Our children's education

**simplemom** · 10-07-2003, 09:37 AM

I realize as years go by, that even so our children go to public schools and we do help them out with homework and projects, sometimes it is not enough.

I have come to a serious realization that Daniel is not at the level of education he is now. He is in fifth grade, but he still does know how to tell the time, his time-tables, many vocabulary words. There are many notions in french grammer he does not understand at all. He was crying like a baby yeasterday. He thinks he is a *no good.* Being in this new school, the expectations are much higher than his previous school---I can see it, he can see it. He himself realizes he knows nothing.

I have helped for almost two hours last evening, just helping him correct and understand how to multiply big numbers. He was proud after. But he has a long way to go....

Today, am phoning to get him a personal tutor for home. He has too much to learn and I'm afraid he will fail his school year if we don't get him more help.

What do think of your school's education? Do you find they are adecuate with their teachings?

**paelthom** · 10-07-2003, 11:08 AM

No way is our school's education adequate. The first few years were okay, but starting in 3rd grade, dd has had to be retaught at home every night. SO and I spend at least 2 hours per night going over what she was taught that day and we do homework with her. This year is actually better than the previous 2 because we have an older teacher who actually knows how to make learning creative and fun. I was just talking to a friend whose daughter just started kindergarten. In her class there are 3 severly learning disabled students, one cannot speak at all and there are 3 other students that do not speak ANY english. They have a translator part of the day. How in the world is this one teacher supposed to teach the basics to 20 kids in this environment. My friend's dd is bored to death because the class moves soooooooo slow. I do not know the answer but I do believe we need to redo our education system.

**simplemom** · 10-07-2003, 11:19 AM

I find the same thing, Pat, that I have to do more at home than I should, to teach my children. I find classes too big. Or they should have two teachers by class, so that they can better help if some students need more individual help, at occasions.

It would be a very important aspect that government invests much more in education for the children. I feel there is still alot to do to improve school education.

**MJsLady** · 10-07-2003, 11:39 AM

I found this out as well. Plus the school's vary so from state to state!
When DS#1 began kindergarten in CA he could add, subtract, knew his abcs and could count over 100. He could write his name. I did have trouble with his reading, he hates it even though multiple tests have shown he can read well.
By the end of that year I had to totally retrain him in everything. His boredom caused him to act out in class earning him the label of add. Then we moved to TX when he was in 2nd grade. They decided he was not able to move up (I didn't realize at the time i could have said no)
When we moved his 2nd grade class in CA was counting money, the 2nd grade class here was doing easy fractions (1/2, 1/4 etc) and double digit multiplying!
I guess what bothered me most was they held him back due to his emotions, not due to his ability to do the work. Had I known then, and had someone to discuss things with thoroughly i would have said no.
DS#2 had some adjustment problems but because he was in kindergarten they wouldn't hold him back.
I really wish I had had the needed support system to home school. They would be far better off i think.

**MANDERS** · 10-07-2003, 01:23 PM

I guess I'm the minority.I think dd's school is great!Esp her teacher.Actually this is my ideal school for my children.

On another note,and before anyone reads this please be open minded and understand where I'm coming from.In no way am I trying to point fingers or say that this is the only problem in public school systems.So on to my oppinion.

I have come to find out(through volunteering in class)that too many parents just drop off their kids and expect the teachers to do all the teaching and when they come home they have no part in their children's education.In one case their are 2 boys in Lauren's class that checked out library books the first week of school(we are now in our 8th)and they weren't read or returned,also the same children do not return their homework,and their behavior sheet is never signed.I do believe that if we want our children to have the best public school education then we need to put in as much time into their eduction as possible.Heck its our jobs as their parents.Even if its just volunteering 1 hr a week to help slower students in the class so the teacher can move on with the more advace students.Also I don't know if all schools do this but we have a special ed program for slower students and a gifted program for advaced students.I know for some it is hard to put in time because of work etc,but putting in time with your childs education doesn't have to just be at school and it doesn't have to be in books,I learned fractions by learning to cook.

I hope I didin't offend anyone but this hits close to home.If you've ever had a Kindergarten parent tell you that they were upset that the teacher sent home a note asking the parent to help their child practice writing their name you would know where I'm coming from .I think the exact phrase was "What am I sending him to school for if I have to teach him"

On that note remember as parents we are their FIRST teachers,and should remain the most important teachers threw life.

**lucy979** · 10-07-2003, 01:32 PM

I agree with both statements. Parents do need to be involved. On the other hand, I don't think you should have to spend two hours going over everything that your child learned at school that day.

I am very happy with dd's school. Although she goes to an Army school. I guess it is not really a public school.

**guest2** · 10-07-2003, 04:18 PM

I think you all have made some great points and I value your opinions.

I'm very happy for those of you that have your children enrolled in good schools with even better teachers; you are truly blessed! I agree that we are our children's first teacher and should continue to be. We all need to be involved in our children's education. I also agree that their are many children whose academic needs are not being met by the schools.

I know that I have shared before that I am a former public school teacher (Special Education) and I got fed up with "the system". My kids were not being challenged and they were getting very bored and losing their love of learning. I also do not agree with the "group determined morals" that were being taught nor some of the things that were beign taught as "fact" that are really theory (evolution). I brought my kids home to teach them 6 years ago and my only regret is not having done it sooner. BTW, I am very thankful and greatful to a few wonderful teachers that they had in public school. Those teachers continue to be some of our biggest cheerleaders and one of them actually told me she thought that homeschooling was the best thing for my boys and many other kids that were not being challenged in school! She is so proud of the progress that they have made and is so glad that they are being able to work at their own pace now.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-10-2003, 03:57 AM

People ask me if I homeschool (I live in a town with a high percentage of homeschoolers) and I always say, "We supplement". My kids get an adequate education, but I feel there are areas where more ocul dbe taught.

every summer, we select a topic to study. We get books, videos, etc. from the library and we study the subject in a more in-depth way than could be done at a public school. For example, we read about pioneer living last summer. The summer before, it was WWII. DS#2 just asked if we could study MORE about WWII soon! At the end of th esummer, we try to visit a place that is part of the theme. Last summer, we went to the End of the Oregon Trail Intrepretive Center. This month, we went to the Air Museum and saw the Spruce Goose and many other vintage airplanes.

DS#1 is very advanced academically for his age. He is bored if he isn't challenged and will act out. DS32 is very shy and gets lost in the shuffle of a large class. I try to help both sons with things that will make their schooling better for them.

I volunteer in elemntary school (will NOT at the middle school level) and spend an hour a week in the SMART prgogram helping at risk kids learn to read. It's my way of giving back to the community.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-10-2003, 04:01 AM

ocul db= could be Geeze!

**simplemom** · 10-10-2003, 06:24 AM

I agree completely, parents must continue their child's education at home. We have always done this with our boys.

What I have come to realize, is as much as I love our school, I am decieved in some points. We chose this school 10 years ago. It is an alternative school...all I can say, witthout going in details, this school is great. But I find that more help should have been given to Daniel earlier. I also wanted in 2 nd grade that he starts over his year, but they preferred to let him go to 3 rd grade, to preserve his self-esteem. Each year, he finished his school year with low results or not passing, but they insisted that he would catch up---well he is now in a different school this year, in a class of 9 boys only, in 5 th grade and he is having a hard time. I want to have him evaluated--I am sure he is a few grades late.

Anyhow, we hired a tutor for him, twice a week, after school, to start with. I am also working with him an hour every other evening.

All I can say, it's too bad, I have not enough confidence to homeschool my son. I am also convinced he would have done much better. After a whole day in school, it's so hard to get him working at the end of the day, when he is tired...