The Provincial Lady, we have plenty of time for play after school, it is my choice, and it is my belief that school needs to go back to basics. This is right for us, though may well not be for others. I have no desire to foist my beliefts and methods on other people, however much they wish to push theirs onto my family. In my opinion there is too much wishy washy play and not enough actual flipping learning going on in modern primary education, which is not the teachers fault at all. The Well Trained Mind, and classical schooling approach is working well for us. The children are not resistant or unhappy.
We do a lot of science experiments - yes we use IT. Both children are proficient on word, both can do an internet search, and we use Think Central and Brain Pop. Time for kids, and the new National Geographic educational site/kids site are on my "allowed list" too, and the children love using them. Science is actually mostly online "Science Fusion", but with science we we are so far ahead, I do allow dd some leeway in what she wants to do. This week we did experiements making a pin hole camera, and also working with prisms, and Ive more light-based experiments organised for next week. Last week we finished up with our experiments with plant-life. We also lap book upon occasion if I see them getting a bit tired. We have just come to the end of the second Minimus Mouse latin course, and so right now are not doing any other languages, though Ive requests for French, which I think we will do alongside Latin, if I can timetable it. Which again, is not a boast, but a reply to the poster, whose name Ive forgotten, and who asked me if we used IT, and also in reponse to the accusation the curriculum is too dull/demanding/not enough play...whatever...
I was SICK to fucking death of reading "oh this person I knew homeschooled and she just lay in bed and her child looked at porn", or else other such bollocks as most people dont put effort into homeschooling and their kids are behind. I was not boasting, just defending myself. I work bloody damn hard, day in day out to educate my children, and they work hard learning.
My dd has recurrent health issues, and there were problems at school, which I wont go into because simply why SHOULD I? I had a depressed, sad, lonely little girl and made the choice, which was right for us, to homeschool. She is no longer sad, depressed or struggling. Ds should be starting school this September. Having homeschooled for a while, I truely believe it is the right thing for the whole family, and have no desire or need to change. I know school is absolutely right for some children, with dedicated staff, and thriving kids. It was not right for mine, so I did something about it!
I was not boasting - though thanks if you think I was, as that suggests Im doing something right - I was just defending myself.
My children read well, write well, have good handwriting skills, are proficient in maths, have a varied curriculum, and can use a computer. They do have some freedom to follow their interests within school hours, and a lot of time after school for socialising. At least now noone is making my daughter cry day in day out, and she has real friends who actually like her and want her around, and nobody passes comment about her facial cyst/granuloma issues. We are not isolated at all. We all work very hard indeed and are more than on track. Which is why I resent the questioning, and the snide comments.
I was honestly upset at having to defend myself, and explain myself, and then have to do so again on here. Im not attacking anyone else's educational choices, but mine seem to get a good old inquisition day in day out!
My own silly fault for throwing myself in AIBU! There was I thinking this whole mumsnet thing was not so hard to get the hang of, and was quite fun/easy actually! Silly me! Back to sticking to reading methinks, as to be honest Ive no idea at all i dont think of how to fit in within Mumsnet! Dont worry I wont let the door hit me on the way out!