Friday, June 3, 2011

Ring that Bell if We done Well



Do home school kids get to play kick ball? how bout passing notes?

I totally get why parents choose the home school route, here in Chicago we have had a tough battle with our public school system. For some reason or another our programs are not reaching a large percentage of students, graduation rates are sour and terrible.

Aaron and I have friends who are having difficulty with this very subject; public school is dismal and private school represents an enormous financial burden that they can't consider. I have thought that a well rounded home schooling session might be an answer for their particular situation, and I'd be more than willing to put a lit'l action behind my words. I'm certainly happy to stop by and teach a lesson or two with these children.

I'd want to give these kids the well rounded schooling experience I had, so I think I would bring several different costumes for all the different lessons. Chemistry, I'll wear a lab coat and carry around a beaker with some bubbling liquid. When teaching on literature ill throw on a tweed sport jacket w patches at the elbow, maybe a stick on mustache. Phys Ed, I'd macho it up and mirror myself after Rocky, the early days Rocky when he was still bustin knuckles and pounding raw eggs like water. I think this variety of persona is important for children, different attitudes and demeanor. My gym teacher persona will be a real kick in the pants, I'll install some lockers just so I can slam em shut. My scientist will have a slightly preoccupied delivery w a body twitch of some sort, maybe a pet Iguana or something.   The kids need this, they need diversity, plus it will make the whole experience fun, really fun.



A lot of what I remember growing up were the walks to and from school, So........ I will force my home school classroom kids to fetch me Starbucks everyday, Everyday!  Rain, snow, hail, lightning, the worse it is outside the better, and that coffee better be hot when they get back, no dilly dallying.

Sure, I'll have off days, when I'll just toss the kids the remote and say "write a report on the first interesting thing you see, ill be soaking in the tub w a mud mask" I won't abuse this, I promise.  I'd design a lesson on bullying and teach on perseverance by throwing a poor kid in a locker and make em smoke a pack of cigarettes, I'm telling yah, I'm not messing around here!

Don't for one second think I will forget the school crossing guard, man, these kids need a crossing guard relationship, some adult figure who'd tell you some jokes and yell at yah a bit while wearing an orange vest and toting a stop sign on a stick. Man!  these are some good timez,  come on children, gather around.



Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life. Electric word, life. It means forever and that's a mighty long time. But I'm here to tell you there's something else - the afterworld. A world of never-ending happiness. You can always see the sun, day or night. So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills, you know the one, Dr. Everything'll-Be-All-right, instead of asking him how much of your time is left, ask him how much of your mind, baby. 'Cause in this life, things are much harder than in the afterworld. This life you're on your own. And if de-elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy - punch a higher floor   Prince   "Lets Go Crazy" 1984

11 comments:

  1. Would love to have schooled at home, whatever helps though.

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  2. You know if you have a AAS degree in anything you can start your own "Home School" house. I think you are allowed like 10 kids per teacher and if you do the right paper work you can even get grants from the state...

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  3. I think part of the trouble with schools is that many people don't wanna pay the taxes to support the schools, and then they bitch and moan because they kids edumahcation ain't near as good as Sally, who goes to the Little Farmer In The Dell private school in the country.
    We overburden our teachers with huge class sizes, not enough tools, not enough current tools, and lack of parental assistance.
    Why back in my day......grumble grumble snort snort

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  4. New follower from FYF. No comment on schooling. I liked the public schools WAY back when. But not anymore. Too many things wrong, but I'll keep my opinions to myself. Nice post !

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  5. What a great post!! I have mixed feelings... I want my child to go to private school first then go to public school when they are older because I believe they will need the socialization skills that you learn in jr high and high school!

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  6. I have made a post on the topic of the public school system. It is my firm belief that the public school system needs to be sufficiently effective as to render private education obsolete.

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  7. I'm a high school English teacer, but even I agree that the public school system needs a major overall and private school is way too expensive.

    When five of my seven children were in elementary, we actually homeschooled them. We used http://compasslearningodyssey.com/ for curriculum, and we enrolled our children in our local homeschool association. Most towns have a homeschool association. These associations provide socialization with other homeschool children. Through our association, our children took art, choir, and theatre classes once a week. They also took PE classes with other homeschool children at the local YMCA through our assocation. They attended the art classes at Hobby Lobby, and choir and theatre at a local church. Also through our association, filed trips were provided. Outside of our association, we also enrolled our children in dance, gymnastics and karate classes.

    Currently, our children all attend public school, and at one time, they attended a free charter school, which is also a great alternative to public school. We have one adult child in college, three teenagers in college, one teen in middle school, and two children in elementary school. As parents though, we always supplement their learning, and we have also taught them how to learn on their own and to do research.

    Thanks,

    Arlene Perez
    http://letsbepositivelycontagious.blogspot.com/

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  8. Thanks for following...following back..yeah I have a narc stalker for well over a year now...getting ridiculous...but hey...they must love me....lol...

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  9. Sounds like a lot of fun, man. I would make the most of Home-Ec and Woodshop, if I were you. Keep that house in working order. And here in Chicago, I don't blame you considering the home school option. My fiance teaches at a private school, and those are bad enough.

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  10. I was home schooled for all grades. It sucked, I left home as soon as I could. There are gaping holes in my education, and more importantly, it took my years to make up what I lacked in social skills. I haven't spoken to my parents face to face in years.
    So, yeah. Don't do it.

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  11. You are funny. It was all about the walk to school: that's where all of life's lessons are learned.

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