This is completely premature. It's almost ridiculous. But seeing as I do have a daughter, and school lurks in her relatively near future, I've been thinking of school. Yes, she's only 1. Yes, she still has 4 years to go before she enters. Yes, I am getting ahead of myself. That aside....
There are obviously a handful of options for schooling available. I've always been quite opinionated about this issue, but it seems that as I get older and mature, my opinions soften and I realize just how blindly forceful I've been with them.
Hey, humility is a good thing, and unfortunately I need to get some at moments.
I've always thought that I'd like to put my kids in public school. I liked the idea of French Immersion, but I'm not positive about starting them in it in Kindergarten.Recently, I visited a friend's class in a local Christian school and talked to the students about my time living in Japan. It was certainly an eye opener to see what a Christian school "felt" like.
I've also recently gotten to know some people who've chosen to homeschool their kids, and have gotten to know the kids a little too. I used to think that I'd never consider homeschooling, but my mind has been changed a little. So that leaves me with plenty to think about. And that's only my side of the decision! Ryan has a whole other set of ideas and opinions!
I've also had many an interesting conversation with all sorts of people about this. There are so many interesting and valid views out there, and I love hearing them.
In light of our schooling "options", then, I'd love to hear what you readers think about any of the above, or any other forms of schooling you know of (Montessouri...?). What are your opinions? Pros and Cons? Likes and dislikes?
Come on, give me some more stuff to chew on!!
6 comments:
I have always liked the idea of public school myself. It doesn't spell privileged like private school can. Home school is a huge commitment from a parent. Christian school can be where all the crazy kids are sent to reform.
Vancouver East Side public school was filled with immigrant and working class family's kids who were hard working and determined to get somewhere. Most of my classmates are now doctors, teachers, and lawyers. All the opportunities were there for any career option and there were a zillion scholarships when you graduated.
Well, having taught in both the public and private sector, I can say that there are definite pros and cons to both. The private sector, especially if you choose a Christian school, can allow your child the opportunity to strengthen her faith through things such as chapel, Bible classes, etc. However, it can also be very "coddling." I grew up in the public system, and I believe that I was much better for it. There is not a HUGE difference in the actual education. I know that we like to say that the private schools are better, but really you can find dud teachers in both sectors, just as you can find phenomenal teachers in both sectors. It really makes no difference. I think that being in the public school challenged me in my faith much more. I had to decide why I believed something...I did not have it spoon fed to me daily. While I love doing devotions with my students each morning and I love the fact that they have the opportunities that they have I still think that our kids will end up going to public schools. Both Kevin and I feel that way...as teachers. It really is a good way to go. If you want to pay extra money for your child, put it towards something she loves. Maybe Reesa will be totally into playing the violin. Your money will be much better spent by spending it on lessons for her rather than paying for the same education she will get at a public school! Maybe she will want to be a little ballerina...let her go at it without worrying how you will pay for that and school at the same time! :) It's win win.
Also, homeschooling is interesting. If it is done right, I think that it can be a fantastic option. If you get your kids involved in clubs and such where they can meet other kids their age then teaching them at home can be all right. I don't, however, believe it is a good option past about grade 8 at the latest. I think that after that you are just denying the child opportunities to take classes such as photography, yearbook, etc. Sure, you can teach your child Spanish through correspondence but is that really the same as her being in my classroom and conversing in the language with her classmates and having her hear it everyday when I speak it in class? And let's be serious, can you teach Calculous? I know that I sure as heck couldn't! That's why I think by the high school level we have to let the kids get at least the public school education.
Just my thoughts...you can tell I have a lot but I think it stems from being involved in the education system daily! :) Hope that gets you thinking!
My niece and nephew are in French immersion, and started in kindergarten. It's good in a way because I hear the best time to learn a new language is when you're young. However, my niece (now in grade 3) can't read much English yet. Her French is great though!
A friend of mine was in immersion until grade 11, at which point she had to learn math all over again, because she didn't know anything in English. The commas are now periods, etc. That being said, she is one of the smartest people I've met and is taking an MCAT (?) to get into med school this weekend.
How often do you gererally need to know French? So you can press "2" on the automated system for "Francais" just for fun? Or a trip to France? I think it's more beneficial here on the West Coast to learn an Asian language instead.
Not really much to say as to the whole school debate, rather a comment on how amazing it is to see how becoming a parent REALLY does change all of those strong opinins we all had BEFORE becoming a bonafide parent. Cheers to you for admitting to it an re-evaluating the opinions you had from "the before" life!
Why we made the decision for public schools......
a) It was a place where you could have your faith and there was a bit of testing but, as Stacy said, you learn to live in the world where not all think the same and your faith is tested. I remember that you girls used to tell me that you talked to your friends about Jesus and it was a natural thing.
b) It was cheaper....especially for a family with four children.
c) The teachers were good at the local elementary school. I knew many of them and had great respect for them.
d) When you go to school in your neighbourhood, your friends are probably your neighbours, too.
e) If you wait til Late Emersion to start French, you get a good grounding in English. If there is any learning difficulty, it would be picked up before you started in a new language.
Other thoughts:
Vancouver Christian School is an excellent school and I think that could be a good choice.......but I still am happy that we chose the local public school system.
Your school was in East Vancouver where there are more "needy students". Well, as one Kindergarten teacher at Secord and I said in agreement, "good kids can come out of difficult schools and difficult kids can come out of "good" schools". It depends more on the family and the family values.
In conclusion, I know you will make up your own minds and that your decision will be right for you both and Reesa. I know your child(ren) will be in a loving family and will thrive whereever with your support.
Just a little side note on French Immersion...Kevin did it from grade 6-9 or 10 and hated it. I don't think he hated it because of the French, he hated it because it took him away from his friends. Ann has a good point about your friends at school also being your neighbourhood friends. Kev mentioned that because he was in French Immersion he was never around his friends in the afternoons and evenings because they were all from all over. Just another thing to think about, I guess. I'm sure that whatever you choose in the future, Plava will be just fine because she has such an incredible home life. We, as teachers, can almost always tell if a child comes from a safe, happy home life. Those are usually the kids that aren't afraid to make mistakes and take chances. As teachers we have learned A LOT about what we do and don't want the home environment to be like for our kids. It has a HUGE effect on the kids in all areas. I think you guys have that side of it figured out! Interesting topic, though, Laura. It really made me think too and I don't even have kids!
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