I am a full-time mom with three kids-9,5,& 4. Two of them go to public school, and I homeschool my preschooler. We have homeschooled, private schooled (Montessori), and now public school our kids, and I’m here to tell you that all of them are great options to educate your children. We are afterschoolers (home learners), and you can read about it in a blog I wrote last year (link in bio). No option is perfect – the homeschool experience is vastly different from home to home, the public school has opportunities for growth and improvement, and private school experiences also broadly vary.
Successful people in many capacities in this society come from all educational backgrounds. The debate over whether homeschooling is better than public school and vice versa cannot be won because the choice is not universal. The bottom line is that we all want what’s best for our kids and families, and it is okay if it looks different.
I would love to homeschool my kids full-time, but that does not work for our family right now. I can continue to be a home educator in whatever capacity is helpful for my kids and embrace the good things they are experiencing in their present moment.
What I’ve loved about sending kids back to school
- Related Arts: The school supports several related arts programs, such as art, music, physical education (P.E.), media, and technology. This year in P.E., all the grades got to learn the basic skills of different sports, such as – tennis, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics. A 6-week sport class can cost you $70-$120 per session anywhere else. In music, my third grader is learning the recorder (we spent $4 for the instrument, that’s it).
- Orchestra: I would never have signed up my kid for private viola lessons, but the orchestra program in school made up for that. I misjudged her capability and have the utmost regard for the orchestra teacher who invests her heart and soul into these children. Needless to say, I’m a proud mom who watches my kid play tunes such as Ode to Joy, and We Will Rock You while reading music like she’s been for years.
- Gifted and Talented (G/T) Programs: I’m grateful the school offers differentiated learning paths for kids below and above grade level. My kids participate in advanced math, which puts them one grade level above. In addition, the school offers additional G/T classes. My oldest attended a science G/T class that required her to read & analyze data, make a hypothesis and provide reasoning. She is currently doing a literature study of the various Cinderella books written around the world.
- Their Happiness: My kids love going to school, and it matters that your kids love their learning environment.
What I believe are gaps in the school system?
As much as I appreciate all of the fantastic opportunities, there are a few gaps in the public school’s academic approach that could make a difference in providing an all-rounded education. It is plainly from my perspective and observation from having kids in the public school system and my research and awareness about education.
- Less emphasis on certain subjects: It is a known fact that many elementary schools give less attention to subjects such as science and social studies. From observation, the school rotates through these subjects and touches on a single topic each quarter. My third grader has studied the lifecycle of a butterfly practically every year since first grade. There is so much to learn in this space and a unique opportunity to spark curiosity and passion for these subjects at this young age.
- Gaps in ELA Instructions: The ELA instruction can benefit from a focus on grammar and writing (including content writing). In the elementary years, there is a focus on quantity of writing over quality. The ability to produce ideas and write extensively is more important than writing with proper syntax, improved vocabulary, and content knowledge.
- Gaps in Reading instruction: The reading instruction can focus more on building knowledge in phonemic awareness and phonics, which are foundational to learning to read effectively.
What does Home Education look like?
There is a trend in home education where parents supplement learning at home so kids can confidently navigate through school. I do math, reading, and spelling instructions as core at home. I have written separate blogs on what it means to afterschool and the benefits of it. Click here to read. I also have a blog that shares what I covered last year with my oldest( click here to read).
Sometimes education at home is the simplest thing you can do such as taking them to a library and picking up a variety of books – fiction, non-fiction, educational, history, etc. I encourage you to expose your children to subjects outside their school environment and assist them at home in areas that lack instruction in school.
Here are some tips for introducing interest-led learning so your child can build curiosity, excitement, and passion.
- Invest in books and learning materials your child is interested in. I allow my oldest to read homeschool history books for fun because she loves them. She jumps in and does Geography world study on her own time at home, just because she loves it.
- Give your kids the means at home to explore and learn outside of their school environment and allow them to develop deep love and interest in varied fields of study. Introduce simple science experiments, take your kids on nature walks, and observe the world around you -the birds, bugs, plant life, etc. Take them to museums and other centers that expose them to other fields of study.
- Allow them to watch educational videos and T.V. programs that show them a world outside math and ELA, such as cooking programs, national geographic quests, historical explorations, sports, etc.
Remember that you can do nothing at home, and your kid will be okay. Or you can do something to give them an extra edge at school, and they will still be ok. What you don’t want to do is fall prey to what others believe is the best thing for your child because there is only one person who can determine that for them. Your situation and family needs are unique, and your choices are the best for your family.
So embrace your choices, and if you choose to educate your child at home full-time or part-time, my website is open to you for tips and ideas.
