We are nearly done with the 3rd grade and I find myself wondering if I did a good enough job. We school every day and consistently cover Math, Language, Science, Reading, Spelling and Social Studies, but I am not a teacher and question whether I am missing important concepts. Is there a really good all around test for this age group to give me an idea, and then, what do I do if she does poorly on the test?!?! Help!!!
ljh

I question everything, myself included. I also answer myself...but that's another issue.

Seriously, if you covered "at grade" material and you know what they know, you already have your answer. Did they absorb most of what you covered? If not, you may want to go over that particular bit again. Remember though, there is a lot of spiral review in most elementary programs. Homeschooling is so much easier to monitor.

In fact, I don't give my 3rd grader tests. I know what we covered, I know what she understood, I know what confused her, and I know what "the next thing to teach is". That is really all you need to know. A test may or may not tell you any more than that. In fact, many children know more than a test will tell you.

In other words, don't worry! If you were consistent, you are doing GREAT!

Oh yeah!!! I honestly don't know but maybe ONE homeschooling Mama IRL who doesn't question herself when it comes to curriculum

Personally, I think all the questioning is because we care and want only the best for our little ones. Not that my *one* friend doesn't care, but she's already graduated two children and has her choices cemented already. :)

Sometimes I questioned myself because I compared what we were doing with what my kids did when they were in public school. Anyway, I finally learned that not all kids learn the same way. Some are strong in one area while others are weak in the same area. Also, general education is important, however, life application is even more important. I was talking to a lady one day and she was "stressing" over whether or not her kids were getting enough Science. I asked her, "Can you tell me the layers of the earth's crust? Can you tell me the phases of the moon? Can you tell me the different types of clouds? Can you tell me the different types of rocks? Can you tell me the parts of a plant? " Needless to say, she couldn't. I explained that while we will teach our children these things, if they forget, it won't hurt anything. Our kids that are gifted in this area may one day grow up and "learn" all of it for their job. Otherwise, don't stress over it. And no matter how much education we give our children, we will always have "missed" something.

PP

I question myself on a daily basis! I'm constantly worried I'm not doing enough or not teaching it well enough or something. I think it's the sign of a good mom that we worry we are failing our kids, if anything it keeps us on our toes and working to improve ourselves to be the best mom we can be and in return the best teacher for our kids. For myself I have to be careful that I don't obsess and go overboard and start changing every single thing we do on a daily or weekly basis. Thankfully lack of funds keeps me from doing that, lol! But in all seriousness, I have spent many a night worried that I'm not doing enough. Every homeschool mom I've talked with has said they do the same thing. :)

To put it in perspective I have 2 sister-in-laws that are both public school teachers and you know what? They worry about the same thing with their students. ;) I think it's a mom thing and a teacher thing to worry if we are doing enough.

And even if my kids were still in public school, I'd still be worried if they were learning enough and learning it well. My mom said she always worried that with me and my brother.

I appreciate all of your posts. I read them and they are always so wonderful. I love all of your comments because they help me see that I am not alone in how I feel. I love this site. Thanks everybody!!!!
ljh

I used to! I'd ask God if this is really what he wants to do. He anlways answered. The answers were slow at first but as time went on the answers came faster a d faster. One day when I asked God is this is what I should be doing, He told me to fear Him and not other people. I have a great comfort in fearing God. My kids are not easy and I'm not book smart but I do trust God.

Just adding - I still get what I'll call persecution - people saying and doing negative things because we homeschool - from family because we homeschool. I now find comfort in the persecution. I came to the conclusion that most of the people in the Bible who were doing Gods work were persecuted at one time or another so what should be different today.

At times I still question things but not enough to take it to God. I do ask God for help but not about homeschooling.

This post was edited on May 06, 2012 11:52 PM

You will get to a point where you don't question yourself anymore. You just feel in your spirit that you are doing the right thing. It is when you see your children launch into their own studies.

The early years when you are teaching the basics (and possibly having struggles) is when you are always reformulating ways to help that light bulb go off. But, once it does so consistently, you will stop questioning yourself.