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Monday, September 10, 2012
Balance
Six years ago, when I was homeschooling before, there was a balance between homeschooling and life. Homeschooling took 100% of my time. My life took 0. So much has changed; my children have changed; I have changed. That particular equilibrium won't work. But, what will?
Today, I have a job that takes 25 - 30 hours per week. My Pilates class at the Y meets one day per week. Child #1 has a babysitting job that takes her away 2 afternoons per week. Volunteers at church 2 mornings and 1 evening per week. Participates in a club one afternoon per week. Child #2 works 10 - 14 hours per week. Volunteers at church 1 morning and 1 evening per week. Participates in a club one afternoon per week, and complains about no social life. :-(
This is not leaving us enough time for actual studying to take place. Yes, they are both responsible young women. Yes, they are quite capable of making sure they do the assignments. But, there is little time for instruction. We are three weeks into the school year (is it three?) and already the girls are behind in Calculus and Physics. They should be taking their first unit exam in both subjects at the end of this week. I'm not sure they will get there.
However, my youngest did keep interrupting our last physics teaching time to ask questions. Her questions were good and insightful - though not always precisely on topic. She was showing interest in the learning for the first time in a long time. That was why I chose this journey. And with that bit of encouragement, I will continue. Even if I am quite off balance.
Today, I have a job that takes 25 - 30 hours per week. My Pilates class at the Y meets one day per week. Child #1 has a babysitting job that takes her away 2 afternoons per week. Volunteers at church 2 mornings and 1 evening per week. Participates in a club one afternoon per week. Child #2 works 10 - 14 hours per week. Volunteers at church 1 morning and 1 evening per week. Participates in a club one afternoon per week, and complains about no social life. :-(
This is not leaving us enough time for actual studying to take place. Yes, they are both responsible young women. Yes, they are quite capable of making sure they do the assignments. But, there is little time for instruction. We are three weeks into the school year (is it three?) and already the girls are behind in Calculus and Physics. They should be taking their first unit exam in both subjects at the end of this week. I'm not sure they will get there.
However, my youngest did keep interrupting our last physics teaching time to ask questions. Her questions were good and insightful - though not always precisely on topic. She was showing interest in the learning for the first time in a long time. That was why I chose this journey. And with that bit of encouragement, I will continue. Even if I am quite off balance.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Who should homeschool?
I work at a local grocery store. The other day, a young boy came in. He is about 9 years old with very long, unkempt blonde hair. He always is wearing the same shirt and pants. He smells of urine and cat feces. This boy lives two blocks away from the store in the government subsidized housing units. He lives with his mom and two half brothers. His father is in the federal penitentiary.
He came in on Tuesday to buy a few donuts and a litre of Root beer. When asked why he wasn't in school, he answered "I'm homeschooled." He proceeded to describe the water filtration experiment he was going to be doing to do with the bottle of Root beer.
This boy is bright and charming and articulate and curious about the world in general. He would definitely be the subject of ridicule and scorn if he attended the local grade school.
But, his mother is not the brightest crayon in the box. She frequently has trouble understanding the uses of her food stamp card. This child is, while not criminally neglected, definitely not in the most supportive and loving of homes. It isn't just poverty that is the issue. (although, the ability to purchase laundry detergent and soap is not available to people who have no income other than government assistance.)
So, what about this? What can be done for this child? Home schooling enables many inquisitive children the opportunity to learn without the stigma of peer pressure. But, for this child, is it a benefit or a curse? How will the lack of adult mentors affect this child? Should someone step in? And if so, who, how and when?
He came in on Tuesday to buy a few donuts and a litre of Root beer. When asked why he wasn't in school, he answered "I'm homeschooled." He proceeded to describe the water filtration experiment he was going to be doing to do with the bottle of Root beer.
This boy is bright and charming and articulate and curious about the world in general. He would definitely be the subject of ridicule and scorn if he attended the local grade school.
But, his mother is not the brightest crayon in the box. She frequently has trouble understanding the uses of her food stamp card. This child is, while not criminally neglected, definitely not in the most supportive and loving of homes. It isn't just poverty that is the issue. (although, the ability to purchase laundry detergent and soap is not available to people who have no income other than government assistance.)
So, what about this? What can be done for this child? Home schooling enables many inquisitive children the opportunity to learn without the stigma of peer pressure. But, for this child, is it a benefit or a curse? How will the lack of adult mentors affect this child? Should someone step in? And if so, who, how and when?
Monday, August 20, 2012
Day One
The day began at 4:00 am (as most of my days do). I was at work by 5:00 am. By 9:00 am, I was on my way home, transitioning to "homeschool mom".
The girls and I began our day at 9:30. As most first days, there was nothing challenging to learn and no tests of will. Those trials will come later in the year. Today was a day of enthusiasm and good intentions. The 15 year old, (who doesn't remember homeschooling. She was only in 1st grade when I stopped), kept trying to figure out what was required, what was the schedule. She was more than slightly disappointed at the laid back feel to the day. I didn't give her a list of homework to be completed by Friday 5:00 pm. Instead, we sat at discussed ideas for how Aristotle could have tested his hypothesis that all material for the growth of a plant comes from the earth. Then we read a chapter of "Le Petit Prince" alternating paragraphs, so she could practice her French pronunciation and translations. Math was a review of Algebraic concepts taught last year.
The 17 year old loved every minute of it. I haven't seen her so enthusiastic about learning in years. The 15 year old and I well.... it might take us a while. I don't feel a sense of accomplishment yet. I know that this is a better way. My daughters will actually remember what we discussed today. They caught the enjoyment of spinning creative ideas around a given problem (how to determine where the matter for growth comes from in a plant.) They had an opportunity to practice learning how to think for themselves. It was good.
But, I miss my check boxes.
The girls and I began our day at 9:30. As most first days, there was nothing challenging to learn and no tests of will. Those trials will come later in the year. Today was a day of enthusiasm and good intentions. The 15 year old, (who doesn't remember homeschooling. She was only in 1st grade when I stopped), kept trying to figure out what was required, what was the schedule. She was more than slightly disappointed at the laid back feel to the day. I didn't give her a list of homework to be completed by Friday 5:00 pm. Instead, we sat at discussed ideas for how Aristotle could have tested his hypothesis that all material for the growth of a plant comes from the earth. Then we read a chapter of "Le Petit Prince" alternating paragraphs, so she could practice her French pronunciation and translations. Math was a review of Algebraic concepts taught last year.
The 17 year old loved every minute of it. I haven't seen her so enthusiastic about learning in years. The 15 year old and I well.... it might take us a while. I don't feel a sense of accomplishment yet. I know that this is a better way. My daughters will actually remember what we discussed today. They caught the enjoyment of spinning creative ideas around a given problem (how to determine where the matter for growth comes from in a plant.) They had an opportunity to practice learning how to think for themselves. It was good.
But, I miss my check boxes.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
T -14
Two weeks until school starts.
So, I've done this all before. It's only been 6 years that I've been out of homeschooling. How could I forget how to make a lesson plan?
There are so many different expectations now versus when I had the older children at home. They had been trained to be very independent learners. I'd hand the oldest a book and say read it. It would be read and comprehended and assimilated. With the youngest, she is equally as intelligent. But, if I just hand her the book, and don't have assignments based upon the text, I doubt that she will assimilate any of the knowledge.
But, how do I develop assignments for these courses? She wants to take Asian History. So, I have found two excellent textbooks on Asian History. But, both are for college courses. Neither comes with a workbook or test. Yes, I have the ability to sit down and write test questions. But, I don't really want to. Part of the idea behind bringing them home this year is to get away from the busy work and the monotony of learning in a traditional setting. I want to give her the joy of learning. And that will not come through read and regurgitate lessons.
I could read ahead and write prompt questions for myself and make this a discussion based course. However, there isn't just Asian History to deal with. She is also taking Latin, and Philosophy. Where do I find the ability and the time to create discussions for all three? (on top of her Physics course, her Calculus and French) All while still working and keeping a house.
Oh yeah, now I remember why I chose to do one history course for all six when they were at home. ::sigh::
This is going to be more difficult than I thought.
So, I've done this all before. It's only been 6 years that I've been out of homeschooling. How could I forget how to make a lesson plan?
There are so many different expectations now versus when I had the older children at home. They had been trained to be very independent learners. I'd hand the oldest a book and say read it. It would be read and comprehended and assimilated. With the youngest, she is equally as intelligent. But, if I just hand her the book, and don't have assignments based upon the text, I doubt that she will assimilate any of the knowledge.
But, how do I develop assignments for these courses? She wants to take Asian History. So, I have found two excellent textbooks on Asian History. But, both are for college courses. Neither comes with a workbook or test. Yes, I have the ability to sit down and write test questions. But, I don't really want to. Part of the idea behind bringing them home this year is to get away from the busy work and the monotony of learning in a traditional setting. I want to give her the joy of learning. And that will not come through read and regurgitate lessons.
I could read ahead and write prompt questions for myself and make this a discussion based course. However, there isn't just Asian History to deal with. She is also taking Latin, and Philosophy. Where do I find the ability and the time to create discussions for all three? (on top of her Physics course, her Calculus and French) All while still working and keeping a house.
Oh yeah, now I remember why I chose to do one history course for all six when they were at home. ::sigh::
This is going to be more difficult than I thought.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Books
This is my favorite time of year for schooling. There is nothing like the excitement and potential of going through catalogs and picking out what you get to learn next semester. It doesn't matter if it's a homeschool catalog of books and curricula or if it's a course list from the online school, or a course catalog from a traditional school. The mere thought of the potential of each course thrills me to my soul.
One thing I have noticed this year, the options I'm considering are a lot more expensive than in previous years. When I first began homeschooling in 1992, there weren't a lot of curriculum options. (granted, it was the first grade. How much does one really need to teach an inquisitive child reading and basic math?) I think my total homeschool budget was significantly under $100. By the time we switched to virtual schools (2004) my homeschool budget was over $1500. I was purchasing AP curriculum through Apex Learning and Stanford EPGY. Both were good, but I never felt like my daughter got $1500 worth of learn from these courses. There wasn't enough interaction between herself and the teachers to justify the price. My total cost for this years curriculum will be around the $1500 mark again this year. The bulk of this is for one course with Pennsylvania Home School Association (AP Literature) and one course with Thinkwell (Calculus)
The cost of this endeavor has me questioning my decisions again. If I kept my daughter in iForward, these courses would have been free. She would have had not only the access to the knowledge taught, but teachers to help her through the material, hold her accountable for homework, provide feedback on her work. Fortunately, I am saved from regret by remembering that the language teacher last year never once gave her feedback nor held her accountable for homework.
The books have come - Dickens, Chaucer, The History of Ancient China, Oxford Latin, Shakespeare. I can't wait for a chance to begin.
One thing I have noticed this year, the options I'm considering are a lot more expensive than in previous years. When I first began homeschooling in 1992, there weren't a lot of curriculum options. (granted, it was the first grade. How much does one really need to teach an inquisitive child reading and basic math?) I think my total homeschool budget was significantly under $100. By the time we switched to virtual schools (2004) my homeschool budget was over $1500. I was purchasing AP curriculum through Apex Learning and Stanford EPGY. Both were good, but I never felt like my daughter got $1500 worth of learn from these courses. There wasn't enough interaction between herself and the teachers to justify the price. My total cost for this years curriculum will be around the $1500 mark again this year. The bulk of this is for one course with Pennsylvania Home School Association (AP Literature) and one course with Thinkwell (Calculus)
The cost of this endeavor has me questioning my decisions again. If I kept my daughter in iForward, these courses would have been free. She would have had not only the access to the knowledge taught, but teachers to help her through the material, hold her accountable for homework, provide feedback on her work. Fortunately, I am saved from regret by remembering that the language teacher last year never once gave her feedback nor held her accountable for homework.
The books have come - Dickens, Chaucer, The History of Ancient China, Oxford Latin, Shakespeare. I can't wait for a chance to begin.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Full Circle
Today is the day that I have chosen to accept my daughters choice. She wants to be homeschooled. She's 17. She is mature and responsible and intelligent. I guess she should have a say in the matter. So, six years of virtual schooling, and I'm back where I began.
Hi, I'm Karen. I'm a homeschool mom.
One of the things that has changed over the last few years is the presence of homeschooling online. Perhaps that would be more accurate if I said, the lack of homeschooling presence online. It was 16 years ago that I logged into my first homeschool message board. It wasn't facebook. It wasn't real time posting. But, there were a group of women (and some men) from across the US. We supported each other with friendship and camaraderie throughout the challenges of homeschooling.
I went online to search for a similar, albeit updated, version of this group. It's no longer there, and there doesn't appear to be anything to take it's place. There were a number of links to pseudo scam organizations willing to take my money to "tutor" my child, but no way to find friends in my area.
I should be more precise. There are home school organizations that meet within a 30 mile radius of me. I was unable to find any that were open to all homeschoolers. There was a Baptist group, a Catholic group, an Assemblies of God group (odd, we don't have an AG church anywhere around here. Must be a very small group). There was the ubiquitous "Christian Home Educators Association" located in a community about 45 minutes away. Not a single "Homeschool Families who have chosen to do this because they want the best education humanly possible for their child regardless of the personal cost and sacrifice necessary to achieve this goal" Maybe that's too verbose. I'd settle for "Diverse Homeschoolers"
Hi, I'm Karen. I'm a homeschool mom.
One of the things that has changed over the last few years is the presence of homeschooling online. Perhaps that would be more accurate if I said, the lack of homeschooling presence online. It was 16 years ago that I logged into my first homeschool message board. It wasn't facebook. It wasn't real time posting. But, there were a group of women (and some men) from across the US. We supported each other with friendship and camaraderie throughout the challenges of homeschooling.
I went online to search for a similar, albeit updated, version of this group. It's no longer there, and there doesn't appear to be anything to take it's place. There were a number of links to pseudo scam organizations willing to take my money to "tutor" my child, but no way to find friends in my area.
I should be more precise. There are home school organizations that meet within a 30 mile radius of me. I was unable to find any that were open to all homeschoolers. There was a Baptist group, a Catholic group, an Assemblies of God group (odd, we don't have an AG church anywhere around here. Must be a very small group). There was the ubiquitous "Christian Home Educators Association" located in a community about 45 minutes away. Not a single "Homeschool Families who have chosen to do this because they want the best education humanly possible for their child regardless of the personal cost and sacrifice necessary to achieve this goal" Maybe that's too verbose. I'd settle for "Diverse Homeschoolers"
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