Homeschool advice...

[KFC911]

I should have searched the archives (and I will later), but just wanted to get some advice from you guys. I won't go into the details, by one of my best friends' sons is "suddenly" going the home school route (a good move IMO considering what he's getting away from), and he seems to be absolutely motivated so I've offered to help. I have no formal teaching experience, but school always came easy for me (particularly math) and I did a lot of informal tutoring during college a long time ago (computer science, logic, stats, etc.) and was always able to explain things in a way that "worked". I took a look at his 11th grade math stuff yesterday (LifePac) and was not impressed. I'll admit that my math might be a bit rusty, but I was always in the 99th percentile, and I was struggling with their "approach", so I understand where his frustration is coming from . The kid's no dummy, he's got a really good grasp on some of the concepts, but we just need a better plan, materials, etc. I knew immediately where I could probably get some really good advice, so I'm open for suggestions from you guys. Thanks!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Go back to regular school. Seriously. Academics are important, obviously, but I would argue that social skills are even more so. There are many jobs that don't require academic aptitude, but not many that allow you to be antisocial. I have a good friend who was homeschooled up until highschool, he described himself as "socially retarded". This is despite his parents being very involved in their church and other activities. You simply cannot replace spending 8 hrs/day every day in a school setting. Not very helpful, I know, but it's something I feel strongly about. I think parents who homeschool are putting their kids at a disadvantage. Rant over.

[sketchers356]

He is in the 11th grade and you are thinking of homeschooling him for his senior year?

That doesnt make sense to me.

[BGCarrera32]

KC911: good on you for stepping up and offering to help advance this kids education- likely something that has lacked a whole lot in his public education. 11th grade might be a tough argument to begin homeschooling, but could also be really good in preparing him for college when ultimately it will be up to him make the grade and the determination needed to get a degree is a requirement. One thing you might consider is helping with a general plan for his school year- what the general curriculum needs to be done week to week, month to month, etc. so you can track against a general schedule for his school year.

As for social problems with home schooled kids, I'd offer up that depending on your definition of "socialization" they arguably do better as they interact with other home school groups where all ages of kids are expected to interact. Quite a bit different than a bunch of 2nd, 3rd, 4th graders etc. that are in class all day where the slowest kids hold up the class and a large portion of those kids probably have real problems that never get addressed. Home schooled kids by nature have parents that are substantially more involved with their development (as they are the teachers) which is only a good thing.

[The Chief]

My kids have been homeschooled for the past 7 years. Their "peers" are adults or kids with the same goal-oriented mindset. Each of the kids is happy, well-adjusted, self reliant, "street smart," and responsible. Two (ages 16 and 18) have jobs; the third (age 17) cares for our animals and is looking towards a degree in veterinarian medicine. They have avoided the "cliquishness" which can be found in public schools, the bad influences, overcrowding, lack of time per student, and (what we considered) unrealistic workloads.

They were removed from the mainstream "education" system because of what we saw as it's many failures; special needs children being shunted off to the side, inadequate and understaffed classrooms, ill-prepared teachers (some, not all), "teaching the test" instead of teaching the courses, and safety issues relating to student-on-student and student-on-teacher violence.

The kids are not taught "boiler plate" subjects, but are encouraged to think outside the box; if my 18 year old is reading current events and disagrees on a hot topic, she will not get a "D" because she didn't follow the party line and answer as expected. We DO expect reason and logic in their disagreement, not just a feeling! The emphasis is on learning, not on parroting.

Homeschooling is a big step, requiring dedication on the part of the parents and motivation on the part of the kids. There are probably homeschool associations in your area that would be happy to assist you in determining if it is "right" for you. A good one to start with is http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/NorthCarolinaSupport.htm

Good luck, and let me know if I can help!

[911Rob]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Go back to regular school. Seriously. Academics are important, obviously, but I would argue that social skills are even more so. There are many jobs that don't require academic aptitude, but not many that allow you to be antisocial. I have a good friend who was homeschooled up until highschool, he described himself as "socially retarded". This is despite his parents being very involved in their church and other activities. You simply cannot replace spending 8 hrs/day every day in a school setting. Not very helpful, I know, but it's something I feel strongly about. I think parents who homeschool are putting their kids at a disadvantage. Rant over.

Very well put Matt; although I wouldn't call that a 'rant'?

I have a similar background as you KC, with math being easy for me and assisting others to learn more difficult courses. So I think the key for you in helping out the boy is to take in the info and then re-teach it in your own method. I'm sure you'll have success. Trouble with math is that it's compounding, if you don't know that 2+3=5; you're sure not going to understand 2x3=6; once they fall behind in learing 100%, the next lesson will be more challenging.

As for home schooling, I'm with Matt on the social skill thing. My kids go to Private School, however we've encouraged many activities outside the school with sports and church. You'd think as a straight A student myself, that my kids grades would be important to me. The thing is, my grades came easy, where most have to work at it? I dunno? What I do believe though is that it is far more important for kids to learn a value system.

I've taught my kids many lessons and the important ones that I've emphasized over and over are:
1. Family is the most important
I've taught my kids to be best friends with each other. I've showed them through countless examples of how their relationships with each other must be protected, respected and preserved; now at their ages it is one of their most powerful traits.
2. Right from Wrong, Good from Bad.
My wife and I have lived our lives by example for our children. Nuff said.
3. Failure
Too many people today call it quits too soon; but also they don't understand the concepts of failing forward. All greatness is accompanied by more failure than any success; to be great at something truly means that you were the best failure at it. I've taught my kids the power of true failure. I've shown them by many examples how to apply rule #2 to rule #3.

I've always said that the best thing a parent could ever teach their child is "how to fail."

The best thing you could ever do for your child is to "love their mother."

Peace!

[KFC911]

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice, I really appreciate it. My role is simply to be a "math tutor" in this situation. His dad is providing all the home school curriculum, both are committed, and this kid is going to be just fine imo. Actually he's always been in a good school system, so from what I can tell, that's not an issue. His algebraic skills, logic, and problem solving are fairly good based upon his work that I've examined and from spending some time the other day asking him to explain his logic in solving some "real world" pratical math problems. According to him, taking standardized tests isn't his strong suite so that's how I intend to assist, by helping him prepare for taking his ACT (or whatever the CC he intends to enroll in requires). I always excelled at taking standardized tests, particularly math, and informally tutoring others, so I'm pretty sure I can help, I just need to figure out a game plan.
I understand what you guys are saying about the social aspects. He's got that side covered imo...dedicated hockey player since he was 10 or so, works part time, popular, positive influence of a nice g/f (she's sharp, math just isn't her thing), and he already has a "plan" for going to CC, getting a degree and starting a business. IMO, he's going to be better off by taking this "short cut", and getting away from some of his long time neighorhood & school friends that are making some seriously bad choices.
I think I will simply focus on helping him prepare for the math portion of the ACT. I know I can do that, I just need to figure out how . Thanks again everyone!

[Por_sha911]

Let's put aside all the ranting and opinions and answer the question:
Most home school systems have a hotline number that you can call to get help from someone who can guide you through the material and explain what you are missing and how to help the student to learn it.

[Instrument 41]

We have home schooled both boys and we will be moving them into a gifted and talented program. We just had them tested to see where they would be with in the school system. They both tested at genius level and we now have our pic of the system. As far as what type on Math, we used Saxon math. Both boys can do most of their algebra in their head( they started algebra in 6th grade, 2 years ago) The biggest component to home schooling is to be aware as a parent the amount of work it takes. Believe me its MUCH easier to send them of to school and then checking thier work when they come home. As long as you find a curriculum that keeps them on pace with their peers you'll be fine. When home schooling was just getting started the arguments of lack of social skills was quite valid. But those arguments don't hold any water any longer. Last year my oldest played on a home school football team. They played against private and parochial schools. Most of which were much larger that they were. Well they won the state championship in the division they played in. My youngest is playing on a Golf team for home schoolers as well.
For us it was great and at 13 and 14 we can see a huge difference in our boys compared to others their age. But to be honest it will be a great load off our shoulders and give us more time to our selfs now since they will be in a different setting. Its all about the ability and capability to do whats necessary and once you start don't give up.

[shbop]

K12 Homeschooling. Lots of info for you there.