Thoughts on homeschooling?

Question

Asside from the big S (socialization). What are your thoughts on homeschooling?

Also, if you currently homeschool, or are homeschooled can you tell me some of the pros and cons?

I already know all of the requirements with my state and know where I can get free supplies to work with.

I am really just looking for your personal opinions.

Thanks!

Answer 1

ive been homeschooled in 4th grade its awsome. ok  4 grades 7-12 go to this website

Answer 2

home school is a good idea for ADD, ADHD and BD kids, we could do without them in public school.

Answer 3

I'm homeschooled and i hate it.

Answer 4

To Trinity...

That is absolutely disgusting. We could do without teachers with this kind of attitude in public school. Then maybe fewer and fewer people would be turning to homeschooling for a superior education.

I personally think homeschooling is the best educational choice my mother and I could have made. It's done wonders for me academically and socially. I'm more eager to learn than I ever was (to the point of assigning my own weekly research projects based on pure desire to know something knew, and finding GOOD reasons to study things I used to hate like Algebra and History). I get to study things in deapth instead of just glancing over the stuff that's going to be on some state test that I HAVE to pass so my school gets paid, and never getting to delve into the interesting parts of the subject. I get to do lots of hands on work from simply using physical manipulatives in Math (makes it a lot more fun, trust me) to actually launching rockets and designing/building/programming robots. I get to choose (or at least help choose) my course work and even study things I would have never had the opportunity to study in school. This year I'm studying 3D computer animation, programming languages, and robotics, along with the core subjects. I can work at my own pace. In some areas I am doing 12th grade work. In others I'm still in 11th. Some lessons only need to be done twice a week because I learn the material quickly. Others need to be done every day so I don't get out of practice. But it's all up to me and how I work best.  I don't have to sit at a desk all day. Some times I'll work at my computer. Sometimes I'll go to the library and do my schoolwork there. Sometimes I'll work in the park on a nice day, or down by the water, or at a friend's house while she does her homework, and sometimes I'll just go out of town for a week or two at a time and take my school with me. I do get to travel more than I would ever be allowed to in public school. As for socialization, my social life is booming compared to the way it was when I was in public school. A big chunk of this could have to do with the ammount of stress-free time I have (you see, I actually get to sleep a full 8 hours a night without compromising homework, meals, or family time, and that does a lot to relieve stress.) THe equivelent of a full day in public school only takes me 4 hours or so, so afterwards I have time to go to the park, guitar/bass lessons, fencing practice, volunteering at the local elementary school (ironic, isn't it) the library, and the senior center, spending time with my programmer friends, playing with my band, time with my boyfriend, tutoring friends, time at the VIP center (for blind teenagers like myself), feild trips, and travel. I keep up with academics while still enjoying a social life. I even get invited to parties (go figure). Since I started homeschooling, I've also learned to manage time better. I needed to now that there was no guidance councilor planning the bulk of my day for me behind closed doors, then just simply dictating to me where I had to be and how much time I had to spend there performing a certain task before moving on to something else. Because of homeschooling, I'm an independent, self-motivated, free thinking INDIVIDUAL (go, lemmings, go!) and I love it.

The only con I can think of are other people's attitudes towards homeschooling. People have so many misconceptions... so many crazy notions that--I can't even figure out where they could have come up with them, and it sometimes gives you the feeling of having to work extra hard to prove yourself and your intellectual worth to them. You just need to remind yourself that it really doesn't matter what other people think, but sometimes that's easier said than done, right?

Other possible cons could be cost, but you probably know by now that there are ways around this. College scrutiny is another. Many colleges across the nation actively recruit homeschoolers (often OVER public schoolers) for many reasons, but colleges set their own requirements for homeschoolers, and my top choice requires that I take not only the SAT reasoning test, but also the SAT II subject tests in Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language. This is a real pain in the tail, but it's my choice to apply there so I can't complain.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

I loved being home-schooled.  I was always advanced, even though I really am just a normal girl.  My mom taught all four of her kids at home, and one even had some pretty tough learning disabilities.  three of us have graduated, my youngest brother is 14, and will soon be graduating and heading off to college.  My Sister walked into a prestigious local bank to turn in an application, and was given an interview on the spot simply because she was respectful, cheerful, and has great people skills. Did i mention that she also has a letter from the state commending her on having scored among the top five percent of the exit exams?  (of course mine was in the top three percent, but then that was in third grade, and it was nationwide, not just the state.)

You want to know the really cool part.  We are just normal kids, but our parents took enough care about us to make the sacrifice and give us what they never had.

          A real education.

and when you put that next to all the hardships, it kinda blows them all into the water.  Just be patient, get a good mantra, and pray, with your kids, every day, out loud.  God will hear, and honor your sacrifice.

Answer 6

Our family prefers it. My kids are able to go at their own pace, so that my "gifted" child was able to start college at 15 and continue to be challenged, but my "developmentally delayed/learning disabled" child takes it slow, without getting lots of negative labels attached to him or low self esteem because basically he doesn't realize there is something someone might consider "wrong" with him.

I've taught in public schools, I've also teach homeschoolers in co-ops and homeschooled my own for 9 yrs. In my experience, homeschooled kids generally appreciate learning for learning's sake a lot more than their public schooled peers and are likely to have a wider variety of educational intersts that they are self-motivated to pursue. In addition, they tend to keep a sense of youthful innocence a bit longer, as they are not as influenced by the negative peer pressure that is more common in public schools.

Plus, my family has found it to be an enjoyable experience, we spend a lot of time together and our lives don't revolve around the schools schedule.

Answer 7

I currently am homeschooled and I actually find more pros than cons.

I was able to skip 8th grade because I was ready to move on. You can dual enroll at most colleges for a low price or for free. You don't have to sit in school for 8 hours a day and you generally don't have the peer pressure.

The only thing I have struggled with is wanting to actually try out high school and wanting to have more opportunities to do different classes. But besides that, I enjoy it a lot!

Answer 8

I think homeschooling is a great idea.  You know your child better then anyone else does and he won't be under as much stress learning from home.  I homeschool my autistic son and I am planning on homeschooling my daughter next year.  I heard that there are alot of colleges that love homeschooled kids because they had higher scores on the testing.   I can't really think of anything bad to say about it.

Answer 9

My honest opinion on homeschooling?  I wouldn't do it.  I have yet to meet anyone who was homeschooled who is really all that intelligent.  For that matter I have yet to meet someone who's been homeschooled who is even average.  Additionally, of all the people I met in college, I can't think of one who was homeschooled, so I have to believe there aren't that many there - though homeschooled kids are obviously a minority to begin with.  

Some of my dad's cousins homeschooled their kids; some K-8, some all the way through high school, and all those kids are idiots.  Additionally at a part time job in highschool I worked with three homeschooled kids and they were less than brilliant.   Now I certainly can't say all those dumb kids (who are now dumb adults) would be any smarter had they gone to public school, and I know all I've given here is anecdotal, but you asked for my thoughts and here they are.   If you want statistics, you're on the wrong site.  

All that said, most (if not all) of the people I mentioned above were homeschooled by people (their parents) who lacked college degrees and are (at least in the case of my dad's cousins) not that smart.  If the parent is actually smart enough that other people would want them teaching their kid, then the homeschooled kid might do alright.

Answer 10

We absolutely love homeschooling.  It's one of the best decisions we ever made.  We complete our work rather quickly leaving us time to go on field trips and outings, and work on fun projects.  We have a tremendous amount of flexibility and we get to avoid many of the negatives of public school.  Even with all of that, my son is still working at or above grade level.  I am amazed at how much he is learning.

Here's some information for you on the benefits, disadvantages and pros and cons:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

You can find additional information here:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Good luck making a decision!

Answer 11

I'm homeschooled and the program my parents use is called: Oddysey Ware and it's a great program, and u do all ur work in the computer. Here's the website for so info on the program:http://www.odysseyware.com/     Hoped I helped.

Answer 12

Home schooling can be a wonderful experience. There is so much more opportunity for socialization than in public school. You get to meet all kinds of people of all ages, not just be forced to sit in a room with 25 other kids your same age that you are not allowed to talk to. You get a much better education, and many more college and career choices. The only bad part is dealing with ignorant people who are under the impression that home schooled kids are unsocialized. That shows how ignorant they are. Home schooled kids actually learn how to think and problem solve, not just memorize answers for test taking. The only kids that truly are "no child left behind" are home schooled. Public school just passes kids on without making sure they are learning, where home schooled kids actually will work on things until they learn them.

Answer 13

I (Personally) hate it....

I think homeschooling is horrible....

You have no friends, no social life, no life in general!

People will tell you that "It's so great, and wonderful!"....That homeschool kids can do everything, if not more than public school kids!

However I beg to differ, I've studied many homeschooling kids, I started when I started realizing why my life was so misreable....And I saw that the reason why alot of homeschoolers (I'm not saying all, but the ones I studied) didn't really know any other way!

I'm sorry, I truly am to other homeschoolers, and I wouldn't want to change their outlook on homeschooling, and if they love it! Great!

But I'm not naive, I thought I had a normal teenage life, I was so happy! I thought I had friends, and a great social life....

But I woke up one day! And realized! I was living in a lie! I was trying so hard to convince myself that I was living a great life, and that there was hope....

I'm sorry, but I was tired of at looking at the hope, knowing I wasn't going to reach it....

And again, I'm sorry, but I really refuse to think of someone I see a couple times a week for a few hours a friend, when they have a whole other life, and I'm just a little speck to them....

I think homeschooling has so many great things....

Unfortunately, I know the downsides....

I really hope when I go back to school next year, I can deal with the outlook of life I've had from homeschooling....

=)

Answer 14

Pros to Home schooling.

1. No teachers to rape, molest, or bad mouth the students.

2. No school shootings.

3. No bullying or hazing.

4. No theft.

5. No harassment for not being in a group or thinking for yourself.

6. Set your own schedule.

7. You can teach/learn subjects that public schools don't or won't teach.

8. Zero tolerance is extremely possible. With a public school it is not. It is merely swept under the rug and not reported.

We have no cons here. Our children have plenty of friends whom are very envious of the home schooling scenario.

Answer 15

Hello, I am a sophmore in High School I have homeschooled for most of my accedemic career.

If you are talking about learning for a young child especially it is definently superior I went to school for a time and I was so far ahead of the kids my age and the curriculum wasn`t even challenging in comparison.

In High School I think there are some cons however.

Although I do them labs in subjects such as chemistry and biology are more difficult to set-up and do.

But on a different note I live in a small town and I could teach the highest math available in my local High School.

From a learning standpoint you can`t really beat it and at this point I basically need no teaching and learn straight out of the book.