I have decided, but I am still coming to grips with my decision! I have had some difficult decisions to make in life, but this one (for me) ranks in the top five for difficulty. For years as a youth pastor I apposed the idea of home schooling and private school for most kids. I don't think I would completely back down from those beliefs, but for now my wife and I have decided to home school.
There is a part of me that is almost grieving. I don't know why I feel this attachment to the public school system. In the end I became very frustrated that my daughter has not been taught phonics and simple math. The teaching methods being used are severely inadequate. We have invested 2 1/2 years into Spanish immersion for my daughter and we are now kissing it goodbye. She already speaks and reads Spanish very well (for a 7 year old). That said, she is not fluent and I am fearful she will not become fluent. I cannot sacrifice her overall education just for Spanish. Enough said.
The purpose for this post is not to explain my reasoning, maybe I will do that in the future. Instead it is to seek help. A few of you said you home school. I would love to get some ideas from you as far as what material you used and any ideas you might have for home school beginners like my wife and I. Unfortunately I think we may have to go backwards and undo the damage done for a while. Fortunately my daughter is excited about the prospect of mom and dad being her teachers (we will see how long that lasts).
Please Help, especially if you know of good Spanish Curriculum. She is pretty proficient with Spanish, but needs help with everything else.
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5 comments:
I wish I had some good info for you, but I do not. I am sure that you "googled" different curriculms. I wish you well my friend I know how frustrated you were/are.
I think I understand your feeling of grief. You have had some expectations (dreams) that are now dying. Going through this difficult change is far better than sticking to your original intentions and expectations 'no matter what!' You obviously understand the importance of your decisions and will be carefull and open to advice and help.
It may be a good idea for you to examine your past experience and why you feel the way you do about private/home schooling. I have found that when I have a very strong point of view about something The Lord likes to force me to see the other side(s) of the issue. (This, of course, is referring to issues not made clear in the Bible such as home schooling vs government schools)
My prayers are with you.
I know exactly why I feel the way I do. I think most people home school for the wrong reasons. Perhaps I will explore that in a post at some point.
What are those wrong reasons? And are you not wanting to be put in that catigory of people (doing it for the wrong reasons?)
I think the right reasons are generally academic ones. If you don't believe the public schools are doing a good job of teaching your child academics, then that is a great (I think the best) reason to home school.
As far as bad reasons, that would be a lengthy response requiring a significant amount of qualifying statements. I will post on that some time in the next couple of weeks.
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