Any one home school?

[CombatVet]

Any one home school their kids? We're thinking about doing it for the first time this year. We're unsatisfied with public school and can't afford private education.

What are the requirements to home school?

Is there an Indiana website with what must be taught?

Any general info would help.

Thanks in advance

 

[cosermann]

Basic requirement in Indiana is 180 days of instruction. The rest is pretty much up to you. Here are a couple of resources:

The Indiana Association of Home Educators
http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1

It's not rocket science. You can easily do it as well as the public system, more efficiently, and with none of the socio/political baggage that goes along with the public system.

 

[Fletch]

I'm still homeschooling myself.

 

[MadCity Hoosier]

Beware of the potential for turning your kids into recluse, socially inept, closed-minded zombies. I mean no offense by this string of adjectives, but I dated two girls in HS and college who were home schooled. Neither could really carry on much of a conversation (I know some of you may think that's great, but grow up and be serious for a moment), articulate an original thought, think critically, etc. Their parents were of average intelligence, and tried to educate their kids effectively, but what a dissaster. It's a good thing that the parents weren't encouraging their girls to go to college, b/c even if they did get in, they would be too far behind to succeed on a normal course schedule. I got to know these two home schooled families really well, and since then have met others.

I think home schooling can be done well and produce good (highly functioning, skilled, articulate, critical-thinking) children, but I also think that is the exception, not the rule. I, and the educational psychologist in my family, firmly believe that kids need to be prepared to attend college (even if for some reason they choose to not go). I have yet to meet a home schooled kid that was well rounded and ready for the university.

Home schooling is tough, and will take collaberation with other families to enrich the learning experience. Good luck in your quest.

 

[CombatVet]

I'm still homeschooling myself.

Well played sir, well played.

Basic requirement in Indiana is 180 days of instruction. The rest is pretty much up to you. Here are a couple of resources:

My thanks. The political baggage is one of the things we're fed up with. First day of school and my daughters teacher ran her mouth to my wife before she could even finish introducing her self.

We've talked about home schooling for a few years now it might be the route we need to take with our kids.

 

[Protest]

Beware of the potential for turning your kids into recluse, socially inept, closed-minded zombies. I mean no offense by this string of adjectives, but I dated two girls in HS and college who were home schooled. Neither could really carry on much of a conversation (I know some of you may think that's great, but grow up and be serious for a moment), articulate an original thought, think critically, etc. Their parents were of average intelligence, and tried to educate their kids effectively, but what a dissaster. It's a good thing that the parents weren't encouraging their girls to go to college, b/c even if they did get in, they would be too far behind to succeed on a normal course schedule. I got to know these two home schooled families really well, and since then have met others.

I think home schooling can be done well and produce good (highly functioning, skilled, articulate, critical-thinking) children, but I also think that is the exception, not the rule. I, and the educational psychologist in my family, firmly believe that kids need to be prepared to attend college (even if for some reason they choose to not go). I have yet to meet a home schooled kid that was well rounded and ready for the university.

Home schooling is tough, and will take collaberation with other families to enrich the learning experience. Good luck in your quest.

He asked for those who do home educate their children. Your criticisms, in my opinion, are not welcome in this thread. I realize it's not my thread, and the OP has some say in this matter, but I believe that you are way out of line, not to mention, way off base in your criticisms.

You say that some home educated children you knew couldn't carry on what you consider a "normal" conversation? How about the millions of kids from public schools today who can't even write English properly and can only speak in rap lingo.

If you want to criticize home education. Start your own thread and I'll be there waiting.

 

[Protest]

Any one home school their kids? We're thinking about doing it for the first time this year. We're unsatisfied with public school and can't afford private education.

What are the requirements to home school?

Is there an Indiana website with what must be taught?

Any general info would help.

Thanks in advance

We home educate our children and I was home educated myself. We wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[CombatVet]

Beware of the potential for turning your kids into recluse, socially inept, closed-minded zombies. I mean no offense by this string of adjectives, but I dated two girls in HS and college who were home schooled. Neither could really carry on much of a conversation (I know some of you may think that's great, but grow up and be serious for a moment), articulate an original thought, think critically, etc. Their parents were of average intelligence, and tried to educate their kids effectively, but what a dissaster. It's a good thing that the parents weren't encouraging their girls to go to college, b/c even if they did get in, they would be too far behind to succeed on a normal course schedule. I got to know these two home schooled families really well, and since then have met others.

I think home schooling can be done well and produce good (highly functioning, skilled, articulate, critical-thinking) children, but I also think that is the exception, not the rule. I, and the educational psychologist in my family, firmly believe that kids need to be prepared to attend college (even if for some reason they choose to not go). I have yet to meet a home schooled kid that was well rounded and ready for the university.

Home schooling is tough, and will take collaberation with other families to enrich the learning experience. Good luck in your quest.

Yeah, I've known some really weird people that where home schooled, I've also met people who home school and have extremely normal kids. We originally did not home school because we wanted our kids to get out and learn to deal with social situations, but we're running into a lot of flak at my daughters school because of our personal moral and beliefs systems. No not our religion, just what we think is healthy and not healthy for our kids. Point: Before my wife could even finish introducing herself to my daughters teacher she yelled at my wife because my daughter has pink bangs. It's not forbidden at the school either. The school also enforces socialist policies in that every student "donates" their school supplies to the class room. You have NO belongings at the school. Everything belongs to every one. This does not float with my wife and I. I'll buy 10 kids school supplies if I have to, but my kids not sharing her crayons with every other snot nosed kid in her class. If my daughter wants a pink and purple polka doted note book she should be able to have one.

Sorry went off on a tangent there.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

IF / when you homeschool... Try and find out how to join / hook up with other local homeschooling families. Not only for resources to assist you on your journey, but also to have the needed and wanted social interaction for your child.

-J-

 

[22lr]

I was home teached K-12. I got to travel around the country with my dad and do a lot of good stuff in the school year that I never would have been able to do otherwise. All I would say is that if you decide to homeschool through highschool to get into an accredited homeschooling highschool program. My parents did not go that route and it was harder than heck to get into college. But other than that it was a great time.

Here is a great website that will answer a lot of your questions.

The Indiana Association of Home Educators

I enjoyed it, got to do a lot of different things, and for the most part I turned out ok. My parents still cant figure out were I got addicted to guns and motorcycles but other than that im halfway normal. Homeschooling isn't all that hard if you get into the right curriculum. But every family has different needs and there isnt a one size fits all approach.

If you need more information I can get you in-contact with some people who can tell you more about it all. I had a positive experience, but there are kids out there who hated every day of it so "results may very."

 

[CombatVet]

We home educate our children and I was home educated myself. We wouldn't have it any other way.

If I may ask, what grade are your children in at the moment? What learning resources do you use?

 

[CombatVet]

I need to give out a lot of rep, but I'm all out. Excellent responses. Thank you all.

 

[Protest]

If I may ask, what grade are your children in at the moment? What learning resources do you use?

We are more "unschoolers" than anything else and use a wide variety of resources.

 

[nawainwright]

I am a unique case, I went to private school into 3rd grade, public school through 7th, and home-schooled till I graduated. Sure, there are some people who use home-schooling to isolate their kids, but that's not the case for most kids. It allowed me to start college courses when I was 16. I not only was successful in college, I went on and got a masters degree. I have worked in "social" fields all my life and have no issues with public interaction. If you provide opportunities for your kids to play/interact with others you won't have problems. Keep in mind that before "public school" thousands of generations of people developed social skills just fine.

As for resources, I would recommend Rainbow Resource Center, its a family owned business in Central IL. I worked for them for a few summers, they offer a wide selection of materials. While I worked there, the operators were well versed in the materials they were offering. Its worth checking out.

Home - Rainbow Resource Center, Inc.

 

[mrjarrell]

It also wouldn't be a bad idea to check with your local YMCA. They have a number of programs that are targeted at the homeschooling public. Music classes, sports, etc. They also host a number of social events for home schoolers and the like. They're a pretty good resource if you have one nearby.

 

[1032JBT]

We homeschool our kids and thus far has worked out great. One thing I would caution you on is to not get caught up on one specific curriculum. Kids learn different ways and what might work for one child yet not for another. Have you ever been to the home school convention? That is a great resource not only for the workshops but they normally have stuff cheaper.

Good luck!!!

 

[Goosepond Monster]

Tim Tebow was home schooled. I'm just sayin'.

 

[Cpt Caveman]

We removed our kids from public school when we realized the funding was going to be less this year than last and they were already doing a 1/2 a**ed job.
It's strange how public school funding is down but funds for hiring new school personnel is up almost 70% even though we've only increased enrollment by 6% in 12 years.
Teacher's union is....well... I don't need to start a urinating contest I guess.

 

[kybares]

We Home School one of our kids. Social interaction is certainly a concern that must be addressed, however times have changed from when most people reading this attended school. That has to be taken into consideration as well. The negative side of the social interaction can certainly offset the positives. I must say that you are getting a late start, but it is doable if you are sincere in your efforts. It sounds as if your kiddo is in Elementary School. ABEKA Academy has an excellent Grade School program! Google that, and have them send you the sample DVD Curriculum. I can recommend that highly for the first year. After that, you can see how Home Schooling fits. You can expect to alter any curriculum to your specifications. ABEKA is a Christian Curriculum, and you did indicate that may not interest you, but from strictly content, their Seniors graduate in the top 5% of the National Testing, so that speaks well enough for me. Good luck!

 

[Protest]

Indiana is a great state to home educate your children in. There are so many of our freedoms still allowed to us in this area. It's easier to educate your children at home in Indiana than it is to buy, own and carry a handgun.