Education

(now with pictures!)
It's on my mind a lot. Generally I like school. I like the science fairs and the reading contests and that he has to learn large group dynamics. I like volunteering in first grade and I LOVE helping in Gifted and Talented. But the negatives are starting to outweigh the positives.School is just too long. Bottom line. We have an early bedtime and between homework and dinner, there just isn't time for much else. Granted it only takes 30 minutes to do homework for him, but it's busy work. Worksheets or things he can do standing on his head and reading a book the teacher sends home. Because of this he's been given extra work. Not different. Extra.And what kinds of books is he bringing home? I wish I could say Charlotte's Web or Stuart Little.
(View from my kitchen. This rainbow lasted all of 10 minutes)
Instead they're something I like to call "sitcom books". The latest has a character called "The Fartmeister." I'm serious. Now, I don't expect my child to be reading Plato or anything, but could we up the quality a few notches please? The attitude of the school: at least they're reading.
Let me ask you this, if a child grows up to be an adult who reads nothing but adrenaline books and trashy thrillers, is it really doing them any good at all?
He'd much rather read about gravity or snakes and frankly, I don't see why he can't.
Instead of letting him do work at his level, he has to do all the stuff the rest of the class is doing, plus the more advanced work.
When he asks why he has to do worksheets for spelling words like "use" (hippopotamus would be more appropriate) I don't know what to tell him. I think it's dumb too.
I don't write this to bag on his teacher, she has to do her best for over 20 kids and has no idea what they have already read in their recreation time. I write it to point out the positives of homeschooling. He wont be busy doing things he's already done. He'll be learning math he doesn't already know because the class has to do math together. He'll have spelling words he has to actually study! I know he doesn't need to spend 30 minutes practicing spelling words he already knows.
I have nothing personally against my sons' teachers or even the school. I just think he should have down time, time to be a kid.
(what 6 year age difference?)
I've been on the fence about this for a while, but that has dramatically shifted in the past couple of months. I think I'm finally ready and prepared enough to home school. He's ready to start now, but I told him he should finish off the school year. We'll see how we both feel come August.
In the meantime I am reading: Charlotte Mason, Maria Montessori, The Well Trained Mind, TJED, Homeschooling Gifted Children (did I just use the "g" word? Yes! I did!!)
I'm excited! A little nervous, but mostly excited! I LOVE what I have been reading! And hope to have reviews forthcoming.
I know some of my readers homeschool and I would LOVE any advice, resources, and tips!

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