Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:58:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2016 17:28:54 GMT
I'm a high school teacher and wouldn't think of HSing my kids - I just wouldn't be able to do a good enough job or create the proper social / group environment that is so much a part of university prep nowadays. As a teacher, I have taught students who were returning to school after being homeschooled during high school. My experience - keep in mind mine is limited - was that these students were very bright but lacked an ability to work well in groups / socialize with peers. It seemed my age was easier for them to socialize with than their own age group. That isn't necessarily a negative quality, but a particular boy I remember was lonely amongst his peers. I could see him doing very well in university - his analytical and critical thinking skills were far better than his peers. I just wanted to say that what my girls have experienced in university is that a lot of kiddos are horrible working in groups and refuse to do the work (most of these kids come from public and private schools). A lot of them don't have any initiative to do the work. They want the rest of the group to do it for them. There always only seems to be a handful of young adults that will actually do the work and actually want to work with other group members. It frustrates my girls to no end because their grade is dependent upon group members that don't want to work, don't communicate with the group, etc. It has been 3 years of this, and they continue to see groups with the same problems. And most of the time these groups are assigned so they have no choice. |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912 
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Post by melissa on Jan 31, 2016 18:18:57 GMT
As a teacher, I have taught students who were returning to school after being homeschooled during high school. My experience - keep in mind mine is limited - was that these students were very bright but lacked an ability to work well in groups / socialize with peers Definitely a sample limited to those for whom homeschooling was not working. That alone could have been a reason that they enrolled the child in school. Those group settings for homeschoolers require some work and forethought on the part of the parents. However, in the real world, one will not be working in groups only with people born within the same calendar year. One will be working, no matter what the field, with a wider variety of ages. There is something rather contrived about the traditional school setting as we know it today. It's important for all children to learn to interact with people of all ages, something that I personally found homeschoolers to be much more comfortable with than the average traditionally schooled child . Once again, my own experiences as a homeschooling parent.  Dd was very disappointed at the age of 15, in her first college course, to find that the group dynamics of group work are absolutely no different at the college level than they are in traditional school. She felt as if she were back in her 6th grade history class. And she was in a class with a very wide age range and group members spread out over the globe as it was an online course. She found, per usual, there were one or two people who did the vast majority of the work and one or two who coasted as much as humanly possible! I told her that somethings never change. She avoids classes with group projects now. She won't be able to avoid them entirely and knows that! As a ballet dancer, she certainly knows and understands a great deal about working in a group. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:58:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2016 18:25:18 GMT
As a teacher, I have taught students who were returning to school after being homeschooled during high school. My experience - keep in mind mine is limited - was that these students were very bright but lacked an ability to work well in groups / socialize with peers Definitely a sample limited to those for whom homeschooling was not working. That alone could have been a reason that they enrolled the child in school. Those group settings for homeschoolers require some work and forethought on the part of the parents. However, in the real world, one will not be working in groups only with people born within the same calendar year. One will be working, no matter what the field, with a wider variety of ages. There is something rather contrived about the traditional school setting as we know it today. It's important for all children to learn to interact with people of all ages, something that I personally found homeschoolers to be much more comfortable with than the average traditionally schooled child . Once again, my own experiences as a homeschooling parent. Dd was very disappointed at the age of 15, in her first college course, to find that the group dynamics of group work are absolutely no different at the college level than they are in traditional school. She felt as if she were back in her 6th grade history class. And she was in a class with a very wide age range and group members spread out over the globe as it was an online course. She found, per usual, there were one or two people who did the vast majority of the work and one or two who coasted as much as humanly possible! I told her that somethings never change. She avoids classes with group projects now. She won't be able to avoid them entirely and knows that! As a ballet dancer, she certainly knows and understands a great deal about working in a group. I ditto that (bolded text). My girls learned to interact with people of all ages when homeschooled. They work very well with people of all ages. There was a lady that was 30 and had 3 children in one of the groups one of my girls was put into. This woman contributed a lot to the group, and my daughter was so thankful to have her to work together with. They have become great friends, and she even visited my daughter during one of her many hospital stays. One of the better group experiences. |
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sassy
Shy Member
Posts: 37
Jun 28, 2014 19:22:31 GMT
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Post by sassy on Feb 3, 2016 6:31:32 GMT
Wow! So much good info and discussion. I really appreciate all the input. We are weighing all the pros and cons of this decision, but are leaning heavily toward homeschooling our boys through high school. We are so fortunate to have wonderful elementary and middle schools that our kids have loved and thrived at. The more I research, the more excited I feel about the opportunities that are available if we are willing to take this step. We are going into it with a "we'll do our best and see what happens" kind of attitude. We realize that its not a one size fits all solution and will address each of our kids needs individually. Funny thing is that they've all come to us separately and told us they wish they could be homeschooled for different reasons. Thanks again for all the thoughtful responses.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Feb 3, 2016 12:21:14 GMT
Op I hope you get some helpful info from people so you can make the best choices for your family.
These threads always jump the rails because both sides feel the need to insult the other side to make their choices seem better. It is blatant or subtle but always non-helpful.
Homeschool kids will never be good enough for college or public schools just teach to the test and always talk about being brave or smart or whatever.
We all are doing the best we can. I have met hs kids who are brilliant and public school kids who are brilliant. I have been in public schools that are dismal and public schools that are incredible. I've met homeschooling mom's who are amazing teachers and some who think teaching religious texts as history is legit.
Your kids will be fine because you care and because you know them, the district, and what you value. Good luck!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:58:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2016 18:30:31 GMT
We homeschooled through middle and high school for both of my children. My son is the oldest and now a sophomore in college and doing very well. My daughter is a senior, taking college courses. She is also doing very well. It has worked for us. We are Christians but that had nothing to do with our decision. We did what felt right for our family. I have seen examples of both great and terrible homeschool situations. I get the criticism, I really do. Some people do it for the wrong reasons and some people just aren't prepared for the huge commitment. It has worked out wonderfully for my family and we have no regrets. We have been able to give our kids a very well rounded education. They are both prepared socially and academically to pursue and succeed in their chosen fields. What more can I ask? Good luck to you!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:58:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2016 19:27:46 GMT
I started homeschooling 9 years ago when my children were in kindergarten and first grade. Those first years were HARD! Middle school and now our first year of high school have been a breeze by comparison.
There are tons of online resources available that weren't there when I started out. Any science experiment you want to do, you can find a Youtube video for it. There are math helps galore. Lots of history and grammar as well. Don't let your inexperience with every single subject hold you back from homeschooling. Someone on the internet can help you and them.
Check to see if your local homeschool group offers co-op classes, too. If you don't feel comfortable teaching a subject, chances are another parent is able to do so. Co-op classes offer opportunities for socialization if that's a concern for you.
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