Here I am again, back to the question that I thought I was going to solve by putting my daughter in a private Christian school.
What is the best way to educate a gifted only child?
I am concerned about the slow pace of instruction at her school. I know that she is capable of so much more, and I fear that she will lose interest in academics if she spends too much time doing tasks that are way below her instructional level.
So I'm back to the same solution I once thought I might use. Homeschooling. Maybe.
I asked her tonight what she would think of having Mom teach her next year at home, instead of going to school.
To my shock, she said: "That would be good." I repeatedly asked her questions about whether she would be OK staying home with me, instead of being with a bunch of kids. She seemed convinced that she would prefer homeschooling.
I was floored. I had assumed that if I ever tried to homeschool her, I would have to convince her of its benefits. So with her unexpected response, one major obstacle to homeschooling fell by the wayside.
The second major challenge is the only-child situation. I think that I could work around it through lessons and support groups.
The final challenge would be figuring out how to handle her academic needs. I can't just order a first grade DVD program, for example, because most of it will be far too easy. (In fact, she's already been through some of the workbooks in one first-grade program.) At the same time, I worry about skipping key concepts if I take her straight to grade two.
I'm going to look at my friend's Sonlight curriculum this week. I like the World History program they use for first and second graders. She would love that. And I agree with the Sonlight philosophy that we need to educate children culturally if we want advanced readers to understand the things they read.
There is no question that homeschooling will make my life more challenging in certain ways. It will be harder to set a writing schedule, for example. I may have to revert to the old school method I used to write my dissertation: getting up two hours before everyone else. Ugh.
But my daughter's education is worth lost sleep and lifestyle changes. It's not that I want her to be a hothoused supergenius. I just want her to discover the immense rewards of learning. I don't want her curiosity to be shut down by boredom.
I am aware of quite a few successful writer-moms who homeschool. Some of them even homeschool four or five children.
On a personal level, I'm touched by the fact that she thinks staying home with me for school would be OK. I must have done something right.
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7 comments:
Oh - that's exciting! Homeschooling opens up so many possibilities, both for the kids and moms! Isn't it amazing how God prepares kids for transitions?
I recommend that you take a look at "The Well-Trained Mind" by Bauer and Wise. I probably won't follow their method completely, but I love the underlying philosophy. Especially when thinking about gifted learners. (and their huge emphasis in literature would probably fit well into your lives!)
Thanks lynnrush and Rosslyn for the helpful hints on yesterday's post. They were great ideas!
My sister-in-law is in the same situation about homeschooling. Despite well-meaning teachers and pediatricians, I have to say that we moms know our kids the best (besides God naturally.) I advise that you go with your gut.
If you do choose that route there are some very good supplement curriculums out there. Because you are in limbo about the grade, maybe you could do the first grade and weave in a lot of second grade elements as well. The Maibox is a good magazine and is divided according to grades. Also, you can check out www.lakeshorelearning.com
it's an educational supply store that has just about everything. It does have equipment and such, but it also has a variety of developmental activites so you can pick and choose what's right for your child.
I hope that helps. I know educating your child is a big responsibility but if you feel inside that, that is the best way to go then go to it! God doesn't always write the answers in the clouds but with the still small voice in our heart :)
I just came across your blog, and I wanted to give you a quick: Homeschooling is great! [smile]
Sonlight is fantastic, so it's exciting that you get to look at it. But no matter what program you end up using, may you and your daughter find incredible joy in it.
I look forward to hearing more about your journey in the coming days.
~Luke
Wow! I would never have the patience to do what you're considering. My kids would go loopy if I homeschooled them.
I agree with Rachel. You should go with your gut on this but make sure she gets the social interaction with other children that she needs.
Good luck to you.
The way I see it if you leave gifted kids in traditional school you will need to focus outside time on academics but if you homeschool you will need to focus outside time for social interaction. In addition to Well-Trained Mind (which is great!), you may want to check out Charlotte Mason's educational theories. She is very literature/liberal arts based and avoids the quandry when you try to do too much "school at home" of a pat curriculum rather than taking advantage of the opportunity for individualization that home education allows. Of course, I only know this stuff in theory. I'll be watching to see how it goes with you.
Homeschooling is not for cowards!
It's a labor of love, and you can quote me on that.
We use the Sonlight curriculum, and we love it. My wife doesn't care for their Language Arts as much as some other courses, but we are sold on Sonlight. It's good material.
Hard choices all around, Rosslyn. As I told our pastor's wife last night, I have respect for all choices that are made with care--and you could never, ever do less than that. :)
Over my years of being a public school teacher, I have seen children exit school for homeschooling and come out of homeschooling into public school. In only ONE instance--many, many years ago before homeschooling was a huge movement--did I see a child I knew had been NOschooled instead of homeschooled.
Homeschooling works, plain and simple. Numbers don't lie. Any public school teacher who looks at the research and says otherwise is being disingenuous.
Now the real question is: what can teachers of gifted children learn from parents of those children who choose to homeschool? We all have lessons to teach each other...pardon the pun. ;)
So I hope you'll keep us informed of your decision. God bless!
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