Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >How do your homeschooled kids learn social interaction with their > >contemporaries? > >It might be a mistake to expect children to have adult perspectives. Each > >generation has its own standards and mores and they are always different > from > >their parents’. > >One way they ‘learn’ (school IS about learning remember) is by forming > their own > >interpersonal relationships with their contemporaries and learning to cope > with > >those relationships without coaching from the adults in their lives. > > Bruce > This is the question asked over and over again of homeschooling parents. > Yes, my children socialize with other kids. Lots. Every day when school gets > out, our doorbell starts ringing and our phone starts ringing. My kids have > been in (over the years – my youngest is 14, the oldest 22) Brownies, > Guides, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, ballet, soccer, baseball, bowling, > gymnastics, community theatre, and many more activities with other children > their ages. We also have an active homeschooling parents group in our > community which organizes informal get-togethers, field trips to local > points of interest and events, etc. From all these sources, plus the kids in > our neighbourhood, the children find plenty of people to socialize with. > One of the lovely benefits is that they don’t feel restricted to friendships > with kids born in the same year and in the same grade. They tend to build > their friendships around common interests, rather than being in the same > class at school – much closer to the way adults form friendships. > Teresa > P.S. You commented that school is about learning. I would say life is about > learning. >Teresa: >Once again, I do not believe that anyone could have said that any better than >you have. I agree with you one hundred percent. Children in school spend >almost all of their time with children of the same age. Why is it that this >question of socilaization, always comes up when we choose to home educate??? >The tables should be turned around. We should start asking about the negative >socialization of children IN schools. And yes…life is learning. We were >given life, lets get back to the roots of it all. By learning life, by >respecting life, not just taking it for granted!! >Victoria
We are far too age-stratefied with children, that’s for sure. Kids today are in programs from morning to night and generally in programs that include only a small age range. Social learning can come from meeting and interacting with a wide variety of people and that includes a wide variety of ages. And its true that schools sometimes have a negative effect. I’m not sure that homeschooling does this better in all cases, but the possibilities of learning from older and younger children and of socializing with them exists more at home now than in schools. Dorothy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
Do you really think a teacher is going to give you a phone number other than that of the school? Every teacher my daughter has had sent home a syllabus at the beginning of the year with all this info and the school phone number. Read them before you sign and send them back.
Response:
T. Pitman said: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My children do not have special needs. I know two homeschooling mothers > whose children do, though. One is a little girl with Down syndrome, the > other a little boy who has multiple handicaps as the result of an infection > his mother contracted during her pregnancy. Both have done very well in > homeschooling. > Each area is different in the way it regulates homeschooling. (I am from > Canada, by the way, so we have yet another system here!) I would encourage > you to do a search on the Internet and locate some homeschooling > organizations near your home. They will be able to give you accurate > information and put you in touch with people who can help you and provide > support. > I hope this works out for you and your son! > Teresa
Another good source for Homeschooling info or a local group might be a local teacher’s supply store. I know around here they supply a lot of the homeschoolers, and they have been VERY helpful to us in locating just the exact resource material I’m looking for. Our local teacher’s supply store even has curriculum listings for each grade. You could also call the local school district and ask them about the requirements for homeschoolers in the area. I know a web search turned up numerous good sites when I was looking. Trace — He knows my name He knows my every thought He sees each tear that falls And hears me when I call.
Response:
It isn’t just inner city schools that have low turn-out at back-to-school night, parent-teacher conferences, etc. I live in rural Iowa and teach at a very good high school with some very good kids and parents–but, still I sit in my classroom for hours on end during these nights by myself because of lack of interest. I teach Freshman English (among other classes) and send home letters twice a year–at the beginning of school and right before the big research paper in March. Most parents don’t bother to read them–they tell me!! I have to mail them myself because the secretaries refuse to send any correspondance except for midterm letters. This is very time-consuming. I also send coach our speech team and send out letters before each of the seasons to all parents (60 kids are in speech) outlining the contest dates and rules, practices, etc. Very few parents read these, but I figure I have covered my butt by sending it. If a kid gets kicked off the team for violating rules–at least I have spelled the rules out clearly. I know most teachers at my school do make the effort to involve parents, but it is extremely discouraging to have most parents prefer to remain completely uninvolved–until there is a major problem like expulsion or suspension or their kid isn’t going to graduate or play basketball–then they are in the office shouting bloody murder and threatening a lawyer. I love my job–but everywhere (even in this news group), people seem to feel it is their civic duty to blast teachers and not realize that if the quality of education has changed, it may just be because parents have changed, more than because teachers don’t give a rip. Teaching is about the only job where people can come into your workplace and call you every name in the book (in front of your boss, sometimes) and you just have to sit there and nod. I know that when we schedule child studies, about 50% of the times the parents don’t even bother to show up–and this is for students at extreme risk and with big problems. I stay after my contract time for these meetings and the parents don’t show up–but the problem with education is teachers–go figure. Just my opinion. kendra (but not the kendra that has infuriated that mother hickey person) mother to cody, 5; josie, 1; and expecting #3 this summer.
Response:
>It isn’t just inner city schools that have low turn-out at back-to-school >night, parent-teacher conferences, etc. I live in rural Iowa and teach at >a very good high school with some very good kids and parents–but, still I >sit in my classroom for hours on end during these nights by myself because >of lack of interest. I teach Freshman English (among other classes) and >send home letters twice a year–at the beginning of school and right >before the big research paper in March> .
And when parents don’t read the notes, they are probably angry when their children don’t pass or get a low grade, even though the students should be responsible for the assignments. DS people seem to feel it is their civic duty to blast teachers and >not realize that if the quality of education has changed, it may just be >because parents have changed, more than because teachers don’t give a >rip. Teaching is about the only job where people can come into your >workplace and call you every name in the book (in front of your boss, >sometimes) and you just have to sit there and nod. I know that when we >schedule child studies, about 50% of the times the parents don’t even >bother to show up–and this is for students at extreme risk and with big >problems. I stay after my contract time for these meetings and the >parents don’t show up–but the problem with education is teachers–go >figure. Just my opinion. >kendra (but not the kendra that has infuriated that mother hickey person) >mother to cody, 5; josie, 1; and expecting #3 this summer.
I agree, Kendra, but it’s not only parents, college teachers blame HS teachers, HS teachers blame elementary teachers and elementary teachers think that preschool teachers are babysitters and don’t teach. Why can’t we even get our profession to support each other? Beats me! Dorothy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i teach in an elementary school and STRONGLY believe in parental > involvement. because parenting is difficult (just as teaching is), i > want my parents to understand the importance of becoming involved in > the learning process. > here’s what i do: > 1- send home a post card to the CHILD BEFORE school starts in the fall. > with this, i’ve already established that their child is important to > me and for my little second graders that weren’t looking forward to > school, they’re excited!!! > 2- send home a letter w/ the student that outlines my expectations (not > rules), my home # (this, of course, has caused much debate), and the > back-to-school date. this shows i mean business in the classroom. i > read with the students before they pack it into their bookbags. > 3- send home a weekly newsletter w/ the student every thursday that is > EXTREMELY popular! included is: > A)a blurb from me, the teacher about the week or whatever i feel > like writing > B)shout-out section – where i applaud parents or kids for various > things > C)spelling words, vocabulary words, math skills for the upcoming > week and for the test the following day (friday) > D)STUDENT WORK. maybe a couple journal entries or stories from the > week > this is a huge effort on my part but when i have a discipline problem, > it is short lived b/c the parents and the kids know i will stop by, > call or have the child call.
Wow! I think this sounds great. I also teach primary kids (year 5/6). I do a letter outlining my expectations as well as giving a bit of background on who I am, where I’m from etc: It makes you appear more human to parents (some of whom have had bad experiences with schools or teachers in the past) With my weekly newletter, I actually get the kids to publish the bulk of it, and that usually leaves the "editorial" section to me. It’s a great way to give them an audience for their work and it also lightens my load 
It’s time consuming but it works. Jackie
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->How do your homeschooled kids learn social interaction with their >contemporaries? >It might be a mistake to expect children to have adult perspectives. Each >generation has its own standards and mores and they are always different > from >their parents’. >One way they ‘learn’ (school IS about learning remember) is by forming > their own >interpersonal relationships with their contemporaries and learning to cope > with >those relationships without coaching from the adults in their lives. > Bruce > This is the question asked over and over again of homeschooling parents. > Yes, my children socialize with other kids. Lots. Every day when school gets > out, our doorbell starts ringing and our phone starts ringing. My kids have > been in (over the years – my youngest is 14, the oldest 22) Brownies, > Guides, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, ballet, soccer, baseball, bowling, > gymnastics, community theatre, and many more activities with other children > their ages. We also have an active homeschooling parents group in our > community which organizes informal get-togethers, field trips to local > points of interest and events, etc. From all these sources, plus the kids in > our neighbourhood, the children find plenty of people to socialize with. > One of the lovely benefits is that they don’t feel restricted to friendships > with kids born in the same year and in the same grade. They tend to build > their friendships around common interests, rather than being in the same > class at school – much closer to the way adults form friendships. > Teresa > P.S. You commented that school is about learning. I would say life is about > learning.
Teresa: Once again, I do not believe that anyone could have said that any better than you have. I agree with you one hundred percent. Children in school spend almost all of their time with children of the same age. Why is it that this question of socilaization, always comes up when we choose to home educate??? The tables should be turned around. We should start asking about the negative socialization of children IN schools. And yes…life is learning. We were given life, lets get back to the roots of it all. By learning life, by respecting life, not just taking it for granted!! Victoria
Response:
>i know there are caring, dedicated teachers out there, but they are few and >far between in my son’s category.
That’s too bad. I wish your son was at the school where I teach. Our primary special day class teacher is wonderful! >is it difficult to get materials from the district for home schooling? who >keeps tabs on what is learned? (state testing or some other standard >thing?)
It’s my understanding that the school district is required to provide materials. I live in California – near San Francisco, and that’s how it works here. As far as who keeps tabs — well, I’m not sure. >by the way, i think it is true that most of those questions in the list >would be covered in back to school night, if the teacher is organized. but >specific questions, like if your child has a behavior program and you want >to know how he/she will implement it are worth a private meeting or at least >a phone call. in my experience, good teachers welcome parent input – it >makes learning about the child easier and makes them a more effective >teacher.
Good points. If these questions aren’t covered on back to school night I’d worry. Personally I send home all of this information a day or two before BTS night … that way I don’t have to make a speech. I’m there to answer parents’ questions and do the meet and great stuff. :-) If your child has a behavior problem the teacher should call a meeting, send a note home, or something. I usually give the kids a couple of weeks to settle in before calling parents. And of course you’re right about good teachers welcoming parent input. I liked the questions that were proposed in the original post … except the one about the teacher’s phone number. In fact, I’ve saved the list to make sure I’ve got it covered in my back to school welcoming letter. Krista
Response:
> with my son being severely disabled, i didn’t think that i could homeschool > him. but after years in special ed i am beginning to think that i could do > a much better job of it than most of the people who call themselves special > ed teachers. and the worse the teacher is, the more he/she resents parents > asking questions or trying to get involved in their child’s learning. > i know there are caring, dedicated teachers out there, but they are few and > far between in my son’s category. i and some of the parents of my son’s > classmates are thinking about starting our own school. > is it difficult to get materials from the district for home schooling?
This varies from district to district and state to state. I don’t think that there are any states that require districts to provide materials with the possible exception of Alaska. Our local district will provide materials if you ask and if they have them available. But using school materials is quite restrictive (we use college-level materials for some subjects). > who > keeps tabs on what is learned? (state testing or some other standard > thing?)
This varies widely from state to state and even from district to district under the same state laws. > a friend of mine moved out of san francisco and could not find an > appropriate classroom for her autistic son. she wound up homeschooling him, > but she had to put her little one in daycare to do it. but she was a > teacher in her former life (before having a disabled child).
You might try asking in misc.education.home-school.misc. Include the state that you’re in. Someone should either give you the web address for your state regulations or point you to where you can get them. Also, this information might be available at your library.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >dear teresa – you sound like a wonderful mother and teacher and all around >person. do any of your children have special needs? >with my son being severely disabled, i didn’t think that i could homeschool >him. but after years in special ed i am beginning to think that i could do >a much better job of it than most of the people who call themselves special >ed teachers. and the worse the teacher is, the more he/she resents parents >asking questions or trying to get involved in their child’s learning. >i know there are caring, dedicated teachers out there, but they are few and >far between in my son’s category. i and some of the parents of my son’s >classmates are thinking about starting our own school. >is it difficult to get materials from the district for home schooling? who >keeps tabs on what is learned? (state testing or some other standard >thing?) a friend of mine moved out of san francisco and could not find an >appropriate classroom for her autistic son. she wound up homeschooling him, >but she had to put her little one in daycare to do it. but she was a >teacher in her former life (before having a disabled child). >just asking – thanks for any info or opinions.
My children do not have special needs. I know two homeschooling mothers whose children do, though. One is a little girl with Down syndrome, the other a little boy who has multiple handicaps as the result of an infection his mother contracted during her pregnancy. Both have done very well in homeschooling. Each area is different in the way it regulates homeschooling. (I am from Canada, by the way, so we have yet another system here!) I would encourage you to do a search on the Internet and locate some homeschooling organizations near your home. They will be able to give you accurate information and put you in touch with people who can help you and provide support. I hope this works out for you and your son! Teresa
Response:
Actually a lot of teachers I have come in contact with have an info sheet typed up and pass it out to the kids with this info. Parents can get one on request. I usually wait a couple of weeks prior to calling the teacher–this way I get a real feel for my kids education. I would never hesitate to question a teacher with those q’s. I wish more parents would get even part way involved.
Response:
i teach in an elementary school and STRONGLY believe in parental involvement. because parenting is difficult (just as teaching is), i want my parents to understand the importance of becoming involved in the learning process. here’s what i do: 1- send home a post card to the CHILD BEFORE school starts in the fall. with this, i’ve already established that their child is important to me and for my little second graders that weren’t looking forward to school, they’re excited!!! 2- send home a letter w/ the student that outlines my expectations (not rules), my home # (this, of course, has caused much debate), and the back-to-school date. this shows i mean business in the classroom. i read with the students before they pack it into their bookbags. 3- send home a weekly newsletter w/ the student every thursday that is EXTREMELY popular! included is: A)a blurb from me, the teacher about the week or whatever i feel like writing B)shout-out section – where i applaud parents or kids for various things C)spelling words, vocabulary words, math skills for the upcoming week and for the test the following day (friday) D)STUDENT WORK. maybe a couple journal entries or stories from the week this is a huge effort on my part but when i have a discipline problem, it is short lived b/c the parents and the kids know i will stop by, call or have the child call.
Response:
>The Teachers > At the beginning of every school year, it is imperative that you >talk with your child
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