I'm a planner. A list maker. I need to know the end goal before I get there so I will know when I am there.
That's where homeschooling leaves me a little uneasy.
I know how I want my children to turn out...but what path to take?
So, even though my kids are 7th and 4th graders, I find myself thinking more and more about high school.
To me, and this is just *my* philosophy, the younger grades are more about learing all of the information you can. Just the facts, ma'am. Well, we delve into the how and why too, but it's about the basics.
Around high school though, I feel like most kids know instinctively what they want to be when they 'grow up'. Or at least what their passions are. And if a child already has a clear idea of what they want to do with their life....should they delve into those subjects which support their passions or talents? For example, if my son said he wanted to be a missionary...should he focus on sociology, etc? If he wants to be an architect...direct his attention to math, drafting, etc? Should he really worry about taking chemistry or calculus if it's not ever going to be used? Or should such extraneous things be taught to provide a 'well rounded' education?
What about you? How do you feel about homeschooling through high school? What's your approach?
Well, while I'd love to be able to just focus on what they "want" to learn, I think most colleges still want them to have a well-rounded education. So, as much as they may not want to take those math subjects or science subjects, I think they still have to. :( I remember being in college and thinking that the core curriculum did NOTHING to help me become a teacher. However, I still had to take it. :( I think we'd have more skilled and efficient workers in EVERY field if they could just focus on THAT field and not everything else. I know I didn't learn about teaching until I was IN the classroom. That's where you learn...ON/IN the job/field. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I think about homeschooling for high school yet! I love the idea of a specialized diploma, but I also see the benefits of learning subjects that are tedious. I've told my kids before that my college degree did not prepare me any better for the workplace than a nondegreed candidate, but it signifies commitment and sacrifices. Of course, it's a whole different world today!! We'll probably end up at our co-op to complete high school...who knows, we may end up there for the rest of middle school, as well. My girl is taking 2 classes there this year and she's loving it. I just hope I can continue to teach my favorites: history, English and Latin. I don't mind passing on the math and science. lol!
ReplyDeleteLisa W