Homeschooling?

[loveflower]

if youve been homeschooled or know about it, please share your experiences! i'm really interested in it, i think it could be the right thing for me- i know it's not something to jump into, i'm going to stay in the school i'm at right now until the quarter's over, then see how i feel, i think my parents will support me, and it's not like i'll be totally isolated, i can go to the park and the library and museum and meet lots of interesting people, i can still see all of my friends and babysit and walk dogs or do yard work or whatever for my neighborhood, why should my community be limited to this building where i have to go and spend 6 hours of my day studying and "learning" in big groups, i know that i learn a lot better when i teach myself and study myself, and i can go to my parents for help, please give me feedback! ill answer any questions you have :)

[mtnhighgirl]

I homeschool my daughter and my husband was homeschooled from grade 2 to grade 10. There are huge benefits, especially if you are self motivated. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[pura vida]

http://geocities.com/moonwindstarsky/unschoolingbooks

There's more unschooling here though.

[loveflower]

Home schooling right choice for daughters

http://www.azcentral.com/images/clear.gifhttp://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/gifs/breaking/0712homeschool12Z6.jpg
Tim Koors/Tha Arizona Republic

Carrie McIntyre (from left) home schools her daughters, Carlie, 14, and Natalie, 12, in their Queen Creek home.



Carrie McIntyre
Special for The Republic
Jul. 12, 2004 12:00 AM



Editor's note: Home-schooling families in the southeast Valley are invited to share their experiences with readers by writing to sevmonday@arizonarepublic.com (sevmonday@arizonarepublic.com). Carrie McIntyre and her family live in Queen Creek.

Home schooling was not a particular interest for our family. Yes, we had heard of this practice and even knew some successful home educators. But our daughters were always at the top of their classes and we had no reason to seek other options.

Kindergarten through sixth grade were, for the most part, productive, successful and smooth.

Then our oldest daughter, Carlie, entered seventh grade.

It has been written that junior high is a time of turmoil. This is an understatement.

By the end of the first week of seventh grade, my oldest daughter was begging to be home schooled and by the end of the second week my disciplined, outgoing, gifted child lost her smile and retreated to her bedroom for hours on end.

It wasn't the academics that disturbed her. It was the negative social structure she had to enter on a daily basis.

Not opposed to the idea, I began to investigate the possibility of home schooling.

As a junior high school teacher with some administration experience, I knew that the public in general opposed home education for two major reasons: 1) socialization issues, and 2) capability of parents to teach their own children.

As I researched , I found most studies determined either that there is no difference between home schoolers' and public school children's social abilities.

I agreed with Thomas C. Smedley, M.S., whose study indicates "home-schooled students are more mature and better socialized than are those sent to either public or private school."

Also, the research of Dr. Lawrence Rudner from the University of Maryland indicates that a parent with a high school diploma may be more effective in teaching his/her child than a certified teacher.

With this information, combined with the fact that the average home-schooled student's standardized scores are in the 70th percentile range, I began to believe that home schooling may be a viable option for my daughter.

My husband, Rob, and I withdrew Carlie from school, and opened our home school. McIntyre Prep had a successful first year and will be opening for its third year this fall.

Our daughter, Natalie, enrolled in sixth grade for the 2003-04 school year. We now have a student population of two.

Both girls are thriving academically and socially. They are pursuing talents and taking opportunities that they did not have time for in the past. We have had our ups and downs . . . . . . but, overall, home schooling has been an excellent experience.

Every family should have the right to determine the best avenue in which to educate their children. Because we have this option, both of my children are receiving excellent educations in a positive environment.



if(ScriptsLoaded) stInit();Print This (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/tempe/articles/0712homeschool12Z6.html#) | Email This (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/tempe/articles/0712homeschool12Z6.html#) | Most Popular (http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/popular.php) | Subscribe (https://subscribe.azcentral.com/circulation/subscribe.php) |if(is_ie || is_nav6 || (is_mac&&is_ie6) || is_opera5up){ document.write('Larger Type (#) | Smaller Type (#)');} Larger Type (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/tempe/articles/0712homeschool12Z6.html#) | Smaller Type (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/tempe/articles/0712homeschool12Z6.html#)





this is from our local newspaper/news station, itll definitely help out