Home School Mummies
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Topic: Home School Mummies
Posted By: sunnyhoney
Subject: Home School Mummies
Date Posted: 06 October 2008 at 9:55pm
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What's it really like? Do you find it hard to teach?
We are considering home schooling (got a while to go yet) but I wonder sometime if I will be up to it. I was never very good academically at school 
Is it possible that this could be a sticky topic? Mums can share ideas and stuff. ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Replies:
Posted By: tamiem
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 12:34pm
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As a primary school teacher I think that it's really important socially for kids to attend school. We have some children in our area (of various ages) who were at school and are now home schooled and they seem to find it a bit difficult to interact with other children.
Not only do they learn how to be friends with others, they learn a whole lots of other small and large group social skills (ie turn taking, sharing, acknowledging others point of view...). We will have to drive our daughter 30 mins one way to school (so 2 hrs driving each day, by the time we count drop off in the morning & pick up in the afternoons) as we have no bus - but she's still definitely going to school! ------------- The Sale Fairy is a weekly email newsletter, advertising online sales & specials for baby, children’s and maternity products. www.thesalefairy.co.nz info@thesalefairy.co.nz |
Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 12:41pm
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Interesting point of view. I was worried about that too until I heard that the Home School Assn runs clubs for the kids to get together and socialise while learning ie science club. ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 12:50pm
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Can I ask what your reasons are for home schooling your child?
Personally I would never even consider home schooling. My school days were some of the happiest of my life, and I can't imagine what it would be like not to have the different experiences you gain from being with other children in an educational environment. A science group here and there or whatever could never provide the interaction and stimulation I would want my children to experience. I'm sure you would be able to get training to help you with your curriculum for Joy, so if you are not academically inclined yourself you'd definitely be able to get guidance on what you need to be teaching her at every stage. But I'd imagine once she got to college age it would be imperative she attended a school in order to give her the best opportunities for her adult life. |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 12:57pm
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we have a LOT of homeschooled kids at my school. And we have a lot of different kids from it.
Kid S came from a very sheltered homeschooled background where she was suddenly sent off to our (boarding) school at year 12....did not cope well and left in term 2. Really struggled to relate to other kids and kept hanging around me. annoying. Kids F and K are lovely. were homeschooled and then mum died, they were shipped off again and are doing relatively well. K is struggling to fit in as he is....unusual. F is a great kid with lots of friends Kids L, H and M were homeschooled and are neat. they have strong opinions but are able to argue them maturely. Great family and I love teaching them. Like anything to do with kids, HUGE range of results |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 1:01pm
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Teresa (busymum) was a homeschooled mum and I think there is a topic about this from over a year ago. I will see if I can bump it for you. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 1:20pm
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1 of my nieces and 2 of my nephews are homeschooled. The schools weren't catering to their needs (all three of them are extremely bright plus one of my nephews has a hearing disability which can be improved but the school wasn't willing to follow any of the specialists recommendations I don't have anything to do with their day to day schooling (I'll ask my sisters to log in and respond) but from what I understand the kids are now working at a level far beyond their classmates. I'm not sure about J1's out of schooltime activities but he's such a social fellow I doubt he'll have any trouble with social interaction. E and J2 do extra curricular activities (like ballet and soccer) and have their old school friends over to play often. E is a social butterfly too and J2 has always been a popular kid. We will be sending Michaela to school (rather than homeschooling) but I'm very much an advocate of parents as the first teachers and think that parents must take an active role in their childrens education whether the main part is done by a school or not. Also if we find that Michaela doesn't thrive at school as she should we will consider our options. -------------  
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).Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 1:27pm
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BTW. HSing doesn't just need to be done by the stay at home parent. My younger sis's kids have the majority of their lessons with their grandad who retired to homeschool J2, E is taught japanese by a friend of my sisters and my mum (who works full time) teaches the kids english (her specialty subject) on a Saturday and then writes the lesson plan for dad to follow for their other english lessons thoughout the week. I know of other families where the dad (who works fulltime) teaches maths and science as that's his specialty. -------------
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 2:15pm
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I'm all for home schooling... if I had a tad more patience, a partner who could earn, more kiddos, and wasn't so easily sucked into the void that is the internet then I'd totally do it!
I don't buy the socialisation argument for a second... well not in the sense that it is insurmountable ya know? Many home school families gather in groups and their kids learn to share, play together, interact, form friendships etc without all the negative things that come with being in a classroom of 30+ with an overworked and underpaid teacher (like fighting, bullying, learning foul language, lying, obsessions with material stuff... all things that Hannah has experienced just in creche! Mind you... she was probably the one with the foul language.  )
I'm quite a fan of the 'unschooling' stream which follows the idea that kids learn by living. So if you encourage them out into the world, learning will follow. There are several cool blogs which show their everyday lives and learning as far as unschooling goes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unschooling - Wikipedia - Unschooling http://sharonnz.blogspot.com - Sharonnz - Sharon is fab and cool and fun and her kids are awesome. They home educate but are regularly involved in activities like French lessons and currently one of the kiddo's is off at a school hol programme run by the embroiderer's guild. http://katekiwi.blogspot.com/ - Katekiwi and her clan learn by going to the beach and stuff. Kate is a trained teacher but I think she just rolls with it. Her kiddos tend to head off to school once they get to high school age... and seem to adjust really well to it. Her eldest son left for uni this year. http://randomthoughtskaren.blogspot.com/ - Karen "lives and learns" with her kids. I don't read her much because I have blogs coming out my ears but she seems to follow the same philosophy as many of the others I've mentioned. Then if you get into the big American unschoolers... http://www.soulemama.com - Soulemama is an unschooler. Her blog is absolutely gorgeous and worth looking at if nothing else! Anyway... I'm not an authority on it by any stretch of the imagination but am a huge fan and am most impressed with people who can do it. ETA: You say that you have a while to start yet... but I believe that you are home educating now! And that's what the whole unschooling thing is based on. So 
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 2:34pm
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Hi
I think if you make a real go of it and enrol in groups etc its OK. The thing is, just with every other part of life, kids have to learn how to be around other kids so school always gives them that. Homeschooling can often be seen as escapism but it doesn't have to be. A lot of the 'problems' with schools as mentioned above will happen to a homeschooled child too, a qualifed teacher can sometimes struggle to recognise and gifted child as the queues are very hard to interpret, so I don't see why a parent who is uneducated on formal schooling can do much better. (ie. naughty kids can often be gifted but it goes unnoticed and a lot of parents are often amazed that their kids are quite able). I think you have to be highly dedicated and live a very structured life as a homeschooler to meet the achievement objectives as set out by the MOE. It depends what you want to achieve though as there are pros and cons to every scenario, like would you homeschool right through school (till 18 years of age)? How easily would your child integrate into school if you needed them to do it? How will you keep up with professional development etc (knowing what to teach (as given by the correspondence school) is only a fraction of the battle, most is knowing HOW to teach well and how to assess for further learning)? What do you want your child to get out of it? How easily are resources found in your area? From a teacher's perspective - there's a reason why we train for min. 3 years and have ongoing professional development but obviously just my opinion.
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Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 2:36pm
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I have a few friends who have been home-schooled and they are so well-balanced, friendly, social, and intelligent! They've all been involved in youth groups, church etc so have loads of friends, and go on lots of camps etc.
I've also met some people who were homeschooled and are really.. different. Kinda weird socially. Just like how in schools you have some kids who are different and kinda weird socially. You're gonna have kids like that anywhere, it's not necessarily a result of homeschooling. I think homeschooling really works for some kids and families, and for others it doesn't. My mum said she could never have done it herself cos we all needed a break from eachother (true). I don't think I would do it myself, not cos I'm against it but just cos it's not something I really feel is right for our family IYKWIM. But big ups to you sunnyhoney! Oh and Nikki that whole unschooling thing sounds great... will have to check out some of those blogs when I have a bit more time. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could do more of that sorta thing in schools! Very hard to implement though. Hmmmm *ponders some way to integrate something small into the class this term* ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 2:42pm
I don't see that schools fail to recognise gifted children... they seem to be really good at that... but what they don't often have are the resources and time to dedicate to that child. This is where I see home schooling having an advantage. And I don't think you need a 'curriculum' as such. Each child learns differently so why not cater to their individual needs rather than adopting the curriculum that is developed with the whole nation in mind? I've just been involved in some stuff for our ECE centre regarding the curriculum they use... very glad to see that some of the same principles are starting to be applied to primary level now. |
emz wrote:Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 2:45pm
I think as far as how the approach would be implemented in schools then taking a look at Waldorf/Steiner schools would be the closest you'd get. Or as I mentioned above, looking at current ECE philosophy - it's got a similar 'child led' approach to it that unschooling also does. |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 2:45pm
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Nice argument Nikki!
Certainly gives me something to think about! |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 2:47pm
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Anything to challenge the mind!
Honestly... I would have been horrified by mention of home schooling about a year ago. It's since meeting these fab home schoolers (well.. "meeting" online) that it's changed my view. We had the weird homeschooling kids in our area too... mind you, their parents were slightly strange. Interestingly enough, I'll bet they did a heap of stuff I wish I could do now! hehe. |
Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 4:31pm
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Hmm, the reasons why I want to home school? Well, I think maybe if I give them they may not seem that strong but it is something we have thought about since becoming pregnant. DH trained to be a teacher a long time ago and he was given info during that time to support that it was a good way to school.
Some of the reasons are: that I feel education is best directed at the individual, schooling can be done in minimal time and spare time can be devoted to extra activities, I feel attention given to each child in the classroom (school) can be very limited ie stressed teacher with too many students etc, there's the bullying etc that someone else mentioned. I had a rough time at school because of these things and while it might be seen has over protecting I don't want my children to go through that. I'd rather they had a more positive education experience and if I can give them that then I will. I believe that if at any time their education is suffering because of my lack of knowledge or patience or whatever then school is there as backup and they can be integrated just as if they were starting (ie at 5 years iykwim). I thought I could try to at least home school until either intermediate or high school age. As for how each child turns out socially, all the home school kids I ever met are very social, lovely to be with and very very intelligent (advanced for their age). Our children will (hopefully) be heavily involved in church activities too providing them with heaps of interaction with most age groups including their own. ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 4:53pm
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Well sunnyhoney, I cannot argue with that! Very well thought out reasoning and your points about attention and bullying are very valid.
Good on you
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 6:44pm
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Sounds good to me! I think as long as you know WHY and HOW you are going to do it, then you just need to work hard at it.
I will say though that unfortunately bullying is part of life and at some point your child will have to learn coping mechanisms. I like the idea of heaps of time for other activities though (how many of us wish we could have ditched school to go play in the park or something). As far as I'm aware its a requirement to follow the curriculum though, but the correspondence school are really helpful with that and will have all the planning done (if only it worked for teachers like that lol) Hehe anyone reading this thread would think that home schooled children are all advanced though - I think there are definitely pros and cons (just like school) and, for example if you had academics without social skills it would be a disastrous mix (we all know 'those' people). |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 6:48pm
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Can someone tell me the difference between normal school and Steiner schools?
Sorry to threadjack. ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: EnJsmum
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 10:15pm
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Hi I'm MrsMojo's little sister In order to HS you have to demonstrate to MoE that you will school as well and as regularly as at school. You can choose any curriculum you like (overwhelming I know, but perfect for pitching to their interests), as long as you can do that you are fine. I must admit I'm not a typical HS must, I decided to HS J very reluctantly but it was the only way we could meet his needs. We pulled E out soon after, it just made sense, she was badly bullied and was at a school that seems to believe that bullying is just something that happens and kids should learn "conflict management skills" (I believe teacher should step in before E comes home bleeding!) This is not the kind of socialisation I want for my daughter. As far as socialization is concerned I agree that it is a real problem, I have had to restrict the number of activities they do each week, they were too busy to study! Seriously though I think HS kids get more realistic socialisation, think about the way we interact in the real world... with people of all backgrounds and ages, this is what my children get from HS. Yes they spend a lot of time with other kids their age, both in structured activities and in "free play" situations both HS and regular schooled, but they also spend time talking to adults and younger children. They can carry an interesting conversation pitched to the correct level, from toy story to bio diversity depending on who they are talking to. Regarding the difficulty diagnosing giftedness, because of J's difficulty speaking I had him professionally tested when he was 4, I just wanted to establish that he was at least average so he wasn't boxed in by his speech problem, he came out in the top 2% (the clinical psychologist said he would have been in the top 1% but score 0 on the audiological test). Even with this diagnosis he wasn't pushed to achieve, what could they do with 28 other kids in the class? I do think if you have a child with a special interest or talent you need to be very careful when choosing the school and most importantly the teacher. I remember his first goal setting meeting, when he said he wanted to learn multiplication and division because "adding is easy and boring" he was told that child don't learn that until year 3-4 (apparently is "best practice"). I think if I had children that fitted the "best practice" model we would still be at school, but my kids are not average (E struggles with maths but is 5 years ahead at reading, J is the opposite) and the system struggled to meet their needs. I'm not criticizing the teachers, I have friends who are teachers, but the system they work in is grossly under-funded and, as a consequence, cannot encourage individual learning styles and interests. That’s my opinion based on my kids and their needs, every child has different needs and experiences this is just what worked for my family. As Mojo said this was basically essential for my son, the school couldn't/wouldn't meet his special needs. PS although my dad is very clever he left school after fifth form, we makes sure he understands the lessons before he teaches them, he just has to stay one step ahead |
Posted By: EnJsmum
Date Posted: 07 October 2008 at 10:20pm
wow that was long!
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:47am
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LOL, but it was informative thanks. I think however that although you alluded to it you forgot to mention that J is now doing multiplication and division (which according to the schools is well beyond his understanding) and I'd also add that unlike Emz said you don't get a prepared course from the correspondance school and just run with that, you've put a lot of research into finding the best courses (from throughout the world) and there is a lot of preparation done by HS teachers before each lesson so unlike some seem to think HS is not the easy option. -------------
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 8:05am
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While I don't think I'd choose to homeschool my kids (unless there was some specific reason that came up, like in your case EnJsMum), I think it's great when people who do feel it's best for their children do.
My cousins were homeschooled (I'm not entirely sure what reasons my Aunt had for doing so). They have a big family, so they had plenty of interaction with their own brothers and sisters (and our family) but they did lack some social skills when it came to other people. I'm not sure if this was a result of home-schooling, or that they are naturally very shy people, or both. While I think this made their teenage years quite difficult, they're now adults, and lovely confident people... so if home-schooling had a detrimental effect on their social skills, it wasn't permanent. A family we know well also home-schools their three kids, and they're just lovely. They do a lot of group activities with other home-schoolers, and their social skills are spot on. |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 11:12am
That was awesome sis-of-Mojo. Very impressive 
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Posted By: EnJsmum
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 11:15am
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Mrs Mojo's right I should have pointed out that not only does J now do multiplication and division he also loves algebra, I assure you he doesn't get it from me! We did look at the correspondence school but decided it wouldn't work for us for a number of reasons. We looked at a lot of materials, and decided on a range. Our maths programme is from the HS is hard work, there is a lot of preparation and in the beginning they need a lot of supervision, support and encouragement. It's not easy and there is a lot of pressure to get it right (after all it's my children's future) but at the end of the day it is worth it for us. |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 11:45am
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*waves to mrsmojo and EnJsmum*
Hi - I'm the big sister and I just want to say; HOMESCHOOLING ROCKS!
LOL! Seriously though, we pulled our eldest out of school at the end of the first term because he was behind, bored and distracted. Plus, he is very susceptible and influenced by negative socialisation so we were beginning to see obnoxious behaviour and bullying towards his middle brother. This was simply not acceptable. Now I don't want to diss the school at all as his teachers are lovely and very capable but they weren't able to meet his needs in the classroom situation. He is very bright but he gets easily distracted by visual stimulus (bright posters, toys, displays etc) and spent at least half his time either chattering or away with the fairies. Since bringing him home to teach we have noticed such a huge difference in him. Our charming, delightful boy is back! Plus he has put on huge amounts of weight and height which is significant for him as he was failure to thrive for years and years due to an rare allergic condition. Homeschooling has been fantastic for our family. Mr7 is much more tolerant of his younger brothers and they play together much better than when he was at school and only seeing them at the worst parts of the day - when he was tired and hungry and cranky. Mr2 is benefiting hugely from the extra contact with his big brother and all the extra activities that we do as a family now. We have been able to tailor a learning program that addresses his specific needs and have sourced materials from all over the world. I have joined a forum in America for homeschoolers that gives so much suppport and advice, plus we belong to three different homeschool associations. As far as the socialisation question goes, I firmly believe that the schools are not equipped to supervise children sufficiently to ensure that socialisation is positive not negative. As a result, kids learn bad attitudes, bullying and biarchiness along with their teamwork, cooperation etc etc. In a home school environment, parents are there with their young kids and can pick up on negative socialisation and address it immediately. In terms of spending time with other kids - this term my son has boys club on a Monday, Gym on a Tuesday and swimming on a Wednesday. He also has play dates and time with extended family each week. In terms of teh actual teaching. At a yr2 level I find it takes no more than 90 minutes to cover more than he would in a day at school. Every day we do Religion, Maths, Spelling and handwriting. We do English/grammar four times a week. Science three times a week. History twice a week and formal art once a week. In addition to this there is heaps of time for reading, crafts, cooking, walks, visits to museum, zoo, libraries etc etc. Homeschooling has been FANTASTIC for our family and I am really really glad that we made this choice. |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 11:50am
| Oh - I forgot to mention that he has come from being behind in Maths to being at least a year ahead in just a few months. I am not pushing him at all. He simply has abilities that weren't able to be addressed in a classroom. For instance, he freezes up and panics when given a specific time to do work - eg QuickMaths - five minutes to do 25 questions. But he can do it easily within that time if there is not clock ticking. But every morning they did QuickMaths and so he HATED maths and found it difficult. Plus, he was also drifting off in class when the teacher was explaining how to do things, and just cruising off his photographic memory. He KNEW that 5+6=11 because he had seen the answer previously. But ask him to add 5+16 and he had no idea what to do. This hadn't been picked up but I quickly identified it and spent a month teaching him HOW to do things and not to just remember or finger count. He can now add and subtract three digit numbers with no problems. |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 11:52am
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Our main curricula resources are:
English: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/firstlanguagelessons/ - First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind 3 Mathematics: http://www.sonlight.com/singapore.html - Singapore Maths 2a Spelling: http://www.amazon.com/Spelling-Workout-Level-Phil-Trocki/dp/0765224828/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220515500&sr=1-2 - MCP Spelling Workout C Art: http://www.artisticpursuits.com/ - Artistic Pursuits History & Geography: http://www.peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2 - Story of the World 1 |
Posted By: bluebird
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 1:24pm
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Im really interested in homeschooling (unschooling), but main issue is money (sad but true). How do you home schoolers survive with only one income? Especially with all the clubs and classes?
And do you have any ideas of where to go for more information? Im in Wellington. |
Posted By: EnJsmum
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 2:22pm
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[QUOTE=Beth]Im really interested in homeschooling (unschooling), but main issue is money (sad but true). How do you home schoolers survive with only one income? Especially with all the clubs and classes?
regarding the actvities, we live in Featherston, part of the reason is that activities are so cheap over here, ballet is $36 each per term gymnastics $20 and japaniese only $10 per lesson! f you talk to friends and car pool thats great too, I take a car load of girls (and boy) to ballet every week to subsidise petrol. I don't know what thep prices are like in Welly but if you look around be able to make it work. of course once you've joined the HS activities are free, unless it's something specail such as english exams for E ($11) or a trip to the RNZ ballet (which was $10 EACH) |
Posted By: bluebird
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 3:04pm
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Wow I didnt realise MoE did that. And your a single mum? Wicked! That gives me hope that I can do it. Are you on the DPB? Does WINZ hassle you about not working?
Wellington things are quite expensive, Mia just stopped going gym as they've put their prices up to $110 for a 45min class and I decided she can learn the same skills climbing trees at her age. We will be moving back to Upper Hutt soon, so hopefully things like that will be cheaper. lol may even be cheaper driving over the hill to join the cheap stuff in Featherston! |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 3:32pm
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Often the homeschooling associations organise activities for the afternoons (during school time) for kids. My boy is doing gymnastics through the YMCA with the homeschool group for only $30 this term. He is also getting 7 free swimming lessons because our city council is offering it to Yr3 school students and we asked if homeschooled students could join in so they gave us our own session!
Plenty of places offer activities to homeschooled students during normal school hours and often this can be cheaper than after school. |
Posted By: EnJsmum
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 3:45pm
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We love climbing trees! As my big sis says, contact you local HS community and see what they have groups for, we also have HS sports teams over here. I'm on the DPB but WINZ doesn't mind about the kids HS I think this is for two reasons: Featherston is great, it's only an hour on the train into Wellington and the trains are really comfy, we even have electical outlets to recharge things! Activities are just so cheap over here, so are the houses (you can still get a nice 3brm house here for under $200, 000!) We used to live in welly, only moved to featherston 4 years ago. |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 3:49pm
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And i forgot to say - don't let anyone tell you you can't teach your child yourself.
Most people considering homeschooling have already taught their child to walk, to talk, to dress and feed themselves and so on. Why is it suddenly the job for a trained professional to teach them their letters and numbers? Especially when there are so many resources out there to help you step-by-step along the way? I love teaching our son, it has bought us much closer together and we are enjoying learning together. There is so much that went whoosh over my head when I was at school that I am just learning now - like how to turn a noun into an adjective! |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 3:50pm
LOL! This is turning into the Wigglesfan/EnJsmum's show! 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 4:07pm
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I was kinda unofficially homeschooled for a while and I think I turned out fine. My parents travelled a lot when I was young so when we were travelling mum taught me. If we stayed long enough at anyone place I got enrolled in the local school. I went to school in Bahrain, Sharjah, The Netherlands and NZ. I learnt all sorts of different languages (non of which I can speak now) and I always wanted to socialise with other kids. I am an only child too. At campsites I would go off and find other kids, work out what language they spoke and then play!
Mum taught me what she could, basic maths, reading, writing, spelling, handwriting etc. and a lot of general knowledge. WE returned to NZ when I was 9 and I went to school then. I dont remember having trouble integrating with the kids (hell, I was excited to have so many to play with) but I do remember the frustration with the teacher and principal who wanted to hold me back a year so I could improve my social skills even though i was a year ahead in ability. In the end I was put in with my age, which suited me. It was also frustrating having more international awareness than some of my teachers but you soon learn when to keep your mouth shut.
So I cant see a problem with it other than I's be too damn lazy to do it myself...unless I had to and then, well you just do. I think all parents should be teaching their kids things all the time. |
Posted By: bluebird
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:36pm
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Mm im worried that im too lazy to do it... What an exciting childhood you must have been. I want to travel, and didnt think of how much easier that would be if I home schooled.
I remember looking at houses in Featherston, and they are good prices with decent lawns which I really liked. Partner wants to move there, but its a long way for him to get to work, he works in Johnsonville. How far into your degree are you? I tried studying law at Vic at the beginning of the year, but got too far behind so dropped it. Im definitely going to make some contacts to look more into homeschooling, and try to decide what to do. Have to convince the partner also :p |
Posted By: EnJsmum
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 7:40pm
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Good point wiggles fan we do teach our children so much, this is just an extention. it's really interesting to read NZPipers experience, I'm glad to hear HS Kids think its a positive experience too! |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 8:54pm
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I'm a home-school graduate. I've only been to state school for 11mos (when I was 5) in my life LOL, I'm now a Legal Secretary full-time and mama part-time.
I married a HS graduate as well, not because I didn't have any friends who weren't HSers! but just cause he was the right guy. But with that background we are quite keen to HS our children and have started already. (Our eldest will be 5 at Christmas.) I am not anti-schools but I just like HSing and think it's "right" for our family. I definitely don't diss teachers! We actually have a friend who is a primary school teacher and she is a great resource for us, to rub ideas or questions off. We are not fans of un-schooling though! It could work in the early days but kids can't learn everything there is to know in life from lego and cards IYGWIM - as in I have met teenagers who have never done any kind of curriculum, and I think that must be hard to go on to Uni or work etc. As far as curricula go, we decided it is worth any amount of $$ to set ourselves up with a good reading and maths programme. The neat thing with curricula is that there are so many out there (I know it's daunting!) that you can pick and choose to find what works best for your child. The wide range also means you really can pick how much involvement you will have: send the paperwork away for marking? or just run off a text book? for example. We bought a reading series from Whitcoulls which our girls (2 of them so far) absolutely love, and Hannah is independently reading a lot now, just from that base. For Maths we bought http://www.mathusee.com/ - Math-U-See which is a programme written by a maths teacher that incorporates visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning. We got the introductory DVD (costs a refundable $5 as they were getting spammed a lot) and got so excited about maths ourselves LOL. How HSing works for us is that DH does the majority of it with the girls (he is the SAHD) but I finish work at 4pm so often I get home and am able to do reading with the girls. Now lest you think we are slave-drivers of our 3 and 4 year olds, let me tell you that on Saturdays when you ask them what they want to do, they say "Can we play Maths?" LMAO
I think the social aspect is important (its something my parents didn't think was so important so they left that kind of stuff out) but I don't think going to school is necessary for socialising. In fact HSing gives a child opportunity to interact with a wider range of ages, not just those at their own level. I think that is a plus. I also think it's important for children, especially as they get into their teens, to be able to learn off someone else as well so that when they get to Uni (if that is their plan), they won't be too startled when the lecturer has a different teaching style from their parents!! For those reasons, and also for the physical side of things, we are going to enroll all our kids into extra-curricular activities. Hannah is doing ballet this year and Briona will be going to gymnastics next year. Oh a note on the HS allowance thing is that it gets paid annually for the time that you hold an exemption. (As children don't have to go to school until 6yrs in NZ, you won't get it until then.) As far as preschoolers go - you can absolutely start teaching now. Even just connecting with your child will help create a good base for that. And just add learning things as you go: emptying and filling; finger painting; drawing/colouring; puzzles; colours; shapes... and from there to numbers and letters. Sorry I don't know how much stuff to put on here but that's gotta be a bit long-winded!! and now I feel the urge to spell and grammar check three times over LOL!! -------------  |
Posted By: singstar
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 9:18pm
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At the risk of offending anyone, and its not intended that way, but are alot of homeschoolers Chrisitians as well? I have been talking about this with my sister who knows of a family who has children the same age as hers, and they recently stopped associating with non church families (including my sister, even though my sister as involved with the catholic church and her children go to Catholic schools) and are intending on homeschooling so the children don't mix with un christian children, and most of the folk from their church feel the same way? Would that not make for a sheltered life? What happens when it gets to Uni or work etc out in the real world? Wouldn't it make socialising hard?
I get the idea of homeschooling and I like parts of it, but the after school part bothers me some. Especially if the Homeschool people are only assiciating with others fromsimilar backgrounds? Just a question, really. Just a genuine wondering. |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 9:31pm
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ss I think the statistic in NZ is around 50/50. While isolation (effectively) is one incentive for some parents to HS I wouldn't think that that was the 'norm'. We want to let our kids socialise with a variety of people - I guess in any circle parents can smother or control their kids and who they can be friends with (sad but true). ------------- |
Posted By: singstar
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 9:39pm
| Yeah I just felt sorry for those kids, and what a shock they will get when they get into "the real world". Just wondered is all. Where she lives there is a couple of other relighous (non catholic) schools, but alot of HS church people too. No Christian college either, so alot of them take their chiildren out of mainstream education and home school them from year 9. |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 11:18pm
| I teach at a Christian High School and to tell the truth, a lot of our kids are very sheltered and WILL get the shock of their lives going to uni - so thats not just limited to HSers. |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 08 October 2008 at 11:25pm
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Ok i so intended on coming in here and getting a giggle out of the hippy dippy theories or sheltered religious almost cult like reasons but now im wondering if any of ya mojo's wanna school josh?
I think its a good thing when done the right way or maybe i mean for the right reasons. If i thought i would make a good job of it i would seriously consider it but knowing me it would end up with playtime and all the work being put in the draw with my scrapbook, canvas, reading, garden creating, photo album, diary (this could go on for ages!) intentions. I say good on yas all and to anyone who does it so long as if it stops working or becomes harming to the childs growth as a person they will put the child into the school system. (I still have images of crazy cult people raising crazy kids i blame it on too much tv while josh sleeps) -------------   
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 09 October 2008 at 7:40am
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PMSL, a couple of years ago I had the same view of HS until I met one of my neighbours that is a HSer and of course since then my sisters have switched to HS for their kids. -------------
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Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 09 October 2008 at 11:32am
Lol ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 09 October 2008 at 4:37pm
That is very true. Our neighbours have a son the same age as ours but our son is not allowed to play with him because we are not members of their church. :( This boy attends a church school (not Catholic) so associates only with people from the same circle. My son associates with our Catholic friends, with home schooled kids from a wide rage of backgrounds (Christian, atheist, Wiccan) and will strike up a conversation with anyone we meet when we are out and about during the day. |
Posted By: WigglesFan
Date Posted: 09 October 2008 at 4:41pm
LOL! I agree. We plan on home schooling as long as it is the best thing for our child and we will assess that on a child by child basis. I know of people who have some kids who are home schooled and some who are in public school just because they are attentive to the individual needs of each child. I have to wonder though, how many parents out there are honestly willing to do the flip side of that coin - keep their kids in public school so long as if it stops working or becomes harming to the child's growth as a person they will take the child out of the school system and home school them. In the end, this was the decision we had to make and it was an incredibly tough decision but totally focussed on our son's needs. And it has been the BEST decision and we don't regret it for one minute. |
Posted By: EnJsmum
Date Posted: 09 October 2008 at 9:18pm
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The decision we made to HS was completely based on J's need, to be honest I wasn't happy but I knew it needed to happen. When J started E was still at the regular school, we only pulled her out later. One thing that did surprise me about HSing my kids is the number of parents who stopped their kids playing with mine, I don't know if they thought I'd turned hippie or what but E found it really hard. I think singstar is right, there is a perception that HSers are all weird and fanaticly religous and sometimes people judge based on what they think others are like, it's just so unfair when the kids get hurt. Personally, I'm only slightly weird and just religous (not even a little fanatical) and most HSers I know are the same athough many aren't regilous,the leader of my HS area is athiest.
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 10 October 2008 at 9:39pm
*puts hand up* I'm not weird either!!!      ------------- |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 10 October 2008 at 9:51pm
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Well T that could be debatable ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 11 October 2008 at 1:57pm
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Hi there, i havent read all the posts, but thought i would leave one.
I was a homeschooled kid, never went to college but had a few years of school at primary. I personally think it is the individuals choice. When i was much younger my mum took me too clubs, camps, anything with other children my age, so i learned well how to socialise there, still keep in contact with some of the kids too. I now go to tech and am the youngest on my course. Everyone i meet seems to always comment on how bright i am and mature i am for my age, so i owe that all to my mum. She had more of a inclining to un-schooling rather than being schooled at home as she puts it. I would spend more time, learning about the world and being set up for coping as an adult and with other people rather then just concentrating on maths or spelling. Maybe its just my ability to learn fast, but i never did science or biology as a kid, and in my course that im doing now, biology and science are a big part of it, ive done really well. Not had any problems learning it and im at the same level as all the other students, most of them are adults or have recently finished college. Well this post is long enough haha. Just thought i would put a homeschooled "kids" perspective in. Have a nice day. |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 11 October 2008 at 2:24pm
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I'm a bit curious about this topic. Can I ask, for those of you that were homeschooled, how have employers responded to that fact? ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 11 October 2008 at 2:26pm
| Well for me i just put down my course's at tech for most recent education |
Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 11 October 2008 at 2:38pm
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Just thought i would add that the main two reasons that my mum started homeschooling me was because i started getting bullied at school by teachers and pupils so then in effect started to fall behind cos i lost all confidence in myself.
The other reason was at that stage of my life we were moving around quite a bit, stayed in america, england and N.ireland for a bit before returning back to nz. So it was easier then me going to school for maybe a year or less and then having to leave and start all over again. Also i did notice that some other parents thought differently of my mum, like EnJsmum said, people have this idea that your either a hippy or have some weird religious belief. My mum is hippieish to a point, and maybe a bit spiritual, but that is more due to the moving around and having experienced others cultures. I however are not religious and im not a hippy, im just like every other "normal" person out there. So as i said i think it is the individuals choice. I will be putting my child in school but if they (touch wood) started to get badly bullied like i was, and they started to fall behind in there work then i would definately consider homeschooling. The only reason i wouldnt homeschool from the start is mostly because i want to concentrate on my studys and getting a good career first for me and my child. |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 11 October 2008 at 2:50pm
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Home schooling is very common here in Feilding, I'm not sure if its cause there is a lot Exclusive Brethern or cause it suits the parents.
I worked for a family that home schooled their children, and I did find their school texts quite religious based, which I found a little strange, as I went to a religious school and things like science were taught according to the normal currciulum. Creationism was not part of the science program! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 11 October 2008 at 3:04pm
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It all depends on the curriculum fleury, IMO some are rather OTT.
T-Rex, my first job was for a home-school-wannabe-parent (now is homeschooling) who already had a home-school employee (my friend). Since then I have been employed by word of mouth/last employment. My DH can put a UCOL diploma down as last qualification on his CV. I have a diploma but it is in music performance, so not very applicable to legal secretary work!! ------------- |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 11 October 2008 at 6:42pm
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T-rex I wasn't homeschooled so you're question isn't really directed at me but I don't actually put my highschool down on my cv (although maybe that has more to do with my age) -------------
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