Another Reason We Homeschool

There are many reasons I enjoy homeschooling and think it is what works well for T right now. Today I have an example of one of those reasons that I thought I would share.

We have been studying the relationship between the sun, moon, and Earth in science this past week. It’s not a big unit, but some general info that he hadn’t learned before. Now while I’m not a huge believer in grades, T likes and needs grades on many things. I’m also not big on tests, but it is a way for me to gauge what he is retaining and understanding. Yesterday he had a short test about the sun, moon, and Earth. He got a 70%. When he was done I had him go back thru his notes and lessons to correct what he had missed and review so he could try again with the test (new questions this time). Today he took the test again and once again got a 70%. He was frustrated and we briefly went over the questions. We decided that he needed more time with this topic which he finds fairly interesting. We will be doing some more hands on things over the next couple of days including making a more complex model to help visual all of it. After a few more days we can try the test again and I’m guessing he will do better then.

Now, had he been in our local public school this is not what would have happened. He would have had the test on Monday, gotten a 70% and then moved on to another topic. There would be no going back and trying again, no more review of the lesson, and surely not any projects like building another model at that point. In my book that doesn’t cut it. If you don’t understand you don’t just leave it and move on. By the way I’m not trying to attack the public school system; it just is what it is though. I have a lot of respect for many teachers and know they really have their work cut out for them.

With homeschooling we have the ability to take as much or as little time on a subject as T needs. While I thought this would be a quick unit it turns out I was wrong. No big deal, we just will spend more time with it. In the process not only does T learn more about the subject but he also learns to have patience and put more effort into something when he needs to. Just one of the many reasons I am happy to be a homeschooling family.

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That lady with 6 daughters

Exactly, everyone tests, and then they move on regardless of whether or not they understand it. In this case, moving on wouldn’t have been much of a big deal, but imagine if it were to happen repeatedly. In math, moving on before you’re ready can snowball and catching up can be next to impossible. Before we started homeschooling someone asked me if it would “hurt my feelings if she were to get a poor grade on a test” and I thought that was ridiculous. Why would I test her on something she didn’t know?
gretablau

yeah that’s a really good point. i think home schooling is attractive, and my sister did it with her kids. i guess the only alternative is private/alternative schooling…probably the route we’ll take. hoping for my business to make tons of money or for us to get scholarships!

it’s great that you’re loving it so much!!
neko03

Good point :-)
KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com
The Mother

You hit the nail on the head. Homeschooling allows you to pinpoint your child’s needs and make sure he gets the extra help.

My youngest HATES writing. He’s dysgraphic, but he even hates writing on the computer. So, as the good homeschooling mom I am, I make him write all the time!

Homeschooling can be so much fun.
4in4

Also one of the reasons I homeschool. I pretty much don't let anything incorrect go by without getting fixed, but it's very low-pressure. I <3 homeschooling!
Mandi

That is one of the reasons that I wanted to HS. I had that problem with maths as I grew up. I really never caught on to algebra until after high school. Thank goodness for the internet for helping out my son with his home work.

BTW, we love fractions.

But I never did.
Sheila

That is one of the (many)reasons I often consider homeschooling my daughter. I too mean no disrespect to the Public school system or the teachers, but not every child learns the same and most teachers don’t have the time to help every child out.
quitecontrary1977

I’ve considered homeschooling my daughter for this reason, but I don’t feel like I’m learned or organized enough to take on the responsibilty. I think it’d be in her best interest if someone taught her the lessons, and I supplement them!
Lori

I think it’s great that you can do that. With my daughter, we just work on it at home–but I doubt that many teachers have such open lines of communication with parents, especially as they get older.

lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com
happymommy3

My hat goes off to you for being able to homeschool. My daughter and I would be at each others throats everyday if I homeschooled. She gets really frustrated with me and doesn’t take criticism very well.

I agree though, they test and they move on. You are able to make sure he understands before moving on or just re-studying what he doesn’t get.
DG

that’s such an interesting point. do you find that kids are more willing to learn when they are homeschooled?

dreamzz12{at}aol{dot}com
brandy

i think homeschooling is great. they get a lot more one on one attention with their studies in public school.
bwalleshauser AT yahoo DOT com
Tammy

I was actually told last week that my children shouldn’t be allowed to receive scholarships or grants because they’re homeschooled. Her reasoning? She felt that my children cheat because they are allowed to study a subject as long as they need and could possibly retest to raise their grades. I tried to explain to her that grades don’t matter as much as the learning does. Also, that instead of punishing my children for being allowed to learn, it would be nice if public schools could teach kids this way too.
Peter

very interesting.
good way to keep everything in order, at least in my opinion.

pjonson2008@gmail.com
Angie Marion

I wish I could homeschool. I’m seriously thinking about it!
She Became A Butterfly

my mom was a teacher for 35 years, and it’s SOOOO true that every child learns differently and at their own pace. if homeschooling is the way to go for T, then great!

she
pookielocks at ymail dot com
Stacey Moore

good point!
MonkeyBaby

my husband and i both had horrific public school experiences, so it’s quite difficult to imagine putting our son through that. luckily where we live there are some public charter schools that seem really great. but we’re definitely considering homeschooling as an option.
elkaye

I think homeschooling is the best way for a child to learn. Your child gets all the attention they need from someone who genuinely cares about their well being. Plus there aren’t any distractions from other students.
susan1215

I have a lot of respect for those Moms who homeschool. I would imagine it takes a lot of patience to be the teacher and Mom. My son is in the gifted program at his High school and I’m being honest when I say he is smarter than me and I could never challange him like his AP classes challange him.
5kidsandadog

And isn’t that just the best thing about homeschooling? We can meet our kids where they are, or let them linger on a topic for as long as it interests them. I love homeschooling!

I actually came here to warn you that Homeschool Jewel.com has stolen this post. I saw it on there this morning. She has scraped several of mine and lots of other people’s as well. http://homeschooljewel.com/blog/ I’m just trying to pass the word. I’m tired of this!
sleepingKelly

That’s a really good point. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of homeschooling. Even if we don’t, we’ll be taking a very active role in C’s education (and limiting tv time).
Katharina

Great post! I always had a whole list of reasons why we chose homeschooling, too.

Public schools just have to move along with the other 30 or 40 kids in a class and can’t give individualized attention to any one student. THAT was always my biggest reason.

If my daughter wasn’t ready to “move on” to a new topic, we lingered another day or two. It works great that way.
Catherine

think it’s terrific that you are homeschooling your child. I hav given a great deal of thought to it myself, for exactly the reason you just described. Child takes a test, gets a grade, moves on. There is no going back to ensure that the child understands the material. No wonder kids are so frustrated! Kudos to you, and would like to link you to my blogspot page!
yellow

I’m a public school casualty- topics were glossed over and on more than one occasion, I failed or gave up trying to pursue/learn things ..School was oh-so-scary to confront the teacher/anyone for help. Even college was a revolving-door education. To truly absorb something thoroughly is a luxury (or you stay through to a Master’s til the chosen field sinks in!). More power to you for homeschooling. I WISH that was a possibility for me, but maybe next lifetime :)

c81280@hotmail dot com
kylie8cake

Homeschooling does allow you to spend more time on subjects and cater to your child’s individual needs. I was homeschooled for the last two years of high school. I wish it had started earlier than that to be honest. I give props to parents that homeschool as well as teachers…like you said, they do have their work cut out for them!