Posts by truthsearcher

Just to clarify, and be fair, of course, I had some wonderful teachers too--inspiring, they loved what they were teaching and they cared about the students. Unfortunately, I can only remember a few who were like that...

23

Need help with info on homeschool

by skeeter1 in

anyone know how to homeschool a 9th grader?

need information on groups to join, software, books, etc.

skeeter.

truthsearcher

Oooh don't get me started on evil teachers! I had my share, too, and it caused a lot of heartache.

There was the screamer who grabbed kids by the hair and dragged them down the corridor.

There was the male teacher in grade 7 who was always grabbing the girls, looking at their breasts, and making sexual innuendos.

There was the English teacher who would wear mini-skirts, hike them up and sit on her desk, and come on to the boys in high school.

There was the geography teacher who was so boring I could barely stay awake. Someone actually took a gun and shot up his classroom. I totally understood why.

There was the science teacher who just laughed when I told him I was being harrassed by the boy behind me. That year was unbearable for me. I felt mauled and dirty after every class.

There was the math teacher who didn't understand what she was teaching and needed the smart students in the class to help her out.

There was the teacher who had absolutely no control of the classroom and ended up having a nervous breakdown (I still feel guilty for any part I might have played).

There was the angry, angry teacher who opened the staff room door with not one but TWO cigarettes in her mouth. I almost fell to the floor in shock!

There was the gymn teacher who used to humiliate the guys and use crude, crude humour.

Am I the only one who has had these types of experiences? These are just the ones that pop into my mind. If I thought harder, I could find more. I am glad that my children will never have those types of memories. They will remember things like cuddling up on the sofa and reading wonderful books together, going to science centres, baking and eating interesting things like edible maps (made of peanut butter and icing sugar, no less), doing math with M and Ms, giving each other music recitals, loving and appreciating each others efforts. (Okay, from time to time they did squabble, but not nearly as much as you would think, and today they are still very close and loving to one another as young adults). The highest compliment is that they have told me they want to homeschool their own children. Marvellous!!

23

Need help with info on homeschool

by skeeter1 in

anyone know how to homeschool a 9th grader?

need information on groups to join, software, books, etc.

skeeter.

truthsearcher

I would like to add that one of my homeschooled children is about to graduate from college with a GPA of 3.99. This child was totally hsed from kindergarten until attending college. My other child went to highschool for grade 12 and received numerous academic and citizenship awards at graduation. Another child competes in various activities outside of homeschool and consistently receives highest honours in exams. This has obviously helped to validate the experience for our family and I would be very reluctant to stop. They are well socialized, have had time to pursue and excel in various areas, are academically prepared for further education and have learned skills necessary for successful adult life. Plus we love to be together as a family and genuinely enjoy learning together. (I am able to relearn what I have forgotten or never understood well in the first place ).

This topic never fails to generate some controversy on JWD!

23

Need help with info on homeschool

by skeeter1 in

anyone know how to homeschool a 9th grader?

need information on groups to join, software, books, etc.

skeeter.

truthsearcher

home schooling is the WORST possible education available. Why on EARTH would you put you child through this challenge? I was a 3.85 GPA student and went to 1.6 as I need a teacher and I enjoy the competition of the other students.
I did somehow manage to get my high school diploma but I ABSOLUTELY would not recommend this type of one sided education to anyone. Math and English was my best subject and I started failing these basic classes with home schooling. The design of home schooling is to set the books before the child and let him just figure it out. I guess this is a good life skill. But I never learned to play an instrument and I still have trouble relating to people.

Jill: I am sorry that you had such a negative experience with homeschooling because for many, many families it is a very positive thing--not at all what you describe! In fact, many studies have shown that when done interactively with the kids, it is a far superior method than the classroom situation. I do not just set the books before the child and let him just figure it out--in my opinion, that is a neglectful approach to homeschooling. We do a lot of interactive discussion and while there is some independent work, I (and many other parents) are very involved in the learning and teaching process. Please don't think that your experience is the norm, because outside of JW circles, it certainly is not.