Things got Weird in 2020
Showing posts with label homeschool debate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool debate. Show all posts
Yes, Black kids would benefit most by being homeschooled
It is hard to ignore hard statistics and facts.
At the end of the day, black children will endure less victimization and criminalization in the classroom by removing them from the classroom.
Why Black Kids Should be Homeschooled
Why are homeschoolers allowed to homeschool when teachers need certification?
This question was presented to me on the website Quora. I decided to go ahead and make a vide. This was my answer.... to that rude, rude question.
Dealing with shady questions from strangers regarding homeschoolers
I have come to realize that those rude, hurtful, shady comments from homeschoolers are just a projection of questions they have about homeschooling. Deciphering those questions and answering them gently has been a key to better understanding.
Don't compare homeschooling to public schools
A friend posted about a pro homeschooling article on Facebook today. I commented, and another friend got her feathers ruffled. She was bothered (the best that I could tell) that comparisons were being made between homeschoolers and non homeschoolers. I understand her point, that it should be about educating kids the best you can, homeschooling or not, I get that. But I also think it is unfair to ask homeschoolers pipe down, on homeschooling statistics for PC reasons.
I requested that the conversation be discontinued as it was happening on someone else's timeline (I hate that), but it did leave me seething.
Now I realize that there is a general consensus that us homeschooling parents are defensive and often demeaning toward those who have an aught with homeschooling, but there is a reason for it. If it were not for the publicizing of homeschool successes, the practice would have been shut down decades ago before it could even gain traction.
So, while people may sometimes feel like we take it too, I need to ask them to look the other way for a moment. Homeschooling is still not widely accepted, and we do need to promote it from time to time. Don't take it personally.
I requested that the conversation be discontinued as it was happening on someone else's timeline (I hate that), but it did leave me seething.
Now I realize that there is a general consensus that us homeschooling parents are defensive and often demeaning toward those who have an aught with homeschooling, but there is a reason for it. If it were not for the publicizing of homeschool successes, the practice would have been shut down decades ago before it could even gain traction.
So, while people may sometimes feel like we take it too, I need to ask them to look the other way for a moment. Homeschooling is still not widely accepted, and we do need to promote it from time to time. Don't take it personally.
All the stats you'll ever need about homeschooling
Everything you'll ever want to know about the current state of homeschooling
Source: TopMastersInEducation.com
Source: TopMastersInEducation.com
Homeschooling moms are so mean!
Here's a recent and true meme I discovered about moms:
Replace the words "my children" with the word "homeschooling", and you will have a true statement about homeschooling moms.
But why are homeschooling moms so mean, as found in the comment section of my article about the homeschooling war on about.com, homeschoolers, in the main, are mean spirited, have little regard for credentials (perhaps because of their lack of credentials) and are so set on their own narratives that they disregard everyone else's. They have resorted mostly to the old "if you don't have a valid point, call names."
Ummmm... Yeah. That's what WE do.
In all effort to keep this positive, I will stop now, and I will continue to urge homeschooling moms to play nicer, but how do you deal with people who want to call you names but can't take the heat?
... anyway...
Replace the words "my children" with the word "homeschooling", and you will have a true statement about homeschooling moms.
But why are homeschooling moms so mean, as found in the comment section of my article about the homeschooling war on about.com, homeschoolers, in the main, are mean spirited, have little regard for credentials (perhaps because of their lack of credentials) and are so set on their own narratives that they disregard everyone else's. They have resorted mostly to the old "if you don't have a valid point, call names."
Ummmm... Yeah. That's what WE do.
In all effort to keep this positive, I will stop now, and I will continue to urge homeschooling moms to play nicer, but how do you deal with people who want to call you names but can't take the heat?
... anyway...
Mindblowing homeschool debate on About.com
I stumbled upon a homeschool war on About.com, which seems a bit uncharacteristic for the site, to begin with. The "debate" between Jerry Webster and Kathy Ceceri (who unceremoniously replaced Beverly Hernandez some months ago), pits special education against homeschooling, which is a real shame because many families have found relief and safety for their special-ed children in homeschooling.
But perhaps, that is Mr. Webster's problem. Maybe he feels disregarded by homeschoolers, a group that doesn't hang onto every word of his expertise. Perhaps people who could take or leave his advice as it suits them are a bit full of themselves and need to be put in their place. But it is not my place to try to see into the brain of Mr. Webster. It is also not his place to try to peer into our brains and motivations either.
You can go ahead and read the blogs if you wish, but he has made it clear, that he has said his peice, and now wants us homeschoolers to "go away" now. (Notice to Homeschoolers) Good luck with that! The thing I am having the most problem with is that he is whining about being drawn into a debate by Kathy Ceceri. Isn't that the adult equivalent of "she started it"?
Likewise, I'm not sure why Kathy entertained him. Homeschoolers have been largely quiet in the homeschool debate for a while because most of us have realized that there is no point in arguing with a wall. If someone has already decided that homeschooling is for crazies, not even the most intelligent, relaxed, thoughtful response is likely to change their minds. In my experience, the only thing that will make a person change their mind about homeschooling is seeing a student be successful. I.e. most of my biggest detractors when my kids were young, are now our biggest supporters.
So my final thought on this toxic online homeschool debate is to stop arguing, and keep homeschooling. Prove the success by your actions, not by your words. Let the detractors show their ignorance, and if you must write about education, or homeschooling, try to keep it positive.
But perhaps, that is Mr. Webster's problem. Maybe he feels disregarded by homeschoolers, a group that doesn't hang onto every word of his expertise. Perhaps people who could take or leave his advice as it suits them are a bit full of themselves and need to be put in their place. But it is not my place to try to see into the brain of Mr. Webster. It is also not his place to try to peer into our brains and motivations either.
You can go ahead and read the blogs if you wish, but he has made it clear, that he has said his peice, and now wants us homeschoolers to "go away" now. (Notice to Homeschoolers) Good luck with that! The thing I am having the most problem with is that he is whining about being drawn into a debate by Kathy Ceceri. Isn't that the adult equivalent of "she started it"?
Likewise, I'm not sure why Kathy entertained him. Homeschoolers have been largely quiet in the homeschool debate for a while because most of us have realized that there is no point in arguing with a wall. If someone has already decided that homeschooling is for crazies, not even the most intelligent, relaxed, thoughtful response is likely to change their minds. In my experience, the only thing that will make a person change their mind about homeschooling is seeing a student be successful. I.e. most of my biggest detractors when my kids were young, are now our biggest supporters.
So my final thought on this toxic online homeschool debate is to stop arguing, and keep homeschooling. Prove the success by your actions, not by your words. Let the detractors show their ignorance, and if you must write about education, or homeschooling, try to keep it positive.
Structured homeschooling vs. Unschooling
Traditionally schooling families frown down upon homeschoolers, and structured homeschoolers frown upon unschoolers. Unschoolers probably frown on the traditional students and structured homeschoolers. I guess we all need something to compare our situations to so that we feel better about ourselves.
Omsh at the Poineer woman blog asks Unschooling- Do? Don't Why?
She mentions why she feels unschooling may not work for her thought she is attracted to it and wants to know how others feel. Most of the comments are from other homeschoolers who seem to be tentatively against homeschooling each supplying anecdotes of failed homeschool situations they witnessed.
I have many of he same reservations against unschooling but I am nervous about writing it out as a whole. In the 8 or so years we have been homeschooling I have learned 2 things.
1. That my kids would rather not work if given the option (so unschooling is not for us)
2. That my kids have learned more from subjects where they were not led by an adult.
So I definitely see the value of unschooling and don't think it has to be either-or. I think it can be and.
My kids are college bound and in high school so they have a pretty full day with lots of structure, but in the younger years we included a bit of unschooling into their days. For example.
Because I knew that a break in math is also a setback in math, I required it every day. Daily reading was also a must. They attended classes that taught History through the arts one day a week, and the rest, was as they desired. There was a curriculum, but I allowed them do it at their own pace. They excelled.
I am convinced that both too much structure and too little structure can be bad for kids. That means that neither unschoolers or highly structured homeschoolers have it right. It is those who can strike a healthy balance that will have the greater successes.
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Omsh at the Poineer woman blog asks Unschooling- Do? Don't Why?
She mentions why she feels unschooling may not work for her thought she is attracted to it and wants to know how others feel. Most of the comments are from other homeschoolers who seem to be tentatively against homeschooling each supplying anecdotes of failed homeschool situations they witnessed.
I have many of he same reservations against unschooling but I am nervous about writing it out as a whole. In the 8 or so years we have been homeschooling I have learned 2 things.
1. That my kids would rather not work if given the option (so unschooling is not for us)
2. That my kids have learned more from subjects where they were not led by an adult.
So I definitely see the value of unschooling and don't think it has to be either-or. I think it can be and.
My kids are college bound and in high school so they have a pretty full day with lots of structure, but in the younger years we included a bit of unschooling into their days. For example.
Because I knew that a break in math is also a setback in math, I required it every day. Daily reading was also a must. They attended classes that taught History through the arts one day a week, and the rest, was as they desired. There was a curriculum, but I allowed them do it at their own pace. They excelled.
I am convinced that both too much structure and too little structure can be bad for kids. That means that neither unschoolers or highly structured homeschoolers have it right. It is those who can strike a healthy balance that will have the greater successes.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
The ingorance surrounding homeschooling
I mentioned yesterday, the Today Show Online article on homeschooling. http://nfahm.blogspot.com/2010/09/there-are-home-school-parents-who-are.html
I said I woud go back and read the comments, and I did.... at least a quarter of them anyway. It has left me exhausted.
It's not that I knew it existed, but the inorance around homeschooling continues to astound me.
I said I woud go back and read the comments, and I did.... at least a quarter of them anyway. It has left me exhausted.
It's not that I knew it existed, but the inorance around homeschooling continues to astound me.
- There were the verbal bullies who wanted to state just how backwards and
THE LOOK and other weird responses to homeschooling
Maybe it's because my kids are 5'5" and 6'2" (they're both 4 inches taller than when this picture was taken) and people rarely notice that they're school age. Maybe it's because I've perfected a look that tells them "don't even go there". But regardless,
Most asked Homeschool Questions: How to Start homeschooling and Socialization
Heather from OMSH wrote a post at The Pioneer Woman entitled The TWO BIGGIES: Patience and Socialization. In the blog post, she discussed the to questions she is asked the most as a homeschoolers. She asked other homeschoolers to share their own most asked questions. Mine are:
1. How do you start homeschooling
2. What about socialization (It's asked so much I had to repeat it.)
Here are my responses.
How do you start homeschooling?
Step1: Read. Get your hands on everything you can find about homeschooling. Read blogs. Read books on homeschooling
, unschooling
, relaxed homeschooling
, classical homeschooling
, Charlotte Mason homeschooling
and anything else you can find. Also read about learning styles
, and education
as a whole. Spend a good 3-6 months
1. How do you start homeschooling
2. What about socialization (It's asked so much I had to repeat it.)
Here are my responses.
How do you start homeschooling?
Step1: Read. Get your hands on everything you can find about homeschooling. Read blogs. Read books on homeschooling
, unschooling, relaxed homeschooling, classical homeschooling, Charlotte Mason homeschooling and anything else you can find. Also read about learning styles, and education as a whole. Spend a good 3-6 months Homeschooling Should Be Banned... anyone care to weigh in?
I just came across some kind of debate blog with the post title being "Homeschooling should be banned."
I have a headache from rolling my eyes so hard.
I may go back to it and weigh in later, but right now I need a shower... it made me feel dirty.
All I can say is it's a good thing that these people have no say on homeschooling and education... I am so... not worried.
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I have a headache from rolling my eyes so hard.
I may go back to it and weigh in later, but right now I need a shower... it made me feel dirty.
All I can say is it's a good thing that these people have no say on homeschooling and education... I am so... not worried.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Charter schools versus homeschooling
I had a conversation with a neighbor today who tried to convince me that I should consider putting my kids in the new math and science charter school that had opened near our neighborhood.
Bless his heart.
He was clearly well intentioned, but just like all my other neighbors feels that my kids would be better off in a real school and not homeschooling... As great as that school might be, the facts are that my daughter is not a math and science person, and if she were going to attend a charter school it would need to be an Arts Charter School... and my son... well, he's almost done so the point is moot.
Its so funny that people are willing to look past the needs of the individual child to do what society determines is acceptable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources
Bless his heart.
He was clearly well intentioned, but just like all my other neighbors feels that my kids would be better off in a real school and not homeschooling... As great as that school might be, the facts are that my daughter is not a math and science person, and if she were going to attend a charter school it would need to be an Arts Charter School... and my son... well, he's almost done so the point is moot.
Its so funny that people are willing to look past the needs of the individual child to do what society determines is acceptable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources
Former homeschoolers transfer into public school behind the curve
I cam upon a homeschool debate at Babycenter.com. It has the usual arguments. Socialization, bad parents, no PE... you know... the same old thing.
One argument against homeschooling however stuck out as being especially flawed.
She is probably only seeing students behind the curb transfering into public school because the ones ahead of the curb have no need to. We considered public school the summer before my son started his highschool curriculum, and my son decided against it because he felt it would slow down his progress. Looking back, I have to agree because he has already progressed far more than I ever imagined he would. This would not have been possible in public school...
So instead of successful homeschoolers transfering into public school ahead of the curve, they are probably going directly into community college... and college.
As another person weighed in... "if the child ended up in public school chances are that the parent realized homeschooling was not cutting it for their family." There are soooooo many others that this teacher will never see.
PS... I am not saying that all homeschoolers who transfer to public school was unsuccessful, but just that IF this teacher is only seeing unsuccessful homeschoolers (and I doubt she is being truthful), that chances are that those students had the good sense to transfer to public school as they were struggling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog
Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com
Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources
One argument against homeschooling however stuck out as being especially flawed.
Every student that I have had that has transferred from being homeschooled has been behind the learning curve.This comment was from a public school teacher. Let's stop and consider this though...
She is probably only seeing students behind the curb transfering into public school because the ones ahead of the curb have no need to. We considered public school the summer before my son started his highschool curriculum, and my son decided against it because he felt it would slow down his progress. Looking back, I have to agree because he has already progressed far more than I ever imagined he would. This would not have been possible in public school...
So instead of successful homeschoolers transfering into public school ahead of the curve, they are probably going directly into community college... and college.
As another person weighed in... "if the child ended up in public school chances are that the parent realized homeschooling was not cutting it for their family." There are soooooo many others that this teacher will never see.
PS... I am not saying that all homeschoolers who transfer to public school was unsuccessful, but just that IF this teacher is only seeing unsuccessful homeschoolers (and I doubt she is being truthful), that chances are that those students had the good sense to transfer to public school as they were struggling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog
Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com
Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources
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12 grade year of homeschooling, Finishing Strong
We are almost done with my college prep series. There will still be a video on completing the transcript. Stay tuned... meanwhile, ...
