Ask A Homeschooler

[Verarde]

Welcome to Ask A Homeschooler! In this thread, you can ask someone who has been homeschooled in 1st, 2nd, 6-11th (and will be for 12th) grade about homeschooling. If there are any other homeschoolers on the forum, I welcome them to answer some questions themselves.

First off, let it be known that my family is Christian and conservative, so there's part of the reason.

I would like to answer a few questions that I feel will be asked right off the bat:

Why does your family homeschool you?

My family homeschools me (and my 10yo brother) for a variety of reasons.

1) We believe that homeschooling offers me a better opportunity to develop my intelligence. I also take two classes part-time at the local high school, and they are quite simple compared to my other courses that I am taking.

2) I work better at my own pace, not having to wait for someone who doesn't quite understand to catch up, or for someone who just doesn't want to be there.

3) My parents want to instill in me (and I welcome it) a classical Christian worldview.

Does your social life feel lackluster because you homeschool?

Thankfully, where we live, there is a major community of homeschooling families, so I am not alone in this venture. One course I take is a class that meets together once a week to discuss the reading material for that week. As mentioned before, I also go to the high school part-time, and I have many friends, whom I see quite often.

Are your plans for college limited because of your choice, and not having a guidance counselor and so forth?

Not at all. In fact, we live quite near to Patrick Henry College, and PHC is a college which many homeschoolers from across the nation attend. I myself plan on attending PHC if all goes well, majoring in Government with a focus on Strategic Intelligence.



I would also like to say that, unfortunately, homeschooling is slowly being frowned upon by the state, while the family is liking it more and more. Much of Europe has declared homeschooling illegal, with rare exceptions. I believe that there is absolutely nothing wrong with homeschooling, and I would like to hear the community's views upon this subject. Thanks for your questions, and I look forward to answering them.

 

[Ajidica]

You stated that your parents want a to give you a 'classical Christian worldview'. What is that and why can it not be accomplished through a public school with additional work on the side?

 

[CELTICEMPIRE]

what do you like about being homeschooled, I liked the amount of breaks and getting out of "school" whenever you finished your assignments, I was homeschooled only in elementary school though.

 

[jtb1127]

Do your parents teach you?

Did your home school curriculum ever include the theory of evolution?

 

[kramerfan86]

As someone who was homeschooled and knows a lot of other homeschool families, do you feel there should requirements on the parents' educational background to ensure they have the knowledge needed to properly prepare their kids for potential college?

This has always been my main concern with homeschooling personally. I dont mind when properly prepared people do it, but Ive seen too many kids whose parents are woefully incapable of teaching anything beyond extremely basic knowledge.

 

[Verarde]

You stated that your parents want a to give you a 'classical Christian worldview'. What is that and why can it not be accomplished through a public school with additional work on the side?

1) What is that?

A classical Christian worldview is basically a Christian worldview, with an emphasis on literature, grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Dorothy Sayers said, ”Although we often succeed in teaching our pupils ’subjects,’ we fail lamentably on the whole in teaching them how to think.” A classical Christian education attempts to give the latter half as well as the former.

2) Why can it not be accomplished through a public school with additional work on the side?

Understandable, and quite possible. But usually it’s more logistics (at least it would be for me), and a few other reasons, including, but not limited to:

a. The public school does not teach a classical Christian worldview. Now you say, “Learn that on the side.”

b. Possible, but through this educational curriculum, it is taught in all the subjects, be it math, science, or literature. So it saves time.

what do you like about being homeschooled, I liked the amount of breaks and getting out of "school" whenever you finished your assignments, I was homeschooled only in elementary school though.

The thing I like most about being homeschooled is that I can work at my own pace. I can read as much as I want of a certain book, and put it down when I grow bored, and come back to it a few hours later after doing some other subject. I can stop on a math problem for an hour, until I understand how to do it. I usually take about half an hour to 45 minutes for algebra 2, and the whole of my day is usually 9:00 AM till either 2:30 or 3:00, depending if I have any classes with other homeschoolers that day.
Breaks are nice, especially when you can go and grab a snack or a drink without having to ask permission.

Do your parents teach you?

From 6th-8th grade, my mother helped me more, but now in high school, she only teaches me Health and Bible (electives). She focuses on my 5th grade brother, and actually does teach him in every subject except math.

Did your home school curriculum ever include the theory of evolution?

Believe it or not, yes. I took Biology last year at the local high school, and evolution was taught. I don’t believe in it myself, although I believe there is some truth to microevolution. My teacher did a wonderful job explaining the difference between micro and macroevolution, and made sure to point out that you do NOT have to accept evolution, even though it is being taught, because it is still a theory, not a law. So I have been taught it. I do not know whether other curriculums teach it because they accept it, or if they teach it because it is an important concept to understand, even if you don’t believe it.

As someone who was homeschooled and knows a lot of other homeschool families, do you feel there should requirements on the parents' educational background to ensure they have the knowledge needed to properly prepare their kids for potential college?

This has always been my main concern with homeschooling personally. I dont mind when properly prepared people do it, but Ive seen too many kids whose parents are woefully incapable of teaching anything beyond extremely basic knowledge.

An interesting thought. I think at the very least they should have graduated high school. As I said before, my mother has taught me, and my brother, and we both have routinely placed higher on standardized testing than public schoolers. My mother never went to college, but was taking classes to become an alcohol counselor, then she met my father and changed her tune. My father graduated from college with a Master’s in Science and a Bachelor’s in Arts and he currently works for a large company. So, luckily for us, we have an extremely competent mother and father.

For those kids whose parents want them homeschooled, but know they will not do an adequate job, there are co-ops, and there are classes for homeschoolers, with other homeschoolers, that are taught by people who do an excellent job.

 

[Luckymoose]

Why do you think your christian world view can't include evolution? Are you not taught possibilities that evolution is just God's way of handling creation? To be so closed minded is a major disadvantage of being homeschooled. How do you think your christian world view will affect you in the job market when you are working with anything from Atheists to Muslims?

 

[jtb1127]

b. Possible, but through this educational curriculum, it is taught in all the subjects, be it math, science, or literature. So it saves time.

How is a Christian world view applied to math or science?

 

[NickyJ]

Since I've been home-schooled all my education has come from homeschool, I think I'll try to take on a few questions.

Why do you think your christian world view can't include evolution? Are you not taught possibilities that evolution is just God's way of handling creation?

I've been taught that it might be possible, but both my teachers and myself believe that life was not begun by evolution. Why? We just don't find it to agree with God's teachings.

To be so closed minded is a major disadvantage of being homeschooled.

I don't see how. It isn't really closed minded. It's just as closed minded as atheists saying that God does not exist.

How do you think your christian world view will affect you in the job market when you are working with anything from Atheists to Muslims?

For myself, I don't think it would affect me in the job market. I would just not discuss religion or other controversial subjects at my work place.

How is a Christian world view applied to math or science?

For math, I've never really seen a Christian world view applied to it, but for science, my education has taught me that all things, from the smallest of quarks, to the universe itself, are all specially created by God, all with a specific task or purpose in life.

 

[Ajidica]

I've been taught that it might be possible, but both my teachers and myself believe that life was not begun by evolution. Why? We just don't find it to agree with God's teachings.

Did your teacher tell you that evolution doesn't concern itself with how life began?

 

[Verarde]

Why do you think your christian world view can't include evolution?

I do not want this to become an evolution debate thread. I will answer this and this issue will close. This is about homeschooling, not worldviews.

I never said it can’t include evolution. What I mean is that a Christian worldview science curriculum should not teach evolution as true.

Are you not taught possibilities that evolution is just God's way of handling creation? To be so closed minded is a major disadvantage of being homeschooled.

Like I said, I was taught evolution, and I understand it well enough. And there are secular homeschoolers who accept evolution. I learned evolution in school, but I do not accept it, and that is my personal choice. That is NOT being closed minded.

How do you think your christian world view will affect you in the job market when you are working with anything from Atheists to Muslims?

Well, for one, I believe my positive attitude will get me further than perhaps a grumbler. A Muslim could also be a good worker, because of their attitude and willingness to work. In fact, anyone of any belief could be a good worker, if they are willing to work hard and well.
I will use the example of my father. He is a Christian man, working with atheists, homosexuals, Muslims, and all other people from across the spectrum. He stays professional, and will work hard, as long as it does not compromise his faith. That is what my attitude will be as well.

He’s really awesome.

How is a Christian world view applied to math or science?

Well, in math, it’s harder, and I confess I have never been taught math from a Christian worldview. In science, it basically is that:
“God created the world, and He created it with certain laws, that we have slowly discovered and are discovering. Our job is to not have a biased view, but to be able to discuss all possibilities, and find the one that best glorifies God.”

Now, how about some homeschooling questions, and not so many Christianity questions? Take those to the “ask an evangelical Christian” thread.

 

[Verarde]

Did your teacher tell you that evolution doesn't concern itself with how life began?

Yes, he said so.

 

[NickyJ]

Did your teacher tell you that evolution doesn't concern itself with how life began?

Yes.

Now, how about some homeschooling questions, and not so many Christianity questions? Take those to the “ask an evangelical Christian” thread.

Agreed.

 

[jtb1127]

Do you think Muslim parents should home school their children so they can have a Muslim World View?

 

[NickyJ]

Do you think Muslim parents should home school their children so they can have a Muslim World View?

If they want to, I see no reason why they shouldn't.

 

[Luckymoose]

Actually, it does concern with how life began. Evolutionists say that life began from amoebas. Creationists say that God created everything by his own handiwork, and that no life has been altered since the world was created.

You sir will not ninja your way out of being wrong. I want you to know that everything you have said is wrong, evolution has nothing to do with the origin of life, only how life has evolved since then. As for how this pertains to homeschooling, it is very clear. Homeschooling is well known for teaching methods of science that are against the beliefs of mainstream society, which is a major sticking point for why homeschooled kids are behind when they enter a college setting.

This thread is about homeschoolers and that means I can ask about curriculum and why you follow it.

 

[NickyJ]

You sir will not ninja your way out of being wrong. I want you to know that everything you have said is wrong, evolution has nothing to do with the origin of life, only how life has evolved since then.

In that, I acknowledge I was wrong. I was also wrong in saying that my teachers and textbooks say that. My education has said nothing about evolution and creation differing on how life began.

As for how this pertains to homeschooling, it is very clear. Homeschooling is well known for teaching methods of science that are against the beliefs of mainstream society, which is a major sticking point for why homeschooled kids are behind when they enter a college setting.

I disagree. Homeschooling does not always have to be about going against mainstream beliefs. There are evolutionists out there who are homeschooled. It's mostly because public school sometimes provides inferior education to that of home schooling. Also, I'll have you know that my older brother, who was homeschooled as well, set records for the highest marks that could be gotten in tests when he got his GED. Again, he set the record for the highest marks in GED (Well nigh perfect marks). He was homeschooled. Home schooling has proven to put kids ahead when going to college. All the teachers I've known, whether they send their kids to public school or not, have said that homeschoolers are usually the students with the highest grades on tests.

This thread is about homeschoolers and that means I can ask about curriculum and why you follow it.

We've already told you why we follow it.

 

[Luckymoose]

I disagree. Homeschooling does not always have to be about going against mainstream beliefs. There are evolutionists out there who are homeschooled. It's mostly because public school sometimes provides inferior education to that of home schooling. Also, I'll have you know that my older brother, who was homeschooled as well, set records for the highest marks that could be gotten in tests when he got his GED. Again, he set the record for the highest marks in GED (Well nigh perfect marks). He was homeschooled. Home schooling has proven to put kids ahead when going to college. All the teachers I've known, whether they send their kids to public school or not, have said that homeschoolers are usually the students with the highest grades on tests.


We've already told you why we follow it.

You are comparing the GED to things like AP tests? Do you realize that a GED is aimed at people who cannot complete highschool, be it for personal problems or inability to attend? Do you realize that most major universities frown upon GED's and will not likely enroll students based on that alone?

When you go to college, I noticed the OP posted about some college a lot of homeschooled kids go to, do you aim for a college based on its academics or on its political/religious ideology? Would you be willing to go to a major university and study a science knowing full well that your homeschooled education could put you years behind your peers? How about the arts? Does your homeschooling oppose certain literary works that might be against your ideology? These are all important questions and the answers to them are really key to figuring out where you will stand academically.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Easy:

A: The Bible favors rounding. Pi is 3. Forget stupid decimal crap

B: God created each thing "According to its kind." This includes numbers and letters. Stop combining them, you're spoiling God's creation

(I'm kidding obviously, but as a former homeschooler, I may tackle a few at some point. I'll let the current homeschoolers mostly run the thread however, unless I am asked to contribute more.)

 

[NickyJ]

When you go to college, I noticed the OP posted about some college a lot of homeschooled kids go to, do you aim for a college based on its academics or on its political/religious ideology?

As it stands for me, it will be for academics.

Would you be willing to go to a major university and study a science knowing full well that your homeschooled education could put you years behind your peers?

I don't know of any colleges that find homeschooling puts you behind your peers. As I've said before, all the teachers I've met say that homeschooling puts you light years ahead of other students.

How about the arts? Does your homeschooling oppose certain literary works that might be against your ideology?

No. I freely choose what literary works I want to read.