Seriously thinking of Homeschooling my Daughter

[chickenlover98]

Oh my gosh! What a horrible school set up! The school here can't get anything right either. I don't know what has happened to the public schools systems (not to mention our WHOLE COUNTRY!) but I hope that when I have kids, schools can get things right! Best of luck.

 

[cupman]

Quote:
Yes learning should be about learning but teaching kids only subjects you agree with and not letting them learn to socialize sounds a lot more like training that it does teaching.

 

[PotterWatch]

Quote:
It's unfortunate that you have had poor dealings with homeschoolers. The vast majority of homeschoolers I know are not like that at all. It's too bad that you feel most of us are that way. For every homeschooler who is a poor example, I can show you far more from public school. Homeschooling didn't make those children brats, their parents did. They would probably be brats regardless of how they were schooled.

As far as the OP is concerned, it sounds as though homeschooling isn't new to her family, so she knows what she would be getting into.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
It's unfortunate that you have had poor dealings with homeschoolers. The vast majority of homeschoolers I know are not like that at all. It's too bad that you feel most of us are that way. For every homeschooler who is a poor example, I can show you far more from public school. Homeschooling didn't make those children brats, their parents did. They would probably be brats regardless of how they were schooled.

As far as the OP is concerned, it sounds as though homeschooling isn't new to her family, so she knows what she would be getting into.

 

[teach1rusl]

mom'sfolly :

Insist on a face to face with the teacher, counselor and principal. Ask what classroom procedures are for restroom breaks, and accidents. Ask about homework expectations, and other expectations from the school. Ask what the goals and expectations are for the kindergarten year. Ask how the teacher and staff intend to meet those goals. The school should have clear guidelines for these issues. Ask what the school policies are for volunteering and observing classrooms. I find it very difficult to believe that you are not allowed to observe the classroom. You have the right as a parent to talk to all of these people. Don't go in angry, listen and then state what you have seen and how you want things handled.

Talk to other parents who have children in the classroom and at the school. This will give you a better perspective on the teacher and school atmosphere. If volunteering is encouraged, get yourself up to the school, and participating. Being there will give you more information than anything else.

Here, there is a bathroom between every two kindergarten rooms. Kids have plenty of opportunities to use the rest rooms. Kids use wide pages for writing, and are expected to have a number of sight words by the end of kindergarten. We also have volunteers that do large amounts of activities for the school, children, teachers and classrooms.

It may be that you have a bad teacher or a bad school, but you may not. It might be bullying, it might be something else. You just don't know.

I feel you are working from a place of ignorance, not knowing exactly how everything works for the school, and classroom. Inform yourself, talk to the teacher, and the principal and don't make your schooling choices before you know what the situation is for both the school and homeschooling.

THIS!!!
Schools are all about high stakes testing these days.

So most districts are going to have high expectations from day one.
The Open House you described sounds very typical - they're generally a whirlwind. Frankly, two minutes of individual attention sounds generous...lol. The teacher should have covered (with the whole group - not individually) expectations w/behavior, homework, important policies, etc. If she didn't, ask for that information in a conference. Trust me - she will give you an in-person conference if you call and request it.
My son had K homework in our district 14 years ago, so it's not new in this area - although it typically only took about 15 minutes to complete. Most K classes around here focus on a letter a week, not a letter a day - that seems extreme. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer if you're able!! I've never heard of a classroon not allowing a parent to observe as long a morning/day has been scheduled beforehand.

I don't see anything wrong with homeschooling if you are qualified to do it. Sadly, most of my personal experiences with it haven't been positive - parents becoming angry that their kid is having behavioral issues or poor grades - so they pull them out to "home school." Then the kids come back the next year even further behind or with even more behavioral difficulties. I know there are very positive home school experiences out there, and wish I had more personal experiences/knowledge of them in my area.​

 

[Criskin]

From one mom to another:

My oldest started Kindergarten this year and I couldn't believe how things had changed either! His $200 school supply list included college ruled paper and regular #2 pencils. We are required to send snacks for the class once a month and are encouraged to volunteer to help grade papers, etc. He also has homework every week. The first week was rough on both him and me and I was actually considering home schooling or online public school. After that first week he brightened up, though, and although he still grumbles about going to school "every day", he comes home proud to show me the stars and smile stamps on his work. We are blessed that his teacher went to school with DH and attends church with my SIL, though, so that gives my overprotective side an extra way to peek into his classroom (since per school policy parents aren't allowed to visit the classroom in person). At first I was terrified his teacher wouldn't realize how special my little man is but I think that as a mother herself she realizes every student is special and unique and works hard to connect with each of them. It doesn't sound like your daughter's teacher has that level of compassion. I just don't understand why people like that even want to teach children! Sure, teachers may have favorites and children they don't like as well as others but as adults they should be able to conceal that fact.

I agree with the general consensus...if you can't transfer her to another class or somehow come to a suitable agreement with the school, homeschooling is definately a viable option. More mportant than her academic progress at this point is that your little girl survives kindergarten with her self esteem intact.

 

[horsecrazychicklovingkid]

Goodness! What has the world come to? I'm so sorry! I've begun home-school this year because I couldn't stand the teachers and peer pressure was very bad. My school is a small one in the middle of nowhere and already is being affected. One of my friends told me she could hear the principal screaming at some poor child in a whole other grade in her classroom.

The main doors and the classroom doors this year at my old school will be locked 24/7.

 

[luvinmychickens]

No, thats not wrong to feel that you need to HS her. So sorry about all of the trouble. I am HS right now, so I have no information for you. I hope you make it through ok. I was in a private school until 3rd grade. That was when my school shut down. This is my 3rd year being HS and I love it. There's not much drama (besides for my annoying friend across the street). Anyways, I really like HS and it sounds like HS would be the solution. Sorry about everything!

Hope everything goes well for you!

 

[mhwc56]

around here in our part of maryland, there are a VERY large number of families that homeschool and do an excellent job of it.
I know graduated homeschooled people who are nurses,scientists, pastors,homemakers,chefs,authors,architectural engineers,police,teachers,musicians, people who work in an assortment of computer areas,cosmetologists and military.These are well educated, respectable young adults.
There are kids who are on sports teams, in dance classes, 4-H and FFA , .Homeschoolers are NOT locked in their homes without any socialization. They are well rounded children who grow into well rounded , responsible adults.
There are MANY things about public schools that are NOT good but i wont. We all ,i believe ,know that the education system as a whole in public schools is falling apart at the seams slowly but surely . Research the testing that has been done nationwide as to how well or poorly children do in the U.S.
Homeschool children test MUCH HIGHER overall than other students do. It's a statistical /proven FACT.

@ cupman...who wrote... Yes learning should be about learning but teaching kids only subjects you agree with and not letting them learn to socialize sounds a lot more like training that it does teaching.

Training and teaching are really ,when you get down to it, the same thing...Train them/teach them ..right from wrong,common sense from foolishness,and their basic book learning( This IS mandatory and the states' boards of education REQUIRES each child to be taught math,language arts,sciences,social studies,etc if you are homeschooling afterall) .Teach them to be kind and patient and responsible ,putting others before themselves.
I never said a kid shouldn't get to socialize with other kids. BUT socializing should take place AFTER school hours. There are LOTS of sports teams,dance classes,music classes, playgrounds and play dates and neighborhood friends that children can be "socialized " with that isn't part of public schooling.

 

[cupman]

Training them not to have their own opinions.