Home School - Arlington,TX

I was homeschooled from 4th grade to graduation. I passed all tests at higher levels than all my peers in public school, and have always had a great job, til recently as I quit to be with my kids. Socialization was always the "hot issue." I never lacked in that area at all...in fact, I probably spent too much time with friends in high school! I whole heartedly support homeschooling, as long as you can be disciplined about it. If you want to talk just message me!

Hello S.,

Below is a link that can help you form your curriculum. I'm in my second year homeschooling a second grader and a seventh grader.

http://www.educationworld.com/standards/state/tx/index.shtml

My suggestion would be to join Texas Home School Coalition and a local homeschooling group for support. Both of these resources can provide excellent tips and help combat any problems you may have in the future.

http://www.thsc.org

As far as the socialization goes, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Unless you're a hermit who never goes anywhere and who never sees family or friends, your children will be socialized. Church, sports, and any activities involving other people outside your immediate family give children the opportunity to socialize.

S.

Hi S.,
Well I'm a stay at home mom that home schools. I have a 5 year old that is in 1st grade this year (he's a year ahead) and a almost 3 year old. Kindergarten is easy and you can find many (maybe too many choices :) of curriculum to help you. Here is a good review site that might help you: http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/reviews/default.aspx
Please don't worry about having your child up to public school standards for 1st grade. If you do it yourself, they will most likely be ahead of most. I have to agree that the public school system seems to have become a great way to exchange cooties but I'm not sure if it's the ONLY reason to choose home schooling. But of course being partial to it, I think it is one of my reason's low on my list.
As for taking anyone's advice on home schooling. Please consider the source. NEVER take advice from someone that has never done it! As for the comment of home schooled children not being properly socialized, it made me laugh. That's a very old myth. It's quite the opposite.
Best Regards,
C.

Most "homeschoolers" or "unschoolers" that I know have extensive networks in the homeschooling community - they seem much busier than you would imagine. The kids I know that are homeschooled are some of the brightest, most articulate children I know. I would just say to consider your reasons for homeschooling - don't do it based on fear... do it b/c you want to commit to providing an excellent education experience for your kids and for yourself.

Good luck. I have not personally been a position to unschool - but have considered it many times.

Here's my two cents. If you want to home school for good valid reasons, then fine. But because a kid asks to stay home and fear of the flu aren't valid reasons. You can get the flu from going to church. Are you going to stop going? My kindy boy asks to stay home too... So he can watch cartoons! Be the parent and a reasonable one at that.

Check out Campbell Christian. They offer small classes and very short hours. My boys have been going there for 2.5 years and we have not misses a single day due to illness. There program is basiclly assisted homeschooling. Mrs Campbell and Mrs Kelly do all the teaching and mom (or Dad) help with the homework. My kids are so far ahead of most public school kids...my 6 year old is working on long mulitaplacation and my 4 year old can read Dick and Jane books on his own. If you have any questions or want any more info let me know. I reaaly like there school and love to brag about them

There are a number of home schooling programs that are acredited and can transfer over to public schools - just do your research. I have a friend who's home schooled all three of her children - VERY SUCCESSFULLY. I'll get some tips from her and edit this post.

Something to note, the success of home schooled children greatly depends on envolvement in other social activities with their peers. This has been consistent advice with a number of moms I know who home school. Kids need to know how to adjust to socializing with their peers - from dealing with conflict, empathy and awareness of how their actions affect others, networking, relationship building, etc. Pre-K and K are key years in developing these social skills as children are becoming aware of themselves as their own person and the effects their actions have on others around them. If you choose to home school your son, I strongly suggest you also get him involved in another form of regular social activity with other children that you are not necessarily overseeing so he isn't hindered socially.

As I said, will edit my post when I talk to my girlfriend about her home schooling her kids (they are now 10, 15 & 17). The 17 year-old is graduating this year and is being courted by some of the top universities in TX for his horse training, judging & roping skills - skills which where developed through community events among his peers. All of the children are extremely intelligent and well rounded individuals.

I homeschooled my eldest daughter during her kindergarten year. We tried public school the next year & were able to enroll her with no issues. Infact, she was academically ahead in her reading & on par with everything else. In the state of Texas, kindergarten is not mandatory so if you decide to homeschool now & enroll in public later, you won't have to do anything special as far as testing, paperwork, etc.

Homeschooling kindergarten is quite easy & very fun. Half Price Books is a great resource for educational material. I recently found www.enchantedlearning.com, which offers loads of worksheets, lesson ideas & projects for an annual fee of $20. Mardel has really awesome stuff, but can get expensive.

There is soooo much information on the web to help you get going. Read, read, read & good luck with your decision!

Oh! Wanted to add that during the year Madison went to public school, she was sick ALL THE TIME. Infact, she missed so many days because I would not send my sick child to school that she was in danger of being held back. She was allowed to move up to 2nd grade, but we decided to go back to homeschooling.

I have to agree with Sarah L. If that's the ONLY reason you want to home school, then you really do have to think about going anywhere else (shopping, church, the park...anywhere!). And another poster also pointed out that successful home schooling also depends on social interaction with other kids. I've never really thought much about home schooling before, but I've started thinking about it recently (my son's only 2 so I still have time to decide). I never thought about it before b/c I knew several home schooled kids (including my cousins) who were extremely sheltered and never got the social skills needed in life. However, I also know I would have my kids be involved in activities with kids who were home schooled, and also kids who aren't.

I think the media is blowing this H1N1 out of proportion, b/c as sad as it is that people are dying from it, people die from the regular seasonal flu also, but no one freaks out about that like they have from the H1N1 scare. I feel horrible for those who have lost someone to any illness, but I also won't live my life in fear, or instill that fear in my children. My DH is a cancer survivor, but I can't live my life so scared that either he'll get sick again, or that my kids will get cancer. Yes it's scary. But so is altering our life b/c of that fear. So if you want to home school for other reasons, and not just out of fear, then I say go for it!