tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post4383421322258964227..comments2024-03-15T23:39:29.134-08:00Comments on Scribbit | Motherhood in Alaska: CrossroadsScribbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03178711182424809035noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-55291428659097269762011-06-25T20:32:01.863-08:002011-06-25T20:32:01.863-08:00I don't think you are crazy at all. I think i...I don't think you are crazy at all. I think it is smart to take advantage of the flexibility available in schooling your son so that you can put together a school program that works for him and the whole family. It's great that students and families have these choices today, something unheard of in my school days.Kelly Markshttp://www.theherbnhousewife.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-90735592469258869412011-06-17T20:06:32.342-08:002011-06-17T20:06:32.342-08:00We have homeschooled from the beginning and highly...We have homeschooled from the beginning and highly recommend it... lots of activities to keep them "connected" but definitely worth it. I vote for "give it a try". :)Rachelhttp://partyofseven.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-77275087592182047602011-05-15T14:56:04.524-08:002011-05-15T14:56:04.524-08:00I think you will be an excellent teacher and it so...I think you will be an excellent teacher and it sounds like a wonderful plan that will lead to positive results.<br /><br />I was homeschooled through 8th grade and then attended a private high school. After that, I went to a state university for undergrad and on to graduate school. <br /><br />I had a very positive experience as a homeschooled child. I was actively involved in many social activities (ballet, soccer, spanish, theatre, volunteering, more). When the time came to test into high school, I had a firm academic foundation and was ahead of my peers. I am grateful that my parents made that decision.<br /><br />Homeschooling may not be for all parents or all children in all situations, but I firmly believe that is a viable option in many cases.<br /><br />stephanie@metropolitanmama.netStephaniehttp://metropolitanmama.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-84289648362219228642011-04-24T03:31:06.107-08:002011-04-24T03:31:06.107-08:00All of the complaints about home schooling can be ...All of the complaints about home schooling can be applied, sometimes doubled for public schools. What is the ratio of kids who were home schooled have won scholastic honors? I think it's pretty high. My granddaughter struggled with math for nine years until her mom found a math program, had her teach younger siblings and all of the sudden her math scores went way up. MOMMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-75905307347482507322011-04-18T21:09:19.161-08:002011-04-18T21:09:19.161-08:00I've not read your blog in a week or two and j...I've not read your blog in a week or two and just saw this post. I was home schooled and while I believe the lack of socialization argument is not true but rather it is usually a family thing not a Homeschooling thing because let's face it Homeschooling families are just different. That being said I love the way that Alaska has it set up. You can join the homeschool charter schools and still have to take the same tests they do in school so you make sure they are on target. My son starts kindergarten this year and the charter school I'm thinking of joining has sponsor teachers that are there to support you so you make sure that they are getting everything. I have to say that I love too that here in AK you can use part of money for music lessons, sports lessons, art lessons. We didn't have that in the states I lived in. For someone who I'll follow through with it, as I believe that you will, Homeschooling is not only a good option it can be far better than the local schools.The Petersen Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02905911475922488971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-54869790764522274582011-04-16T17:52:57.630-08:002011-04-16T17:52:57.630-08:00We have taken our children's education, year b...We have taken our children's education, year by year, child by child, teacher by teacher. You seem to be looking at all sides pro's and cons. I think it will all work out as you are very involved in your children's lives. We attend a Classical Christian School and love that our children are reading the Greats. We use veritas press and saxon math. My biology which I teach is Bob Jones and Botany is Apologia. I hang out with some of the best homeschoolers I have ever met and all have great success stories with their children all because they did the teaching, lesson plans, and mentoring, and joined some really great co-ops. Here in VA we have some really great resources. Best wishes!Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05252905448584981721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-29138235119950981052011-04-14T12:08:39.500-08:002011-04-14T12:08:39.500-08:00Not crazy. More power to ya! And best of luck. :...Not crazy. More power to ya! And best of luck. :)Leihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-81699529372022684652011-04-12T12:19:32.409-08:002011-04-12T12:19:32.409-08:00LOVED and love homeschooling....it's just anot...LOVED and love homeschooling....it's just another avenue to education. Know yourself, know your kids and do what you can. Kids from our local homeschool group have gone onto higher education and have excellent relationships. No bubbles here.Samantha from Colonial Curve Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17336678033407812343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-40717879033687896612011-04-11T15:30:14.449-08:002011-04-11T15:30:14.449-08:00Don't do it. I was a Home schooled kid and now...Don't do it. I was a Home schooled kid and now at 27 years old I am still upset at my parents for taking me out of public school for 4th through 8th grade. No public school system is perfect but your kids need to face problems instead of hide from them. I am one of those "anti social" kids. It can be scarring.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15800018789523901423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-20088113903813323902011-04-07T16:48:34.332-08:002011-04-07T16:48:34.332-08:00Your plan sounds well balanced and thought out. I&...Your plan sounds well balanced and thought out. I've always wanted to homeschool my kids bec I share a lot of the issues you're concerned about. But I'm far from having my own kids and I won't know what public education would look like in the future wherever I ended up living. So if it's not too much trouble, keep us abreast if you do homeschool your son. And thank you for your post! I didn't know there were many kinds of homeschooling out there.aahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06765480524999482442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-82352357704393093852011-04-06T20:25:33.203-08:002011-04-06T20:25:33.203-08:00I think you made a good compromise. Anchorage sch...I think you made a good compromise. Anchorage schools, unlike many public schools, seem to be adequate. Social skills ARE important. You and Andrew are certainly capable of filling in the gaps. Some states, like Colorado, have a quasi-voucher system, so parents can choose from public and charter schools, but it does not sound like that is an option for you. You seem to have found some good online resources. Camille is homeschooling the two younger ones, but, I think will put them in private grade school, then home school. The point is this: one size does not fit all. You are fortunate to have options. Much love. MOMMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-89641031953193131182011-04-06T18:32:50.681-08:002011-04-06T18:32:50.681-08:00Considering your public school homeschooling might...Considering your public school homeschooling might not be a bad idea. I have mixed feelings about the whole homeschool thing but it evidently works for some families.hotpinksky35https://www.blogger.com/profile/10644045840983627531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-90805089687202165752011-04-06T09:18:07.671-08:002011-04-06T09:18:07.671-08:00"I wish they'd leave their kids in the pu..."I wish they'd leave their kids in the public schools so my children could associate with them there. They can be a positive influence on my kids."<br /><br />Page2, I am afraid that I don't think the public school system can be fixed. For several decades thousands of experts have tried to improve our government schools, yet decade after decade things have gotten worse. <br /><br />I will not ask my children to sacrific a good education, both academic and moral, in the hopes that maybe some other children might do better. Parents have little influence or control in government schools.Henry Catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03097237237859928969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-56829151050190925992011-04-05T20:52:14.709-08:002011-04-05T20:52:14.709-08:00Such an interesting discussion since I used to thi...Such an interesting discussion since I used to think so poorly about homeschooling and have changed my mind recently. I really like your idea of mixing the bag. He's getting the best from all over. My totally unexperienced-in-the-matter idea would be to go for it. Good luck!patricia zapatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06499012126408164663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-77029306271039315192011-04-05T13:09:57.944-08:002011-04-05T13:09:57.944-08:00I just worry that there is a trend starting where ...I just worry that there is a trend starting where parents with high moral and academic standards are taking their children out of the public school system. I wish they'd leave their kids in the public schools so my children could associate with them there. They can be a positive influence on my kids. Perhaps if someday only the dregs of society are using the public schools then I will need to consider home schooling my kids too, but I don't want to.page2https://www.blogger.com/profile/11295096403442487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-44424633590793451672011-04-05T10:12:47.994-08:002011-04-05T10:12:47.994-08:00Just read your blogging ebook and I had to check o...Just read your blogging ebook and I had to check out your blog. I'm just barely getting started with my first blog, and learning a lot from your book and some of the resources you mentioned. I think it's ironic that the first post I read on your site is about homeschooling, because that's one of the main topics I plan to blog about!Lizhttp://www.weirdfrugalmama.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-19078709485919598022011-04-05T09:10:56.313-08:002011-04-05T09:10:56.313-08:00I've also been considering home schooling for ...I've also been considering home schooling for my two boys, although they are appreciatively younger than your children. I too worry about their socialization and whether I could do a good job. They are currently attending an excellent school but I worry they are missing out on lots of extra curricular culture -- museums and art galleries, etc. Their homework takes up so much of their time and because we live in Southern California, the crowds are exhausting. Good luck! I'm sure your son will have an excellent future.Michelle at Growing Good Childrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07241732727517924547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-24820600505543008132011-04-04T20:50:05.266-08:002011-04-04T20:50:05.266-08:00"I'm considering home schooling."
M..."I'm considering home schooling."<br /><br />My two cents: Go for it. Try it out for a year and see what you think.<br /><br />Good luck with your decision.Henry Catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03097237237859928969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-56822386679247539422011-04-02T19:26:27.692-08:002011-04-02T19:26:27.692-08:00First of all, I admire someone willing to reconsid...First of all, I admire someone willing to reconsider something they NEVER intended to do. Perhaps my children will end up in school one year :) I give you credit for being willing to think outside your box!<br /><br />Second, I agree with most comments encouraging you to go for it. You have the best of both worlds. I wish kids here could take just 1-3 classes and do the rest at home! Awesome!<br /><br />Finally, I think the most interesting thing has been to read your "view" of homeschooling. Over here on the fast paced, high tech, crazy hyper North East - homeschoolers (as a group) FAR outperform their public schooled peers - and the schools are HIGHLY rated! But, as someone pointed out, there are oddities in both situations. It was just interesting to me to hear your view in your area. It is just really different :)<br /><br />I think some of it comes from someones motivation to homeschool...there are parents just trying to raise their kids in a bubble for sure.Mary@notbefore7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17294717852179643696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-88143296399529503042011-04-01T10:41:37.552-08:002011-04-01T10:41:37.552-08:00I homeschool my children - AFTER a public school e...I homeschool my children - AFTER a public school experience. I can only say that I noticed a distinct improvement in scholastic abilities, especially reading. My daughter who was NOT interested even in reading Dr. Suess, now devours books. For me it's all about choosing the program that will work best for you and your family. Homeschooling has opened up an entire world for us. We're not tied to school schedules, we can travel when we want, we choose our own breaks, and my children will be finished with school in less than 4 weeks - children here in the public school system still have 2.5 months of school left. My children are extremely well socialized, and have no emotional or social issues. We chose homeschooling because it was best for our family, not because it was in style, and I'm honestly learning a lot that I never learned having a public school education. My third/fourth grader is studying the constitution and the declaration of independence - in detail. She has developed a love of George Washington, and keeps begging me to read about Thomas Jefferson. Our curriculum isn't limited to one program, I chose things that would best help my children through the entire spectrum. A good site to browse for curriculum (HS included) is www.sonlight.com. Good luck!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07688833001529721797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-88450619197297121412011-03-31T17:00:56.472-08:002011-03-31T17:00:56.472-08:00I think homeschooling in your case makes sense, es...I think homeschooling in your case makes sense, especially since it isn't like you're completely isolating him. My sister had English classes like you're describing and so my Mom pulled her out. She still went for most other subjects and stayed on the tennis team (they took state this year). But she had a real passion for the piano so instead of wasting time in English class watching movies, she would practice for 2 hours at home. She already was an avid reader, so she got all the broad reading needed and she wrote some papers on her reading - which is more than she did while in school.<br /><br />She was just accepted to college with a scholarship. Socially she had no problems because she was still in team sports and at school for many other classes. Some of her friends didn't even realize she went home half day since they all were in different classes anyway.BurkeAndEmilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07525730373354429482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-60807446758649279872011-03-31T13:54:26.077-08:002011-03-31T13:54:26.077-08:00Online resources - I'm glad you're looking...Online resources - I'm glad you're looking into those. Some families homeschool well; I believe you have the high standards it'll take to make it happen. <br />Good luck!Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11647906900944224234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-4991115440321870882011-03-31T12:24:04.750-08:002011-03-31T12:24:04.750-08:00I am not opposed to homeschooling (at least in the...I am not opposed to homeschooling (at least in theory, as my kids are still too young to try it) and think you might as well explore it as an option. As a friend of our family, who is a college professor, told us when the subject came up, "You will probably do just as well as a public school, and definitely no worse."Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03724228599717695914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-63992578080510759442011-03-30T16:18:47.105-08:002011-03-30T16:18:47.105-08:00Best of luck! I have no children so not sure I ca...Best of luck! I have no children so not sure I can comment on it, but seems you've covered a lot of the potential holes. You're also flexible so I'm sure you'll adjust as needed. Spencer seems quite creative - this may be the best way to educate him without crushing that creativity and curiosity. I look forward to reading about your journey as always!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07469382982063659778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-70310494614347808072011-03-30T14:46:58.914-08:002011-03-30T14:46:58.914-08:00I think you guys will be great homeschoolers. I...I think you guys will be great homeschoolers. I'm actually surprised after following your blog for so long, I thought you already were. lol. <br /><br />We have been homeschooling since my oldest started reading at 4 years old. It just worked for us. I was already teaching him at home why stop and send him somewhere else. I don't necessarily agree with the comment that "Home schooling...delays learning to navigate real life". I think that the way children have been educated for the past, what 100 years, is not "real life" At what other point in your life will you be seated 8 hours per day with only your same aged peers. If anything that stifles real life. <br /><br />I've heard the socialization argument so many times its just something I tend to ignore. It comes up as the last ditch effort argument. For the last 3 school years my kids have been in a 2 day a week options program where the learn science and spanish. The oldest 2 have tested at or above grade level every time. The third one will be testing this next year. <br /><br />Of the hundreds of homeschooling families that I've known or met, I'd say probably a hand full of them meet the backwards, un-socialized stereotype. The majority are blessed with ridiculously smart and creative kids who have gone on to really make something of themselves. My husband was homeschooled the majority of his education and he learned to be a self starter. If he wants to learn something he just gets a book and learns it. <br /><br />I know you didn't mean to start a comment-fest but it tends to be a touchy subject. lol. I hope you'll have such great success that you'll soon be writing on the opposite side of the debate.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01013330722465538675noreply@blogger.com