Dr. Phil's site has a poll up right now asking what the best method of schooling is: Private school, public school, homeschooling, unschooling (Yes those are all separate categories). So if you want to vote, go here: http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/796 Personally I think we should all vote. (and whatever is your opinion is fine) But, since it seems that his vote "slammed" homeschooling, it would be nice if his poll came back that many like homeschooling. Just so that he can see that we are not just a small fringe group. And that we are a vocal group.
Here's the results so far, from when I did the poll. Loks GREAT to me!!! RESULTS - STYLE OF SCHOOLING Thank you for taking our poll! We want to hear more. Share your thoughts on the message board. Which style of schooling do you think is best? 6% 797 Public school 4% 679 Private school 79% 13282 Homeschooling 11% 1908 Unschooling Total:16666 Total Votes: 16666
I Voted too. haha I wonder how many of those homeschool and unschool votes represent people who complained to him.
Keep in mind that homeschooling and unschooling should NOT be seperated out!!! Unschoolers ARE homeschoolers!!!
Exactly!!! I mix in a lot of unschooling techniques. I would go all unschooling if my dh would let me. lol. Well, honestly, I am not sure I would be confident enough for that, I am kinda by the book. I mix it up with traditional and unschooling...I know that isn't really unschooling.
There's no way I could do unschooling, but that's because I feel an unschooler must be more organized than the rest of us. You have to be, to keep everything straight! I couldn't do it. To me, it's "organized chaos", but I believe that it IS organized and deserves more respect than it gets.
Yaay! I just voted today and here are the latest results: Which style of schooling do you think is best? 6%877Public school 3%744Private school 80%15824Homeschooling 11%2197Unschooling Total:19642 I agree with unschooling as being a part of homeschooling AND the fact that it takes much organization AND incredible involvement on the parents' part. We sort of unschooled for first grade, have switched to a boxed curriculum for second grade this year because I'm now in graduate school, and surprisingly, my dd8 was having richer learning experiences while we were somewhat "unschooling"!
Couldn't help myself... (Hi, I'm new by the way) Hey! I just voted! I have been just looking around on this website for months... but today, when I saw this.. I had to do something.. So I decided to email Dr. Phil.. and thought I would share with you what I said... So, here it is. (Please, if this offends anyone, please dont' let it, I'm new to homeschooling, but had to say something!) Hello, My name is Alicia Bright. I didn't get to see the show, but I have read what is on your website, and I have to say, I am sad that homeschoolers were presented this way. The two things that stick out in my mind the most about what I read are the socialization issues, and not being certified to teach. First, my children, and I have 3, have many friends, and they are not just homeschooled children. Yes, we do have field trips with our group, but they also play soccer for our city, basketball, my daughter loves cheerleading, dance class, girl scouts. So, as you can see, we have not "made a little homeschooling envirnoment" as someone said. As for the teaching thing, yes, they may have went to college to get a general idea of how children learn. But not every child is going to learn that way, and no teacher is going to take the time to find out exactly how 30 children learn, and "adapt" to that. I know my children better than anyone else, I know how they learn. My oldest, Rachelle, she is more audio/visual, but my middle child, Zane, he's more hands-on. Korey, my baby, he's just 2, so I'm still learning him, but I will. Nobody else is going to take the time to do what we do. I homeschool for different reasons, as we all do. My family, personally, we believe that God has called us. We believe that he has called the parents, to "train up the child in the way he should go, and when he gets older, he will not depart from it". That is our biggest reason. All of the shootings, drugs, all that, that's just extra. That's just confirmation. Someone, I believe it was a teacher of 30 something years, said you go to school to be with other kids, and socalize with other children from all over, well, from what I know, it's nothing like that. You aren't allowed to talk in class, in some states, you aren't allowed to talk at recess or lunch! So, actually, Dr. Phil, our children are more socialized than that of your "normal" public schooled children. And before you go making assumptions on who I am, know that I am 22 years old, I don't like to wear dresses, and I do cut my hair! Don't assume you know me. The Bright Family-Proud Homeschoolers of Future Leaders(more than talk-show hosts)
Being that I am not an "official" homeschooling parent like you guys, I am a little peeved at a different side of all this i guess. I didn't watch the show, and am glad I didn't, because I can't stand things that are so one-sided and covered in blanket statements/opinions. What people like Dr. Phil need to realize is that whatever kind of schooling it is, if done right, is the best. If public schooling is done right, then it is great. If private schooling is done right, then it is great. If homeschooling is done right, then it is great. Unfortunately, many public schools are going down the hole, but there are homeschooling families that don't have their act together too (I don't mean to offend, it's just reality which is why there are people like that one girl who say it ruined her). So, I guess for me, I think each family needs to do what is best for their own children and nobody, especially Dr. Phil, should be telling other people what is best for them. That is why we all have choices and that is what makes this country great! Sorry if I offended anyone, I don't mean to. I love schooling my son right now and I can't wait to start with our baby on the way. But, whatever choice I make with my children, will ultimately be what I think is best for my children and family, and nobody else. And whatever choice I make, never means that it is best for everyone. BTW, I did vote for homeschooling. Because I wanted to help prove a point to ole' Dr. Phil!!! It was also still at 80% for the homeschooling category. And I as well, do not understand why unschooling and homeschooling are seperate categories. That doesn't make any sense.
I think the only reason Homeschooling and Unschooling are separate categories are because this whole thing is people looking in on something they don't know and understand, but make assumptions about anyway. They assume that homeschoolers don't get socialization, they assume that parents that haven't finished college and gotten a degree cannot teach their homeschooled children, they assume that homeschoolers stay to themselves, with other homeschoolere, IF they ever get out, they assume that homeschoolers don't live in "ther real world", they assume that since some homeschoolers that they have heard of use tests and quizzes and curriculum, and have their kids take ITBS or SAT or ACT-type tests, and unschoolers don't, that they are a separate category. Some of their assumptions are right, some of the time, but they don't dig deep enough to know what it's REALLY like here! Dr. Phil needed sensationalism, so he picked what he picked to help promote controversy so people would watch the show. He leans toward not homeschooling, so he also seemed to want to make sure he showed homeschooling in a bad light! To me that makes him, not a great Psychologist, or whatever he is, but a sensationalist that is worried about raiting. He didn't care what the truth of the majority of homeschooling is! I am also glad I didn't watch the show! It was just for ratings, and wasn't truthful. Jen's right---whatever works for those who are honestly seeking the best education for their children, is what each person should do!
Deena, I think this says a lot for many things now a days. People who don't know squat and assume then give their invalid opinions!
YEP! I thought many of those people had no clue as to what they were talking about. I was shaking my head quite a bit!
