Homeschool~ Between years testing, who else has to test their kids?

[KatyTheChickenLady]

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Very true. The bad apples are the ones that worry me as well.

My kids were so excited to turn one of our extra bedrooms into a classroom and to decorate it with their computers, books, puzzles and learning posters. We found tons of supplies at our local dollar store. Still on the search for an inexpensive Periodic Table of the Elements poster to hang.

It sounds like fun!

Just to be clear I'm not calling the kids bad apples, just the parrents who take them out of school and then offer no directives or guidence. These kids wind up watching TV or running around town all day. It's very prevelent here, I can count the homes on the streets with kids in them with no actual studies offered. It's quite sad as a lot of these kids are very bright.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

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Under $1....

http://www.amazon.com/Periodic-Table-Elements-Education-Poster/dp/B000EEPCDM/ref=pd_sim_k_3

SCORE!!!!

The last time I looked for posters they were all over $20.00. I will have to see what else I can plaster the walls with lol.

Staples has 2 awesome maps one USA and one world map. I hung them in my kids office/study and we refer to them constantly.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Staples was once giving away world maps, for whatever reason. Glad I got that one. I've never found a cheap once since, in a local store.

Good find on Amazon!!!

 

[DuckyBoys]

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Do you have statistics to back this up? Sounds like a broad statment based on opinon if you ask me. Let's see the facts that Idaho has more homeschool kids who aren't getting an education.

 

[PotterWatch]

I just wanted to chime in and say that not all public schools are bad, not all public school students are bad, and not all public school teachers are bad. I know that we as homeschoolers are proud of the choice that we have made and that we all have sound reasons for homeschooling. I also know that we tend to get defensive and upset when someone attacks the way we are choosing to educate our children. I totally understand why we get defensive and upset, I have been on the receiving end of some unpleasant homeschool attacks myself. Please just let us all keep in mind that there are many people here who choose a different way to educate their children and that way is just as valid as ours. Just as I hate to see homeschool bashing on threads about traditional school, I hate to see traditional school bashing on homeschool threads. Please share your homeschooling pride as I do, but make sure that you do it with care.

 

[Ferngully]

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I agree whole heartedly, we have had a few wonderful teachers, administrators and staff in our past. Not all the fellow students were bad either. Mine wasn't a broad statement for all schools on that subject. Mine was a comment that it was sad that their hands are being tied more and more on what they are to teach based on the subjects that are in a specific test that gives them their funding (locally). The state switched from the standardized test to another that is not well rounded. I hated to see kids in the 6th grade not be able to tell me the very basics of science or history.

Class sizes were astronomical, so the state passed a bill a couple of years ago to reduce the class size, that will take effect soon, perfect for teachers and students greatly improving the learning environment. This last school year many, many teachers in our state lost their positions based on budget cuts (not based on the test results but other funding). I am interested in seeing how the new law will pan out when it goes into effect, where will the teachers come from.
Another county closed an entire school and let the equivilent of staff plus more go, however admin. got bonuses

Teachers all over the state were picketing, had we known when ours locally were going to do it, we would have been out their with them. We support teachers and the difficult job they have, making it harder on them is not playing nice, and I would give the powers that be an F in "plays well with others"

And in any situation in life there will be a bad apple. Be it child or adult.

Going back to edit my prior post in case I offended anyone, especially my sister who is a teacher

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

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I agree with this! I didn't start this thread so that public schools or teachers could be bashed, especially considering there are members of BYC who are members, and by their own posts it's obvious they care a great deal for their students (I'm thinking of one member in particular who takes great pride in their job, and completely loves their students).

I only wanted feedback from other homeschoolers for what they do with their kids to show they are learning, assuming they are required to do it.

I also really enjoy that others have chimed in with ideas to help with teaching my children the things they need to know. I've not found a homeschooler support group in my area yet, so having other BYC'er members tossing out ideas and encouragement, etc is really helpful.

I cannot speak for other homeschooling parents, but for us, our children's education is extremely important, and we have no inclinations to just let our kids run rampant and not learn anything.

 

[warmfuzzies]

Like they said already, in CO we had to take a standerdized test every other year. We always were above 95% except for in math. I loved taking the tests! And, no the parents dont grade them. They have to be administered by a school teacher, I think, or maybe just someone with a batchelors degree, and then they are sent to the company which grades them and sends the results back.

We always planned on homescooling our children, we were both homeschooled. But lately my DH has been wanting them to be 'normal', you know not looked at as weird or ostrasized (see I cant spell....

)by the other children.

We had no friends outside of Church, but we went to a very conservative church, and we diddnt welcome outsiders. I say that was why we were 'weird', but he is really worried about it.

So our DD is going to preschool this fall. We are going to try it, and see how it goes. I keep asking him, "but its not permanent, right?'

I am so hesitant about it, but preschool is just a half day. I am still SOO sad when I think about the end of august though. I have taught her to read, write and she can add in her head, up to five or so. She's four.

 

[JewellFarm]

My DD will be in tenth grade this year. Many reasons made me decide to home school my DD. I searched for a long time before I found a curriculum/online school that I was comfortable with, but so glad I found it. This year she had a medical class, psychology, German, and Algebra, along with other regular classes, and this is just 9th grade.
We too had to take the standardized test. I just mailed them in and can't wait to see how she did. In Virginia they have to be taken every year, but we can use the CAT which I can administer myself.

 

[PotterWatch]

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Are there any homeschool groups you could be part of there? I have to say that the neighborhood kids here do seem to see my kids as odd, but frankly I'm not that upset that my kids don't play with them often because of it. They don't play in a way I care for. In our homeschool groups though, my kids are definitely normal. Luckily we have lots of homeschoolers around here and lots of opportunities for them to get together with their homeschool friends.