We are seriously considering homeschooling. I am a teacher after all, and you can't beat this student to teacher ratio! I have been wanting to make a list, for myself as much as anyone, of my reasons for and against such a journey.
Reasons for:
1. Individualized education - We can teach each child at whatever level they are at, and tailor it to their learning style and the things that interest them. Reading ahead of grade level? Want more science experiments? Need extra help with math? I can meet those needs so much better at home than a teacher with 30 students can. Ahead of grade level, behind, or all over the board depending on subject, I can do my best to meet the needs of my two students.
2. Flexibility - We can study whatever we want, whenever we want, wherever we want! We can travel in the off season. We can spend a whole day reading and try a bunch of new recipes the next day. We can spend 5 minutes during lunch going over some spelling, and then spend an hour on science. We can go on a nature walk at 11am. We can take a field trip to the zoo or SAM or the Science Center on a whim. We don't have to be tied to the bell, clock, or calendar.
3. Love of learning - My kids LOVE to learn. C1 literally soaks it up like a sponge, and it is FUN! When did they drum that out of us? I vaguely remember that level of passion for getting new information. I still have it sometimes, when I am interested or excited about something new. I want to try to preserve that for my kids. Try to keep it fun as much as possible. Maybe math facts are never fun, but I am pretty sure I can make social studies and history a LOT more fun than it was for me in school.
4. Socialization - It is my opinion that much of the socialization that goes on in school is negative. How is it a good idea to put 30 same-age kids together with 1 or 2 adult supervisors? Why would I want my children exposed to bullying, weapons, drugs, poor wardrobe choices, and Twinkies? Why would I want them to come to feel the only way to fit in is to downplay their intelligence, or excel in sports. They need good examples and role models. They need manners. The need to dress age appropriately. It is entirely possible that they can still be well socialized in a public school, but I think I can increase the odds by being around to guide them at home and out in the real world in real life. Swimming lessons, soccer, playdates, restaurants, church, grocery stores, libraries... plenty of opportunity for socialization of the good kind. And fewer chances that the same-age peers become the role models.
5. More time together - I really enjoy hanging out with my kids. Particularly when the "light bulbs" go on. I love to witness the pride and excitement when they figure something new out. I want to be there for those moments! I also want lots of love and respect for one another to glue this family together for the long haul. I absolutely think love and respect for family happens in families where the kids go to PS. But I think depending on each other day in and day out can only help. Plus, really, I just want to hang out with these amazing little people!
6. Time management - I am pretty sure we can cover much more material in much less time schooling at home. It seems like kids spend roughly 6 hours in school, but how much of that is spent settling down, lining up, transitioning, etc. amplified by the fact that there are 30 of them? Then there is homework. None of that leaves much time for extra curriculars and family time. We could probably cover the same amount in a few hours at home, and not have homework.
7. It feels natural - I feel like I have been homeschooling my kids since they were born. We do tons of reading, talking, observing, and playing that has been teaching them all this time. It gets more and more fun as they get older and make connections, ask harder questions, make keener observations. When they show an interest in airplanes, we read books, watch video, and go to airshows to learn more. Sure, there will need to be more structure, and broader academics, but I can do that.
Reasons against:
1. Commitment - Homeschooling is a BIG commitment for me. I wouldn't go back to work when the kids start school. I wouldn't have much time for my own hobbies or doing my own thing. I would really have to work on growing my patience! I would have to research and plan and adjust. Gee, that all sounds selfish.
2. Socialization - Honestly, I don't think homeschooling automatically turns you into a geek. See #4 above, where I state my reasons for thinking that so much of the socialization that goes on in PS is negative. But I do have to admit that the socialization is different. If we were to homeschool for the long haul, my kids would have a very different lifestyle than most of their peers. It is probably okay, but it might be hard to not have all of those shared rites of passage.
Hmm, writing this out and seeing my thoughts here in black and white? It makes it seem pretty clear. F3 and I decided that we would dip our toes in part time over this summer and while C1 is still in preschool and see how it goes. Then we can make a decision about Kindergarten. We don't have to commit to doing it through high school right from day 1. I'm excited!
I have been there.
ReplyDeleteThis was our first year homeschooling and I had lists and lists and lists of pros and cons. The biggest thing that I can say a year later is that it changed our entire family dynamic. We all become involved in the girls' learning. There were weekend trips and reading together at night from text books and field trips and projects that my husband did with us...since we knew what the girls were learning or HAD learned, we could talk about it and review it any time. It has so totally enhanced our family relationship tenfold!