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1 like = 1 take on homeschooling
1/
Most homeschoolers keep the peace with public schoolers by saying something like, "it works for us, but it's not for everyone." This is true but only bc some (most?) ppl find homeschool unthinkable. If you are thinking about it, you should do it.
Most homeschoolers keep the peace with public schoolers by saying something like, "it works for us, but it's not for everyone." This is true but only bc some (most?) ppl find homeschool unthinkable. If you are thinking about it, you should do it.
2/
I'm pretty agnostic on homeschooling philosophies (well-trained mind, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, etc.). I have my preferences, but 2/3 of the benefits of homeschooling are baked into the cake just by not doing public school.
I'm pretty agnostic on homeschooling philosophies (well-trained mind, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, etc.). I have my preferences, but 2/3 of the benefits of homeschooling are baked into the cake just by not doing public school.
3/
The biggest danger of public school for Christians isn't indoctrination or exposure to degeneracy, although those are important. It's the unfathomable waste of childhood that could have been used to cultivate a human being of great substance.
The biggest danger of public school for Christians isn't indoctrination or exposure to degeneracy, although those are important. It's the unfathomable waste of childhood that could have been used to cultivate a human being of great substance.
4/
10% of the "homeschool makes you weird" meme is based in reality. There's bound to be some awkwardness and naiveté when you haven't spent 13 years obsessed with navigating the social jungle of public school.
10% of the "homeschool makes you weird" meme is based in reality. There's bound to be some awkwardness and naiveté when you haven't spent 13 years obsessed with navigating the social jungle of public school.
5/
40% of the "homeschool makes you weird" meme is the reputation of the first wave of homeschoolers, who really were kind of out there because you had to be just to try it. I am grateful for them blazing the path, but they were pretty weird, no two ways about it.
40% of the "homeschool makes you weird" meme is the reputation of the first wave of homeschoolers, who really were kind of out there because you had to be just to try it. I am grateful for them blazing the path, but they were pretty weird, no two ways about it.
6/
50% of the "homeschool makes you weird" meme is public schoolers' cope.
50% of the "homeschool makes you weird" meme is public schoolers' cope.
7/
Homeschool is a lot of work (though it doesn't necessarily have to be), but if you haven't noticed, so is public school. I first started thinking about homeschool when I heard how much effort people put in to get their kids a "good" ps education. Might as well homeschool LOL.
Homeschool is a lot of work (though it doesn't necessarily have to be), but if you haven't noticed, so is public school. I first started thinking about homeschool when I heard how much effort people put in to get their kids a "good" ps education. Might as well homeschool LOL.
8/
When I say homeschool doesn't have to be a lot of work, I mean you could literally do "unschooling" and your kids will still learn, although that *really* isn't for everybody.
When I say homeschool doesn't have to be a lot of work, I mean you could literally do "unschooling" and your kids will still learn, although that *really* isn't for everybody.
9/
A modified version of unschooling would be to just do enough to keep kids at grade level and unschool from there. That's kinda what we've done this yr due to my wife's health. Kids were already ahead so she just does the bare min for three Rs but they read & play piano a ton.
A modified version of unschooling would be to just do enough to keep kids at grade level and unschool from there. That's kinda what we've done this yr due to my wife's health. Kids were already ahead so she just does the bare min for three Rs but they read & play piano a ton.
10/
As a bright, lazy kid, public school made me feel like a failure. It was all busywork, and I just wasn't going to do that
Paradoxically, my straight A student wife *also* was made to feel like a failure by school because it's a pie-eating contest where the prize is more pie
As a bright, lazy kid, public school made me feel like a failure. It was all busywork, and I just wasn't going to do that
Paradoxically, my straight A student wife *also* was made to feel like a failure by school because it's a pie-eating contest where the prize is more pie
11/
Latter-day Saint homeschoolers need to be more aware of the outsized influence that evangelicals and hardcore Catholics have in the homeschool world, and of the tendency to conform to their worldview.
Latter-day Saint homeschoolers need to be more aware of the outsized influence that evangelicals and hardcore Catholics have in the homeschool world, and of the tendency to conform to their worldview.
12/
Homeschool is so much more time-efficient than public school that almost any amount of slacking from the routine is forgivable. "Oh, you spent the whole month of September at water parks? I guess for a little while the kids will only be 1.9 years ahead in math instead of 2."
Homeschool is so much more time-efficient than public school that almost any amount of slacking from the routine is forgivable. "Oh, you spent the whole month of September at water parks? I guess for a little while the kids will only be 1.9 years ahead in math instead of 2."
13/
In fact, we'll know that homeschool has really come into it's own when we entirely disregard comparisons to public school learning metrics.
In fact, we'll know that homeschool has really come into it's own when we entirely disregard comparisons to public school learning metrics.
14/
Homeschool allows kids to become themselves, but moreso.
The artistic kid can spend hours a day on art.
The musical kid can spend hours on music.
The Civil War nerd can spend more than a couple of weeks every few years learning about the Civil War.
Homeschool allows kids to become themselves, but moreso.
The artistic kid can spend hours a day on art.
The musical kid can spend hours on music.
The Civil War nerd can spend more than a couple of weeks every few years learning about the Civil War.
15/
Seriously, big deal if your homeschool kid isn't Doogie Friggin Howser. If they only get a bog-standard education without being in school 8 hours a day (plus homework), it was worth it.
Seriously, big deal if your homeschool kid isn't Doogie Friggin Howser. If they only get a bog-standard education without being in school 8 hours a day (plus homework), it was worth it.
16/
I'd only worry if they were significantly behind grade level, and even then it's probably a learning disability that the school isn't equipped to handle anyway.
I'd only worry if they were significantly behind grade level, and even then it's probably a learning disability that the school isn't equipped to handle anyway.
17/
Homeschoolers can picture themselves as besieged dissidents retreating to the wilderness, or as wealthy 18th-century aristocrats with a library of all the books in the world, as well as a magical portal to see across the universe in time and space.
I do both as it suits me.
Homeschoolers can picture themselves as besieged dissidents retreating to the wilderness, or as wealthy 18th-century aristocrats with a library of all the books in the world, as well as a magical portal to see across the universe in time and space.
I do both as it suits me.
18/
It's hilarious that they convinced parents that they have to constantly stimulate their kids' intellect from ages 0-5, and then from 5 onward if you don't send your kid away from you all day they will fall behind.
It's hilarious that they convinced parents that they have to constantly stimulate their kids' intellect from ages 0-5, and then from 5 onward if you don't send your kid away from you all day they will fall behind.
19/
I used to think the main thing I learned from public school that would be hard to pass on to my own kids, for better or worse, was how to be a class clown. But my kids are constantly interrupting things to make what they think is a clever joke, so now I think it's just genes
I used to think the main thing I learned from public school that would be hard to pass on to my own kids, for better or worse, was how to be a class clown. But my kids are constantly interrupting things to make what they think is a clever joke, so now I think it's just genes
20/
Speaking of genes, I don't think that homeschool can really make you that much *smarter*. There are fearsomely intelligent kids who excel in public school on its own terms. What homeschool is good at is in directing the use of that intelligence for things of greatest worth.
Speaking of genes, I don't think that homeschool can really make you that much *smarter*. There are fearsomely intelligent kids who excel in public school on its own terms. What homeschool is good at is in directing the use of that intelligence for things of greatest worth.
21/
Because Christian homeschoolers are especially devout, the kids are stereotyped as obedient followers.
But the sheer scale of institutionalization necessary just to keep schools from descending into chaos means they churn out much more conformist kids than homeschool does.
Because Christian homeschoolers are especially devout, the kids are stereotyped as obedient followers.
But the sheer scale of institutionalization necessary just to keep schools from descending into chaos means they churn out much more conformist kids than homeschool does.
22/
If anything, you sometimes have to nudge homeschool kids into falling in line just to get along when they're doing activities with others. They're not used to being regulated minute-by-minute like that.
If anything, you sometimes have to nudge homeschool kids into falling in line just to get along when they're doing activities with others. They're not used to being regulated minute-by-minute like that.
23/
There are a few things we do to ameliorate whatever awkwardness homeschooling might cause for our kids. But if you were to ask me to point to a single present-day example of a family whose kids are suffering due to a lack of such measures, I don't think I could.
There are a few things we do to ameliorate whatever awkwardness homeschooling might cause for our kids. But if you were to ask me to point to a single present-day example of a family whose kids are suffering due to a lack of such measures, I don't think I could.
24/
Homeschooling will make your kids inquisitive. That's a very good thing. But when it comes to the gospel, you had better be ready to give them good answers to their questions, or be willing to put in the work to find out the answers together.
Homeschooling will make your kids inquisitive. That's a very good thing. But when it comes to the gospel, you had better be ready to give them good answers to their questions, or be willing to put in the work to find out the answers together.
25/
Between all-day school, activities, and homework, public school has hypertrophied from an education delivery system to the organizing principle of modern family life.
Thus, homeschooling reasserts your sovereignty over more than just your kids' education.
Between all-day school, activities, and homework, public school has hypertrophied from an education delivery system to the organizing principle of modern family life.
Thus, homeschooling reasserts your sovereignty over more than just your kids' education.
26/
Christians who send kids to public school think they just need to provide superior arguments/information to rebut what kids hear in school.
But if the internet era has taught us anything, it's that arguments matter much less than social proof. And PS has that in spades.
Christians who send kids to public school think they just need to provide superior arguments/information to rebut what kids hear in school.
But if the internet era has taught us anything, it's that arguments matter much less than social proof. And PS has that in spades.
27/
If you are under 40, how much time did you spend in history classes talking about battle tactics? How about weaponry?
I wonder what it is about public school that they never mention those things? Hard to put my finger on it...
If you are under 40, how much time did you spend in history classes talking about battle tactics? How about weaponry?
I wonder what it is about public school that they never mention those things? Hard to put my finger on it...
28/
When you picture the alternative to homeschool, don't think of kindly Mrs. Branford, your boomer 1st grade teacher. Think instead of the girls who are on campus now at your State U. studing elementary education. This is who will be spending 40 hrs/week with your kid.
When you picture the alternative to homeschool, don't think of kindly Mrs. Branford, your boomer 1st grade teacher. Think instead of the girls who are on campus now at your State U. studing elementary education. This is who will be spending 40 hrs/week with your kid.
29/
I used to think homeschoolers whose kids completed all or most college credits before 18 were outsmarting the system. Now it seems kinda naive and cringe. Maybe it's smart if you're going to do something medical, otherwise it's probably just marking you as a weirdo.
I used to think homeschoolers whose kids completed all or most college credits before 18 were outsmarting the system. Now it seems kinda naive and cringe. Maybe it's smart if you're going to do something medical, otherwise it's probably just marking you as a weirdo.
30/
Even if it being an 18-year-old college grad didn't ostracize you in your career field, it's going to awkward socially when you're a 20-year-old RM going to grad school or what have you. I was 23 when I started law school, and immediately realized undergrad girls were no-go.
Even if it being an 18-year-old college grad didn't ostracize you in your career field, it's going to awkward socially when you're a 20-year-old RM going to grad school or what have you. I was 23 when I started law school, and immediately realized undergrad girls were no-go.
31/
My current stance is that things like AP classes or CLEP are good for making it so you can take fewer credits per semester in college and get better grades, or for shaving off a semester or two, not for bypassing college entirely.
My current stance is that things like AP classes or CLEP are good for making it so you can take fewer credits per semester in college and get better grades, or for shaving off a semester or two, not for bypassing college entirely.
32/
Although the culture has become more unfriendly to Christians in the last decade, my sense is that it's actually gotten better for homeschooling. Nobody jumps on us about it anymore when they find out, except for the occasional left wing "public interest" lawyer I deal with.
Although the culture has become more unfriendly to Christians in the last decade, my sense is that it's actually gotten better for homeschooling. Nobody jumps on us about it anymore when they find out, except for the occasional left wing "public interest" lawyer I deal with.
33/
I think part of the increase in homeschooling is that millennials can't afford private school. But I think that private schools are different from public mostly in degree, not kind.
I think part of the increase in homeschooling is that millennials can't afford private school. But I think that private schools are different from public mostly in degree, not kind.
34/
We did take a long look at a Waldorf school. It seems to do as good a job as any of simulating the benefits of homeschool. But one of the boys there tried to make my son feel bad about not having his own IPad.
Hell is other people('s kids).
We did take a long look at a Waldorf school. It seems to do as good a job as any of simulating the benefits of homeschool. But one of the boys there tried to make my son feel bad about not having his own IPad.
Hell is other people('s kids).
35/
One mistake we've made with education in general is to combine education and sorting.
It is necessary, to an extent, to sort kids out by natural ability or acquired knowledge/skill. There is no reason why the sorting has to be an integral part of the education process.
One mistake we've made with education in general is to combine education and sorting.
It is necessary, to an extent, to sort kids out by natural ability or acquired knowledge/skill. There is no reason why the sorting has to be an integral part of the education process.
36/
At work, you get periodic evaluations, and everyone kinda knows who's the most capable.
In school, literally every day you get graded and compared to everyone else, and there's no way to meaningfully measure performance/ability so frequently other than really crude metrics.
At work, you get periodic evaluations, and everyone kinda knows who's the most capable.
In school, literally every day you get graded and compared to everyone else, and there's no way to meaningfully measure performance/ability so frequently other than really crude metrics.
37/
Public schools think that grades are a means to the end of education.
Students know it's the opposite.
Public schools think that grades are a means to the end of education.
Students know it's the opposite.
38/
Homeschool kids are obviously going to behave and think differently from public school kids. As a parent, it's not always obvious which of the differences are a sign that homeschool is paying off, which ones are problems, and which ones are inconsequential.
Homeschool kids are obviously going to behave and think differently from public school kids. As a parent, it's not always obvious which of the differences are a sign that homeschool is paying off, which ones are problems, and which ones are inconsequential.
39/
Imagine if every kid got to have a sleep schedule that fit their natural biological clock. https://mobile.twitter.com/markallanbovair/status/1258753305511170051
Imagine if every kid got to have a sleep schedule that fit their natural biological clock. https://mobile.twitter.com/markallanbovair/status/1258753305511170051
40/
I've been asked to talk a little about making homeschool work financially.
The first thing I have to say is: no matter how poor you think you are, there are people poorer than you who homeschool. It's a question of what you're willing to sacrifice to make it happen.
I've been asked to talk a little about making homeschool work financially.
The first thing I have to say is: no matter how poor you think you are, there are people poorer than you who homeschool. It's a question of what you're willing to sacrifice to make it happen.
41/
Of course the ideal homeschool setup is a family that depends on only one income. I'm not sure I know how you can make more $$$, but as far as making your current family budget work better for you, check out @michaelperrone and @markallanbovair.
Of course the ideal homeschool setup is a family that depends on only one income. I'm not sure I know how you can make more $$$, but as far as making your current family budget work better for you, check out @michaelperrone and @markallanbovair.
42/
But especially in the US, lots of "two income families" are really "one income plus some part time work." You absolutely can homeschool this way. When we wanted to pay off some debt one year, my wife taught lots of piano lessons. Where there's a will, there's a way.
But especially in the US, lots of "two income families" are really "one income plus some part time work." You absolutely can homeschool this way. When we wanted to pay off some debt one year, my wife taught lots of piano lessons. Where there's a will, there's a way.
43/
Once kids get older (how old depends on the kid), they don't even necessarily need a parent around all day. They can even earn money during the day (again, bc 8 hours a day of school was not handed down on Mt. Sinai).
Once kids get older (how old depends on the kid), they don't even necessarily need a parent around all day. They can even earn money during the day (again, bc 8 hours a day of school was not handed down on Mt. Sinai).
44/
Desk jockeys: think of how much you would give to be liberated from the all-day-at-a-desk routine. Think how nice it would be to reduce your desk time to 1/2 or 1/4 of the workday.
Now think of how your 7-10-year old son feels in school all day.
#homeschool
Desk jockeys: think of how much you would give to be liberated from the all-day-at-a-desk routine. Think how nice it would be to reduce your desk time to 1/2 or 1/4 of the workday.
Now think of how your 7-10-year old son feels in school all day.
#homeschool
45/
This was sent to me by a friend after starting this thread. He's right. Young boys simply do not belong in school all day, especially in its current female-centric form.
This was sent to me by a friend after starting this thread. He's right. Young boys simply do not belong in school all day, especially in its current female-centric form.
46/
In 10th grade honors English, we read mostly books about women mistreated by men. One football player spoke for all boys in the class when he said, "are we ever going to read a book where the men aren't scumbags?"
That kind of thing *has* to have an effect on boys, right?
In 10th grade honors English, we read mostly books about women mistreated by men. One football player spoke for all boys in the class when he said, "are we ever going to read a book where the men aren't scumbags?"
That kind of thing *has* to have an effect on boys, right?
47/
When I say that just choosing homeschool over public school is 2/3 of the battle, this is the sort of thing I'm talking about: No matter what skills you might lack as a teacher, you surely aren't *actively trying to demoralize* your son.
When I say that just choosing homeschool over public school is 2/3 of the battle, this is the sort of thing I'm talking about: No matter what skills you might lack as a teacher, you surely aren't *actively trying to demoralize* your son.
48/
It's much easier to achieve equality by cutting down achievers than to bring up the rear.
Of course it would be crazy to actively hinder high achievers just to achieve equality. After all, there are higher goods than equality, aren't there?
What do most PS teachers think?
It's much easier to achieve equality by cutting down achievers than to bring up the rear.
Of course it would be crazy to actively hinder high achievers just to achieve equality. After all, there are higher goods than equality, aren't there?
What do most PS teachers think?
49/
A favorite quote from Reed Benson.
A favorite quote from Reed Benson.
50/
Not sending kids to school literally prevents suicide.
Not sending kids to school literally prevents suicide.
