Another question about homeschoolers?

Question

How do I convince my mom to let me be home schooled? I go to the best school in Illinois and without trying at all get a 3.0. trying I get 3.85-3.90 easily. I was reading high school books in kindergarten and totally understanding them. For all state testing I get wayyy above average. I'm not a genius, just a huge nerd! Don't you think I should home schooled? How do I convince my mommy?

Answer 1

If you want to convince your mother you are unstimulated, start by apply yourself to school and out smarting your teachers. Once the school starts to turn on you for being too smart, she'll see the problem or you could just graduate early and travel!

Answer 2

It sounds to me like you may be gifted (whether you like that title or not)  Take a look at Hoagies Gifted and Davidson Institute.  Show your MOm these websites as well.  Homeschooling is a BIG commitment for  any parent.  NOt all of them have the time and/or inclination.  How independent a learner can you be?  Research "distant learning" classes from John HOpkins or different sources.  Research some curriculums that interest you such as Oak Meadow, Time4learning, etc.  Perhaps, if ou are serious and present this stuff to your Mom, she might be more interested.  However, she just might not want to take on this huge commitment.  That is her right and her perogative.

Best of luck to you.  You can always supplement your learning with lots of great reading and searching the web.

I am guessing you are a middle or high school student now and so have written to you with that in mind.

Answer 3

I am a homeschooling mom and it is very time consuming and sometimes nerve racking! This is your mom's ultimate decision and you really shouldn't try to convince her of anything. If you do nag her and she finally gives in to something she doesn't want to do, it could be a disaster for the both of you. My daughter is only 9 and her test scores are in the high school level as well and some are even after high school, but she is still only 9. Don't try to grow up too fast or force your mom to do something she doesn't want to do. It will all work out in the end if you just give it some time.

Answer 4

Homeschooling really may be better for you.  I, as well, was reading jr. high/high school books in K and understanding them...and I was completely bored through many of my years in school.  My son has always been several years ahead in math and science, and at 10 has surpassed me.  However, through homeschooling I can find him resources and mentors that can teach him to his ability.

Please understand, as the other moms have said, that homeschooling is a huge commitment for your mom, moreso when you're gifted.  There are honestly times my son wakes up and has skipped a grade level in some subject, seemingly overnight, and it's my job to (very quickly) find him new resources and plan out his next level.  It just all clicks for him and he "gets" it - he's on to the next.  While I love this about him, it does take a lot out of me...and while I'm willing and able to give this (time and energy-wise), I can't vouch for every other mom out there.

However - it sounds like you're old enough to do at least part of this on your own.  (My son is 10, he's not yet old enough to chart his own coursework or find his own resources.)  Homeschooling takes motivation and commitment on your part as well, and if you're willing to give that (which it sounds like you are), it may work out well.  You would likely need to work hand in hand with your mom to chart out your coursework and requirements - what do you want to accomplish through the year?  You would need to spend time finding your own resources online and at the library - if you're old enough to drive, this would be a lot less pressure off your mom.  (If you're not, you're still probably old enough to hop on the library website and order your own materials.)  You would need to be able to keep yourself accountable to doing your own work, which it sounds like you are.

If this all sounds like it would work, I would locate the names of some homeschool groups and their leaders in IL and encourage your mom to get in touch with them.  Homeschooling can be scary as all get-out for your mom, especially in the consideration phase...the thoughts that will likely go through her mind include "what if I can't teach my child?  what about college?  how do I do this legally?  is it what's best for my child?  how much will it cost?  how do I find curriculum?"

So...go do your research.  There are tons of books at the library, written by homeschool moms and dads (some are former teachers) about the reality of homeschooling.  It is a transition from public school, but what exactly is different about it?  These books will give you some insight to help your mom.  (You'll find a lot of them in the 360's/370's.)

The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn (I think that's how you spell it) would probably be a good book for you.  Grace was unschooled (meaning she charted a lot of her own education) and I believe she achieved her master's degree (might have been bachelor's) by age 16.  

So...understand where your mom is coming from and what this will mean for her; understand what your responsibilities will be and figure out what you're willing/able to do; do your research to both answer her questions and learn how to do this; find local resources (homeschool support groups, library books); and figure out what you'd like from homeschooling.  If you can do that, you'll stand a much better chance of convincing your mom.  (If she says yes, obviously, you have to live up to what you've decided on :) )

If, in the end, she says no, you do need to respect that.  I do agree with you, but she's your mom and has the final say.  However, there's nothing that says that you can't "afterschool" yourself to learn anything that you're interested in - it'll just be a bit more difficult, also being in school.

I hope that helps - and good luck!  Please don't hesitate to come back and ask any questions that come up.

Edit - Riley, not necessarily.  My IQ is very high and I test as gifted, but my grades in high school were definitely less than stellar.  It wasn't that I couldn't learn the material (in the vast majority of classes), it's that I was so bored I didn't care.  It took until I graduated and started learning on my own to really become an accomplished student.  If her mom allows her to homeschool, she could gain that before graduation.

Answer 5

Do it! It will be hard to convince her, sure. But you definitely need to do it.

You need to have a sit down talk with your mom. Talk about how important your education is, that you're probably bored at school and can do so much better if given a challenge. Homeschooling is definitely a challenge. If she doesn't want to be a part of it, she doesn't have to be. There are ways for you to do it on your own and I am sure that you are capable of teaching yourself. Perhaps look in to some universities to see if they have a home-schooling college prep program. You're in Illinois you said. Call the Univ. Of Illinois and see if they have a program. If not, google can help you out.

Your mom should realize your education is number 1 priority, and you should stress that when you talk to her about it. Just do all your research first and then present your argument to her.

To those doubting the ability to read HS level in Kindergarten, you seriously don't know. I was doing the same thing too. It's not being a "genius" it's just a high comprehension level.

I hope it all works out.

Answer 6

I am sorry but I find it hard to believe that you were reading high school books in kindergarten.  If you were you would be a genius and you would have skipped a lot of grades in school.  You would get higher than a 3.0 average.  Just ask your mom if she would consider homeschooling you.  If not, then you have to respect her wishes.

Answer 7

Take honors classes.   Even the genius people find these classes to be a challenge.

Homeschooling is great but if your mom says 'no', your mom means 'no'.

The greatest lesson anyone can learn is to know how to obey their parents.

Answer 8

Since you were reading High School books in Kindergarten, maybe you should start trying to get A's in your classes instead of B's.

Also, if your mom won't homeschool you, find out if your state has a program that allows you to take community college classes for High School credit.  A lot of states do have the programs, and if yours does you can often get your first two years of college paid for by the state, because you are doing it as part of your High School program.