How does home schooling work?

Question

I know what home schooling is, but very little about it. Also, would you recommend it? All the rush of switching from class to class and the not so fun teachers(especially after 3 months of vacation) makes me want to be home schooled but I don't know how much better it is. Please help!

Answer 1

No Thank You,

We Don't Believe in Socialization!

©2000 Lisa Russell

Used with Permission

I can't believe I am writing an article about socialization, The word makes my skin crawl. As homeschoolers, we are often accosted by people who assume that since we're homeschooling, our kids won't be "socialized." The word has become such a catch phrase that it has entirely lost any meaning.

The first time I heard the word, I was attending a Catholic day school as a first grader.

Having been a "reader" for almost 2 years, I found the phonics and reading lessons to be incredibly boring. Luckily the girl behind me felt the same way, and when we were done with our silly little worksheets, we would chat back and forth. I've never known two 6 yr. olds who could maintain a quiet conversation, so naturally a ruler-carrying nun interrupted us with a few strong raps on our desk. We were both asked to stay in at recess, and sit quietly in our desks for the entire 25 minutes, because "We are not here to socialize, young ladies."

Those words were repeated over and over throughout my education, by just about every teacher I've ever had. If we're not there to socialize, then why were we there? I learned to read at home. If I finished my work early (which I always did,) could I have gone home? If I were already familiar with the subject matter, would I have been excused from class that day? If schools weren't made for socializing, then why on earth would anyone assume that homeschoolers were missing out?

As a society full of people whose childhood’s were spent waiting anxiously for recess time, and trying desperately to "socialize" with the kids in class; It is often difficult for people to have an image of a child whose social life is NOT based on school buddies. Do you ever remember sitting in class, and wanting desperately to speak to your friend? It's kind of hard to concentrate on the lessons when you're bouncing around trying not to talk. Have you ever had a teacher who rearranged the seats every now and then, to prevent talking, splitting up friends and "talking corners." Were you ever caught passing notes in class?

Now- flash forward to "real life." Imagine the following scenes:

Your Employer is auditing the Inter-Office Email system and comes across a personal note between you and a coworker. You are required to stand at the podium in the next sales meeting to read it aloud to your coworkers. The Police knock on your door, and announce that because you and your neighbor have gotten so close, they're separating you. You must move your home and your belongings to the other side of town, and you may only meet at public places on weekends.

You're sitting at a booth waiting for a coworker to arrive for a scheduled lunch date. Suddenly a member of upper management sits down across from you and demands your credit cards. When your friend arrives, you just order water and claim you're not hungry, since he stole your lunch money.

You're applying for a job and in an unconventional hiring practice, you are made to line up with other applicants, and wait patiently while representatives from two competing companies take their pick from the lineup.

You're taking your parents out for an anniversary dinner. After you find a table, a waiter tells you that seniors have a separate dining room, lest they "corrupt" the younger members of society.

You go to the grocery store only to find that since you are 32 years old you must shop at the store for 32 year olds. It's 8 miles away and they don't sell meat because the manager is a vegetarian, but your birthday is coming up and soon you'll be able to shop at the store for 33 yr. olds.

You'd like to learn about Aviation History. You go to the library and check out a book on the subject only to be given a list of "other subjects" that you must read about before you are permitted to check out the aviation book.

You're having a hard time finding what you need in the local department store. The saleslady explains that each item is arranged alphabetically in the store, so instead of having a section for shoes, you will find the men's shoes in between the maternity clothes and the mirrors.

Your Cable Company announces that anyone wishing to watch the Superbowl this year must log on a certain number of hours watching the Discovery Channel before they can be permitted to watch the game.

You apply for a job only to be told that this job is for 29 year olds. Since you're 32, you'll have to stay with your level.

In a group project, your boss decides to pair you up with the person you don't "click" with. His hope is that you'll get learn to get along with each other, regardless of how the project turns out.

These absurd examples were created to point out how absolutely ridiculous the idea of "socializing" in schools is. Many people had a friend who they stayed friends with all through grammar school- WHY? Because their names were alphabetic

Answer 2

Either you have to hire a personal tutor which is way expensive. Or you parents have to teach you. Basically you get all the books associated with your grade level and someone teachs you.

You will then go to the State and take a Exam to skip your grade.

When I was a Freshman in high school I tested for the h**l of it and didnt have to take any classes for a year.

Answer 3

It works by simply giving the child the Books and having them learn mostly themselves. Most text books (math/bio etc..) have guides in them that most teachers ignore. When being home schooled you get state issued tests that you must take based out of the books given.

I would NOT recommend it on any levels. You lose many needed social skills that you would normally uptain in school.

Answer 4

its where your parents teach you.

but would you really want to spend every single day, and hour with your parents?

and not interact with your friends?

Answer 5

No not recommanded, because schools develop a knowledgeable way for kids and young adults to learn. Also if school is getting on your nerves, try thinking about when your done with school. Count the years of how much you have left and then it may ease your mind or just calm and listen to music and forget school for a momment.

Answer 6

No, it doesn't develop a child's social skills at all

Answer 7

You get to throw stuff at your mother instead of your teacher. And when you have to stay after school, it don't matter cause your already home.

Answer 8

I was home schooled. It made me very anti-social and lazy. And my father says, "It turned my brain into mush."

I don't recommend it. There is only one out of the many people I have met that have home schooled that said they didn't HATE it.

I don't think home schooling is very healthy.

Answer 9

Hey!  I am now a college student, but I was home schooled all the way through, never been to school before.  Though I've never experienced "high school" in an actual school, I would definitely say I would choose home schooling over it any day!  Being home schooled has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.  It has given me a better, closer relationship with my parents, siblings, and the rest of my family, it has given me more opportunities to travel (being home schooled makes it easier to double up on work, catch up on work, or just bring it with you wherever you go).  And I believe education-wise it has been amazing.  I've heard its a better education than public schools.  Now I don't know if that's true or not, but I know that I at least got as good of an education by home schooling (if not slightly better).  Being home schooled has allowed me to continue in things such as sports or activities, and I continued to have a great social life with many great friends.  

Really, all home schooling is, Is this:

1. You choose which curriculum you want to use and which subjects you want to take

2. Depending on where you live, sometimes you have to sign up with some sort of Home schooling thing according to your state (all this does is they want to make sure you are doing your school and that you are making good grades.  Some places require you to send them a grade report, some places do not require anything except that you be signed up)

3. You can either have your parents help or you can do it on your own.  It would depend on your age, skill level, and depending on what subjects you have (you may want your parents or a tutor to help in certain areas)

I would totally recommend this to ANYONE and EVERYONE!

If you have anymore questions or if you need anything, please let me know! :)

Good luck in your decision!

Answer 10

Hi.

I have been home schooled since 1st grade. All my years leading up to high school my mom was my teacher. So she would order my text books and then she would teach me out of them. We only did school four days a week I was always done way before the other kids got our of school. Pretty much you just read the lessons, do the test, watch a few videos and then your mom or whoever grades your work and every two years once you hit a certain grade you have to take a special test that gets sent to someone in the government to make sure that you are actually learning.

Once I hit high school I enrolled in an online academy called The Morning'Star Christian Academy. Now I have teachers for each of my classes and an actual transcript and all that. I just do all my work over the internet at my school website.

I love homeschooling. It gives me more time to do other things. Like ride my horses or work or just whatever.

However, if you have been in school for very long...you might get bored unless you are planning on getting a job or something. The adjustment could be hard.

Anyway if you have any other questions just ask!  

Answer 11

I was homeschooled from birth until college.

I have had many good friends for my entire life, and have been active socially. I'm not entirely sure where the other answerers have gotten their ideas that you can't be socially active if you are home schooled.

If you really want to socialize, you can still do martial arts/wrestling/sports/church youth group/4-H club/etc.

And insofar as academics...homeschoolers usually do better than public/private schoolers.

They are psychologically, academically, and socially considered to be above average. They tend to be more active in the community and tend to do better in college.

"The home-educated are doing well, typically above average, on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development. Research measures include peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem."

I'll just tell you from my personal experience that it was awesome. I really enjoyed it. My mom and dad are NOT certified teachers, yet they managed to turn out not one, but FIVE children that are all well past the grade level assigned for their age by public schools. I have a seven year old sister that can read the Gospels in the New Testament without help.

My family and I are very close (that's socializing most public schoolers I know never experience the way we do...), but my sisters attend art class and do other social activities. I myself have participated in church youth groups, wrestling, a homeschool group that went on many entertaining and informative field trips, and martial arts.

I usually worked my butt off to get my schoolwork for the week done on Monday and Tuesday, which left the rest of the week for outdoor fun and reading, as well as inventing and building things. Just one of the many good memories was building forts out of scrap materials with the other guys in the neighborhood. I thought that was socializing. But I guess if the other answerers are right, it wasn't. All that laughter and hard work and enjoying each other's company wasn't socializing. Whatever it was, we thought it was great fun. Now I'm in public college. I spend five times the amount of time I used to on coursework, and yet learn virtually nothing as well as I would if I were homeschooled in it.

Anyway, man, life is what you make of it, no matter where you are...but home schooling makes you much more free to make it good, if that's what you want to do.

I suppose if your parents really just ignore you and you want your life to be a sloppy mess, homeschooling will let you botch it more than public school earlier on in life. But if you really want to learn and do what's right, home schooling is going to open doors public and private schools can't possibly hope to open.

And there are all kinds of resources online for every possible thing you'll need as a homeschooler. Just Google the term "homeschooling." or ask for help on this service!

Answer 12

Just where the h**l do the others get off saying that those that are homeschooled, dont get any socialization??? My son is homeschooeld for the 3rd year in arow, & is more happier homeschooled,then he was when he was in pubic school!

My son was treated like c**p by the teachers when he was in public school, he has 2 speical ed teachers treat him badly. 1 called him stupid, while the other grabbed his arm, & slammed him up agaisnt a wall!!!

Plus, he gets alot of socialization too, hes involved in alot of church goings, Karate, art class, & also up at the local community college, is in photography classes too. Plus, he goes to a library homeschool arts & crafts too.

Plus, our kids arnt at the d**n table all day, or locked up in the house all day either! Ever stop to think that just going to the grocery store too involves inneracting with other people!

Plus, he's involved with other kids in the neighborhood!

Ever stop to think that public or private schooling IS NOT for everyone????

My son is much happier too. I asked him every year if he wantsto be homeschooled, or go back to public school. He has no desire to ever go back to a public school again. And Im not going to force him!

He also loves the fact he can pick & choose what he wants to learn.

I have no problem being his mom & his teachers, but my husband also helps out too.

For those that think homeschooling is bad! Stop & think there are those out there that love it! My 11 yr old son being 1 of them!

Answer 13

depends on how old you are. my daughter is 16 and is doing home school for her junior year . she is taking online courses with a school that is accreditated so if she wants she can return to public school for her senior year. it is self paced and great for this period of her life

Answer 14

its nice if you don't need any social interaction.

pretty much you have to file it with a home-school program and they will give you books to complete and you will get tests every couple of months or so to make sure you are current on the material.

The question is, are you very self motivated to work on your own or do you need assingments to keep you learning?

Answer 15

Are your parents even willing to home school you? Maye you should check into that first.

If they are, I did a little stint with a satellite school in Michigan called Clonlara. You just tell them how many hours you studied a subject, and they give you credit for it. Pretty sweet deal.

Answer 16

The people here saying that it makes children un-social are wrong! Sure, it's possible, but depends.Applying this myth to every single individual is just ignorant. 98% of homeschoolers are in 2 or more outside groups/clubs! And it actually makes you *more* social. When you go out and learn things you make friends, and in regular school you're only introduced to 25 people of your age in one confined classroom, for a long period of time. This is not real socialization, unless you plan on spending you life in prison..

I would recommend it although I've never tried it myself (yet) i'm trying to convince my own parents to get me homeschooled too, but they work full time. But still, fulltime parents can work and have homeschooling kids, easily. They can check the work weekly if they want, or when they get home, or if you're unschooling then just be a 'facilitator' and supply them with things and books. I've studied homeschooling enough to know a good amount. I hate the rush too! My school (which im going to be a sohpmore at) is starting on the 2nd, and I'm not ready at all! We haven't registered or gone school shopping, I didn't even go to orientation. It's a huge bummer. I'm trying my hardest not to be forced to go there, because homeschooling is much much better.

I just ordered this book everyone thinks it's great, it's called The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education. I suggest you read it too! :) Might contain some good information. Look for some good websites too, depends on what style of homeschooling you want to do. traditional...online...unschooling...etc...

hope i helped?

Answer 17

I personally wouldn't suggest it. Going to school with other kids can help with real life situations, social skills and all sorts of things that will help out in the future.

Answer 18

Well in my town if you do homeschool

you can get as much homework as you want at a time

and if you do A LOT you can graduate a year early.

Answer 19

Here is a site called Can I homeschool. It has information on laws, free homeschool programs and talking to your parents about homeschooling.

http://canihomeschool.blogspot.com/

Best of Luck!

Jana

http://www.purehomeschooling.com/

Answer 20

Well I have been homeschooled for two years, this would be my second year. I have regualar teachers but you do the work at home. Theres many homeschools around you I'm sure. Like the school i went to last year you got on there website and got your school work and then done it and then emailed it or mailed it thr the mail. You can email,write them, call them over the phone and they can help you on anything.  It can cost you different prices depends on the school and the state your in.  Hope i helped you. Good luck