Reading another post made me remember something that happened the other day. My niece that it was funny that my son thought Greece was in Italy. Ok, I know we haven't really focused on studying geography and it really is probably too late for me to cram all that information in his head (he is in his last year). BUT, he knows a lot of other stuff about the world and history. No, he doesn't know the broad spectrum of history that some kids "learn" and a percentage of them retain. He does, however, know some stuff that "schooled" children most likely don't, unless they love history and study it on their own. I told him to ask her where the Falkland Islands were and who they belong to. That should stop her from further comments. Anyway, she wasn't being mean when she commented. I think she was just being a little sarcastic. Mostly my family is supportive and they don't ask how we do school, or what we use, or how many hours we school, or if I am worried that he won't be socialized, etc. In fact, my father is one of my biggest supporters and I was worried that he would think I had gone off the deep end when I started this. Yeah, Dad!!!
I can remember one time, and only one time when I have bumped into a "quizzer" and thankfully she was someone I would never see again and it was only for a few seconds. We were out yardsaling and I found a game ummm I think it was based on math, for .50, I asked the lady if she would take a quarter.. horrible I know but I love to haggle. Anyway the lady and I spoke for about 2 seconds, she was sitting with several of her friends (this was a town yardsale that is a big deal for it's town.. everyone is out and festive and what not). I said that we homeschooled... I was new at it and I think when I told people, I didn't yet exert confidence in what we were doing. She looked at Garrett (a 2nd grader at the time) and said "And just how many quarters are in a dollar?" . He had a mini panic attack, and took longer than she assumed was acceptable for an answer for such a simple question. Here, she and all her little cronies were teachers :roll: I think it was then that I started having confidence when I told people we homeschooled... after all, I did NOT want women like that teaching my kids!
I had something similar happen to us when my kids were younger. My husband's best friend was dating a 4th grade history teacher (they're married now). The best friend was hosting a weekend getaway at his fishing camp (aka lake house). He had invited our family, his teacher girlfriend, & a bunch of her teacher friends. All of the guys were talking about hunting, fishing & sports. All of the teachers were basically griping about having to deal with kids who misbehaved & their parents who believed their kids did no wrong. The girlfriend mentioned that I homeschooled. All the teachers instantly decided to call my daughter (about 10 yr old at the time) over so they could quizz her. She answered every question they gave her. So one teacher made a comment about the lenght of a shadow cast from a telephone pole and was wondering how tall the pole was. My daughter told her that she could figure that out easily by using the pythagorean theorem. All of the teachers mouths dropped open in amazement. They never quizzed any of my kids again!
My dad quizzes my oldest sometimes. But, he also gives my son info that is not accurate (like if he writes on his skin with pen or pencil he will get ink or lead poisoning....) so I don't stress about it. I know my kids are behind in some things, on target with others and ahead on others, if we are judging by public school standards, but thankfully I homeschool so I don't judge by that And honestly, there is so much history and geography I don't remember from high school, I wouldn't stress about that at all. I remembered those facts long enough to pass the test then put it out of my mind. The history and geography I know, was mostly things I picked up and studied on my own after graduation...
I also think there is so much about history that for some (maybe all) it would be better to get a general sense and knowledge about some of the important things and then just read about other stuff at your leisure. I am not worried because I realize that a lot of people wouldn't know where Iraq is. My son knows a lot about MANY different wars and where they took place and who was involved and not just the major ones that most people know.
My mom quizzed my 2nd grade 8 year old just today... He is advanced in math, but a little behind in reading. I was pleasently surprised that she told me I was over reacting to him being behind and had my expectations to high!
Ugh - my mom has really killed part of her relationship with my kids by over quizzing them. I wouldn't mind the occasional question here or there - but seriously it was all the time she had them. Guess what? The one she said couldn't do math balances her check book better than anyone I know!! The one who can't spell - does just fine talking to people - just doesn't like to write.... It's just exhausting sometimes.... luckily my kids are getting used to it. We also have a lot of customers who homeschool and it helps a lot.
My husband loves to tell that story. We were both very proud of our kids on that day. But then again I'm always proud of them!
Miss 6 got asked by a friend of hers, "Do you know who Amelia Earhart is?... No because you're homeschooled." I asked her to tell Miss 6 who Amelia Earhart was. All she knew was she was a famous pilot. Miss 6 then asked her friend if she knew what a lithosphere is, and then launched into an explanation. There is more information available to us than anyone (even Kim Peek or Daniel Tammet) can memorize/learn.
I hate it when people do this! My brother quizzed my 8 year old the other day. Handed her a paper and told her to write her name and address. I just handed the paper back and said really? You are really checking to see if she can write? Why dont you write yours for us to check? lol Then that was just that. I dont put up with that anymore. Long ago I smiled and just didnt say anything. These days I just tell them what I think. hehe
It's sad, I think. People are so USED to the idea of ps, they find it unfathomable that children could stay home and be taught by non-professional parents. I told one family friend that we homeschool, and she immediately expressed appropriate shock and concern...she thought there was something terribly wrong with my children, so no school would take them. Pffff!! My 10 year old niece(!) the other day, quizzed my 4th grader with a barrage of multiplication questions. Which he answered beautifully, to my pride
You know, I've been thinking about this. We have been homeschooling for 4 years now and I honestly can't think of a time when someone "quizzed" my kids or reacted negatively when I tell we we homeschool! When asked, I just smile and say we homeschool. I tell them we love it and have no plans to return to ps! Most moms say they wish they could do it and I tell them they can!!! Both of their grandmothers support us and offer any help they can.
