Deschooling

[IDCwife]

Hi, guys!

sorry to post yet another thread, but i knew this would be a great place to turn.

i'm getting ready to homeschool my 9 yr old in September. Lately, I've been trying to get his input and also get a feel for what did and did not work for him in public school.

his confidence has been shaken badly, and he has a great deal of anger and resentment towards his old school and teacher. we have talked many times about letting that go and moving on, but it's hard...for both of us!

anyway, i have heard that kids moving from PS to homeschool need a time to recover and 'deschool'. i think i understand deschooling from a student's point of view, but i've got this MASSIVE anxiety about it!

from a logical point of view, i understand that as a teacher, i am free to choose what to teach and when. but i am frightened that somehow, i'm going to do it wrong, lol. we live in california, and i've heard that it's a pretty easy state to homeschool in, so that helps.

:thinking i'm trying to figure out how to explain it...

my son is very smart, and i know he still likes to learn.

but PS has really put a damper on him.

i want to ease him into homeschool, teaching him new things, while trying to heal some of the damage at the same time

yet i am afraid that if i try to implement some structure, he will shutdown again.

and that, if i am too lax, he will never learn the discipline he needs to function as an adult (i.e. college, future job)

and that if i don't keep to some rigid schedule or fulfill some scope thingy, i'll get in trouble. (with whom? no clue. it's just scary!)

veterans, how did you deschool? :scratch

[acceptedinthebeloved]

Hello IDCwife! :wave
It sounds like you have a lot of wisdom. :)
I can understand what you are saying about needing a period of time to transition from the stress of last year. I've heard that from a lot of families who began in the public schools, and then transitioned into homeschooling. I think it is a very good idea, considering the misery your child experienced there.
We have homeschooled from the beginning, but even we have periods where we need to "do school" in a much less formal way (such as periods of illness, or the death of a loved one, or other prolonged stressful circumstances.)
During those times, our children are still learning, but not because of "formal assignments" that I have given them, or whatever. At those times, I simply recorded the various things they were "enjoying" of their own accord, and the "educational" things we would all do together just for fun, and I discovered that they probably learned (and retained) even MORE that way, than the times I had given them textbooks and workbooks, and formal assignments! :lol2
I'd say it could be quite beneficial to take some time to allow your child to "enjoy learning" again, and once that takes good hold, then ease into more formal stuff. Consider that it may take a long time, and don't worry too much about it.
If you are concerned that having NO structure at the first might cause problems later (if and when you hope to implement it), then start with, say, 30-minutes per day, and work up.
Recording the things he's particularly interested in, and is doing willingly and joyfully of his own accord, will be good evidence that he is indeed learning, and will give you the confidence and assurance you desire. (And depending on your state requirements, might prove to be useful in that regard, as well.)
One more thing we do is to have a "general structure" to our day, which is consistent... and that helps greatly.
Do enjoy! :thumb

[IDCwife]

:thankyou2 for posting, and for the compliment...i sure needed to hear that today! i'm feeling much better already, just having some jitters, i guess! i like your suggestions, too.

after i wrote that first post, i started doing some google searches on 'deschooling'. here is a neat link i found:

http://www.indigoriveracademy.com/deschool-before-you-homeschool.html

it was very helpful!

[lisaann]

You might consider doing a few unit studies on things he is very interested in. That way you can lasso the interest and tie in your things like writing, reading, history, science ect. without him realizing it.

KONOS might be worth looking into. We used it the first 2 years we homeschooled and I can honestly say it was some of the funnest things we've done. :thumb If that doesn't suit you there are plenty of others out there. :nod

[denny272]

Try starting with a few field trips. Local Museum, Aquarium, Zoo, Art Gallery..etc. Then when you get home try looking for fun facts on some of the things you saw while there.

Try and find out if there are any local businesses that give guided tours. Those are fun and educational.

Make the curriculum a variety of methods so there isn't complete boredom with the learning or doing "book work" only all day, that's a real drag. Make curriculum choices such as some textbooks, some on CD-rom curriculum (computer) and some on DVD's.

Example.

Grammar- Splashes from the river (DVD)http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/index.html

Math- Teaching Textbooks (cd-rom)
http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/Default.htm

There is a buffet of curriculum choices. Just look around and see what you can find to give the day some variety of learning methods.
This should help your child to feel more like homeschooled instead of public schooled.

And last but certainly not least, check out any local homeschool support groups you may have in your area. They may offer get togethers, group field trips, or enrichment classes that your family can participate in.

[funmudder]

What they said :thumb

To help him along, get some books of interest. At 9 the Hardy Boys or Elijah Creek can not be beat :thumb It keeps his brain running, while allowing him to just enjoy reading. SO so much can and will be absorbed by kiddos who simply learn to love to read :nod

My step son was pulled out of PS in 5th grade, it took us a good year before he decided learning was fun again. Now 3 years later he is light years ahead of where he would have been if left in PS and forced along the way things were going. Just remember that they are always learning, so if you have an off day....or month, it is no big deal. I've been at this for 8 years now and have no worries about the kids education levels. We school year round so that we do not have to worry about a missed day here or there. I like that they just look at life as a learning experience :wave

[Wally]

PA is the BEST state for homeschooling. Ok I'm biased.

But the PA Homeschool law is a great tool. You can use it to structure your program no mater what your home state.

Basics include:

School Year Plan - goals for grade. Includes avidavat signed by parent.

Daily planner - flexible (child can cram week ito 3 days or do one subject all day) but keeps you aware of what's been acomplished, and where you're falling behind -never happens - ya.....

Protifolio - calendar, samples of test, art, projects, fieldtrip reports....etc.
We have to submit at end of year to local principal along with PA certified evaluator letter (evaluator homeschools as well). Medical records may be needed - immunizations. The principal actually issues a letter of promotion to next grade.

All of this gives structure and is designed to help you organize. Again be flexible and make HS fun.

[KBKMNN]

Some really good suggestions so far. What I've done with my son are various things. I pulled him out of school right after kindergarden (he's autistic, long story there). Anyway, one thing I did was to find out what requirements our state had for each grade, like what your child should be learning or know. I'd make notes of the various things and then incorporate them into our school. I've never done a set curriculum and he's in 5th grade right now. I have gotten worksheets online, like for math and I have been a member on other sites such as enchantedlearning.com and they have lots of worksheets on various subjects.
Just try and make things fun. Also realize that just in our daily lives we do things that can be taught, like shopping and math. Also find things he's interested in and go with that. We go to our library every two to three weeks and check out books for him to read, for me to read to him and on subjects I'm teaching him. The library is a great tool.
But most important of all, is to pray, pray, pray and rely on the Lord to give you wisdom.
I believe He will bless your efforts.