Thoughts on Roadschooling

We cyberschool DD. We do much to most of the teaching, but she still enjoys attending the virtual (video/live) classes and interracting with teachers and students.

We hate common core Math. Dumbest thing to be forced on kids. So she attended exactly ONE math lesson from the school- we taught it all. She aced the class, tests, and scored top percentiles on state tests herein PA.

We travel with and without our camper throughout the year, having some sort of extra activity (often with other cyber and home school families) avg two-three times a week.

School is about 1/2 of her day and what we teach her. We consider it "homeschool-lite." They provide books, curriculum, grading, etc.

There are TONS of materials available to homeschoolers now. We attend an annual homeschool conference in Pittsburgh, PA

In PA,your home school district will provide curriculum if you ask.

We have been to Nat'l Air & Space Museum, fish hatcheries, tubing in winter, scuba diving, hot air ballooning, Sight & Sound plays in Lancaster, winter camping in WV, laser tag, numerous cookouts (school and other friends/families), tons of fishing, canoeing, woodworking, mechanical repairs, home remodeling, baking, cooking, animal husbandry, and TONS of other stuff!

The school work is often simply an interruption/nuisance we get out of the way before we teach and experience things as a family.

So my is opinion is not just 'yes, it's possible,' but 'It is a life changing opportunity of a lifetime!'

We are teetering on the edge of a multimonth tour-the-country trip while schooling as well. Almost went this past Spring, so I understand your urge and excitement.

If you like,you can purchase curriculum and then follow it- or parts of it. Reporting requirements vary by state, so be sure to look it up in your state...do NOT count on your local school district for info. Most are *woefully* under-educated about the requirements and opportunities.

Reading the encouragement here has made my day. People are so quick to jump in and discourage against taking kids on the road and home schooling them that it is refreshing to see otherwise. My children are long since grown and gone but I can see how it may have benefitted them to have been home schooled on the road. My oldest was (is)ADD and he learns hands-on. Home schooling fosters a closeness of parent/child and they both learn from this.
You people on this forum are awesome and thanks for sharing your wisdom!

I taught school for 34 years. There was a time when I could never recommend home schooling. Now I think with dedicated parents, it is possible and some students, particularly your younger daughter may thrive under the experience. My niece has two children similar to how you describe yours. Her younger daughter had fallen through the cracks in second grade and fell deeper by fourth grade. Her teachers became unresponsive to my niece. I encouraged her to homeschool her. My niece is brilliant herself and yet she thought she was no match for her daughter. It turned out differently when they could use the whole day to learn. Her grandmother takes her to help do baking, teaching her about following instructions (recipe) and using fractions, etc. She is doing very well now and is greatly encourage. Her successes outweigh her failures.

Traveling the U.S. would give ample opportunities to learn about each state, the geography, animals, terrain, etc., as well as civics lessons. You really can accomplish a day's learning much more quickly than a day in school. You can teach each according to her ability and don't take time out for announcements, passing periods, recess, etc. Most homeschoolers I know finish lessons up by noon and accomplish the same as traditional methods.

Truthfully, unless you are a special needs teacher, most of us know little about teaching students with learning disabilities. I felt totally inadequate in that department.

There is quite a network for homeschoolers actually and I think RVers homeschooling on the road have a presence on the net.

I say "go for it" and have a great time!

Dale

I think its a great idea. You only have one chance to raise your children and you need to make the most of it. Thinking back, I wish I had had the opportunity to take our kids on the road and educate them hands on. Just think teaching them lesson about Ole Faithful and standing near instead of them watching a video. Or teaching them a science lesson at the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center, you can't much more hands on than that. Go for it, I don't think any of you will regret it. Best of luck with your future endeavors.