I polled a group of homeschoolers this past weekend, asking "How much time do you spend on math"... the consensus was "How much time do you spend on math?".. i.e. the I didn't really get an answer, but was asked in turn how much time my kids spent on the subject.
I thought my answer would be, up to 90 minutes a day or more for high school students... but no. It seems I may be the only one of that opinion. You see, my kids were not math whizzes and it took that long to get through a math lesson and then practice, especially in the high school years. This started in middle school, where we were doing AT LEAST and hour a day, and it just took more and more time as they death with Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and so forth.
And even after all that work, they just did OK on the SAT/ACT exams in the subject. It was their verbal scores that won them their acceptances and scholarships.
So I'd like to ask a bigger audience.. how much time you spend on math, in what grades, and why. And what are/have been the results. I really want to know.
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
Monday, October 13, 2014
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Questions about my accelerated homeschooler
I've been asked a lot of question about my accelerated homeschooler lately. The conversation tends to go like this.
Them: So, now that your son is starting college, you only have one child to homeschooling. What is she now? A Sophomore?
Me: No, she's a Senior.
Them: A Senior?
Me: A Senior.
Them: So, did you rush her through so you could be done? (knowing smile)
Me: No. Both kids worked at their own pace and both were on pace to graduate at about 16. My son decided at 11th grade level that he didn't want to graduate so soon, so he took longer. My daughter made it
clear that she hadn't worked this hard to stop now, and so she is a Senior.
Them: What criteria do you have that designates her a s Senor?
Me: She has finished the scope and sequence and is on the last few "classes" (curriculum) that she needs to graduate. In other words, she has completed more than 4 credits worth of Language Arts, Math, History, Science, and more than 2 credits of Spanish, plus a whopping heap of electives. This qualifies her to graduate and to go to college.
Them: So do your kids get a diploma? What do colleges look at when considering them for acceptance.
Me: Well, first they look at SAT or ACT scores. Some colleges look at GPA as well, especially if the GPA aligns with the SAT scores. If the diploma is accredited (as is happening in my daughter's case, they automatically consideder the GPA as well.
Them: So you actually have proof (accreditation) that your daughter is ready for college? How does accredtiation work?
Me: A person or organization with accreditation credentials looks over all of the work she has done and approves it as being thorough and meeting standards.
Them: So why didn't your son get accreditation?
Me: It wasn't necessary. The college he wanted was more than happy to accept him on terms of his test scores and demonstrated talents?
Them: So why does your daughter need accreditation?
Me: She is competing for specific scholarships where they need to have a GPA.
Them: Wow.
Me: Smirk.
I have had this conversation or close to it a lot lately... There was a time when I wouldn't entertain such questioning, but now I understand that people are truly intrigued by homeschooling. If I were evasive or dismissive they would find the whole this suspect. I think people are more willing to consider homeschooling these days because we are willing to discuss it... even though sometimes we are questioned by people who only want to find reasons to say homeschooling is bad. Mostly I find that people are just curious... (lately anyway).
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
ahermitt.com
Them: So, now that your son is starting college, you only have one child to homeschooling. What is she now? A Sophomore?
Me: No, she's a Senior.
Them: A Senior?
Me: A Senior.
Them: So, did you rush her through so you could be done? (knowing smile)
Me: No. Both kids worked at their own pace and both were on pace to graduate at about 16. My son decided at 11th grade level that he didn't want to graduate so soon, so he took longer. My daughter made it
clear that she hadn't worked this hard to stop now, and so she is a Senior.
Them: What criteria do you have that designates her a s Senor?
Me: She has finished the scope and sequence and is on the last few "classes" (curriculum) that she needs to graduate. In other words, she has completed more than 4 credits worth of Language Arts, Math, History, Science, and more than 2 credits of Spanish, plus a whopping heap of electives. This qualifies her to graduate and to go to college.
Them: So do your kids get a diploma? What do colleges look at when considering them for acceptance.
Me: Well, first they look at SAT or ACT scores. Some colleges look at GPA as well, especially if the GPA aligns with the SAT scores. If the diploma is accredited (as is happening in my daughter's case, they automatically consideder the GPA as well.
Them: So you actually have proof (accreditation) that your daughter is ready for college? How does accredtiation work?
Me: A person or organization with accreditation credentials looks over all of the work she has done and approves it as being thorough and meeting standards.
Them: So why didn't your son get accreditation?
Me: It wasn't necessary. The college he wanted was more than happy to accept him on terms of his test scores and demonstrated talents?
Them: So why does your daughter need accreditation?
Me: She is competing for specific scholarships where they need to have a GPA.
Them: Wow.
Me: Smirk.
I have had this conversation or close to it a lot lately... There was a time when I wouldn't entertain such questioning, but now I understand that people are truly intrigued by homeschooling. If I were evasive or dismissive they would find the whole this suspect. I think people are more willing to consider homeschooling these days because we are willing to discuss it... even though sometimes we are questioned by people who only want to find reasons to say homeschooling is bad. Mostly I find that people are just curious... (lately anyway).
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
ahermitt.com
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
How did your family react when you announced you were homeschooling?
When I let my family know were were homeschooling, they weren't exactly all nice about it.
Some of the reactions/ comments:
"One day they are going to outlaw that homeschool mess!"
"I'm not surprised, I always thought you were crazy" (and that was from the supportive person)
Or the relative that came to me at the end of each year and said, "so are you putting the kids back in school next year". I finally had an emotional outburst and she stopped.
And there there are the relatives that just talked about us behind our back.... now they all want education advice. Interesting.
Does this video sound familiar? Actually, I would prefer my family were this nice.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
Monday, September 6, 2010
Is it time to put your homeschoolers back in school?
This is a dilemma many homeschoolers face. Some times homeschoolers enroll into public school upon their own request. For others, it was planned that they go to public high school from the beginning. There there are those instances when other circumstances dictate enrolling a child into public school. This article addresses this issue.
Not all homeschoolers do so for the entire k-12 process. This means that at one point or another, they will come to the decision to put their child back in school. This can be a difficult and heart-wrenching decision.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Homeschooling for only one year.
I run into alot of people who have decided to homeschool for just one year. I tend to discourage this because it signifies a lack of commitment. Still, there are times that it can still be a great idea.
Following is an article I recently wrote on this subject.
Some people find they need a break from the regular grind and decide to homeschool for one year for any number of reasons. Hopefully they will find this advice to be helpful.
Published 9/3/2010
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Friday, September 3, 2010
Homeschool: Why Would You Do That?
Not all of the homeschooling questions I receive are from people looking to homeschool. Sometimes they come from people who are against it, or want to stir the pot. Here is one such question.
Question: Why would you want to homeschool your children?
Answer: Why wouldn't I want to homeschool my children? Seriously! If there is something crazy or
dysfunctional about me wanting to spend time with my kids and teach them, then I don't know what it is. Here are some of the reasons I do it.
I homeschool my kids because of their thirst for knowledge. I recognized at a young age that my kids were incredibly inquisitive. They would rapid fire questions at me and anyone else who they could pin down about anything under the sun, and not let up until you sent them off to do something else... anything else. Of course other kids are like that too, but I didn't want to see that type of curiousity fade, and so I wanted to homeschool.
I homeschool to give my kids much needed personal attention. For completely different reasons, my kids clearly needed one-on-one attention to maximize their learning. It was suggested often that one child was ADHD and schools wanted her medicated. At 14, she remains unmediated and will finish high school at 16. The other child was clearly more advanced, but was also becoming bored and depressed. As their mom, I knew it was my job to jump in, and so I wanted to homeschool.
I homeschool because I really like being with my kids. Sure I have moments when I want to tear out my hair, and I am certain that my head does the occasional 360 (they are teens now), but at the end of the day, sitting with them and talking about different subjects, teaching them new things, and even having them teach me is invigorating. I wouldn't trade that for the world, so I want to continue homeschooling my kids.
Soon enough, my time homeschooling my kids will be over. We started looking at colleges last summer and are making plans for the next stage in life, both for us and for the kids. In the meanwhile, I will treasure the time I have left as a homeschooling mom, even as I hand them over to tutors for some subjects and drive them all over 'tarnation to participate in activities and prepare to leave the nest. Until then, am glad I made the decision to homeschool my kids.
~leave a comment if you have a REAL question about homeschooling.
Question: Why would you want to homeschool your children?
Answer: Why wouldn't I want to homeschool my children? Seriously! If there is something crazy or
dysfunctional about me wanting to spend time with my kids and teach them, then I don't know what it is. Here are some of the reasons I do it.
I homeschool my kids because of their thirst for knowledge. I recognized at a young age that my kids were incredibly inquisitive. They would rapid fire questions at me and anyone else who they could pin down about anything under the sun, and not let up until you sent them off to do something else... anything else. Of course other kids are like that too, but I didn't want to see that type of curiousity fade, and so I wanted to homeschool.
I homeschool to give my kids much needed personal attention. For completely different reasons, my kids clearly needed one-on-one attention to maximize their learning. It was suggested often that one child was ADHD and schools wanted her medicated. At 14, she remains unmediated and will finish high school at 16. The other child was clearly more advanced, but was also becoming bored and depressed. As their mom, I knew it was my job to jump in, and so I wanted to homeschool.
I homeschool because I really like being with my kids. Sure I have moments when I want to tear out my hair, and I am certain that my head does the occasional 360 (they are teens now), but at the end of the day, sitting with them and talking about different subjects, teaching them new things, and even having them teach me is invigorating. I wouldn't trade that for the world, so I want to continue homeschooling my kids.
Soon enough, my time homeschooling my kids will be over. We started looking at colleges last summer and are making plans for the next stage in life, both for us and for the kids. In the meanwhile, I will treasure the time I have left as a homeschooling mom, even as I hand them over to tutors for some subjects and drive them all over 'tarnation to participate in activities and prepare to leave the nest. Until then, am glad I made the decision to homeschool my kids.
~leave a comment if you have a REAL question about homeschooling.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Homeschool questions and answers
Here a collection of homeschool question and answer articles I recently wrote. FYI... I am always open to answer homeschooling answers!
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
What do you do if you realize you don't like the homeschool curriculum you purchased.
Published 8/29/2010
They say homeschooled parents are ill-equipped to teach... at least in some subjects. In some instances that may be true. However, a parent with good commons sense can make up for missing credentials any day.
Published 8/29/2010
As parents you must decide if you are advocating for your child or the public school system. It is your job to do what is best for the child.
Published 8/29/2010
Enjoy
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Most asked Homeschool Questions: How to Start homeschooling and Socialization
Heather from OMSH wrote a post at The Pioneer Woman entitled The TWO BIGGIES: Patience and Socialization. In the blog post, she discussed the to questions she is asked the most as a homeschoolers. She asked other homeschoolers to share their own most asked questions. Mine are:
1. How do you start homeschooling
2. What about socialization (It's asked so much I had to repeat it.)
Here are my responses.
How do you start homeschooling?
Step1: Read. Get your hands on everything you can find about homeschooling. Read blogs. Read books on homeschooling
, unschooling
, relaxed homeschooling
, classical homeschooling
, Charlotte Mason homeschooling
and anything else you can find. Also read about learning styles
, and education
as a whole. Spend a good 3-6 months
immersed in learning about homeschooling and education. At this point, will begin to come to some conclusions about your own educational philosophies and will begin to map out what you feel will work best for your child.
Step 2: Familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws
in your state. This information can be easily found at the HSLDA.org and at your local state's homeschool organization websites.
Step 3. Join a local homeschool co-op
and get to know a few other homeschoolers. They will help you discover the special programs and perks in your community for homeschoolers.
Step 4: Choose and purchase your curriculum
.
Step 5: Start homeschooling.
Of course, its not always that simple and clean and hardly in this linear order, but you get the gist. Sometimes the decision to homeschooling is made and the need to start is immediate. In these cases, I suggest an easy to follow, and simple curriculum to use until research is done and philosophy and long term curriculum decisions are made.
What about socialization?
People who ask about socialization will not take the fact that it is a non-issue for an answer... so you either have to ignore the question like it never happened, or dig in for a lengthy explanation. My mood effects which way I choose to answer.
When I answer, I explain that socialization is the act of a person being trained to the culture around him by those around him. In a school environment, while there are teachers present, students mostly learn how to behave from other students. This is way a perfectly sweet girl can enter middle school to become a "mean girl" in a matter of months in order to just survive the culture. Homeschooling, alters this dynamic because parents get to set the environment and culture that the children are raised in and they get to choose the children their kids spend time with, weeding out any that cause the child to behave in an undesirable way, or at least being able to witness negative socialization as it happens so it can be redirected and learned from.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
1. How do you start homeschooling
2. What about socialization (It's asked so much I had to repeat it.)
Here are my responses.
How do you start homeschooling?
Step1: Read. Get your hands on everything you can find about homeschooling. Read blogs. Read books on homeschooling
, unschooling, relaxed homeschooling, classical homeschooling, Charlotte Mason homeschooling and anything else you can find. Also read about learning styles, and education as a whole. Spend a good 3-6 months immersed in learning about homeschooling and education. At this point, will begin to come to some conclusions about your own educational philosophies and will begin to map out what you feel will work best for your child.
Step 2: Familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws
in your state. This information can be easily found at the HSLDA.org and at your local state's homeschool organization websites.Step 3. Join a local homeschool co-op
and get to know a few other homeschoolers. They will help you discover the special programs and perks in your community for homeschoolers.Step 4: Choose and purchase your curriculum
.Step 5: Start homeschooling.
Of course, its not always that simple and clean and hardly in this linear order, but you get the gist. Sometimes the decision to homeschooling is made and the need to start is immediate. In these cases, I suggest an easy to follow, and simple curriculum to use until research is done and philosophy and long term curriculum decisions are made.
What about socialization?
People who ask about socialization will not take the fact that it is a non-issue for an answer... so you either have to ignore the question like it never happened, or dig in for a lengthy explanation. My mood effects which way I choose to answer.
When I answer, I explain that socialization is the act of a person being trained to the culture around him by those around him. In a school environment, while there are teachers present, students mostly learn how to behave from other students. This is way a perfectly sweet girl can enter middle school to become a "mean girl" in a matter of months in order to just survive the culture. Homeschooling, alters this dynamic because parents get to set the environment and culture that the children are raised in and they get to choose the children their kids spend time with, weeding out any that cause the child to behave in an undesirable way, or at least being able to witness negative socialization as it happens so it can be redirected and learned from.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Monday, August 23, 2010
The downside of using internet for homeschool
It happened again this morning. The internet connection suddenly went down. This means homeschool lessons were put on hold as the bulk of the children's academics are internet powered. When this happens, I have to re-arrange and have them do their piano practice, and non-internet stuff until the web is up and running again. Fortunately, it did not take long today. However, there have been full weeks when we have had connectivity issues.
I always seem to find a way around it, but the downside to using the internet for homeschool is the fact that it may suddenly go down at any moment.
Pair that with the fact that I also make my living online, and I bet you can imagine my frustration!
Do you use the internet for homeschool?
How do you deal with outages?
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
I always seem to find a way around it, but the downside to using the internet for homeschool is the fact that it may suddenly go down at any moment.
Pair that with the fact that I also make my living online, and I bet you can imagine my frustration!
Do you use the internet for homeschool?
How do you deal with outages?
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Teaching science and social studies in elementary homeschool
I had a conversation with a new homeschooler today asking about teaching science and social studies to homeschoolers. She is planning to use Time4learning, and wants to supplement those two subjects. I followed up our conversation with an email to give her links to specific materials I had mentioned. Here is the bulk of the email:
Here are the main books I used for History and science in elementary school grades... and I am still using them!
The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia
We used Artios Academies classes (one day a week classes) for History through the Arts. Another option is to use the reference books and create a time-line teaching them a different time period each year. This is very popular with Classical homeschooling methods.
A newer series for teaching history to young ones is The Story of the World series which allows you to teach history in the order it happened. It reads like a story which children will find fascinating.
For science, I lingered on scientific happenings for the time period the kids were studying as well as using the time4learning science. We also did some experiments. My favorite science supplement books for young ones are:
Developing Critical Thinking Through Science Grade 1-3
Developing Critical Thinking through science grade 4-6
These are great for once a week use.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Here are the main books I used for History and science in elementary school grades... and I am still using them!
The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia
We used Artios Academies classes (one day a week classes) for History through the Arts. Another option is to use the reference books and create a time-line teaching them a different time period each year. This is very popular with Classical homeschooling methods.
A newer series for teaching history to young ones is The Story of the World series which allows you to teach history in the order it happened. It reads like a story which children will find fascinating.
For science, I lingered on scientific happenings for the time period the kids were studying as well as using the time4learning science. We also did some experiments. My favorite science supplement books for young ones are:
Developing Critical Thinking Through Science Grade 1-3
Developing Critical Thinking through science grade 4-6
These are great for once a week use.
FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
MY BUSINESS WEBSITE
WalletPop Contributor
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Are You Smarter than an 8th Grader
Here is an 8th grade test from the year 1895. The answers are at the bottom of the page.
Can you answer the questions? Can your eighth grader answer the questions? I can probably answer half of them, with research.
I will make sure my kids can answer this before they finish high school.
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog
Can you answer the questions? Can your eighth grader answer the questions? I can probably answer half of them, with research.
I will make sure my kids can answer this before they finish high school.
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Video question re: Kids resisting being taught
I plan to write more about this subject and will add a link at that time.
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A hair-raising school suspension
My son hasn't cut his hair since before he started homeschooling over 5 years ago. It is quite long and depending on how it is styled, is all the way down his back. Most strangers mistake him for a girl, and he just corrects them. For a black child, his hair is just too long, and definitely an oddity, but he likes it that way.
So when I read this story about an Ohio school that suspended a Kindergartener over his Mohawk, I had to wonder how much grief my kid would get if he were in school.
I mean the school had given them 2 warnings that the hairstyle was unacceptable, but the mom continued to shave the sides of the kids head and spike the hair on top. Was she out of line... after all, this is a little boy? But she said he likes it that way.
I know my 13 year old bristles when we say 'haircut' but he does go out of his way to pull his braids neatly into a band when he goes to his classes or to church. He is also a big fan of newsboy hats which make him look quite stylish. He goes out of his way to not draw attention to his hair.
So I guess my question is, while I know the school went too far in this fight over a hairstyle, did the mom go to far as well?
I am undecided.
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
So when I read this story about an Ohio school that suspended a Kindergartener over his Mohawk, I had to wonder how much grief my kid would get if he were in school.
I mean the school had given them 2 warnings that the hairstyle was unacceptable, but the mom continued to shave the sides of the kids head and spike the hair on top. Was she out of line... after all, this is a little boy? But she said he likes it that way.
I know my 13 year old bristles when we say 'haircut' but he does go out of his way to pull his braids neatly into a band when he goes to his classes or to church. He is also a big fan of newsboy hats which make him look quite stylish. He goes out of his way to not draw attention to his hair.
So I guess my question is, while I know the school went too far in this fight over a hairstyle, did the mom go to far as well?
I am undecided.
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Answering question about getting into college
This video answers the question What does it take for a homeschooler to get into college.
For more reading on this subject see these articles I have previously written:
Can Homeschoolers get College Scholarships? http://www.associatedcontent.com/arti...
Homeschoolers can start college before they are done with homeschooling http://www.associatedcontent.com/arti...
How to Colleges Respond to Homeschoolers (video)
http://www.associatedcontent.com/vide...
Homeschoolers and the SAT
http://www.associatedcontent.com/arti... (less)
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
For more reading on this subject see these articles I have previously written:
Can Homeschoolers get College Scholarships? http://www.associatedcontent.com/arti...
Homeschoolers can start college before they are done with homeschooling http://www.associatedcontent.com/arti...
How to Colleges Respond to Homeschoolers (video)
http://www.associatedcontent.com/vide...
Homeschoolers and the SAT
http://www.associatedcontent.com/arti... (less)
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Teaching Subjects I Don't Know or Don't Like
This is the answer to a question from a person from Germany who wanted to know how I teach my kids subjects I don't know or don't like.
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Speaking of Libraries
Someone asked me specifically HOW we use the Library.
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom
Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)