Well, to be in kidergarten or not to be? They say knowledge is power, but I have not felt anymore powerful lately. The lack of power is really from a lack of options to use that power. Public, private, charter, homeschool... it's enough to make someone dye their hair and cut bangs- oh wait! No, really though, it's making me crazy. Public is a great option, but here in Meridian the class sizes average 33+ kids per class and the plethoric cirriculum across the district is starved for successful programs in any one school. Private is a great option if you can afford the "Gucci" price tag for education. You can find some "knock-off" prices, but they are still a pretty penny and only cost more as we get into the higher grades. Which brings us to charters. They are great, providing smaller class sizes and a competitive cirriculum. When you compare similarly-sized and good-ciriculum public schools, they score just about the same, which just proves that they are not the fairy tale "happily-ever-after" answer to education. The waiting list is long for a first-time kindergartener with no older siblings, but we are in the lottery and still crossing our fingers (which I am convinced is the reason I was asked to my 7th Grade dance)! We cross the social spectrum now to homeschooling. I am not sure why I am entertaining the idea because Paul is not a proponent. He knew a family or two growing up that were a bit "off" and they homeschooled their children, so he's tainted forever. My disclaimer: sorry to anyone reading this who homeschools, sorry to the family who grew up with Paul, and sorry to anyone who is "off." There are a number of benefits; I choose the cirriculum (classical of course), I get to teach him (which I feel is using my true role), and there is flexibility (I would totally be able to drive to Ice World as often as necessary for hockey, which he has requested to play). Ok, I don't know if homeschooling is for me, for Paul, or for Koby, Luke or Naomi, but there it is- on the table.
So, leave your comments and try not to form an opinion of my educational theories, because (as Ally just said to me) their worth to you is what they cost... Nothing! I would love to hear what you have to say!
13 comments:
Hi Hilbigs!!!! I found your blog off of someone else's. How fun!! Now I can blog stalk you. We have a blog too.
http://www.carruthcorner.blogspot.com
Ohhhh my friend, isn't schooling such "fun" territory to be in as a mother? It's especially fun in California where our governor has signed a bill taking the traditional family out of textbooks. No longer can we say a mother is female and father is male. Homeschooling seems like a daunting challenge (baring the "off-ness"). Just doing it all yourself seems like it might get tricky. It would be great to homeschool with a group of parents you trusted. One parent taught different subjects during the week and then plan fun and educational trips and activities together. That could be for a good experience. There is a lot of talk about homeschooling here as well. I haven't heard of any charters here and private...well I think you summed it all up in "Gucci!!" I'm starting to think homeschooling is a good option for several reasons...one of which is if your child leans differently (ie visual, tactile, etc.) instead of just listening to lectures, then they are set up to fail. Schools only teach one way, and I feel there are fewer and fewer teachers who are willing to make the effort to accomodate every child's specific learning styles. Ahhhh, that's my rant on your blog. We could continue this "converstaion" via email!! Good luck with the decision making. In any case, you are not alone in this quandry!!
Sarah, I have a solution for you, move to Waconia Minnesota. Class sizes are about 16, and they tax the heck out of you here so there is plenty of money in the schools. Meaning lots of good curriculm, activities, ect. Just kidding. Personally if I lived next to a good charter school I would look into it and see, but I also think that a lot of learning is up to the kids. They can learn a lot everywhere if they are driven, plus parents can supplemnet a lot and make a big difference just in the activities they do at home. So don't give up whatever you do I think your kids will do great because you care, unlike so many others. annie
Well...I am not a highly educated person, geez I did kindergarten on an indian reservation for heavens sake...and I think I turned out fine...exactly where I want to be in life. I agree with Annie when she said a lot of the learning is up to the kids. None of Madi's classes have ever had 33+ kids...but they are still pretty big...but I don't regret putting Madi in public school, I think it would be harder for her to go to a private school and all her friends around her not go to her same school...but that doesn't mean that everyone should choose the same way we did. I actually think that teachers now a days do try to find way to help kids in the areas they need help in and also to push them in areas they excell in...in both Madi's kindergarten class and first grade class both the teacher and the teachers helper have always been so good with Madi...helping her to succeed in art, which is an area she is very good at, and help her in areas she needs help in. I feel like they do that with every kid, and maybe when we come across a teacher some day who doesn't treat Madi like an individual, maybe I will change my mind. But I have been quite happy with her public school experience. In my opinion, which is my own opinion, your child will succedd in whatever schooling you put him in. He comes from a loving home and family who care about teaching im right and wrong, and all the other aspects in life. I'm not sure you should stress so much about it. Maybe you could see about him skipping kindergarten and going to first grade, then it would be more of a challenge. And then if it doesn't work out, won't your charter school be open by then? Anyway, Like I said, in my opinion, Koby will succeed in whatever you choose to do.
OK, so I know we have already had this conversation but there are a couple of things I have thought about since then that I will share. You mentioned to me that Kobe can already read so therefore Paramount elementary has nothing to offer him. I don’t think that is true. First, because there is nothing wrong with him being top in his class, it gives him confidence and it will help him believe he is smart. If someone believes they are smart then they will be smart. If someone believes they are stupid then they will be stupid. Plus they will be able to challenge him by giving him harder reading material and challenging him in other ways. Second, I believe the most important things children need to take from the primary level of education are the basics of learning. Not how to read or how to add and subtract. While those are important I don't think they are most important at the primary level. They need to learn things like how to learn, how to have self discipline, how to apply themselves, how to work with others, how to follow rules and how to be responsible. If a child can learn these life qualities then no matter what they are taught or how they are taught they will be able to learn anything. These things can be learned anywhere with any teaching method. There is always a debate about which area of education is a priority and which method of teaching should be used. It is always changing and there is truly no way to prove one over the other and most definitely there is no one way that is perfect for everyone. If they have the foundation of how to learn then when the real important learning begins they will be able to excel and learn from any method. You know as well as I know that when you get to the high school and college level of education every teacher teaches differently and in that situation a kid will need to learn to adapt to their style. I know you don’t believe it but it really doesn’t matter what school system a child goes through if they succeed with good grades, good extracurricular activities and leadership qualities they will be able to get into any or most of the top universities and colleges they want to. Universities want diversity; they don’t only want kids from the top high schools and private school in the country. That is the great thing about America. As long as you are involved, your kids learn to like learning, have a desire to learn and they learn the foundations of learning they will be fine whether they go to a private school, public school, charter school, magnet school or home school. So basically I just don’t think you need to worry about it so much. If you try one thing and it is terrible it won't be the end of the world to try something else.
(This is the LONGEST comment I have ever left. Sorry!)
Thank you! Your comments lend to what we already knew, that we have involved and intelligent friends who support us through any and all journeys! I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and your well written thoughts! And a shout out to Lisa Stokes for emailing me with her thoughts (since she's not blogging...yet)! Thank you so much everyone!
It's so funny I "stumbled" in through Summer's blog. I just wrote down all my thoughts on why I WILL homeschool and will post it to my blog today. I've been doing research since before I had children and I truly believe, for most families, homeschooling is the most successful way to educate children. You're welcome to "wander" on to my blog and I WILL get my homeschool post on today. Good luck and you have a BIG vote from me (not that you know me or even care, but hey, it's an intelligent vote ;) to go with homeschooling. www.crossleycompound.blogspot.com
i don't agree with what karlea says. kids who learn visually or are more hands on are probably more apt to succeed with the style of teaching schools are doing now. there's not a lot of sitting and being lectured that goes on. my son comes home from school and says, "we didnt' really learn anything today, we just played." and then goes on to list all the new things he knows. he's still young so there will be more sitting and listening as he gets older, but i think most teachers now are very forward thinking and concerned about giving their students a diverse and balanced education, and what's wrong with your kids having to sit and listen and work for part of the day. that's part of how they learn to discipline themselves. i agree with jenni that the most important thing your kids will take from their schooling is an ability to learn and discipline themselves, rather than what they learned. what they learn is, of course, important, but if you can help them learn how to learn and apply themselves then you've empowered them for the rest of their lives. it's never all about the school or the teachers. it's always mostly about the parents and their involvement in their kids' educations. there. i'm done.
I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with PillingFamily. WHAT they are learing is infinitely more important than their ability simply be able to learn and be disciplined. Children can learn to lean, be disciplined, work with others, how to follow rules, etc. in many other arenas outside of a school setting, provided they have parents willing and able to give them those experiences and their time. What the "forward thinking" teachers are now able to teach your children in schools include gay marriage and alternative families, very liberal and explicative sexual education, and godlessness. But we live in a very liberal state with very liberal schooling laws. Perhaps the climate is different in Idaho?
It has been my experience that there is little to no playing in school here. And I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with a child being required to sit and listen. That is the primary way kids are expected to learn...especially in later grades. However I just can't agree that leaning to sit and listen is more important than WHAT they are learning.
Hi. Long time, no see friends! So glad you hooked back up with us in life! All I can say on this subject is this: our son Luke has a stinky fall b-day Sept 8th, just after the cut off. We debated and debated about ALL the options you are including starting him this year or next and we finally went with public school this year. This is what we've learned. The kids do great in any place when you have a great attitude about it. And the teacher is everything! You can have crummy disctrict test scores and lots of kids in a class and still have YOUR child learn a lot and have a great year. That is what we are finding anyhow. Luke is thrilled with school because his teacher is wonderful!! Good luck. And wish us the same for next year!
of course WHAT they learn is important. what i'm saying is if they can learn HOW to learn then they will never be limited to WHAT they can learn. so really learning to learn is paramount, otherwise there is no WHAT.
Well, I am finally mentally prepared to share my wealth of thoughts on the subject matter! I wasn't going to originally, but I figured more info and opinions can't hurt. Plus, because I have a child in Kindergarten currently, and went through the entire back and forth magnet, private, homeschool, public, etc. last year, it is still fresh in my mind!
I must first start with stating that every family dynamic is different, and every child is different, so there is no "right" way in my opinion. In theory, I do feel like homeschooling would be the best option, especially with our religious and moral beliefs. However, I only believe that it is the best if you as a mother and teacher can put in the time (and it does take time) necessary that your child deserves. My biggest pet peeve is seeing homeschooling moms at the park with their children for hours on end, claiming it's their social time and not spending one minute that day cracking a book. I have a friend with a 6 bedroom house, and not one of them is dedicated to school, but she has a craft room, and exercise room, and a food storage room. If you are going to dedicate yourself to homeschooling and entrust yourself with your children's educational future, then you must dedicate yourself entirely to it and make it an official school day in your home. That's my opinion. I also believe that it is not possible to give your children the time they deserve when you have other small children at home. There are some exceptions out there, exceptional women and families that can do it. I am not one of them, and I am ashamed to say it. Also, if your husband and family aren't supportive, it will probably be that much harder. Teachers get degrees in teaching for a reason. Ok- there's my two cents on that. Now for my personal experience. I live in Arizona, which is ranked 49th in the nation for education. That scared the ____ out of me last year. I did all the same research, and decided that magnet montessori was the best option. She was accepted through the lottery system, and it seemed like the perfect option. However, as August drew nearer, I began feeling anxious for a couple of reasons. The magnet school is 40 minutes away, and I realized that Cora would be very far away from me proximity wise all day. While I hoped there would never be an emergency, I thought about the possibilities, and it made me nervous that I couldn't be around the corner if something were to happen. Also, I had to take into account my other children. That would be over an hour and a half in the car (twice a day)for my 2 two year old boys, who HATE the car. We would have to get up VERY early and spend all morning and afternoon back and forth to take and get Cora to and from school. To make a long story short, I decided that it wasn't worth it for my Kindergartner. I wasn't worried about her academically or socially, so I decided we'd give the public schools a shot, and see how it went. I am going to reconsider the montessori magnet school option again in 2 years when ALL of my kids can go and be there together. So far, school has been great for her, and my only last two comments would be: the school doesn't make as much a differnce as the teacher. There are some GREAT teachers out there at not so good schools, and some ok teachers at great school, so keep in contact with your principal and discuss good options for your child's specific needs. And lastly, I went to school in a third world country from 1st grade to sophomore year) and I feel like I got a great education and know I am smarter and more well adjusted than a lot of people I know. I was accepted into some great universities, had lots more credits than I needed, and graduated in less than 4 years. So, as long as you are open to changing along the way, and communicating with your school staff and other parents, I think we should give our school systems more credit than they get. They're better than most anywhere else in the world! Ok, I'm done.
I meant to say that I am NOT ashamed that I am not one of those types of mothers. You'll understand when you read my previous post.
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