(While this has not been an exhaustive list, this will be my final one on my reasons and benefits. For now any way;) I am glad that we have chosen to homeschool and would not trade it for anything.)
#12. MORE FIELD TRIPS We try to go on at least one field trip a month. This gives us more insight into the world around us. (Check my "Butterflies Up Close" post.) This past school year we have seen interesting animals; toured a bakery, a fire station, police station and a post office; participated in a music recital and education fair; Christmas caroled at an area nursing home; and many other things. We have some interesting things lined up for this year: Noah's Lost Ark, Schoenbrunn Village, and the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland. (Can't wait!)
#13. FLEXIBLE VACATION TIME I can choose to take family vacations when vacation spots are least busy and not have to worry about my children missing valuable class time.
#14. LEARN TO BE SELF-RELIANT Character qualities of self-reliance, initiative taking, leadership and being a self starter are much sought after by employers and people in general. My children have the freedom to pursue things that interest them. They can do so in a safe, accepting setting in which they experiment and try things without the worry of being teased or bullied if they don't succeed.
Today I found a study done by the Fraser Institute entitled "Homeschooling: From the Extreme to the Mainstream". http://www.fraserinstitute.org/commerce.web/product_files/Homeschooling2007.pdf
It is an interesting read. While it is 24 pages long, some of the pages are not full length, the first page is a table of contents, and the last five pages are references and "about the authors". An easy read. One fact I found interesting is this list of homeschooled Americans: Presidents George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Also homeschooled were John Jay, Thomas Edison, Robert E. Lee, Booker T. Washington, Mark Twain, and Andrew Carnegie.
In case anyone is concerned that I am not "doing it right", I am accountable to my local school board. I have to agree to provide 900 hours of education per year. My children have to be tested or assessed at the end of every school year. Those results are sent to my school superintendent. I have to provide an annual list of curriculum and outline of what we plan on learning this year. If I do not follow the guidelines, I will be denied approval to excuse my children from the compulsory school attendance law.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Why I Homeschool (Part 3)
Posted by Nancy at 2:36 PM
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5 comments:
If anyone harasses you...just send them my way. It is too bad you feel you have to defend your freedoms. You have done a good job and I am sure you could find another dozen reasons why homeschooling is great.
The last comment was mine...I forgot to sign my name to it.
Byron
I think my reasons for not doing it are better :-)
Saw your link on Lori's blog and decided to check out the homeschooling section as I am a very passionate one. I had to smile as I perused them, for they are many of the reasons my husband and I have discussed. :-)Blessings on your school year!
I couldn't help but really enjoy all the reasons that you homeschool. We are now on our 11th year of homeschooling, and I totally agree with them all! I don't believe that homeschooling is for everyone, but I feel like our children are getting the best education possible. The past several weeks and year have been incredible!!! We spent time on Sept. 11th at the new Pentagon Memorial. That day will be forever etched in our childrens minds! (and HEARTS) Toured McCains bus and talked to his daughter for awhile and McCain briefly. Spent time with other MKs from Papua New Guinea. They feasted on food cooked PNG style and heard and sang along with some of the music. Last week we got to see a surgery taken place during civil war times and met many people from that time period. Several months ago they got to help with a missions progect overseas and swim in a live coral reef. That is just a few of the field trips we have taken this year. I wish I could have had the type of education my children are getting. It truly doesn't get much better then this folks!! I did want to add I don't remember you mentioning about the relationships that are built with your kids. I feel sooo blessed to have an awesome relationship with each of our kids. (Hubby does to) I constantly remind him that by learning more then just the facts, he will be able to live on his own quite easily without mom and dad needing to do everything for him. Last year I had a complication and couldn't make it home in time to prepare for company that was coming. I called home and let the children know. I had 20 min. from the time I got home to people arriving. Everything was under control when I walked in the door. All the years of continually training have been paying off. Moms of little ones IT GETS BETTER & EASIER!! One last thing.... It has gotten interesting how many secular colleges want our son to come their way and he isn't even a junior or senior. Why would I even think of not homeschooling???(Except on my part for selfish reasons) Have a blessed day! Bec
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