Homeschooling

Homeschooling

I got to witness something on Tuesday that warmed my heart and soul. The local homeschool group that meets regularly at Ten Mile Baptist put on a short program for relatives and friends.

What I witnessed was unbelievable. One group of kids recited chorally a timeline of history from ancient times until now. And this was not just Biblical history. It was all of history. I have taught world history in sixth grade for many years and I can not recite a timeline of history. In fact, Lily can tell me things like the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine, facts about the War of 1812, and numerous other events in history. Again, I can not do this from memory, I would have to do an Internet search. Also, during the program, the older students gave lengthy reports and essays that would put my writing ability to shame. A musical presentation was presented by all ages.

I have, in the past, not supported homeschooling because I have seen many homeschoolers reenter the school system a few years behind their counterparts and never able to catch up.

However, when Jared and Melissa told us they planned to homeschool, I knew it would work out. Melissa has such drive and determination that I knew she and the girls would stick with it. It looks like this group of teachers and homeschoolers are moving in the right direction.

There are advantages and disadvantages of both homeschooling and public education that I won' t get into in this post. I will say a couple, though, the homeschoolers can actually study the Bible and they can go on numerous educational field trips.

Another story:

A former superintendent of Hamilton County Unit 10 decided to substitute teach during his retirement. On the playground one day when he substituted in the sixth grade, we had a conversation about his point of view as a superintendent and as a substitute. He told me that he no longer believed in compulsory education. He felt that some students did not want to be in school and he felt their parents did not care either. He made a point to say that he felt the majority of students really did want an education, though.

For the few that didn't want an education, he didn't know what the answer was, but he felt we were going in the wrong direction with our educational system for those students.