Monday, April 10, 2006

Contemplating

Ever have just this nagging thing on your mind. Well I have a huge thing. Homeschooling. I know the thought of it sends me into fear, especially with Braden but the thought of not doing it scares me to.

This is my dilema...Brittney is doing awesome loves school, next year 3rd grade I think she will continue to do well but all I hear is how 4th grade is really the downturn of the school and so on. So I am concerned. Braden I am really worried about for next year because the teachers I have to choose from are not that great to be honest and definetly not good with modifications. But the thought of homeschooling him is scary. Brittney I know I could get her ahead and she would excell at homeschool, Braden I am afraid I would fail. But then I think isn't he the one that needs it the most. Of course there are pros and cons with every decision and this one is no different. Also it would be such a change and is not as widely accepted in this area.

Add the complication that hubby is on the school board and this would definetly be frowned upon.

The socialization I am not too worried about as we know a bunch of kids, actually Brittney's best friends mom is homeschooling next year. So I wouldnt be alone. Plus the Co-op's.

Just such a large decision and everytime I mention it hubby doesnt give much positive feedback so I am not sure what to do.

Of course I woke up at 2:30 this morning with insomnia and it is now 4pm so maybe not the best time to be contemplating such a large issue.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

You need to talk to Jody lol. she homeschools if you want her email let me know.

Jody said...

yeah Anne will give you my email if you want I have no problem with that. My first suggestion would be go to the library and find out all the laws for your state of homeschooling. Some states are easy and other's you almost have to jump through hoops. This might help you make a decission. Second yes it is scary at first but for me (again this is just my experience not everyone has the same experience) it was the best thing I ever did. Is it hard yes at times it is and sometimes frustrating. Also if you do decide to do it join some homeschol local groups or if none in your area there are some good MSN groups or Yahoo groups that have some info on them too. I can tell you a bunch of things but I will make this a little shorter LOL. But get with Anne and get my email addy (don't want to put it out for everyone to see here LOL never know with spamers)and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have. I just started this year so I am not expert but will help out in anyway I can!!

Heather/SHTEZQ said...

I have no advice for you on this one but i hope you work it out and are able to be happy with your decision. good luck and we will be waiting to hear what you decide.
oh..
Do you think your daughter will be o.k with it. that is a big adjustment.I truely hope you are able to get it figured out and it is not to hard in your state like jody said.

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

:):):):):);)

kel said...

I went to the seminar today and I think I want to do the dvd's from Abeka it is more expensive than some but I think the benefits are worth it.

Unknown said...

Since my wife has pushed this out, discussion is inevitable.

I have to admit, I was very skeptical and the idea didn't really give me the fuzzy feeling. There is a view, especially in this area regarding homeschool. I have seen examples on both sides of the spectrum. Those where the children (statistically it acutally shows) that are homeschool shows a higher percentage in test scores. On the other hand, I have seen some that simply shouldn't be given the option.

It appears Oklahoma is very easy on homeschoolers. There is no required registrations in Oklahoma as opposed Arkansas. I am actually uncomfortable with this part of it. In fact, legislation has just passed a law to allow homeschoolers access to public school activities, ie football, ect.
Interesting enough, in Arkansas, although homeschoolers are required to be registered, the Governor, Mike Huckabee, himself personally signs the homeschoolers graduation diplomas.

I also took an hour lunch to check out the Becka seminar. Noone was speaking, but the guy there answered all my pressing questions. I have to admit, I was impressed not to find a arcaic means for homeschoolers. Beka has all the means for a yearly curriculum. Interesting enough, through a biblical worldview.

I am looking at this with open eyes and investigating this thoroughly before committing. But I have to say, I was impressed with what I am currently seeing.

Currently, I personally have 3 concerns. 1)the money will be out of our pocket for this. But realistically, its for the kids and if we can get the kids trained to the new way of education, it will be more beneficial for them.
2)Kel's stress. Kelli not only has to do it correctly, but Kelli's correct way. : )
3) The kids adjustment to the new means of education.

Jody said...

just want to make one more comment on this LOL. I just want to say in Michigan we don't have much of restirction on homeschooling either. No test required or anything. The thing with test taking though (in my oppinon though not trying to force it on anyone LOL)is that to me it doesn't prove anything. All it say's is if someone is good at testing or not. I was a horrible at test. I could study all day and night and still not do well. I do a little testing with my boy's but I don't make it out to be a "test" they just do it (ok well right now it's just my 6 year old not my 4 year old LOL) and the last 2 that he took he did 100% on it without my help at all other than reading the directions to him. Also most schools tend to teach what's on the test with homeschooling you have much broader things you can teach. I am not the most patient person when it comes to schooling LOL but we do well. my 6 year old who just turned 6 in March so would be in kindergarten is doing first grade work. I hope this helps too. Again just giving you some things I know of.

Unknown said...

Any additional information provided, is better than no feedback. So yes, it helps.

My concern for public schooling, among other things, is the beginning of the focus for testing results. This is partially due to the no child left behind emphasizing public schools to bring up the standards. Their main means to evaulate is the test scores provided by the students. Now you have the empaphisis on the testing, rather than the teaching.

Ask, Kel, this is one of my gripes. I just see us heading down the wrong road with this way of thinking.

If you look at the other countries, scoring higher than or students, they emphasis on logical thinking, rather than memorizing the formulas themselves.