home schooling advice

vmisquez · 02-09-2010, 02:12 PM

Hello Mothers and Fathers,

My wife and I are considering home schooling for my daughters so they may continue working in the entertainment and theater industry. My first thoughts were not encouraging since I'm an engineer at heart and have put myself trough college while on active military duty and have never had much respect for the arts ( I'm just an old school bone head twig-git squid)

After seen my children grow and develop while working with professionals in this industry i have gained a new respect for the arts as their work experiences with these professionals has provided rare opportunities and challenges which they have overcome.

My daughters are self-motivated and are fully dedicated to working in entertainment and theater. They asked for the training, I paid the bill and viola... an artist is born. That's how all this got started.

The auditioning requires time away from the classroom of traditional schools and they are not allowed any more excuses from school. This is were home schooling comes in. I'm worried this may be a mistake but I fully support my young daughters and they already have excellent marks while auditioning throughout the week and rehearsing on the weekends.

I just needs a few words of encouragement from parents that may have traveled this road.

You can view Amanda's accomplishments at Welcome to Amanda Marie Misquez.com.
Madeliene will have her own site soon.

thanks in advance.

V.

A930Rocket · 02:49 PM

We did homeschooling for two years after being in small private schools and not being happy with them. they then attended the local high school which us well regarded. The kids were self motivated, liked it, and got good grades. We actually didn't have to fovthst much. They also attended a once a week homeschool class with other kids. That was good for social activity, but not much. That's the one down side of homeschooling I think, lack of social interaction.

BeyGon · 02-09-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

We did homeschooling for two years after being in small private schools and not being happy with them. they then attended the local high school which us well regarded. The kids were self motivated, liked it, and got good grades. We actually didn't have to fovthst much. They also attended a once a week homeschool class with other kids. That was good for social activity, but not much. That's the one down side of homeschooling I think, lack of social interaction.

The only experience I have is that we had a kid at work home schooled all his life, like you say, there was a problem with his social skills. The kids working in the entertainment business shouldn't have that problem.

Normy · 02-09-2010, 03:11 PM

Do you really think you are capable of giving your daughters the same education as people who have an education degree, and spend their days teaching children?

I really don't understand the whole "home-school" thing. Professional teachers are ALWAYS going to be more effective. If you keep your kids at home, they won't be "picked on", which is a significant plus. But not all kids are "picked on", but it occurs to me that the kids who have never been to school probably are not properly socialized. They don't develop the social skills which are needed to be a fully functional adult. In the end, they probably wind up like Mark Foley, a republican representative to the US Congress who had a thing for young boys...and was kicked out of congress for his pedophilia~

That's what happens if you don't let your kids grow up- if you "home-school" them...they turn out WEIRD.

N!

Apollo · 02-09-2010, 03:20 PM

Interesting segue.

Normy · 02-09-2010, 03:26 PM

This guy across the street from me: Gill. He has a son named Austin who is now about 15 years old. He has been home-schooled by this extremist fundamentalist christian couple who are about 55 years old each.

Austin has no friends in the neighborhood. This place is either gay couples, retired couples, or single males like me. The 81 house subdivision with a "gate" out front has exactly three children: Austin, and two other children at a house in the back of the subdivision who are a couple of years younger. This family is apparently fairly progressive like me [They lay naked in the sun around their pool; when I pass with my boat, they stand up naked and wave, including the kids; the first time this happened I was a little taken-aback, but then I saw them at the nude section of Haulover Beach park, the legally nude beach in Miami.], so although I don't talk to them, I get along with them.

The fundamentalist family? I've talked to them a few dozen times- I get along with them fine, but I have nothing to do with them. My gay neighbors Tim and Justin watch their house when they go on vacation, including feeding their dog and cockatiel.

So I guess they aren't BAD people, just a bit mis-guided. They believe that fairy-tale known as the bible, and as such run their life around it. The problem with this? Austin. He's not getting a proper education, and he's not being properly socialized. He is going to turn out a strange guy due to this.

N!

gprsh924 · 02-09-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normy

Do you really think you are capable of giving your daughters the same education as people who have an education degree, and spend their days teaching children?

N!

I've read a lot of ridiculous things on this forum, but this is one of the best. I went to high school with a lot of smart people, and a lot of dumb people. Of all the smart people, I do not know anyone who is going to be a teacher. A lot of those dumb people are getting their teaching degrees though. A lot. This in no way represents all teachers, but surely you know that the good come with the bad.

I would normally agree with your sentiment of don't home school, but in this case it seems they have plenty of socialization outside the home with their entertainment stuff.

Also, your community seems perfect for you.

MysticLlama · 02-09-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normy

Do you really think you are capable of giving your daughters the same education as people who have an education degree, and spend their days teaching children?

This depends on the kid and the district in a big way.

I did home school for 8th-12th grades, self taught from the books with teacher review, and had concurrent enrollment in the community college at 14 after passing 9th grade in two months (the requirement for admission was to have 9th completed)

However good the teachers at the school were, they had to deal with the lowest common denominator kids, the set curriculum, etc. I was bored out of my mind, unmotivated and got middling grades because I would skip all homework and ace the tests.

Learned way more once I started work than I did in either school or the community college and ran with that.

I probably would have been a little better off socially having gone to HS, but I felt it was a big waste of time and not going was a lot of my own decision. I had a good group of friends, just had a hard time dealing with dumbasses once I got out in the real world, which HS may or may not have helped me with.

So I don't think there is any real fixed answer.

I do think that there are a lot of kids that are home schooled for the wrong reasons and end up being weirdos or missing big chunks of basic knowledge from early school (especially math).

I say try it, you can always re-enroll, and the fact that you even asked others opinions shows that you'll remain interested, which is as important as anything else.

FWIW, I'm 31, and started home school just before it was really catching on and as accepted and had a lot of doubtful family (aunts, uncles, grandparents) which was a good motivator to prove them all wrong.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Edited - Z-man. ...but I work with kids in the entertainment industry and if they are talented and working a lot, there is going to be a welfare worker and schoolteacher on set to give them the required amount of classroom time.

Most kids that I've worked with have been well rounded and up to speed on their studies, if you and your wife can take care of the "off camera" teaching I don't think there would be a problem. If they are main characters on a sitcom, they'll be working August through March anyway

Normy · 02-09-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gprsh924

I've read a lot of ridiculous things on this forum, but this is one of the best. I went to high school with a lot of smart people, and a lot of dumb people. Of all the smart people, I do not know anyone who is going to be a teacher. A lot of those dumb people are getting their teaching degrees though. A lot. This in no way represents all teachers, but surely you know that the good come with the bad.

I would normally agree with your sentiment of don't home school, but in this case it seems they have plenty of socialization outside the home with their entertainment stuff.

Also, your community seems perfect for you.

Yeah, the teachers I went to school with were a different sort. Some were VERY good [Irene Skulas, who I worship~] and others, like Anne Brautigan, who I hope died a lingering, painful death. While her phone in Brownstown township, Michigan ringed from a prank-caller.

But ALL of them were PROFESSIONALS. They all knew their stuff. Whether it was english [god I hated it, but I was always good at spelling, because I read 4 times as much as the other kids], or Mathematics....my teachers KNEW THEIR SUBJECTS WAY BETTER THAN MY PARENTS. My parents weren't the best in the world, in fact they were probably some of the worst [that's another story for another thread],but they knew that they couldn't effectively teach their children and they didn't try.

And then there is Austin. What about him? He's 15 now, and he likes to run around his house, yelling while he plays with his figurines. I normally don't care about this, but last year, I came home in the 928 and he was in front of my house with a ninja-turtle figurine thrown over the powerline on a fishing line. I had to say something- this was too ridiculous even for a fundamentalist christian.

"Austin....that's NOT a good idea! Pull that line down right now! You are going to get the **** shocked out of you!"

-The kid has no clue! He is soooo off into his little world of angels and saints and the other crap that his "parents" have filled him with that he has NO idea that it might be a bad idea to not flip his turtle figurines over the three phases that feed our house!

!

These are right-wing repbulicans. Dumb. Dumb, dumb, and dumb!

N!

BeyGon · 04:52 PM

How to Blow a thread as simple as home schooling, get normie involved.

normie
" and others, like Anne Brautigan, who I hope died a lingering, painful death. While her phone in Brownstown township, Michigan ringed from a prank-caller."

not even a little bit, not a very little bit of class there normie.

Normy · 05:27 PM

Edited - personal attack removed. -Z-man.

aways · 02-09-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normy

Do you really think you are capable of giving your daughters the same education as people who have an education degree, and spend their days teaching children?

More so. "Education" majors are the bottom of the barrel at most colleges and Universities. They spend all their time studying Diversity, Recycling, and Socialism. When they have to take real courses, like in the sciences, they usually fall flat on their faces.

I really don't understand the whole "home-school" thing.

Obviously.

Professional teachers are ALWAYS going to be more effective.

At PC propaganda... Yes. At teaching substance, NO.

The public school system is really a disgrace. There are some hard-working competent teachers, but they are outnumbered by education bureaucrats and have their hands tied by teacher's unions.

Rot 911 · 02-09-2010, 05:18 PM

Edited - personal attack removed. -Z-man.

A930Rocket · 02-09-2010, 05:21 PM

Like so many things, you get what you put into it. Our kids have a good home with what I think are normal parents (they may disagree...), but they've done well when they were homeschooled and when they moved on. Our daughter is in the top 10 of her class of 600 taking all honors classes and some AP classes. She has never gotten below and "A" until this past semester when she got just got a "B' in her AP class. She was not happy. The general population (GC) kids are the one's dragging behind. Our son gets A and B's as well. Homeschooing didn't hurt them.

Sounds like "Austin" has issues due to his parents style of parenting.

Normy · 02-09-2010, 05:25 PM

Edited - personal attack removed. -Z-man.

BeyGon · 02-09-2010, 05:47 PM

Edited - personal attack removed. -Z-man.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normy

Post removed. -Z-man.

How did we go from homeschooling to thermometers?

curlesw · curlesw's Garage

vmisquez,

We have six children and home school with our oldest to graduate high school next year. Unlike some who have NO experience with home schooling (yet feel qualified to make some very bold statements against it), I could write at length about home schooling along with the advantages and challenges based on years of experience with multiple children. However, I won't but will rather encourage you along the path you and your wife have already chosen.

Homeschooling gives you endless opportunities public/private schooling are unable to offer. You can tailor your children's education as you see fit and at whatever pace your child desires. It appears you and your children are highly self-motivated allowing you take control of their education which will result in an excellent education (my opinion).

Homeschooling has grown significantly over the past decade and there are numerous resources available to parents. We use a combination of on-line classes, co-op, tutoring, parent-lead and self-study. We have enjoyed this flexibility and believe we have been able to offer our children excellent instruction across all disciplines.

You and your wife are more than qualified to home school your children. It may seem daunting at first because there are so many options, resources, and approaches. We felt overwhelmed one more than one occasion. But, you can do it! You do not have to be an expert in every subject. Determine how you want to education your children (e.g. traditional "coursework", classical, topical) pick your resources (ciriculums, on-line, tutors), and be consistent in your schedule. I am confident your children will covet their education and thank you when they get older.

Finally, a quick word on the "lack of social skills". I find it odd that this is typically the first response to home schooling. As with any situation you can find examples to support your position. However, based on the experience with my six children we have consistently received feedback that yes, our children are difference socially; they are polite, respectful, look adults in the eye when talking, can carry a conversation with children or adults and are pleasant to be around. However, I think this is a function of parenting and not the educational method. So not all home school children lack social skills, there is hope.

Best of luck, I am excited for you and your family!

v/r
Wayne C.

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

there are two reasons to home school.. 1. because you have too, like in your case whereas the child is doing projects, sports, etc.. (what about hiring a tutor??) and 2. because you live at the end of the street and you're known as the 'weird family'..