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Kellem, I cannot speak for every homeschooler, but my kids get quite a few group experiences. We attend several homeschool groups weekly that host elective classes, seminars, art lessons, music lessons, hold shows, concerts, etc. I think my kids also get a lot of practice working in groups with their six siblings, but I'm not sure every family could do that. They also help run our family business, we hold mock trials when kids break the rules, play sports...I think a lot of group work comes in playing, too, like starting up a lemonade stand, or picking teams for "manhunt".
Quote:
Originally Posted by baybook
At the end of this discussion, we should all be able to agree on this.
Parents that are actively involved in their children's education, have children that do better in academically. Homeschooled or not.
I commend you for the way you are educating your kids, it seems that you are putting a lot of effort into it, and I'm sure it will pay off. I do not have kids, but probably will in the next few years after I'm done with graduate school. I will likely not home school my kids, but, like my parents did, send them to a private school that I like and be involved in my kids education.
I agree with Baybook, that we should agree that no matter which school they go to, they will do better if their parents are actively involved in their education.
These are things that bother me when it comes to homeschooling.
Read through this forum, and notice all of the people who don't understand the difference between there and their, allot and a lot, and your and you're. IM each of them and ask how many were homeschooled. My guess is, um, close to zero.
My husband and I have seven kids, and none of them have ever attended school. They are intelligent, well-read, well-mannered, sociable kids, but we are still often criticized for choosing to teach them at home. Several people in my town are even campaigning to impose stricter laws, regulations, and requirements on homeschoolers. I am curious because I do not understand: what are people's problems with homeschoolers? We certainly have no problem with other people sending their kids to school! I am truly open to any insight or criticism, because I have yet to find a good explanation. Thanks very much for the discourse!
Some people are afraid that there is a religious component to homeschooling. There are those with a huge problem with religion. I also think it is a control thing. Part of public education is political correctness, I suspect homeschoolers are more concerned with the fundamentals of education than some of what passes for education today.
Location: The Chatterdome in La La Land, CaliFUNia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shorebaby
Some people are afraid that there is a religious component to homeschooling. There are those with a huge problem with religion. I also think it is a control thing. Part of public education is political correctness, I suspect homeschoolers are more concerned with the fundamentals of education than some of what passes for education today.
This is definitely the crux of most complaints against homeschooling: religionphobia.
Read through this forum, and notice all of the people who don't understand the difference between there and their, allot and a lot, and your and you're. IM each of them and ask how many were homeschooled. My guess is, um, close to zero.
You missed my point.
If a parent does not grasp the proper usage, they're not qualified to teach their children, IMO.
If a parent does not grasp the proper usage, they're not qualified to teach their children, IMO.
Where do children learn incorrect usage, then? From their parents? If that is the case, then people should have to take a grammar test before procreating, I suppose.
From teachers? If that is the case, then why are so many native English speakers confused by proper English usage? Could the teachers be not doing their job?
As a side note, and I realize that this is purely anecdotal, I do not know one single homeschooling parent who does not have good to excellent grammar and spelling skills. I know about 100 homeschooling parents in Florida, and probably 40 homeschooling mothers in Connecticut in person (and on Facebook, LOL!). I also know hundreds online, because I belong to several online homeschooling forums. I have not seen more than a handful of lose/loose, your/you're, their/there mixups on those boards, and I don't hear things like, "I seen that new movie yesterday!" when I'm with these homeschooling friends. I think that the concern that homeschooling parents in general are passing on bad language skills is a stretch, at best.
Where do children learn incorrect usage, then? From their parents? If that is the case, then people should have to take a grammar test before procreating, I suppose.
From teachers? If that is the case, then why are so many native English speakers confused by proper English usage? Could the teachers be not doing their job?
As a side note, and I realize that this is purely anecdotal, I do not know one single homeschooling parent who does not have good to excellent grammar and spelling skills. I know about 100 homeschooling parents in Florida, and probably 40 homeschooling mothers in Connecticut in person (and on Facebook, LOL!). I also know hundreds online, because I belong to several online homeschooling forums. I have not seen more than a handful of lose/loose, your/you're, their/there mixups on those boards, and I don't hear things like, "I seen that new movie yesterday!" when I'm with these homeschooling friends. I think that the concern that homeschooling parents in general are passing on bad language skills is a stretch, at best.
That's great. Have them prove it with a competency test before teaching their children. What's the problem with that?
Newtoli, I apologize for not reading you question from earlier. To answer, yes, I do believe there should be 100% no restrictions on homeschooling, as long as child labor laws are in place and child advocacy groups still exist to avoid anything fishy. Why? I guess it's mostly principle, but I do think, as parents, it's our right to decide what and how our children should learn. I also think the college and job processes would take care of the sorting of education. Most people at this point usually shout, "What about the basics?!" but to me, "basics" (if it means basic knowledge we all need to survive in the real world) can be easily self-taught by any eager person who really wants to know. Not to say I am of the "unschooling" thought or believe this is all most people need. Call me radical, I just think it's a bit scary (and perhaps a slippery slope) to let bureaucrats decide how we parent, or worse, what we all "ought to know".
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They also help run our family business, we hold mock trials when kids break the rules, play sports...I think a lot of group work comes in playing, too, like starting up a lemonade stand, or picking teams for "manhunt".
