What are your thoughts on Waiting On Superman Documentary? « SCM Discussion Forum: Charlotte Mason Method Homeschooling

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What are your thoughts on Waiting On Superman Documentary?

(5 posts) (5 voices)

Started 10 months ago by 2flowerboys
Latest reply from Questa7

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2flowerboys
Member

I have been wanting to see this for a while. I watched it today. This is such a sad documentary. I can see where there are people who are struggling with our education, yet have no choice.

Here I am blessed with homeschooling. And feeling guilty for taking days off, not pushing them to excel, and emphasizing other things than academics! I want a well-rounded child who seeks God first. Am I doing my kids wrong because I am not pushing academics?

To me there are so many people who do go to college and don't need to be there! Or go to college and owe tons of money only to not get a job. I am for college..don't get me wrong..and intend for my kids to go there! My dh teaches at a college and sees kids who come on the Hope Scholarship not working hard enough, yet want to pass to keep the Hope. (free money that our state gives from the lottery) Other kids going because it is the next thing to do in life.

I know that the kids in the documentary are not fortunate enough to have a good education. And that leads to dropping out, crime, etc..

I just want to know what you all think? And now I am freaking out thinking my kids need to read 100 books by December and know that math that they are struggling with...NOW!!

Posted 10 months ago # Report Post
suzukimom
Member

Yeah, it made me feel bad that I'm not doing long hours and schooling on Saturday... lol.

I have to admit that it made me wonder if the problems of education in Canada are for similar reasons or not. And we don't have "charter schools" here (that I know of...) Public or Private (or homeschool) - although you can apply to go to any school in the city.... you need to fill out special forms to go to one in a different division. The school doesn't have to take you, unless you live in their "cachement area" - then they HAVE to take you. But I think the administrators, etc decide who can go if they have more people from out of the cachement area that wants to go there....

Posted 10 months ago # Report Post
Rebekahy
Member

It's been a while since I've seen it, but the impression that's left in my mind, is that they started to exam the problems, but really didn't offer any solutions. Charter schools (imho) are not the solutions. Sometimes they are better than public schools, but they are certainly not a cure-all.

I wouldn't stress about doing more or going for longer hours - your kids have a major advantage in that you can make SURE that they do learn it and aren't just passed along to higher levels without the foundational knowledge. Pray, follow your instincts and work hard, be honest as you evaluate the time you ARE spending in school and make sure it's productive and engaged. Do your kids have your full attention during school hours or are you like me and try to fold clothes while they are reading to you or working on their math? When I give them my full attention, my kids learn SO much more in a shorter amount of time. Must put that on my TO DO list for fall. :-)

Rebekah

Posted 10 months ago # Report Post
Doug Smith
SCM Team

The solution is to teach our children to be lifelong self-learners. With those basic tools they can do anything they want. And that's why we like a CM-style education so much.

Posted 10 months ago # Report Post
Questa7
Member

I LOVED that documentary, and cried over it. I have actually watched it twice...once by myself, and once with DH. If anything, it reinforced our decision to homeschool, while I grieved at the same time for the children who have absolutely no access to decent educational opportunities.

That said, I believe we have to make the very best use of our homeschooling time possible. For some, that will mean pushing their academically geared child to their limit, so they can realize their full potential. For some, it will mean working with a developmentally challenged child to make sure they can lead a peaceful, functional life. For some it will mean other things. I think that what the children in the documentary lack is an opportunity to realize their full potential, whatever it is; and that opportunity is what we have a chance to give our children. It is our (grave) responsibility to determine how that opportunity can best be used.

Posted 10 months ago # Report Post

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