I get asked questions about homeschooling all the time, almost daily!
"Why do you homeschool?"
"How do you teach them?"
"How do you know they're getting a proper education?"
"What about socialization?"
I love talking about homeschooling, as I feel passionate about this lifestyle that I've chosen for my family. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Why?
In the beginning, I decided to homeschool based on environment, not education. That's the truth. My oldest daughter attended a private school for Kindergarten and Grade One, and I was generally happy with her education there. I was drawn to homeschooling from the start though. I dreamed of the cool science experiments we would do, the field trips, the reading of classic novels. I knew from the start of the lifestyle that homeschooling could provide, and I thought I would love it. My daughters first year as a homeschooler, grade two, was to be experimental. I had enough curiosity and drive to make it happen but I also decided that I would re-evaluate after a year, to make sure that she was thriving in her education and that it was the right choice.
I'm now beginning my seventh year as a homeschooling mom, so you can guess how well that first year went for us! I have learned more than I could have ever imagined, and my reasons to continue homeschooling have multiplied.
1. I get to spend time with my most favourite people on Earth!
2. My Children receive a tailored education based on their learning desires, preferences and needs.
3. I am more involved and have a better understanding of the education my children are receiving.
4. We have a lot more free time. (yes, it's true)
5. My kids have gotten to experience things that they would not have had time for were they in a classroom for the majority of their day.
6. We are not rushed in the morning and are able to have nice, proper breakfasts.
7. Learning is viewed with enthusiasm.
In no way am I against the Public or Private schooling systems though,I believe each family needs to make decisions regarding education based on what works best for every person involved. I do ask my kids every year if they are interested in Public School and they always answer "no way!". I can see that they are genuinely happy and that they are learning, growing and thriving in the environment that we create together. Part of that enthusiasm that they have comes from the fact that they have a lot of input into their own education, they are enjoying life.
How?
Homeschooling is not what it used to be. Its not even what it was when I started, six years ago. I'm well aware of what the stereotypes are and I'm sure you are too, so I wont waste time on discussing that. I think the biggest misconception is that homeschooling means that the child is not learning what is normally taught in a regular school setting. Where this can be true, its mostly not.
Here in Canada, each province has its own procedure for homeschooling. In British Columbia you must be registered with a school regardless of your schooling preferences. There two main types of homeschooling, "Traditional" and "Distance Learning".
Traditional homeschooling offers families the freedom to learn as they choose. There are no specific guidelines, there is no teacher support and no grading or report cards coming from the Ministry of Education.
Distance Learning requires enrollment in an educational program that is suited for families who want their children to do the majority of their schooling at home, but would still like to follow a curriculum that will provide the family with teacher support, grades and a documented education within the system.
My family has gone the route of Distance Learning. We are assigned a wonderful teacher, with whom I devise an educational plan for my children, one that will cover the requirements of the curriculum.
It is a lot of work, and takes a ton of organizing, which is why I often refer to homeschool as a lifestyle, not just an educational choice. I communicate with our home teacher frequently and I am required to document and record the majority of their learning outcomes. She can then help me to stay on track with the needs of the curriculum, and provide my children with adequate grades and a report card at the end of each term.
There are things that I have to learn (or re-learn) right along with my kids. This is part of the process and is humbling for me, and a good example for my children.
When you send your children to school, you rely on the teachers and school officials to choose what curriculum your children will learn with. As a homeschooler, you quickly learn that there is a plethora of curriculum available. Children are not all the same, they think differently and learn differently, homeschooling has enabled me to choose curriculum that is tailored to the different needs and learning styles of the student. So even though there are outcomes that need to be reached within each grade, there are many different ways toward achieving those goals. My girls are receiving an education that is tailored to them.
Different Paths, Same Destination!
Proper Education?
How does anyone know if their child is getting a proper education? You only know if you ask questions and become involved. As a homeschooling mom, I have made it my business to know about the quality of Education that my children are getting, and the responsibility falls on my shoulders. But no matter your choice of education for your child, being involved should be compulsory.
An example I have that shows success for my own children in the form of grades, is the FSA (Foundation Skills Assesment) testing. I'll share the results of these as an example. For those of you unfamiliar, these are standardized tests that every elementary student takes at Grades 4 and then again in Grade 7 in the province of BC. Last year, I had two of my children required to take these tests. They both came out on the high end of scoring, and my Grade 4 girl, scored one point below the highest possible mark on the exceeding level for her numeracy. That was satisfaction for me, that my children are learning and thriving.
Not everything is about grades and numbers though. My philosophy about education evolves with each year I teach and learn. Education should not be about memorization, but about understanding. Being interested in a subject will always provide better results and I really enjoy being able to tailor lessons so that my children want to participate.
An education should provide you with life skills that let you dream and imagine, it should stir curiosity in the mind. Proper education is keeping the flicker in the flame, it's finding new paths, it's a never-ending process of discovery. Proper Education is to teach the student to love to learn.
Socialization
This is by far the most go-to question when people find out I homeschool. Ask yourself what you think socialization is.
Definition: socialization, the process whereby an individual learns to adjust to a group (or society) and behave in a manner approved by the group (or society). According to most social scientists, socialization essentially represents the whole process of learning throughout the life course and is a central influence on the behaviour, beliefs, and actions of adults as well as of children.
I think people misinterpret the meaning of socialization. As you can see, it generally means to be able to act appropriately in accordance with society.
The school system that we are familiar with today only began during the industrial revolution, in the early 1800's. How on earth did humanity socialize before that?! Socialization is the process of unity in a community, being able to evolve and grow as a society and to independently contribute in some way, shape or form.
It is often thought that our "social" lives are separate from our family lives, however in my own life I find that the social experiences I had outside of the classroom taught me more about myself, others and the world in general, than my time inside the school walls did. I'm not knocking the benefits of a classroom full of kids, for there are benefits to that environment as well, but to assume that this is the only way of socializing in the world, is nonsensical.
My children have friends in the neighborhood that they play with on a daily basis, they take part in sports, art classes and other lessons that provide them with opportunities to meet new people, they have family members who they spend time with. In my case, we have children ranging from 18 to 2 in our home and the time they spend together is also a socialization education within itself! They have learned how to deal with different age group and the importance of what to expect from someone depending on their maturity, and also to respect someone who is older and has more life experience.
So far the experiences they've had in life have taught them how to be kind, generous and thoughtful. They have learned that people have different thoughts and opinions and to respect those that may be different from them. They are growing, thriving and setting goals for the type of people that they hope to become. Socialization is the very least of my worries as a homeschooling mom.
Watching my five year old have an independent conversation with my 100 year old Grandmother, was not only an amazing memory that I will forever cherish, but also an indication that my 5 year old daughter is developing the right skills to communicate and the confidence to express herself. This was the first time they met.
*** If you are interested to know what the curriculum requirements in B.C. are, you can look at them here: BC Curriculum Guide.
Just select the Grade you wish to view.
