| Author | |
Mary Chris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 27 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2175
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 9:32am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
what do you say? I don't mean the sarcastic, rolling of eyes questioner....but the mom who is truly interested and asking for counsel. I feel I have been doing this so long, and still not really sure what I'm doing, I don't know where to begin. So where do you start?
I always suggest 4Real as a first stop, but I imagine this could be a little overwhelming at first look.
__________________
Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maddie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1804
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 9:33am | IP Logged
|
|
|
That book, "Catholic Homeschooling" might be a good first resource.
__________________
~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Lara Sauer
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 15 2007
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 679
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 9:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I always tell them that they need to find their "heart" reason for homeschooling...because, when the going gets tough...and it will...this will provide their incentive to keep going.
As far as directing them to resources, I would direct them to real people that I know who homeschool, before I referred them to books.
__________________
You can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but you can't take the Wisconsin out of the girl!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 10:17am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I tend to a "gush"  a bit when asked about homeschooling. I explain that we try to instill in all our children a love of our Faith, a love of our family, a love of learning, and a general sense of comfort and safety. Ginny Seuffert (from Seton) said at her talk at IHM that a homeschool should have 4 goals:
- making saints of our children
- keeping it simple
- raising active citizens
As she said, we don't need more bad-Catholic geniuses making a fortune ... we need good Catholics always seeking the good, the true and the beautiful in whatever and wherever God calls them ....
OK, enough gushing 
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Martha
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 25 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2291
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 10:57am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am similir to Lara on this.
I tell them what we do
I direct them to resources that might help them (for example if they are worried aobut teaching a k-er to read, I might suggest materials we've used over the years)
I direct them to people/links that might have valuable info for them (state laws, curriculum reviews...)
And I invite them over to my house to see what we do and how we do it. Because after 9 years, it's very hard to sum up all that we do. So I try not to totally freak them out and over-whelm them and scare them off. LOL
__________________
Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 12:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary G wrote:
Ginny Seuffert (from Seton) said at her talk at IHM that a homeschool should have 4 goals:
- keeping it simple
|
|
|
Ah, music to my ears.  I love it when someone wiser and with more longevity (hsing-wise) gives me this permission. 
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I tell people first-and-foremost that's it a lifestyle, one that you have to embrace wholeheartedly to make it work and last.
And there's a whole lot of milk in that coconut...
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rachel May
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 24 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2057
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 12:54pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm with Mary...I gush about what we love about homeschooling. If people ask about nitty gritty, I ask questions to try to discern their vision of homeschooling (Do they expect it to be like school?) and offer to hand hold as much as they want. I have to work hard not to give more help than they ask for.
__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JuliaT
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 25 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 563
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 1:29pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
If someone asks me about homeschooling because they are interested in it for their family, then I give them the realistic view--the good and the bad. There are some down sides to hsing and I feel it is my place to be honest about that. There are also some glorious benefits and fun times. For me, the good outweighs the bad, but that might not be the case for everyone. I just think people should go into this with their eyes open.
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3 (10,8,6)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 2:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Cay Gibson wrote:
I tell people first-and-foremost that's it a lifestyle, one that you have to embrace wholeheartedly to make it work and last.
And there's a whole lot of milk in that coconut... |
|
|
yep! ... it's a vocation not an 8-3 day like "real school". It's 24/7 with no breaks and no vacation ... becuase we're always learning and always teaching (and boy, have the kids taught me a ton!
Debra Bell writes in her Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling says that we'll never be able to teach our kids everything, but if we teach them to love learning as well as how to find the answers, they can learn what they need to on their own.
The funny thing ... my older ones went to pretty good Catholic schools off-and-on where they were challenged and pushed pretty hard ... since I've been home-learning with my littles, I've re-evaluated my push to make all my kids geniuses. As Seuffert said, "the world doesn't need anymore heretical Catholic geniuses"! I'd rather ensure they have a strong grounding in the faith and love to learn ... and the rest will follow ....
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: June 17 2009 at 4:57pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I usually keep it simple and tell them that it is great fun, we enjoy our days thoroughly, we learn so much, and can't imagine ever giving this up to go back to traditional school.Then I invite them join us on a paddle or a hike to see what it is exactly that we do.
It's pretty convincing. 
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ALmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3299
|
| Posted: June 18 2009 at 11:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I got these questions pretty regularly once the local homeschool science and academic teams beat out the local private school science/academic teams. It is kind of funny because all the questions were coming from very academically oriented folks who were looking for ways to give their kids the edge in getting into the big name schools. These folks knew both the kid on the teams that won (who was also winning all the piano competitions, known informally among this folks as the Caucasian Asian - this being the nickname the Asians gave him so no tomatoes, please). He was quite a gifted individual who thrived because he loved what he was doing and knew what he wanted. I get the feeling that the family didn't duplicate school in the home. They also knew us from piano as well - and also orchestra. For some reason we were more approachable - maybe because I'm chatty, maybe because my dh is Asian descent . These were also the folks who would ask me how I got my dd to practice violin wiht the idea of learning the "trick" and helping their child become concertmaster. I honestly don't think I was much help cause I'm coming from such a different angle and never once asked my child to practice. She loved what she was doing - and practiced because she loved the instrument and saw it as a priviledge to take lessons. This whole internal motivation is partially her personality and partially from not being pushed and allowed to find her way through our homeschooling style.
I gushed, as someone else said, about the things we loved about homeschooling - but also was honest about my philosophy of working with our children where they were and not getting into the pressure cooker where my kids have to be taking the most complicated courses in everything. I wasn't schooling them in order to get into MIT, UPEnn,CAltech or those other big name schools for engineering and science and medicine. (I did mention that homeschoolers with those desires and interests were not having any trouble getting in to wherever they wanted to go with some local examples - it just wasn't our driving goal). I expressed our religious beliefs as a prime motivator in homeschooling and that our goals were more about the kind of people they became without going deeply into religion but not hiding it or the desire to have an honest presentation of history, for instance, either- as I was talking to mostly non-Christian people here. I was schooling them with the idea that they needed the foundation to learn and pursue whatever God called them to do and to become a basically well-rounded individual, a good steward of whatever talents God had given them, disciplined and hardworking. I tried, however inadequately, to explain how we certainly didn't want to place roadblocks in the path by not providing foundational skills - but we were not forcing AP subjects across the board either. There is a certain dance between child-led and parental guidance which we strive for. We tried to tailor things to the child's passions and abilities while providing a basic, well rounded grounding in areas of less interest - not necessarily AP. We talked about really good books and not so many textbooks - about really learning and not just memorizing. We talked about the bonding in the family from working towards common goals - and we were honest about the areas where we had to work harder, along with some of the opportunities we were finding to fill those needs. We did explain that it was a real committment on our part - something involving our time and energy but that even though our children do a lot of independent learning, we are always in touch with what they're learning and what other materials, books, opportunities we might need to strew their way. We also talked about getting support in areas of weakness (our case this was science and I shared that with them even though most of the dads were probably science professors or doctors), but for most of the mom's asking the questions, English was a second language so I mentioned the various providers who do grade compositions for you, etc. and support and materials in this area are a lot easier to find than in science. I'd have jumped if one of the parents offered a trade of some sort and did mention that many homeschool families do things like this.
It turned out that most of the parents were really simply impressed with what they saw as the results of homeschooling - but they weren't necessarily looking to do this themselves. They were hoping to find another contact for information on materials, techniques - any hints that would possibly give their children the edge. Many of them asked for copies of my book catelogues. Most never would have understood the need for leisure for the children to follow their own interests - or even comprehended how children really do become interested in learning things for learnings sake and not just to get ahead in life. I tried to share these discoveries as best I could and describe some of the more untraditional ways my children learned - like having the opportunity to play with playdough without my interference which led to looking up the internal anatomy of various animals so they could build it and have something interesting to discover when they "hunted" these animals. Or, that being allowed to play in the mud meant the children started thinking about how all the houses they made would be neat if they had lights which led to one child actually experimenting with various ways to harness water and generate electricity to making a generator and all the research and learning that took place as a result. I mentioned that we do restrict time sitting and watching - whether it is movies, TV, computer or whatnot and that we did a lot of family read alouds. I also talked about using the children's passions to help provide foundational learning in other areas - so our scientist who hated history got interested in it after finding a lot of biographies of scientists or the history of invention or .... How I taught him to write by having him write about his self-made experiments.
I'm not sure I was a lot of help - but I was honest in responding to an honest question. I tried to know where the family was coming from and provide them something useful for their own children. These parents clearly cared about their kids and their kids educations. I'm sure at least some of them got some interesting reading material and most seemed most interested in how to get their children to have more interest in history and seemed most attentive when I talked about how history textbooks just don't make history come alive. I'm sure they supplemented their children's education with some real books on history. They often asked for specific recommendations which I offered but also suggested a few mail order catelogues and books like Mrs Hatcher's which gives point of view information as well as historical time period. Knowing the people who are asking, helps. If I don't know them, I try to at least get some feel for what they are looking for.
Janet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Barbara C.
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 11 2007
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 882
|
| Posted: June 18 2009 at 2:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
It just kind of depends on what exactly they asked. If they ask for a resource to start with I usually recommend Lisa Whelchel's "So You're Thinking About Homeschooling?" A lot of people still remember "The Facts of Life" and are intrigued that someone 'they know' homeschools. The book was the first one I read and I like that it introduces the various methods, reasons, and family types that homeschool in a story format. It's a fun and easy read--not too overwhelming or dry.
If they ask how we came to consider homeschooling, I tell them how I started researching it so I could talk my friend out of doing it and became amazed at the possibilities it opened up.
If they ask why we homeschool, I tell them I have a million reasons but the main two are 1. customized education and 2. the option to sleep late.
If they ask how homeschooling is done, I give a short summary of IL's laws, mention that there are a variety of options available, and give a brief over-view of what we do.
If they mention that they would never have the patience to do it, I agree that some days are hard but it is also a process that refines my own character and I wouldn't miss it for anything.
If they mention socialization, well...there's a million different angle to address that one. Like someone else mentioned, the temptation is not to talk someone's ear off, possibly overwhelming them or turning them off.
I obviously feel that homeschooling is superior for the majority of children, but I don't want to make anyone feel guilty or inferior for sending their kids to school. I think if more people really understood about homeschooling they would see it as the obvious best option. So, I try to informative, humorous, and respectful.
__________________
Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KauaiCatholic
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 25 2009
Location: Hawaii
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 535
|
| Posted: June 18 2009 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
wow Barbara, will you come answer for me? I love your attitude but often get tongue-tied and think of great responses later.
so I've developed a pat answer to start with: "we really believe it's the very best thing for our family at this time." my other standard response is along the lines of: "of course it can be challenging, but the rewards are so much greater. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything."
I've learned that if I say those things with great sincerity (easy because it's all so true), I can glean a lot from their response. depending on what it seems like they're looking for, I go more in-depth from there. (curriculum/legal issues; regional/online support; etc.)
oh, and I try to avoid bashing the public schools, but am not always successful. this state has an abysmal school system but the private schools are outrageously expensive, so we have a lot of hs'ers who start out of desperation, I'm afraid.
anyway, I've learned the best thing to do is start simple and follow their lead. which sometimes involves a little gushing.
I'm enjoying these responses; it will certainly help expand my repertoire ... sometimes hs'ing feels a little like an outreach program, doesn't it? thanks for all the great ideas!
__________________
 Viviane
Grateful mama of Jonah Augustine ('01), Sophia Marie ('05) and Luke Dominic ('10)
We can do no great things; only small things with great love. -- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Barbara C.
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 11 2007
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 882
|
| Posted: June 18 2009 at 4:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Viviane, I am probably much smoother at answering 'on paper' than I am at the time. It gets very hard not too get excited talking about my favorite subject.
I know what you mean about hs'ing feeling like an outreach program. What color ribbon should be pin to our lapel?
__________________
Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KauaiCatholic
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 25 2009
Location: Hawaii
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 535
|
| Posted: June 18 2009 at 4:13pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Barbara C. wrote:
| I know what you mean about hs'ing feeling like an outreach program. What color ribbon should we pin to our lapel? |
|
|
dunno about the color, but it should probably be made of construction paper. maybe decorated with glitter and spit-up?
__________________
Viviane
Grateful mama of Jonah Augustine ('01), Sophia Marie ('05) and Luke Dominic ('10)
We can do no great things; only small things with great love. -- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: June 18 2009 at 4:15pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
KauaiCatholic wrote:
Barbara C. wrote:
| I know what you mean about hs'ing feeling like an outreach program. What color ribbon should we pin to our lapel? |
|
|
dunno about the color, but it should probably be made of construction paper. maybe decorated with glitter and spit-up?
|
|
|
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: When someone asks about homeschooling
