Comments on: When the kitchen and den are classrooms http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/ Your source to discuss and learn about education in Atlanta, Georgia and the nation Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:23:18 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: parent and teacher http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6231 parent and teacher Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:11:55 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6231 What people don't realize is that teachers rarely see the homeschool success stories - we see the failures when the parents find out that teaching really is hard work and that it's hard to do successfully. I applaud those that do it right - it's tough to do well. I also think that there are kids for whom homeschool is the best choice - extremely gifted - you know, off the charts, IQ over 160, less than 2% of population gifted. They tend to be so curious and such self-learners that homeschool is a blessing for them. I like to say that I also "homeschooled" - I reinforced at home what they learned at school and then some - provided experiences, read with them, etc. You can't expect the school to do it all, and public schools are really designed for a minimum - you have to work to get it above that. What people don’t realize is that teachers rarely see the homeschool success stories – we see the failures when the parents find out that teaching really is hard work and that it’s hard to do successfully.

I applaud those that do it right – it’s tough to do well. I also think that there are kids for whom homeschool is the best choice – extremely gifted – you know, off the charts, IQ over 160, less than 2% of population gifted. They tend to be so curious and such self-learners that homeschool is a blessing for them.

I like to say that I also “homeschooled” – I reinforced at home what they learned at school and then some – provided experiences, read with them, etc. You can’t expect the school to do it all, and public schools are really designed for a minimum – you have to work to get it above that.

]]> By: Concerned Blood Donor http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6179 Concerned Blood Donor Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:30:06 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6179 Nowadays it's hard to find a job because of the recession. There are many got unemployed and seeking job now. As a worker, I am also a blood donor to help on my daily needs. I think this is a very big help for the students who are seeking for a part time job now or got unpaid internship and especially it is summer time which are some of us need extra income. I'm donating for 2 years now and it really helps because every donation I <a href="http://bloodbanker.com/banks/" rel="nofollow">make up to $50/hour for blood donation</a>. As we all know, Blood bank shortages kill tons of people all the time and it is the time to spread the word about blood donation and give blood, you will never know when YOU might need blood. This really helpful even it is just a part time job, the bottom line of this is to saved lives. Nowadays it’s hard to find a job because of the recession. There are many got unemployed and seeking job now. As a worker, I am also a blood donor to help on my daily needs. I think this is a very big help for the students who are seeking for a part time job now or got unpaid internship and especially it is summer time which are some of us need extra income. I’m donating for 2 years now and it really helps because every donation I make up to $50/hour for blood donation. As we all know, Blood bank shortages kill tons of people all the time and it is the time to spread the word about blood donation and give blood, you will never know when YOU might need blood. This really helpful even it is just a part time job, the bottom line of this is to saved lives.

]]> By: Lisa http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6146 Lisa Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:29:48 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6146 Vince since you are an Adminstrator, maybe you can change the system. I pulled my daughter out of public school because she was behind and I was receiving NO help from the "Goverment School" she was attending. I was very involved with her school and volunteered weekly. She is now ahead of her friends and feels excited about learning. Because you and your wife are educators, your children were taken care of by other educators that were teaching them. Georgia needs to look at how other states are succeeding in their schools and implement it. Maybe block schedules where children have more time in each subject instead of the 42 minutes a teacher has to cram it all in. Don't knock the homeschoolers until you try it! Vince since you are an Adminstrator, maybe you can change the system. I pulled my daughter out of public school because she was behind and I was receiving NO help from the “Goverment School” she was attending. I was very involved with her school and volunteered weekly. She is now ahead of her friends and feels excited about learning. Because you and your wife are educators, your children were taken care of by other educators that were teaching them. Georgia needs to look at how other states are succeeding in their schools and implement it. Maybe block schedules where children have more time in each subject instead of the 42 minutes a teacher has to cram it all in. Don’t knock the homeschoolers until you try it!

]]> By: Cere http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6096 Cere Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:37:27 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6096 My child had a long-term sub for Spanish in a "high-performing" public high school - the sub didn't speak a word of Spanish! My child had a long-term sub for Spanish in a “high-performing” public high school – the sub didn’t speak a word of Spanish!

]]> By: Ken Thompson http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6089 Ken Thompson Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:05:24 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6089 Regulating homeschool is problematic. Legend has it that the originally proposed legislation included a provision that homeschool students must take and "pass" some form of widely accepted standardized test or they must return to public school. One legislator asked "what do we do with the public school students who don't pass the same test?" As it turns out (for us anyway) the student takes a test but we doesn't have to score above any level, and if I recall correctly, we didn't even have to report the scores. As for "you aren't qualified to teach your own children", it would present a similar dilemma. What do we do with all the "teachers" teaching outside their hyphenated-degree "field"? Fire them too? Regulating homeschool is problematic. Legend has it that the originally proposed legislation included a provision that homeschool students must take and “pass” some form of widely accepted standardized test or they must return to public school. One legislator asked “what do we do with the public school students who don’t pass the same test?” As it turns out (for us anyway) the student takes a test but we doesn’t have to score above any level, and if I recall correctly, we didn’t even have to report the scores.

As for “you aren’t qualified to teach your own children”, it would present a similar dilemma. What do we do with all the “teachers” teaching outside their hyphenated-degree “field”? Fire them too?

]]> By: free market educator http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6083 free market educator Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:37:50 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6083 I prefer the term "free market education" to "home school". It is true that very few are experts in teaching all subjects. However, in this computer age, "expert" teachers can be bought or rented on DVD or internet for a very reasonable price. Live tutors can also be hired and part time schools can be utilized. The parents can teach courses they feel competent in and plan educational field trips. If they decide that at some point a public or private school will best suit their child's need, then they can plan for that option as well. Isn't that the ultimate in free choice? Free market education is not for the lazy or faint of heart. It requires dedication and sacrifice and an inner motivation to glean its huge benefits: freedom, family time, a custom education, and a great excuse to spend money on books, computers and travel! Imagine, we do all this without government funding. In addition, we save taxpayers thousands each year by not claiming our government sanctioned tuition. Instead of worrying about "regulating" us, the school board should be sending us thank you notes. I wonder how many more furlough days would be required if all private and home schooled children showed up at GPS or APS this year? I prefer the term “free market education” to “home school”. It is true that very few are experts in teaching all subjects. However, in this computer age, “expert” teachers can be bought or rented on DVD or internet for a very reasonable price. Live tutors can also be hired and part time schools can be utilized. The parents can teach courses they feel competent in and plan educational field trips. If they decide that at some point a public or private school will best suit their child’s need, then they can plan for that option as well. Isn’t that the ultimate in free choice?

Free market education is not for the lazy or faint of heart. It requires dedication and sacrifice and an inner motivation to glean its huge benefits: freedom, family time, a custom education, and a great excuse to spend money on books, computers and travel! Imagine, we do all this without government funding. In addition, we save taxpayers thousands each year by not claiming our government sanctioned tuition. Instead of worrying about “regulating” us, the school board should be sending us thank you notes. I wonder how many more furlough days would be required if all private and home schooled children showed up at GPS or APS this year?

]]> By: Seen it all http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6081 Seen it all Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:15:29 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6081 Elaine (and all the other homeschoolers out there), I agree with your point that "homeschooling" is more than just buying some workbooks and having your child complete worksheets for a few hours a day. The reality is that the MAJORITY of homeschoolers we see tend to come from white, conservative, Christian homes. These are people who are dissatisfied with the public school system, typically for NONINSTRUCTIONAL issues. Their purpose for homeschooling is for idealogical reasons. There are many parents who have issues with the schools, but they never homeschool. The homeschoolers we see are a handful of families, typically with a mother who can afford to stay at home. This is probably why you are seeing some people on this blog talk about a "Jesus" factor. Elaine (and all the other homeschoolers out there),

I agree with your point that “homeschooling” is more than just buying some workbooks and having your child complete worksheets for a few hours a day. The reality is that the MAJORITY of homeschoolers we see tend to come from white, conservative, Christian homes. These are people who are dissatisfied with the public school system, typically for NONINSTRUCTIONAL issues. Their purpose for homeschooling is for idealogical reasons. There are many parents who have issues with the schools, but they never homeschool. The homeschoolers we see are a handful of families, typically with a mother who can afford to stay at home. This is probably why you are seeing some people on this blog talk about a “Jesus” factor.

]]> By: ScienceTeacher671 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6080 ScienceTeacher671 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:39:19 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6080 It all depends on the family and their reasons for homeschooling, I think. Some of the brightest & most poised and polite students I've met have been homeschooled. Then again, I've had a few formerly homeschooled students who were quite behind, and in some cases the parents admitted they had not really worked at educating their children. Just as there are academically strong public schools and some that are not so strong, some homeschooled students excel and some do not. It all depends on the family and their reasons for homeschooling, I think. Some of the brightest & most poised and polite students I’ve met have been homeschooled. Then again, I’ve had a few formerly homeschooled students who were quite behind, and in some cases the parents admitted they had not really worked at educating their children.

Just as there are academically strong public schools and some that are not so strong, some homeschooled students excel and some do not.

]]> By: Jessica http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6078 Jessica Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:11:51 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6078 Vince, most of the parents returning their children to public schools are probably those who realized that homeschool wasn't working out for them. The many successful ones don't come back, so you never see them. Vince, most of the parents returning their children to public schools are probably those who realized that homeschool wasn’t working out for them. The many successful ones don’t come back, so you never see them.

]]> By: Cere http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/08/05/when-the-kitchen-and-den-are-classrooms/comment-page-1/#comment-6076 Cere Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:56:34 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/?p=979#comment-6076 Vince, that's insulting. You are painting with a very broad brush. Shall we do a little research to see just how many geography bee, spelling bee, essay contest winners etc are home schooled? Oh, maybe when you see them on the streets, they look acceptable to you in your crystal ball so you just assume that they couldn't possibly be home schooled. Geeesh. Vince, that’s insulting. You are painting with a very broad brush. Shall we do a little research to see just how many geography bee, spelling bee, essay contest winners etc are home schooled? Oh, maybe when you see them on the streets, they look acceptable to you in your crystal ball so you just assume that they couldn’t possibly be home schooled. Geeesh.

]]>