HELP! Homeschooling High School Isn’t Working!!

December 6, 2007

Included in one mom’s desperate lament was the following: “I don’t think homeschooling is working!”

With high school, remember that if it works you use it. If it doesn’t work, then stop using it – try something else.

Another major theme: You don’t have to teach. They just need to learn. You don’t necessarily have to teach ANYTHING in high school. What good does teaching do? You only have to make sure they learn it.

I didn’t know the answers to math or science either (and you would think I would, because I’m a nurse, but it’s not true!) I completely lost it with math about a month into Algebra 2. Everyone loses it in high school math – everyone. But it’s not our job to learn the stuff, you know. We just have to make sure the student learns the stuff.

My kids did chemistry and physics completely alone. They did Algebra 2, pre-calculus and calculus completely alone. I only gave them the tests, and had to look up the answers. By the time we got to calculus, I didn’t even know what the symbols meant anymore. I only knew that the answer had to look like the answer in the book.

Look at what you wrote about writing …”they are better writers than me – and I’m a professional.” Can I just point out that homeschooling appears to be working? They ARE succeeding. Once you get into high school, writing is mostly about practice. Edit the papers for spelling and grammar, yes, but it’s mostly just having them practice, practice, practice. It’s working! Your homeschooling writing class is succeeding beyond measure! They are good writers!

I couldn’t keep up with the books either. I have confessed before that I didn’t do “literature analysis” with my kids. I just asked them if they liked the book (to which they usually said “yes” and not much more.) They have grown up and done fabulously with the honors literature courses in college, so I know they weren’t damaged by my weaknesses. I couldn’t keep up with my kids reading either, but you know what? They were reading thousands of books for fun, and I didn’t stress out about reading those books ahead of them. So why did I stress out about reading their school books ahead of them? I don’t know!

Consider public school for a moment. Would the teacher pre-read every book? No, just the one or two they used in a year. Would the teacher be able to help with writing more than you? No, likely it would be just grammar and spelling. And anyway, YOU are a professional writer, not a teacher at a school. What about science? I didn’t help my kids at science at all, but Kevin and Alex both got straight-As in college science after homeschooling, so I know that it works.

My concern with the comments that “Homeschooling isn’t working” is that people forget the alternative. Homeschooling may be hard (OK, it absolutely IS hard) but it is much more effective than a public or private school. It is the 1 to 1 tutoring, the mastery before moving on, the absolute love for the student that make homeschoolers succeed. None of those things are available at a public or private school.

There are lots of resources for homeschoolers. Online courses, tutors, co-ops, video programs, and curricula for every learning style. You may need help, but that doesn’t mean that homeschooling isn’t working OR that putting your child into school is THE one and only answer to problems.

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18 Comments »

Camela Sutton says:

This is a great article — as a homeschooler of 3, I can say that each child is different, and your approach to high school may have to be different as well. Two of mine have graduated high school, and my 3rd is a freshman with health problems. Our approach with her has had to be radically different, which was really hard for me to accept at first. I’m a very structured person, with timetables, charts, lists, etc., and that is out the window right now. I have to rest in the knowledge that this child will work hard when she can, and rest when she has to, but that the work will be finished. And, she IS finishing – just not on MY timetable. So, I would have to say that homeschooling is working…just like it is supposed to work!

November 15th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Lee says:

Thanks Cam! I love what you said, “She IS finishing – just not on MY timetable.” Good stuff!
Blessings,
Lee

November 15th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Christine Nix says:

Thanks so much! Just what I needed today! I am struggling with lit and history. I am not a strong reader, but my son is and he reads! I can’t keep up with the literature analysis…nice to know I have been given “permission” not too… Thanks again for all your timely advice.

January 14th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
carol says:

Camela,
thank you for your insight! My first child was like Lee’s sons…not on my timetable, but way ahead of my timetable! But my youngest is definitely not on my timetable in the other direction…and I think that is where the acceptance and getting used to the idea of giving lots more time, maybe years more time, comes in. It is an advantage to be able to give that extra time and thanks for reminding of that…that it IS an advantage.

July 30th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
carol says:

It is the 1 to 1 tutoring, the mastery before moving on, the absolute love for the student that make homeschoolers succeed. None of those things are available at a public or private school.
Lee, didn’t mean to leave you out! I love these lines because they are so true…whether the children learn in less time or more time, these 3 advantages hold true! Whether you have a gifted student or one with special needs, they still hold true. Thanks for the encouragement. Hope the wedding goes well ~ my nephew’s did 2 weeks ago.

July 30th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Kathy Koltes says:

Thanks for an encouraging article. I’ve read your similar posts before and they have made me feel better about our homeschooling high school.

July 31st, 2010 at 8:14 am
Anna says:

Thank you! I needed that encouragement!!!!

August 1st, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Laura Beardsley says:

Thank you so much!
I am always encouraged by your words and wisdom.
I really appreciate you!

October 17th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Tammy Smith says:

Thank you for your encouragement. I homeschool 3 children. Two of whom are in highschool. Thank God for co op. (that is the option we use) Thank God that I am not a failure because I can not teach Algebra and Chemistry. Thank you that I am not alone!

November 11th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Jodie says:

Thanks for the timely word today. I was making my bed and struggling with the fact that things got so crazy that I had to start having my boys read their biology text on their own instead of reading it to them. I knew they had to be learning something when we watched “Unlocking the Mysteries of Life, The scientific case for intelligent design” and they loved it, made scientific comments and would like to watch it again.
I struggled because I wasn’t the one doing all the teaching. You are right about each one learning at a different pace and it’s ok to let it happen and be there to give guidance.
Blessings,
Jodie

January 6th, 2011 at 9:33 am
Bev Vugteveen says:

Thank you, Lee, and others who have commented. We learn and are encouraged by each other as we make this home school journey. I have home schooled for 9 years and still have so much to learn… especially now that we are doing high school! Thank you for the encouragement not to give up or to follow the world’s standards. I need to remember, “Never give up on my children.”

January 6th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Joanne Hines says:

I admit I have been considering giving up. Thanks for the encouragement.

January 13th, 2011 at 9:32 am
Lisa says:

My daughter is in 9th grade. She hates algebra and I do not know much about it. I have her meet with a tutor weekly to help her. But day to day she has questions and I can not guide her or show her how to do it. She says she wants to go to school, because she would learn more and is bored at home. We are involved in a co op, but she says it is not enough. I do not want to send her to school, but sometimes I do think she would get a better education then I can give her. I know that is not the best environment and desire to finish homeschooling her through 12th grade. I was only an average student . Any suggestions would be appreciated.

January 29th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Lee says:

Lisa,
Here is what I know that can help. Look at my article “For the Love of Math” http://www.thehomescholar.com/love-of-math.php
And my blog post about having a “Morning Meeting”
http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/homeschool-accountability-try-a-morning-meeting/3355/
Blessings,
Lee

January 29th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Heather Berryman says:

Thank you for your wise perspective, Lee. You always put my mind at ease. Shalom to you!

June 21st, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Carrie says:

Dear Lee,

I am praising God for you and His perfect timing by sending this article to my in box on just the right day. I just spent the last hour checking over my sons algebraI from last week and by the time I was done I just knew that “this was not working”. Thanks for the reminder that we (home school moms) do not need to know it all. God Bless you and your family.

January 8th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Lee says:

Thank you so much! I appreciate the encouragement
Blessings,
Lee

January 9th, 2012 at 10:04 am
Fran says:

I so appreciate your “mentorship” Lee,,,,,my daughter is middle school age, so I do not feel so stressed about High School,,,,YET. But I do have your book on how to keep records and make transcripts, so I plan to “practice” and be content on just ‘guiding her learning’ without the stress of having to actually TEACH. Many blessings!

April 10th, 2012 at 9:34 am