Advise re homeschooling please (1 Viewer)

[Louxchris]

We have sold and all being well will be moving july/August. No chain either side so should be a bit quicker . We are going full time around Sept ...my daughter who is in year 7 now is going to be home schooled on the go also my 4 year old but obviously this is more relaxed schooling .....what is the 1st thing I need to do ? She will be finishing school for good in July . My 4 year old did not get into the school we put her down for ( fate) . Thanks guys

 

[Sundowners]

We taught our two on the road when travelling around Europe for six years back in the eighties. There's probably different ruling now. We used to teach them every week day from 9-12. Sometimes they found it hard when others let their children play instead of schooling. But it paid off in the end, when they eventually went back into school at the ages of 10 and 11 they were far advanced to other kids.

 

[Theonlysue]

@Jim home schooled.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[sallylillian]

We have sold and all being well will be moving july/August. No chain either side so should be a bit quicker . We are going full time around Sept ...my daughter who is in year 7 now is going to be home schooled on the go also my 4 year old but obviously this is more relaxed schooling .....what is the 1st thing I need to do ? She will be finishing school for good in July . My 4 year old did not get into the school we put her down for ( fate) . Thanks guys

Might be useful to bone up on your written English skills.

 

[deleted-member02]

Might be useful to bone up on your written English skills.

Agreed, the latest English curriculum for KS1 & KS2 is remarkably tough, think a crash course for most parents is required
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...iculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study

 

[magicsurfbus]

Call me biased on this topic (ex-teacher, state sector) but I'd suggest the two main hazards to watch for will be ensuring they are able to socialise effectively with their peers, especially with those who are not close friends. The need (and opportunity) for general social skills mustn't be glossed over, as it will do them no favours in later life. If you're planning to let them back into mainstream education (maybe not?) keep close tabs on what the National Curriculum says they'll need to know by certain ages because they'll be tested on it, and that could impact on setting, even in Primary. Unless they're going back into the private sector of course, where schools can make it up as they go along, for better or for worse..

You're fortunate with your Y7 daughter, in that Y8 is a sort of middle ground between getting started in high school and beginning the Y9 path towards exams. Y9 is also when most kids start getting stroppy due to the hormones - in Y8 most of them are still reasonable to deal with, although they do a lot of bickering with each other for some reason I could never quite fathom Quite a few schools start GCSE course in Y9 now. If a year is going to be missed, Y8 is probably the least damaging in that respect. You'll need to be on the ball with technical subjects like Design/Technology and ICT if they have exam ambitions in those directions. Also consider Languages - do they have all the options open to them now?

It's a tough task to take on and I wouldn't have attempted it myself, despite having taught a range of subjects. I genuinely wish you well with it, for their sake. Provided it works they will thank you forever for the opportunity.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hollyberry]

There are surprisingly few rules. The law states an education suitable for the child.
There is a home schooling association in the UK and I'll try to find details for an edit.
I'd say relax and enjoy your new life. Your older child will already gave the basics in reading, writing and maths--- go with his/ her interests, perhaps all learn a new language together.
The little one just needs to develop reading skills, rather than being taught to read in a fixed way as schools do. ( I'm a retired teacher, language and reading were my specialisms and the way some schools teach is appalling) Maths --- plenty of games. You can make loads from card and paper, easy to dispose of when outgrown.
Plenty of life experience is far better than anything else in my opinion.

( After my partner died, a dear friend, trying to get me to take an interest in something, suggested we went to The Gambia, where I'd worked for a few months years before. We went with her son, the 7. He joined in lessons in "my" old school, played football with the local kids and spent a day in a home for children with special needs. Almost 10 years later, needing to write an application for college, he wrote about his visit yo Africa and how it had changed the way he saw the world. He recalled small incidents that I'd forgotten about. Both his mum and I were gobsmacked that a two week trip had made that much impression on him.
Go forth and have adventures!

http://www.home-education.org.uk

 

[Louxchris]

Wow . I now have watery eyes ,, my beautiful father has passed way too early and my outlook on life has changed. Hope our paths cross one day thank you x

 

[Hollyberry]

Wow . I now have watery eyes ,, my beautiful father has passed way too early and my outlook on life has changed. Hope our paths cross one day thank you x

I'm sorry to hear about your father. I'm sure he would want you and your family to enjoy every day.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

Call me biased on this topic (ex-teacher, state sector) but I'd suggest the two main hazards to watch for will be ensuring they are able to socialise effectively with their peers

Always tickles me when people think that home educated kids suffer socially, its always the one thing dolled out. As if being educated en masse, with 38 other kids, who the only thing you have in common with is that you are born in the same year, along and one adult who more often than not, has never been out of a school environment, is going to give you social skills

Home educated kids get a lot of socialisation, proper socialisation, mixing with others from pensioners to other kids of all ages as well as peers while they attend clubs and follow hobbies and interests. The only place school socialises children for is school or prison maybe

 

[Jim]

We have sold and all being well will be moving july/August. No chain either side so should be a bit quicker . We are going full time around Sept ...my daughter who is in year 7 now is going to be home schooled on the go also my 4 year old but obviously this is more relaxed schooling .....what is the 1st thing I need to do ? She will be finishing school for good in July . My 4 year old did not get into the school we put her down for ( fate) . Thanks guys

The law says that parents are responsible for their children's education, "either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."This mention of "otherwise" is where the charity "Education Otherwise" takes it's name.

Join this organisation and you'll get an abundance help from many quarters

 

[Louxchris]

Thank you Jim

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[magicsurfbus]

Always tickles me when people think that home educated kids suffer socially, its always the one thing dolled out. As if being educated en masse, with 38 other kids, who the only thing you have in common with is that you are born in the same year, along and one adult who more often than not, has never been out of a school environment, is going to give you social skills

Home educated kids get a lot of socialisation, proper socialisation, mixing with others from pensioners to other kids of all ages as well as peers while they attend clubs and follow hobbies and interests. The only place school socialises children for is school or prison maybe

It's perhaps equally stereotypical to assume that mainstream teachers have no useful experience outside the education system (the hoary old 'those who can, do..' myth), and that the formal schooling environment is so incredibly significant in shaping a child's overall personality that they must be physically withdrawn from it as a matter of principle.

Look at the numbers - they spend around 6 hours a day in school, five days a week for 40 weeks of the year. That's around 14% of their year. Every child is home educated, it's just that a few get 14% more of it than the rest.

The reasons for opting out of school are many and varied, and are occasionally ideological rather than practical. I stand by my concerns about general social skills in those cases where the children are deliberately isolated by parents from the rest of society as well as from formal schooling. I'm also aware that social media may be a double-edged sword here - on the one hand children stay in touch with established friends, but on the other hand they may feel they're missing out on the things their friends are talking about and doing back home. On a trip to Italy recently we were pitched next to a family who were touring Europe for a year with the kids taken out of school. Their entire evenings were taken up tapping phone and computer screens to juggle their social media accounts, and not a few family arguments ensued from it. We on the other hand just sat outside the MH and admired the Italian scenery.

In the OP's case I'm very much of the opinion that travel broadens the mind, and that as long as the kids are well-prepared for any possible return to the mainstream education system the whole experience will be hugely beneficial for them.

 

[Gromett]

As a fulltimer of 8 years, I have met many people on my travels and quite a few homeschooled kids. In general these kids have been extremely well rounded and well socialised.

The one that stands out most for me was a family with two kids. They toured around Europe all year moving mainly between the UK, France, Spain and Italy. The kids were fluent in all four languages and were just as happy chatting with adults as other kids their own age. Their education was fantastic to be honest and was pretty inspirational.

They studied the history of the area they were staying in hunting down interesting local stories that related to other places and countries they had been to. They were pretty much experts on the 100 year war etc. This was linked into their Geography and languages lessons as they knew origins of words and regional stuff. What most impressed me was their practical chops though. They would learn things like basket weaving, forging, joinery and mechanicals while on the road either from local heritage sites or by hanging around at local traders (supervised of course and by invite). They had picked up an interest in chemistry from visiting the Gouffre de Proumeyssac (Crystal Caves) and figuring out the reactions that caused them etc.

I met up with them at a Vauban fortification in France. They had seen the BBC broadcast about how it was cleverly designed. They were trying to figure out ways to attack it and were using the trigonometry they had learned. I had a really fascinating discussion with them and mention a bit about physics with relation to cannons. They dissapeared off to read up on it and gave me a full breakdown the next day on their discoveries.

Oh, and they could cook up some fantastic meals....

These are just the things I can remember from my 2 weeks meet with them some years ago. Sadly I lost touch shortly after that (my fault)..

My personal view is if you encourage kids to learn new stuff but do it by following their own curiousity. They will learn far more than if they are stuck in a class with 25+ other kids quite a few of which are likely to be disruptive. Travel is a fantastic thing for triggering learning.

 

[Jac Sprat]

I home educated my four for 15 years on a non coercive approach meaning they choose what they do and when they do it. Best thing you can do for your child imo.
Just listening closely to what they want to do / ,are interested in and facilitating it is the best approach I think as they will naturally choose to educate themselves with your help - board /card games, crafts, writing stories letters etc.all the keyboard and internet stuff.
I would make sure I visited lots of playgrounds, beaches, campsites in the school holidays and places to find other kids to play with as lack of peer social continuity will probably be the most challenging thing.
That more than 'schooling' which is a doddle. Your older child might want to order some workbooks to take with her if she is used to traditional schooling. We did that at first with the 2 children who came out of school when we started but soon dropped them when we got more confidence and they found more fun ways of learning.
I am an ex state teacher too.
My kids are now all adults with degrees - three of them got firsts. I only mention that to show that this approach does work.
And is way less stressful than school.
Lucky kids to be traveling with you and well done!
Ps would love to support you if you need advice so feel free to pm me.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Shropshire lad]

Have a look at the LifeinourVan blog. Really inspiring and full of great ideas.

Have the time of your lives.

 

[Camdoon]

My cousin's son and wife educates his kids at home. Their children are a credit to them and are well rounded (although the eldest has not become a teenager with its inherent problems yet). The thing they find is that going horse riding during the week costs them a lot less than doing it during the school holidays. The other thing which I found interesting was that while their elder children are known to be home schooled the local authority is quite happy to turn a blind eye to the younger ones (don't tell us about them). Will be seeing them during the summer as it was unclear why the local authority (London west) did not want to know so I will quizzicality's them then.

 

[Jim]

It's perhaps equally stereotypical to assume that mainstream teachers have no useful experience outside the education system

Don't get me wrong, I respect the profession, If it were up to me teachers would be THE highest paid people in thepublic sector. Educating our young is the most important thing we do. But we can only go by our own life experiences, of course yours can be different to mine but mine are tainted against.

At one school we attended you could count on one hand how many that had a life before school, it was hard to tell the sixth form from the teachers.

I had a neighbour who had three girls. Not the sort you'd want your son to bring home. All were pregnant before they were 18, none lived with the father of their child. None had a job, until they became teachers (and their mum a full time nanny) Role models not.

Look at the numbers - they spend around 6 hours a day in school, five days a week for 40 weeks of the year. That's around 14% of their year.

Then take off the time for three breaks, lunch, time dawdling between lessons. Then count how much One on One tuition they get. An hour a day, week, month. None? Hardly worth it. About the only thing they'll miss if they didn't go to school is swapping porn on their phones on the school bus. I suppose that's social though.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Although I'm only educated to CSE O level standard. I'd be confident home schooling at primary / infant school level. Ive volunteered as a TA in primary school for several whilst mine were attending it. I wouldn't at secondary school level. The homework they set at high school used to totally flumax me !
I think if families decide to go full time , to see places they wouldn't normally see and travel the world sharing new life experiences together it's great.
Wouldn't do it myself. I like having a house. I've found we've been able to do that with our 3 anyway. Getting off in caravans tents for then motorhome most weekends and in school holidays, flying abroad etc. But if I lived in an area that wasn't very nice, and didn't want to send my kids to the local school , and couldn't find a way to move into a better area. I supose I may think about it. But I'd worry teaching at high school level, I'd hate to think they'd fail exams down to me .

 

[Louxchris]

Because our girls are extroverts they both adapt to various different situations very well ...I have no reservations with our future plans . I appreciate all your advise, this reinforces our decision even more!!

 

[Allan & Loren]

if you get the right advice about home schooling from links such as the one @Jim gave and implement the advice given then added to the experiences of your travelling I think it can only be beneficial to your children. Good luck and enjoy your new life

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SuperMike]

I believe that teaching is an art. I am useless at it, being incapable of imparting my knowledge to anyone, simply because I quickly get frustrated at the students inability to see what, to me, is obvious. How are you at it ?

 

[Louxchris]

Many people have said im very patient, must get it from my mum, also experience being a foster carer for many years ...makes homeschooling look like a breeze

 

[Chris]

My problem with home schooling is that I don't understand my daughters year 7 maths

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Louxchris]

My husband will be doing the maths she will get great knowledge of anatomy and physiology from me with tones of physical exercise !

 

[SuperMike]

Many people have said im very patient, must get it from my mum, also experience being a foster carer for many years ...makes homeschooling look like a breeze

Whilst patience comes into it I am talking about the ability to share your knowledge. Some teachers can have a effect on a child that becomes a defining moment. Others are just bloody useless at it. I have lots of patience, but fall into the second group. Truthfully, whilst home schooling, do you think that you will be able to do the very best for your kiddywinks, in the teaching department. Think carefully before answering.

 

[Louxchris]

Yes

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

do you think that you will be able to do the very best for your kiddywinks,

A conscientious Home Ed'er can provide kids the with a richer education that can ever be got at many schools,
Esp' with Schools and parents regularly failing half of our primary school children http://www.independent.co.uk/news/e...les-education-literacy-numeracy-a7477386.html

 

[thehutchies]

Can I just suggest that you all stop referring to home schooling and, instead, put a little thought into what is meant by home education?
Schooling is for huge numbers of children, segregated into very strictly defined age groups, being told what do by a few much older and much more authoritarian directors.

Home education is collaborative, personalised and caring to a degree that school can never be

 

[thehutchies]

We have taken the approach to home education that we throw at our kids every opportunity we can think of and just see what sticks.
The guitars, drumkits and ukuleles had no effect.
The art lessons adhered for a while but were eventually left behind.
Martial arts and air cadets are ongoing.

Parkour and indoor bouldering went down well.
Our elder boy decided, a year ago, that he wants to be a climber and outdoor pursuits instructor.
We are now directing his energies (and all my bleedin' money) in helping him to pursue that.

He is getting a very specific education tailored to his interests.
The National Curriculum, SATS and seventeen A* qualifications are utterly irrelevant to him.
That is the difference between education and schooling.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}