To homeschool or not to homeschool?

My wife is thinking about homeschooling our kids next year. I have a daughter going into 5th grade and a son going into 1st. We'd either be sending them to a private school or homeschooling. I'm a little concerned with the quality of the education they would get if they homeschooled, if only because we also have another child 1 year younger than the upcoming 1st grader, and I think it might be a little overwhelming for her. I know we could save money by homeschooling though, but I'm also concerned that my kids won't get the socialization skills necessary.

Who has homeschooled in here and could discuss the pros/cons of the two?

Don't do it

Just a couple questions: why aren't you considering the public school system? what type of experience does your wife have with teaching?

My mom homeschooled my younger sister for a year (I believe I was at the local high school and my sister was in 6th grade at the time). It was a different type of situation because it was a co-op (a couple other families had pulled their children from the local private school as well, but didn't want to place them in the public school either). So, the co-op teaching staff consisted of 3 mothers I believe and I think there were a total of 4 kids. Anyway, if I ever considered homeschool for my future children, this would be the only way I would do it as the kids had the opportunity to socialize with other kids who weren't their siblings, had specialized instruction from intelligent parents, many of whom had teaching experience, and were able to have unique learning opportunities kids in public and/or private school would never get (field trips to science museums, special museum exhibits highlighting what they were learning in history, etc.). While it doesnt sound like a co-op is really an option for you, I think the stuff I outlined are some of the perks of homeschooling a child. Since the little co-op my sister was in was run in the 90s, I'm sure homeschool curriculum has advanced immensely and I'm sure there is a whole world of online learning opportunities and virtual classrooms that are available now that weren't back then.

If I had to think of drawbacks, it would be the socialization factor. I don't know if I've ever met a kid who was homeschooled by themselves or with a sibling who weren't at least mildly socially awkward. I think that would be the biggest concern for me as a parent. I would definitely be concerned as well about the age of your 2 youngest children. They might require the type of attention that would make it difficult for your wife to teach effectively. I don't know though, I have no idea how organized your wife is, what type of experience she has in education, etc.

So, as usual, advice cannot be doled out in black and white "yes/no." Obviously it depends a lot on the individual factors in your household. Best of luck to you and your wife as you guys make this decision. :)

My SIL is planning on home schooling. I think she has whacked out ideas of diets for her family and is very narrow-minded about her Catholic beliefs. So I think it's just more indoctrination and propaganda than "home schooling". Sure, it always comes from a place of love but we live in rural area, they live in a relatively secluded farm house, and the kids will probably only hang out with "vetted" friends. It's just a small, intolerant world that keeps getting smaller for these kids.

List of famous homeschoolers

Any list with John Travolta is suspect, 'Cause you know the topic of that home school. Any list that mentions George Washington is suspect. How else were people in isolated plantations educated back then.

I'm probably being unfair. Oh and everyone's favorite homeschooled athlete: Tebow.

Basically, don't homeschool because I can't stand my sister-in-law.

Agree with K

Every home school kid I've met has been a bit "off"

But if that's not as important for you, go for it. Most of those same kids are quite intelligent

Homeschooling is a bad choice in my opinion for a couple of reasons. First, parents usually lack training in teaching strategies and have knowledge, resource deficits. With the internet that can be mitigated, but there will still be holes. Second, while the one to one attention is great, students also learn by modeling and learning from others at a similar developmental level. We don't think like kids do and they are actually pretty good at teaching each other. Third, one of the reasons for school is not facts and figures, but socializing. Kids need to learn how to interact in society and multiple contexts. Homeschooling obviously has huge limitations in this. Fourth, kids need callouses. In this world, they do need to learn to deal with jerks, bullies, and idiots. These people don't disappear once you leave the world of school. Fifth, if you are an engaged parent, there is absolutely no reason you can't "home school" a child who is in school by supplementing the education or working with your child on homework, etc. School should never be the sole place of learning.

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Originally Posted by Burgold

First, parents usually lack training in teaching strategies and have knowledge, resource deficits. With the internet that can be mitigated, but there will still be holes.

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Not to mention... even teachers constantly discuss students' deficiencies with other teachers in an effort to find the best strategies/resources to meet their needs as a learner.

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School should never be the sole place of learning.

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:applause:
If all parents understood this a teacher's job would be a lot easier.

Burgold, I love your analysis, that was really great. I was thinking of talking my stepdaughter into letting me homeschool my oldest granddaughter(she's 7). She's not doing her in-class work, is disruptive and won't even begin to entertain the idea of homework. But she's really smart! She really likes small science stuff, likes figuring out how things work and why. I just wonder if she needs a different setting, and if it's with grandma, (I'm a tough one, not a softy, and she knows it), would it help her? They live about an hour's drive away, but I think she'd get more knowledge in less time with me. She has no social issues, being half Hispanic she deals with everyone well. I've never seen her be mean to anyone other than her bigger brother, and I encouraged her when she punched him once...he kept stepping on her blankie and making her trip and fall, so when she hit him, I said,"Yeah, don't let him do that to you." They're so protective of each other now!
Any ideas? When they're coming over, hubby and I usually plan a little "project" for them, and they usually accomplish it. They're not dummies...I've met their teachers and she's the only one with issues.

I agree with Burgold,but it depends on the child.
Public/group schooling tends to limit the pace of learning in many cases,but is beneficial in social development and group learning.
some children if not challenged will find other avenues to keep their attention....good avenues need to be encouraged.
allowing them to tutor other kids or other extracurricular activity can help

With someone who's seven the question is why she's acting out and what's the payoff she's getting out of it. There needs to be a careful balancing of extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. Does she get feel that flash of pride or excitement when she figures something out? Is she seeing all the bad kids get all the much wanted attention? Maybe that's why she's not being productive or maybe she's not getting enough support for being brilliant at home?

There are too many variables to guess entirely, but seven is a great age to course correct if you are seeing negative signs. It could also be a lousy environment. There are some classrooms that really are maladaptive to learning? Have you talked to the teachers?

If you have concerns about the quality of your local public school education, move to a better zip code.

Schools have many resources and better trained professionals than a single parent can offer part-time. The school day is short enough that you can find time every day to work with the kid as a parent and accelerate thEir development.

I have met with her teachers, both last year and this one. They say she just refuses to focus on what she's doing...I think it's the sitting down and being quiet so EVERYONE can hear and learn at the same time. As a grandparent who's never been a parent, I need help. (They play in a "little league" basketball league, and I love those games! But I see her occasionally not caring, leaning somewhere, not focused on the game. Her brother is all in...stays focused. And we thought he would be the one who needed help.)

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Originally Posted by Corcaigh

If you have concerns about the quality of your local public school education, move to a better zip code.

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why not school choice?

As someone who lived through it for a good stretch don't do it. Social and peer relations development are just as, if not more important than the book learning you do in pre college education. I also spent a lot of time in private schools, which imo are highly overrated (went to public high school for the last 2 years). Public school will give them the best opportunity to meet, interact with and understand the real world. Private school and homeschool serve to isolate them from more and more people.

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Originally Posted by skinsmarydu

I have met with her teachers, both last year and this one. They say she just refuses to focus on what she's doing...I think it's the sitting down and being quiet so EVERYONE can hear and learn at the same time. As a grandparent who's never been a parent, I need help. (They play in a "little league" basketball league, and I love those games! But I see her occasionally not caring, leaning somewhere, not focused on the game. Her brother is all in...stays focused. And we thought he would be the one who needed help.)

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One solution I remember from special Ed days (not suggesting a disability) but one accommodation that's been proven successful is a stress ball. With one hand she gets to work out energy which leaves her the ability to focus. Works well some.