Steve...do I remember correctly?

[molly in cr]

Several years ago I heard a seminar on homeschooling that you gave. (I believe it was in person at a Jacksonville Convention, but it may have been a tape) Anyway...

You said that one on one teaching is so effective that you can do a bad job at it and still be more effective the the PS system. Then you asked who thought they could at least do a bad job?

That is probably the most encouraging homeschool tidbit I have heard to date. Whenever I doubt myself I remember, 'Hey, I can do a bad job at this!'

Did you say this, or am I imagining things? :D

[Christie]

I have another question ... when will you be producing that podcast you mentioned a few months ago?

[Steve Lambert]

Molly- Nope. You're not imagining it. I said it. And I don't think I said (or at least didn't MEAN) public school per se- but rather a classroom situation where one teacher is trying to reach 20-30 diverse students. It could be public school, private school, etc.

But the instant feedback loop of tutorial teaching is inherently efficient. I could teach a whole class of people all of the possible things that might be causing their TV to have a poor image. It could take days to cover.

But if I just had ONE PERSON I could say, "Did you make sure it was plugged in?" Yes. "Did you make sure it was turned on?" Oh... no! That's what's wrong! BINGO!! We're finished in 15 seconds because I had a closed feedback loop. I could tell from the student INSTANTLY whether they understood the problem and I only needed to teach them ENOUGH to get them to the point of understanding.

A classroom, by definition, moves forward at the speed of the lowest common denominator so EVERYONE moves at the pace of the WORST math student, the WORST spelling student, the WORST history student, etc.

So yep- even if you're BAD at this, your kids will probably do just fine! :clap:


NOW... Christie,

(SIGH) I KNEW somebody was going to ask about that soon! :blush:

I've bought all the studio equipment, mics, mixers, digital recorders, website, toll-free phone number- even bought the theme song for the broadcast! ;)

And then our life suddenly went onto *FAST FORWARD* ARGH!

It's up near the top of our to-do list, but time has been so hard to come by lately.

Don't give up on us. We ARE going to do it! I promise!! :D

Blessings,

Steve

[Heather P]

That is probably the most encouraging homeschool tidbit I have heard to date. Whenever I doubt myself I remember, 'Hey, I can do a bad job at this!'

:D

Oh me too! When I first listened to the messages in August this is by far one of the things that stood out to me and something I keep telling myself a lot when I start to doubt that I can actually do this! Thanks SO much Steve! ;)

[molly in cr]

Thank you for clarifying and sorry for the misquote. I'm glad that I did remember correctly that it was you (was just telling a friend about it the other day and thought I should double check my source). Thank you for being such an encouragement!

[rachelmn]

Don't give up on us. We ARE going to do it! I promise!! :D

Blessings,

Steve

I have you quoted! :D I too am waiting eagerly, but I understand time flying, it's the same way here!
Just a little cheer for you to tackle it! (Like Mile Mulligan, maybe if we all watch it will help you move faster!:lol:)

[Christie]

(SIGH) I KNEW somebody was going to ask about that soon! :blush:



Don't give up on us. We ARE going to do it! I promise!! :D



I hope I didn't sound pushy! Just looking forward to it. Can't wait! It will be an encouragement to us FIAR moms and a great thing to pass on to other hs moms.

[Heather W]

A classroom, by definition, moves forward at the speed of the lowest common denominator so EVERYONE moves at the pace of the WORST math student, the WORST spelling student, the WORST history student, etc.



Steve
Well not necessarily Steve...I used to tell my students "The train is moving out, you're either on it or under it!":lol:

Seriously though, no matter what somebody's getting left behind. And of course, some kids beat the train to the next stop and that's just as hard when you teach (in my case) 37 students at a time.

[Steve Lambert]

I hope I didn't sound pushy! Just looking forward to it. Can't wait! It will be an encouragement to us FIAR moms and a great thing to pass on to other hs moms.

No no!! Not at all!!! ;)

I've just been feeling guilty that it hasn't come together yet.

Thanks for the nudge!! :)

Blessings,

Steve

[Tearsa in Michigan]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I needed to hear this. We are the only HS family in a church of nearly 400. My family and I are very active and I often feel I have to compete, so and so is reading chapter books already, and so and so can do long division etc. I believe it is better to let my girls develop skills at their own pace and not push them before they are ready, but when you are around so many others so close to their ages, ugh. Then not having anyone else there who understands, ugh again.

I keep telling myself I am doing the best things for my girls, but you know how guilt can be. Now I can remind myself, that even if I'm not perfect, I am still doing better for them than they would get in a classroom.

So, thank you again.

[Ann*TN]

I DEFINITELY agree with that. I continually felt that I was doing a bad job with my now 10th grade daughter. This year we decided to put her school ( not for that reason) and she is doing GREAT!!! :clap: Just yesterday her Biology teacher told me that I had obviously done a great job.:clap: And I promise you that I am NOT some super homeschool mom that does tons and still questions herself!!

So yes I think that even though we often don't do what we'd like, it is still working.

[SarahT]

That is pretty good advice!
I know that I am afraid sometimes that I am not doing enough.
The great part comes when your kids are actually able to retain the information you give them!!