Hey Everyone, We started homeschooling last year and after a rough start, I have really enjoyed it. Our plan was never to homeschool through graduation. We wanted to homeschool when the kids were younger so that they would have a strong sense of family, strong morals, and just so we would know them better. I wanted to spend more time with them. The plan was to put them back in PS in either Jr High or HS. The way our junior high works here is 5th and 6th operate in a similar way to elementary and then in 7th and 8th, the kids switch classes and it's more like high school. We thought that 6th grade might be a good year to go back, since he would be with just his class for a whole year before being put into the other setting. When we mentioned this to him, he cried and said he wants to stay home and doesn't want to have to go away from me for all day. It was super sad. I, or course, want what's best for my kids. I'm not sure I can keep up with what he needs to be learning as he gets older. My kids are really far apart in age, so teaching him to write reports, use a microscope, and fractions has to be balanced with teaching my 1st grader to read and looking after my 14 month old. I also work part time. I like having the kids home, and most days I enjoy being their teacher too. I still feel like I don't want to teach the upper grades/incapable of teaching the upper grades well, but maybe next year isn't the right year to return since he's upset about it. Also, I guess we wanted them to go back so they could experience a classroom setting for learning similar to what college will be like, so they can do things like choir and theater or whatever extra-curriculars. Any advice or insight on what I should do? Or at least how to sort out my feelings to make the best choice? Thanks
My kids have done both home and public school whenever the situation called for it, namely when we built our house. They both asked to come back home, which we had planned on anyway, especially for high school. Right now, my Dd13 is taking PE, band and chorus at the public school in 8th grade. Is it possible to take just a class to start with? I do want to encourage you that you CAN teach your child. There are so many ways to use DVD's and even virtual school that your kids can learn from people you feel are more qualified if that is what you feel you need. Even if you don't want to go the virtual school route, most curriculum has instruction built right in and you are mostly there for motivation and accountability.
The first thing in my mind is that junior high is the absolute worst time to go to public school for the first time. The junior high "pack mentality" and raging hormones REEK! Sometimes high schoolers are a little more tolerant, but not much. Socially, it's a train wreck. If you can do like Brooke's kids and just go for certain enrichment type extracurriculars like sports or music or art ... then I'd say it's worth a try maybe. I also would like to encourage you that you CAM teach your child through high school. Your older can be much more independent by that age, giving you more time to spend with your youngers, and there's (as Brooke said) DVD and online instruction to take advantage of for stuff like science you may feel unequipped to do at home. Maybe co-op classes? And then there's the possibility of a dual enrollment option where he does his junior and senior years at a community college and graduates high school and graduates CC with an AA degree at the same time!
I agree that middle school is not the right time to go back to public school. We do entertain the idea of high school if the kids want to go back. If you are worried about the teaching, the Abeka or BJU streaming option may work. We are doing k12 this year and the science is very strong. We are technically in the public school system though as virtual schoolers. We did get a computer, microscope, and the kids get to enjoy class connects on the computer with a teacher and peers. We do a co-op for an actual class room environment, but I would say that not every co-op will have a positive class environment. I guess I would see if mine actually wanted to ever go back as well. I feel more comfortable with my middle school students this year since we do have a teacher and help. I need them set up where I can teach my 4th grader and kindergartener so I understand where you are coming from. Hope you find what works for you.
I actually think you are fortunate that he wants to stay home. My oldest begged to go to school, so we let her for half of 9th and then the rest of high school. I don't know that I would make that same decision if I had to do it all over again with her. That being said, my 2nd child is in 10th. He went up to high school last year for art and a remedial reading class. This year, it's just art. The school block schedules and lunch is in between his art class, so he's there for that too. Even though this is a small town school, which has won several awards for being in the top 2% of high schools in the nation....there still is just garbage going on there. He recently told me that last year he moved a girls phone to the side of the art table, out of his way, and she came behind him and slapped him across the side of the face really hard. Teacher saw and said/did nothing. If you don't feel you can do the higher grades on your own, have you considered enrolling him in a state virtual school so he can still be home?
Sd was in ps for elementary and middle school. Middle school is an awful time for peer pressure and was very stressful for us all as a family. With dd we do plan on teaching her all the way through high school. We do not see any reason for her to have to deal with ps mentality or the social groups/activities found there (kwim). Dd will be exposed to classroom settings through our co-op and college classes we plan to have her take in high school. That is what we are doing not necessarily what will work for your family. As kids move into middle school their work becomes more independent. I know it can be hard when you have a wide age range but what worked for me was mornings with dd and then a couple of hours with sd (for high school work) each afternoon. She did the majority of the assignments herself. Have you looked into local homeschool programs that offer classes, sometimes even local christian schools will allow kids to take one or two classes in high school this way you can have them do the classes you are not comfortable with in school while the majority of time is still at home. Like I said before what will work for us may not work for you. I would talk to your son about your concerns and listen to what he wants and then pray for guidance. If you feel that he should be home God will equip you for that and if you feel you are being led to put him in school God will equip him for that.
My boys went back this year.. One in highschool the other in Jr high.. We wanted to completely bi-pass the JR High too, but things didn't quite work out.. I couldn't keep them focused and doing their work and my jr high aged son wanted to play football. The school here doesn't allow homeschoolers to participate in classes or sports and no sports anywhere near us for his age group.. Anywho, we haven't had any issues as of yet.. The boys are LOVING it!! We talked about sending my jr high aged son last year and he didn't want to.. Maybe your son will be ready in a year or so..
I agree middle school may be a bad time for him to experience a public school setting. We sent my oldest back to public school last year in 7th grade. He had a horrible year, kids were mean, he was bullied, jumped in the hall, treated like an outcast by some of his teachers, and because of all of that by the second marking period he gave up trying and his grades went from straight A+ across all subjects to mostly D's, a C or two, and an F. He barely passed for the year. I had to argue with his teachers to get them to help him get through every class... he knew all the stuff, got A's on every test, just didn't care to do the work because he figured it didn't matter anyway. (This year seems to be off to a better start... but it's really early so who knows what the rest of the year might bring.) I do plan on homeschooling my younger kids through graduation, unless they decide that isn't what they want and have a valid (academic) reason to go to PS. I'm not worried about if I can teach them high school level subjects. I know that there are things out there that will do the hard work for me, or hold my hand as I get them through it. Have you considered a virtual academy?
I was afraid of teaching the "harder" grades. My kids started 7th grade this year. So I purchased the DVD's and they watch the teacher and the lesson then i just need to be the facilitator. Helps a ton and it is really working doing the higher grades and working outside the home. Just what the Dr ordered. If I screw up a disection or something they can see it done on the videos. It takes so much pressure off and I am able to enjoy it more.
I agree with everyone else that jr high it the worst time to send 'em back in. That being said, I also know very well what you're experiencing trying to teach a younger also. I have three of various ages and needs that I am struggling through. We joined a local, flexible charter school this year and so far, so good. One interesting thing they offer is classes that meet 1x a week, online, in a virtual classroom called Moodle. My son takes English and my daughter takes Art. They both like it. That takes some pressure off of me. If they have questions, they can email or call the teacher. It's also good because they are responsible to someone other than me so getting the work done and turned in takes on an importance that maybe has been lacking when they only answered to me. A virtual school is different than a charter. Usually virtual schools (at least the ones here) use K12, which I would not recommend. A local charter school is your best bet to find more flexible options, including online classes, 1x a week live classes, enrichment experiences, etc. If I were in your shoes, I think I would try this option before sending him back to school full-time.
I also would have to go with the majority here, Middle school is not the time to go back to school. Instead of making your life easier you may be making it more difficult. However, no one can decide what is best for your family. Talk about it as a family, and see what is the best decision for you. Before you do sit down as a family do some research you that you can see what all the options are. Like others have mentioned, there are plenty of virtual schools, you just have to find one that works for you.
Thank you everyone so much for the great feedback and encouragement! That's why I love this site. I will take the time to search out what options we have for next year at home. I don't want to send him back to PS if he's not ready, when I'm not sure I'm even ready. Definitely need to pray more about it this year and really see where God is leading our family. I know from my Bible that God doesn't often call people who feel 'capable'. A couple questions I have: What is a charter school? cherryridgeline- What DVDs are you using? We briefly considered virtual academies when planning for this year, but the cost seems pretty high. Is that typical or am I not looking at the right thing?
Not necessarily. Many (most?) Virtual Schools ARE charter schools. Local charter schools are quite varied. Where I live, there are many brick-and-mortar charter schools, as well as many Virtual ones. My oldest did this option last year, because by enrolling her in ECOT (Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow), she was able to take classes at the local college for free (PSEO program). If you don't want to teach high school, that is quite all right, but it really is doable! There's SO MANY options for it!
I think most of us were talking about virtual charter schools. These are also called cyber school. Depending on your state you may have anywhere from no options to more than you will want to wade through. Here in PA we have some that offer K12 which is a good curriculum, some that use Connections Academy (which is my favorite of the options in our state.... it's the one I wanted to enroll Garrett into but him staying in a traditional school is best for our family), and some that offer the option of Little Lincoln or Calvert. These are really public schools, they provide all of your books and most of your supplies. Most provide a computer and give you money towards your internet. Your kid does classes on the computer and independant work that is faxed or emailed to their teacher(s). Around here there are no B&M charter schools, but they are kind of like a private school except they are publicly funded and are part of the public school system (I think). Kids have to be accepted into them by whatever means the school has set in place. Cherry is using BJU. What state are you in? If you have virtual public schools they are free.
No, they are not part of the public school system, though occassionally you'll find one that is. Which is why the union and public school people get upset with them. They say the money that should be going toward public schools is being diverted into charter schools.
To add to your list of resources for help in teaching upper grades, check out Classical Conversations too. In middle school he'd probably attend one day per week all day long. This would give you one day per week to focus on the others. Also, Switched on Schoolhouse is a computer program which is pretty hands off for the teacher, and K12 has an independent option for home schoolers. See if there are any co-ops in your community too, where he can learn the tougher subjects. I work almost full time and home school my 6th and 4th grader. Thankfully they share a lot of their subjects. But to juggle working and teaching, I put together a pretty detailed schedule, so my work knows when they can count on me and they know when I'm busy with kids. We also spend 1 hour before bed doing school, usually reading history or science. Finally, our friends who have started middle school this year are ALL complaining about the homework. North Carolina (and I think many states)moved to the Common Core course of study this year, which apparently is more challenging. EVERYONE I talk with is complaining of 3 + hours of homework many nights, and homework on weekends. Heck, that's probably how many hours we homeschool, and I feel we are staying on pace. So, putting him into school you may find is even more difficult because he'll have a lot of homework in the evenings. If he's used to a quiet evening, this might be an issue! Good luck with your decision!!! Laura
I agree that middle school is not the time to send them to ps. I also believe that high school is THE MOST IMPORTANT time to homeschool. You are so free to teach them what they need to know based on what their interests are, without the high school drama. Also, alot of the curriculum is self taught by that age. I have read articles that say alot college students who were hs'd through high school do better than the ps students. We are going to stick it out unless God changes our plans!
I'm also on the bandwagon with 6th grade being one of the worst grades to start in PS. That doesn't mean that it would be a horrible experience, just that the odds aren't good. If I was in that position, I would consider online K12, which is free, online public school or even tutoring for any difficult subjects. There are so many options now days for videos, online learning, and even online tutoring and math classes. Just FTR, I was homeschooled and was always given the choice of PS vs. HS. I chose to go to PS in 9th grade. It was a good experience and it was the perfect time for me to make the switch, but I think that age would be different for each individual.
You can do it!! I was a high school drop out but I have successfully home educated my children. They are all graduated now but one and she is 15. Protecting your dc through middle and high school are just as if not more important than in the younger grades. High school has far more peer pressure than elementary grades.
