thoughts about homeschooling

My homeschooling/public schooling study has been so interesting up to this point. All of my reading is making me realize more and more that God created us all different for a reason. There is DEFIANTLY not a RIGHT answer to it all!

The only problem I find with researching these kinds of topics is people's emotions get so caught up in everything. I guess that makes sense... it just makes it hard to really get any hard facts.

I started with my first concern- socialization... I was given a slap on the hand for even asking. There are so many different ways to homeschool. And parents really do get to decide how much their children get to "get out."

Some parents homeschool because they want full control of every move their child makes. (Personally, and this is MY opinion, I don't think that is a good reason for them to keep their children home.) These parents obviously wouldn't want their children to have free range on their social interactions.

Some parents homeschool because they want their children to learn in a "free" environment away from peer pressure, the need to fit in, drugs, sex, etc. There were a lot of arguments of children needing to be exposed to those things to know what the world is really like. (Personally and again MY opinion I don't think children have to have drugs offered to them or feel like they don't fit in if they get a good grade to come out well rounded and understand what the world has to offer them.) A lot of these parents encourage their children to discover what they like to do. They help their children get involved in community activities, community sports, classes at a public school if the school will allow it, etc.

So really, again, socialization is not a concern unless the parent doesn't allow the child the opportunity to be social.

I have found a book called, "The Relaxed Home School" by Mary Hood, PHD. I was really impressed how she presents her views and the way she has home schooled her children. She doesn't come out and say that once you've read this you are going to feel dumb and silly for even thinking of sending your children to a public school. She also doesn't say that public school is totally wrong. She just says that her philosophy of education is one where it makes more sense to homeschool her children. I think that is key!

Before I graduated I had to write my philosophy of education in the mind set of an educator (I studied Early Childhood Special Education). As of a year ago this is what I wrote:

My Philosophy

I believe all students can have an equal chance to an education and a love for learning. A love for learning comes from dedicated and loving educators who can see the capabilities of their students and continually strives to find the ‘best practice’ to fit the needs of those children.

A successful classroom is one where there is excitement and motivation coming from the students because the teacher allows them the opportunity to discover. When things are taught the “why” is stressed just as much, if not more, as the “what.” A successful classroom also allows errors to be made and learned from and success is celebrated.

I believe behavior, both positive and negative, is a way students communicate. Students should always be treated with respect. Options should be provided where there are multiple outlets for expression of emotions. The educator should be the example and model the benefits of taking care of oneself for the learners.

To be successful in teaching and learning, inclusion has to be considered. I believe inclusion does not only encompass letting all students have opportunities to be apart of a general education classroom. Inclusion includes sharing cultures, ideas, feelings, and knowledge. It is about bringing everyone together in a more understanding group where respect and an open mind to new things is valued.

To be a successful teacher I have to be willing to collaborate with those I will be working with. That includes parents, colleagues, and my students. I have to be teachable and open minded to new ideas and strategies. Professionalism is key in all I do and say.

Now I am thinking that I need to write one in the mind set of a parent and my philosophy of education for our family. Of course Jason and I will be working together to create this but I am so excited to think about it. I think that will really help me with how I help my children interact with life and people from day to day.

Another valuable thing I realized while reading this book and reading other articles is how all the "subjects" mesh together in life. I've always known this but because of my education as a teacher I have been taught to see science as science and math as math. But when Clair and I find a prickly seed pod on our walk that is science, and we don't find just one! We find 2,3,4... that is math. We take a picture of it and scrapbook it making it art. We write a letter to parents telling about our discoveries that is writing, reading, communicating. All with one thing- a prickly seed pod! When I bake in the kitchen I follow instructions, measure, sometimes make guesses. I come away with Jason saying I'm a chemistry pro :). We make hypothesis all the time and learn what floats and sinks in the bath. Even Clair who is 14 months is learning so much just by being exposed to animals at the zoo, people at church, different weather outside... I love it!

All this makes me want to go back to school and study things that I purposely avoided or did just to jump through the hoop. I wish I understood what Jason is working on at work and could really remember what I learned in 9th grade about cells. I wish I knew what kind of tree Clair is fascinated with to explain to her more and help her make connections. I which I knew more about how my body works and where things are located so I can understand a little more why that part of my body hurts or why I get sick.

Ha, ha all this makes me so excited! At this point in my life I am not going to a public or private school anymore... but I DON'T HAVE TO STOP LEARNING! I, in a way am a homeschool student.