Homeschoolers?

[peregrinehill.livejournal.com]

Hi.

I'm considering homeschooling my child. Is there anyone nearby who'd be willing to share their experience of getting started with me? I'm particularly interested in the process of making the transition from Somerville public schools to schooling at home, and in any local groups.

If you'd rather contact me by email, my address is peregrinehillATcomcastDOTnet.

Hopefully, thanks!

Comments

[brewso.livejournal.com]

Simply out of curiosity - is this due to a dissatisfaction with the Somerville schools? If so, would you mind sharing your concerns? I am trying to learn as much as I can about the public schools in this and neighboring communities for my future child.

Thanks!

[peregrinehill.livejournal.com]

I have mixed feelings about the school system here. There are many dedicated, caring teachers, and for the most part, I think it works out fine. I have two children, and one of them benefits from the school system, while the other, who doesn't fit so well into the school's regular routines, has been floundering for years.

One helpful thing I can tell you is that the schools are all different here. It would be in your best interest, probably, to go take a tour of prospective schools, and meet the principals and teachers of those schools if you can. The principal carries a lot of weight in the formation of a school's culture here.

I have to say, though, that I think public schools in general have been dumbed-down by their emphasis on pre-packaged learning modules, or whatever it is they call them.

[blinkidybah.livejournal.com]

"pre-packaged learning modules, or whatever it is they call them."

Government-mandated testingstandards.

[redheadedmuse.livejournal.com]

hey! I have two young kids, and am always looking to network with other Somerville homeschoolers. I have a small group of preschoolers that meets at my house for a waldorf-inspired learning program - we'll be doing kindergarten here next year. I know a few other families in Somerville and Cambridge who homeschool. We do occassional potlucks, I'd be happy to invite you to the next one.

I'm also sending you a longer e-mail with more details about our homeschool routine.

[zander05.livejournal.com]

Hey. These links are more about unschooling, but they may help.

http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling

http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Own-John-Homeschooling/dp/0738206946/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233965166&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Unschooling-Handbook-Whole-Childs-Classroom/dp/0761512764/ref=pd_bbs_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233965166&sr=8-8

And also:

http://community.livejournal.com/homeschooling/

[peregrinehill.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much. I'll look at these.

[eeyorecol.livejournal.com]

This is also a good question to ask at Somerville Moms, which is a Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SomervilleMoms/
You have to join the group to ask a question, but they may have lots of information in the archives.

[peregrinehill.livejournal.com]

Ooh, this is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. Good old yahoogroups.

[gosling.livejournal.com]

We're considering homeschooling our son, who is four years old at the moment. (We may go the private school route if we can afford it, but I doubt we can.) I'd love to talk to you more, especially since you have actual experience with the Somerville schools.

[peregrinehill.livejournal.com]

Sure, I'd be glad to give you the skinny. I'm sending you a longer private message.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

all the home-schooled kids i went to college with were socially retarded.