Hackschooling/Unschooling

[mrsggrowsveg]

I really enjoyed the post "My Son is Ready for Early Retirement".  I love the idea of some kind of unconventional education for my child.  I can see some challenges such as socialization and dedicating a lot of my time to his education.  Does anyone here use this type of schooling for their children or had this type of education? 

[somepissedoffman]

There's a lot of potential there, but it doesn't always work.  I did a homeschool coop type thing for middle school, it was setup so that the students (about a dozen) could decide what teachers they wanted to bring in (cool idea), but that meant very little math and science (the rest of the kids were hippies).  I had to get out to learn me some math.

[Jamesqf]

Yeah, I've always thought the main problem with home schooling is that too many parents don't know the stuff they're supposed to be teaching.

[Michread]

Yeah, I've always thought the main problem with home schooling is that too many parents don't know the stuff they're supposed to be teaching.

Yes, that maybe true but those who do homeschooling right learn what they need to for proper instruction of their children OR pay to have it done (tutor, co-ops, online). The academic part is not that hard for a well educated, motivated parent to learn - it's the discipline of getting it done that's hard. 

So many professional teachers are NOT well educated; they know just enough to teach at THEIR level.  Most teachers do not know math or science well enough in the lower grades, imho. 

[Michread]

I really enjoyed the post "My Son is Ready for Early Retirement".  I love the idea of some kind of unconventional education for my child.  I can see some challenges such as socialization and dedicating a lot of my time to his education.  Does anyone here use this type of schooling for their children or had this type of education?

Homeschooling is so popular it's almost hard to do "school" (if you're not careful) because there are so many opportunities to "socialize" within the homeschool community (and with other non-homeschool activities - scouts, sports, etc).

Check out this homeschooling forum: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/

[Insanity]

My parents supplemented what I got at public school by working with me through my homework and expanding on it…

so i guess that's the best of both worlds?

[Jamesqf]

Yes, that maybe true but those who do homeschooling right learn what they need to for proper instruction of their children...

Sure, but how many do it right?

[Michread]

Yes, that maybe true but those who do homeschooling right learn what they need to for proper instruction of their children...

Sure, but how many do it right?

Ha...how do you measure success... in school or in life? 

[BPA]

Yeah, I've always thought the main problem with home schooling is that too many parents don't know the stuff they're supposed to be teaching.

Yes, that maybe true but those who do homeschooling right learn what they need to for proper instruction of their children OR pay to have it done (tutor, co-ops, online). The academic part is not that hard for a well educated, motivated parent to learn - it's the discipline of getting it done that's hard. 

So many professional teachers are NOT well educated; they know just enough to teach at THEIR level.  Most teachers do not know math or science well enough in the lower grades, imho.

Please.  It's not hard to teach lower grade math and science.  Sounds like the cop out "most teachers suck and I can do better than them" homeschool tripe.

I teach high school English.  I have a degree in English, an education degree, and full confidence in my colleagues to teach my children.  All of his teachers have degrees in the subject areas they teach.  My son's grade ten science teacher has an engineering degree.  His phys ed teacher has more commitment than any private coach I've ever known.  Many of his teachers have specialties in Special Education.  More importantly than that, all of these people genuinely care about him and widen his net of supporters.

I'm not against homeschooling, but I am against the negative attitude about teachers displayed in this post. 

I know I couldn't teach my son physics as well as an engineer could.  I know that it's good for him to have a male phys ed to talk guy stuff with.  My son loves his teachers and his school.

One solution outside of homeschooling is to lobby for a fair, well-funded education system.  I know that this can be a problem in some areas of the States.

[BPA]

Yes, that maybe true but those who do homeschooling right learn what they need to for proper instruction of their children...

Sure, but how many do it right?

Ha...how do you measure success... in school or in life?

These are not mutually exclusive. 

[Jamesqf]

Yes, that maybe true but those who do homeschooling right learn what they need to for proper instruction of their children...

Sure, but how many do it right?

Ha...how do you measure success... in school or in life?

Who's talking about success?  I was talking about education, and the fact that (in my experience, anyway) there are a heck of a lot of homeschoolers whose primary, if not only, motivation is to keep their kids ignorant of anything that could possibly conflict with the parents' religious/political opinions.

[Cinder]

Ha...how do you measure success... in school or in life?

Who's talking about success?  I was talking about education, and the fact that (in my experience, anyway) there are a heck of a lot of homeschoolers whose primary, if not only, motivation is to keep their kids ignorant of anything that could possibly conflict with the parents' religious/political opinions.

I think there are two distinct camps of home schoolers.  Those who keep their kids home to protect them, and those who prefer to let their children learn outside of the traditional system.    I don't think you can talk about both of the groups as one and the same without talking past eachother.

[acroy]

Yeah, I've always thought the main problem with home schooling is that too many parents don't know the stuff they're supposed to be teaching.

Hell they are parents for crying out loud - who has a degree in that? compared to the complexities and responsibilities parenthood entails, teaching math is cake.

That said: wife and I both (mid 30’s) were homeschooled, and we’re schooling our 5 kids (oldest 8, in 3rd grade).

It takes work; it’s a part-time job. It take research, dedication, organization. And it has never been easier thanks in large part to the Internet!

It is friggin awesome. The parents can decide what subjects to focus on, how to run the day, etc. We focus on 3-4 ‘core’ subjects and one or 2 fancypants subjects like art & music. Kids are generally finished in 3-4hrs, by lunch; then free to play and learn on their own the rest of the day!

Public schools are the worst – they teach to get the dumbest kids through the tests, and put the rest on drugs to keep them quiet. OK I over-generalize here, but there’s a lot of truth in it. Oh and your 8yr old will find out about drugs, bullies, bestiality, and gangs in glorious public school.

I strongly suggest to jump in, do some research, make an informed decision. The options have never been better, It has been interesting watching MMM come to this decision!

[Insanity]

Public schools are the worst – they teach to get the dumbest kids through the tests, and put the rest on drugs to keep them quiet. OK I over-generalize here, but there’s a lot of truth in it. Oh and your 8yr old will find out about drugs, bullies, bestiality, and gangs in glorious public school.

So the 8 year old will find out what really exists in the real world?  Is that what you are saying? I totally get the issue with public education.  Trust me.  it isn't great - but that's why we moved to an area with a great reputation for public schools.  It is also why my wife and I firmly believe in supplementing that education at home.

[ace1224]

i think it sounds cool but i could never do it.  my child has an IEP and gets a pretty unschooled eduaction at his public school.  and yes he's usually the "dumbest kid in the class" that teachers are trying to teach to.  his special ed teacher and his main teacher always try and gear his stuff to what he's interested bc that's the only way he gives a damn about anything.

i also think a lot of the unschooling/homeschooling depends on the child.  i have a good friend who homeschools 3 of her 4 kids.  the 4th one just hated it and has done well in the school system, granted he goes to a private school.  plus i think you have to have a teaching spirit in order to be a good homeschooling parent.  while i think the idea sounds great and awesome i would have to outsource it.  there is something about "how do you not get that 2 + 2 is 4" that i know would lead down a bad road if i had to be a teacher.

i honestly think teachers are some of the most severely underpaid professionals there are out there.  the things i have seen them do for and with my child are amazing.  and if i had unlimited resources i would steal one of them away from the school system and pay them to homeschool my child