OK, so I finally decided to join the blog-o-sphere. It feels a little egotistical, but I figure no one has to read it if they don't want to...so here goes.
The purpose of this blog is to give me a place to express my ever-evolving ideas about education in our society. Many of my friends have had to endure my rants. Perhaps this blog will be a place to help those rants develop into well-thought-out ideas. I hope that readers will add their perspectives, point out my inconsistencies, and have fun thinking and blogging about education and learning.
Dear Karen, you write very convincingly about home schooling! I do think that education right now is missing its purpose in forming and empowering children to discover who they are! I would completely change the curriculum and I would focus on teaching kids an age appropriate version of anthropology, pshichology, behavioral science, relationships, comparative religious studies,budgeting, cooking, making a home, being in the world etc. There are a few good schools out there though...for the happy few.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I see with homes schooling is that most parents have to work to make ends meet...or to live surrounded by material wealth.
i also think that there are very few parents who enjoy spending time with and teaching their children. Pre school, kindergarten, school are also ways to get rid of your kids for some hours. It is sad but it is true! You are a great mother and you sacrificed ( maybe) your career to be dedicated to your children and their education. Kudos to you! Liliana
Lili,
ReplyDeleteI hear you and understand what you are saying. Currently, parents are required to make that "all or nothing" choice (in most states)--35 hours a week or nothing. But wouldn't it be great if kids and parents could choose to participate in group learning (ie school-type situations) on a part-time basis? I would love it if my kids could walk to our local elementary (3 blocks away) and take a class or two. Right now, we have to create our own learning groups and plug into others that require us to drive all over town.
I realize that homeschooling is not for everyone. But, I also think that there are not enough educational choices out there for families.
Families are already making financial choices based on education. Families move to more expensive neighborhoods which require a double-income just to be in a "good" school district. Families also pay for private schools. When families release themselves from all the constraints of institutional schooling, they can live in less expensive neighborhoods, go on vacation in the off-season, drive less, and spend less on clothing, and get more sleep, to name a few.
As far as sacrifices, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be able to live the life I do. No sacrifices here.
Congrats on your blog, & the window you've opened to your life. I don't have kids, but know I would have struggled w/ the option of home schooling. A mutual friend of ours has an amazing daughter that is home schooled (by her Grandmother)& she's one of the most delightful citizens of the earth that I've ever met! It's so wonderful to be w/ a 7 yr old that doesn't think she's a 14 yr old! I can't help but think a great deal of positive influence was instilled in me from the time I spent in your home as a child & it's great to see you passing that on.
ReplyDeleteSusan (Forrest) McVey
Thanks, Susan.
ReplyDeletegreat start, keep it up.
ReplyDelete