Just sharing something that has worked for us - Homeschool Survey

[Hoggirl]

I just wanted to offer up an idea that I have used for the last couple of years as my son has gotten a bit older. IMO, as a student gets older he should have a bit more say in the home school. Just my thought.

 

Anyway, both last year and this year, I have typed up a "Home School Survery" in Word at the end of the year. I have my ds sit at the computer and type in his answers, while I am out of the room. He can take as long as he likes to answer, and he does not have to do it in one sitting.

 

Here are some sample questions:

 

Rank the following curricula based on a scale of 1 - 10 considering not only how much you like it, but how well you learn from it. (then I list all that we use)

 

What curricula would you want to keep?

 

What would you like to throw out the window?

 

What is the biggest waste of time in our day?

 

Is Mom involved too little, too much, or just the right amount in school? Explain.

 

List three strengths of Mom as a teacher.

 

List three weaknesses of Mom as a teacher (and suggest ways to improve).

 

Biggest detriment of home schooling for you personally.

 

Biggest joy of home schooling for you personally.

 

Do you have any outside activities you would like to add or drop?

 

Do you like our scheduling? Do you prefer assignments on task or time? What would you change about schduling?

 

And, the obligatory catch-all for any additional comments of his choosing.

 

I found that with a boy, I get a much better response by having him answer ON the computer as opposed to having a discussion face-to-face. Last year he was honest but also diplomatic. There weren't a lot of surprises, but I did learn of a couple of things that he disliked much more than I realized. I mean, I knew he wasn't crazy about them, but one thing he really disliked. So, we switched, and we have BOTH been much happier.

 

Also, these are just ideas for questions. I have an only ds, so larger families would likely have additional/different questions, I would imagine. I definitely think it has to fit the needs of YOUR situation, but it I have found it good for both of us.

 

Hope this helps someone.

[MIch elle]

I KNOW what my ds will say - "I don't know"

 

I'll give it a try. ;)

[Mom0012]

What a great idea, Cynthia! Thanks for sharing that.

 

Lisa

[momofgals]

I think this a great idea! I do have a sinking feeling that I know where their complaints/suggestions will be. Giving them a more concrete voice is good for them, even if it might feel uncomfortable for me.

[JustGin]

I just wanted to offer up an idea that I have used for the last couple of years as my son has gotten a bit older. IMO, as a student gets older he should have a bit more say in the home school. Just my thought.

 

Anyway, both last year and this year, I have typed up a "Home School Survery" in Word at the end of the year. I have my ds sit at the computer and type in his answers, while I am out of the room. He can take as long as he likes to answer, and he does not have to do it in one sitting.

 

Here are some sample questions:

 

Rank the following curricula based on a scale of 1 - 10 considering not only how much you like it, but how well you learn from it. (then I list all that we use)

 

What curricula would you want to keep?

 

What would you like to throw out the window?

 

What is the biggest waste of time in our day?

 

Is Mom involved too little, too much, or just the right amount in school? Explain.

 

List three strengths of Mom as a teacher.

 

List three weaknesses of Mom as a teacher (and suggest ways to improve).

 

Biggest detriment of home schooling for you personally.

 

Biggest joy of home schooling for you personally.

 

Do you have any outside activities you would like to add or drop?

 

Do you like our scheduling? Do you prefer assignments on task or time? What would you change about schduling?

 

And, the obligatory catch-all for any additional comments of his choosing.

 

I found that with a boy, I get a much better response by having him answer ON the computer as opposed to having a discussion face-to-face. Last year he was honest but also diplomatic. There weren't a lot of surprises, but I did learn of a couple of things that he disliked much more than I realized. I mean, I knew he wasn't crazy about them, but one thing he really disliked. So, we switched, and we have BOTH been much happier.

 

Also, these are just ideas for questions. I have an only ds, so larger families would likely have additional/different questions, I would imagine. I definitely think it has to fit the needs of YOUR situation, but it I have found it good for both of us.

 

Hope this helps someone.

 

Thank you for sharing this! I think it's a great idea and I think I'll use it with at least two of mine. :)

[FloridaLisa]

Cynthia,

 

I love this! I actually did something similar with each of my five oldest dc the last couple of year.

 

For some reason, probably because it's late and I've had a loooonnnggg day, your survey reminds me of one homeschool season when I handed out a menu with lunch choices and took orders. :001_smile:

 

Lisa

[Teachin'Mine]

Cynthia that's brilliant!!! Thank you for sharing that with us! :)

[Leanna Tomlinson]

That's a great idea!

 

I do this informally every year, but I do think the computer response may elicit more honesty from my ds.

[Sunshine State Sue]

Do you prefer assignments on task or time? What would you change about scheduling?

 

Cynthia, I'm resurrecting this thread since I think I'm going to try it. Would you please explain what you mean by assignments on task or time?

 

I think I understand it. For example, sometimes I just have ds work on literature or geometry for 45min/day using a timer. Sometimes, I say complete exercise A, B, C, and D.

 

What kind of options are there for scheduling? I would need to elaborate for ds in order for him to understand the choices.

 

Thanks!

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

thanks for resurecting this thread. I missed it the first time. I think I shall use it too. DS doesn't give me much feedback.

[Jackie in AR]

I just wanted to offer up an idea that I have used for the last couple of years as my son has gotten a bit older. IMO, as a student gets older he should have a bit more say in the home school. Just my thought.

 

Anyway, both last year and this year, I have typed up a "Home School Survery" in Word at the end of the year. I have my ds sit at the computer and type in his answers, while I am out of the room. He can take as long as he likes to answer, and he does not have to do it in one sitting.

 

Here are some sample questions:

 

Rank the following curricula based on a scale of 1 - 10 considering not only how much you like it, but how well you learn from it. (then I list all that we use)

 

What curricula would you want to keep?

 

What would you like to throw out the window?

 

What is the biggest waste of time in our day?

 

Is Mom involved too little, too much, or just the right amount in school? Explain.

 

List three strengths of Mom as a teacher.

 

List three weaknesses of Mom as a teacher (and suggest ways to improve).

 

Biggest detriment of home schooling for you personally.

 

Biggest joy of home schooling for you personally.

 

Do you have any outside activities you would like to add or drop?

 

Do you like our scheduling? Do you prefer assignments on task or time? What would you change about schduling?

 

And, the obligatory catch-all for any additional comments of his choosing.

 

I found that with a boy, I get a much better response by having him answer ON the computer as opposed to having a discussion face-to-face. Last year he was honest but also diplomatic. There weren't a lot of surprises, but I did learn of a couple of things that he disliked much more than I realized. I mean, I knew he wasn't crazy about them, but one thing he really disliked. So, we switched, and we have BOTH been much happier.

 

Also, these are just ideas for questions. I have an only ds, so larger families would likely have additional/different questions, I would imagine. I definitely think it has to fit the needs of YOUR situation, but it I have found it good for both of us.

 

Hope this helps someone.

 

This is a great idea, Cynthia. I'm glad Sue resurrected the thread since I missed it the first time around. Thanks for sharing.

[LanaTron]

Yes, thanks Cynthia and Sue! I'll see if I can get more and better feedback from my two elder ones.

[Amy in CO]

Thanks for this idea. I often will ask my children if there is anything that they like or don't like, but I never get anywhere. My middle son doesn't like to complain about anything at all, ever. So it is like pulling teeth to get him to admit that something isn't working. While my daughter complains about everything all the time.

 

I decided to give the kids these surveys (with some adjustments), the youngest demaded one too. I got back some very interesting comments. Things I hadn't thought about. I looked them over and then had the kids, one at a time, come and discuss answers with me, help me understand if a comment wasn't clear, talk about other options, etc.

 

It worked great. They are all so much more excited for this coming year, knowing that I have listened to what they think, and that I am willing to change my plans and ideas, to what they want. And it wasn't like I hadn't listened and talked to them before. Maybe it just seemed like I was more serious about it since I took the effort to type it up instead of just asking random (in their minds) questions.

[Hoggirl]

Cynthia, I'm resurrecting this thread since I think I'm going to try it. Would you please explain what you mean by assignments on task or time?

 

I think I understand it. For example, sometimes I just have ds work on literature or geometry for 45min/day using a timer. Sometimes, I say complete exercise A, B, C, and D.

 

What kind of options are there for scheduling? I would need to elaborate for ds in order for him to understand the choices.

 

Thanks!

 

Sorry to be slow in responding - we have been out of town.

 

Exactly as you said it. For some subjects (math, Latin, literature) we work on time (60 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes respectively). For other subjects (science and history) my ds is told to accomplish a certain number of pages or reading, exercises, etc.

 

As far as options for scheduling, one could always do the same subjects in the same order every day. Or you could have some subjects every day and some every other day (for instance, one week you could do history M/W/F and science T/Th and then flip those two subjects the next week with science M/W/F and history T/Th) just doing longer blocks for those subjects only. We typically do the same subjects in the same order every day in the morning and then my son decides the order for the afternoon. Our afternoon subjects are usually history, science, literature, and writing, though sometimes history gets finished in the morning. You could ask about starting at the same time every day. Or having one half day. You could ask if your ds prefers daily assignments or weekly assignments. Next year, I am going to do one subject in a more syllabus like way. I am going to tell ds when the test is and what has to be turned in by the day of the test. He is going to schedule out how he reads it and does other daily assignments such as map work and current events (Geography is going to be my guinea pig subject for this). I want him to start managing his time more on his own.

 

I hope this gives you some scheduling ideas!

[Hoggirl]

Thanks for this idea. I often will ask my children if there is anything that they like or don't like, but I never get anywhere. My middle son doesn't like to complain about anything at all, ever. So it is like pulling teeth to get him to admit that something isn't working. While my daughter complains about everything all the time.

 

I decided to give the kids these surveys (with some adjustments), the youngest demaded one too. I got back some very interesting comments. Things I hadn't thought about. I looked them over and then had the kids, one at a time, come and discuss answers with me, help me understand if a comment wasn't clear, talk about other options, etc.

 

It worked great. They are all so much more excited for this coming year, knowing that I have listened to what they think, and that I am willing to change my plans and ideas, to what they want. And it wasn't like I hadn't listened and talked to them before. Maybe it just seemed like I was more serious about it since I took the effort to type it up instead of just asking random (in their minds) questions.

 

So glad this worked well for you. :D

[LisaCA]

These yearly evaluations are often required now in the work place. What a great idea to bring it to the home school. Most of us would not want to be in the hot seat, you are brave! But what a great idea to have it done on the computer.

[Sunshine State Sue]

Sorry to be slow in responding - we have been out of town.

Thanks, Cynthia. I gave the evaluation to ds. The ball's in his court now. Great idea.

 

These yearly evaluations are often required now in the work place. What a great idea to bring it to the home school.

Since I am in the role of homeschool parent for only a few more years, I do see this as beneficial. However, comparing it the work place is interesting. I work 30hrs/wk from home. We have annual reviews and everyone hates them. Here is an interesting article from our newspaper recently about annual reviews in the work place:

Reviews get failing grade