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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (78878)	11/10/2003 1:20:44 PM
From: The Philosopher	Respond to of 82486

You need a profound knowledge of subjects to teach them, at least beyond the early years. Actually, not true. What you need is an understanding of your limitations, a willingness to learn along with the student, and the ability to research what are good materials, and enthusiasm. In some cases you may want to engage a tutor -- for foreign language prounuciation, for example, or for advanced mathematics -- but there are lots and lots of excellent materials out there and more coming every day. The main things, I think, are to overcome self doubt, and to make sure that you are systematic and include all the materials you need to. For this, there are a number of home school syllabuses, plus you can usually get the course listing and descriptions, and often a syllabus, sometimes called the scope and sequence, from your local school.

To: Lane3 who wrote (78878)	11/10/2003 1:40:30 PM
From: Lady Lurksalot	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

FWIW, one of my co-workers is home-schooling her three children. She tells me that there are curricula, supplied by the school district, that the children must study, and that the children's progress is formally monitored by the school officials. If the children do not consistently meet the goals set forth, they must return to public (or private) schools.

To: Lane3 who wrote (78878)	11/10/2003 1:46:30 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

"You need a profound knowledge of subjects to teach them, at least beyond the early years." You would certainly need a sufficient knowledge. How many parents can even write a coherent sentence? How many know the first thing about geometry or algebra? Fortunately, many children are very capable, if supplied the appropriate level of reading material, of mastering the subjects up to their own natural limitations. Those best suited for home schooling are those whom have a hunger for learning and a zest for reading. But not all children are gifted. One hopes that those parents who embark on such a course will have a realistic awareness of their own capabilities. Playing the violin is best taught by one who knows something about it...

To: Lane3 who wrote (78878)	11/10/2003 9:17:02 PM
From: epicure	Respond to of 82486

You don't need a profound knowledge to teach elementary- but you DO need love and patience, and it helps to be bright. I don't think you need profound knowledge, because you can be on the same journey as your kids. It doesn't hurt the kids to see mom or dad learning something with them. For example, few of us have the kind of profound knowledge of history that would allow us to teach even elementary history- and yet I think anyone who can read, could help a child learn history- the essential thing, imo, is a sense of fun, and curiosity and enthusiasm. We don't need people to teach kids facts, we need people who can teach kids how to learn- even an adult without profound knowledge can teach that- maybe even ESPECIALLY an adult without profound knowledge can teach that, because they need to look things up. It's the process that is important, imo- for it is the process and approach to education we take with us- most of the facts we leave behind. At the middle school and high school level specialized knowledge becomes much more important, imo.