homeschooling

There are several very beneficial things about homeschooling. Especially when you consider the top reasons teachers and administrators in a public school environment say they can't do better: 1- not enough teachers per child. Homeschooling obviously addresses that issue! *laughing* 2-Lack of parental involvement and support. Another issue totally handled by homeschooling. Studies show the single greatest factor in a child's academic performance is not the quality of the teacher, but the level of involvement from the parents. You do not have to be "specially trained" to teach. Most of what we learn as educator's is how to handle the group dynamics and the administrative duties. 3-Inability to teach each child in the way that best suits them. When we teach to a large group we inevitably leave kids out. If "most" of the group is visual learners than that excludes the hands on kids, the aural students, etc. We aren't able to be all things to all children and so far too often some kids just end up "not getting it". As a homeschooler you are in a unique position to make sure your cihld understands the materials before moving on. 4-Too much administrative duties, not enough LEARNING. Teachers, far too often, teach to the test. And children learn to jump through hoops and regurgitate facts instead of learning to love HOW to learn. 5-Lack of resources - As a parent of course your full aim in life is to make sure your children have the things they need. So while a school may struggle to provide things, you as the parent will make sure they have the proper materials. I graduated from homeschool and went on to college top of my class. I'm defiantely NOT a social misfit by any means and indeed, was a music education and theatre arts major - Spotlight, stages and singing for me! There are SO many resources available now I think homeschooling is actually easier now than when I was in school. I have some statistics in terms of how homeschool children turn out as adults too by the way. If you want them just message me. It helps address a lot of the "socialization" questions. *wry grin*

Don't do it, let them have a normal life not set them up as little Gods, too good for everyone else

Some people choose homeschool and their kids turn out great... some turn out to be a serious mess! And the same is true for private schools and public schools. It is a complicated choice and there are a lot of factors you'll have to consider. I hope that your son/daughter knows that you care enough to ask such important questions.

I think the best idea is what is best for your children based on their individual characteristics as well as other factors like the quality of the school system. I never imagined homeschooling my kids before I had a child. I have one 10yo son. As he grew and developed, I realized that the typical school system probably wouldn't be the best learning environment for him. He was very advanced in several areas, very talkative, and very high energy. We decided to homeschool and believe it was the best decision. I really started thinking about it seriously when he was about 2yo so I think it's great that you are already starting to think about it. You have plenty of time to learn as much as you can about it and figure out if it is the right thing for your children.

Hi there! I'm a single mother of an 11 year old boy that I've been blessed to homeschool from the start{praise the Lord}It is a personal chioce for a parent to decide what to do for their child{ren} when it comes to many things,especially education. My personal choice is homeschooling. I wanted my child to learn as much as possible to take him into the future as an asset to society; without dealing with bullies,profanity,unwantesex-ed..things like that. Things that I remember from my childhood in public school. I'll never wish that I could go back to relive any of that! Homeschooling doesn't have to cost an arm&a leg either. there are LOTS of resources on line as well as the library{my son's favorite place to go} There are sites full of free curriculim like; oldfashionededucation.com,booksamaritan.com,and judysbookshop.com {this one had mainly reading for parents}. I do spend about $30-50 per school year on "filler" workbooks from places like Barnes&Noble. I don't want to miss anything,ya know? I found a workbook that goes by grade, like the 6th grade{my son's is finishing up this month} that covers everything but Science for the YEAR. I also use the tests from that an online sites to see when to have him go up a grade{which happens faster than in public school,somehow}. I also don't have to deal with buying the expensive name brand clothing/shoes that comes with peer pressure/media badgering that I remember living with in public school. He's happy,and I'm probably the blessed one here.lol Hope this helps,and Happy New Year! Lela

As to whether or not you are going to homeschool your child, only YOU can truly decide that. And when all is said and done you only need to do what is right for YOUR child. I have done both. I see the benefit of both. But in the end I have chosen to homeschool at least for the time being. I'm thinking private school after that, if she wants to go back. Simply because my 5 year old daughter was not being taught anything. Public school teachers are trying they really are, but with huge classes and low finances, its hard to try to educate such a variety of children. There are very few programs in place for the gifted child and if yours happens to be one, you will search until you find the right niche. Please contact me directly sometime. I don't know how that works on here. But I tried to add you as a friend. Maybe that will allow us to talk. Happy Weekend! Jennifer

Wow, some very thoughtful people have given you some great responses. I would have asked why you are considering homeschool, and then after reading the discussion, why you are going to move, and to where. I agree, Stillwater has some great schools. Not all of Oklahoma does. I grew up in a suburb of OKC, supposedly good schools, and was miserable. I chose where I live because I was familiar with the schools from workstudy jobs while in college, and the town is very small compared to where I grew up, but the schools seemed advanced. If you are still in that general area you can get homeschooling materials at Mardels stores as well as some of the others. The homeschoolers I know where I live form associations, and go to activities and field trips together. They put their kids in 4H, and community theater and ymca classes and martial arts, andchurch activities. I actually think the kids are more well rounded than the ones from the private Christian school nearby. Yes, as someone said, you can send the kids to public school and then home school them in addition. You are lucky to have so many choices. For me, I felt that my kids got some exposure to more critical thinking and honed their skills more than I could have. Math wise for instance, they probably would have passed me at about eighth grade, and I used to be good in math. Good luck if you do move, and in your decisions.

What are your reasons for wanting to homeschool your children? Unless you have some very good reasons, it is better to let your children have the experience of being with and interact with other children, seeing that is what they will be doing in real life for the rest of their lives. You can also always, however, homeschool your children alongside regular schooling, if you like.

hmmmm.... if i have a children,i will send them to school... because there is teacher with a lots of experience....