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Post by wondering on Apr 20, 2004 17:01:37 GMT -5
Do you think that children who have been homeschooled are brighter and more creative? Public schools are chaotic! Discipline problems. Violence. Drugs. Exposure to popular culture and fashion contests.
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Post by no name on Apr 20, 2004 18:22:55 GMT -5
I'll admit that I am biased on this issue; I "homeschool" both my children. There is ample evidence to indicate that homeschooled children are in fact quite well-rounded; they can learn in a more supportive and loving environment -- away from the numerous distractions of public schools.
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hinds
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Post by hinds on Apr 20, 2004 22:11:35 GMT -5
Just a question..
How well do these children do in college - socially?
In the workplace? Socially?
I like the idea of them having a quieter education, away from the street sences and drugs (for the most part).
I dont have kids so I never had to worry about educating any. I have neices and nephews who have been through both private and public schools and I cant see any benifit of those one over the other.
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Post by no name on Apr 21, 2004 0:14:49 GMT -5
Hi, Cindi -- Just a question.. How well do these children do in college - socially? From what I understand (I don't have college-age kids yet), they do fine; many homeschooled children can be generally more stable and perhaps less likely to go completely wild in college. I don't have stats to support that, but maybe there are some to be found somewhere . . . Of course -- A LOT of how a child ends up is a result of the parenting they received (homeschooled kids or not). Okay, as far as I know. Fine -- in many cases, they can have social skills above that of children their age in outside schools. This would probably have to do with the fact that they are getting their social guidance from more stable and mannerly sources (their parents), instead of ill-behaved children that can have a negative influence on impressionable young minds.
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Kathy
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Post by Kathy on Apr 27, 2004 20:12:33 GMT -5
I agree with no name - I home schooled my children until this year (7 years total) and they are doing just fine in public school. I think there are a lot of benefits to home schooling. There are also a lot of misconceptions about the social aspects of home school. My kids had a wider variety of social experiences while being home schooled as opposed to public school. They also had a wider variety of subjects to learn and more time to learn them. The one-on-one teacher/student atmosphere is a more conducive learning environment than one teacher/30 students. There are many other pros to home schooling, however, I also agree with no name that public schooled or home schooled it has a lot to do with parental involvement. You should take into consideration the public and private schools available to you, what home school support you have in your area, and what you can undertake personally.
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hinds
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Post by hinds on Apr 28, 2004 12:33:28 GMT -5
Kathy,
Was there a reason that your children went to public schools after having been home schooled for so long?
Thanks,
Cindi
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Kathy
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Post by Kathy on Apr 28, 2004 19:36:22 GMT -5
their junior year). Well, long story short... my sister had surgery last March (at the same time someone made an offer on our house) and she didn't recover. She ended up in a coma for six weeks in the hospital in Portland, OR which is about 5 hours from where we lived. Needless to say I was a wee bit freaked out about having to sell our house and be at my sister's bedside at the same time. The house sold fine and my sister came out of the coma but was severely weekend by it and needed rehabilitation. Her choices were to spend 6 months in a nursing home or to allow my mother and me to rehabilitate her in her home (6 hours from my home at the time) over a 3 month period. She was pretty depressed from the trauma of the whole thing and really needed us. Ma and I took the time off and it really messed up our lives for a while. As much as I would do it again it was incredibly stressful. When we came home I had to find a new house to move into. We endured the stress of that too. Last August 17th was the first day in our new home. I ordered curriculum for my son and organized the curriculum I already had for my daughter. The curriculum for my son was a month late and still hadn't arrived. I was just about out of my mind when I had a heart to heart with my husband and we decided to just give the school system a shot. If it didn't work we could always just pull them back out and home school again. We registered them in school and they have been doing great ever since. My daughter's teacher is really great. She put up with so much of me the first three months. If I were in her shoes I would have strangled myself long ago. She has been really tolerant of my constant pestering. Ok that was a little long, but anyway, it boils down to the fact that I needed a break.
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Kathy
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Post by Kathy on Apr 28, 2004 19:37:16 GMT -5
Oops The first half of that got cut off - here it is... My son had been begging me to go to public school for about three years. I didn't want him in the school district where we lived and the school wouldn't let me put him in another one. The private schools were too expensive at the time we started home schooling so we opted to not to go that route either. We recently moved to another city and the schools here are much better. I promised him that if he still wanted to go to public school when he reach high school he could do that or apply for Running Start (a program that allows students to begin college courses their junior year).
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Post by no name on Apr 28, 2004 19:52:15 GMT -5
Wow, what a story, Kathy. It's good that your kids want to be in the schools and that they are prospering there!
So far, my kids (especially my son, who did spend a few months in a private Baptist pre-school) have absolutely no desire to learn anywhere but at home. I'm experimenting with a more relaxed approach to schooling right now; hours of cramming in worksheets and reading sessions were having negative results. So, we have a couple of computer lessons per day (Alpha Omega Switched on Schoolhouse), and the rest of the day, he leads his own learning -- kind of like "unschooling". It's going pretty well so far.
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Kathy
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Post by Kathy on Apr 28, 2004 23:51:16 GMT -5
Oh Yes! We did Switched on School house. My son loved it for the first year and then got really bored. I think he would have done better if he only had a couple of subjects with it like math and a foreign language. He didn't like science and history with it. I tried "un-schooling" with my daughter and she loved it. She did really well and learned so much. Her teacher is always telling me how amazed she is at the wealth of knowlege she has. I don't take credit for it because my daughter knows things even I don't know. I found un-schooling to be very fun. Unfortunately, they didn't volunteer to do their math or history so we had to resort to curriculum. Eventually, my son preferred a more regimented work schedule and started begging to go to public school. Now he's really happy and doing great. He's registered for the new High-tech High school next year. We went to the open house a couple of weeks ago and my husband and I looked at each other after and said, "I want to go too!"
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Post by no name on Apr 29, 2004 9:17:09 GMT -5
Oh Yes! We did Switched on School house. My son loved it for the first year and then got really bored. I think he would have done better if he only had a couple of subjects with it like math and a foreign language. He didn't like science and history with it. We're trying to accomplish the full curriculum plus Spanish. However, to lessen the stress of it, I've extended the amount of time to get this done until December of next year! It's the 3rd grade curriculum, and my son is actually a 2nd grader. We'll see how well it goes, and whether it's worth doing again after this grade level. I like that it grades the work done -- I consider it to be a good way to have "proof" on hand that he's actually doing work. It's funny how children can flourish differently under various methods of learning. My daughter has taught herself just about everything she knows; my son has to be prodded sometimes (this is why we do AOP) -- but when he develops an interest in something, he REALLY goes at it full force. Right now, he's soaking in stuff about WWII, and thinks it's his duty to tell everyone about the conflict (he just learned about it, and thinks that no one else knows what happened!). I never really trusted completely in his ability to successfully unschool totally, and this is why we fall back on AOP. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue to go okay! Sounds like your son will really enjoy his new educational experience! Sounds like you and your husband will too!! Maybe you could fill in for him on his sick days! ;D
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Post by ha on Apr 30, 2004 2:55:17 GMT -5
I have four children and I think that by going to school they had the horizons enlarged, they learned to question established dogmas and they learned not to take for granded everything their father and mother and other «authorities» say.
I pity your children no name for being «clones» with no external «genes» - a kind of monsters. If and when they find out what you are doing to them they will turn against you or become psychotic.
Please do not reply now - we can only discuss this in 15 or 20 years when the results of your unwise decisions are evident.
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Post by ha on Apr 30, 2004 3:01:04 GMT -5
For wondering:
Yes my children were faced with drugs, with violence, with abnormal behaviours. And you know what? THEY MADE THEIR CHOICES AS INDIVIDUAL PERSONS - in the way they are going to do it in their whole lives. Of course we had to discuss things over, to apply some discipline, above all to show a good example. But we know my wife and myself that our children are more mature and that they will be making the right choices - after analysing the options and examining the proposals in a thorough way.
Above all they learned how to question established ideas and dogmas and above all analyse the consequences of their decisions. So I am against houseschooling and for public schooling. Of course you will have to chose the school you send your children and follow them up on a regular basis - and above all discuss with them ...
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Post by no name on Apr 30, 2004 8:47:22 GMT -5
So I am against houseschooling and for public schooling. Yes, various people are "against" homeschooling, but there's not much they can do about it, since it is our own children and our responsibility to raise them the best way we can. The vast majority of homeschooled children grow up to be very well-rounded -- mature, responsible, respectful, and well-educated. And despite your (untrue) accusations, they are not isolated from the rest of the "world" (that is one of the most misunderstood elements of homeschooling). There is no need for them to be dropped in the midst of public schools in order to learn how to make choices and interact with others . . . I know there are some excellent public (government) schools here in the U.S., but I personally think that many of the government schools are a poor comparison to schools in other countries -- politicians keep throwing money at them without results. Throwing more money at a problem does not a better education make. IMO, the education system may be better off in the private sector; they offer education for less money than the cost of a government-educated child, many times with better results. By the way -- what is your real problem, anyway?
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Post by ha on Apr 30, 2004 9:42:37 GMT -5
That you support Israel, that you clone people that leran to see things in a very narrow way and who atthe end vote for jerks like Bush who blood bath innocent people. In fact it is not the homeschooling that is at question here, it is the combination of homeschooling, 2x2 ideology and refusal to accept other points of view - even as intellectual challenges. Hannah Arendt whom you do not know about described how such type of behaviour creates fascists and Eichmans who perpetrate the «banality of evil».
Maybe I am wrong - but I realize your world view is so reduced that it is not worth trying to change your opinion - even by a tenth of an inch. Palestinians are terrorists (do you heard about the Geneve initiative by the way) and Isarelis are the descendants of Abraham and Isaak and Jacob and ... «ha» is agressive ... and God bye ...
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Post by no name on Apr 30, 2004 10:12:37 GMT -5
That you support Israel, that you clone people that leran to see things in a very narrow way and who atthe end vote for jerks like Bush who blood bath innocent people. In fact it is not the homeschooling that is at question here, it is the combination of homeschooling, 2x2 ideology and refusal to accept other points of view - even as intellectual challenges. Hannah Arendt whom you do not know about described how such type of behaviour creates fascists and Eichmans who perpetrate the «banality of evil». Uh-huh -- "He ain't all there, is he?"Young Guns, 1988 BTW, I can accept other "points of view", but this stops cold when someone attempts to condone or make rationalizations about the intentional suicide murders/terrorist bombings of innocent people. (Thankfully, not every Palestinian (or Muslim) agrees with this insane behavior.) The sympathy/understanding I have for a group of people and their plight/cause is diminished greatly when they choose to take this approach. Yep, you are wrong! You don't "realize" anything except your own pre-conceived notions; your apparent contempt for Jews, Americans, and those in the "2&2" fellowship is quite evident. Bye --
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Post by ha on Apr 30, 2004 10:36:54 GMT -5
First replace Jews by zionists. Then consider that it is the combination that kills !!
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Post by ha on Apr 30, 2004 10:43:23 GMT -5
... especially the combination of all the above with ignorance and the insistance on unmovable positions, the separation of nations to responsible and not responsible, blaming ONLY the Palestinians for killing innocent people, considering Bush a responsible leader, etc. etc. etc. (all your positions).
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Post by no name on Apr 30, 2004 11:19:46 GMT -5
Again, your apparent (illogical) contempt for Jews, Americans, and those in the "2&2" fellowship is quite evident. More bloviating . . . .
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Post by Robb Klaty on Apr 30, 2004 13:08:48 GMT -5
no name,
I commend you on your handling of ha. I have no patience for such ignorance.
Ha fails to understand the presuppositions that have molded his world view. Maybe we should show pity... alot of that thinking comes from public schools. It is easy for intellectually lazy people to swallow hook, line and sinker, the humanism and liberalism that our culture and schools are selling. Such appears to be the case for ha.
Robb
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hinds
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Post by hinds on Apr 30, 2004 15:25:12 GMT -5
I loved your bravery and your love for your family Kathy! Bless you.
No Name, you know when people say mean things to you...just remember sticks and stones. You are doing what you feel is right for your children. I wish other parents - home schooled or not - would simply be AWARE of what their kids are doing and where they are, and who they are with.
This is a very dangerous day we live in and I believe if we had the same type of stay at home moms and dads who played ball with us on saturdays they may have what we as children were lucky to have. A family unit that spends quality time together.
This is not to say that these familys do not exsist in todays hectic crazy family units, I am aware of many familys who have the same values I enjoyed as a child.
Some times we can look to the past as a good guide for our future.
And HA,
Please try to be more open and understanding. We have all had some hard breaks. Each of us must try to be the most positive role models for those coming up behind us . Bless you and be happy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2004 21:26:52 GMT -5
Our children were home schooled for a while, but much of the time they were not taught from books. One hated being taught frequently without books, paper and pens, etc. and one loved it. We took our daughter from public school for a spell at the request of the School District Superintendent.
At age 12 she qualified for the CTY program, and received offers from both Johns Hopkin and the U of Washington, to attend a gifted children simultaneous College Degree/HS Diploma program. When discussed with her, she begged to be allowed to live a normal life and graduate with her class.
The Superintendent was adamant that public school would be insufficient and boring for her. We discovered a State Program allowed for children who were receiving an education far beyond that which public schools could provide. No other text book, class room requirements were placed on our children during that period.
Both received education through traveling in Europe and 38 US States, and the Provinces of Canada. The visited historic sites, and were drilled in math and sciences to such an extent that when our daughter returned to Public School, She walked right into an all honors program, and even advanced Algebra, never even having ever opened an Algebra text.
We were fortunate to be able at that time to give her such an experience, during which she was twice to Europe, as well as the North American travel.
She was ready then for Public Education and Classroom Instruction. Our son matriculated himself when he was ready for Public School Education.
There are pros and cons to both. We had keyboard, and other musical instruments with us during our USA and Canada travels. In addition we had a stereo sound system and purchased professional music of all kinds from local artists. Family music was a huge part of our life during those days.
In High School, our daugther was one of the US Constitution team members, who won State competition, and later placed 14th in the Nation in Washington DC. That was part of public education that she could never have experienced apart from it.
Both of our children were gifted in water athletics and swimming, qualifying as "life guards." Our daughter "lettered" on the gal's swim team, enjoying meets and events. That was another plus, as was her participation in Orchestra for a while.
We are not so quick to fault public education. Yes, it has its lacks, but it also had many pluses for us and our children. A mixture of public education and home schooling was best for ours, though others might not have found it so.
Just some comments from a former USCG Certified Master Instructor, who participated every way possible in his children's education.
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Post by inatent on May 1, 2004 21:41:04 GMT -5
. . . . and refusal to accept other points of view . . . . ;D ;D ;D YOU of all people would say this. My first thought was "You've gotta be kidding." Then I remember I have learned that there is only one reason why a person becomes very critical of others, and that is their attempt to cover up the identical faults in themselves. What I have seen in no name's writing is a remarkable tolerance for the views of other people and great restraint when she is attacked. I might not be so gracious! The best I could do would be to ignore you completely. inatent
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Post by no name on May 6, 2004 21:36:55 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your schooling experiences pertaining to your children, Dennis. Very interesting. Every day can indeed be a learning experience, even without hours of book work and laborous reading/writing. Children learn so much, just from life around them; they soak up more than we think.
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Post by Just Here on May 14, 2004 11:18:30 GMT -5
This is a very dangerous day we live in I wonder if this is true or if it is a result of instant communication and overcoverage of events. We live in a safer world than the one we grew up in. We live in a safer world than we did 10 years ago. Yet the preception is that it is not safer and we traumatize our childern by instilling a fear of strangers. Children (and adults) are exposed to TV and movies that show graphic violence. Watching it a person soon comes to accept it and the shock of seeing it is gone. A single child is kidnapped and we see hours of coverage until we believe that all children are in danger all of the time. We spend huge sums of money to set up Amber Alert systems but do little to enforce the use of helmets for bikes and skate boards or mandatory seat belt use, any one of which cause far more deaths than abduction.
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Post by no name on May 14, 2004 20:44:13 GMT -5
I see what you are saying here – and I think there is truth in that observation . . . you sound like John Stossell in his Give Me A Break! segments on 20/20 -- I do know that I certainly feel more trepidation about the future, but then perhaps this is because I’m more aware of various dangers than I was when I was younger (and more innocent), and also because I wonder what the world will be like when my kids grow up. I can honestly say that I worry about how far fanatical Islamic terrorism will reach . . . it's not something that hinders me from carrying on a normal life, but it’s definitely something I fear more than I did before 9/11 . . . :-\
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Post by Just Here on May 15, 2004 0:47:52 GMT -5
Robb,
Did you attend public schools?
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hinds
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Post by hinds on May 17, 2004 12:44:25 GMT -5
Present. The Amber Alert has saved 100 children. It is NOT a waste of time or money or effort. I am glad for it and for the "interruptions" it causes me personally while watching tv, or listening to the radio. Interrupt me anytime to help save the life of a child. Here is the link to the Amber Alert website. Its a good link for any who have children or for those who have little loved ones. www.ojp.usdoj.gov/amberalert/home.htmlPS...It is YOUR responsibility as a Parent to see YOUR children wear safty belts, head gear and knee and elbow pads. Do your duty - be a parent!
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