Home School

[ohioMickey]

Any other DVCers out there Home School?

We have DS 4 (home preschool) :) and DD 6 (home 1st grade). It sure makes going in the off season much easier!

And don't give me any grief about socialization! When she is not doing school work, DW runs herself ragged taking the kids to weekly ice skating group, swim-gym-and art group, symphony group, and our church AWANA group.

Anyway, just wondered if any one else out there home schools or is thinking about doing it.

And PLEASE don't move this to the community board (it probably fits in better there) because I am particularly interested in DVCers who home school.

[Lesley]

We also homeschool...or actually unschool. My ds is 6 and a kindergartener on his own terms and my dd is pre-pre-K...unschooling talking and climbing and all those other things 14 month olds do. I know if my kids were schooled DVC wouldn't make nearly as much sense for us.

And I agree about socialization (actually all parents teach their kids socialization skills, or should!...you don't want kids being taught how to interact with others from kids who are just as inexperienced at it as they are!) but as far as opportunities to be with other kids we've got skating and tae kwon do, and other friends and social situations too. One friend who pulled her son out of school this year said "he didn't have any friends at school anyway!" about her little guy, who is quite the individualist.

[ptrbryant]

We're preparing to homeschool our 5 year old DS this fall and will be taking our first ever trip to WDW in November. He likes geography and I think it will be fun to learn about the countries featured at EPCOT before the trip.
Glad you started this thread!
Karla B.

[KathyR]

I home school our children too :) Our DD is going to be 6 this summer and is halfway through 1st grade, and our DS is going to be 4 this summer and right now just learns along with her (at a slower pace of course ;) .) He will officially start Kindergarten later this year :)

Boy do they grow up fast, and I am just so happy to be able to spend as much time as I do with them. For MY family home schooling is perfect.

Our children are very well "socialized" as well. I honestly don't think this is as big an issue as people would like to make it. I don't remember socializing that much in school. School was just an avenue to meet friends, and the socializing took place after school. My children meet plenty of other children through other extra-curricular activities.

I just love to watch them learn. There is nothing better than seeing the looks on their faces when they "get it." I LOVE it!!!

I also love being able to visit WDW when it works for us! Rather than when it works for the schools. Being a DVC member just sweetens the pot a bit :)

[MosMom]

I'm currently considering homeschooling my daughter who is only 3.5 at the time. One of my main issues with school is how lazy they have become in finding creative ways to teach kids. Disney has started something (can't remember name) that I saw in a magazine the other day where instead of sitting at a desk reading about ancient clay pots, you see a picture of the teacher & classroom out in an open fire making clay pots.

A friend of mine lives in southern california & her son was learning about spanish missions in school. She said they just sat at their desk reading about them in a book when there were 5 actual historic spanish missions just blocks down the street. My friend took her son on a weekend to tour the missions & he now appreciates that history far more than he did before the tour. She is also considering homeschool as well.

When I was in high school, I volunteered & went through courses that invovled dolphins. I lived in the Florida Keys throughout the summer of my senior year & was allowed to participate in a course that at the time only college students were allowed to. It was my career path to work with dolphins in a non intrusive research environment. I was back in school & had the opportunity to go to a week long conference on marine mammal biology in Texas so I planned the trip. When I went to okay this with my high school they threatened to FAIL me if I went because I would miss over the allowed 7 days per semester. They did not consider the educational value of this trip & how it directly helped my career goals. High School is supposed to prepare you for your career, yet they were too wrapped up in beaurocratic nonesense to see that. Finally, my dad went in & ranted so they allowed me to go.

I don't want this for my daughter, I want my daughter to have an education that won't limit her. My only fear is that I won't be able to give her the adequate academic teaching she needs. I know we get teaching aids (booklets not people) just like school teachers do, but I still worry. I've also heard of tutors available for subjects the parents aren't quite up to par on (math *cough* math).

We are considering joining the DVC & I think our decision on homeschooling will be the deciding factor. We wouldn't get enough use out of it if she were in traditional school.

[sha_lyn]

I was really preparing to start HS this coming up school yr but noe my DS is begging to give middle school a try. If he werre going to still be at the elementary school we would HS for sure. I will be HS my DD starting in the fall for preschool.

[tink2dw]

From the parents veiw Jr. High school is THE hardest set of scooling to get through[Dd is a freshman at the High School this year] If I thought I could have [not very well Educated myself and Dd resists learning anything from parents] Those are the years I would have HS her!! Dd was miserable!!!

Jr. high was where swear word were all the that came out of the boys mouths. The teasing is fierce,bone cutting painful. Girls are more cruel to each other.

And we have all seen what boys do they get guns!!!


I would continue to Home School right up to High School,where all students enter a on to a level playing field. IMHO FOR WHAT ITS WORTH!!

[eeyore0062]

My hat is off to all of you wonderful parents that home school!!! You are giving your child not only the gift of education, but the gift of yourself!!! I wish I had the patience to do it...my DH does--(and the brains, too), but he is finishing up his degree and wouldn't have the time necessary to devote to it. I would love for it to be an option for us, but for now, it just isn't.

Again, I wish you every success!!!

:) :bounce: :) :bounce: :) :bounce: :bounce: :) :bounce: :) :bounce: :)

[Maleficent2]

I am really considering this but I have to find out the laws about it in my state Tennessee.


My DH needs to be swayed he says he needs to socialize with children his own age but that is what I am afraid of partly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Mal

[sha_lyn]

maleficent2..check out this site for links to Tenn. organzationsHomeschooling....A Light at the End of the Tunnel (http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/homeschooling/) . therre is a lot of great information on this site.

[LisaR]

OhioMickey,
Thanks for the great post! We have just started considering homeschooloing. I never even gave it a thought that we could use our DVC more efficiently if we homeschool! Just another advantage.

I just started searching the web for some HS sites. There are a ton. Some are useful and others aren't. If anyone has any good sites to share, I would really appreciate it. You can post here or feel free to email me. Thanks so much!

lisarigg@mediaone.net

[piratesmate]

Reading this thread has made me soooo jealous! We were able to do this for DS a number of years ago, but are unable to do so for DD! (financial reasons - mom must work!)

My hat is off to those of you who are able! I encourage those who have mentioned that they are thinking about it to give it a try. It was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. DS is now 20 and I can see the ways in which he benefited by HS.

BTW - I know you didn't post to hear about socialization, but I want to mention that DS was unable to engage in many social activities before we decided to home school him. He was having difficulty with the classroom environment, spent most recess time at his desk completing work (despite our arguments against this) and then spent all night & all weekend trying to "catch up!" :mad: Believe me, this was AWFUL! When he was home, he completed his work very quickly and had many opportunities for additional learning that interested him, as well as time to spend with friends. PA has a large number of HS families & I've known more than a hundred such families. I've only ever met one family that did not provide their children with more (& better) opportunities for socialization than they had while in school! In addition, the socialization is positive - instead of questionable!!

[vwrose14]

For those of you that are told that your child needs to socialize with kids their own age. What is that about? I am a mother of 3 and I homeschool and I am 32 and I just don't socialize with 32 year olds

[Lesley]

My favorite homeschooling site is
Kaleidoscapes (http://www.kaleidoscapes.com)

Hope that helps someone!

(I fixed the link...I spelled it wrong the first time:o )

[ohiominnie]

I'm so excited to have found homeschooling Disney fans!!!!

I'm the "DW who runs herself ragged" that ohiomickey spoke of! :)

We had considered homeschooling for awhile, and one of the things that helped us decide to do it was that we could take family vacations easier. At the time our dd was in public school kdg and we had planned on taking her out every year for a week of Disney. Then we realized we would want to take her out a week to ski every year.... and pretty soon she'd be home with us more than at school!! So why not homeschool :) The straw that broke the camel's back was the death threat she received in kdg from a troubled little boy suffering "anger issues" (according to his counselor) Long story. :/

Maleficent2, check out www.hslda.org It's the Home School Legal Defense Association. They have all the information about laws and requirements for each state. Homeschooling is LEGAL in all 50 states. It will vary what notification the state needs and what assessments are required to make sure you child is progressing.

Lesley, that website looks really cool!! I'm going to have to surf that for awhile!! Thanks for sharing!

eeyore0062, I too thought I wasn't smart enough to homeschool my kids. I got good grades in school, but prompty forgot most of what I learned after I turned the test into the teacher. Believe it or not, it wasn't THAT long ago that I asked my dh "now...WHO won the revolutionary war???" :confused: Because I'm homeschooling I've re-learned a lot of what I have forgot and it's been SOOOO fun for me!!! (I even know who won the Civil War!! -- don't know all the battle sites yet, but my dd is only 6!!)

LisaR, how old are your kids? Mine are 6 and 4. Our major curriculum is Five in a Row www.fiveinarow.com We also supplement with Reading and Math programs. Five in a Row teaches most subjects out of children's picture books. We really like the flexibility of the program.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!! Hope to hear more about your families.

Anyone going to be at WDW this May (11-20) or December (can't remember dates)???????

ohiominnie :p

[Disneydenise]

My hat is off to all of you who Home School. I could never do it because I am too easy and they would be happy kids but not real bright. The nicest boys my DD know in the band were both home schooled until sophmore year of high school. They are both in National Honor Society and respectful young men. I am sure they will both be having the colleges fight for them to attend. I am having a great time just trying to get my own son to do what he has to inorder to get the grades he capable of getting.

[LisaR]

OhioMinnie and Lesley,

Thanks for some great websites. I have been reading all night!

Here is my situation. Any comments, suggestions, etc are greatly appreciated.
We have a DD (6 next week) and DS (4 in August). DD is very smart. She is in a Montessori school in K. She is not a genius by any means but she is doing 2nd and 3rd grade work according to her teachers. Public school is out of the question. We went to an open house and their 1st grader were doing things she was doing at 4.

Here are my two BIG issues with Montessori.

1. She already has 40 minutes of homework in K. In 1st grade it will take at least 1 hour to do her homework. I think that is a lot for a 6 year old. Also, any work that is not finished in class, goes home in addition to homework. If it isn't completed that night, she will get a zero. I have talked to many parents in the elementary program who say their kids have 2 hours of homework. I am all in favor of a strong academic program but I think they are going overboard.

2. The price. It isn't cheap!

All that being said, she LOVES school. I am not sure if I am doing the right thing. I just don't know with her.

My DS on the other hand, would love to be HS! He is a normal kid but really likes to do things at his pace. A real hands on kind of boy.

Anybody been through this before? Any advice at all will really be appreciated.

Lisa

[sha_lyn]

I am not against Home waork but I think it should not be given before 3rd grade,(other than review work and studying etc). I find our local school is very inconsistant about work. In 5th grade my son had 2-3 hrs of HW a night. In 6th he might have 15 min a week. I have heard that in middle school it is 3-5 hrs a night. If the school has my child for 8 hrs a day why can they not get most of the work done then? It is because they spend no time doing work in class. He is still begging to go to PS next year even though he has gone from an A student with high test scores to a C student with low scores.
I have a freind in the next county whos son is a grade below my DS. This child has a book report every 6 weeks. My son has nver had to do one in school. It seems the work in the other school is way above what my son is studying at school. I really think his school has not taught at a high enough level for him to keep up next yr.

[eeyore0062]

We will be in WDW May 17-22. We are staying at CBR, we did not request a certain section because I am a castmember and can't do that. We will be in a non smoking area though, since it is a medical necessity. We have a DD in 1st grade, too. She will be celebrating her 7th birthday. Maybe we can meet up while we are there. 9 days and counting!!!

HaPpY VaCaTioN!!!

:) :bounce: :) :bounce: :) :bounce: :bounce: :) :bounce: :) :bounce: :)

[ohiominnie]

LisaR,

WOW! That would be a LOT of homework for a little one!!!!

One of the (many) reasons I love homeschooling so much is that my kids have time to be that...KIDS!! At the elementary level "sit down" school work can be completed in 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Of course, there are MANY other opportunities throughout the day for "teachable moments." (my dh cringes at that word!) But seriously....we make homemade bread frequently.. what a great way to teach about yeast, math (measuring), following directions (reading a recipe), kitchen safety, nutrition...etc etc!! And a walk down our street doesn't have to be just a walk...we can talk about seasons, insects, safety (again), etc etc. We could even do math...counting by 4's...how many wheels have passed us so far? 4, 8, 12, 16, etc.

The way I see it....kids in "real" school ;) have 7-8 hours of on-site school time, an hour or more of homework a night, dinner, a bath, and then bedtime. Where is the time to spend with family around a board game? Or reading stories? Or just plain playing with their siblings? Now, throw in some soccer practice or piano lessons and you've got even LESS free time! (actually...my dd's bus ride round trip would be 1 1/2 hours a day....we could be DONE with school in the time it would take her to travel to school and back!!!)

One more thing...we can spend time each day in prayer, or learning household skills (cleaning, laundry, etc) or spend time on character issues. When something comes up, we can tackle it. If it came up while my dk's were at school, I may never know about it.

Oh, I could write so much I'd blow up the server when I tried to submit my message....but I'll stop blabbering now. Suffice it to say I am a strong proponent of homeschooling. I know that there are some people who can't do it (esp for financial reasons) but I'd say if you CAN do it, try. You'll really love the relationship that you'll foster with your child.

Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you have any questions!

ohiominnie :p

[ohiominnie]

eeyore0062,
That would be a LOT of fun!!!!!!!

We'll be at OKW. How do we find one another? The world is a big place! :)

ohiominnie :p

[LisaR]

Ohiominnie,

I can't agree with you more!! The one thing that you said is something that bothers me everyday. Since my daughter has entered Kindergarten, the routine seems to be school, a little time outside now that the weather has warmed up, homework, ballet one night a week, dinner, bath, bedtime. What happened to storytime?? What happened to quality time?? It seems like since she started school, everything has become about academics. Sure, that is important - but at five?!

My DH is 100% in favor of HS. I am too. The only thing I am struggling with is that, right now, she enjoys school. I think she is going to be soooooo overwelmed in 1st grade when they are graded and everything HAS to get done in a set amount of time. She complains about the homework now. She is going to HATE the homework in 1st grade. So, here is my question. Do I let her attend 1st grade and find out for herself. I am 99% sure she will want to be HS after 1st grade (if she even makes it that far). Or, do I not even give her the choice and just HS her? Any advice anyone has I would love to here it.

Thanks so much to everyone for their great opinions.

Lisa
My email is lisarigg@mediaone.net

[MosMom]

We're staying at the Polynesian May 11th - 16th! WooHoo!! It's actually just a mom trip, my DH has to work & I had found great airfare so we decided to attempt it alone. A friend of mine and her son are going to meet us down there so it will be a Mother's Day Mom's only trip to DisneyWorld. Should be interesting. :earsgirl:

[mainey-mouse]

No, I wouldn't homeschool. First I don't have the qualifications. I have alot of respect for teachers and the skill they've learned. Knowing something just isn't the same as being able to teach it. And even between my two kids, I can see different learning styles. I'm sure I couldn't do justice to them both without some training. My daughter I can teach - we think the same way. My son not. I thought I was going to have problems with him in school - I couldn't even teach him the alphabet! But, after 2 days in JK, he'd mastered it. Those teachers know things I don't.

I prefer to see home as a place for kids to relax and be themselves. I don't want to have it also be the place where they must be marshalled into an academic routine daily. Homework is enough. This saves me as an adult. Life has alot of stress. I work all day - but I relax at home. I sure wouldn't want to work at home in a situation where my parents, or my husband were my boss! I don't think I could ever really relax at home, or enjoy those family members the same way, under those circumstances. I can't help but feel it would be the same for my kids.

But I also wouldn't want them to loose out on their socialization skills. Parents aren't kids so we can't "teach" them all the socialization skills they need. They need to know how to react to other tots as well, without having a nervous breakdown. And tots don't behave like adults. If a kid scribbles on my piece of "important" work, I won't freak. If a kid scribbles on another kid's piece of "important" work, the other kid will shriek. Kids are kids - yours and other peoples. They need to know how to relate to each other on their own terms. Supervised - sure. But they definitley need to be around the other kids.

Secondly, on socialization. Afterschool activities are one thing. Daycare and school are another. The 30-60 minutes a week most kids spend with any particular "afterschool" group is just not sufficient to give them a real feeling of belonging to a group of peers. They are there under coaches' (and probably mommy or daddy's) eyes, participating in structured activity. No time for real socializing. At daycare and school, kids get to spend their days together, socialize, develop a sence of belonging. These settings include free play time of one sort or another for kids to really socialize and develop the relelvant bonds and skills - probably more free play time per day than the whole time allocated to any afterschool activity per week. They need a certain amount of time together to "be" together. We did have my 7 year old in one activity where that kind of bonding and belonging did start to develop. But that was a competitive gymnastics program, and the girls were spending 12 hrs a week together. It was just too much stress for her and we moved her to another less intensive 6 hour program. At that reduced level, the bonding isn't there anymore. It does require some real time together.

If I had a bunch of kids, I might feel differently about keeping them home to school. Quite sure I couldn't afford daycare for them all. And with enough of them, within a small enough age bracket, the socialization would take care of itself - kind of the way mother nature intended originally, I guess. Maybe I would go out and see if I could get a teaching certificate - if I could get accepted, it would only be one more year or university. And then do the homeschooling. But, only have 2, and 2 does not a gang 'o kids make.

Or not. Afterall, another part of education is learning how to deal with all kinds of people, competing with them, surviving with them, putting up with them - while still functionning yourself. My daughter's Gr1 teacher recently lamented the fact that there were a few behaviour problems in my daughter's class. Currently my daughter is "doing time" sitting beside one of these, and the teacher realizes how annoying this is for my daughter. I told her not to sweat it - as long as its temporary and my girl knows its not for ever, I have no problem with it. Afterall, someday she'll grow up and have to go to work and function with all kinds of annoying people...some fine examples sitting within spitting distance of me as I write....

[ohioMickey]

The intention of my post was to simply ask if there are other DVCers out there who home-school. Since this post was moved from the DVC board to the Family board, non-DVCers who also home school have chimed in...and it has been GREAT hearing from all of you!!!!

I did NOT mean for this thread to become a debate between home-schoolers and traditional-schoolers, but some of mainey-mouses comments are quite disturbing and mis-guided and I just can not let them slip by without a response.



No, I wouldn't homeschool. First I don't have the qualifications. I have alot of respect for teachers and the skill they've learned. Knowing something just isn't the same as being able to teach it.

What special skills do teachers possess? The skill to keep thirty kids in control, most of whom would rather be in front of a television watching Pokemon or playing Playstation? The skill to identify which kids do not fit the mold of "how one is supposed to learn" and then ship them off to a special classroom? The skill to spend 6 or 7 hours in a classroom then assign 1-2 hours of homework and cover the same amount of material a home-schooler can master in just a couple of hours?

If our teachers skills are so great why is the united states so far down the list of industrialized nations in terms of school performance? Why are illiteracy rates increasing? Why are drop-out rates on the rise? Why is violence in schools such an ordinary event that we are no longer even suprised when we hear about it on television?

The skill to teach a child is in everyone. It simply takes getting excited about a topic and presenting it in an exciting and applicable way. There are hundreds of curriculums out there that help parents do this. And kids respond so much better in a one-on-one environment where learning is kept fun and relevant.

With regard to the actual subjects...you learned them once when you were in school...you can learn them again! How many english teachers can write a great novel? How many chemistry teachers are going to discover the next great chemical theory? How many biology teachers are going to perform surgery? The simple fact is that teachers are regular people who are imparting knowledge that is not really that difficult to master.

Now I will be the first to admit that not everyone is smart enough to home school. But if you have a computer in your house, can connect to the internet, can find the DIS board, and can write a post that sounds even halfway intelligent, then you can probably do it.



At daycare and school, kids get to spend their days together, socialize, develop a sence of belonging. These settings include free play time of one sort or another for kids to really socialize and develop the relelvant bonds and skills

Sounds like children of the corn. Let's just throw them all together into the stew and see what happens. Who cares that Johnny is now addicted to crack and that Bobby Jo is pregnant. Who cares if Wes takes a gun to school and shoots 15 kids.

I think it is time that parents started to CARE about their kids and the values their children posess rather than just sending them off and keeping their fingers crossed that everything will turn out ok.

And what matters anyway is the end result. How can you say that supervised social activities are going to make you less able to function in society? All surveys so far show Home School children have no difficulty fitting into society as they matriculate.




Afterall, another part of education is learning how to deal with all kinds of people, competing with them, surviving with them, putting up with them - while still functionning yourself.

But only if those people are the EXACT same age as you? Of course not. You must learn to interact with a whole range of ages and personalities.


Let me conclude by saying that I really am not trying to convince mainey-mouse to home school. I do NOT think it is for every parent. Nor is it for every child. But to categorically say it is bad. To say that it is always inferior to the education and socialization one gets in a public school is naive and close-minded. We have an educational crises in this country. And unless we can find a way to better educate and prepare our children, violence is going to continue to escalate and our productivity as a nation is going to continue to decline.

Here is to all the rebels........

;)

[Lesley]

Thank You Mike!

Also.....I AM a teacher (certified to teach in PA and have done it, though briefly). My strongest message to those who want to homeschool is that teachers really don't know any more than any other educated adult...and if you don't feel well educated just go to the library and teach yourself. It isn't hard. Most of what I learned in college about teaching had to do with classroom management which isn't even necessary at home. Yes, some of my classes gave me new ways of looking at things that are taught, different ways to present them, etc.... but let me tell you, the moms and dads over on the Kaleidoscapes boards have ideas that are just as good that they are willing to share.

All that said, my thinking about education has changed a great deal over the past few years and I've discovered that traditional instruction really isn't even necessary most of the time. There's too much to it to explain here but there are some great books out there.....John Holt was an incredible mind in the field of education and wrote a great deal plus the magazine he started (Growing Without Schooling) is a wonderful resource, Nancy Wallace has written about her children's experiences growing and learning, and The Unschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith is a nice introduction.

I've said what I need to....and I'll hold my fingers from here on out. Those interested in discussion (not debate, as I don't have time or energy for it) or information are welcome to email me.

[vwrose14]

www.beineke.com (http://www.beineke.com) This is my brothers website he has alll kinds of links to homeschooling websites. Free worksheets and stuff

[ohiominnie]

vwrose,
THANKS for the website. Of course there was TOO much to digest for one sitting, but I've got it bookmarked for the future.

I've already printed out bingo cards for my kids though. It was great because since they are different ages either one child is bored or the other is lost with the traditional bingo games. What I did was print out one bingo sheet with letters and the other with words. I'd hold up a letter/picture flashcard...my 6 yr old would have to find the right spot on her card by reading all the words, my 4 yr old only had to recognize the first letter and mark it off on his. They played over and over and over. I noticed my younger get faster and faster at recognizing his numbers. It was GREAT! of course, they just LOVED eating up their "markers" at the end of each round (marshmallows and skittles!)

THANKS for posting it. I'm sure it'll be a help to the other homeschoolers out there too!

ohiominnie :p

[georgiapeach60]

My SIL is a credentialed teacher and homeschools her two sons. She also teaches a spanish class for other home schoolers. I have learned a lot from her regarding it. I, however, have never been tempted to do it. I have 3 sons. All have done extremely well academically. I find that whether it is home school or public or private school, what matters most is the childs investment in it. They get out of it what they put into it. I have had teachers that were outstanding and others who weren't so great but it didn't impact the learning all that much. My youngest who is in 1st grade thinks he is home schooled. Learning can take place anywhere at any time. You just have to take advantage of the situation presented. I don't think either method is better or worse than the other, just different.

[eeyore0062]

When will you be at the World again? We will be hanging around the resort on May 17, MGM the morning of the 18th, eating at Garden Grille around 4:15, and then going to MK for Eticket night--will probably head over there around 6:15ish. Epcot the morning of the 19th, eating at Boma at 6 that night, and then to the Adventurer's Club around 8:30, pick up DD at Neverland Club around 11:30, AK the morning of the 20th, MGM in the Afternoon, then Cape May for dinner, EE morning at MK the morning of the 21st, then possibly Blizzard Beach in the afternoon, dinner at Le Cellier, eat character breakfast at 1900 Park Faire at 10 on the 22nd then off to the airport.

Will you be in any of these places around the same time? If so, let me know, so we can arrange a meeting . Sounds like fun!!!

HaPpY VaCaTioN!!!

:) :bounce: :) :bounce: :) :bounce: :bounce: :) :bounce: :) :bounce: :)

[JMack12]

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread. My DH and I just moved to Orlando, and I am currently homeschooling our 3 kids, ages 11.75, 9, and almost 4. We have truely enjoyed homeschooling them, although my oldest wants to go to Junior High next year..YIKES! The kids have been in public school before this year, so I have experiance on both fronts. Love to talk more with anyone that is coming to this area, as my kids love meeting other kids and especially homeschooled kids!
Reply directly to me if you would, as I am using my DH log in name.

Lisa M.
momto3@kjsl.com

[lovhusband]

Hi All

We are in our 3rd year of homeschooling my dd's are 8 and 12 and my DS is 3. We took our first Disney trip this past March and are at this very time planning next March's vacation to Disney. :) :D Wont get on the social issue but will agree that I find less and less people that ask about the social aspect and more and more that want to know how to get started.

[jay-nee]

We are not DVC members but, we will be HS our son starting this fall.

Our son is just ending 5th grade and will NOT be attending our local MS. We would not put him through that for the life of us!

So, we will be giving HS a try. We have the option of private school(s) but, he would like to try HS. So, off on our adventure!

Thankfully, my sister has been HS for years so, I have a wealth of information available to me.

Our daughter will be remaining at our local elementary school for the time being. We are fortunate to have a very good elementary school and she, currently, would like to stay there.

Thank you all for the website links, I, too, have bookmarked them for future reference. Keep them coming...

[Olaf]

I have a six year old boy who is in Kindergarten this year at a public school. I have given serious thought to homeschooling him, but have decided against it. He's an only child and very social. He absolutely loves being with other children. The first thing out of his mouth everyday, after school, is "who can I play with." At the moment, he's loving school, but that could change next year with the increased workload. I know that homeschoolers get together a lot, but I really don't think that would be enough for him. We have a fairly good elementary school here and I want to give it a try. We're Air Force and we'll move again next year, probably back East. If the school system isn't up to par, I'll be hitting the books with him.

My biggest gripe with the school is that he was reading at the beginning of Kindergarten. They have no program for early readers. The class is just now at the "cat is black" stage. He's also very good at math, doing double digit adding and subtracting, but they aren't even touching that stuff. So, truth be told, he's not really being challenged. I work with him at home. We're almost through the Hooked on Phonics box, and I buy him Math worksheet books. I know in my hearts of hearts he'd make more progress at home, but I'm afraid he'd miss his friends something terrible.

I used to be a docent at a museum in Ohio, and the best groups we got were the homeschoolers and Catholic schools. We're not Catholic, but when we get back East, I'll probably be looking into that too.

Homeschooling would sure make vacations easier. As DVC members we could really take advantage of the lower points in the off season, not to mention the smaller crowds.

My two cents

[threeboysmom]

This is too cool! Other Disney lovers that homeschool too! I am the mom of 3 boys - ages 11, 9 and 4. My oldest two have always been homeschooled (I've been homeschooling for 6 years! Yikes!). I plan on beginning my 3rd son this September for Kindergarten.

First of all, I am not an "intelligent" person. Yes, I got great grades in school, but that was a LONG time ago. All that knowledge is now lost!!! I always say, if I can homeschool then anyone can!! I learn so much from teaching my kids - even in the early elementary years I was learning!! My DH would come home from work and I would excitedly tell him what I learned that day and he would roll his eyes and say "you didn't know that??" I've learned to keep my mouth shut now. But it just goes to show that ANYONE can teach their kids as long as you are sitting down with them and reading and learning right at their side. That's what makes it so great - it's wonderful for family bonding. And in case you're wondering - my sons test very very well at the end of each school year despite their "dumb" mom! LOL! My 2 oldest sons are complete opposites - if they were in school, they would have absolutely nothing to do with each other - they'd each have their own set of friends. But with homeschooling, they have become their own best friends and have learned to give and take with each other in an otherwise "difficult relationship".

To Steph - my 9 year old is like yours - very very social. Everyday he asks who can I have over today? Fortunately, we have a boy right next door that comes over to play a couple of times a week (when he doesn't have too much homework!!) Plus my son has a few homeschooled children that we will have over in our home or he will visit them. Actually, in school, they do not have much time to socialize - they get in trouble for talking & giggling in class! Think about it - all they get is lunch and recess to "socialize". My son being homeschooled probably socializes with friends more than traditional schooled children because they are so busy with homework after school and then it is suppertime, then they are getting ready for bed early. I know - I have friends with kids in school and it is almost impossible to arrange play dates with them!

Kimberly

[*Robin*]

just out of curiosity, what happens if I start homeschooling in one state and move to another...could I have problems?

Thanks!

[ohiominnie]

Hey all!
Good to hear from more of you!!!

threeboysmom, I know what you mean about learning new things with your kids. Until recently I wasn't really that sure who won the Revolutionary War!! :) Well, I'm SURE I learned it in school, but I didn't remember. Seeing as I can buy some tea bags for just a couple of bucks, that must mean WE won! :)

Robin...I'd check out www.hslda.com I believe they have information on all the requirements for each state. Usually it's just a notification to homeschool (at the beginning of the school year, or presumably, when you move into the district) and some sort of assessment at the end, wether it be a standardized test or statement of where your child is academically.

Hope this helps!

Karen

[gottaluvpooh]

I homeschool as well.
I have 2 children and have homeschooled both.

My one daughter is 20. I homeschooled her through high school.
My other daughter is 11 and will be entering 6th grade this year. I have homeschooled her from birth.

Both kids were great students and are better adjusted socially than most people I know.
My parents were very upset at first when we chose to homeschool, because of socialization, NOW they are so happy we did. They have seen the benefits and wish the rest of my family would homeschool also.

I would encourage any parent to homeschool. If you can parent, you CAN homeschool. No one knows your children better than you.

[threeboysmom]

Hi Robin,

To answer your question, while homeschooling, I moved from one state to another with no problems at all. As long as you notify the school district in your new state about your intention to homeschool, you won't have a problem. It is perfectly legal in all 50 states. :) Some states I don't think even require a letter of intention. But check that out at the website listed in the previous post.

Kimberly

[*Robin*]

Thanks for the quick answers guys, one last question...I've only gotten the site to come up once, (hsdla.com) I'm not sure if it's AOL or their server, but I'll keep trying. When I did get it to come up it said that our legislation does not require testing. Does this mean that if I screw up, or have been screwing up for years, that it would go unchecked the whole time? I only say this because I'm one of those terrified that I would be doing more harm than good, and I think I would want my son tested at least from grade to grade if not more. Can someone fill me in on that?

Thanks so much...sorry if I sound too negative, I'm really not trying to, just a bit nervous about a big decision! :D

[threeboysmom]

Hi Robin,

I am the same way. NH does require testing or an evaluation at the end of each school year, but even if I lived in a state that didn't require it, believe me, I would still have it done, just to ease my fears! Be thankful that you have a state that doesn't REQUIRE it, but also know that you are certainly free to test each and every school year even it it's not a state requirement. You would get the test results and instead of forwarding them on to the school district, you could keep them at home and gloat!! LOL!

Kimberly

[sha_lyn]

GA requires testing every three years. I think it would be great if all states required testing every year. I understand what a pain it can be, but if it saves a few children from becoming way behind I think it is worth the trouble. I myself have not started home schooling yet but will for certain my DD for preschool and kindergarten. My DS may or may not be home schooled next yr for 7th grade. I really want to but after being in PS for all these years he really wants to stay with his friends. They really tried to "sell" the kids on the middle school the last few weeks of school. Hopefully after a couple of weeks he will decide HS sounds good.

does anyone here use an umbrella school ? That is what I am leaning towaard for him if I do HS.

[ohiominnie]

Robin,
threeboysmom is right on there. Even if you don't HAVE to test, it may not be a bad idea to do it anyway. My dd will start 2nd grade in the fall. We haven't done any standardized testing yet, but that's mostly because my mom was a 2nd grade and kdg teacher for 29 years!!! She tells me my dd is above the 1st grade level, so I don't worry about it.

My hs support group has group standardized testing starting with 3rd grade, so I'll probably try that when she gets old enough. Ohio doesn't require you send in the results of the testing, you can just have a certified teacher look over a portfolio of their work and check essential skills (reading, math, etc)

Also, I'm looking into a new curriculum for next year which incorporates testing into it's program...it's being developed by Bill Bennett--former Sec. of Education, and wonderful conservative man! It's called k12 (www.k12.com) and it looks very intriuging. I worry that sometimes I'm a little lax about school, but this would keep me disciplined!

When we were undecided about hs we did a LOT of praying. We really felt this was something God wanted us to do. We put it on OUR timeline though and decided to let our dd finish her current year in public school. He sent us a sign that he wanted it done NOW!!! --namely a death threat aimed directly at my dd by a troubled little boy with a long history of counseling due to "anger issues" IN KDG!!!!!

Now we see what a great thing it is that we can go to WDW in low season and that's just an added benefit!!!!

ohiominnie :p

[DisneyBound4Ever]

I commend you all for the great job you are doing!!