Congratulate my kid and me! We are as of today homeschoolers!

[Maddy McCall]

After all of the problems we have had with the conservative, rural public school that my son has attended K-5, and if you have read the most recent episodes--they did psychological testing on my son without my prior consent, oh, and there was that physical abuse thing by the PE teacher that I never told you about (yes, I filed charges--WE ARE HOMESCHOOLING AS OF TODAY!! My son begged me to bring him home and teach him, by the way.

I will do a secular curriculum, and I need advice from other HS parents on this.

I like the DomAsh Day School Curriculum, because it is uses books familiar to him, and it will be easy for him to merge back into public school in the future.

I want a secular curriculum, not a Christian one. DomAsh is based in New Orleans now--not far from where we are. That's a plus.

So, DUers, please congratulate me and tell me I did the right thing. And homeschoolers, please offer advice.

Woohoo! A ton of bricks has been lifted off of my shoulders!

[motely36]

1. From reading your prior posts

it sounds like you definately did the right thing!

[Maddy McCall]

3. Thanks! I have no doubt it is the right decision.

My son was very enthusiastic about coming home. It was to the point that he was calling me from school to come pick him up in the middle of the day, because his stomach stayed upset. If he would have stayed there, they would have driven him crazy.

Amazing that adults treat children this way, and conservative southern society permits, if not condones, it.

[MountainLaurel]

10. Adversarial relationship toward children

They believe that if children aren't taught to obey their elders in ALL things early, they'll grow up to be critical thinkers, Satanists, abortionists, and liberals. You want scary, trying reading one of the Talibornagain-tailored parenting books -- oftentimes they'll advocate spanking infants lest the babies "manipulate" their parents into doing eeevil things like meeting the babies' physical and emotional needs.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

13. THAT is sick....

:grr:

[SarahB]

14. The "Babywise" a**holes!

I hate that stuff. :grr: :mad: :nuke:

[Maddy McCall]

47. Did you know that under Mississippi Law, public schools use spanking?

Yes, and I signed an alternative discipline plan to exclude my son from being spanked. So what do they do instead? Pinch the hell out of him or slap him.

:grr:

[cally]

75. Are you serious?

The school officials pinch and slap your child? You definitely should homeschool. I looked into years ago, and there were many opportunities for joint classes with other homeschoolers. For instance, music or gynmastics classes or joint field trips to the sewage plant or a museum. I think you can meet both the social and academic needs at home. Good luck and no child should be physically abused.

[Ladyhawk]

88. That's sick!

I went to fundy school. The teachers used boards with holes drilled in them. Supposedly, the holes cut down on wind resistance and made the blows more painful.

Did I mention I'm about half nuts from growing up in an all-fundy environment?

[Midlodemocrat]

66. The one that some of neighbors

advocated was On Becoming Babywise, the one where to force your baby to a schedule. It was horrible. I read the first chapter and threw it in the trash. Totally the opposite of the type of parent I was hoping to be.

[Iris]

71. Yes. And just one web search on Google or Yahoo will immediately

bring up anti-babywise info, including cases of severe dehydration in children subjected to this parenting style.

[Midlodemocrat]

72. It is truly just awful. Should be outlawed.

[Iris]

74. And the truly sad thing is, it's been tried before.

It was a big thing in the 40s and 50s to put your child on a feeding schedule. Then pediatricians realized it wasn't good for the child.

But this country is determined to head back to the dark ages as quickly as possible.

[Midlodemocrat]

76. Well, mine were never on a schedule

They were all nursed for over a year, so they never got that whole concept of schedule. Frankly, now that they are in school, their lives are scheduled enough, so I am glad that they started live unscheduled. Everyone deserves that.

[Iris]

77. Good for you! n/t

[efhmc]

2. Hard but good decision.

[Maddy McCall]

6. Yes. I have been considering doing this for three years.

The final straw was yesterday, when the principal told me first that no one had tested my son (!) and then called me back to tell me that, yes, someone had, and that she had the right to test him ANYTIME without my consent.

By the way, I am not through with the public school. My next step is to find a lawyer who specializes in cases like this and then to do whatever necessary to stop this, for other children. And I am NOT dropping charges against the PE TA who assaulted my son.

The school is insane.

[Ladyhawk]

89. Why do I JUST KNOW it is full of fundies? :( nt

[Gothic Sponge]

4. Good decision!

[Maddy McCall]

8. Thanks!! I think so!

:hug:

[MsFlorida]

5. a most excellent decision

I removed my son from the public school system when he was in 4th grade for a lot of the same reasons as you. The very best decision I have ever made. He will be finished with high school before his 16th birthday. Just an fyi, children that are homeschooled for educational rather than "religious" reasons, tend to be brighter, more articulate and just all around better functioning human beings.

[Maddy McCall]

12. Thanks for the reassurance!

Yes, I also teach college. I have a student in my class now who was homeschooled for Christian reasons, and I don't think he will finish. He's miserably flunking my very easy class. He interrupts lecture with his opinions (loudly interrupts, much to the disdain of the rest of the class).

The final straw was when he opined very loudly that "Kerry sucks" and I came down on him like Nemisis. I told him that, while that might be his opinion, others in class didn't agree with him, and while I would allow him to express his opinion, he would do so respectfully or he could drop my class.

He's still interrupting lecture with his "cute" comments. I guess his mother tolerated that when she taught him.

:eyes:

[PatsFan2004]

7. Congratulations. My wife and I homeschooled our son from

grade eight and up. He is now 22 and is a fine upstanding young man who makes us proud.

When we decided to homeschool, we went to a homeschooling convention in MA to get information and decide on a curriculum. A big help is finding a local group of homeschoolers to provide support and a good social environment.

BTW, we also joined a legal homeschool support group for those times when your local school board decides to come down on you like a ton of bricks. And they often do because they think they know better.

[Maddy McCall]

18. Here's the beauty of Homeschooling in Mississippi:

Because we are such a "rugged individualist, state's rights" state, (I know, it's bullshit, that Mississippi is totally dependent of the federal government for money, we import $2 for every $1 we send to Washington), the D of Ed in no way supervises HS families.

All you do is go to the truancy officer, file a little index card stating you are homeschooling and the curriculum you will use, and that is that.

Beautiful for me, because I am college-educated and I am doing this for secular, educational reasons and will offer my kid a classical, secular education. And many people who do it for Christian reasons do indeed teach their children well and are very invested in their children's future, and their kids will do well in college. The ultimate goal I have is to see my son be successful in college.

Sad for the parents, though, who aren't serious about the homeschooling, who aren't committed, and who say they are homeschooling, but are basically just doing bible lessons and then letting little Johnny romp around the neighborhood. Little Johnny will have a fine career as a garbage collector.

Anyway, I speak as if I am already a professional on the topic, but I know I have a lot to learn and much frustration in front of me.

So, send me good thoughts and prayers. I will need them. :-)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

27. Are there exams he can take, even if they're optional?

So down the road he won't be lumped with the "garbage collectors"? (No offense to honest, sensible garbage collectors out there)

[Maddy McCall]

39. Yes, I can request that he take the standardized tests at the end of

each year. However, I have no intentions to do so, because I am not going to do anything to validate the NCLB mess.

[lil-petunia]

35. come, come now. We need religious trash collectors.

Readin and 'ritin, and 'rithmetic, will only clot the brain with them evil "idea" thingies and even worse, "independent thought". A mind not filled with biblical phrases is the devil's playground.



Anyone want to play?

[Ladyhawk]

90. I think your kid will do fine.

Getting him out of that environment will do wonders for his ability to learn. If he had stomach aches every day, I doubt he learned much of anything.

At least he has you advocating for him. I got the same asinine treatment at home as I did at school. Home backed up the school, backed up the home, backed up the church, etc. Authority was united against the child. And my family wonders why I have "issues."

[Cerridwen]

9. Congratulations! Much luck and sanity to you and your son.

I've read your posts and responded to one. I'm relieved for you, to see you were able to make such a move.

:hi:

[Maddy McCall]

19. Thanks! I hope the posts become much more optimistic.

I won't be posting on DU as much as I have in the past, but I promise to give you guys progress reports.

I might even let jchild jr. sign up on DU as a part of his social studies curriculum. :-)

So you all can have a vested interest in my kiddo's future. :-)

[YellowRubberDuckie]

11. You did the right thing....

That's one lucky little kid!! I'd be freaking out and getting an attorney if my kid was treated that horribly in his public school district. If you'd have wanted your kid to be treated like that you'd have sent him to Catholic School!!
A little advice(I'm not a home school parent, but here goes anyway): Kids learn way more history by actually being in it. I know a lot of home school parents that once a year take their kids to DC or a civil war battlefield or something like that so they can learn by actually being there. And make learning fun for him. Kids learn better with laughter. You're gonna do great!!
Good luck!!
Duckie

[Maddy McCall]

21. Thanks! Yes, and I am a history prof.

Well I am finishing my PhD, but I have been teaching history on the university level for almost five years. The two of us explore historic cemetaries and have already visited some battlefields, but I am going to incorporate future outings into lesson plans.

THANK YOU, YRD!! :hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

25. FABULOUS!!

Like I said...Lucky Kid. :)
Duckie

[Maddy McCall]

41. Aww...thanks

Your kind words mean so much to me. :-)

You will probably get to meet little jchild. As a part of his social studies curriculum, I might let him get a DU account and post one thread a day on a history/social studies topic.

:-)

[trogdor]

82. That gives me an idea.

Have a discussion forum (heavily moderated, of course) just for K-8 students. Get 'em where the rubber meets the road.

Suggested rules (in addition to the usual ones):
Parents sponsor the children.
Mods post the main topics based on the news of the day, and the kids do the discussion.
Members are to watch their language at all times.
Junior Freepers get bounced, and sponsors get notified.
Adult DU'ers (except mods) are NOT allowed to post to the K-8 forum.

[zeemike]

15. I am sure you did the right thing

And I wish I could congratulate you but it is just another straw on the back of the camel that will eventually turn public education over to privet enterprise.
It was the racist that started the home schooling in the 60s and later the fundies followed suite, and now it seems the progressives are forced to follow.
the rest of the kids that cannot afford or do not have the resources to home school will be in the future be schooled by Exxon Or some big cooperation when Bush gets his way and sells it to the cooperate world.

It makes me sad and profoundly worried about our country

[Maddy McCall]

24. I have always been an advocate for public schools.

However, the public school from which I have withdrawn my son was run more like a private school. Inherent racism, bigotry against people like me who are liberals--and I am a divorcee, so that gave them more reason to hate me...a strong single parent who advocates for her child.

I am not abandoning the children at the school, though. I could just drop the problems that I have had, but I am going to hire an attorney and publicize the way the school treated my son, so that other children won't have to go through it.

[Benhurst]

56. My first reaction to your post , as a supporter of public education,

was sorrow.

But I think you have made the right decision. As a parent you must put the needs of your own child first, and I am certain your are capable of giving him a far better education than he would have received at that horrible school. Sadly, we have turned over many of our schools to people with little training and no education.

Good luck to you both!

[zeemike]

58. like I said I am sure you are doing the right thing

which you must do for the well being of your children. No one could blame you and I do not.
I put blame right where it is due, on the right wing that is at the bottom of all of this.
This may not be known by you younger folks but this destruction of public education started way back with the John Birch society in association with the KKK people.
but good for you for fighting it in every way you can. that is important.

[LeftyMom]

70. Are you kidding?

HSing wasn't started by racists in the 60's. Parents have been teaching thier kids from time beyond memory. Up until the industrasil revolution this was common. My understanding is that when racists pulled thier kids from public schools they generally went to private schools, as homeschooling was not considered legal in many states in the 60's. In the '80's the tax laws governing church schools changed and many folded. This resulted in a large influx or churchy types who tried to coopt the movement from the rural independent types and the Holt-influenced unschoolers. They really didn't suceed about that but they often set up thier own state organizations and as the most vocal monority they became the public's image of homeschoolers, unfortunately.

[zeemike]

85. Well i hate to admit this

But When i was young and stupid I was recruited by the RW by such books as Atlas Shrugged and None Dare Dall it Treason and joined the John Birch Society. So I know what they were all about.
And the JBS major project was to undermined public education as much as they could because in their minds it was full of communist teachers trying to teach there children to be little communists. And joining them in this was the racist who after brown v board of educations joined with them in common accord to do what ever they could to destroy the public education system in this country. And they are still active today many of them under the cover of politics and many of them on the school boards doing what ever they can to achieve there goal, which is to have the schools of this country teach the philosophy of Ayn Rand and make all the kids into little John Galts who is their version of Superman.
The media may have forgotten history but i have not.

[LeftyMom]

91. I understand that element supports homeschooling

I'm just saying that they didn't start the homeschooling movement (as was asserted.)

I absolutely do believe that element wants to bleed the school system dry, and that home-based charters (public funded homeschooling, in some cases) and the unfunded mandates of NCLB are a part of that plan. Most homeschoolers get that and want no part of it. (If you don't believe me, go get a copy of Home Education magazine. Almost every issue talks about the home based private school scam run by Bill Bennet's K12 and others, and how it's a bad deal for hoemschoolers as well as the public school system.)

[SarahB]

16. I'm so happy for your son!

I'm sorry though that you had a school district where it came to this. It's not right and not fair. He's a lucky boy to have you for a mother and he will continue to thrive and do exceptionally well I'm sure. I have never homeschooled, so I don't have much advice, but I think you made a decision that's going to prove to be a very positive one for your son. :thumbsup:

[Maddy McCall]

26. Awww...thanks SarahBelle.

Such a sweet message. Wish me luck. :-)

[MallRat]

17. I've always been curious- how do homeschoolers get social experiences?

One critical component of the conventional school experience is learning how to interact with other children. The social survival skills that students learn can be just as valuable as the learning that takes place in the classroom.

Speaking as someone who attended public school and was a socially-awkward, book-smart child, I wonder how homeschooled children get exposure to the laws of the playground. It wasn't until high school that I finally "got it" and mastered the social skills to establish a true network of friends. What must it be like for children who are schooled by their own parents at home?

Do homeschooling parents arrange joint playdates or recess with other homeschooled children?

-MR

[Zomby Woof]

22. public school socialization

It's overrated. It teaches you how to conform and be a good consumer.

It's best to foster in a kid a sense of individuality and self-worth, scorning our mass-conformity culture and its awful byproducts, like Republicanism and Christianity.

[Maddy McCall]

43. EXACTLY!!

And now corporations have entered the schools. Would you believe that CocaCola now has a hand in physical fitness at my son's school???

Indeed. A rep from Coke came to each class, gave each kid CocaCola trinkets and a pedometer.

Recess at my kid's school is twenty minutes on a concrete parking lot. The kids just stand out there and talk. Or fight. At any rate, he won't be missing much.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

81. Great post Zomby and I totally agree

[October]

98. You said it

My daughter still has friends at her school, but as I posted earlier...she's pursuing a dream/goal in ballet, and just walked away from these "lifelong friends" like it was nothing! I was shocked by how easy it was for her to do this. These girls were close. Some of her friends said "But you'll miss the high school experience..." as if they knew what was coming! LOL But my girl held firm, despite their pressure.

They still chat and get together once in a while, but she has tons of friends in ballet too, who are likewise committed to dance.

We pick a day and have outings or get-togethers with her school chums after school (provided they don't have tests, projects, reports and homework to do).

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

23. Maybe expecting 7yos to learn "the laws of the playground"...

is like expecting them to learn to drink alcoholic beverages responsibly.

[MallRat]

36. It's a matter of social survival.

I got pummelled on a regular basis when I was a little kid. I was an unusually sensitive, nice boy, and the fact that I excelled scholastically didn't help my street cred.

Does this mean that this was right? No. But after years of trial and error, I eventually learned what worked and what didn't. I learned how to immunize myself from the anti-intellectual mobs by surrounding myself with friends who liked me for who I was.

I was never one to follow the latest music or fashion craze, frantically consuming the hottest fad. But I learned how to find people who felt the same way and network with them.

Is there peer pressure and a mob mentality in the social circles of our schools? Damn right. But I learned how to overcome it through years of personal experience, immersed in that tumultuous environment.

-MR

[Midlodemocrat]

67. I am having the same type of issues with my 12 year old son

He is small for his age, not very good academically, a little 'off' socially at times and he was being physically threatened on the bus. I got in the bus driver's face and eventually got her fired. She was aware that he was being bullied, but did nothing. I wanted to kill her, frankly. Funny how when your kids are involved, even a dedicated pacifist like me can turn truly violent. I think we may end up going the homeschool route, because he is just having too much trouble academically. Trouble is, I work full time, albeit from home, so it is really going to impact me. Sigh.

[Maddy McCall]

30. We have a loose homeschool association in my county.

Kids meet up in the afternoon for several hours of play at least twice a week.

Monday afternoon, they had a hayride. They visit museums and go on various out-of-town field trips.

And every holiday season they put on a play. The last one they did was "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

We will join the association. And my son will still have his friends from PS over to play and spend the night on weekends.

He is not going to be locked away in my home with no contact with the outter world.

If I would have left him in the PS system, I would have to have him in counseling. It was KILLING his self-esteem--after all, when authority figures tell you, "I would hurt you really bad if I could, but if I did, your mother would try to get me fired," how is that helping his social adjustment???

[MallRat]

40. Oh no... don't take it the wrong way! You had a terrible situatiion.

It sounds to me that what was going on at your child's school is absolutely inexcusable. I think legal action is definitely warranted.

I was more curious about child-to-child socialization. Last time I checked, child-to-abusive-hate-filled-teacher relationships are not particularly healthy.

Please don't misunderstand me- you're definitely making the right choice.

-MR

[Maddy McCall]

44. No, I am not angry with you :-)

It just brings back to mind the horrific things that have happened at the school.

When he was in kindergarten, he was held down by four boys, beaten, his glasses broken, and his shoes pulled off of him and hidden. They called him "mother fucker." I went to the principal to complain. She told me that "boys will be boys" and "I can't be on the playground to supervise everything they do." (Again, I am a divorced single parent, so they presented every obstacle to me that they could think of.)

I am so relieved to have him away from that. So relieved.

[MountainLaurel]

34. Other social activities

Often times, HSers (at least those who are being HSed for reasons other than hiding the child away from the eeeeevils of secular America) are involved in extra programs such as Saturday art courses at a local college, little league baseball, religious organizations, dance classes, role-playing and gamer groups, homeschool co-ops, library reading clubs, etc. And of course, then there's the usual sort of neighborhood interaction with other kids.

[Maddy McCall]

45. Thanks!

I will bookmark this thread and save your ideas, because I might start a couple of these groups.

I am going to enroll him in music lessons. A blues musician in my hometown teaches guitar. We are going to widen my kid's cultural horizons, conservatives be damned. :-)

[MountainLaurel]

49. Hooray for you!

I grew up in a place where education (especially for us subservient females) was not valued, critical thinking was discouraged, and challenging authority was physically dangerous (I'm still pissed that I didn't get up the nerve to tell Miss Sweeney in the 5th grade that Samuel Adams was NOT a president, ever). I learned just as much from reading my grandma's medical encyclopedias and my father's history books, playing on my aunt's farm, and watching PBS than I did sitting in a classroom waiting for the behaviorally-challenged to allow education to occur.

[Maddy McCall]

51. My kid has been a rebel since kindergarten.

When his teacher presented the mythologized version of Thanksgiving, he corrected her and told her about the American Indian Green Corn Festivals and Harvest Festivals, and told her that if it weren't for American Indians, the Pilgrims would have perished.

Critical thinking in public schools here? HA! Kids are being taught hours each day how to get to an answer the quickest so that they can bubble in the NCLB test form, when the standardized tests are given each May.

For instance, in math, they aren't told how to correctly answer a problem. They are taught how to quickly find indicators, so they can quickly choose the correct multiple choice answer. Say, it's an addition problem:

246 + 185

A. 324 B.431 C. 813 D. 442

They are taught to do just enough of the problem to deduce the answer in the ones column, so that they can find the correct multiple choice response.

Therefore, they aren't being taught MATH! Standardized testing has screwed our schools, and NOT just in Mississippi. A teacher's worth now comes from how her class tests on standardized tests instead of how well she is teaching critical thinking and creativity.

Another reason I took jchild jr. out of the public schools here... :(

[exJW]

61. Absolutely Not!

My 12 year old daughter is like a cute little innocent mole rat, and she's going to stay that way until college hits her like a bucket of ice-cold water, or beer. It's God's way.

[kermujin]

68. re: school and socialization

Sorry to jump in here, but I need to respond to this. It's been my experience (on year two now) as a homeschooling single parent that the homeschooled kids in general have a far more mature, caring and cooperative set of social skills than the kids from the public school here. That's not to say that there's anything really *wrong* with the kids at the public school, but there's certainly a marked difference.

And there's no reason to end friendships with schoolkids; my son's best friend lives a few houses down and goes to the regular public school; they spend tons of time together. And part of the reason we live where we do is so that we can be part of a close community; he has loads of social contact, with young kids, older kids, adults, and so on.

After our one year of experience in the public school, it was my feeling that the 'social skills' he was learning there weren't the type I wanted to teach him.

Oh, and might I add that before I was a parent I felt homeschooling was Bad with a big B; and for almost precisely the reason you've quoted!

[Iris]

73. Actually, when the tragedy at Columbine happened,

they're were child psychologists, sociologists and other experts lamenting the fact that children today live in a segregated world, meaning they are mostly around kids their own age all the time. It's a ghetto of sorts.

When I was in school, learned to "socialize" or "fit in" or whatever by developing a psuedo-sophisticated demeanor. I didn't really learn about working with and getting along with other people until much later.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

20. The Math offer is more UP than ever!

You'll notice I have an e-mail link now. :hi:

Edit: did you get my PM about open books links?

[Maddy McCall]

32. Yes, I got it.

I will PM you back with my email addy and my AIM name, so that we can chat and email back and forth.

Please do a search for the DomAsh Day School curriculum and tell me what you think. It's a secular curriculum, and it uses books by the same publishers I use to teach my college students.

Thanks for all of the encouragement you offered me. *kisses*

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. Cool! Try EveryDay math if you can.

-----------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Maddy McCall]

33. I'll look into that.

Thanks!!

[Zomby Woof]

29. jchild's homeschool curriculum

1 hour of DU, so her kid can learn aout government and history.
2 hours of math and science.
1 more hour of DU, to ask me anything.
1 hour of PE.
1 hour of a foreign language, so he can be prepared to leave America when Jenna Bush is sworn in one day.
1 more hour of DU, so he can learn about yaks, thongs, and threadjacking.

[Maddy McCall]

37. You might think I am kidding...

but I am thinking about allowing him to sign up at DU, and allowing him to post (supervised by me of course, so you DUers have to be nice!) so that his DU uncles and aunts can have a vested interest in his education.

Is that a silly thing to do?

And, at playtime, if he wants to post, then you all can talk about yaks (no thongs, though! ;-) ).

:loveya: and I got your PM. And I :loveya: even more. :-)

[lovedems]

31. Wow. Congrats but that kind of sucks too.

It sucks that your son can't get a rounded education in a tax payer based school system.

I know you did the right thing and I congratulate you but at the same time I am kind of sad that open bias is considered acceptable in public school.

Oh well, Congratulations!

[Maddy McCall]

38. Your taxpayer dollars...

are being spend teaching Mississippi children how to do the lord's prayer, and on blessings before lunch, and on afternoon bible stories.

Not sad for my son that I pulled him out. Sad for all the children who as stuck there, though.

[lovedems]

42. Agreed. Your son will be a better person if you teach him yourself.

I don't know if this will offer you a bit of solace but I remember John Stewart on election night talking about Alamba or Arkansas and saying, "their claim to fame...they have better schools then Mississippi." So even that northeastern liberal elitist finds a joke with the Mississippi education system.

Good luck to you and your son!

Edited to add:

Be sure to STAY AWAY from Bill Bennett's homeschool program!

[Maddy McCall]

46. LOL! I can use the Bill Bennett system...

and teach him how to gamble at the fine casinos in Mississippi.

I jest. :-)

[July]

94. FWIW,

My mother, who taught fourth grade in the Buffalo public schools for a number of years before becoming an administrator, says that she woudn't send a child to public school today. It's a sad commentary on the schools, but after seeing my two kids through several public schools, I have to agree with her, and am sorry I didn't homeschool.

[DrZeeLit]

48. Bravo! I always wanted to do that with my son. But didn't...and

still wish I had in some respects.

You will find a lot of support "out there" and encouragement. If you need anything in the way of ideas, just let us know.

I'm sure the pool of educators here (DU) will be pleased to help.

Sounds like you are on the ball!

[Maddy McCall]

52. You'll get to meet him on DU...

We are going to sign him up for an account so that he can post one or two threads a week. I'll be sure to have him post a literature thread, and you can tutor him. :-)

[DrZeeLit]

55. That would be great (and also a lot of fun). Btw...

... when I was thinking of taking my son out of public school, it was because I thought his education wasn't good enough. He wanted to leave on one hand, but stay because of friends, on the other.

What I did was supplement his reading. I made a list and he had to choose and read a book per month and do some sort of project. Since he's an artist, he usually did an illustration or collage. At the time he was really NOT happy that I made him do this reading. Later, actually his first year in college, he THANKED me from the bottom of his heart. He still says it was the best thing we ever did, of that sort.

BTW, he just turned 30, earned a studio art degree from a great university, studied in Florence, Italy for a year, had pieces travel in a state art show in South Africa, and has traveled all over the world.

Ooops... that last part was the bragging mom.

[VivaKerry]

50. One wish I have:

have classical music and art (even if you have to get someone else to teach it).

I can't believe that art and music are basically missing from our schools in the US. Those are as important as math (in fact, classical music supports math studies by making the brain work better and more efficiently).

It just dawned on me: probably the most important factor in bush winning is from the degradation of our educational system. We are an unenlightened set of humans.

I saw a post earlier this week from you about 'that school.' Congrats to you. Good luck.

[Maddy McCall]

53. Thanks! Yes, we will do that...

Before I chose history as a profession, I took an "Art for Elementary Education" course, and I can teach art. So we will certainly do that.

I am thinking about buying a potter's wheel and doing some pottery with him.

Anyway, we will do that.

As for classical music, I have my books from my college Music Appreciation course, as well as the tapes of classical music, and I will do this with him.

Thanks for you wonderful advice. :-)

[redqueen]

54. Sounds like you made the right decision.

We've given serious consideration to this as well. Best of luck to you both!

:toast:

[LDS Jock]

57. congrats.. I'm happy for you

Your posts upset me, I can only imagine how you must have felt. The fact you didn't go down to the school and go postal is a credit to you. Homeschooling may be a challenge but from what you have written it is the best thing for you and your son. Please keep us posted on the charges filed. Maybe with you taking the lead you can help prevent something similar from happening to another child.

:grouphug:

[jus_the_facts]

59. Congrats....my sister used the christian curriculum.....

...and my niece is in her junior semester at Louisiana Tech and she just turned 18 in June....she went to high school in her junior year and received a scholastic scholorship for her excellent grades and decided to forgo her senior year o'highschool to start college...she's makin' a stellar 4.0 at La. Tech too....I AM AMAZED my sister did so well with homeschooling....I had soooo many reservations when she decided to do it....her baby girl made honor roll and won her spelling bee...and was named student of the month as well this past Oct....so the christian curriculum must be pretty good too....from the results I've seen that is...good luck to ya'll!! :)

BTW....my sister teaches the christian curriculum at a Baptist Chruch now...so her youngest is now in *classes* with other children learnin' that curriculum instead of at home...so at least they get some social aspect of school...which was my main concern about bein' at home so much and not bein' around others...

[exJW]

60. The Lord will bless this godly decision, Sister

j/k lol.

Take a look at Calvert's curriculum. The "calvert" name sounds vaguely religious, but it's not at all. They sell the entire school year as a package. It's wildly expensive (about 650.00 bucks) but it made me and my ex feel confident that she was really staying on her grade level.


Enjoy Homeschooling, and be confident! It will eliminate tons of hassle and bullshit from both you and your son's lives.

[Dookus]

62. excellent!

And most days, you can just turn on the Discovery Channel and go about your normal business :P

just kidding... you're doing the right thing. It's a lot of work, but it'll pay off handsomely. Congrats.

[FizzFuzz]

63. Hi jchild, I don't know you and haven't come across your posts about this

but just wanted to hop in and say BIG congratulations!
I don't have kids so have no involvement in public school system but your description of that so called "school" is horrific! Oh how I wish all this faith-based crap would go away. It is a cover for the sickest motivations. ugh, I get agita just talking about it.

Good for you, I am highly impressed!:thumbsup: :hi:

[eataTREE]

64. I was homeschooled in the second grade.

This was back when NOBODY homeschooled.

She put me back in public school for 3rd grade and up because she wanted me to be properly socialized and interact with my peers.

Trouble was, in 2nd grade she taught me basically the entire curriculum for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. So I was bored a lot for the next 4 years.

[kermujin]

65. Yay! Congratulations...

I'm on my second year of homeschooling my son. It's awesome; and yes, I'm a single parent and I work full-time (although flexible hours). You'll both love it, I'll bet.

Unfortunately, I can't give you any input on curriculum, 'cause I'm in British Columbia. But this might help for starters...

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/curric/lo.html

I think it's pretty much universal, the age-appropriateness (augh! and this from an editor!) of the benchmarks.

I do have a friend in Phoenix who is using the SonShine curriculum; she's just dumped the Christian parts, but is very happy with the rest.

Cheers,
Ingrid

[Courtesy Flush]

69. It'll keep him out of the military

In Louisiana, home-schooled kids are given a GED. The military (at least the Marines) won't take anybody with a GED.

I was told this by a recruiter. I can't vouch for it 100%

[yardwork]

78. Congratulations on your courage and energy to advocate for your child!

I've been reading your posts and remember how awful the school has been to your child. Also, he was very sick recently, if that is the same son I am thinking of? Stress can lead to illnesses.

There are a lot of alternative educational strategies here in North Carolina. People homeschool for a variety of reasons. We also have charter schools (publicly funded schools that are run like private schools, with not-for-profit boards of directors) and many private schools with alternative curricula.

I hope that you can find a network of other secular homeschoolers. I know that there are some in NC. They go on field trips and do special events together.

In terms of socializing with other kids, there are many ways to do this. Sports, clubs, classes at museums, art guilds, etc, church groups - there are lots and lots of ways to find friends for your homeschooled child.

I'm sure that he will do better academically, socially, and emotionally now that he is out of that abusive environment. Kudos to you, jchild!

[Book Lover]

79. Congrats and support

I also plan on HS my child. After all, I've been teaching him language, math, and science from the day he was born, all following well researched guidelines. I just don't plan on stopping it. Plus, I can prevent him from following grammar fetishes that language teachers insist on teaching (then again, he'll be helping me copy edit manuscript soon enough, lol!)

[Reciprocity]

80. Here are some links.

Pagan Homeschool Page
A great resource for any Pagan Parent interesting in homeschooling. Has books, articles, lessons and helpful tips for homeschoolers.
http://www.homestead.com/barbooch/PaganHomeschool.html

National Home Education Network
http://www.nhen.org/

[trogdor]

83. Well, I'd say it's a damn shame you have to do this...

...but good luck. ;-)

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

84. I am a public school teacher

(well right now I am out of the classroom as I have moved into curriculum and instruction areas.....but still in public education) and I applaud your decision.

I am still a strong supporter of making public schools stronger and better, but you have to do what is right for your child and your family.

I understand your plight. If you want your child to "get along" especially in a red state public school, you do NOT teach them all kinds of things at home. You do not let them overhear or (gasp) take part in quite revolutionary talk around the dinner table. And above all, you do NOT teach them to question things.

I've done all that and more with my daughter and the higher she goes in school (fourth grade) the harder time she has. With adults. Fortunately she's a natural leader and seems to have influenced many kids her direction (questioning things, learning more than what is given to them, wondering if there's another side to the story, as in history, etc) and she has quite a group of little radical kids around her now. (Much to some of their parent's chagrin.... I had one mom call me and request that my daughter NOT talk to her daughter about socio-political issues ANYmore, as her daughter was questioning why so many children don't have health insurance.)

This does NOT endear her further to the fundie right wingers teaching in her school.

But another fortunate thing: there is a fantastic GT (Gifted and Talented) program in her school. The two teachers who run it are both liberal (Kerry voters, I found out), open-minded and encourage critical thinking in the kids. She has GT two hours a day, every day.

Just last night she and I were discussing what the concept "social justice" means and why it is important to learn about the major world religions. I talked to her about Buddhism and how I admire it because it is such a non-violent belief system. We are going to start attending a UU church soon which has religious education classes for kids her age in which they do some comparative religious studies, instead of just singing endless rounds of "Jesus Loves Me" and never learning that God goes by many names.

I got off track sorry! Wow, how did I get that far off? LOL!

Anyway, scour the internet, hook up with your area homeschooling association. "Un-public school" him and start over. You can really go interdisciplinary with home education. Public schools are a bit limited in that area.

If I didn't have to work for a living, I'd be sorely tempted to homeschool my daughter. Well, there's the fantastic GT program she's in, but if it weren't for that, she'd be outta there.

A homeschooling group here meets at the natatorium three times a week for swimming lessons (as their PE class). They support each other greatly and the kids are good friends.

There are tons of stuff like that. If there isn't a strong association where you are, consider starting one.

Good luck! And let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

[Ladyhawk]

86. Congratulations! Next summer / fall you can dissect venomous snakes. nt

[GOPisEvil]

87. We have a saying here in Texas: Thank God for Mississippi.

Meaning public schools there make ours look like MIT, comparatively. :evilgrin:

Good for you and your little human!

[CornField]

92. BTDT -- I wish you a pile of luck and send lots of energy

I had a very difficult time finding secular materials... it was the most frustrating part. "If Mary's mother witnesses for two hours each day for five days out of the week... " (Sadly, we really found a math problem with almost that exact wording.) Other than that, we loved our time homeschooling.

As for advice -- go slow. You don't need to reinvent the wheel. In one hour each day you can teach as much as any school can in a whole day. We had the most fun when we worked with "themes" -- for instance, state government. We brought home books from the library, visited the Capital, tracked a piece of legislation and so much more. The possibilities are almost endless.

My only other piece of advice is to see if there is a homeschool assistance program nearby. Ours was a great source for extra curriculum, offered classes I couldn't teach (like foreign languages), and helped us find an overseeing teacher (required by law in my state).

Congratulations!!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

93. We use the Calvert School program...

http://www.calvertschool.org/engine/content.do

It teaches what people of different religions believe, without endorsing any religion. In teaching my 6 year old, who's asking about "God" a lot these days, I simply add to these social studies/history lessons that many people don't believe in any gods or goddesses.

I think it's important for him to know that these beliefs exist (in some cases, existed) in order to understand their impact on history.

[RummyTheDummy]

95. Sounds like you made the right call

In this situation. Doesn't sound like you have a lot of options. But I generally think home schooling is a really bad idea for a variety of reasons.

[DemExpat]

96. Congratulations!

In these circumstances you made an excellent choice. What a relief for you and your son.

I thought very seriously about homeschooling in the 80s for my 2 kids, but was lucky enough to search out and find excellent, socially healthy public schools in our city.

My daughter loved going to these schools, but my son hated the whole concept and forced practice of school.... :shrug:

All the best with your new adventure.

:hug:

DemEx

[October]

97. Congrats and a recommendation

We are homeschooling our 14-year old daughter.

When I first looked into this, it was nearly impossible to find a non-religious curriculum and/or network.

Try: http://www.core-curriculum.com/index.php They have secular programs, and offer advanced courses (AP and Honors), which is hard to find.

A friend of mind uses: http://www.oakmeadow.com.

Our daughter is pursuing a career in ballet, and after spending the summer at a very fine ballet company school, she came home and asked to be home schooled so that she could take more ballet classes (20 hours now a week).

The efficiency of time is priceless. We are having a great time, and we're together all the time now. My daughter loves it because she can "ask as many questions as she wants...until she understands..." She's very, very disciplined and focused....and this helps.

CoreCurriculum is an independent study program...though in our state one parent/guardian swears an affidavit as "supervisor," and we have to have an evaluator (certified teacher) who looks over our work at year's end. Each state is different so check yours right away.

My 7-year-old is still in school, but we're considering homeschooling for him, as well. He is not an "in the box" kind of a kid...and now hates school. 2nd grade!!!!

They have our children for hours all day, and then pile homework and projects on top of that. There is a lot more freedom in homeschooling, but you have to be disciplined about it.

Hope this helps. Best wishes to you!!!


Edited to fix link.

[Disappeared]

99. Fabulous

Goodluck to you all