When people who know nothing about homeschooling find out that I homeschool my six year old daughter (and have since pre-K), the first thing they ask if I know how to do all the hard math that will come later. No, I wasn't the greatest of math students in school and some of them probably remember that. This leads them to immediately think I'm being negligent of my child's education. I don't know how I will handle it when she gets to advanced math but I have been told there are many helpful resources out there and that I'll be fine. How would you respond? Thanks, Lisa
My dd is in algebra 2 and I can tell you that I do NOT understand everything that she is doing. Hey, that is what teacher manuals are for. We are not expected to remember everything but with some good resource books we can figure it out. You're always going to get the skeptical or critical ones and you just learn to let it roll off.
First, let me encourage you that there are numerous math programs that come complete with video teachers. The teacher's manuals are usually fantastic, too. I know parents who learn right along with their children and do a fine job as well. Either way, there are literally too many great resources to mention. About how to respond...I just meet the person's question with an enthusiastic, confident response. Answer the question if you feel you should/can. I have yet to find someone who continues to question me when I don't let them get to me and they see how happy and excited I am about homeschooling. And that kind of response only comes with practice and time. Sounds silly, but it might help you to practice a response a few times so that when it comes up again, you will already know what and how to say what you want to say. Hope this helps!
I would say, "You know, I wasn't the greatest at math, so I haven't yet decided. But I've got several years before we get to that. I would never do anything neglectful to my child, so don't worry, I'll make sure that she is properly educated."
The highest math I had was Geometry. My daughter is taking Pre-Cal this year. There are several options available. Co-op classes and curriculum designed by/for hs'ers assuming there is no teacher present who knows anything about it, friends who are more knowledgable wo can tutor your kids, etc. So don't worry about it. Tell them thanks, you'll worry about that when it comes closer to that time, but for now she's just fine. BTW, when people use to ask me how long I planned on hs'ing my kids, I would fudge a little. "We're just taking it one year at a time...." For some reason this went easier than the truthful "Until they graduate!"
Perhaps get sarcastic, and say something like "wow! and I thought you were going to ask about socialization. But on that note, she won't need higher maths being locked in the closet and all." LOL he he he he OK...I shouldn't be funny, but did you laugh? I hope. That is such an odd question for people to ask. I have heard a lot of people though claiming we are not qualified to teach 1st grade math, but not thinking ahead to the future years. I think most people assume we won't be homeschooling by then. I wish I had a better answer for you.
I don't think I would respond to that, however even the public school teachers do not know everything they teach...that's what the teacher manuals are for!
There are so many ways you could respond. The only one I use is, "If I get into an area that I am not sure of I seek a tutor for the subject. The library has those available, the local High School has students that are registered, and I ask my friends. Why do you ask? Do you have skills in this area? Maybe I can contact you when we hit that wall." I have actually gotten 2 good tutors this way, lol. Most mumble and get away as soon as they can.
I did not do well in math in H.S. either, BUT I am now learning the it the way I wish I'd been taught. I once substituted in a middle school math class before we had children. One child asked me why a negative time a negative equals a positive. I told them it was magic. My husband who is mathmatically minded was horrified when I told him. However, that is the way I was taught math. I memorized the rules without ever understanding why the rules worked. Since I've been teaching my own children, I have been learning the whys. I have even learned some new ways to think about problems in elementary math. I think my struggle with math makes me a better teacher than someone for whom math was easy. I found that my math teachers in high school were naturally people who were good at math. They took certain things in the thinking process for granted and didn't break it down into small enough bites for those of us who were not math whizzes. I fully expect to understand Trigonometry and Calculus before my kids go to college -- maybe I'll become a math teacher when they are grown -- won't that amaze my friends and family and completely stun my former-teachers!?
I myself am terrible at math and always have been, Teachers manuals are great!! My parents recently asked me a similar question regarding math, my response was " My DH is wonderful at math so thats when he jumps in we make HSing a family event" They didn't say much after that
I do want to add that I did very well in math in high school and college. I missed only 1 problem in the math SAT and GRE and PSAT. Have no clue why always one problem, but I did. I taught as a long term sub in the local school district for math a while back, in the gt classes at that. Yet, I am struggling over high school geometry!! Go figure. In otherwords, just because someone is teaching in the schools does not mean they totally get it. Plus, a lot is being taught different now. Since I recently had children in public school, you should also know that the schools rely a lot on online lessons. The teachers are teaching less than ever in the schools. My son would come home at the end of the day and sign on to get his lessons. My daughter was never given math while there, which is why we are trying to get an entire year of math in in just half the year. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings but, a lot of people I know who have taught in the local schools do not have any advanced training in what they are teaching. My son's gifted lit teacher was certified in elementary ed with an ESL endorsement. Same for his preAP 8th grade history teacher. They did not have degrees in these areas, yet, were hired by the local district to teach these subjects. And believe me, both teachers were clueless. When I saw what they were teaching, I looked up their certifications (it is public info here in TX and available online) and then verified what I found online with the actual school to make sure I did not make a mistake in looking it up. Of all my children's teachers(older children that is), only one was actually certified in her area and level of teaching. So, how could I be any worse? Plus, the teacher ed classes to get certified, when I went, were 4 courses total and they were mostly in classroom management techniques basically.
After I'd smack them for being so rude, I would ask how they plan on dealing with sex, drugs and such that happen in the schools their children will attend. It was bad when I was in HS 25 years ago, can't even imagine it now. No, seriously, you've gotten great advice.
I like that response!! But I also think I can guess what they will say... drugs and sex happen everywhere, you can't avoid it. uugghhh. Actually, then I throw back, my child will have to drive eventually, does not mean I will have him drive now at 5 yrs old. My children know about these things and I chose to not surround myself with people who do that stuff and I am not going to force my children to be surrounded by people who does those things.
Those that really care, probably wouldn't ask that question. You will always have critics, who feel they need to comment, yet know nothing at all about homeschooling. Short, sweet, and evasive with a smile on your face usually puts an end to it. I have homeschooled for 11 years and my oldest two completed calculus and physics, both of which I never took. By the time my kids reach high school, they are for the most part self taught. I act as more of a facilitator and grader.
