Homeschool: Month 3
We are officially a homeschooling family now. The decision wasn’t easy, especially since I respect the principal at my daughter’s zoned school, and I truly believe the teachers were competent and caring.
I also knew I’d have to face a lot of puzzled moms—“Oh my Gawd! What HAPPENED?!”—as well as my own feeling that I was making a radical decision for my child which might dramatically alter her “normalness.” Whatever that means.
My husband, Matthew, writes about this today at FirstThings.com:
Opting out of the public education system feels a bit like jumping off a moving train. As you tumble down the side of the embankment and struggle to gain your footing, passengers on the still-moving train crane their necks and crowd to the windows to stare at you with wide eyes and slack jaws.
They jumped? What are they, nuts? This train is so nice.
As the locomotive puffs into the distance—it must, after all, keep to its schedule—you dust yourself off and begin to plot the rest of your journey on foot. Suddenly you realize you are alone in the wilderness. “Oh boy,” you think. “Maybe we’ve made a terrible mistake.” Then it hits you: The air smells great out here. The landscape, previously just a wooshing blur in the train’s window, is suddenly alive with colors and sounds.
So far, yes, homeschooling is an unqualified success. My daughter, 7, is healthier —mentally, emotionally, and physically. She actually eats her lunch now and spends at least two hours outside each day, unless the weather is dreadful and we can only bear an hour. We check on our blue heron friend who lives in the cemetery across the way. Then, we walk over to the brook to search for the skittish muskrat. We wave to “George,” the one-winged goose. We stare into the pond until the fish, settled so still on the bottom, suddenly become clear to our adjusting eyes; for a quick glance, their camouflage is too successful. It takes patience. And time.
But we can do it. We have jumped off the train.
I always wanted to be a governess like those I read about in my 18th and 19th century British literature classes. Now, I feel like one.
My daughter’s academic skills, especially in math, have leaped forward. We do daily editing exercises, brain twisters, handwriting, traditional grammar, and yes, the drill work—spelling, vocabulary, and math problems. LOTS of math problems.
We also learn about the ancient world and look at maps of Mesopotamia and Egypt. She knows the location of all 50 states and their capitals. She knows why we have seasons and weather. We studied the parts of a cell yesterday. Best of all, my daughter can curl up in her chair by the sunny window and get buried in her latest novel series. She reads about 250 pages a day of her own choice reading, outside of her school “work.” She tries out magic tricks. She makes potholders. Or engagement rings out of Hershey’s kisses and pipe cleaners (see below).
We go ice skating on Friday mornings, and we attend a monthly homeschool meeting where my daughter says her memorized poem in front of a crowd of 50+ parents and children. Oh yeah. And we also go to the grocery store and pick up Daddy’s dry cleaning.
My daughter still has playdates. Still plays soccer. And, she’s made a bunch of new friends through two homeschool networks in our area.
Is it perfect? No. Does my daughter whine about math problems? Yes. Are there days I don’t feel like teaching a new grammar lesson and nights I don’t feel like checking workbooks and planning? Sure. But it’s better for all of us. So much better. Is it for every family? Every kid? No.
In fact, our other daughter, 5, who has Down syndrome, remains in the school system. She, in stark contrast to her sister, truly thrives in school. Her biggest leaps come after a particularly good week at school. God bless her teachers and therapists. We don’t know for sure what we’ll do with the three year old when his time comes. For the next two years, at least, he’s home with us.
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Comments :
Jul '11
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Actually I am surprised the teachers unions have not gotten the government to outlaw home schooling and private schools by now.
May '10
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
You have my support Ursula.
Jan '12
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
This is a good resource for home schooling. OK they might have to learn a different way to spell but what the heck.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
John Murdoch: Ursula,
I'm the father of a Down syndrome girl who will exit the public school system when she turns 21 next December. The key to guiding your special needs child through the school system is to assume that you are, in fact, home-schooling him too. You are in charge, you're responsible for long-term planning, you're making sure that everybody and everything else stays on the same page with you. · 13 hours ago
Yes, you are right, John. Thanks for this reminder and for commenting. Good luck with the next stage. I know several parents in the same position. I'll come calling for advice in a decade :)
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Thank you so much, Peter. A compliment from you is the highest honor!
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Ursula, this is extremely interesting and impressive. Please keep us posted.
Lovely photo, too.
May '10
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
From Matthew's piece:
Homeschooling in a nutshell.
Aug '10
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Not for lack of trying.
"n 2008 a three-judge panel of the California Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that children must be taught by a credentialed tutor or person with a teaching credential. The court stated that "It is clear that the education of the children at their home, whatever the quality of that education, does not qualify for the private full-time day school or credentialed tutor exemptions from compulsory education in a public full-time day school. The California court rejected the parent's reliance on Yoder's holding regarding religious choice. March 2008, the court agreed to rehear the case and vacated its prior decision. August 2008, the court issued a new decision unanimously reversing its earlier decision and the Court further stated that homeschooling was legal in California."
Apr '11
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
As I say to everyone who is brand new to homeschooling, "Come on in, the water's fine!." And like my beloved Mama Toad, I'm a little jealous. It's so especially fun when they're little. We used Singapore math for both of my kids (now 11 and 15) - a great curriculum! I don't know if you've come across Mystery of History, but it is our favorite history curriculum....I take our current volume to bed to read just for fun, it's so compelling. But the BEST thing we used during the lower elementary years was Five in a Row: deceptively simple, amazingly effective.
My kids have never been to a conventional school (I don't call it traditional, because homeschooling is actually more traditional). My 10th grade daughter is so much more mature and self-assured than I was at her age. I credit the "socialization" she got from homeschooling - and being held to the standards set by our family, and not set by a room full of kids conforming to the lowest common denominator.
They do grow up so fast. Embrace every day, Ursula.
This seems like only yesterday.....
Apr '11
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
By the way, for those who might be interested, this is a link to a study of adults who were homeschooled. It's very interesting, and a nice resource to forward to skeptical in-laws who think you're going to ruin their grandchildren (homeschooling parents know what I'm talking about here...).
Apr '11
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Sorry - just one more comment (love of homeschooling is my one weakness). I just read and thoroughly enjoyed your husband's column! The next time someone shares their concern that your child will be "missing something" by not attending the local school, he might try what my husband says in similar conversations. "Once a week or so I take my kid into the bathroom and beat him up for his lunch money. He's not missing anything."
May '10
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Schoolmarm, you wouldn't happen to have seen the BBC TV show Lark Rise to Candleford?
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Love your comments, Schoolmarm. THANK YOU! We also use Singapore, and I'd never heard of your Five in a Row but after looking it up ... I think I'm hooked! Thank you!
Aug '11
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
I now work outside the home, and my wife stays home to homeschool our 6 and 8 year old girls. At least once a week I thank her for this sacrifice (although I would say that financially, it's a sacrifice we all make).
Jan '12
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Bravo, Ursula! We recently made the decision to homeschool our kids. I was initially very skeptical, but after doing some reading, discussing, and praying with my wife, we feel very good about it. Our 6-year-old is doing very well, on her way to finishing Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, a 5th grade-level book.
Re: Homeschool: Month 3
Congrats, Bobby. I feel your pain/joy! I hope to be able to post a bit more about this journey, and I'd love your thoughts and insights as a fellow newbie! Thanks for commenting.