16 October 2009

Homeschooling, hooligan-style

Homeschooling is a novelty around here. I get the impression that some of the venerable ladies of the congregation suspect, based on their observations of churchyard goings-on, that “homeschooling” consists mainly of hooligans running about outside. One retired schoolteacher, whenever she sees us outdoors during “normal school hours,” makes a special point of asking whether “we” are having class outside today, when she can see for herself that what “we” are in fact doing is chasing each other and the dog around the yard with balls and sticks. (Um—Animal exercise physiology class?)


I have two reactions to this perception of our family’s Great Homeschooling Adventure:

1) How sad, that they should be so mistaken.
2) They’re so, so right. :P

7 comments:

Sir Cuthbert said...

My parents listed any time my brothers and I spent outside as "physical education" credit hours. Even convetional, Prussian-model schools have "physical education" classes.

By the way, the lady who was the truant officer back then is now a great friend of ours, as is her husband. Now they think home schooling is wonderful. Maybe your snide teacher acquiantance will change her mind some day. If not, don't let her discourage you.

You may not think you're doing a good job, but your kids are much better off than they would be anywhere else. And I'll bet you anything that they'll get a better education from you than from the Professional Experts.

Melrose said...

hehe, something tells me she's not worried :)

Hooligan style...it's taking on more and more appeal around here.

Reb. Mary said...

Sir Cuthbert, I'd probably classify her more as "concerned" than snide :) And to be sure, for better and for worse, I am anything but a Professional Expert :D

Melrose: Hooligan-style is the only way to go when quantities of Boy and Dog are involved, which I understand is also the case in your household ;) Let's do write a book on it when we're through (if we survive). "Hooligan-style" is just about the only official homeschooling category I haven't heard named, so there's got to be a market out there somewhere. We can use our profits to fund Sanity-Saving Happy Hours. . .

johnqmercy said...

Just remind her sweetly that due to your small class size your kids get a better education in two hours than her old pupils did in a week. She'll like that.

Melrose said...

Reb. Mary- you think we'll have actually learned enough by the time we're through to be capable of writing a book?? I mean, come on, obviously our dirty faced hooligans must have equally hooligan mothers...hehehe.

And Happy Hour is just about the only way I think we WILL survive! ;) But by the grace of God go I... :)

Jane said...

Hooligan style. I like that. That is probably an excellent description for my sons' homeschool years. :)

lisa said...

Haha :) I finally realized what this picture was making me think of: "It's a hardknock life for us! It's a hardknock life for us!" :O)