kewb Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Question for the hive. A friend of mine is a teacher in a small private school. He has proposed the idea to his bosses that they should look into being a resource school for homeschoolers. Allowing students to enroll ala carte for classes. For example-your student is really into science and you don't have a science lab in your home. You would be able to sign your student up for the science class. The questions he had for me are: Would you be interested in being able to sign up for classes that way? Would you as a parent be interested in taking a workshop offering teaching tips while your student was in class? Would being able to take an online class be of interest? What would be helpful to you as a homeschooling parent? The school is located in Rockland County, NY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, No, and No. If there is room in the classes and it's not going to cause a dramatic increase in class size, this would be a great way for private schools to fill in spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Absolutely would sign up my children in a la carte classes. I don't think I would stay for a teacher's tips class though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Would you be interested in being able to sign up for classes that way? Possibly Would you as a parent be interested in taking a workshop offering teaching tips while your student was in class? No Would being able to take an online class be of interest? No :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, no, no. I would have the feeling with a teacher tips class that they were being condescending, assuming that they have useful knowledge about teaching that I, as simply a homeschooling mother, couldn't possibly know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennC Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 yes, no, no Problem I see is that at $7000/year for tuition (at our school) it would have to cost someone around $100 month for that one class. Cost is one reason I brought my kids home - that and the fact that the classes at school were not challenging my kids. A teaching forum/exchange would be much more helpful to me than a lecture. I AM hoping to get my 5th grader into band this year (they start band in a few weeks). I know for sure that our school allows hsed kids to take hischool band and choir for a fee. I still have to find out what the fee is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I would have the feeling with a teacher tips class that they were being condescending, assuming that they have useful knowledge about teaching that I, as simply a homeschooling mother, couldn't possibly know... I think they would attempt to give tips that would be more useful in the classroom, and might not realize what would be more useful at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdie Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, no and maybe to the online class, (for writing or literature). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, no, possibly. The online thing might be good for writing feedback for an older student. The classes would need to be reasonably priced. The subjects I'd be especially interested in are science and band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, no, and no. I would also be interested in extracurricular activities (for my kids). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 There are actually a couple of private classical schools in my area that do this. One has done it for a while and the other is starting it up this year (at least, I heard it was.) Here's one. http://www.acatulsa.org/Academics/Home%20School%20Track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldilocks Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 There is a school in my area that does this. The homeschoolers go one or two afternoons each week to participate in subjects like P.E., band, and art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Would you be interested in being able to sign up for classes that way? Possibly Would you as a parent be interested in taking a workshop offering teaching tips while your student was in class? No Would being able to take an online class be of interest? No It would have to be affordable. I would mostly be interested in fun sociable type activities. P.E., Art, Music, Recess. If they could structure one or two days a week where she could get all of them in a row I would be pretty happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralloyd Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, no, and no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, No, No :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, probably not and maybe :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 1. Yes, possibly when they are older and I can't help them as much as I'd like with certain subjects: art, math, possibly science 2. No. That's what certified teachers are for, right? 3. Maybe...if I was convinced the online class was better than anything I could offer them. This is a tough one, though, because our resources for online classes as homeschoolers are fairly numerous, I think (I've seen them, but I haven't used them). So it would need to compete in both cost and content. I had a similar conversation with the "head master" when a local private school opened about 2 years ago. I was most interested in extra curricular - the school had the $ to bring in the chess coach we wanted for ds, which would get the coach up here (he teaches 1 1/2 hrs away from here), but that fell through. The other extras were not anything any of us were interested in. All in all, I think it is wonderful that private schools want to extend thier resources to the homeschoolers; its more than the public schools are willing to do (in our area, anyway), and I would probably choose private over public if I had to make the choice. Its good to have options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Yes, no, yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Yes, I'd register my children for classes. I was actually trying to find a part-time school around my area but the only thing I could find was a couple of schools that insisted I use all of their curriculum on their schedule even though my kids would only be in class one day per week. I don't think so! No, I don't need a class for me. That smacks of school superiority and treats my homeschooling abilities as being inferior. Online classes might be interesting. I would need to know if they are real time or pre-recorded, and if work would be turned in and who would see/grade it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 A school in my area allows homeschoolers to take classes a la carte. It doesn't interest me only because of the drive time. It's not feasible for me to have my son there every day for 55 minutes. On the other hand, we have always participated in a one-day-a-week enrichment class for homeschoolers that could include a science lab. So, yes, if I could make the drive one-day-a-week for a full school day, I'm interested. But, no, if I have to make five drives a week for one hour-long class, it's not feasible. However, I think it's nice that your friend's school is thinking about including us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowWhite Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I think the middle question could be formed into something that would be useful to homeschool moms... like a "Resource Time", in which they could browse the school resources and make copies of activities, or check out resource books (this is one thing I have not done and wish I had... make use of the local ps's resource library). If they're looking for a way to occupy hs moms so they don't have to sit in the car outside or in the lobby, LET US AT THE CURRIC! So for me it would be yes, no, yes, unless they made the middle question into something that is useful and respectful of me as a fellow teacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 For the 2nd question, I agree that it would have to be a different subject for moms, not teaching tips. It would be hard for a school to pull together teaching tips for parents of their own children. Most teachers learn tips for teaching large groups or for tutoring children not their own. It's a different ballgame teaching your own kids. You need a different set of skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I think the middle question could be formed into something that would be useful to homeschool moms... like a "Resource Time", in which they could browse the school resources and make copies of activities, or check out resource books (this is one thing I have not done and wish I had... make use of the local ps's resource library). If they're looking for a way to occupy hs moms so they don't have to sit in the car outside or in the lobby, LET US AT THE CURRIC! So for me it would be yes, no, yes, unless they made the middle question into something that is useful and respectful of me as a fellow teacher. :iagree:Yes, yes, yes. When I started with Sonlight I found that most of the Usborne books and some others that they use were in PS libraries. I would have loved to get a look at them. I even tried to find them at our downtown library to no avail. I ordered a few that I am very disappointed in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Before signing up my child, I would secure clear information on what, if any, implications such dual enrollment would have for my legally continuing to homeschool in NY state. Although this is a private school being discussed, does "outside enrollment" of any kind jeopardize ones standing as a homeschooler ? See also my interpolations below. . . The questions he had for me are: Would you be interested in being able to sign up for classes that way? -- Yes. Would you as a parent be interested in taking a workshop offering teaching tips while your student was in class? -- No ! I would, however, be willing to TEACH such a workshop. Would being able to take an online class be of interest? -- Possibly. (this refers to the child/student, I assume) What would be helpful to you as a homeschooling parent? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I would sign up for a la carte classes!:iagree: I would esp like classes for science, middle school and up (but they would HAVE to be top-notch!)...music, art, and PE. I have daydreamed about having a school where the morning was devoted to skill areas, afternoons to science/histoy/literature....and parents could choose a whole day, just the morning classes, or just the afternoon classes. It's a great idea...tweak it to your area. The workshop...notsomuch..:iagree: ...unless the workshops directly pertained to HSing. Are we bringing in HS speakers...or is the 1st grade teacher giving a lecture on teaching Abeka materials? Maybe there is a wonderful specialist at the school??? (thinking special needs) Maybe there is a dynamic music/art teacher who can inspire and give ideas... HS moms seem to be pretty set in our ways when it comes to the main curriculum and HS style. If the a la carte classes brought in lots of HSers, I could see basing a bonifide HS support group out of the ps...and letting the HSers plan the workshops. Online classes? nah..unless...say science is online M-TH and then the kids come in on Friday for the lab. Something like that - maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 If they were 1 or 2 days a week, I might sign up for a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Would you be interested in being able to sign up for classes that way? Would you as a parent be interested in taking a workshop offering teaching tips while your student was in class? Would being able to take an online class be of interest? What would be helpful to you as a homeschooling parent? Yes. Actually some of the private schools in our area offer these classes (they offer pe, art & music mostly). I personally would only be interested in elective type classes though because we handle the core classes at home. No. No workshops on teaching tips needed. Have those skills down pat. ;) No. No online from any private schools for us since we have access to virtual school through the state and it is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwka Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 yes, no, maybe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Thanks, everyone. This is very helpful. Keep those ideas coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 The private school here did this for a couple years. They actually changed their high school to block scheduling, the second year, in order to accomodate homeschoolers. I'm not interested in them teaching ME though. Online might be an option, but generally I think we homeschoolers have most of that covered. A local school would be beneficial for in-person discussions, practice at foreign languages, socialization, labs, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 We have several private Christian schools that are close by. I'd love if we could take a few classes (especially classes like orchestra and science) once the kids get to high school. I'm not interested in teacher tips and would only be interested in an online class if it had a physical class portion - like meet a couple of days, online discussions other days. I can get purely online classes from various places on the web, so that's not as much of a pull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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