Home School/Alternative Education - Where do adults start?

Question

Hi. My husband and I are interested in delivering an alternative
education to our future children and would like to try homeschooling
them.

We would like to do "group" homeschooling with other like minded parents 1-3 times each week is this possible?

Do we have to follow a specific curriculum or just make sure that the end results (grades) of each school semester/year are satisfactory and, how are kids independantly graded/marked - I mean, what is stopping parents from giving their kids all a's?

What do you think about this- start training kids on how to answer SAT type questions at a very young age (grade 4?) so by the time they need to take the test they are masters?

Do parents get tutors for homeschooled kids or do all of the work themselves?


Thanks

Answer 1

There are many homeschool groups that are out there to offer support, and several of them do have "group" classes. I guess the best way for you to get started is to look at the state laws regarding homeschooling. Each state differs in its requirements, but you should be able to obtain access to the laws pretty quickly. Try internet searching your state and homeschool law, and you should find a site very quickly detailing the requirements.
Generally, you have to be evaluated by an independent teacher each year in most states and report to the school district in order to make sure your child's grades are up to snuff. There isn't a specific curriculum you have to follow, but there are many out there. From what you have said, a curriculum such as A Beka may be a good match for you, as they are generally pretty tough and will turn your child into a well rounded individual. You can get tutors for your children, but a large majority of individuals do most of the work themselves. That is a matter of personal preference. And starting your children out at an early age on SAT type questions is good. You can never be too prepared, and it does help. Good luck in your endeavors!

Answer 2

"We would like to do "group" homeschooling with other like minded parents 1-3 times each week is this possible?"

Yes, it's called co-ops. There are lots of them.

"Do we have to follow a specific curriculum or just make sure that the end results (grades) of each school semester/year are satisfactory and, how are kids independantly graded/marked - I mean, what is stopping parents from giving their kids all a's?"

This is going to depend entirely on where you live. You can check out the laws where you live now, but since you don't have any children yet, they could be different by the time you do have children and they are schooling age. Typically, there are not specific resources that you need to use, although you might have to meet certain outcomes and do some testing.

I don't think parents have to submit marks anywhere. You just need to file what they've done. Here, anyhow, there are no marks on file. This means the parents will be completely honest about the marks their kids get and won't be fudging anything. There's no point since there's nobody to try to impress or to be afraid of.

"What do you think about this- start training kids on how to answer SAT type questions at a very young age (grade 4?) so by the time they need to take the test they are masters? "

Many places require standardized testing in specific years. I don't know how they compare to the SAT's (I'm not American). So a lot of kids do get practice with standardized testing, even younger than grade 4. And while test-taking is a skill, it's more important to actually know the subject matter.

"Do parents get tutors for homeschooled kids or do all of the work themselves?"

Some parents do hire tutors for some or all subjects. Will Smith comes to mind as someone who hired a tutor to homeschool his kids.

Answer 3

Depends on how much knowledge you have. :)

My parents homeschooled me and here in lubbock texas they have a group. They send out a news letter. Do field trips. Everything that a school would do. To enter you just have to pay a small fee. I would check around with you city, i bet they have homeschool group.

We used to do history along with other family. We would watch movies and do group projects. It was a lot of fun. I learned a lot.

You could do it all your self or get a tutor. It's up to you and how the kids take to your teaching. My mother couldn't teach me 8th grade math. So she put me in public school. If we had the money, she probably would have got a tutor.

I understand homeschooling if you are having problems with public school. I think it's a wonderful idea. But...i was homeschooled until high school...and i wanted to go to public school, because homeschooling wasn't challenging me in music and other actives i was interested in. But it was hard to adjust too.

Good luck.

Answer 4

My mom home schooled me my whole entire life. When I was in grad school there was a test I had to take at the end of each year to make sure I was up to speed. She went through a Christian based curriculum called a beka in grad school & for high school I went through christian liberty academy who required that I send in all of my work to regular teachers for grading.
As far a tutor, if you aren't sure about a subject you should definitely get one! there is nothing more confusing than someone trying to teach you that is trying to figure it out along with you. With the academy I could call for support but the a beka we were on our own.
I want to tell you I wish I were a regular kid that went to school . People are constantly making fun of the fact I was home schooled and I am 26 years old now! They say things like(you turned out pretty good for being home schooled )and it just gets embarrassing and sometimes downright offensive. It took years of working to get over my fear of people and all kinds of other things.I don't think my edjucation is the best it could have been. Growing up my mother gave me the choice to stay home or go to school. I was shy and chose to stay home , but I wish she had made me go.
The happiest time of the year is when I could see all the other kids at the testing witch usually took a week.
If this is still best best decision for you both good luck and I hope the info was helpful.

Answer 5

HOMESCHOOLING IS A LIFESTYLE DECISION

I agree with Economic Guy 100% - He answered your question perfectly. But I do have something to add that will give you some food for thought.

Those involved in that homeschooling lifestyle for the sake of their children will find ways to socialize and engage their children in their personal interests. They do that because they care about their children. Your home (or even a small group setting somewhere else) is safer for your children physically, emotionally, spritually, and psychologically. Just watch the news. Here is an activity for you to do: Clip out every article that you find in the newspaper about school shootings, teachers molesting children, drugs in school, child bullying, sex education in public school, religious views being taught for truth that differ from your beliefs, etc. Look over them often and ask yourself, "Would this happen to my child if I homeschool him/her?"

And don't you think children should learn first to socialize with their parents and siblings before they are cast out into the world to be bombarded by offers of sex, drugs, alcohol, etc? You don't have to sacrifice your child's spiritual and emotional wellbeing just for the sake of socializing. They are more imortant than that.

http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1 Home School Legal Defense Association
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.asp Click on your state to find out what the laws are concerning homeschooling and other ideas that will help you get started
*****
This is very important for homeschooling families.
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/index.php?id=63&tx_ttnews[swords]=Jumping%20Ship&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=213&tx_ttnews[backPid]=118&cHash=4ddc0ad617
-This article deals with the spiritual and psychological aspects of teaching your children at home. Will it be better for them in the long run? There is a lot of responsibility on the parent's part. This family homeschooled five children when the homeschool movement was in its beginning stages. They were successful. I have known children that were homeschooled and left alone for most of the day. Those children did not turn out well-involved in sex, alcohol, drugs, etc. I do know of MANY MORE homeschooled children that thrived and matured under the guidance and protection of their parents. They are well-rounded and (most importantly) they entered their adult lives with far less emotional and psychological scars than their publicly educated peers. For these families, a child entering marriage with the anticipation of being the "first" and their partner being their "first" is very important. And how many children do you know whose first sexual experience is in a school setting? And what loving parent wouldn't do all that they could to shield their children from that? (That's just one aspect of this subject. There are many!) Anyway. There are 5 parts to this article but it is worth reading if you are serious about home schooling.
The site where this article came from is overall a great homeschooling/children/marriage resource. http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/

As you can see, this is a topic close to my heart. I have a three year old (and a 15 month old) and, yes, we will homeschool. I have already started. It begins in your heart-wanting the very best for your children. They will find friends and companions as they grow up and mature, but it is your responsibility to make sure that their environment is conducive to allowing them to mature.

You are on the right track. Don't let nay-sayers discourage you. Do you research and learn what the Homeschool lifestyle is all about. The No Greater Joy website will give lots of insight. It is an invaluable source for me on all topics about the family.

Answer 6

there is nothing wrong with home schooling your kids if you want to learn more about homeschooling your kids paste this into your adress bar


HomeschoolListings.info

hope it helps

Answer 7

I was homeschooled for a couple of yrs.. Do not do that to your kids. Enroll them in a private school or a good public school, but dont put them through that.

Answer 8

Homeschooling kids deprives them of experianceing life. They live in a little bubble that they call home. Once that little bubble is gone they wont know what to do with themselves......