 Tambola wrote: |
| how did preschool go? I am so excited for HS preschool--but its years away! |
|
I didn't HS preschool for DD1 but will for DD2. HSing PS is more
of having fun but educational things/toys etc to do. You don't
really need to plan to do it. Just provide the experiences and go
with it!
| Tambola wrote: |
| and also, what confirmed it for you about public school? If you dont mind me asking? |
|
Lots of reasons! I'll try not get on a soapbox! (These are my own opinions & beliefs.)
1) Religious - We are non-den. Christians and want our children to grow
up with a strong foundation in Christ. In public schools, prayer has
been taken out and they teach the religion of Evolution and not
Creation. God should be the foundation for life. Not
just something taught on Sunday at church.
2) Academic - My DD1 is technically in 1st grade. BUT she is
really in different grades according to which subject. In
reading, she is not reading yet so she would be in K by public school
standards. In math, she's on par with 1st. Her strong
subject - science - she is doing 3rd grade level work. Writing - 1st,
Bible - 1st, Art/Music - 3rd (we are learning about composers and
artists which public school doesn't even teach until way later),
History - 1st grade, Geography - 1st grade, Social Studies - 3rd/4th
grade. So as you can see her abilities are different according to
what subject and I can taylor her lessons accordingly.
She also is a very visual learner. She has trouble learning by
simply listening to a teacher lecture or by reading (since she can't
read yet). Again, I can tailor my teaching to a more visual
method.
We can take more time on certain subjects than others if something
is catching her interest. In public school, once the bell rings,
no matter what the interest level, once class is over, the learning
stops.
I want to teach my children a broad range of ideas. In regards
to how our earth was formed. I would tell her the different
theories and why we believe in Creationism. After all, how she
support her ideas with others of opposing views unless I teach her what
those opposing views are. Public schools have a
set agenda.
Lastly, according to the Third International Mathematics
& Science Study (TIMSS), test scores of 5,400 seniors in 210 public
and private high schools were compared with seniors in other nations in
four subjects: advanced math, physics, general math and general
science. Among 16 countries, U.S. seniors outperformed only Austria in
advanced math. In physics, U.S. seniors ranked dead last. The sad thing
is at the 4th grade level, students performed competitively with other
nations but declined rapidly by 8th grade. Only 10 percent of high
school graduates qualify for even entry- level jobs.
3) Social Reasons - HSing allows DD1 to socialize with people of ALL
ages, not just her peer group. In real life, she will have to
learn how to function with the elderly, kids, babies, adults...
everyone. She can learn that through every day life - not cooped
up 6 hours in a classroom with kids her own age under teacher
controlled circumstances. Last Nov. she went to a HS skating
party with 89 other HS kids of all ages!
I also can be more in control of her socialization. I don't want her
picking up bad words, bad habits, and the wrong attitudes/priorities
from public schooled kids. I remember when I was in public school
as a kid, how we looked, who we hung out with, who was doing who, etc
were more important than school work or even moral teachings from
home/church.
4) Security - Physical/Mental/Spiritual - With the rash of violence
in schools, I do not want my child to come to harm. And you may
think your school is safe, but I am sure the parents at Columbine
thought that, too. Mental security is important, too.
I don't want someone teaching my children about sex and condoms, and
each teacher's personal view of their own morals or values. I
don't know if my DD's teacher is an atheist, a Wiccan, or a
Christian. Their personal values, morals, and ideas/thoughts in
life seep into their teaching even if they don't mean it to. Who
we are and believe as individual's affect everything that we do whether
we intend it ot or not. Lastly, I want my children to have
spiritual security. I believe there is a spiritual battleground
going on that we can not see. And our children are prime targets.
Public schools are the perfect place for Satan to attack our
children.
| Tambola wrote: |
| I am going through a really challenging period
with my DS who is 12, and I am considering sending him back for a
while, to get a break. But I know that I shouldn't. Hearing others'
reasons for disliking public school will remind me of why I don't want
to do that. |
|
I have feelings like that, too! And DD1 is only 7 yo!!!
She gives me attitude, doesn't want to do lessons and fights me
doing them (especially writing which she hates to do!). I
think every HS family goes thorugh ups and downs. But everytime I
consider sending DD1 back to public school, I remember the affects that
public school can have on her and do I want to fight even MORE
attitudes and bad influences? Do I want the public school to
label my DD as special ed just because she is not reading according to
their standards? When she is smart in math, science, and
geography? She'd be held behind in those subjects because of her
reading ability... I have to sit and really think of all the
negatives and I realize that although we may have problems now and
then, I'd have alot worse if she was in public school.
When going through a challenging period, what you really need is
support - whether here or through a local HS support group. My
REACH group here is great for providing encouragement and advice to
deal with issues that come up.
I hope that helps. Sorry for being long winded. I can get quite animated talking about HSing!
Christine
BWing, CDing, HSing, AP momma to my 2 girls:
Mikayla (5/98) and Rachel (3/05)