Hi everyone! I never -- in a million years -- thought I would be interested in homeschooling. But after spending 3 years as a public school teacher, I can't imagine anything better for my own children. (Especially here in Florida). Florida is going through an "educational crisis" and is doing everything in their own power to destroy the learning process (and fun in school) under the guise of "fixing things". (Hah!) Now that senate bill 6 has passed, I have decided that the educational system (public school) no longer fits my needs (as it has stretched my own theories in education a long time ago) and I do not want my children being pressured into learning how to take an exam just so their teachers can be properly compensated. There are many pressures put on our children -- and the pressure from a teacher to make rent is not something I think a child should be burdened with at such a young age. There are so many more things they need to learn and as I see it, the system in my state is failing children on multiple levels. I do not want my children to be a failed child. (rant over?) So here I am! Like I said before, I taught for 3 years (kindergarten) and have been nominated for Teacher of the Year (but consequently had a personality clash in the school as I felt the kids needed to learn differently). (There is no room for creativity or logic, even, in public school!) Now I am a stay at home mother to my (almost two year old) daughter and another daughter on the way (due in late July. I want to start an early education program for my daughter at home and so I figured a forum would help me figure out what I need to do to build the best learning environment for my child in our home. .. Sorry for the long introduction! I'll leave it at that.. I look forward to getting to know everyone (and picking apart some brains!) Allison (Central Florida)
Hi MomtoCarli! Welcome, I am very new to this group also. Just joined a few days ago myself, so we will be learning together!! I grew up in Lakeland, it is beautiful down there! Can't wait to get to know you.
Hi, Allison. I taught for over ten years in FL. Amazing the scope of changes in the system I saw jsut during that time (I've been out of public schools for about ten years now). You taught kindergarten, so you're probably familiar with the work of Maria Montessori. That's where I'd suggest starting for early childhood. Another writing I'm a BIG fan of is Charlotte Mason. In reading her thoughts, I have often been struck at how closely she intuited brain function (without MRIs, even LOL). Miss Mason didn't believe in formal education until age 7 (IIRC), but she did write about forming "habits" in younger children. I think you would find her writings very interesting.
Funny you should mention Maria Montessori. I just bought a book about how to implement Montessori into the home (for preschoolers!) I know for the most part Carli is too young for it -- but I can begin the habits and introduce the concepts, at least through modeled behavior. (I am guessing) I am interested in the Montessori concept but it's going to be tough for me to unteach myself on direct teaching. Although I do love direct teaching, I do want to implement more hands on approach with more life-skills. (Again, Florida puts it's entire educational emphasis on how children test, not whether or not they understand concepts). :evil: I haven't heard of Charlotte Mason but I will be sure to check her out. I am a big reader and seeker of knowledge!
Welcome! I am glad that you found us. Do check out Charlotte Mason, it sounds like a great fit for you.
Welcome, welcome from another "escaped" school teacher. You may be surprised to learn how many homeschooling parents were once classroom teachers! Adding another vote for checking out Charlotte Mason.
"Trained" teachers sometimes have the most difficult time homeschooling for just that reason! It's so difficult sometimes to "think out of the box". We often say that it's "homeschool", NOT "school at home"! I myself am a former special ed teacher, and my husband currently teaches in a public high school. He came home day when we first started to find my 2yo sitting in the corner of the kitchen behind the table, empty cereal box in one hand, rounded scissors in the other, and totally surrounded with little snippets of the box on the floor. He exclaimed her name, then was confused when I gave him a "whatever-is-YOUR-problem?" look. "Do you know what your youngest child is doing?" he asked. "YES! She's sitting in the corner, developing her fine motor skills. Why?" LOL!!! That was the day he learned that homeschooling wasn't going to be ANYTHING like he expected!!! Yes, do look up Charlotte Mason. She's a rather "natural" teacher. She's one who would have jumped at "Whole Language", "Math Their Way", or AIMS materials! She's big on narration, dictation and copywork, journaling, nature studies, and "Living Books" rather than boring text books.
I know there is a huge Charlotte Mason group here in my area. I think it sounds promising as well! Good luck and let us know what you find out.
It's not Just Fl honey, it's everywhere, just gotta love the NCLB act. FL just took it a step further this week is all, and if it doesn't get the much needed veto, then I'm quite sure other states will follow FL's lead in a bid to get their hands on some of that Race To The Top money....it's sad. What makes me so sad is homeschooling isn't for everyone. Some peoples only option is public school and SB6 will hurt the kids, not just the teachers....it's so sad. But welcome! If you are interested in some online games for toddlers/preschoolers try http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx...me_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us that's how both my kids learned their ABC's and how my youngest learned to count.
Absolutely! I was a few weeks into formal lessons with my oldest and I realized that if *I* didn't make some changes in how I was handling things, I was going to drive the poor kid nuts. When you're used to managing sometimes as many as 30 (or more) children, having only one to follow directions...well, it takes a new mindset. I've also really enjoyed being able to allow my children to progress at their own rate. By the end of first grade, my oldest was "behind" in math facts, but WAAAAY ahead (like several years) in reading. Know what? It doesn't matter. He doesn't have to keep up with anyone, and he doesn't have to be kept busy when he's "way ahead." We just work where we need to work. Such a nice change.
Welcome Allison! I too used to work in the public school system, but as a speech therapist. I am an eclectic homeschooler and I pull from various philosophies and methods. But for the preschool years I am a big fan of unschooling. For unschooling I provide access to educational toys and materials and follow my child's lead. I find that play-based learning is the most effective way to learn during those years. I recently wrote about this here. I know with my kids it has been very effective. They both were more than ready for Kindergarten.
Welcome! Yet another former PS teacher here. I agree with Jackie that sometimes it takes trained teachers a little while to get out of the school mindset, even if you have "homeschooling-ish" ideas while in the classroom. Luckily for me (and my kids) I learned quickly to ditch the school at home mentality. (Some people do well with school at home and if that works for them, great.) Best wishes!
Welcome! I was a secondary ed major, does that count??? :lol: We "unschooled" during the preschool years and then for K focused on reading (Explode the Code) and math (Math-U-See). We introduced great historical literature (D'Aulaire books were some of our favorites) as well as science readers, nature walks, gardening and the like. We took our kids' questions and helped them learn to find the answers. They never seem to forget the things they chose to learn themselves. So glad you found us all here. I'm sure it will help you as it has helped me through the years--my kids are now 5th and 8th grade and have been mostly homeschooled; however, they each did hard time in public school for a couple years.
*waves* Another former PS teacher saying hello. I did middle/high band and middle science... for only 1 year. I'll never go back!
Welcome! I, too, am former PS teacher and never thought in a million years I'd homeschool. Now that I have kids I am strongly considering it!! I also taught K. My oldest is 3.5 and already working at the beginning K level without any formal teaching. She can't start K for another 2.5 years and I KNOW what school will be like for her! She'll be on her own while the teacher is consumed by the kid throwing chairs and the kids who never saw a letter or number or held a pencil before the first day of kindergarten.
As someone from the other side of the homeschooling journey, whose children/students have all now graduated, I don't visit the Spot as addictively as I once did, but I just want to stop here and clap and cheer for those of you who are making the paradigm shift in order to commence the wonderful, challenging adventure of homeschooling! Soon after beginning to teach our own children, I began to see that we were passing-by learning opportunities in order to "play school"--not for the children's sake, but because I had LOVED the formal teaching role and was reluctant to give it up. I discovered that more actual learning took place around the kitchen table one-on-one, or on the living room floor, playing educational games than when I lined the children up neatly in their proper little desks and stood at the green chalk board in the school room in order to work through certain lessons together. ('Nothing wrong with that! I enjoyed it, but it's not the only way to teach). Best wishes as you lay the foundation for a life-long love of learning for your children!
hello, im in fl also and can't stand the school system! This is our first week of homeschooling and we are loving it. The only problem I have is that I waited this long to pull my son out of public school. We are starting the new Monarch online curriculum next week..cant wait
