Yesterday, at work, my 5-year-old dragged me into the office to show me a piece of paper he drew on. He wrote "3+4+5=12". Say what? I'm 34, and it took me a minute to do that calculation in my head! And, last night, he was arguing about sleeping in my bed. I said no, and it wasn't open to negotiation. He said, "why can't I negotiate?"
He's going into kindergarten in 2 weeks.
I spent a little time digging around on the internet for the grade level of the math problem Andrew solved, but couldn't really find it. They did show that 1+2, 2+3, etc. were first grade level. And Andrew and I were doing some of those problems yesterday after I saw that initial math work - he breezed through them. We also did some vertical format (think 12+25) math problems, he took to them like a fish in water. Even some basic subtraction! He must get it from his daddy, math is certainly not my strong suit.
For the first time, I'm seriously considering homeschooling Andrew. Yasar and I are talking about the pros and cons, and we're starting to lean into that direction. I've got some pretty serious researching to do....
So here's where you come in. Anyone tried homeschooling? Succeeded or failed? Know the pitfalls? I'd love your input.
My sister (an ex-teacher) and her husband (a school principal) homeschool their little ones. My nephews are very bright and when my oldest nephew who was in K at the time started crying about having to go to school everyday, my sister decided to just pull him and teach him at home. They're very happy with it right now. As a teacher myself, I worry about socialization. If you choose to homeschool, make sure you sign him up for activities that will give him that social time with others (structured and unstructured). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteEmily--
ReplyDeleteI homeschooled last year, my 1st and 3rd grade girls. It was very rough the first semeser with my 1st grader, we butted heads a lot, but then 2nd semester it was absolutely awesome. My 3rd grader is a model student, very self-driven with school work, is a breeze to teach, gave me a few fits 2nd semester. I'm so glad I did it, even though if you would have been sitting outside our window listening to us argue and me threaten them for misbehaving, you probably wouldn't have thought so. you will never get that time back so in that way you will NEVER regret it. The way I looked at it, the younger grades are easy, teachingi them just math and reading for the most part. Everything else is icing on the cake. There is so much fun you can have with homeschooling--our first day we took journals to starbucks and the 3 of us had "coffee"drinks. It was fun. Homeschooling is not for everyone but once you realize that you will always question yourself if you did the right thing, then you can believe in your heart that you are really doing the the *best* thing for your little Andrew. I know it's a tough decision, believe me I know! But the fact that it is such a tough decision means that you are an awesome parent because you care. Good luck with your decision making!
Christy
I've never done it (seeing my little one is only 18 months) but lots of moms enjoy it. He sounds like such a bright boy!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a parent so I'm not up on what elementary schools do these days, but back in my day, my school would recognize advanced achievement and place students in courses appropriately. For Kindergarten through third grade, I was in the next level Reading/Writing course (1st grade, was in 2nd grade reading, etc.).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your decision!
Wow! You've got a smartie on your hands! I have no advice, but the downside to public school is that there are so many distractions that take away from the actual learning. At home, you can be 100% in control of what he learns and it will let Andrew move at his own pace.
ReplyDeleteI homeschool, I use k12, it is free in colo but it is cheap in other states that don't offer it free. We chose to do it for much the same reasons..our children are advanced and get bored easily and well, we can control the things being taught...from people or other wise.
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy and they have the plans all mapped out for you....they send the stuff, you follow directions. He has a teacher assigned that we can go to and that checks up on us and a park group/field trip group so there is socializing there as well as church.
Also, the k12 lets you move up fast, as soon as 80% of your work is complete you start the next grade...even if it only took you a few weeks to do the kindergarten (or whatever) grade.
Hi Emily - What pleasure to talk w/you about homeschooling & our sweet angel daughters. Your pics are beautiful, what treasures. What sweet reunions we will have.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Kim Wolf<><
I don't have any kids, but a program that a few friends love is TTUISD. It is a K-12 diploma program, and it has worked great for them so far. Check it out at www.k12.ttu.edu, maybe it will work for you! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIf I may, & no offense to Annon's recommendations - b/c if you don't homeschool you are not familiar w/the law, etc. - but anything related w/K-12, or 'charter schools', is actually public school in your home. Public schools will try to pass these off as "homeschooling" but 1) these schools are still listed in the public school section of Ohio Administrative Code (& that of other states) & 2) the school district still gets paid as if your children were still attending their brick & mortar schools. Unfortunately, it boils down to power & money. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Kim<><