How did you start your new school year? Share your story.

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

The new school year opened in Israel some 3 weeks ago. We already had the first holiday last weekend - the kids missed one school day. Next week they are going to miss two more and in the following week they are going to an 8 days vacation.

So it's kind of a slow beginning.
Yet this year has started optimistic in our house.
My eldest daughter discovered some new teachers that will be teaching her this year. Teachers who are as enthusiastic about learning through research as she is. So she is going to try it on Physics and she is very excited. She also studies biotechnology with an exciting teacher that even has a fan page on facebook, that his students built for him out of sheer admiration. Isn't it great? Energies are running high.

My middle son started his 6th grade. There is a new teacher for the class this year, and she is new in school. Yet not totally new to school: both her boys graduated from our school. She already impresses us all, students and parents, in her effort to study the kids and learn more about them. The other teachers that teach his class this year are also very good. His two surprise topics are:
English literature and Product and production (very free translation).
So it's rather special to learn English literature in 6th grade (English is a second language) and it certainly offers a new perspective on the learning and assimilation of the language. I am very curious to learn what it will be like.
The other topic is where the kids have to plan a product and build its prototype. The kids are very excited and the ideas are very wild. As a business person I am following this closely too.

And my youngest has begun his 2nd grade. There is such a big difference from last year. The "mature" "I know it all" look of a student who is already familiar with the school environment... No great hopes for interesting happenings there, though. I am afraid this will remain the parents domain for yet another year.

And there is also a new headmaster to the school. He seems nice, open and attentive. I like it that he is welcoming the students and parents at the school gates every morning. It generates a feeling that the school has a "father" figure. And it's just what this school needed, after being totally unstable for the last 3 years.

So there is a good reason to keep optimistic.

What's new with you?

[cindy fadel]

HI All,

The start of the school year for my homeschooled son is going great. I homeschooled him all his life, however, homeschool is a bad name because we are certainly never home. The last few years I would have to say he pretty much schools himself. This is what he set up for himself this year. He is taking a college anatomy class, he has taken the EMT classes and will be sitting for the national exam. He does not want to be an EMT for his career, he wants to be a vet, but he thinks it is a great college job and relevant to his studies. He spends one day a week. sometimes two, with the large animal vet and rides with Life Care( the ambulance) as he has been for the last year or so. He is also enrolled in a college Biology class. All these experiential learning opportunities stimulate him to a lot of research and trigger other interests.

He is also participating in a student think tank that will discuss possible ideas on how to improve public education. We will also be taking a trip toAppalachia to study the culture and participate in a reforestation project of the thousands of acres devastated by strip mining. This is what I know so far, I am sure he will add more as time goes on and he decides on what more will be of interest to him.

So, yes the school year is starting out just fine, with a learner finding ways to seek his passion and knowledge he feels is relevant to his own world and life's goals

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Wow! Cindy! This sounds so interesting! I wish I could do that for my kids! It's amazing. I feel totally lazy... I keep "threatening" with home schooling, but at the end of the day I simply try to get the best from the schools my kids attend.
How old is your son? Is he an only child? Do you ever study in groups with other home-schoolers? Is home-schooling a problem when you try to apply for a university? How do you plan what you are going to study? Are there topics that don't interest him and you still think he should study? Are there topics he wants to study but you don't have the resources to teach him?
And speaking of beginning a new school year - are you homeschooling according to all vacations or is it a continuous schooling?

[cindy fadel]

My son is 17. He is an only child. We have lots of groups, there are 30,000 homeschoolers in SW lower Michigan. That is only the ones registered, and our state does not require registation. I am sure it is at the very least double that figure. Universities seek out homeschoolers. There is absolutely no problem getting into college. Incidentally, homeschoolers many times enter without a high school diploma. We can get them if we need to, however, a college bound student really has no need to have a high school diploma. There are really no subjects that I have to force upon him. Of course he needed to read, write and do math. This is all around us in the world and kids see the necessity for this knowledge and seek it to the level necessary for their age. As they move up in other areas, if they are not math driven, they find it necessary to seek higher skills necessary to apply other knowledge.I can always find resources to teach him. There is a lot I am not capable of, but if one sees the community and the world as the class room, it does not present a problem. We school all the time because we learn as we live life together, the role of learner begins to shift back and forth with time and experience.

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

This is really interesting. I know there are homeschoolers in Israel too but I know very little of them. I only recently heard of a family with 4 kids - all grown up now - who did homeschool. None of the kids went to a higher education as in degree studies. So I was wondering if that high school diploma was the problem.
As my daughter is starting to plan ahead we were looking into some of the best American universities' web sites and checked their requirements lists. We saw a list of exams (which we know nothing about) like the SAT. So does a homeschooler take these exams independently or is he exempt?
One other question that interests me is the social aspect.
A 17 year old - that the age when all the social life is forming - high school friendships, hanging out together - how is this solved when you home-school?
Does your son have friends who go to a regular school or is the "homeschool" too much of a different environment to be able to connect at all?

[cindy fadel]

I can not speak to the laws in Israel, but as far as the US, laws vary in each state.
However homeschooling thrives in all states. As far as a high school diploma, it is really not necessary for the college bound student. Most homeschoolers and some traditionally schooled kids go to college during their high school years. More schooled kids would go but some schools discourage it because they lose money if the child goes to college early because the school must pay for it out of the per child $ they get for public education. It is unfortunate that they make their decisions based on the $, but that is the reality. The SAT is the main test required to enter college, however, as soon as a student gets 15 college credits, they do not have to take the SAT. Most homeschoolers and some others have this many credits by age 15 or 16. Then it becomes a choice if you want to take it or not. Most homeschoolers usually do very well on the SAT, even thought we don't "teach to the test". In my small circle here in Michigan, I know 4 kids who got a perfect score. Maybe this speaks to just teaching to the higher thinking skills and the rest fall into place.
As far as social life. In southwestern lower Michigan, where I live, there are 30 thousand homeschoolers. We do interact with all kinds of people, traditionally schooled kids and homeschooled, but it would be by choice. We have everything, sports, clubs, proms, ect.
If you stop and think about it, how do we get socialized?, it is from the world and community, not just people our own age in an unnatural environment of an institution. I find homeschooles to be at ease with all ages of people. My own son, if you were to look at his cell phone, you would find listing of people from our community of all ages. He is 17 as just as comfortable and can carry on a conversation with all different kinds of people of all ages, including his peers.

Homeschooling is not a large portion of the population, nor is it right for everyone.
Homeschooling is estimated to be growing at about 30% per year. This probably speaks to the condition of the US public schools, however, I am seeing some changes looming. As a responsible citizen of the US, we should all support good public schools, as that is where the majority of kids will be educated. As for me, I am having some luck partnering with our local schools. We use some of the virtual programs they offer and they are being influenced by our more free type of education. It is very good for both of us. I don't know about Israel, but here, our educational system was developed in the 1800's and has not been changed in design since. This was during industrialization and set up to create " workers". It is very much designed around " sameness" and following orders. It is a bulimic system of information transfer by design. Student memorize information passed on to them by a " teacher" and they then regurgitate it later on a test. I am of the belief that until application, learning does not translate into " knowledge". Bye the way, most of my knowledge about education has come some wonderful educators that work inside the system here and are doing wonderful things, even with all theconstraints put on them from the system. It is this group of dedicated educators that will change our system and make it better. They know what to do, they just need the support of the law makers to make it possible for them to do what they know how to do. I have met many fantastic educators with a unwavering dedication to their craft. Here in Michigan our statesuperintendent has offered the schools to ReImagine education by writing a proposal for a systemic change from K-12. Schools who have chosen to do this, have submitted their plans and are awaiting the results of who will be chosen and supported in this systemic change. This will create models for others in the future. I can't wait to see what happens!!

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

I was really hoping to hear stories of more parents and teachers in our community about the new school year that has begun recently.
However Cindy's story about the homeschooling is worth a totally separate discussion which I am about to open.
Please continue to tell us here how is it going for your kids at school this year.

[Kathryn L. Keene]

Great discussion point! My children are 17 & almost 20. I homeschooled twice during their elementary school years. I almost lost both of my children when they were each four years old (hit and run driver and a stroke), so I decided to take special time with them when they were in the 2nd & 4th grade. I was a flight attendant and their dad was a merchant marine. I flew for free, so I thought I'd travel and teach them (I had a teaching degree). We also live in a vacation spot, so there was plenty to do. We live in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I am not sure hat I agree with the statement that 'most homeschooled students do well on the SAT'. Home schooling is not regulated well where I live, and I feel that I was unusual in that I schooled my children in a pretty traditional manner. We had desks (sorry! I heard that squeal!). My daughter who had suffered a stroke, needed to have a desk fitted to her to by an occupational therapist to ensure that her posture remained intact. We checked the temperature every morning in Farenheit and Celcius degrees. We did traditional math, reading, writing, etc. We also attended all storytimes, athletic team events, music lessons, dance lessons, etc., so socialization was a moot point. By winter holiday, they surprised me by asking to return to public school. No problem; the teachers were thrilled. By next fall, my fifth grader wanted out. I homeschooled her on ski mountains and mountain bikes. She went to flute lessons every Wedenesday, stayed for morning kindergarten and was a teacher's aide for her former kindergarted teacher, and stayed for band practice. We had lunch dates every Wednesday afternoon, and I dropped her back to school for sports. My weakness is math, so we focused on math. She earned 100's after that for many years in math class, and earned a 4 on her AP Calculus exam. She graduated 7th in her senior class and is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire. Homeschooling is a joy, but a lot of work. When my kids returned to school, I was so relieved! It is a lot of work. My concerns lie in the limitations provided for children when there is only one source of pedagogy entering their world. There is also a fear that your child is 'missing out' on some sense of normalcy. Personally, the only thing my kids missed was the Poky Mon (sp.?) fad and the 'mean girls' social issues of the typical elementary school scene. I cannot tell you the number of children who begged their moms to homeschool because they thought my children were lucky! And...I think we all were!

[cindy fadel]

You are a great example of what should happen, Kathryn, you did what fit your situation. You found it hard because what you did what is " school at home" a much more structured form. It works fine for many, but is more difficult. Many start that way and if they find they can loosen up, they do after some time. The only way you have only one pedagogy is when you don't use community resources for education. Also when you maintain a consistent atmosphere. You did a great job of biking traveling ect. Also the flute teacher added another pedagogy. All kids are different and need various types of delivery and there are so many to choose. Seems like you found some wonderful ways to school and were very thoughtful about your choices, that is fantastic. I am sure you made the best choices for your family. Lots of people go in and out of traditional school, just having the choice is wonderful. You offer a great example and commentary pointing the importance of having choices and the freedom .

[Kathryn L. Keene]

Thank you, Cindy. Your response is bringing back memories, and I'm remembering how precious those months with my children were! I also remember one report that probably influenced my decision to home school. It was the "Prisoners of Time" report: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/PrisonersOfTime/index.html. I actually found the research behind the report more valuable: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/PrisonersOfTime/index.html. You will find that, indeed, a public school student will only gain a few hours of actual academic value to each day, due to interruptions, etc. So...if you find that your child will gain more academic and social value from what you have to offer due to your passion, advantages, and commitment, I think it's your duty (and joy) to do so. All must keep in mind that the public schools are there as a resource to augment what you are doing to produce future contributing citizens of the world. They were there for me.

[cindy fadel]

Hi Kathryn,

I agree with what you say about the public schools. As a homeschooler, I have found them to be a great partner. They say they have found me to be a great partner as well. We have partnered for four years now, as a homeschool community , with our public schools. What you say about them being a resource is so true and I wish everyone looked at it that way. It could go from them being your only resource to being just one of many. Dave Mathews, CEO of Kettering says something to that affect. I will not put quotes because this is not exact, but it is something like this: Public Schools should provide what families and communities don't provide. It is so true because if the school simply did that, it would be doing just what each family and child needed. It is really what you are suggesting if I am reading you correctly. Do you agree?

[Janet Navarro]

Every school year begins for me, with a high level of anxiety and worry -- I wonder, will this be the year that my son (highly intelligent but with a learning disability) loses his self-confidence as a learner -- will this be the year that he fails, due to teachers who refuse to accommodate or venture into the world of differentiated instruction -- will this be the year that he just crumples in a heap under the demands of classroom learning tasks that are disconnected from big ideas and meaning. (A great discussion of this kind of learning is going on here: http://firesidelearning.ning.com/forum/topics/curiosity-is-the-key-... It seems that each spring we have transition meetings with teachers and principals who are moderately interested, and then the fall comes around and that set of teachers, for some logistical reason, or that principal, or that case manager isn't going to work with him after all. He has stopped going to his IEP meetings as he feels it a waste of time (which it surely has been for him).

For the other son, however, it's a time of joy, anticipation, getting together with friends, seeing what teachers he'll have, seeing how his schedule unfolds, it's all "magical" and "fun" because he just is good at doing "school work" and keeping it all in perspective -- he can focus on growing up, and leadership opportunities, and the extra sorts of things that are part of the American High School experience (school plays, intramural competition in things like floor hockey, designing and ordering T-shirts for this or that group, organizing and playing in bands for battle-of-the bands.)

What I'm trying to say, I think, is that for one son, school is such a chore and such an uninviting place to be, in part due to a learning disability that makes school an extra-exhausting environment, a place of anxiety and of boredom that he just doesn't want to be there at all. For the other, school is just a context for living a life he want to live. It's a place that presents opportunity that's not really even about school --

Hey, instead of what I do so often, spending time writing and thinking and then deleting it because it's not exactly what I want to say, I'll just put it out there...so i can participate....

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Hi Janet,
Really happy you didn't delete it this time.
I sympathize. For my youngest son it seems a very similar experience - for him too school is nothing but a "chore", a burden. The thing is - that has nothing to do with him as a learner.
He is a 2nd grader, only 7 years old, and I am beginning to explore various alternative to the regular school, because regular schools don't fit everybody, and not everybody can adjust.

I really loved the homeschooling experience described above, in this discussion, but this, I am afraid, cannot really work in Israel. There are homeschooled kids here, but they are either giving up on higher education, or doing all the final exams (like SATs or baccalaureate - a minimum of 7 or 8 exams) - but preparing for them outside of the school system, using private tutors or schools that specialize in preparation for these exams.