The Dangers of Public School, Part Six: The Homeschool Solution
I've (hopefully) given everyone a lot to think about these past few weeks. But if you've been with me this far, you're probably wondering what exactly I expect you to do about it.
I can't tell you what to do, and the solution I have may not work for everyone. But I can tel you that it helps. A lot. But first, I'm going to tell you how I know that it helps.
In a past post, I mentioned how I hated math for a very long time. That changed when I got to about fifteen or sixteen. And it changed for one simple reason.
My parents took me out of public school at the age of eleven, and put me on a homeschooling program. By the time I was sixteen, I'd become immersed in the learning process.
The homeschool program I was put on is called the Robinson curriculum. And, for those of you who say you don't have time to teach your children, how's this: it's a self-taught program. My parents didn't teach me math, or reading, or writing. I did. If i didn't understand something, the book was right there and I taught it to myself again, in different ways, until I'd figured it out.
When I tested for my GED, every score I had was in the honors range, and I graduated in the top ten percent of my class. I even had a science score in the honors range - and the curriculum doesn't even have a science book until physics.
And this, mind you, was with a very watered-down version of the Robinson curriculum. Had I participated in the entire curriculum from start to finish, I would have gone much farther, much faster.
All your children need to know to get started is how to read, and have the multiplication tables memorized up to twelve. If you don't have time to teach your kids these things, you could do what my parents did. I attended public school through the fifth grade, and before middle school they yanked me. I knew how to read, and I knew how to multiply.
Obviously not all children will excel in this way, at least at first. Especially the kids who aren't trusted to correct their own work or who are known to take 'shortcuts' when they shouldn't. However, it is possible, with some effort, to get the change made.
In my next post I'll go over some of the challenges that face homeschooled kids - such as the social aspects many complain about. I'll also go over some of the benefits.
If you have any questions about my experience, feel free to contact me. If you want to know more about the Robinson curriculum, the website can be found here.
I can't tell you what to do, and the solution I have may not work for everyone. But I can tel you that it helps. A lot. But first, I'm going to tell you how I know that it helps.
In a past post, I mentioned how I hated math for a very long time. That changed when I got to about fifteen or sixteen. And it changed for one simple reason.
My parents took me out of public school at the age of eleven, and put me on a homeschooling program. By the time I was sixteen, I'd become immersed in the learning process.
The homeschool program I was put on is called the Robinson curriculum. And, for those of you who say you don't have time to teach your children, how's this: it's a self-taught program. My parents didn't teach me math, or reading, or writing. I did. If i didn't understand something, the book was right there and I taught it to myself again, in different ways, until I'd figured it out.
When I tested for my GED, every score I had was in the honors range, and I graduated in the top ten percent of my class. I even had a science score in the honors range - and the curriculum doesn't even have a science book until physics.
And this, mind you, was with a very watered-down version of the Robinson curriculum. Had I participated in the entire curriculum from start to finish, I would have gone much farther, much faster.
All your children need to know to get started is how to read, and have the multiplication tables memorized up to twelve. If you don't have time to teach your kids these things, you could do what my parents did. I attended public school through the fifth grade, and before middle school they yanked me. I knew how to read, and I knew how to multiply.
Obviously not all children will excel in this way, at least at first. Especially the kids who aren't trusted to correct their own work or who are known to take 'shortcuts' when they shouldn't. However, it is possible, with some effort, to get the change made.
In my next post I'll go over some of the challenges that face homeschooled kids - such as the social aspects many complain about. I'll also go over some of the benefits.
If you have any questions about my experience, feel free to contact me. If you want to know more about the Robinson curriculum, the website can be found here.
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