable?--The parents learn right alongside the kids! It is exciting and thrilling to see the kids' excitement for learning. It is challenging and fulfilling to find great hands on activities that really promote a love of learning.
How do you get involved in the community?
I lead a Brownie troup of neighborhood kids. I teach flute lessons to community kids. My kids are involved in local rec. sports, dance, music and drama. I teach Sunday School at our local church. I am in a community MOPS group and Bible study.
When do you have opportunities to interact with public or privately schooled children? Would you like more of these opportunties? How can they be created?
We interact all the time with public schooled kids. Our Brownie troup meets at the local school. Those kids are in the neighborhood and are friends with my kids. We have park days and playdates. They attend rec. sports and camps together.
What is your least favorite homeschool stereotype? :-)
That we are isolated weirdos. We are the 'quiet' homeschoolers-meaning we usually fly under the radar and nobody knows we homeschool. But as a result, I often hear people going on about homeschooling and 'poor homeschooled' kids, not knowing their children are currently playing with those 'poor' kids.
We also have several kids in our group who were pulled out of ps because of social problems. Some of them are ADHD or Asperger's and were teased and had difficulty in a school setting. Of course now that they are homeschooled, people instantly use them to reinforce the idea that all homeschooled kids are weird. One person I know pointed to a rather unusual hs girl as evidence that no one should homeschool which made me irate since the girl had been homeschooled all of 3 WEEKS!! I guess her last 5 years in ps didn't count...
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