THE WINNERS….
You guys have all really blessed me with your answers. Thanks *super* much for participating. I chose three winners, so if you are the
following bloggers, then email me your address so I can set up your free one
year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. If you are already a subscriber, then email
me the address of one of your friends who would enjoy it. 
The first winner is: ChathamMommy/
I thought her answer to question #2 was particularly great:
2) What do you work on the most in your
'classroom'? Academics or Character
Training? Mommy's attitude (no, I'm not being funny).
Our next winner is: hsmomof2
I picked her because of her answer to question number one:
1) Are you the worst
homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you
are doing? Hmmm…
I'm pretty confident that I'm the worst homeschool teacher I know. And I
bet I'm the first one who answered that way, too.
That is one brave lady!! And I bet she is a GREAT teacher.
And lastly I picked: aligirl
6) When did you first learn about 'homeschooling' and what
was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) I
thought it was awesome the first time I heard of it. I went to a small bible
school, and the families that attended the bible classes, had their children
sitting in the kitchen area doing their school work. I loved the fact that they were learning as a family. Alot of
people don't see it that way.
Thanks
again for 'playing'! I think this has been my favorite contest
yet. I lot of you had really great things to say. Karen W
also cracked me up with one of her answers. There are too many to
bring up, so I'll just leave it at that. Speaking of contests, I'll
have another one featured tomorrow. If you are looking for math
resources, you'll definitely want to check in!
Original Post*******************************
Ok, I'm tagging all of you. I've had a particularly un-stellar last
month of 'doing school' and it'd be encouraging to hear what others are
up to. I'm curious about the following (and feel free to make the
answers as short or as long as you'd like):
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
2) What do you work on the most in your 'classroom'? Academics or Character Training?
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with
what you're doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook–
Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or
something else?
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
6) When did you first learn about 'homeschooling' and what was your
initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first
sight?)
I'd like to turn this into a contest. Three of
you will win a one year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
(if you already subscribe then you can gift a subscription to a friend).
|
on July 15th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
oh fun!!
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing? I would have to say that would depend on the day and the kids! LOL Somedays I feel like I am toatly messing up my kids and other days I think I am doing ok
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training? Again I have to go with that depends on the day and the kids ; )
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
I am a little bit Charlotte Mason and a little Classical with some ecclectic and unit studying tossed in.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? 4 kids
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid? nope, prefect product of the public school system
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) It wasnt love at first sight that is for sure! LOL but it also wasnt horror. I think I thought “Oh that is nice for you but I couldn’t do that I am not smart enough and I would sure mess up my kids”.
I’d like to turn this into a contest. Three of you will win a one year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine (if you already subscribe then you can gift a subscription to a friend).
• Post A Comment!
on July 15th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
You might know most of these, but not all.
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know?
No, I am not the worst, but I am certainly not the best either! I am just who God made for my children though and that is right where I am supposed to be.
Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
HA! Well, some days we have really wonderful days and other days are not so much. I really try not to worry though and trust that over the course of the time we are all together we will learn a great deal and the love of learning is already blossoming here.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
Both all the time. It is hard to separate them.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
Classically Charlotte Mason with a dash of Eclectic. See this post for what that means: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/UndertheSky/152116/
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
Five
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
No.
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
My father and his wife (not my mother) homeschooled for a few years and when I first heard about it I thought they were bloomin’ nuts. I thought they would ruin their children, etc. until I talked to them about it. Then when we had children it was all we ever wanted. :+) Funny how God humbles us when we need it!
Jen, your children have the very best mother and father who earnestly love them. That shows in every part of them. It shows in Coie’s graciousness and special attention to those who are not in her own family. It shows in the relationships my children have with yours. It shows in your committment to God and to each other. Your school day may not look like you want it to, but God is in control of the hearts of those in your home. That is not something to forget.
LOVE you!
Kate
on July 15th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
My Answers :o)
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
Oooo…. Ummm…. Which week are you referring to?? Some days I feel like I have it together, but other days… well… I feel like I am barely hangin’ in. I am really enjoying our Summer unit studies — I may add unit studies to our regular work.
(Of course, coming off of a 6 week break… I am feeling a little less than confident about things. I am sure it’ll be great, though! We have 6 more weeks of unit studies before we start back full-time.)
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
Last year it was more academics. I wish I had spent more time on character training… This year we will be making up for lost time!! CHARACTER TRAINING will be a part of EVERY lesson!!
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
This summer we have worked on unit studies and we have all enjoyed it a lot!! Last year we did a lot of textbook work. I think, if I can find a happy medium, we will combine the two.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
I have six kids — a 4th grader, a 2nd grader, a kindergartener, a preschooler, a toddler, and an infant. So… I am homeschooling 4 and trying to keep the other 2 entertained. :o)
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
For one year. We did the PACE program and I just wasn’t disciplined enough to stick with it.
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
I didn’t like being homeschooled, although I thought I would LOVE it! (You know… watching tv all day, being done with school in half the time.) As a mother I was NEVER going to homeschool – I am still one of the least disciplined people I know – but my son got sick with meningitis and homeschool seemed like a solution to the dreaded germ problem. (The older kids were constantly bringing notes home about one illness or another going around school.) It’s been 2 years now and I can’t imagine sending the kids back to school! From the very first day that the kids were home I knew that I AM a homeschool mom.
Great questions! THANKS for letting us share!
Blessings! ~Beckie
on July 15th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Untitled Comment
) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing? With my DD, I feel very confident…’course she’s only 5. With DS13, I have my good days and my bad days.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training? We focus more on academics during school, but DH works alot, esp. with DS on character training and being a godly father and son. But, we’re adding more character training into our formal lessons this year. We also work alot with DS on biblical worldview stuff.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else? Ecclectic
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? 2….kindergarten and 8th grade
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid? No
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT for both me and DH.
Thanks for the fun tag. Since I just won a neat neck massager thingy at heartandsoul, I’m bowing out of the “contest” part of this. Thanks!
BTW, is the prize a copy of the swing/pants falling off video?
on July 15th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Count me in…
Matter of fact, I just posted… so come on over. But beware it gets a little mushy towards the end (at least just about as mushy as I go).
Amy
Cajamarca, Peru
on July 15th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
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Well I feel better knowing that your having a slow month too. Whew! Laziness loves company. 😉
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
Pretty Confident. I have lots to learn, but feel I’m the best homeschool teacher for my children.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
Huh… hmmm… Well, we don’t “study” Character Training like a school subject per se. (Outside of studying the Bible, etc). Instead Character Training is lived and breathed in all of life. We don’t use a curriculum for it (although we make sure that all our curriculum shows values worthy of emulation…)
So does this mean we do Character Training more (since it is all day every day) or less, because we don’t sit down and study a character trait as we would study subtraction facts? Or does it mean I ramble and don’t answer questions very clearly? Yeah… that must be it.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
Ecclectic. Definately ecclectic. High doses of Charlotte Mason and Classical, but ecclectic for sure.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
4.
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
Nope.
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
Love at first sight. Before my eldest was born my husband and I were part of a wonderful church comprised mostly of homeschool families. We knew right away that homeschooling was for us!
on July 15th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
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1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing? It depends on the day! I feel more inept in parenting than homeschooling~it’s that DISCIPLINE thang! YUCK!
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training? Both.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else? Charlotte Mason~LOOOOOVE it! We definitely found OUR niche! Works PERFECTLY for OUR family!
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? 3. Allen=Ambleside Year 3, Jamie=Ambleside Year 1 (OH! and a neighbor kid has joined us through the summer on Jamie’s level), and Preston=B4FIAR.
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid? Not a bit.
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) I just always knew I wanted to do it~like homebirthing~I don’t even know where the idea came from or how I knew about it!
(((((HUGS))))) sandi
on July 15th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
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1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing? I feel pretty good about being a homeschool teacher… there are days I feel terrible over one thing or another but in general I am pretty good =-)
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training? Academics~75% and Character~25% is a normal school day…. Character is build every day all the time when we are not homeschooling….
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else? We used Abeka the first year… wow was that tough, this last year we used an ecclectic method, and this year we are trying the Calvert boxed set for both of the boys *smile*
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? Offically 2, H-Man 12 years old 7-8th grade, Koko 9 years old 4th grade, and ButterBean 2.5 years old preschool fun play.
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid? Nope~ My mother sent all of us to school to get us away from her for 8 hours a day… if she could she even stuck us in summer school…..
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) I heard about it ohhhhh let me think….. maybe 12-15 years ago when my oldest attended Catholic private school….. and I LOVED the thought of it from the second I heard of it!
Peace & Happiness,
Dana
on July 15th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
I love Tags!
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
I don’t think I am the worst, but I have really bad days. One of them was Thursday! But overall, things are going pretty well and it increases my confidence level a bit!
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
Both! But I think character the most… or at least that is how it should be!
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
We are very Ecclectic, but definitely more structured than not. We use narration a la Charlotte Mason style, we use some Latin study and classical stuff, we use some textbooks for math and reading, we have discovered how much time it frees up to use unit studies for the subjects that we can and we car school sometimes, but less frequently than we used to!
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
Five
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
no, but my parents were very involved with my homework and such.
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
I first heard of it on Focus on the Family when I was in High School and decided right then and there that I wanted to homeschool my children!
on July 15th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Contest
Jen, I posted my answers on my site. Yours was a very interesting post. I liked your questions.
Blessings,
Karen
on July 15th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
Answers
1. While I am not the worst homeschool mom I know, I have a lot more ideas than I have the time or energy for. That often makes me snarky and wish that I had totally compliant children to stuff full of knowledge and whatnot. Then I remember…Oh, yeah! That’s one thing I was trying to avoid with all that homeschooling stuff!
Do I feel confident? Not always. Many times I wake up in a cold sweat and wonder what in the world I’m doing. I dream of being the mother of 5, 3 of whom are taken care of all day long by the public school system. Then I remember what that system is like. Once I’m over THAT cold sweat, I can usually calm myself down to rationality.
2. The stuff that produces the most paper is the homeschooling. We work on character alongside. Like this:
“Have you finished your grammar?”
“No.”
“Why are you playing on the computer?”
“Well, I’ll do it later…”
“No, we’ve already established that you need structure. I’m providing structure for you now so that when you’re an adult, you’ll be self-structuring.”
“Does that mean I need to do my grammar right now?”
“Yep, that’s what that means.”
3. We follow the classical methodology, more or less, according to The Well-Trained Mind. There are things that don’t get done all that often. We often overthrow Latin in favor of laundry, but we call that home ec and run with it.
4. Three of my children are doing bookwork now and the toddlers are learning to talk, sign, and control themselves. Depends on who’s asking.
5. I attended and graduated from public schools. The stuff that’s stuck with me was stuff I taught myself from reading. In that sense, I guess I was “after-schooled”.
6. I guess I first heard about homeschooling when my first child was about 3. I thought it was a compelling but scary thing to do. My hubby and his mother were dead set against it and our oldest suffered through 2 years of public schooling before he agreed to let me teach her at home for the summer and see how it went. We’re now embarking on our 7th year of homeschooling, the children are thriving (even my Asperger’s child…or maybe I should say, especially my Asperger’s child), and the parents love it most days.
on July 15th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Sorry!
Didn’t mean to blog in your comments box!
on July 15th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
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Mrs. Ig, nice to see you blogging about a topic suitable for “mixed company”! I had to give that rope swing story a big wide pass! Anyway, I’ll just skip to the question that interests me:
— 6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) —
We first heard of homeschooling in about March, 1988 when Deb and I were newlyweds, at our second time attending Solid Rock Church in Riverdale, MD (which is still to the day our “official” home church, though we’ve been back in Cleveland since ’93).
Anyway, the couple that fed us lunch that day told us about homeschooling and my first reaction was a thought bubble over my head with a little cuckoo clock chiming noon! My first question was, “But what about their social development?” I thought these poeple were like the Moonies or the Branch Davidians or the Jonestown bunch or something, and I didn’t want to be there when they passed out the Kool-Aid! But we were new in DC and had no other church to go to, and there were a lot of young people at SRC (like were at the time) so we hung around and eventually decided these people were OK.
I was, however, convinced for a couple years that homeschooling was for purple coagulated jellyroll types, and was adamantly opposed to it. But then we got to know the Dawson Gang and were very impressed with their kids (they only had five at the time — they ended up with eleven.) So anyway, the kids were bright and polite and articulate, and I was amazed that I could have an adult level conversation with their 8yo son. I decided that homeschool kids weren’t the oddball misfits that I expected.
At this time, I was still against having children, and we attended the home birth of their 7th in 1990 which was a very enlightening experience. But after seeing this family and also all the other great families at SRC over the span of five years, I was won me over to passing on my genes and also homeschooling.
When we came back to Cleve-O in ’93, I was sure that homeschooling was just a Maryland thing, and we were very surprised to learn that people we knew in Ohio were homeschooling. Anyway, when Happy was born in ’94, it was a done deal that we’d be homeschooling him and his sibs. Then we had to deal with all the friends, family and neighbors that thought we were purple coagulated jellyrolls for homeschooling. But everyone tells us how bright and polite and articulate our kids are, and we attribute it to the grace of God and their Mom’s hard efforts at homeschooling.
on July 15th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
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Sorry I’m clueless. Am I supposed to comment here, or post my answers on my blog? I did the latter.
on July 15th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Thanks for your nice comment on my blog!
Everyone likes to hear that someone thinks their family is beautiful, so thanks for that!
And by the way, I have looked at your family pictures and you guys are all beautiful, too!
I am formulating a post for your tag, and I will post a comment once it is up so I can enter the contest!
Jen
on July 15th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
<i>Untitled Comment</i>
I answered over on my blog. I'm having such fun reading the other's answers! : )
Edited by queserasera on Jul. 15, 2006 at 8:23 PM
on July 15th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
First time I've been tagged
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
I do OK. So far, though, it's just preschool. We are just getting to the stuff I haven't ever taught, and I'm not at all confident about teaching my son to read.
2) What do you work on the most in your 'classroom'? Academics or Character Training?
Currently, character training. I think I get more than he does, though. God is forever using Bookworm#2(age4) to teach and train me. But I'm doing my best to teach Bookworm#2 how to behave appropriately. We'll hopefully pass this phase relatively soon and then move to focusing on Academics.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you're doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
I'd call us Charlotte Mason with a trend towards Classical – our school is evolving.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
Officially, none. Bookworm#2 is only four, and he'll start MFW K in a few months. He doesn't have to be officially pulled from school until August 2008.
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
No, but I begged to be.
6) When did you first learn about 'homeschooling' and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
Love at first sight – I was in high school when I was surprised to learn that a friend of mine was homeschooling. I was jealous – I hated all that time wasted in school just waiting around. I would have loved to HS. When the Bookworm King and I found out that Bookworm #1 was on the way, we began exploring HSing and decided even before he was born that we wanted to homeschool.
Edited by ThoughtfulMom on Jul. 15, 2006 at 8:53 PM
on July 15th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Untitled Comment
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
It depends on each moment of the day!
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
We have a time set aside for academics, but we work on Character Training 24/7
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
I’m actually switching from Textbook to Ecclectic this year!
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
2
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
I wish!
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
When I heard my sis-in-law was going to do it. I was skeptical. Now she has put her kids in public school and I am loving the homeschooling!
on July 15th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
I've…
…posted my answers to your tag/contest here.
Or, if that doesn’t work, try here: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Suzanne/167623/. 🙂
on July 16th, 2006 at 12:21 am
<i>Untitled Comment</i>
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
There are somedays that I feel confident, and others that I think..I am the worst, and HAVE to be doing something wrong. The more I do it, and the more organized I am, the better it gets. I still have a lot of work in the organizing department *blush*.
2) What do you work on the most in your 'classroom'? Academics or Character Training?
I guess I do more Academics, but God is always involved, and I always try to be a good example of good character, and always look for opportunities to include it. I want to focus more on habit training, and character training. Any ideas for me??
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you're doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
I am a bit eclectic, but mostly Charlotte mason. I will be using textbooks for math only. I enjoy learning in a relaxed atmosphere! The couch and bean bags are perfect desks for us!! hehe!
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? I am schooling 2 full time, and my 3rd will be doing K work as soon as I get what I need for him.
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
I wasn't, but I sure wish I would have been.
6) When did you first learn about 'homeschooling' and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) I thought it was awesome the first time I heard of it. I went to a small bible school, and the families that attended the bible classes, had their children sitting in the kitchen area doing their school work. I loved the fact that they were learning as a family. Alot of people don't see it that way.
This was an AWESOME tag Jen! It was very encouraging and inspiring to see that alot of mom's are doing it just like I am, and that I really am doing it right! Reading the other ladies answers, was like looking at myself. It really uplifted me. I have been struggling lately, and this really helped me get a good perspective. Thanks!! And thanks to all of you who answered the questions.
Ali
Edited by Aligirl on Jul. 15, 2006 at 10:33 PM
on July 16th, 2006 at 12:51 am
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My first contest! I posted answers on my blog… fun!
on July 16th, 2006 at 1:27 am
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I answered in a post on my blog. As to what we’re up to school-wise… not a whole lot, lol. We’re on a break and the only schoolish things happening for my son is an occasional assignment from his Tae Kwan-do instructor regarding self-discipline and character. Don’t feel to badly about that “unstellar” month…. could be a gear-down that was needed and you didn’t acknowledge it as such. Don a smile and go forward! 🙂
Blessings!
on July 16th, 2006 at 4:10 am
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1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
As a teacher, I’m very good. *shrug* I was going to be a PS teacher because I loved passing knowledge on to kids so much.
As a parent, I strongly consider military school at least once a week.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
Mommy’s attitude (no, I’m not being funny).
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
Eclectic to the extreme. Working on knighthood training– the medieval time folks actually had a good grip on how kids work.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
All of them?? Okay, technically one.
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
No. One year of private school. I so wish I had been, though!
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
I first learned about homeschooling when I found out my very bright oldest son couldn’t enter school the year he turned five (a little less than six years ago). I researched alternatives and discovered homeschooling and it was definitely love at first sight. I have lived, breathed, and preached homeschooling every day since.
No contest entry for me. I just liked the tag. 🙂
on July 16th, 2006 at 6:41 am
Thanks for commenting..
on my blog. I had a lot of fun answering your questions.
I am an MK (missionary kid) grown up. When I began school, boarding school was it. You either did that, or made plans to go home. At least I got to board in Africa. The generation before me got left in the States or Canada in a home for missionary kids.
It was an experience I don’t want to trade for anything else. On the other hand, I don’t want to do it to my children either.
Karen
on July 16th, 2006 at 7:32 am
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Oh great… now I’ve logged in and now I can’t see the original questions… What a doof head.
Well, I’ll strain my blonde hair and try to remember what you had asked.
~ Obviously, I don’t feel like I know what I’m doing many times :o) but then I see how all the neighborhood kids are doing and I think I’m doing a great job.
~ My first year I ordered Sonlight and had a panic attack. I quickly exchanged it for a whole stack of workbooks (AlphaOmega) We got bored REAL quickly and supplemented with the library. Then we tried a cheap curriculum with lame-o content. So, now we do heavy Charlotte Mason with Unit studies and a little bit of workbooks. What’s that called? Ecclectic I guess :o)
~ I homeschool 2
~ I wasn’t homeschooled and thought those who did were weird, separatist “basement cults”… LOL!
~ I NEVER thought we’d homeschool and even sent my oldest to public Kindergtn. BIG mistake. After two weeks he came home and told me he learned that boys can marry boys…. oh boy oh boy oh boy.
~ great. now I can’t remember anything else. Well, that’s it I suppose. What a fudgesickle I am.
on July 16th, 2006 at 8:14 am
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1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? No, I’m not her. Neither are you. I have met her though. She doesn’t have a blog.
Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing? I’m not always confident either. I guess I’m pretty middle of the road.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
Both really. You can’t have academics without character training.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
I am very eclectic.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
Three. I love easy answers!
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
No
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
I don’t exactly remember. I think that I was taught subliminally in college (I have a degree in Elementary Education) that homeschooling was wrong. The first homeschooling family I met had two teenage children that were shy and backwards. So of course my conclusion was that homeschooling produced social misfits. Sometime during my 6 year career, teaching in both Christian and public schools, I developed a completely different mindset. Not only did I realize that public and private schools also contained social misfits, I noticed that the children who accomplished the most academically were the ones who had parents that were immensely involved in their education – every single one. Before I had my own children, I was convinced that homeschooling was the best option.
on July 16th, 2006 at 11:42 am
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1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing? I don’t feel like I am the worst teacher, but I often feel like I need more self-discipline as a teacher. Many days I feel like a fish swimming upstream against the influences of society (how we school – when are they learning) – while I’m a relaxed homeschooler overall – I’m beginning to feel pressure to “perform” because of the impending high school years and college choices, etc., etc., family – that sort of self-imposed judging of my teaching.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training? Oh my – character training is 24/7; I’ve considered staying up all night and praying over the heads of them, using some kind of herbal massage on their scalps and communing with our ancestors! Classroom time is spent on academics primarily – except for specific readings relative to our Bible study or other literature that creates a mother’s tangent……I don’t think I gave a straight answer.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else? How does “All of the above” grab you – I think I may be a schizophrenic homeschooling methodologist. Never satisfied I think because all too often there are so many choices of materials – I’m always second guessing (shoulda, coulda, woulda???)
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? Two sons [B-O-Y-Z!]
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid? No
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) My longest, bestest friend from age of 13 was the first person to utter the phrase “homeschool” (sometime in 1993/1994 – I still remember the conversation); I thought she had completely lost her mind and gone off the deep end. Now she is the one who laughs at me and calls me the rebel homeschooler. God’s method of sowing seeds is amazing; never underestimate the power of His plan nor His methods………
What a fun “Tag” ~
Blessings,
Harriette
on July 16th, 2006 at 11:54 am
I commented and my name disappeared!
It might have disappeared when I edited, but I don’t know where it went, anyway, it said I answered on my blog, although without a name, it’s hard to find me.
on July 16th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
I'm up for a game of tag! 😉
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?… No, I’m not the worst. I don’t think I really know any that are terrible at it. I’m somewhat confident as a teacher, though I know I could do better. My head has been in the clouds the past couple of years (loss of baby halfway through pregnancy 2 years ago, husband’s recent cancer diagnosis), so I feel like I’ve been hanging on by my teeth. This next year terrifies me: my 14 year-old will be starting highschool, and for the first time in our hs career, I REALLY have to keep records now! I totally feel like I’m holding his life in my hands! Poor kid.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?… Mostly it’s been academics, just trying to make sure we get all the basics in. Character training lately has consisted of nothing more than, “Stop that!” or “Apologize to your brother (or sister), right now!”
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?… We started as textbookers way back when (entering our 10th year this fall), moved on to Charlotte Mason, a little unschooling, and now we’re back to textbooks with a little ecclecticism (is that a word?) thrown in just for fun.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? … Three — two boys, 1 girl. Our baby doesn’t know how good she has it right now.
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid? … No, but I did beg my mother to homeschool me when a boy I knew was pulled out of school to be taught at home. (I did NOT enjoy junior high school.)
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?) … We first learned about it when friends of ours started homeschooling. I thought, “Well, good for you.” Another friend and I had this conversation at a bookstore…Me: “Oh, a book on homeschooling. I’ve thought about that.” Friend: “What did you think about it?” Me (giggling): “That I probably shouldn’t do it!” (Famous last chortles.)
Thanks, Jen, fun contest! (And thanks so much for your nice comment the other day. 🙂 )
Sally
on July 16th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
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1) I’ve got the sin of pride. *sigh* I thought I was doing great…..But then God in his ever faithful Fatherness gave me a child who is slow to learn. So even the pride is being eroded away. Thanks God. I think.
2) Since the Classroom is 24/7 in homeschooling it’s a hodge-podge of both academics and character. Since good discipline is usually to teach about character…..I’d say I spend a whole lot of time on that. (Sibling stuff. They adore each other OR…..it’s ugly.)
3) Ecclectic, baby.
4) Four homeschooled kids. coming up on 1st grade, 2nd, 4th and 5th.
5) Not homeschooled myself.
6) Initial reaction to homeschooling?
***Yet another thing to submit to my husband about.*** UGH.
But God is so amazing and mighty. He truly cares about us. My husband who had no Godly father figure and didn’t know how to run a family married me and WOW. He truly let God use him and guide his decisions. I asked my husband this morning this question and reminded him that I snubbed my nose at him when he mentioned it.
I asked him, “So, what made you even THINK about homeschooling for N***”
he said, “Ya know. It’s weird because I used to think that homeschooling was really weird and in school I thought it was just plalin wrong. ” “It’s just another GOD thing.” smiling.
So he submitted to HIM.
I submitted to him.
See how cool it works out to be when we all do what we’re supposed to??? 🙂
on July 16th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
My entry
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
I haven’t really met many. I do know a few that could use a good lesson.
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
I’m leaning more toward academics
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
Probably Textbook.
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now?
Three
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid?
no. Public school all the way.
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
I guess I had heard a few things about it before. I thought it was the neatest idea. I had been having troubles with my son’s ps and this was the best way out of that one. I plan to homeschool them all the way through high school.
I also posted the answers on my website. I would sure love a subscription to your magazine. I got me sample copy and it about wore out. Great stuff. Thanks for the contest.
on July 16th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Haven't played tag in awhile…
…so here goes!
1) Are you the worst homeschool teacher you know? Or do you feel pretty confident in what you are doing?
Depends on the day…some are better than others. Not a day goes by that I don’t claim the promise from James 1:5…”if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask…” That’s me! I’m asking Lord!
2) What do you work on the most in your ‘classroom’? Academics or Character Training?
I like to think of homeschooling as “heartschooling”…all the rest is just icing on the cake.
3) What is your chosen method of Homeschooling– and are you happy with what you’re doing? Charlotte Mason– Classical– Textbook– Unschooling– Unit Study– Car Schooling– Ecclectic — or something else?
When I first began this journey, I fancied myself as a Charlotte Mason sort of gal. I have since come to the realization that while her theories resonate with me, I also need more structure. I am also drawn to the Classical way of thinking, but would never qualify for that camp either. Hmmm…guess that would put me in the Eclectic group wouldn’t it?
4) How many kids are you homeschooling right now? Three
5) Were you homeschooled as a kid? No
6) When did you first learn about ‘homeschooling’ and what was your initial reaction? (horror? were you skeptical? love at first sight?)
My first introduction to homeschooling was when my mom decided to homeschool my younger brother. I was already married and studying to be a teacher when they began the journey, but something in me knew it was the right thing to do. I guess you could call it love at first site. Dh and I both knew when we had kids we would homeschool. The funny thing is neither of us can remember ever even discussing it…we both just knew.
On a side note, my “little” brother has now graduated and is attending Patrick Henry College in VA. He is my proof that homeschooling works! On my worst day, I look at him as my example and know the fight is worth it.
on July 16th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
My entry….
or book, as most people would call it, LOL, is up on my blog!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MrsIncredible/167920/
But, don't say I didn't warn you… it is LONG!
Jen
P.S. And, OH, I didn't see the contest is OVER already until I already posted this! UGH!! But if you read my post anyway, you will see this is not unusual for me to be late LOL! Oh, well! It was lots of fun, anyway! 🙂
Edited by MrsIncredible on Jul. 16, 2006 at 6:52 PM
on July 17th, 2006 at 12:18 am
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That was a fun tag and I posted my answers on my blog yesterday. I am honored that I made you laugh. : ) Congratulations to all the winners!!
on July 17th, 2006 at 9:07 am
A little late
I posted my answers this morning if you wish to read them http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Momof5littlewomen/168127/
June
on July 17th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
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Thanks for the great contest and tag. I emailed you to please send my prize to someone whose answers I particularly liked.
Thanks again! 🙂
Chelo
on July 17th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
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Well, how fun and thank you! I almost never win anything and surely never thought I would win this. I am a subscriber but will send the address of a friend as soon as I track it down! Thanks!