I don't know how many of you are currently in the same situation that we are. We are currently living in New York state which has adopted the "Core Curriculum" in the public and private school systems. This new curriculum is not only making children relearn everything in a completely new way, but this is failing a lot of our children. Our son was in gifted when we lived in Florida. He did so well in school. He was tested and was given an IQ score of 119 at only 7 years old!!!! So why would I pull him from public school? Here's why...
This new curriculum has him believing that he is "stupid". He has come home on numerous occasions so upset that it takes me an hour or more to calm him down enough to do the MASSIVE amounts of homework he has. He doesn't understand why he can't do math the way he has been taught since kindergarten (he is now in 2nd grade). He is a very tactile learner. This is something that was accommodated in his prior schooling but now, because of the 90 minutes of math he does EVERY DAY, he is basically told to sit still and figure it out. That's the thing..... he can't sit still and think. He needs to be moving, tapping, something to keep himself focused. He is bringing home test scores that are very troubling to me. Granted he is doing absolutely amazing in language arts and reading comprehension, this math thing is really damaging his self-esteem.
There is also another reason. This is a big reason. God has put it on my heart to bring him home and school him at home. Schools used to be a safe place. They used to be a place where you knew without a doubt that nothing was going to happen. That has changed. With all the violence and other craziness going on in schools, I personally feel better with him home.
Home is your safe place. We can teach him the way he knows how to learn. We can keep God in all of our studies! That is the most amazing part. With all of this being said, I know there will be some that disagree with our choice and that's ok. I will let him finish out this school year (depending on how he's progressing) and then keep him home :). He is such an amazing and smart child, I will not let the State of New York fail him!!!
Image courtesy of http://thearrowoodzoo.blogspot.com
I have ordered some information on the Charlotte Mason method that I am super excited about from www.simplycharlottemason.com. I cannot wait until it is here next week! I don't think homeschooling is for everyone, but I know deep in my heart that this is what we need to do. If it's for a year, it is for a year. If it is until he's finished with 12th grade, then so be it. This new adventure is going to be a learning experience for all of us and I cannot wait to get started!!! Anyone who has had homeschooling experience, I would love to hear from you!
Please, if you disagree with our choice, don't try to convince us otherwise :) This is something we have talked over and prayed about for quite some time. This is what we feel is right for our son.
God Bless and Keep Smilin'
Stephanie ><>
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