We had loads of fun on Friday. It was our monthly homeschool playday. So, we have about a dozen families that are members of our group and we get together at a local church playground so the kids can play, the teens can visit and the moms can have a group discussion. We had a great turn-out with 11 moms and all the kiddos!
We had a new-to-the-group mom visiting with us. All the rest of us were veteran homeschoolers. I won the prize for the oldest…no wait, the one with the longest homeschool history….yes, that sounds better and keeps us off that subject!
And the sweet new mom has not even started her adventure yet! Isn’t she wise to come and learn all she can before she starts? Her oldest is only 3 and she came to learn about homeschooling before it is time for her to start the awesome task of teaching her children at home. But wait! She already is teaching them. This is what we reminded her…the all wise and knowing ones….she has been their teacher since they were born and nothing changes when they become school-age. She does not suddenly become inept, ignorant or inadequate just because they turn 5 or 6!
We also talked about the new Homeschool Study that has come out. Wow! Can I just say that again? Wow! This research shows the results of homeschooling and public schools and we are proving that we can do a really good job.
Now, let me just go on the record that we are NOT anti-public school. I have two wonderful sisters-in-law and many friends that are teachers at our local public schools. These ladies are very dedicated, wonderful teachers. I think their job is complicated by the system and so many other factors. They really do have one of the toughest jobs around.
And let me go on record with this; they have a job that I don’t think I have the mental stamina to do. I mean, teaching my own kids is one thing. But teaching all those other children…well I couldn’t commit to doing that. They are strong women!
Now, back to the study. In short, where the public schools are only able to hit about the 50th percentile on testing in most all subjects, homeschoolers hit 85-90th percentile. Now this is regardless of parents level of education, family income, size of family, etc. This is really a strong, strong affirmation of all the hard work that parents have committed to each child for as long as 18 years each.
Because you know, homeschool moms have a tough job too. And I have heard many school teachers say it is a job that they wouldn’t take on for themselves. Why you ask? One reason is because it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You know, no summer break, holidays, weekends off.
We take on full responsibility for how the kids’ education will turn out. No chance to share the responsibility with the school system or teachers that they encounter. Can’t blame anyone but ourselves.
But, you know what? We also don’t have to share the credit! Yippee! That is right. Our children’s educational successes are a direct correlation to our daily commitment to educate them in all things. Now, don’t feel lowly if your child does not score in the 90th percentile. Not everyone is created to be an academic whiz. In our family we have the bookworm-academic-types and the entrepreneur-let’s-get-on-with-real-life types and the artistic and musical types.
Remember it is just an average. But, yeah. The affirmation of this study is great. You know, since we don’t get affirmed with a paycheck and all.
The Business Blog
Playday
We had loads of fun on Friday. It was our monthly homeschool playday. So, we have about a dozen families that are members of our group and we get together at a local church playground so the kids can play, the teens can visit and the moms can have a group discussion. We had a great turn-out with 11 moms and all the kiddos!
We had a new-to-the-group mom visiting with us. All the rest of us were veteran homeschoolers. I won the prize for the oldest…no wait, the one with the longest homeschool history….yes, that sounds better and keeps us off that subject!
And the sweet new mom has not even started her adventure yet! Isn’t she wise to come and learn all she can before she starts? Her oldest is only 3 and she came to learn about homeschooling before it is time for her to start the awesome task of teaching her children at home. But wait! She already is teaching them. This is what we reminded her…the all wise and knowing ones….she has been their teacher since they were born and nothing changes when they become school-age. She does not suddenly become inept, ignorant or inadequate just because they turn 5 or 6!
We also talked about the new Homeschool Study that has come out. Wow! Can I just say that again? Wow! This research shows the results of homeschooling and public schools and we are proving that we can do a really good job.
Now, let me just go on the record that we are NOT anti-public school. I have two wonderful sisters-in-law and many friends that are teachers at our local public schools. These ladies are very dedicated, wonderful teachers. I think their job is complicated by the system and so many other factors. They really do have one of the toughest jobs around.
And let me go on record with this; they have a job that I don’t think I have the mental stamina to do. I mean, teaching my own kids is one thing. But teaching all those other children…well I couldn’t commit to doing that. They are strong women!
Now, back to the study. In short, where the public schools are only able to hit about the 50th percentile on testing in most all subjects, homeschoolers hit 85-90th percentile. Now this is regardless of parents level of education, family income, size of family, etc. This is really a strong, strong affirmation of all the hard work that parents have committed to each child for as long as 18 years each.
Because you know, homeschool moms have a tough job too. And I have heard many school teachers say it is a job that they wouldn’t take on for themselves. Why you ask? One reason is because it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You know, no summer break, holidays, weekends off.
We take on full responsibility for how the kids’ education will turn out. No chance to share the responsibility with the school system or teachers that they encounter. Can’t blame anyone but ourselves.
But, you know what? We also don’t have to share the credit! Yippee! That is right. Our children’s educational successes are a direct correlation to our daily commitment to educate them in all things. Now, don’t feel lowly if your child does not score in the 90th percentile. Not everyone is created to be an academic whiz. In our family we have the bookworm-academic-types and the entrepreneur-let’s-get-on-with-real-life types and the artistic and musical types.
Remember it is just an average. But, yeah. The affirmation of this study is great. You know, since we don’t get affirmed with a paycheck and all.