Duggars try to get others to home school

[Ivycoveredtower]

youtube.com/watch?v=q4UNgcK4urw#t=11

 

So Michelle is pretending she actually teaches her own children. And is that Jim Boob acting like he helps. Oh just realized it looks like each older child has their own lap top now. They must have dozens of computers in that house.

[Sundaymorning]

Seriously, I hope she doesn't influence parents to try her method of homeschool.

I mean, I'm not against homeschooling per se. I think in some cases, it can be a good solution. But for that you need at least one really educated parent, good school books (not that ATI crap which basically teaches Gothards kool-aid) and a much, much lower child-parent ratio.

[CorruptionInc.]

Seriously, I hope she doesn't influence parents to try her method of homeschool.

I mean, I'm not against homeschooling per se. I think in some cases, it can be a good solution. But for that you need at least one really educated parent, good school books (not that ATI crap which basically teaches Gothards kool-aid) and a much, much lower child-parent ratio.

Agreed - home school is a great thing when done correctly. I don't think the Duggars are really teaching their children anything. Well we know they aren't, as Jessa does the teaching and the other lady from the Query family used to help too? (I think?) :think:

[Natalie22]

It really bothers me that she says she needs the flexibility of that homeschool program because she has such a hard time keeping her kids on task. Jessa also mentioned this in a previous episode, so it's probably a common occurrence. Sure kids can get off task sometimes, but most teachers at a public school are magically able to get kids to stay on task without too much trouble and they have more students than Michelle has ever had. It's such a basic thing to be able to do.

[calimojo]

well, to be fair, in a public school, teachers are teaching a group of children at the same developmental level, for the most part. So they can design their lesson plans to accommodate the ability of a group of year olds, 9 year olds, 12 year olds, etc. There is also a pretty set structure at a public school. The environment is meant to stimulate their minds, yet not provide distractions, unlike being at home.

Home schooling is possible, of course, but I think the most successful homeschoolers probably put in place some pretty specific structure with the time. I don't get the impression that there is that same kind of structure in the Duggar household

[grandmadugger]

I could see the difficulty keeping them all on task when you have a wide range of ages, studies, etc. Kids go off task when they are bored. The logical thing for the Duggars to do would be to group the kids by ability and while on group is off playing (it could even be educational play, like an iPad app to reinforce the skill) you work with that group and then swap groups. Homeschooling shouldn't take as many hours as traditional school since you can focus all the attention on just a few kids at a time so lack of time on task is really a reflection on Michelle's inability to a) parent her children, b) realize what kind of learning they need, and c) being able to provide the learning they need.

[Rescinded and Mended]

So the Duggars want other people to homeschool the same way that they do?

This could work out really well for Heidi Query if she ever needs a full-time job. She's the one who's been doing much of the schooling here lately, after all.

[doggie]

The duggers what everyone to do exactly like they do. their whole show is there ti be an encouragement to others to follow them. They can't sees their arrogance and ignorance at all.

[felicity]

So - the homeschooling curriculum they use is from Alpha Omega Publications - the Duggars used to use Switched on Schoolhouse (CD-ROM based for grades 3-12) - and now from the video I see they are using Monarch (which is the online delivery format of Switched on Schoolhouse).

I homeschool my children and briefly thought about using Switched on Schoolhouse (SOS) in the past - but when I looked into the individual subjects, it just wasn't what I needed. It is pretty dry and kind of boring and from all the reviews I have read, the delivery/answer format is very buggy.

That being said, a lot of people use it- and it is legitimate. Just for me, it's not my cup of tea! So, I think that really it's fine to use as a curriculum...it's pretty comprehensive, actually. Just booooring. LOL

[OneFifthQuiverFull]

youtube.com/watch?v=q4UNgcK4urw#t=11

So Michelle is pretending she actually teaches her own children. And is that Jim Boob acting like he helps. :pink-shock: Oh just realized it looks like each older child has their own lap top now. They must have dozens of computers in that house.

They aren't just laptops - they are Macbook Airs. Those are $900-$1200 each. I have an 11" and my daughter has a 13".

[Natalie22]

well, to be fair, in a public school, teachers are teaching a group of children at the same developmental level, for the most part. So they can design their lesson plans to accommodate the ability of a group of year olds, 9 year olds, 12 year olds, etc. There is also a pretty set structure at a public school. The environment is meant to stimulate their minds, yet not provide distractions, unlike being at home.

Home schooling is possible, of course, but I think the most successful homeschoolers probably put in place some pretty specific structure with the time. I don't get the impression that there is that same kind of structure in the Duggar household

Sorry, I think I was a little unclear :) I am sure there are plenty of homeschooling parents that are able to keep kids relatively on task, but it just drives me crazy that the Duggars love to say how much better their homeschooling is when she can't even do the basics.

[toejamflipflop]

My daughters former fiance and his brother were home schooled by his mother who is a teacher and also by their father who is a music teacher in the public school system. The mother is very Gothardite in her beliefs while the father is fundie light. Those two young men as adults now are having quite a time adapting to the outside world since they were sheltered since the age of 5 with home schooling. It took a while for the former fiance to adjust to a normal life in a Strict Christian College but he has been successful in making a few friends and graduating top honors and has found gainful employment in the legal profession. His brother has had less luck with adjustment to the real world and even though he is a college graduate whose musically inclined and very talented in that area, he just can't interact with the public even on an acquaintance scale. He is 30 something yrs old now and he stays at home playing online Dungeon and Dragon Games and lives in a fantasy world. Their mother is long gone back to her family in Philadelphia nursing her during the menopause years because she flipped out. Their father continues to teach at a local high school and ignores the 30 plud son who is still at home. Last I knew the mother divorced the father. The mother comes from a very well to do family and was taught that others were beneath her. Her family is now her caretaker since she flipped out . I once asked the oldest son if his mother was a good cook and he said she grew up being waited on and was raised out of the public eye which could explain her eccentric mood. He said she refused to send him and his brother to regular school because there were rules to follow and only she could teach the boys and that she shielded them from other kids their ages. He said she tried cooking Thanksgiving dinner once and cooked a dishtowel inside the turkey and ended up causing a fire in the oven. Now I am sure some homeschoolers do well but some kids are maturely stifled by keeping them away from other kids their own age. In most cases Homeschooling is a hindrance more than helpful because kids mental growth is stunted. I was watching the Erin Bates wedding yesterday and good lord is all I can say. She is very immature despite having a Christian College Ed. That whining baby voice and the pink bedroom- Good God. In any case home schooling was a hindrance to the normal development of these 2 young men who were held back from interacting with peers of their own ages. just sayin.

[Bazinga]

If I had to guess, all of those laptops were given to the Duggars free of charge courtesy of AOP for shilling their program. If you look carefully, every Duggar child has a special looking "backpack" that appears to house their laptops used for schooling. On the backpack is the AOP symbol. Just more freebies. :roll:

[Toothfairy]

They aren't just laptops - they are Macbook Airs. Those are $900-$1200 each. I have an 11" and my daughter has a 13".

Plus tax and insurance maybe around 1500-2000 if it's used then it's almost the same price. I tired to get a used pro.

[Toothfairy]

I kinda hate how some homeschoolers say homeschooling is better than public school. Homeschooling isn't for everyone and your kid can fall behind in homeschooling too. Homeschooling is okay if done the right way. Not christian homeschooling where the bible is the only thing your kid knows. Or not cult schooling to train up future homemakers and baby breeders.

Every Homeschooler should be state tested every year just like public school students. Some parents can't be trusted.

[Toothfairy]

If I had to guess, all of those laptops were given to the Duggars free of charge courtesy of AOP for shilling their program. If you look carefully, every Duggar child has a special looking "backpack" that appears to house their laptops used for schooling. On the backpack is the AOP symbol. Just more freebies. :roll:

Yep I've see those backpacks. But they couldn't give them a Dell or hp, even a chrome book.

[grandmadugger]

Plus tax and insurance maybe around 1500-2000 if it's used then it's almost the same price. I tired to get a used pro.

I got my refurbished Mac Pro for $500. I love it. This is another area I can't bag on the Duggars. Per Capita I have more computers than they do. We currently have 4 computers per person. That's not including iPads, iPhones, and Kindles.

[antwan]

I kinda hate how some homeschoolers say homeschooling is better than public school. Homeschooling isn't for everyone and your kid can fall behind in homeschooling too. Homeschooling is okay if done the right way. Not christian homeschooling where the bible is the only thing your kid knows. Or not cult schooling to train up future homemakers and baby breeders.

Every Homeschooler should be state tested every year just like public school students. Some parents can't be trusted.

Um,...wow. :think:

Well to be honest, I kind of dislike how you judge "Christian" homeschooling as being not okay, and as being "the only thing your kids knows." That's a fairly intolerant, narrow (inaccurate, frankly) view.

I am a Christian home educator. I've been teaching my children for 10 years now (we're in our 11th year). To hopefully broaden your perspective, Christian homeschooling is not at ALL an environment where the bible is "the only thing your kid knows." Where in the world did you come to that conclusion? :roll: If that were true, then, for example, our oldest wouldn't be currently maintaining a 3.9 GPA in a traditional school (9th grade, -her first time in a traditional school setting, where she is both academically and socially holding her own. We clearly did a decent job, and for the record, we are of average intelligence, -basic college educations, but no teaching degrees.)

Indeed, we use the bible in our schooling; it takes up perhaps 15-20 minutes of our day (not that we are opposed to spending more time in it, just that it doesn't take any longer to accomplish what we set out to do.) We also spend time discussing other belief systems. Our other school hours are spent in math, science, English, writing, spelling, history, Latin, memory work, keyboarding, PE, art, and...field trips! (homeschoolers definitely have the best field trips :dance:...tongue-in-cheek ). There are 150 Christian families in our homeschool group, and another 30 in our weekly class day together. Not one of these families, to my knowledge of them, homeschools irresponsibly.

Honestly, the person who posted the above remark is entitled to think and say, "Homeschooling is okay if done the right way." Likewise, however, there is a similar opinion that public schooling is okay if done the right way. It all comes down to being informed, carefully considering one's options, then selecting the best one for each child. THAT is right. It definitely is not a "one size fits all", nor even a "one size fits each child in the family."

[FloraDoraDolly]

I've been hearing about a lot of families choosing to homeschool because they hate Common Core and the high stakes testing overload. In some schools, the kids spend so much time being tested that there isn't any time to learn anything. But these are mainstream families homeschooling for educational reasons, not fundies who don't want their kids learning about evolution or sitting beside classmates who get to watch Disney movies, listen to rock music, and go trick or treating on Halloween. I'm sure there are evangelical Christians who educate their children pretty well, but there is nothing about the Duggar method of homeschooling that impresses me. For starters, they hardly have any books in their house! Based on what I've seen on TV, the little kids spend their school time running around like hyperactive baboons, unable to focus on the simplest tasks while the older kids are plugged into computers. Hopefully, they all do better when Heidi Query is in the house!

However, Anna appears to be doing a good job homeschooling Mackynzie. The Bates cousins at the Road Less Traveled blog also get the thumbs-up from me, but they aren't fundies. Their kids are heavily involved in musical theatre.

[Toothfairy]

Um,...wow. :think:

Well to be honest, I kind of dislike how you judge "Christian" homeschooling as being not okay, and as being "the only thing your kids knows." That's a fairly intolerant, narrow (inaccurate, frankly) view.

I am a Christian home educator. I've been teaching my children for 10 years now (we're in our 11th year). To hopefully broaden your perspective, Christian homeschooling is not at ALL an environment where the bible is "the only thing your kid knows." Where in the world did you come to that conclusion? :roll: If that were true, then, for example, our oldest wouldn't be currently maintaining a 3.9 GPA in a traditional school (9th grade, -her first time in a traditional school setting, where she is both academically and socially holding her own. We clearly did a decent job, and for the record, we are of average intelligence, -basic college educations, but no teaching degrees.)

Indeed, we use the bible in our schooling; it takes up perhaps 15-20 minutes of our day (not that we are opposed to spending more time in it, just that it doesn't take any longer to accomplish what we set out to do.) We also spend time discussing other belief systems. Our other school hours are spent in math, science, English, writing, spelling, history, Latin, memory work, keyboarding, PE, art, and...field trips! (homeschoolers definitely have the best field trips :dance:...tongue-in-cheek ). There are 150 Christian families in our homeschool group, and another 30 in our weekly class day together. Not one of these families, to my knowledge of them, homeschools irresponsibly.

Honestly, the person who posted the above remark is entitled to think and say, "Homeschooling is okay if done the right way." Likewise, however, there is a similar opinion that public schooling is okay if done the right way. It all comes down to being informed, carefully considering one's options, then selecting the best one for each child. THAT is right. It definitely is not a "one size fits all", nor even a "one size fits each child in the family."

Right way meaning your child learns something. Christian homeschooling meaning you don't only use the bible and don't teach other subjects.

[Toothfairy]

I got my refurbished Mac Pro for $500. I love it. This is another area I can't bag on the Duggars. Per Capita I have more computers than they do. We currently have 4 computers per person. That's not including iPads, iPhones, and Kindles.

where did you get that for $500?? Please share

[grandmadugger]

where did you get that for $500?? Please share

I got it from buy.com which is now rakuten.com

[Toothfairy]

I got it from buy.com which is now rakuten.com

thanks for the info. I was trying to find a cheaper apple laptop for months

[Ladycreo]

Agreed - home school is a great thing when done correctly. I don't think the Duggars are really teaching their children anything. Well we know they aren't, as Jessa does the teaching and the other lady from the Query family used to help too? (I think?) :think:

Lately the only thing I've seen the little ones master is poster and sign making. Oh, yeah and they graduated from paint brushes to "handprint" painting. Never do we see the littles or middles (as the so equivalently refer to them) do any type of academics, regular or AIT!!

[Ladycreo]

I could see the difficulty keeping them all on task when you have a wide range of ages, studies, etc. Kids go off task when they are bored. The logical thing for the Duggars to do would be to group the kids by ability and while on group is off playing (it could even be educational play, like an iPad app to reinforce the skill) you work with that group and then swap groups. Homeschooling shouldn't take as many hours as traditional school since you can focus all the attention on just a few kids at a time so lack of time on task is really a reflection on Michelle's inability to a) parent her children, b) realize what kind of learning they need, and c) being able to provide the learning they need.

You would think she has that mastered by now with the older kids. She's to busy in her back trying for that miracle blessing #20, instead of being happy with what God has given her. I don't understand woman. Have the older kids taken so much responsibility with raising the younger kids, she lost focus on her primary duties as THEIR Mom?