7 Lies of Homeschooling.

nikkiluvsu15

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#1
LOL - this video made me laugh because in my experience it is SO true. I got so many of the same questions that he talks about in this video (especially the sheltered one!), lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJHt-m3VX6o

The #2 reason (have no lives) was SO true in my case! Me and my siblings would always get up early to finish our school work so we could go do fun stuff... it was the best :D

I was home schooled starting at 1st grade and graduated in 2010 in my very own (well with my two cousins) graduation :D I loved being home schooled and had to deal with SO many people telling me "my school was easy" and "I didn't have a social life", etc., it was kind of crazy.

When done right... homeschooling is the bomb! As my mom says to many parents who call her asking about homeschooling (she is the director of a homeschool umbrella): Homeschooling is not for every parent and is not for every student.

Who knows though, maybe only people who have been home schooled find this video funny. :eek:
 
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#2
There are so many misconceptions about homeschooling.

My favorite is the sheltered/socialization one. For me, one of hte biggest reasons I chose to homeschool so was that my children DO learn about the real world, not a controlled one where you are ranked by age and "grades". For us, we do not do "school at home"...we use the whole world as our classroom and its rare we have more than one day a week spent at home. No set hours, no set work to be done...just learning all the time.
 

Xandra

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#3
How does it affect university application? How do parents know whether they are doing a good enough job of it? When you get into high school, how can one person teach everything at a high enough level? Are co-ops basically the only viable way to do it?
 
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#4
How does it affect university application? How do parents know whether they are doing a good enough job of it? When you get into high school, how can one person teach everything at a high enough level? Are co-ops basically the only viable way to do it?
Are co-ops the only viable way? Nope, not at all....when a child is ready to go to university (which actively recruit homeschooled children btw) it is not hard to figure out what the requirements are and if you are not up to snuff, get there. Many homeschoolers start taking community college classes at 16 or so as well.

For ME, I dont teach, I lead the children to where they can learn. We learn from books, from videos, from other people, etc.
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#5
How does it affect university application?
I can't answer how it affects university application because I graduated with an actual high school diploma.

Some home schoolers graduate with a certificate, when you are "enrolled" in my mom's home school umbrella (which is listed as a private school in FL) you complete the requirements for graduation and graduate with an actual diploma.

How do parents know whether they are doing a good enough job of it?
I think if the child is getting good grades on their tests, understanding the material, etc., they are doing a pretty good job. Since I've never home schooled anyone nor am I a parent, I can't answer that question really well.

We also took achievement tests every year, even though it wasn't required. I believe that gave my parents a good idea on how well each of us were learning.

When you get into high school, how can one person teach everything at a high enough level? Are co-ops basically the only viable way to do it?
I can't answer for anyone else because I think everyone home schools differently, but when I got into high school we used videos from Abeka (which is the material we mostly used) for Algebra and Algebra 2. For Geometry we used paces.

Then again, my junior & senior years I took most of my classes at the college by dual-enrolling. I took my English 1 & 2 through the college, as well as many electives.

We were never in a co-op. Though we did have quite a few friends that were home schooled as well and we would do field trips, etc., with them. So, no, I don't think co-ops are the only viable way.

I will say that I think my parents had a good idea on WHAT to teach us because my Dad is (well was because today he retired!) a middle/high school teacher ;)
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#6
Not that I have to... but proof of my actual graduation with my cousins ;)


Crazy to think that I'm going to be graduating college after Fall semester (well for the first time - still have another graduation to go after that ;))! It doesn't seem like that long ago.. geez.
 

SarahHound

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#7
I only know 2 people who were home educated. Both in the USA, so I don't really understand the system over there. But I know both of them hated it, and are both now very uncomfortable in social situations, and not really achieved anything with their lives.

I know they won't represent a lot of people who are home schooled, but I do feel sorry for them, and its not for everyone.
 
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#8
I know lots of adults and children both who went to school and have social anxiety. I know lots of kids who hate school:)

There ARE people who use homeschooling as an excuse to shelter their children from the world, keep them from learning about ANYTHING they "dont believe in" etc...and I do find that wrong. However, they are NOT the majority. The think is, most homeschoolers you cant tell they are;)
 
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#9
How does it affect university application? How do parents know whether they are doing a good enough job of it? When you get into high school, how can one person teach everything at a high enough level? Are co-ops basically the only viable way to do it?
I wasn't home schooled and I think like you that one person being able to teach it all is an impossibility, but I dropped out of highschool and got my GED. It got me into college no problem
 
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#10
I wasn't home schooled and I think like you that one person being able to teach it all is an impossibility,
Well, my nieces and nephews are mostly homeschooled. In one family, one is now a vet, got into one of the hardest schools to get into. Her younger sister is travelling the world right now, and their brother went military. They were all more "traditionally" homeschooled as they live way out in the country....so pretty much all mom teaching them. Thats the jist though...you can LEARN anything you want, you dont have to have a teacher;)
 

oakash

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#11
I'm homeschooled :p

People are always surprised when they found out that I'm homeschooled. Actually, most of the homeschoolers we know, or at least the ones that we hang out, are incredibly outgoing and can handle themselves in social groups. I won't say that I'm outgoing, because I don't really talk much in person. I listen (Yeah, I'm a stalker). However, if someone is talking to me I can hold my own in the conversation.

I've played on sports teams for a long time, and my siblings who weren't as athletic were in choirs or whatever they did. I also find myself to be much smarter then the average public schooler. Not necessarily the ones in IB, but if you heard what some of the girls say on my softball team, you'd be cringing. Here's a sample: One of them didn't know what the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE was. Yeah.

I'm not sure if I'll homeschool or not, I most likely will at least until they're in 6th grade.
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#12
Let me be clear - I don't have anything against public school. I took 4 classes at the local high school (foreign language credits and typing class). I know *I* enjoyed being home schooled better, but some people don't enjoy it and that is fine.

I put this video up because after being home schooled nearly my whole life, I found it funny and mostly true :D

I have met quite a few people who are TOTALLY against homeschooling, but I don't usually let it bother me because I think I turned out pretty good and try my best to get good grades ;) But like I said: It isn't for every parent and it isn't for every student.

I know lots of adults and children both who went to school and have social anxiety. I know lots of kids who hate school:)

There ARE people who use homeschooling as an excuse to shelter their children from the world, keep them from learning about ANYTHING they "dont believe in" etc...and I do find that wrong. However, they are NOT the majority. The think is, most homeschoolers you cant tell they are;)
I agree! I know many people hate school or who have anxiety problems and they aren't/weren't home schooled.
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#13
Well, my nieces and nephews are mostly homeschooled. In one family, one is now a vet, got into one of the hardest schools to get into. Her younger sister is travelling the world right now, and their brother went military. They were all more "traditionally" homeschooled as they live way out in the country....so pretty much all mom teaching them. Thats the jist though...you can LEARN anything you want, you dont have to have a teacher;)
I guess we were taught the more traditional way, also. My mom wrote out lesson plans and we had all the "normal" subjects, she also pretty much taught us until we got in high school. Then, as I said, we either dual-enrolled or used videos.

Of all my siblings and friends that have been home schooled I know a Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologist Technician, Nurse, Nanny (though returning for school for a degree in mission work), Coast Guard (2), Army (1), Air Force (2) and maybe a couple that I'm forgetting.

I'll be graduating soon with an A.A. and an A.A.S., I'll transfer to either UCF or FSU to complete my degree. Also trying to get an internship at the FBI :D My best friend is going into Social Work/Victim Advocacy, she has a little bit longer than me though.

So, in order to be successful, I don't think having one person to teach you is an impossibility :)
 

Kimbers

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#14
I was homeschooled for third and fourth grade.
Half-way through my third-grade year, my mom decided to take a job teaching math to students who were falling behind. It was a half-time job, but she doesn't know when to stop working. Then, the after-school knitting club was added on. Eventually, I was going to school with her at seven and sitting in a back room reading or sleeping to avoid the boredom. Once home, she'd either have more papers to grade or we'd head out to play some tennis. I don't think I did any work worth mentioning that year and a half. (Okay, I read some really awesome books, but that's it.)
Thankfully, the only thing I really fell behind on was math, and I'm just at grade level for that. I'm in the IB program now with a ton of other socially awkward kids, so you can't really tell that I missed out on two years of school.

But I think homeschooling can be a wonderful thing if done correctly. It's just definitely not for everyone.
 

Lizmo

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#15
How does it affect university application? How do parents know whether they are doing a good enough job of it? When you get into high school, how can one person teach everything at a high enough level? Are co-ops basically the only viable way to do it?
It does not. Home school students take the ACT/PSAT/SAT just like other students, which is what colleges are looking at. We have transcripts just like other students. Most of the students I know who are/have home schooled, take the SAT every year starting about the 3rd grade. It's not administered by the child's parent, and done in a group setting. To maintain the absolute highest integrity for how things are handled during testing.

Parents know they are doing a good enough job just like parents of public schooled children know there children are doing well in school - test grades. If parents are not honest about the way they teach and administer tests, it will show when the student takes the ACT/SAT/PSAT or takes placement tests for colleges. One reason why home school is not for everyone.

For the state I am in, one must be 'covered' so to speak by a church. Meaning the pastor has copies of GPA, SAT scores, number of days we do school, etc. He also must sign the high school transcript.

I was home schooled since 1st grade, graduating class of 4 in 2011. I am now entering my second year of college, with honors, in the fall. :)
 
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#16
For the state I am in, one must be 'covered' so to speak by a church. Meaning the pastor has copies of GPA, SAT scores, number of days we do school, etc. He also must sign the high school transcript.
)

Wait whhhhattt? You can only homeschool in that state religiously? Through a church?

And FWIW, most homeschoolers I know do not use many, if any, standardized tests so its definitely a case by case basis. That is actually a big reason I homeschool, I think standardized tests tell us nothing but that the person is good at testing (and I always did great....LOVED them! but not everyone learns the same)
 

CaliTerp07

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#17
I can't imagine trying to learn higher level math or math-based sciences (chemistry, physics) from a video :(

Just about everything else I think would be doable. With the internet available for discussions and debates, you can mimic the classroom discussions you'd find in a traditional classroom, and with most subjects you can learn everything you need by reading tons if that's your style.

I just can't see the vast majority of people being successful learning algebra or calculus from a video or a textbook. The Khan academy model (watch a video, apply what you learned) model for math is failing miserably because that's just not how the majority of kids learn. They need to ask questions, interact with others, do exploratory activities, etc.
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#18
It does not. Home school students take the ACT/PSAT/SAT just like other students, which is what colleges are looking at. We have transcripts just like other students. Most of the students I know who are/have home schooled, take the SAT every year starting about the 3rd grade. It's not administered by the child's parent, and done in a group setting. To maintain the absolute highest integrity for how things are handled during testing.

Parents know they are doing a good enough job just like parents of public schooled children know there children are doing well in school - test grades. If parents are not honest about the way they teach and administer tests, it will show when the student takes the ACT/SAT/PSAT or takes placement tests for colleges. One reason why home school is not for everyone.

For the state I am in, one must be 'covered' so to speak by a church. Meaning the pastor has copies of GPA, SAT scores, number of days we do school, etc. He also must sign the high school transcript.

I was home schooled since 1st grade, graduating class of 4 in 2011. I am now entering my second year of college, with honors, in the fall. :)
Thank you for that! You answered the questions so much better than myself :)

Congrats on the honors, by the way! :D
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#19
I can't imagine trying to learn higher level math or math-based sciences (chemistry, physics) from a video :(

Just about everything else I think would be doable. With the internet available for discussions and debates, you can mimic the classroom discussions you'd find in a traditional classroom, and with most subjects you can learn everything you need by reading tons if that's your style.

I just can't see the vast majority of people being successful learning algebra or calculus from a video or a textbook. The Khan academy model (watch a video, apply what you learned) model for math is failing miserably because that's just not how the majority of kids learn. They need to ask questions, interact with others, do exploratory activities, etc.
I don't think it is for everyone, but I think it can be effective. It was effective for me and math isn't my best subject.

I also didn't learn exclusively from the video. My mom still taught me and we also had a tutor (who scored perfect on both the ACT and SAT!) who would help us if we had any questions.


The videos that I used were recorded in an actual classroom. So I was learning what the students in the classroom were, just watching via DVD instead.
 

sillysally

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#20
DH was home schooled until he was in 9th grade when he had the option of going to public high school. He has told me in no uncertain terms that we will not home school (which is fine because I have no interest in doing so anyway). He feels that there are social skills, norms and behaviors that are better taught in a classroom setting than a home school setting. I think it can work out well in certain situations, but I don't think my MIL was a very good home schooler. DH's youngest siblings didn't read at all until they were like 7 or 8 yrs old, while my cousins and I (who went to either public or private school) we reading much younger than that. DH's brother finally taught himself to read so that he could play video games.
 

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