Homeschooling

[Marys daughter]

Thought I would start another thread on homeschooling because the other one was a little off topic.

But first I thought I would introduce myself since this will probably be my favorite board!

My name is Stephanie and I’ve been married to Doug for 12 years. We have three daughters, Taylor 10, Abigail 3 and Anna 13 months. Taylor was at a Parish Catholic School until this Thanksgiving when we moved to Rockford, Il, and we began homeschooling.

I have some random thoughts addressing some of the issues brought up on another thread. Please feel free to expand on these and take this topic wherever you want it to go.

- The Church directs us to give our children a Catholic Education and tells us we are our children’s primary educators. While our family is following this teaching in a very hands on way right now, I know not all families are called to homeschool. I and most homeschoolers I know believe you need to take it one year at a time. Every year you must examine what God is calling you to do.

- My kids are not locked away in a closet all day! We are on the go, movin and groovin out in world. Most days we have so many activities, classes and events its hard to stay home. Most of the families I know are like this.

- My children’s best friends are public school children or Protestant homeschoolers. Its always hard to teach children that because other families are different than your own, they are not “better” than anyone else. It’s always sticky no matter what the issue, be it Race, Religion or Education differences, but we try. If anyone on this board has been hurt by homeschoolers and made to feel that they are inferior I do apologize it.

- I found it ironic that when we told friends and family that we were going to homeschool, no one mentions concerns about Education first. It was always about “friends” and “activities.” I think this must be because the word has got out about the high test scores of homeschoolers –on average- and that many colleges now seek them out for their excellent study habits.

- Speaking of education, its been a real plus that my daughter does not have to sit in class bored anymore because she is so advanced in Reading and Spelling, but if she gets stuck on something in Math I have the time to make sure she gets it before we move on. I don’t think anyone can argue against the fact that One on One tutoring is always better than a class ratio of 30 to 1.

- I’m very grateful to all of our Protestant Brethren who paved the way to make Catholic Homeschooling such a good option today!

- I’m also very grateful that I now live in a city with many Priests who are extremely friendly to homeschoolers, even the Priests who have Parish Schools. The ones I've met here fully support a Catholic parents right to give their children a Catholic Education in the home. Catholic Homeschooling will only be growing in the near future and they see that.

- And a word of warning.....if you're going to talk to a Homeschooling parent about "socialization" just be prepared for a chuckle and maybe a little lecture about the "poor socialization" of a child surrounded by 30 children of his own age all day. As a poster on another board said, "my children might not be able to walk in a straight line, but they get by!" (thanks for that Barbra)
And I'm glad that we have some great new statistics out there that indicate young adults who were homeschooled are much more likely to be involved in politics and community activities and have something like a 95% chance of staying in the faith he grew up in!

- I've found that Homeschooling magnifies all of my faults, so I sure don't think I'm "all" or "everything" that my children need!
I don't think I'm superior to everyone else I meet or to all of the excellent educators out there. But I do believe the Holy Spirit has called us to this, and with God and all of the wonderful Catholic Curricula providers out there, we can get this done!
Anyway, those are just a few of my thoughts and my experience on the subject, sorry I went on so long

Peace,
Stephanie

[Fidelis]

Thanks for the thread on homeschooling. There's a lot of us out here and maybe it will lead to a permanent forum on this site (hint, hint, Karl! ). My wife and I have been homeschooling for a couple of years now and, like you, we can verify that, though it's not for everyone, for some it is a very exciting and rewarding option. We are not by any measure super saints, over-achievers, or hermit-seperatists, but we are very faithful, orthodox Catholics who want to do what's best for our children. It is indeed a one year at a time venture--sometimes it's just not possible as family situations change, but the time that is spent involved in it is time well spent.

[funkyhorn]

I agree that homeschooling is not for everyone. I've even seen parents who homeschooled their kids just so they would be able to help out on the farm (I grew up in Wisconsin). They would have been better off in public school.

If you're going to homeschool, you need to do it for the right reasons. Also, I think (my opinion) that you should have some sort of higher education beyond high school in order to do this also. It would just make it easier, although I wouldn't criticize anyone who chooses to homeschool their kids for the right reasons.

Actually, that would be a good question to ask...What is the education level of the parents who homeschool their kids? Most of the ones I know all have some sort of degree outside of high school.

[mom26sofar]

We also homeschool. My husband and I only have high school diploma's, with some college. Most of the homeschoolers that I know have some college but few have degrees. I don't know that a college education would really help my teaching, for years I worked in the public schools as an interpreter for the hearing impaired and a Title 1 assistant. I am more of a structured teacher than a creative one. I don't know that college would change that. I do wish that I had paid better attention in highschool english though. LOL

When I started kindergarten back in 1974 we did not have homeschools, at least none that I knew of but I think it is a more recent phenomenon. I do point this out to folks to say that there is certainly a problem with institutional education or home schools would not exist.

Some argue that they are following Vatican II's call to educate their kids which obviously is true, but I have to think that it is more of a reaction against a overly secular public school or a heterodox parish school. If there were institutional schools that had the Hahns running them available to home schoolers everywhere would any current home schools still be chosen by orthodox Catholics?

[ShanMcCatholic]

Originally Posted by Kevin Cassidy

When I started kindergarten back in 1974 we did not have homeschools, at least none that I knew of but I think it is a more recent phenomenon. I do point this out to folks to say that there is certainly a problem with institutional education or home schools would not exist.

Some argue that they are following Vatican II's call to educate their kids which obviously is true, but I have to think that it is more of a reaction against a overly secular public school or a heterodox parish school. If there were institutional schools that had the Hahns running them available to home schoolers everywhere would any current home schools still be chosen by orthodox Catholics?

Yes, I believe that they would still make that choice. Science points over and over again to the importance of attatchment parenting-- for us homeschooling is merely an extension of the kind of parents we have been since the birth of our children. There are greater forces at work here-- many families have been devestated by a lack of emphasis on the central importance of family-- homeschooling is one way to reassert the family's centrality to life. We desire to have a close knit family- where we are the primary witnesses to each other's achievements.

We are very blessed to have the opportunity to work with a hybrid school- where the mom's and dad's are the teachers 2 days a week and then we stay home the rest of the week. So the kids get a combination of a more traditional classroom setting and the benefits of homeschooling. The important thing to keep in mind- is that homeschoolers are not isolated- except by choice-- there are soooo many social opportunities for homeschoolers now-- it is hard not being over commited. Homeschooling is not a choice for isolation, but rather a different type of socialization.

[Marys daughter]

Originally Posted by Kevin Cassidy

When I started kindergarten back in 1974 we did not have homeschools, at least none that I knew of but I think it is a more recent phenomenon. I do point this out to folks to say that there is certainly a problem with institutional education or home schools would not exist.

Some argue that they are following Vatican II's call to educate their kids which obviously is true, but I have to think that it is more of a reaction against a overly secular public school or a heterodox parish school. If there were institutional schools that had the Hahns running them available to home schoolers everywhere would any current home schools still be chosen by orthodox Catholics?

Well, we would consider it, maybe, if it was less than a 15 min. drive! Actually, we have a couple of private Catholic schools here that we might consider one day. Homeschooling has really blessed our family, so we are definitely going forward with it next year.

There is a school in town for Catholic homeschoolers that meets 3 days a week. That is probably a very good option for High School.

I never heard of Homeschool either when I was a kid.There were pockets of them, the majority would have been Protestant. Protestants did not have the access to Christian schools the way Catholics did so it makes sense why they had to pioneer it.

Thats recent history though. You may be aware that for much of history homeschooling was the way it was done. I wish I had that list handy of all the famous people who have been homeschooled. I will see if I can dig it up.

Kevin, we really are just normal people.........raising our children just like you are. Doing what we think is best for them.

Peace,
Stephanie

[Marys daughter]

Nursing a 13month old as I read this thread!

One of things I love about the Homeschool community is that I felt right at home in it.

I've never met so many women who do attachment parenting......no need to hide or be shy about nursing a 2 year old

Interesting post, Shan. Thanks!

[Marys daughter]

Originally Posted by funkyhorn

Actually, that would be a good question to ask...What is the education level of the parents who homeschool their kids? Most of the ones I know all have some sort of degree outside of high school.

Hmm, I remember reading about some "averages" in a book, I think it was the one co-written by Kimberly Hahn.

On average, at least one parent does have a college degree, however parents without college degrees seem to have no less success as far as test results of the children go.

My husband has a Masters but I only have some college, with a Baking/Pastry degree. (who was it that made the comment about making our own bread? to my shame I seldom do) I know there are huge holes in my Public School education, so its fun learning along with my daughter. Just had a blast with Men of Greece.

But most Curriculum is so well laid out for you, that any parent can do it. And there are so many resources out there to help you! And as time goes on, if I don't feel up to teaching Biology or something, with the money I have saved on tuition, I wouldn't mind at all spending money for a homeschool tutor.

Speaking of money, on average homeschool families have an above average income, but that should not deter people on a strict budget. Homeschooling can be done well.....even with used books!

Thanks,
Stephanie

[Marys daughter]

Found the list. Homeschooling is not that new. We're in good company:

Abigail Adams
Ansel Adams
John Quincy Adams
Hans Christian Anderson
Clara Barton
Alexander Graham Bell
Irving Berlin
Anton Bruckner
Pearl S. Buck
John Burroughs
Andrew Carnegie
George Washington Carver
Charles Chaplin
Agatha Christie
Winston Churchill
Henry Clay
John Singleton Copley
Noel Coward
Pierre Curie
Leonardo da Vinci
Charles Dickens
Thomas Edison
Albert Einstein
Benjamin Franklin
Rumer Godden
William Henry Harrison
Patrick Henry
Stonewall Jackson
John Jay
Thomas Jefferson
Joan of Arc
John Paul Jones
D.H. Lawrence
Robert E. Lee
C.S. Lewis
Abraham Lincoln
James Madison
John Marshall
Douglas McArthur
Margaret Mead
Felix Mendelssohn
John Stuart Mill
Yehudi Menuhin
Claude Monet
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Florence Nightingale
Blaise Pascal
George Patton
William Penn
Queen Elizabeth II
Will Rogers
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Theordore Roosevelt
John Rutledge
Albert Schweitzer
George Bernard Shaw
Mark Twain
John Tyler
Booker T. Washington
George Washington
Martha Washington
Woodrow Wilson
Andrew Wyeth
Jamie Wyeth
The Wright Brothers
Brigham Young


Public school does serve an important need, but we should not think of it as the "norm" just because it is now the most popular way.


Stephanie

[Shari]

We are going to be homeschooling for a variety of reasons. My daughter will be starting K this fall. A couple of the reasons are for one the public schools are not good especially by us. Not so much the teacher, but the students that go to them. I just don't want my kids thinking it is ok to be disrespectful to adults. And I know that from my experience(both homeschooled and public myself) I was able to move at my own pace being homeschooled. I know that is what one of my sons will need. Also at least by us in the public schools the can't be taught anything that would be considered moral and I would be afraid my kids would get into trouble for saying prayers before they eat. We have 4 children and we would like to have more(God Willing) so we can't afford private schools for them all, and then I still have the problem of not knowing who they are hanging around with at school. And what the more worldly children that go there are teaching them. I listen to a lot of Dr. Ray, in case you couldn't tell. Well those are a couple of my reasons. Oh also I am using the seton corriculum, I was trying to decide between Kolbe or seton. Anyone used either of these?

Shari

[ShanMcCatholic]

Originally Posted by Marys daughter

Nursing a 13month old as I read this thread!

One of things I love about the Homeschool community is that I felt right at home in it.

I've never met so many women who do attachment parenting......no need to hide or be shy about nursing a 2 year old

Interesting post, Shan. Thanks!

LOL!! Pregnant and nursing my 16 month old as I check back in!! I really love the homeschooling community, too-- it is like the big extended family I don't have!

[Marys daughter]

I use half Kolbe and half CHC. Kolbe is very solid.

You can gather a ton of good info on this Catholic Homeschool forum- http://p201.ezboard.com/boroetlaboro I really should have this site as my Sig since I give it out so much! But they are a huge help to me.

Stephanie

[julesa5]

It is so interesting to hear everybody talk about homeschooling. I never thought I would homeschool but now that I have a 6 month old and I see what my neices and nephews are being exposed to, I don't see how I could send my little guy to a public school. I just wanted to know if it is really difficult and takes all your time. Also, does anyone have any good websites where I can find information on homeschooling? I am a few years off but I figured that it might take me that long to decide what I want to do .

[karisue]

Originally Posted by funkyhorn

<snip> Also, I think (my opinion) that you should have some sort of higher education beyond high school in order to do this also. It would just make it easier, although I wouldn't criticize anyone who chooses to homeschool their kids for the right reasons.<snip>

I am a certified teacher, and I am not sure there is much I learned in either undergrad or grad school (my masters is in Math, Science, and Technology Education) that would help a homeschooling family much. I know many homeschoolers, and almost without exception, they search out other resources when difficulties arise in regard to content delivery. Much of the field of education is about dealing with discipline, classroom dynamics, learning disabilities, multiple learning styles, multiple intelligences, etc. Since most moms are not homeschooling 20 kids at a time (Thanks be to God), the information is not altogether relevant. Furthermore, much of what we learn in the study of education has to do with dealing with people and situations with which we are not familiar. With our own children, we are very familiar w/ every strength and weakness, and can teach accordingly. I believe that this is one of the reasons that homeschooling kids are so successful.

Plus, many materials, resources, and curricula available today is scripted such that a mom need not spend a great deal of time worrying about how she is going to explain Topic X to Johnny. The materials help her do it. Even so, she knows Little Johnny better than any teacher ever would, and often can break it down even when the texts cannot.

The teacher training issue is analagous to cooking: Most moms I know do not have any training whatsoever in the field of nutrition. Yet, we happily receive from them warm, nutritious, balanced meals.

A final thought: Public schooling in this country is abysmal. We do not perform nearly as well as children in other countries. Why entrust your child's intellect to a school that's most probably not going to do do a spectacular job anyway if you have the means, desire, and call from above to do it yourself? I say this as a teacher, not a homeschooling mom. I do not mean to insult those who choose to put their kids in traditional schools. Homeschooling is definitely a calling, and not everyone has the call.

I felt the need to respond to this b/c now that I am a parent (I have little toddler guys), I really want to protect my rights as a parent to raise my children as I see best. This includes a strong Catholic upbringing. And yes, my kids WILL be homeschooled on the farm, where they will eventually have farm chores. I think they will be better off here, learning from mom and working with dad, than if they go to the local po-dunk public school, where they would most likely learn bigotry above all else. That does not sound so palatable to me.

Sorry so verbose!
God bless,
Kari