This week's question for the TOS Blog Cruise is "How do you know if your kids are keeping up with their peers?"
During a car ride the other day, my daughter's friend mentioned something about "playing hooky". With puzzled looks on their faces, my kids asked "what's hooky?" I chuckled to myself, when I came to the realization that they weren't in school, therefore had no clue what that meant, nor did they ever need to "play hooky" from homeschooling. We barely even have sick days around here. Thank you, Lord. Something else I found funny was a few years ago, our homeschool group shared a story with me about when they had visited the state house on a field trip. When it was time for the kids to "line up", the public school kids were all neatly in line and the homeschool kids were like a messy cluster. They weren't used to lining up, and therefore had not quite perfected that skill. When teaching my children together, as I often do, they will shout out the answer, only to annoy their sibling who wanted to answer first. Raising their hands was not new to them, as they had learned that in Sunday School, but raising their hands at home unfortunately had to be implemented to avoid the squabbles. There have been a few times when other kids have been not-so-nice to my kids. My children, not used to that kind of treatment, unfortunately lacked the skills to fend off these mean little people. Something they won't have to worry about in adulthood, because we don't treat each other that way, right?...but it is something that many kids that are in traditional school have to tolerate almost on a daily basis.
So, there are a few skills that my kids aren't exactly par on when comparing them to their peers...like waiting in line, raising their hands, playing hooky, fending off bullies....OH! Wait a minute....you meant ACADEMICALLY?????
Well, folks, that's a different story.
I'd be lying to you if I said that I didn't worry about my kids keeping up with their peers, academically speaking of course...even though I don't spend alot of thought on it, I do want them to be competitive when it comes to college and adulthood someday. So...how do I know if they're keeping up? There are a couple of methods that I personally use. In no particular order...they are:
Standardized testing ~ Even though I hate the thought of standardized testing, it can give a good measure of where my kids are and what areas we need to improve on in our homeschool. And, thankfully it has. It's always been right on what I expected, which confirms to me that we are on the right path. When we lived in Arkansas, taking the IOWA was mandatory for students in grades 3-9. Will I be testing now that we are in NJ where the law doesn't require it? Maybe...not just to measure them academically, but to also prepare them to be familiar with testing and the environment that it entails. My oldest will be taking her first practice PSAT in the fall, and then again in her sophomore year, enough practice so that she will hopefully do well in her Junior year when it counts. She has big college plans, and it's very important for her to keep up with her peers academically so that she will be competitive when it comes to getting accepted at the college of her choice.
Talk to their peers ~ Whenever my kids have their public or even homeschooled friends over, I always take the time to ask them what they are learning in school. Are they learning the same things we are? Could there be anything I might be missing or forgetting to teach in our homeschool? Talking to their friends helps me figure that out, and lets me know if we are way ahead or way behind, or on a track that leads to nowhere. I learn what's important to learn and what's not, and the fact that it's up to me to make sure my children are getting the proper education. It's on me...no pressure, right?
The Internet ~ The Internet is my friend. Seriously, my connection to other homeschoolers, educators, and education sites, help me to find new ideas to implement in our homeschool. There's a wealth of information from blogs to curriculum sites to forums. It's my job to stay up on the latest in education. Homeschooling is my job, my priority to my family, and I work very hard to ensure I am raising well-rounded, children of good character, and academically successful children.
Books and Publications ~ Magazines like The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and books on homeschooling also provide me the information to ensure we are on the the right track. I am always reading, working on my next plan of action to stay on top of it all, it's a full-time job this homeschooling adventure!
I know that my kids are not getting the same education they might receive in public or private school or even in another homeschool taught by another mom. That's what's so great about it. We're learning new things every day, and learning them together. The relationships we're forming with each other can't be found anywhere else. They're a blessing and a treasure that I wouldn't trade for anything. Homeschooling isn't right for every family, but it is right for ours.
So, maybe they're not so good at lining up, raising their hands, playing hooky, (I'd like to see them try that one!), or fending off bullies, but they are getting a unique life education that's just right for them, and when they do finally graduate at home and go on to college and the "real world" I have confidence that they'll do just fine.
If you're a homeschooler, please feel free to comment on this post and share your thoughts on this question. I'd love to hear from you!
To read my TOS Crewmates answers to this question, just click on the Blog Cruise Button at the top of this post!
Stay tuned next week, when my crewmates and I take on the next question, "How do you handle multiple ages/How do you homeschool with a toddler?"
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