A: Everyone will have a different answer :) First, how old are your children? Second, what are your goals? You can look at the goals of each grade to help you choose what your children "should" be doing. I purchase this book for whatever year my child is in... Chances are, you're doing on target work, if you're schooling your child :)
A: I felt that way when we first started. We started from the beginning, kindergarten, and I continued to feel that way till he took the 3rd grade test and aced it. It was then I realized that the standards and expectations in the public school system are ideals and no student knows all of what the books say. I used a book like the one Carrie just put up here as a bench mark. But I also realized that my boys are picking up more than I knew just from existing. And that what I feel is important for my boys to know doesn't always match public school curriculum. They may not know all the same things as every kid on the block, but I believe what they know is better and of more eternal value.
A: What is it you are afraid they might be missing?
If they are learning to accurately compute equations, write understandable papers/essays, and read excellent books they are more than likely doing just fine.
If I were you I'd make some lists -- look at the goals of each grade (defined by others). Then I suggest you list your own goals. Also make a list of the things you think traditional school kids have that you don't. Make a list of the things you know you have that they don't. And make a list of all the things you know the traditional schools have/do that you DON'T want. (This last one should be the real clincher.)
What were your reasons for home-schooling at the start? Are those reasons still valid? My guess is the answer will be a resounding YES.
Sometimes "keeping up" with others is a misnomer. They might seem to be ahead. But are they really? Could they be getting bits and pieces of educational material in traditional schools and moving on before completely understanding or mastering the material?
I've often told others to set aside comparisons and focus on where your student is at the moment. Realize they are where they are and they can do what they can do. They aren't ahead or behind if they are an individual studying to learn the very best they can.
I liken our journey to the old "Tortoise and the Hare" The Hare rushes through his education getting a few things down and not others. The Tortoise works at it one step and a time. This picture works best with the methods of education that focus on mastery before moving to the next step.
Besides. Every student doesn't "get" everything in any educational setting. Home-education gives them a better chance to get the best of what you as a parent know they need.
Also, home-schooling isn't usually in the same format as a traditional school. The things they study may very well come in a different order. Which leaves me with one more thought -- how many things are studied in a trad' school that I would NOT want my student to waste time on?
Anyway, just my 2-bits or less -- depending on inflation.
A: As a former public teacher, I was astounded at how little the kids had to know of the actual state standards to do "well" on the test. If you want to know what your kids "should know," check out ODE's webpage. They have a list of all the standards organized by grade and subject. Just realize that kids in public school are not all going to be able to do everything on that list. It is the standard, not necessarily the reality.
A: We may all suffer from a bit of confidence in what we are doing or what we are accomplishing, in the beginning. I highly recommend reading aloud, early on, and making reading a big part of their discovery.... Thank the Lord we are not in public school and have to stick with fill in the blank books. Remember too that testing doesn't show where you failed, it just may show some area needing more focus. But we are working toward the idea of learning and discovering and yes even mastery. If they master the basics of reading, math and writing... they have great tools for every step forward in learning more. Sadly, there are so many who leave public school without knowing their math, or how to read and write. I used to tell people, God likes to used cracked pots... none of us are perfect, but God does and can work thru our efforts.
A: I felt that way when we first started. We started from the beginning, kindergarten, and I continued to feel that way till he took the 3rd grade test and aced it. It was then I realized that the standards and expectations in the public school system are ideals and no student knows all of what the books say. I used a book like the one Carrie just put up here as a bench mark. But I also realized that my boys are picking up more than I knew just from existing. And that what I feel is important for my boys to know doesn't always match public school curriculum. They may not know all the same things as every kid on the block, but I believe what they know is better and of more eternal value.
A: What is it you are afraid they might be missing?
If they are learning to accurately compute equations, write understandable papers/essays, and read excellent books they are more than likely doing just fine.
If I were you I'd make some lists -- look at the goals of each grade (defined by others). Then I suggest you list your own goals. Also make a list of the things you think traditional school kids have that you don't. Make a list of the things you know you have that they don't. And make a list of all the things you know the traditional schools have/do that you DON'T want. (This last one should be the real clincher.)
What were your reasons for home-schooling at the start? Are those reasons still valid? My guess is the answer will be a resounding YES.
Sometimes "keeping up" with others is a misnomer. They might seem to be ahead. But are they really? Could they be getting bits and pieces of educational material in traditional schools and moving on before completely understanding or mastering the material?
I've often told others to set aside comparisons and focus on where your student is at the moment. Realize they are where they are and they can do what they can do. They aren't ahead or behind if they are an individual studying to learn the very best they can.
I liken our journey to the old "Tortoise and the Hare" The Hare rushes through his education getting a few things down and not others. The Tortoise works at it one step and a time. This picture works best with the methods of education that focus on mastery before moving to the next step.
Besides. Every student doesn't "get" everything in any educational setting. Home-education gives them a better chance to get the best of what you as a parent know they need.
Also, home-schooling isn't usually in the same format as a traditional school. The things they study may very well come in a different order. Which leaves me with one more thought -- how many things are studied in a trad' school that I would NOT want my student to waste time on?
Anyway, just my 2-bits or less -- depending on inflation.
A: As a former public teacher, I was astounded at how little the kids had to know of the actual state standards to do "well" on the test. If you want to know what your kids "should know," check out ODE's webpage. They have a list of all the standards organized by grade and subject. Just realize that kids in public school are not all going to be able to do everything on that list. It is the standard, not necessarily the reality.
A: We may all suffer from a bit of confidence in what we are doing or what we are accomplishing, in the beginning. I highly recommend reading aloud, early on, and making reading a big part of their discovery.... Thank the Lord we are not in public school and have to stick with fill in the blank books. Remember too that testing doesn't show where you failed, it just may show some area needing more focus. But we are working toward the idea of learning and discovering and yes even mastery. If they master the basics of reading, math and writing... they have great tools for every step forward in learning more. Sadly, there are so many who leave public school without knowing their math, or how to read and write. I used to tell people, God likes to used cracked pots... none of us are perfect, but God does and can work thru our efforts.
