miss_thenorth said:
I don't know how it works in the states, but in Canada, if you homeschool, your children need to be tested yearly to make sure they are keeping up/learning enough. You get to set the curriculum,(within guidelines) but there is a bit of regulation just to make sure your kids are learning.
Ditto for BC and AB.
I'm a former teacher and I used to be a home school tutor for a family with two boys. Their Mom had given up on doing it all herself so I taught them for several years. We were part of a group of home schooling families who got together for various activities: science lessons with graduate students at the local university, outings to various local historic sites, gymnastics club, fitness club, swim lessons etc. and the boys were also involved in other activities that were not part of my job description.
The socialization definitely depends on the individual child. One of the boys was ok socially (not great) and the other was pretty anti-social and had a real attitude about "school". Other children in the group were what I'd call "precocious" and liked to show off their knowledge to anyone who would listen and were not what I'd call "properly socialized", and most were just like normal public or private school students.
I had a positive experience with this family and home school group, but don't believe that home schooling was the best choice for all the children involved.
As a teacher, I don't believe that any one instructional method is best. Each child is an individual, and parents must choose what is right for their family situation and individual child/ren.
My own children have always attended public schools, in the French Immersion program, and have always thrived in the school atmosphere and get great grades. They also have music (piano and guitar) lessons and have been involved with Girl Guides (same as Girl Scouts in the US) since age 5. Both are active and take part in school sports, and are both thoughtful and caring citizens who put feet to their beliefs and convictions by volunteering and fund-raising.
I defy anyone who tells me that they could have done better having been taught at home and my children (14 and 15) say the same.
There is a family at our church that home schools and their oldest daughter is now in the Youth Group (age 13), except that she is so painfully shy that she barely goes to any activities. Her younger sister is even more shy and won't even look at, let alone talk to other children or adults who speak to her. Both of my girls believe that this particular family has made the wrong decision regarding schooling their kids, and they brought the subject up on their own as we don't really know this family.
I have nothing but kudos for parents who teach their children at home.
Just don't tell me that it's best in every situation/for every family/for every child. Because it isn't.
Very well written post!
