Hello, people...this is Canada. Not Germany! And for all those out there that instantly chime in with, "Well, some homeschoolers may need more socialization", Seriously?! And that's the governments job to determine? Do they do that with institutionalized learning, as well? Because I know a LOT of them that need much better social skills! Can anyone successfully argue that point? I digress...
And before reading the article, please note that ALL false charges of neglect were DROPPED and these kids were still forced out of their home (even the 3 year old that MUST be placed in day care now...for all you stay at homes moms who aren't considering homeschooling, this should scare the pants right off of you!!!!!) and into government run schools in Canada. Just WOW...
http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/201105060.asp
And one more thing: I am not a proponent of the HSLDA. I'm not a member, nor ever intend to be. But, in this case, they have a point. Please, I'm begging you...wake up to what is happening in our educational system whether you homeschool or not. Actually, if you DON'T homeschool, this should worry you much more so than if you do. The government just forced a family to send their kids to daycare and public school for "socialization". Abject stupidity is much too kind...
Showing posts with label socialization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label socialization. Show all posts
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Co-op and Socialization...
One of the most frequent questions that homeschoolers have to field is, “How are they going to get “proper” socialization?” First of all, I’m not sure what “proper” socialization is. I’m fairly confident that all parents have a preference for what kinds of friends their kids make and with whom their children are spending their private time. Homeschoolers are no different.
When others push that we should do things THEIR way, my typical answer is this… “Well, sure. I’ll send my kids to institutionalized learning just as soon as you homeschool yours for the same length of time you’d like to tell me how to educate my own children”. As you’ve probably guessed, I get two responses. The first, and most typical, is complete indignation as though they can’t even imagine that I’d think that was OK. (yet, it never crosses their minds that my choices are JUST as valid as theirs) Or response number two is that they’d never even realized they were pushing their views off on me and judging me without having a clue about me. They just assumed because I was the one educating in the less traditional way that I MUST be the one who was “wrong”.
Now, hear my heart. I believe just as strongly about how I educate my kids as the parents who strongly disagree with me. Statistically, homeschoolers are getting a better education, so we can just skip over that part and address the socialization issues that seem to plague people who do not even homeschool. (that’s weird, right?!) But, I do agree that not every parent should homeschool, nor would ever think to push that view onto someone who wasn’t homeschooling. I genuinely believe that homeschooling is a ministry that only the Lord can call you into. Otherwise, you’d never stick to it.
With all that being said, let’s cover the number one place that many homeschoolers across the United States get that all important…SOCIALIZATION. …insert dramatic music there, if you’d like…
Let’s establish the actual definition of socialization before we go another step together: The process of learning one’s culture and how to live within it; The act of interacting with others, of being social. Simply learning the language of our culture, as well as writing and simple math, is the first step in socialization. I’d say, based on current test scores, that homeschoolers are ahead of the game on that one, so we can move to the next step of interacting with others and actually BEING social.
Homeschool co-ops are a very popular, and active, part of many homeschoolers lives. It’s a shame that the MSM doesn’t focus on them more, instead of the wife swap stories that currently hit the news. Homeschool co-ops are widespread within the homeschool community, so I’m not sure why they don’t get more press, actually. The one that my kids attend has as many as 120 kids involved each semester. They range from nursery age kids, all the way up to high school age students. Last year, my sons high school classes had 18 homeschoolers in them. My youngest had 22 in her K-5 class. That was actually bigger than I’d like the class to be..but, I digress.
Most co-ops meet weekly and cover a diverse range of subjects. Some homeschool co-ops cover academics, while others are more arts driven. Here are websites of two co-ops that we love: http://starsco-op.com/default.aspx and fcehomeschoolers.webs.com . The first is a more academic minded co-op, while the second is strictly an arts based one. Each meet weekly, and each have a fee to join, as well as class fees. Both hire outside teachers, as well as have parentally run classes.
Co-ops provide the kids with class instruction, as well as the opportunity to make friendships that last for years. My oldest, whose almost 16, has known most of his friends since he was in elementary school…just like institutionalized learning. They get invited to birthday parties, go on field trips, and share Facebook and email accounts to chat all afternoon.
My children have learned Spanish by a lady who lived in Spain for 3 years as a missionary. They have played with Polynesian children, mixed kids, black kids, Latino children, etc… They aren’t missing out on cultural diversity, nor being raised to believe that only Caucasian children exist. They have sat down with our County coroner and learned the horrors that drinking and driving bring. They have served their community by picking up trashy roads, and serving those less fortunate. They have witnessed parents with plenty, and those who struggle on a single income because they truly believe that God has called them…and He always provides.
They have friends who head to Dominican Republic or Guatemala every summer as missionaries and friends who man the counters of fast food restaurants to pay for their insurance. They have visited aquariums with groups of 40 and played at an apple orchard with a group of 5. They are aware of life around them. Co-op has given them much of this.
So many people who oppose homeschooling are completely unaware that something like homeschool co-ops even exist. Again, I’m not sure why the media hasn’t covered this aspect of homeschool as much as they cover the homeschooling mom who never teaches her kids, but sleeps until 11 and hangs out with them while watching soaps all day. As I’ve stated in other posts, I’ve never met a single mom who “homeschools” this way. Not one. And yet, I’ve met hundreds of homeschooling families via homeschool co-ops. It’s a conundrum why they single out the worst, and never reveal the much more popular, and common, best.
Homeschool co-ops can be large, small, academic, artsy, fun or serious. The best thing about them is they can be whatever your children need. You can bet that if you need it, so does another homeschooling family. Co-ops are the opportunity that so many non-homeschoolers know nothing about.
I sincerely pray that this has helped and encouraged someone. I also pray that this post will open the eyes of any who say that homeschooling closes children away from the world. In fact, homeschooling does just the opposite…but, I’d say that post may have to wait for another day!
Me and my youngest daughter on a homeschool day!
Homeschool band at Converse College…my boys are trumpet players and my oldest daughter will be a flute player next year!
When others push that we should do things THEIR way, my typical answer is this… “Well, sure. I’ll send my kids to institutionalized learning just as soon as you homeschool yours for the same length of time you’d like to tell me how to educate my own children”. As you’ve probably guessed, I get two responses. The first, and most typical, is complete indignation as though they can’t even imagine that I’d think that was OK. (yet, it never crosses their minds that my choices are JUST as valid as theirs) Or response number two is that they’d never even realized they were pushing their views off on me and judging me without having a clue about me. They just assumed because I was the one educating in the less traditional way that I MUST be the one who was “wrong”.
Now, hear my heart. I believe just as strongly about how I educate my kids as the parents who strongly disagree with me. Statistically, homeschoolers are getting a better education, so we can just skip over that part and address the socialization issues that seem to plague people who do not even homeschool. (that’s weird, right?!) But, I do agree that not every parent should homeschool, nor would ever think to push that view onto someone who wasn’t homeschooling. I genuinely believe that homeschooling is a ministry that only the Lord can call you into. Otherwise, you’d never stick to it.
With all that being said, let’s cover the number one place that many homeschoolers across the United States get that all important…SOCIALIZATION. …insert dramatic music there, if you’d like…
Let’s establish the actual definition of socialization before we go another step together: The process of learning one’s culture and how to live within it; The act of interacting with others, of being social. Simply learning the language of our culture, as well as writing and simple math, is the first step in socialization. I’d say, based on current test scores, that homeschoolers are ahead of the game on that one, so we can move to the next step of interacting with others and actually BEING social.
Homeschool co-ops are a very popular, and active, part of many homeschoolers lives. It’s a shame that the MSM doesn’t focus on them more, instead of the wife swap stories that currently hit the news. Homeschool co-ops are widespread within the homeschool community, so I’m not sure why they don’t get more press, actually. The one that my kids attend has as many as 120 kids involved each semester. They range from nursery age kids, all the way up to high school age students. Last year, my sons high school classes had 18 homeschoolers in them. My youngest had 22 in her K-5 class. That was actually bigger than I’d like the class to be..but, I digress.
Most co-ops meet weekly and cover a diverse range of subjects. Some homeschool co-ops cover academics, while others are more arts driven. Here are websites of two co-ops that we love: http://starsco-op.com/default.aspx and fcehomeschoolers.webs.com . The first is a more academic minded co-op, while the second is strictly an arts based one. Each meet weekly, and each have a fee to join, as well as class fees. Both hire outside teachers, as well as have parentally run classes.
Co-ops provide the kids with class instruction, as well as the opportunity to make friendships that last for years. My oldest, whose almost 16, has known most of his friends since he was in elementary school…just like institutionalized learning. They get invited to birthday parties, go on field trips, and share Facebook and email accounts to chat all afternoon.
My children have learned Spanish by a lady who lived in Spain for 3 years as a missionary. They have played with Polynesian children, mixed kids, black kids, Latino children, etc… They aren’t missing out on cultural diversity, nor being raised to believe that only Caucasian children exist. They have sat down with our County coroner and learned the horrors that drinking and driving bring. They have served their community by picking up trashy roads, and serving those less fortunate. They have witnessed parents with plenty, and those who struggle on a single income because they truly believe that God has called them…and He always provides.
They have friends who head to Dominican Republic or Guatemala every summer as missionaries and friends who man the counters of fast food restaurants to pay for their insurance. They have visited aquariums with groups of 40 and played at an apple orchard with a group of 5. They are aware of life around them. Co-op has given them much of this.
So many people who oppose homeschooling are completely unaware that something like homeschool co-ops even exist. Again, I’m not sure why the media hasn’t covered this aspect of homeschool as much as they cover the homeschooling mom who never teaches her kids, but sleeps until 11 and hangs out with them while watching soaps all day. As I’ve stated in other posts, I’ve never met a single mom who “homeschools” this way. Not one. And yet, I’ve met hundreds of homeschooling families via homeschool co-ops. It’s a conundrum why they single out the worst, and never reveal the much more popular, and common, best.
Homeschool co-ops can be large, small, academic, artsy, fun or serious. The best thing about them is they can be whatever your children need. You can bet that if you need it, so does another homeschooling family. Co-ops are the opportunity that so many non-homeschoolers know nothing about.
I sincerely pray that this has helped and encouraged someone. I also pray that this post will open the eyes of any who say that homeschooling closes children away from the world. In fact, homeschooling does just the opposite…but, I’d say that post may have to wait for another day!
Me and my youngest daughter on a homeschool day!
Home's Cool...
I suppose the best way to start a homeschooling blog is to address some of the most common questions about homeschooling. You know the ones..."What about socialization?", "Are you qualified to teach your own kids?", and "How do you know they're getting what they need?". Honestly, after 8 years of homeschooling, these seem a little silly to me, but I get how they could be something that someone who knows nothing about homeschooling would wonder. If for no other reason than because these are the media driven questions and we all know the media is honest, trustworthy and non-biased. (sorry, couldn't resist a little sarcasm there...)
First, let me say that the Wife Swap characters aren't indicative of any homeschooling mom that I've ever known, met or seen in passing on the street. Just sayin... I have never met a homeschooling mother who got up at 10, dressed in PJ's all day and didn't actually own a single curriculum. I'm not saying they don't exist...just that, perhaps, they are much more rare than the ratings of Wife Swap would have the general public believe. And before anyone thinks that maybe I just don't know that many homeschoolers, I'm also the director of the largest co-op in the Upstate of South Carolina, as well as the leader of our local chapter of the National Homeschool Honor Society. I've met a lot of homeschoolers.
For those of you unfamiliar with a homeschool co-op, I'll give a brief synopsis of what that is: A co-op is when local parents come together and plan activities and classes for their homeschoolers. The one that I direct meets weekly, has a nominal fee to join, as well as basic class fees. We offer everything from art, Geometry, Driver's Education, debate and science labs. We pool our money and offer whatever classes are the most wanted. For Geometry, Driver's Education and art, we had either certified teachers and instructors or retired teachers who were willing to come and teach our kids. There are also classes that are taught by parents. Things like elementary grammar, drama, middle school science and high school English Lit. It's a group effort, and the kids spend all day together, once a week. I'm sure you've already connected the socialization dots.
Many parents who've only experienced institutionalized learning also question the parents ability to teach their kids. Well, aside from the obvious statistics that say homeschoolers are academically more successful than their counterparts, I can only assume that most non-home educators are unaware of curriculum choices to homeschoolers. We have access to anything that public/private schools have, and then some. We purchase the same teachers manuals, the same lesson planners and the same student texts.
The biggest difference is that we have a much broader range of curriculums to choose from simply because we don't have a governmental agency telling us what our kids should learn and how they should be "standardized". As a side note, who WANTS to be standardized? And yes, homeschoolers also take the IOWA and Stanford tests, if they choose to do so. Some don't, and that's their prerogative. Some do, and that's theirs.
I'll write more about athletics, the arts, etc...later, but here's a short list of what we have available for all you sport and art nuts out there who are thinking of home education. We have a well-known local college who offers music lessons, music appreciation classes and band. Converse College is not alone in its efforts to provide homeschoolers with great art opportunities, either. The Tryon, NC art center provides art, drama and video production classes once a week, specifically for homeschoolers ages K4-9th grade. We have a very successful Varsity basketball team, JV and Varsity baseball teams and Upwards soccer for younger kids.
There's dance, gymnastics (very popular in the homeschooling community), Lego clubs and horse riding lessons. If you don't have equestrian trails in your area, I'm sure some other common local activity could replace that.
I'll probably devote an entire post to this next activity, so I won't include much here, but the NCFCA national homeschool debate teams are another huge bonus to homeschooling families with high schoolers. You can Google that name and get more info than you probably care to see. :)
Aside from all that, the biggest boon for homeschoolers is, ironically, also the one that we get the most questions about: Are you qualified to teach your own kid? Now, don't get me wrong. I actually don't think that every family should homeschool. I don't think it's for everyone and many parents simply aren't disciplined enough to take on something as large as your children's education. However, most of them are. Even the ones who simply don't want to. I love my kids in a way no one else ever will. I WANT the best for them. Why in the world would anyone question a parent, who has chosen to dedicate their lives to raising and educating their children, as being unable to do so? It actually makes no sense, but there you have it.
To put it bluntly, most of the people you knew in school have no impact on your life in any way if you're a grown adult with a life. Most of the people you know are family or work related. Education's entire purpose is to prepare you to be a productive citizen who has something to contribute. Education has never been, nor should it ever be, about hanging out with your buddies. There's a time and place for that. Obviously, the mentality toward education isn't working. Why continue to pretend that it is? No one but our kids are suffering for those efforts. Let's drop the pretenses and at least try to see that homeschooling can be a better alternative in many cases. Not to mention it actually wasn't the original "alternative". Homeschooling has been around MUCH longer than any other form of education.
Finally, I'll cover another one of OUR reasons for homeschooling. Travel. Plain and simple. We love to travel and wanted our kids to see that the world is a big place, filled with unique people and different cultures. They've been to Mexico, Belize, Roatan, all over the Caribbean and we're currently planning a 2 week trip to Yellowstone and Teton National parks. Alaska is also on our radar within the next 2 years, possibly Italy if we can get the funds without breaking the savings account.
They've swam with dolphins, snorkeled with stingrays, seen Mayan ruins and cruised the River Wallace. They didn't just look at it on a map or read about it in a science book. They DID it. They loved it and want more of it. Let's face it people...home's cool!
First, let me say that the Wife Swap characters aren't indicative of any homeschooling mom that I've ever known, met or seen in passing on the street. Just sayin... I have never met a homeschooling mother who got up at 10, dressed in PJ's all day and didn't actually own a single curriculum. I'm not saying they don't exist...just that, perhaps, they are much more rare than the ratings of Wife Swap would have the general public believe. And before anyone thinks that maybe I just don't know that many homeschoolers, I'm also the director of the largest co-op in the Upstate of South Carolina, as well as the leader of our local chapter of the National Homeschool Honor Society. I've met a lot of homeschoolers.
For those of you unfamiliar with a homeschool co-op, I'll give a brief synopsis of what that is: A co-op is when local parents come together and plan activities and classes for their homeschoolers. The one that I direct meets weekly, has a nominal fee to join, as well as basic class fees. We offer everything from art, Geometry, Driver's Education, debate and science labs. We pool our money and offer whatever classes are the most wanted. For Geometry, Driver's Education and art, we had either certified teachers and instructors or retired teachers who were willing to come and teach our kids. There are also classes that are taught by parents. Things like elementary grammar, drama, middle school science and high school English Lit. It's a group effort, and the kids spend all day together, once a week. I'm sure you've already connected the socialization dots.
Many parents who've only experienced institutionalized learning also question the parents ability to teach their kids. Well, aside from the obvious statistics that say homeschoolers are academically more successful than their counterparts, I can only assume that most non-home educators are unaware of curriculum choices to homeschoolers. We have access to anything that public/private schools have, and then some. We purchase the same teachers manuals, the same lesson planners and the same student texts.
The biggest difference is that we have a much broader range of curriculums to choose from simply because we don't have a governmental agency telling us what our kids should learn and how they should be "standardized". As a side note, who WANTS to be standardized? And yes, homeschoolers also take the IOWA and Stanford tests, if they choose to do so. Some don't, and that's their prerogative. Some do, and that's theirs.
I'll write more about athletics, the arts, etc...later, but here's a short list of what we have available for all you sport and art nuts out there who are thinking of home education. We have a well-known local college who offers music lessons, music appreciation classes and band. Converse College is not alone in its efforts to provide homeschoolers with great art opportunities, either. The Tryon, NC art center provides art, drama and video production classes once a week, specifically for homeschoolers ages K4-9th grade. We have a very successful Varsity basketball team, JV and Varsity baseball teams and Upwards soccer for younger kids.
There's dance, gymnastics (very popular in the homeschooling community), Lego clubs and horse riding lessons. If you don't have equestrian trails in your area, I'm sure some other common local activity could replace that.
I'll probably devote an entire post to this next activity, so I won't include much here, but the NCFCA national homeschool debate teams are another huge bonus to homeschooling families with high schoolers. You can Google that name and get more info than you probably care to see. :)
Aside from all that, the biggest boon for homeschoolers is, ironically, also the one that we get the most questions about: Are you qualified to teach your own kid? Now, don't get me wrong. I actually don't think that every family should homeschool. I don't think it's for everyone and many parents simply aren't disciplined enough to take on something as large as your children's education. However, most of them are. Even the ones who simply don't want to. I love my kids in a way no one else ever will. I WANT the best for them. Why in the world would anyone question a parent, who has chosen to dedicate their lives to raising and educating their children, as being unable to do so? It actually makes no sense, but there you have it.
To put it bluntly, most of the people you knew in school have no impact on your life in any way if you're a grown adult with a life. Most of the people you know are family or work related. Education's entire purpose is to prepare you to be a productive citizen who has something to contribute. Education has never been, nor should it ever be, about hanging out with your buddies. There's a time and place for that. Obviously, the mentality toward education isn't working. Why continue to pretend that it is? No one but our kids are suffering for those efforts. Let's drop the pretenses and at least try to see that homeschooling can be a better alternative in many cases. Not to mention it actually wasn't the original "alternative". Homeschooling has been around MUCH longer than any other form of education.
Finally, I'll cover another one of OUR reasons for homeschooling. Travel. Plain and simple. We love to travel and wanted our kids to see that the world is a big place, filled with unique people and different cultures. They've been to Mexico, Belize, Roatan, all over the Caribbean and we're currently planning a 2 week trip to Yellowstone and Teton National parks. Alaska is also on our radar within the next 2 years, possibly Italy if we can get the funds without breaking the savings account.
They've swam with dolphins, snorkeled with stingrays, seen Mayan ruins and cruised the River Wallace. They didn't just look at it on a map or read about it in a science book. They DID it. They loved it and want more of it. Let's face it people...home's cool!
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