Welcome to Education Alternative's Series on Homeschooling!
We publish Saturday mornings between 8am and 12noon EST.
Progressive homeschooling sparks strong reactions in Kossacks, both for and against.
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There used to be a Diary here. A simplified story about a child I love more than my own life. A kid that pulled me through cancer; a kid that never gave up and survived through some of the most awful things a little kid can go through. Things that most people can't, or don't want to, imagine. A kid that really never had a chance, until I gave him one.
Now there is nothing here but some links and suggestions for socialization in homeschooling.
Because in my entire life I have never written anything with so pure a motive, and with such love in my heart, and been attacked as mercilessly as I have been attacked here on this "Progressive Blog". And the attacks didn't stop at me.. no.. they didn't stop there. And my kid has had enough of being attacked. So I'll leave the comments up for awhile, because I want everyone who wrote such nastiness to be very proud of what was written.
And those of you who supported me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
One of the best comprehensive articles on Socialization in Homeschooling, including research results, has been written by Chris Klicka. (I've been told that quoting this guy makes this piece POLITICAL PROPAGANDA, so I'm really sorry about that but I thought it was a good article.) Homeschoolers are in the Real World
An Excerpt:
"For instance, public school children are confined to a classroom for at least 180 days each year with little opportunity to be exposed to the workplace or to go on field trips. The children are trapped with a group of children their own age with little chance to relate to children of other ages or adults. They learn in a vacuum where there are no absolute standards. They are given little to no responsibility, and everything is provided for them. The opportunity to pursue their interests and to apply their unique talents is stifled. Actions by public students rarely have consequences, as discipline is lax and passing from grade to grade is automatic. The students are not really prepared to operate in the home (family) or the workplace, which comprise a major part of the "real world" after graduation."
Tips for Homeschool Interactions:
1. Get connected with homeschooling support groups, both state and local organizations.Homeschool.com has a complete list of local homeschooling support groups at: http://www.homeschool.com/...
2. Find pen pals or e-pals (email).
3. Participate in homeschool family get-togethers, where you can often find out about non-publicized cooperative classes and field trips.
4. Get involved in community resources and opportunities - sports, scouting, dance/theater, etc. Contact your local parks and recreation departments.
5. Check out your community college, which is a good source for older students and allows them to interact with a lot of different people of different ages.
6. Volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to socialize but be aware there may be age restrictions, but some organizations will allow a child to accompany a parent volunteer.
7. Look into Camps. Camp is a wonderful chance for socialization and most camps have multi-age groups and counselors who act as role models.
8. Think about summer school, which is an opportunity to experience a school setting.
The homeschool support groups mentioned above work as support for the entire homeschooling family, which is important because homeschooling parents also need socialization; they need to have support, advice, and a sounding board from time-to-time and it is especially helpful if it is another homeschooling parent. Homeschooling organizations make it a priority to provide support for the homeschooling family and to allow them to feel connected.
So, as we've always known, there is no "socialization issue" in homeschooling. If anything, homeschoolers make a concerted effort to seek out and engage in many social activities and in many ways have more opportunities for doing so than traditionally schooled children do. - (There's evidently something wrong with quoting this lady, too. I don't really know much about her, except her suggestions helped me when I started homeschooling) Diane Flynn Keith
~There is nothing so gratifying as a look of wonder and astonishment on the face of a child ~ (This is my quote. I just wrote it to go with a picture I used to have here of my grandson touching an octopus. It might be offensive, too.)