M2 - I'm not generally a homeschooling proponent, but even I think you should give it a bit of thought for Kayla.
I would love for my kid to be home-schooled. However there are many reasons why I have not.
One- I have to work 40 plus hours a week, and helping my kid with homework after that drives me mad. It takes HOURS. Cant imagine being responsible for her complete education. That would make me insane.
Two- I wouldnt have the first idea how to do it, what to do, etc.
Third- I am pretty sure I am not smart enough to teach someone else a school curriculum. Im not qualified to do the job.
Four- I do believe the social groups and relationships that are formed in a school setting are important. As is learning from different people. Different ways of communication, different styles, etc. Thats life- I wouldnt know how to duplicate that at home. *Well yes, I agree, Mr. So and So is indeed a 'Butt-face'..but too bad. Once you have a job, you may have a boss/coworker who is also a 'butt-face', and you will still have to go to work. Deal with it. "
Five- I like to have a relationship with my child as her parent. That includes teaching
other areas of life. If she only has me to be both parent,school teacher, etc- well, I think we would get sick of each other. Does that sound stupid? There is no release. How awful for her. "Fine you didnt want to clean your room? You didnt do the dishes like I asked? Ugh, you have had a bad attitude all day...Here, now lets work on these algebra problems- you know, the ones you hate? "
Who wanted moss? I have TONS of moss that grows here.
I wanted moss. me me me..
I, as a teacher, for many years and many years ago can appreciate your feelings of resentment and anger. Schools are far from perfect. Everyone knows that. Improving basic education is and will continue to be difficult to say the least. Too many people expect too many things to be taught in school. Many of the functions of parents have been imposed upon schools.
I appreciate your years of dedication and teaching. However, why is it that whenever I talk to any teacher they fail to admit that some teachers have no business doing so? That they perhaps grew bitter, grew tired, stopped caring and are just counting the years until retirement.
There are people like that in every field. My own field it happens quite often. And when it does, its time to say goodbye. No one who is in charge of someone or something elses life should stick around to do a job that requires time, compassion and understanding when they no longer have it to give.
I can count the number of teachers on one hand, in the 17 years I have been involved in the school system, that have been willing to help, willing to understand, willing to give extra help to the child that really needs it. Classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are overworked, overwhelmed and paid very little for what they do- I appreciate them. I am grateful for the ones who really love their job and the kids. I can say, the ones who make an impact and who make a difference are worth their weight in gold. My kids and I truly appreciate what they do.
I cant comprehend some of the things the school requires of a child. Apparently they now own the kids' summer vacations. My kid is going into eleventh grade. Meaning school starts in September and she will then be an eleventh grader. Until then, she is a tenth grader. She brought home a STACK of homework DUE on the first day of class, along with a list of books/novels (6)~incl. The Great Gatsby, and 1984 by George Orwell~ that must be read and reported on- and she must learn the Constitution of U.S. - line by line, tested on the first day of school. The letters that came home from the teachers state that if this is not done, they will be asked to be dropped from their classes.
Josh could read at grade level by second grade, ( we never expected that) but he did the best he could to keep up with the other kids, after all he had 20 some teachers his age, Math he never did get very well.. I always felt if he could read, there is no reason the kids from "poor home situations" couldn't. nuff said
Im sure having such a large number of teachers to give one on one teaching to him helped him excel. I wish public schools would dedicate larger numbers of educators to the students.
My husband used to be beaten when he couldnt read his homework. Literally. With a belt. Forced to spend hours at the table trying to read and when he couldnt, he was hit. Now, that horrifies me. I cant imagine hitting someone because they didnt understand. Turns out- my husband has some form of dyslexia, and still at 53 has a hard time reading.
My son was easy as pie to teach, caught on right away. Then came my hearing impaired daughter- I couldnt do it. Frustrated the heck out of me. She couldnt grasp it, made me crazy. Finally she got it, but I sure couldnt imagine physically disciplining her for not understanding.
Still trying to help my youngest 'get it'. Im not qualified to teach her- of this I am sure. We both end up too frustrated.
Just a reminder that we are three (3) weeks from Chickenstock.
Another MI person posted in the pot-luck thread. Every time I edit the first post, the spacing format changes. Sorry about that, chief.
RaZ, I havent posted over there, I dont believe. I am bringing coolers of water, and sodas, etc like I do every year.
