We have been walking this road called Homeschooling for almost five years now. Our road has had many twists and turns in it and as a result, I have come to some conclusions that many might consider somewhat radical.
A little background on our homeschooling adventure:
Students:
BG: ESL learner - K-7th grade in China; 7th grade - 9th grade homeschooled
JA : gifted learner - K-3rd grade Public School; 3rd - 8th homeschooled
AT: gifted learner - K-2nd grade Public School; 2nd - 7th homeschooled
TJ: ESL learner - K-2nd grade in China; 4th-6th grade homeschooled
SG: average learner - K-4th grade homeschooled
HJ: challenged learner - K-3rd grade homeschooled
Curriculum's we've used:
Online Charter School using Calvert
Calvert for K
Robinson Curriculum
Eclectic
Radical Idea #1: Don't worry about what your kids are learning until they get to high school
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Yes, I really mean that with two exceptions:
1) Teach them to read - and I have some odd ideas on this one
2) Teach them math (though this may not be as critical as we think)
Kids don't need to learn history, social studies, science, etc in the early years. Why? Because they will have every bit of it again in High School!!! Think about it - what do you remember from elementary school in these subjects? Probably not much. And what you do remember is probably fairly useless in your daily life. (I remember a unit we did on weather and I can name the different types of cloud formations - not that anybody has asked me about them since 5th grade)
When I was first introduced to Robinson Curriculum, I was intrigued by the idea of only teaching Reading, Writing, and Math. Leaving out all of the other subjects didn't sound right, but the more I read Art Robinson's ideas, the more I became convinced he was right. Even this very science oriented engineer agreed that teaching science in the early years really wasn't that important. Why? Because science in the early years only barely scratches the surface. Each year, you scratch the surface a little bit deeper. Why bother? Your child can learn all they need in-depth in high school (or heaven-forbid - college!)
I was talking to JA about this the other day. He said he didn't like science in public school and I asked him why not. He said he didn't understand why he needed to know that rain falls from the sky, runs into a lake/pond, and then evaporates into the sky again. He became convinced that he wasn't good at science (a quote from him before taking the science portion of the standardized test we gave in 6th grade) because he didn't like it. Funny thing is, he has now decided he wants to be a doctor. He is working through a life science curriculum and still isn't convinced that he likes science because of his previous experience.
The same idea applies to history, social studies and all of the other subject areas. This material will be repeated in high school at a level that the kids can really grasp. Focus your (and your child's) efforts and energy learning in high school. This is what they will remember and carry forward in their adult life.
I finally was totally convinced of this idea when I began figuring out what I needed to teach BG for high school. As I looked at the requirements in FL for a HS diploma, I realized that it covers all of the same subjects/topics that many parents stress about in the early years. He hadn't "lost" all those years of learning (even though he was blessed to be in school in China) and I didn't have to cram 12 yrs of school into his brain in four years. I just had to teach him at the high school level.
Also, as I delved into the idea of Credit By Exam for JA, I began to wonder what really differentiates a middle school class from a high school class from a college class. For example, Biology, most schools teach Biology (or Life Science) in middle school, then again in High School, then it is taught in College. What is the difference? I'm not sure. But I imagine if I take a High School Biology class then I will learn the same things I learned in middle school Life Science. Then why bother taking the Life Science class? Just wait until your child is able to handle the high school level material (which may be at an earlier age than "typical" high school students) and teach at that level.
What's interesting is many packaged curriculums these days actually leverage this principle. They use the same base information and just have the younger kids do one thing, the middle school kids something else and the high school kids even more. Why teach the same thing to your kids 3 (or more) different times? Just teach it to them once in high school.
I know, many people will have a hard time accepting this idea because it doesn't fit the norm of what we grew up with in school. I am going to challenge you to really think about this and come to your own conclusions. Besides, that's what homeschooler's do best.
*** One caveat: Some of this doesn't necessarily apply to our challenged learners. I'll address those issues in a later post.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46
10 comments:
I don't know that I've ever commented on your blog before, but I have certainly enjoyed reading it. When I read this post, I really felt led to comment!
This is my 18th year of homeschooling and I have had the SAME radical beliefs for some time.
I believe that most elementary kids are just to concrete in their thinking to truly comprehend the abstract ideas of science and history.
In my early homeschooling years I felt guilty that, after focusing on the "three R's" we rarely seemed to get to science and history. And then I realized that as they get older those topics all came up again and can be learned much more quickly and thoroughly.
As you said this concept is especially good news to those of us who have adopted older children, to know that we don't have to waste precious bonding/healing time trying to teach those subjects!
Agreed but if you teach reading with nonfiction books you can hit reading and learn some background knowledge for science. Also college biology is much harder than high school honor's biology and moves at a much faster pace.
Joy
Very interesting idea! I have not homeschooled, and my 2 children who are now 25 and 22 when to a Christian school for K-12. 25 year old graduated with his masters and 22 year old is almost done with bachelors in architecture. My only concern is with the ACT and SAT tests that high school students take in their junior year and early senior year. Some colleges rely heavily on these scores along with high school GPA. Also here in Tennessee, the ACT is also used for qualification for college money ($4000/yr.) supplied by our state lottery. Praying for a successful closing on your house!
Thank you for your post on home schooling! I am seriously considering attempting to home school next year and you have certainly given me much to think about. I will be watching for your follow-up!
Totally agree with teaching the three "R"'s. One can vary the subject of the reading, writing, and math to include the other subjects. Kids will naturally ask questions they are interested in and then you can expand on those. I feel this is the main problem with public schools today in Texas, they have taken away the core and worry that each student is not getting 9 subjects a day. As a 16 year veteran of homeschooling I will be the first to admit it is hard to let go of what we are used to in public school, but obviously by the stats of the general population of public school students, they are not getting everything right. I have taught one challenged student and one very demanding gifted student and each has there own learning stlye. I am blessed to be able to teach them the way they need and not force them into the mold of public school. There is no doubt in my mind that my kids would have fallen through the crack. I also have a wacky style in that I am fine with my children being average as long as they are putting their best effort into what they are trying. For instance do not tell me you can not memorize school work when you can repeat every attribute of some mystical creature from one of the many games you play(Or for the older son, the specs of every car you dream of.) What it boils down to is you are the parent and you know what your child needs. Pray for His guidance and all will fall into place. Besides don't you get enough science and history on field trips! I had much rather my child learn in this manner than any other. Praying for quick closure on you home!
For an above average/gifted child, I absolutely agree with your method. Just like Anon1, I too teach reading with nonfiction books that cover science/history topics. I take it a step further and assign book reports and research projects focusing on those subjects. WIth a less driven student or one who needs repetition to learn, it might be a different story. However, that's the beauty of homeschooling - tailoring your curriculum to each child!
I'm in a state that does not put as much value in the ACT, but if it could potentially lead to $16k in college tuition I would focus more on Science beginning in 7-8th grade. For SAT prep, I sent my older two to the Princeton Review and it was well worth the money. (However, the SAT only focuses on Critical Reading, Math and Writing - so you would be set!) For standardized test it is just as important to study the test and its format than to study the subjects it covers.
Good luck on your journey, I'm 12 years in and how I taught in year one is COMPLETELY different than how I'm teaching now.
Yup! I agree. My early yrs of HSing...I taught EVERYTHING, and about burnt myself out......
Returning to Hsing again in grade 7, I prayed and feel a peace about focusing on the Math, reading and writing too foremost!
As we prepare to move to China and the task of schooling all 5 kids seems daunting....I have told myself the same...untill highschool...focus on the basics. And only do the 'other' subjects if there is time/interest.
~Roberta
So. I'm taking a lot of comfort in this because I just discovered that our 14 year old son, home from China for 6 months doesn't know that its the earth that moves, not the sun. Yet, I feel overwhelmed just trying to teach him English and Math. And how will I start him off in High School science when he is barely reading at a first grade level? I'm curious...what has been your experience with learning English? How fast can a smart child improve his reading and get to a High School reading level? Or do you verbally explain the science and history all through HS for these kids?
I really appreciated this post..thank you for the encouragement!
I think.....my kids would really miss it if we dropped science and social studies. Maybe because we don't use a traditional "out-of-the-box" curriculum, instead using multi-level curriculums, but they actually enjoy these subjects (most days). Even eldest...who has struggled greatly in all areas of life/academics. It's definately opened their eyes to many things I want them to learn before high school. However..I agree that stepping back and evaluating each kiddo's needs/interests/gifts and deciding what is/is not so critical to cover in depth at any given time is such an incredible blessing homeschooling parents have. I always love to read what you share and love your heart for encouraging others and not being afraid to share "radical" thoughts. And I refer people looking for guidance homeschooling adopted older (well, any) kids regularly to your blog because of it!! Blessings, Jennifer
Thank you for this post. I naturally focus "more" on the three "R's" (although in our home, we add music as an essential:))....but there can be guilt when the other subjects aren't fit in every single day. You made some great points! Blessings to you and yours.
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