I homeschool. I always will, no matter what y'all say.

[ulysses]

I'm the father of a 3 1/2 year old boy. As such, I:

- read to him (and have since he was an infant)
- cook with him (he likes to taste and stir)
- play with him (largely his choice - cars have been a favorite since he could walk, but Mousetrap looms large these days as well. And we're getting into baseball.)
- read to him
- dig with him (it's garden season and he's into naming the worms we find)
- talk with him about his behavior when he has a tough day
- read to him
- listen to him and answer his questions
- read to him

Ms Uly and I also make a point of bringing things to his daycare/preschool, such as "big" books, worm farms, etc., that his teachers can use with everyone.

When he starts public school in another couple of years, we'll continue to do the same.

Homeschooling rocks!

[Gormy Cuss]

1. ..

My home was my preschool. My parents and my older sisters taught me to read, write, and count before kindergarten. Someone older than me was always there to answer a question or read something to me.

I burst through the school doors on the first day eager to learn and didn't lose that enthusiasm until junior high.

[mzteris]

4. but but but

they weren't TRAINED to "teach" you. Shame on them.

My son cried the first day of Kindergarten because he "didn't learn ANYTHING!!!!"

[Gormy Cuss]

I didn't learn anything for the first few weeks either. I had a very smart teacher however.

She gave me special assignments to challenge me. That was pretty much the way it was done in all my elementary grades. The teachers managed to teach to the average, to the slowest, and to the fastest learners. When I look back I admire the way they sought to bring everyone forward without frustrating those at the tails of the distribution.

Junior high on the other hand was a mixed bag. Some teachers were great, some were just adequate, and a couple of them stunk up the place. Same deal with my high school and college. I figure that it was good preparation for working as an adult.

[mzteris]

26. few weeks?

Try basically the first few years with very little exception (and that gained through kicking and screaming! [me, not him. lol) . . .

[Chulanowa]

67. That was my problem

Those "formative years" were spent entirely on busy work on subjects I'd already learned a long time before. If I finished early, I usually got told "well put your head down and wait for everyone else to finish"

It's a wonderful way to ensure the child hates school. Get up at 7 in the morning every day to do rote work for no actual benefit, with the threat of punishment if you have vaguely kid-like urges? Yeah sounds fun.

[Buzz Clik]

2. My kind of schooling -- parental involvement.

You rock.

:yourock::headbang:

[ulysses]

13. thanks.

:)

[Tigress DEM]

31. See, now I call that parenting plain and simple. Things have gotten so weird these days.

Parents used to know that if they wanted smart kids and not just smart aleks they needed to be involved at home.

No one called it "home schooling" (no offense - you are doing wonderful things with your son).

They called it "parenting".

You (general personal pronoun you)
get involved in your kid's life because, well glory be! It's YOUR kid.

Why have children if not to bring them up to know it's a wonderful wide world where you can have both roots and wings? Home keeps you centered and parents let you fly when you're able not to crash into things (much-work in progress usually).

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. LOL

[ulysses]

12. knew you'd get it.

:D

[michreject]

5. I'll bet you don't go on strike every Sept.

Because you don't get a raise.

[ulysses]

6. nope. not even in my day job as a teacher.

[tangent90]

7. I nominate you for some merit pay.

:D

[ulysses]

8. I'll forward that to my district.

[hellbound-liberal]

9. Perhaps he will grow up to go into the teaching profession and continue the cycle

I have several students who are the children of educators and they are some of the best students I have.

[ulysses]

10. unless the environment changes between now and then,

I will strive mightily to keep him from teaching.

Which, given how hard-headed he is, will probably lead him straight to the classroom.

[hellbound-liberal]

22. I can't say that I am optimistic but I am hopeful that things will change for the better

I plan to teach into my late 60s, maybe my 70s, and I look forward to day that we truly do start looking at education with a more "outcome-oriented" approach and start aligning educational standards to meet those goals. As the last few days on this board have demonstrated, people are very passionate about the state of education in this country and I hope we can harness that passion to push through some really meaningful reforms. I don't agree that the American education system is as bad as it is made out to be by its critics but I do agree that we need to do a better job of utilizing resources more effectively for the benefit of ALL students and that, quite frankly, we need more resources to prepare our students for the future. Let's hope that our new progressive thinking President will make good on his promise to provide meaningful support to teachers who are already in the profession and those who will come after us so that we can honor our obligation to our students and give them the education that they deserve.

[liberalhistorian]

27. My parents were both teachers

(and damned good ones at that) and everyone just assumed that I would be, too. NO. WAY. I grew up seeing what they went through and there was no way in hell I was gonna deal with that. Working their asses off for little compensation or appreciation/respect; always being blamed for everything, even by parents who never set foot in the school and who couldn't be bothered to return any calls and even when darling Johnny never did his work; having no control over a kid's home life and whether or not he did his homework or was even fed and yet getting the blame anyway; total disrespect of administrators who were paid far more for doing far less, many of whom had no clue about what to do in a classroom; having politicians always up their ass passing stupid laws when they knew NOTHING about education or what it was like for teachers; paying for supplies and activities for students out of their own pockets; hearing about how overpaid and underworked they were by people who had, and have, no fucking clue what it's like to be in the classroom; having to accept ALL students, regardless of disability or desire or attitude, and getting the blame when they didn't all turn out to be Rhodes scholars; spending evenings and weekends with school activities, grading, lesson plans, etc., yet constantly hearing about how little they had to work and how easy they had it; never having enough money even after always working their asses off, yet being constantly asked to give up more and more and more in salaries and benefits; etc., etc., etc. I could go on and on and on, too. NO FUCKING WAY was I ever gonna deal with that.

[seabeyond]

28. and what an excellent, right on point, rant too. i get plenty pissed and this is

just a parental observation watching my children the last decades and what i see with teachers and the struggles.

each school, prior to teachers getting to know me and kids, i would introduce self and kids, critique the good, bad, easy and challenge with children. tell them on your side, always, there to support, back and help for welfare of children. and each school it was telling how enthused and thrilled and taken aback the teachers were by the parent that wanted to be a participant and supportive to the teachers, for the welfare of the kids.

i agree. that is why i get so angry at the blind and stupid and shallow criticisms we have seen on the board last couple days

[FloridaJudy]

30. Amen.

I come from a family of school teachers, and I have to shake my head whenever I hear people complain about what "great hours" they have. Sure, if you don't count all the prep time, which easily takes just as long as they spend in the classroom. Then there's grading homework, and all the other duties they get stuck with: lunch room monitoring, playground monitoring, PTA, advising clubs. Throw in parent/teacher conferences, and teachers fantasize about a forty hour work week in which they can leave the job the moment they close the classroom door behind them!

[sammytko]

46. teachers in my school do not have playground or cafeteria duty

I'm in an ed program and have been observing at a small town texas middle school.

the teachers do not have any of those extra duties, papers are graded in class and teachers have a couple of 'free' periods to take care of their planning etc.

i'm retired from the air force and plan on putting in at least 10 yrs teaching math at the middle school level.

[Ichingcarpenter]

11. I have had many homeschoolers at a charter school the majority of the kids

had problems with socialization, and cooperative learning.

70% were behind and 30% were exceptional and gifted when they came in.

Most of the 70% were from very religious homes.

I was homeschooled for a while but both of my parents were teachers.

I'm willing to bet you are the 30%. Not all parents are cut out to be teachers.

It depends on the state's program on home schooling many are inadequate.

[mzmolly]

32. What do you mean by problems with socialization and cooperative learning?

Also, dare I say many "teachers" are inadequate?

:shrug:

[Ichingcarpenter]

33. Peer socialization and yes you can slam teachers in the same breath

Cooperative learning is not taught in home school but it is
in normal early education models.

You can dare to say teachers are inadequate but
my bad experience was with home schoolers parents that
lacked any college. The 30% I said were exceptional had
college degrees. After two years most of the kids did just fine.

[mzmolly]

35. I'm not slamming anyone, I'm asking a question.

I was curious about the specifics.

I don't think most teachers are inadequate, quite the contrary. I think teachers are by and large amazing, and under appreciated. What I take issue with is pitting teachers against homeschooling parents. One can appreciate both.

[madmom]

58. Why is it by calling some teachers inadequate, you are "slamming" teachers? I am

one of the ones who think teachers should be paid right up there with doctors and lawyers and dare I say congress critters. But, you have to admit there are plenty of "inadequate" teachers in the system. I can think of several in just my little sphere of existence.

[lutefisk]

68. fwiw,in my experience, the homeschooled children have done very well in the public school setting

Of course this is all subjective and anecdotal, but in my experiences, they have done very well, both socially and academically.

[Ichingcarpenter]

74. I still say it depends on the state's program, the education level of the parent

and societal factors. My anecdotal experience was with a charter school which meant
that the parents didn't even try a public school in the first place and was in a
low to medium neighborhood predominately white demographic.

I still found social integration problems with kids that didn't have large families.
But it all worked out over time.

Home schooling was in its infancy in my state in the 90s and I'm sure
it has improved.

It was just an observation. I was home-schooled for a while because of my
father's travels, but both of my parents were teachers.

[uppityperson]

14. Yup. I am still homeschooling mine, and being schooled in return

we keep learning things from each other and being involved with the world together in some ways. Good for you and best wishes

[JerseygirlCT]

54. Yes!

That part is often missed! Absolutely.

[TahitiNut]

15. And that's exactly how I'd always thought it was ... until ...

... I found out that *some* "parents" chose (did anyone tell the truant officer?) to keep their kids OUT of school! Those kids ONLY get homeschooling?!?! That's all?!?! OMIGAWD!

See ... I was homeschooled, too. I was homeschooled after preschool. I was homeschooled after kindergarten. I was homeschooled after first grade. I was homeschooled after second grade. I was homeschooled after third grade. I was homeschooled all the time I was going to public school ... up through sixth grade. I did my public school homework and then I did my homeschool homework.

I know *some* kids didn't have to do homeschool ... but I didn't know kids who didn't have to do public school or catholic school.

But it was the late 40s... and 50s ... and I guess we had better teachers and better parents and better students, too.

:hide:

[ulysses]

18. damn. you did a lot of homeschooling for such a sharp fellow.

;-)

[mzteris]

19. "better parents and better students"???

F.Y.

[ulysses]

20. did they have better teachers instead?

[mzteris]

24. probably about the same

really -

I'm taking exception to the fact that the poster is basically saying that only "poor parents and/or poor students" (not wealth-related) homeschool.

GOOD PARENTS DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR CHILD. Period.

[seabeyond]

16. excellent post ulysses. you are so kick ass right on. thanks. n/t

[DireStrike]

17. Hehe, clever.

I hope that one day I'll be a homeschooler like yourself.

[Fire1]

21. That's the way it's supposed to be. 'Teaching' does not end

with the teacher at school.

[BamaGirl]

23. The most important part, imo

"read to him".

My kids friends' who don't do well in school 'don't like to read'. And have parents who don't read. I don't care if you're reading complete crap...if you're doing it consistently you're exercising your mind. And your kids will follow your example. Books are so important. My oldest read a fiction book last year that gave her an idea for a science project. She went on to win the science fair with that project. I'm always distressed by the number of people, especially kids, who say they don't like to read.

Um. Sorry for ranting on your post lol! Ita with you. They can learn as much at home if you create an environment where learning and free thought are encouraged.

[tbyg52]

65. Bingo. People of any age who don't read for pleasure frighten me. nt

[elleng]

25. Yup!

Had lunch at cafe with my similarly home-schooled 24-year old daughter today; it shows!

Have you seen Ant Farms? Interesting.

[Triana]

29. kudos to you for being so involved with your child! Time = love! n/t

[depakid]

34. Ms. Depa & me- we concur completely

If we're fortunate enough- he or she will wear a funny uniform, and get called a schoolie.

[Control-Z]

36. So what you're saying

is that you are parenting your son, the way many parents naturally do? (not depending solely on the school system to educate your child)

Or do you plan to home school when he finishes preschool and the lower primary grades?

With some of the responses in this thread, I'm now questioning my reading comprehension. I'm honestly confused.

[ulysses]

60. option 1.

He'll attend public schools when he's old enough.

[LibDemAlways]

37. I'm the mother of an almost 16-year-old girl.

I still do most of the things on your list with her including reading to her. That's one way I help her prepare for tests in school. She's on the honor roll.

Mostly I listen to her, talk things out, go for walks, give advice when asked, take her (and her friends) to concerts, just generally be there for her.

The 7 hours she spends in school each day are important, but the life education she gets at home will, I think, make all the difference in the future.

It sounds like you are off to a great start. Your son has both a dad and a friend. He's a lucky little guy!!

[Sancho]

38. go for it...!

about half of college student fail calculus, unless they had HS calculus first...
David Cook won American Idol and thanked his 2nd grade music teacher...
very few homes have a science lab...
did you screen your preschooler for color blindness?

etc., etc....

say what you want about the bad schools, but the majority of public schools and teachers today are doing a sophisticated and excellent job as dedicated professionals that parents simple can't replace as experts in every home.

Underpaid teachers-Yes...
Under attack by moralists - Yes...

but unless you can walk on water, you will ultimately give your child less opportunity by 100% home schooling than taking advantage of a free and comprehensive education that needs support and involvement - not blind criticism.

[lostnfound]

39. Keep enjoying this age! And hopefully, in a few years when your

bright, inquisitive boy comes home from school asking ...can I skip a grade? will you teach me at home? .. or saying I want to learn harder math.. and you realize that the hours he is spending at school amount to at most 1 hour of new learning and 4 hours of sitting in a chair fighting his own will to get up and DO things..
I hope you will know how to handle it better than I do.

On edit: I don't blame the teachers AT ALL. I admire them and have no problem with better pay. I just suspect that so much of this regimen is simply conditioning the future workers of America to get used to being told what to do all day long.

[TexasObserver]

40. And most good parents do likewise!!

There is a fiction that only the officially home schooled students get that kind of attention, but that notion is untrue. Many of us see the value of public schooling, yet still work hard to enrich our children's learning experiences at home.

I have three adult children. All three went to public schools, and all three benefited greatly from it. From age five on, they participated in all the little things that make school special. Learning to adapt to others, learning how to get by when a teacher doesn't fawn on everything the student does, learning how to be in group activities - these are things kids need to learn to be complete individuals.

As parents, we know that the education of our kids begins at school, but it ends at home. Any parent who doesn't monitor their child's daily work, who doesn't teach their child every evening, is missing part of the job, IMHO.

Education is not simply about learning facts and acquiring knowledge. It is about learning how to co exist with others, how to accept accolades and defeat with equal dignity. It is about learning that we may be good at some things and lousy at other things.

[barbtries]

41. ahh he's got a good daddy! nt

[JTFrog]

42. I wish I could have quit both my jobs as a single parent and homeschooled my kids.

Good to hear it's working out for you.

[Diclotican]

43. ulysses

ulysses

I think you are a very good father, to be there for your children when they are small.. They might not understand it now, but they would understand it later in life. What you are doing is admirable if I might say so... I wish I can be that good a parent, and father when my time came to be parent..

Diclotican

[immoderate]

44. That is wonderful.

Sounds like you have it covered. And I'm sure you've already thought of it, but I would include alphabet and telling time, and if he has the motor skills, some sort of manipulatives, clay, pipe cleaners, glue, blocks, nuts and bolts, crayons (do they still make crayons?) But like I said, you're probably already doing things like this.

--imm

[ulysses]

47. yup.

He can count to 25 on his own (backwards from ten) and is starting to recognize whole words. He's had the alphabet down for about a year. The whole main floor of the house is essentially a play area.

[immoderate]

48. Rocket scientists need to count backwards. :)

Like I said, you've already got it down.

--imm

[ulysses]

50. it started by playing "rocket ship", actually.

That and watching the microwave. :)

[nichomachus]

45. I don't think that's called "homeschooling"

It's called "being a parent"

[ulysses]

52. six of one.

The point is not to expect all learning to take place at school.

[nichomachus]

57. I agree wholeheartedly

That's why I don't agree with this "bad teachers" meme. I think there are some bad teachers, but that's not what's wrong with the system. The problem is parents who ignore their kids and then just dump them on the school system, expecting teachers to raise their kids. These are the same parents who think that million-dollar athletes on performance enhancing drugs or politicians should be "role models" for their kids. Parents should be role models for their kids.

[seabeyond]

63. on the one hand. then you have the parent that doesnt allow johnny to be responsible for his

behavior on the other hand and is always working against the teacher. he is disruptive in class, doesnt do work, and then the parent is outraged at the school.

i really see all this as the "mess" of the system in my experience with kids schooling

[Heidi]

49. I was homeschooled in exactly the same way,

and it has served me well. :)

:yourock:

[ulysses]

51. hey!

Yeah, you seem to have turned out ok. :D

[JerseygirlCT]

53. I think that's called parenting

which is even more important.

But I take your point.

I would be a lousy school teacher. But I'm a terrific parent. (Not so much on the bug stuff, though. And I can't throw a ball worth a damn. But anything artsy? Anything literature? I'm your parent. Guess that's why I've got two writers and musicians and all-around artists, lol).

[cmd]

55. Thank you, thank you!

I think you should submit your story to some of the family magazines. Homeschooling for everyone!
And it doesn't hurt to supplement your work with piano lessons - great for math skills and self discipline.
AND, submit your story to the White House. Obama needs to encourage homeschooling, not charter schools.

[ulysses]

59. I'm not sure you got my point.

[cmd]

64. I got your point

I'm a retired public school teacher. I have always been frustrated by those magazines at the checkout that promote involvement in education by simply volunteering at your child's school.
You are doing it in exactly the right way. Educating a child is not just a few minutes of "quality time". It's a lifetime project that involves schools and music and dance instructors; but most of all quality, quantity parenting. Promoting homeschooling as a foundation for public school is one that needs to be shouted out to everyone. (And, when your son is old enough, music lessons are a great supplement to good parenting.)(And I still don't like Obama's emphasis on charter schools.)

[ulysses]

75. ah, ok.

:) Agreed on the music instruction.

[carlyhippy]

56. Good for you being a good parent

I read to my kids from the time they were born, and I was lucky enough to stay at home with my youngest from 2 years old, so we did alot of activities. I miss those days.

Volunteering at your kids' preschool is a really good way to get invovled too. I did that for a few years and had a lot of fun.

[glowing]

61. Me too, your son sounds like my son.. He loves cars and helping in the garden

I think I'm spoiling him. One day he will be looking around for a mate and will hope some family has raised a nice female that can garden, enjoy nature, cook for themselves, and enjoy the simplicity of life and the fun of a fast car....LOL.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

62. You, sir, rock.

My parents did that with me, and I plan on doing that with my own children someday. It's nice to see that there are parents out there who care about their children's education.

[mainer]

66. I'm not sure this is the definition of "homeschooling" we all think about

in which one teaches the kids at home as opposed to having them attend an institution, either public or private.

At age 3 1/2 he's just a toddler, and many, if not most, kids that age ARE at home.

[ulysses]

76. you've found me out.

:)

[October]

69. Me too, but full time :). /nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

70. Gosh. And, you don't get "merit pay" for doing it? K&R

[Dappleganger]

71. Good for you! I always said my greatest accomplishment and joy

as a parent was teaching each of our children how to read. Yes, that meant I had to learn how to teach encoding and decoding, reading comprehension, etc. One of ours (the gifted one, ha!) learned very differently so I had to go way outside the box, but it was worth it!

Parents are teachers whether they like it or not...what kind of teacher you are is up to you.

[Blue-Jay]

72. Don't care.

[H2O Man]

73. Enjoy this time.

It is a really fun stage. Enjoy every day of it -- I'm sure that you do, of course, but reading this OP brings back a lot of nice memories. Thank you for that. (And quicker than it seems possible, soon you will turn around, and have a great young man where your wonderful little boy once was.)