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Tina P.
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| Posted: Aug 31 2011 at 8:43am | IP Logged
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How can you teach a subject you don't even know anything about?? I am not a math whiz and as I was helping my anti-homeschooling son (he goes to the local high school) with his intermediate algebra, I got stuck. He asked me the above question, all the while trying to win his brothers, who are home schooled and one of whom just entered high school this year, to his way of thinking. The older two kids have 'friends', but my youngers have seen what happens there and are not impressed.
Sometimes I do wish I could farm the high schoolers out for subjects such as chemistry, beyond-geometry  math, and physics. The high school has so many more resources for labs and teachers with brains geared for those subjects at hand. And the high school here has already 'OK'd' part-time home schoolers, but because of what I've seen happen to the two kids I sacrificed to full time school,  ... I don't know, I guess they're still OK; I just don't like seeing them become worldly far too soon (in my estimation) or get hurt by heartless peers ... and I just don't know what it would do to those who are still at home.
OTOH, I've seen some lovely, even Catholic-based, high school science courses come out that don't appear to need too much of my intervention ...
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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kristinannie
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| Posted: Aug 31 2011 at 8:56am | IP Logged
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Have you looked into co-ops? I know in our area, we have a doctor who teaches one of the high school sciences every year. They use the lab at one of the local colleges. They do most of the work at home, but meet once a week for a lesson and a lab session. Also, Kolbe has lab DVD's the kids can watch. Those courses are mostly self taught. You could also enroll them in an online course although those can be pricy. Could your husband help you with those subjects? Do you have a homeschool friend who is going at math and science and you could teach her kids literature or something you love? It is nice that you have the option of enrolling at the HS part time. That is not an option here and I wish that it was. In WV, if you start high school at home, you can't ever go to the high school (unless your child wants to go back to 9th grade).
Honestly, I would talk to your husband and really pray about the situation. God will lead you down the right path for each child. I completely understand your concerns about sending the child to high school even part time. I remember what life was like there!  If God leads you to continue down the path you are on, He will give you the grace to teach science and math well. God never asks us to do something that we can't do. He doesn't set us up for failure.
BTW, I was a chem major in college and took quite a bit of physics and upper level math. If you need anything, please let me know. I would love to teach those subjects for you, but I am sure you don't live close to me! 
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John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 31 2011 at 9:49am | IP Logged
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Answer it with a laugh (nothing puts them off like the fact that you find their question amusing instead of threatening).. because at home *I* get to choose the curriculum and can get ones that tell me how problems are done and what the answers are.
And Khan Academy has video on how to do different types of math.. you can probably find what he's working on there (type of problems) and pull it up.. it's all free. 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Aug 31 2011 at 11:42am | IP Logged
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Jodie beat me to Khan Academy. MIT offers MIT Open CourseWare, including lecture notes and, in some cases, projects. Livemocha offers free language courses and practice with native speakers.
I always look these questioners in the eye and say, "We outsource." They stop asking.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Aug 31 2011 at 5:07pm | IP Logged
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Tina, these encounters are so awful. Sorry! If my head was on straight, I would respond with a question, "Are you concerned about your ability to learn algebra or are you trying to be disrespectful to me?" His "I hate homeschooling" stance is a red herring - irrelevant - to the problem at hand. (You two can agree to disagree on the pros/cons of homeschooling.) I would help him to confront the real issues: his inability to understand algebra at this time as well as his disrespectful and ungrateful manner.
His anxiety over algebra may cause him to be unclear and he may need to be reassured that many students have trouble with algebra and sometimes its a matter of patiently waiting to find just the thing that will be helpful to a given student at a given moment. You can assure him that you have many resources available to help.
If he continues to disrespectfully challenge or blame you, that's a discipline issue and I would swiftly remove his stage. I would (hopefully) calmly say, "I can see that you're frustrated. I'm sorry, algebra is tough. But I can't let you treat me poorly and I'm unwilling to help you until you can treat me properly. I'll ask your father to help us sort through this tonight. Until then, I'll be working on my other duties." Done. No discussion. No drama. No nothing  . Honestly, I would be flaming mad or a puddle of tears, depending on the day, but I would FAKE it and be as CALM and DETACHED as possible until I could get to a private space to collect myself. Yes, I've failed miserably at these kind of encounters but I am getting better with experience.
Praying for you, friend! Keep us posted.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Sept 01 2011 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
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For some reason, I read your post yesterday Tina but didn't respond b/c I've never been in that situation and don't even have high schoolers yet. BUT, something prompted me this morning while getting ready that this was more about an attitude the child is allowing to permeate thru your home. Then I came back and saw Angie's words and I think they are RIGHT ON so I'll just copy and paste her words again because she said it so well. 
Angie Mc wrote:
Tina, these encounters are so awful. Sorry! If my head was on straight, I would respond with a question, "Are you concerned about your ability to learn algebra or are you trying to be disrespectful to me?" His "I hate homeschooling" stance is a red herring - irrelevant - to the problem at hand. (You two can agree to disagree on the pros/cons of homeschooling.) I would help him to confront the real issues: his inability to understand algebra at this time as well as his disrespectful and ungrateful manner.
If he continues to disrespectfully challenge or blame you, that's a discipline issue and I would swiftly remove his stage. I would (hopefully) calmly say, "I can see that you're frustrated. I'm sorry, algebra is tough. But I can't let you treat me poorly and I'm unwilling to help you until you can treat me properly. I'll ask your father to help us sort through this tonight. Until then, I'll be working on my other duties." Done. No discussion. No drama. No nothing . Honestly, I would be flaming mad or a puddle of tears, depending on the day, but I would FAKE it and be as CALM and DETACHED as possible until I could get to a private space to collect myself. Yes, I've failed miserably at these kind of encounters but I am getting better with experience.
Praying for you, friend! Keep us posted.
Love, |
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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Barb.b
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At this level you are a mentor and co learner. Kids see how you learn to, which is invaluable. You have taught him HOW to learn and you do it together. This is why most homeschoolers do well with the transition into college.
OH - and also tell or show all the things we have at our disposal. I got this from my mom a lot. When she visited once - I showed her the d.i.v.e CDs, teaching company DVDs, teacher manuals and (in my opinion MOST VALUABLE) the solutions guide to those math and science questions!Barb
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Servant2theKing
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DIVE and the new TEACHER CDs are our saving grace (especially when dh isn't around). I love to tell dc, "If I don't know something, my most important job in homeschooling is to help them learn how to find the answers in life." I love what Barb said about being a mentor and co-learner ~ So very, very true! This year with only high schoolers left, we're relying heavily on CDs and DVDs to give our homeschooling the boost we need in many areas!
Tina, I've BTDT with our oldest ds ~ it's too painful to go into in any detail right now ~ the only way we survived was through lots and lots of prayer and remembering (as much as possible) not to engage in battle. Protecting younger siblings from inappropriate behavior and attitudes is a delicate balance, but important.
In response to the incident you described you could simply, lovingly respond, "You're right. Maybe Dad can help later". It helps a great deal if we as mothers can simply love them, pray for them and try with all our hearts and souls to see past their bristling to the vulnerable, hurting child inside. When my ds would lash out in anger I tried as often as I could to see the dear, wounded little boy I knew was still living deep inside him! Don't give up hope, and never stop loving and praying. Algebra's not nearly as important as eternal salvation ~ ours and theirs! Praying for you and your family!
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: How does a home school mom answer this?
