I officially started homeschooling Nicholas last week. We're keeping it pretty simple this year, since much of a formal preschool would involve socialization and sensory activities. It's been a blast so far! We're doing learning games, crafts, and cooking, and I get to put my teacher hat back on when I plan. I'm enjoying this time of fun activities. My goal is to always keep it fun, but this is a special age, when everything is new and exciting.
Many of you already know that we are planning to homeschool. The reactions we've gotten have ranged from, "That's wonderful!" to "Why on earth would you do that?" Homeschooling is pretty popular around here, but I still get asked when Nicholas is going to preschool regularly. I don't think there's anything wrong with preschool (or public/private schooling); we've just decided that this is what's best for us and our boys.
Chris and I are both products of the public school system. One of us loved school so much, she made teaching her profession. The other, well, hated it, but still excelled upon entering college. Despite our differing experiences, we agree that school can take the most enthusiastic of learners and squelch the excitement. It was something I saw over and over again in the classroom- kids entering kindergarten were beyond excited, and couldn't wait to start school. But, by the age of seven or eight, many had lost all interest. I think this is especially common with boys. Boys are innately active, and expecting them to sit in a desk and do worksheets much of the day is just unreasonable. Even in my room, where I tried to incorporate as much active learning as possible, there was still boredom. The brighter kids already knew much of what I was teaching, and the struggling students were often left behind. I mean, how could any teacher meet the individual needs of every single student? Is there any way that teaching one-on-one could compare with a ratio of 20:1? 25:1?
The biggest concern on everyone's mind seems to be the social aspect, and I agree that being in a classroom/large group settting is important. Nicholas is attending church about twice a week, soccer class once a week, and has several playdates mixed in as well. For those of you who still think of homeschooled kids as "freaks," I have two words for you: Tim Tebow.
Hopefully this post has answered some of the questions you didn't want to voice about why we're doing it. We have no doubts that it will be challenging at times, and I'm sure there will be ups and downs, but I guess the bottom line is that God's given me an opportunity to teach my children at home, and has certainly given me the desire to do it. What better reason could there be?
4 comments:
More power to you! I don't blame you one bit! I just don't know how you find the time to do everything and start this blog. You are so organized!!! Let me know if you need anything for the schooling!!!
I'm very excited for you! I know you must love the planning. I bet you are loving having special time with Nicolas everyday. It is really great that he gets to learn in such fun ways. You have a very special gift of teaching and your boys are very lucky! All my love to my nephews.
Bev, have you read Susan Wise Bauer's book The Well-Trained Mind? She really expounds on the whole issue of socialization. We tend to think that kids can only be socialized by being in groups of peers, when the reality is that socialization is learning the "rules" of your culture or society. In my opinion, the best place to learn that is from the parents in settings where the parent is involved, not in a large group of peers where the child is left to figure it out for himself. To your point about those who think homeschooled kids are freaks, I think we can all think of kids we knew in school that were social outcasts despite being in school all their lives. Teaching social skills to our children is our responsibility as parents, not the school's, whether or not we choose to use schools in our children's education. Great post, my friend. I love your blog, and I am thrilled the Lord has called you to homeschooling. I'm excited to share this adventure with you!
Love,
Melanie
Hey Beverly -
I found your blog through Melanie's. It has been fun to see you on FB. Sounds like you are having a great year so far! Another good book is "Educating the Wholehearted Child" by Sally Clarkson. She also addresses the socialization issue. Interestingly, I have found (in my great experience of one month of homeschooling) that Harrison is much more helpful and kind to me and his sisters than he was when he was in school and just with the fam for a few hours a day. I consider that to be positive socialization! I have started a family/homeschooling blog to keep track of what we are up to. Check it out!
http://myhomeschooladventure.blogspot.com/
Let me know if you'd ever like to get together and talk homeschool stuff.
Trish
Post a Comment