Homeschool Chat Part III

[McDuck]

Good morning, all. I was wondering if anyone could weigh in on Math. I am one of those uber-nerds who does tons of research way before I need to. I am preparing to start PreK-3 with my almost 3-year old, and while I know what we're doing at this point (pretty much play with purpose), I am also researching and looking ahead to kindergarten/1st grade with my research. As such, I am on the fence between Horizons and Saxon math, both of which have pros and cons as I can glean. Can anyone share their experiences/opinions? Thanks!!!

[jdcthree]

Horizons math is more advanced than Saxon math. Math is a strong subject for my son and it seems many math programs are watered down, so Horizons was a great fit. I like the scope and sequence for Horizons, but if we were to try anything else in the upper grades it would be Math-U-See.

[McDuck]

Originally Posted by jdcthree

Horizons math is more advanced than Saxon math. Math is a strong subject for my son and it seems many math programs are watered down, so Horizons was a great fit. I like the scope and sequence for Horizons, but if we were to try anything else in the upper grades it would be Math-U-See.

Thank you. I had read where the instructor manual for Horizons was vague, while Saxon's was quite scripted. How do you find the manual for Horizons? I always did well in math, but I focused on English in college/grad school so sadly didn't do any math past the required, so I'm a bit apprehensive about not steering her wrong.

[Teamtori]

Hi Moms!

My name is Michelle and I am strongly considering homeschooling my daughter. She is seven and is undergoing chemotherapy. Everyone keeps telling me I should send her to school to give her a "normal" life but I feel like I am exposing her to illness that would require her to be hospitalized etc. I am also making the school accomodate her, I am struggling with finding someone who can watch her before and after school that I trust with her medicine etc.

I work full time now, well actually 4 days a week because I take her to chemo.

Problem is, I need to decide like yesterday because school starts in a week and I'm losing my childcare (my sister in law) on Friday.

I know you all are homeschoolers, but does homeschooling her seem like the right thing to do?

Also, I homeschooled my oldest daughter for a year using Connections Academy but she was a lot older.

I would rather use some sort of curriculum but I have no idea where to start and what is good.

I guess I just need some help/support.

[Aunt Stepody]

Originally Posted by McDuck

Thank you. I had read where the instructor manual for Horizons was vague, while Saxon's was quite scripted. How do you find the manual for Horizons? I always did well in math, but I focused on English in college/grad school so sadly didn't do any math past the required, so I'm a bit apprehensive about not steering her wrong.

We have used both Horizons and Saxon Math. So I will share my thoughts with you. Saxon is more structured. With that in mind, the script and the "hands on" manipulatives can be a bit overwhelming. I used Saxon my very first year to homeschool and had no problems. It does require a little more planning and preparation than Horizons. Horizons has colorful, illustrated worksheets, which are more "entertaining" than the black and white ones you get with Saxon. So Horizons worked well for my youngest, who is a visual learner. Saxon teaches using "hands on" manipulatives. So it was a better curriculum for my older, kinesthetic learner. They both worked great for us, but I think for the younger years Horizon was the better of the two.

You were asking about the teacher manual...I did not need one to successfully teach kinder-2nd grade Horizons math. It does come with the set when you purchase the curriculum.

I also recommend going to a homeschool bookfair so you can compare the two before you purchase.

Good luck!

[Nanu57v]

Originally Posted by Teamtori

Hi Moms!

My name is Michelle and I am strongly considering homeschooling my daughter. She is seven and is undergoing chemotherapy. Everyone keeps telling me I should send her to school to give her a "normal" life but I feel like I am exposing her to illness that would require her to be hospitalized etc. I am also making the school accomodate her, I am struggling with finding someone who can watch her before and after school that I trust with her medicine etc.

I work full time now, well actually 4 days a week because I take her to chemo.

Problem is, I need to decide like yesterday because school starts in a week and I'm losing my childcare (my sister in law) on Friday.

I know you all are homeschoolers, but does homeschooling her seem like the right thing to do?

Also, I homeschooled my oldest daughter for a year using Connections Academy but she was a lot older.

I would rather use some sort of curriculum but I have no idea where to start and what is good.

I guess I just need some help/support.

I would also recommend a curriculum! We use Sonlight (sonlight.com). They have a 4-day curriculum which would probably work well around your schedule with chemo. We like Singapore Math, but lots of people like Horizons math too. Depending on where you live, there is probably a homeschool group that you can join for some of the "normal" things she'd be missing in public school. Our group does monthly field trips and in the spring has weekly drama, art, gym and music classes. And, since these are optional, sick kids don't go. I agree, it sounds like a good idea. We are homeschooling a year at a time...and making a decision each summer.

[jdcthree]

Originally Posted by McDuck

Thank you. I had read where the instructor manual for Horizons was vague, while Saxon's was quite scripted. How do you find the manual for Horizons? I always did well in math, but I focused on English in college/grad school so sadly didn't do any math past the required, so I'm a bit apprehensive about not steering her wrong.

We have used Horizons for K-4th and I haven't had any issues with the teacher's guide. I only use it about 25% of the time, though, so that could be part of the reason I have no problem with it, lol. I don't find it vague, but it's not extremely detailed so I can see why some may say that.

I agree with the previous poster about checking both of them out before you purchase anything.

[jdcthree]

Originally Posted by Teamtori

Hi Moms!

My name is Michelle and I am strongly considering homeschooling my daughter. She is seven and is undergoing chemotherapy. Everyone keeps telling me I should send her to school to give her a "normal" life but I feel like I am exposing her to illness that would require her to be hospitalized etc. I am also making the school accomodate her, I am struggling with finding someone who can watch her before and after school that I trust with her medicine etc.

I work full time now, well actually 4 days a week because I take her to chemo.

Problem is, I need to decide like yesterday because school starts in a week and I'm losing my childcare (my sister in law) on Friday.

I know you all are homeschoolers, but does homeschooling her seem like the right thing to do?

Also, I homeschooled my oldest daughter for a year using Connections Academy but she was a lot older.

I would rather use some sort of curriculum but I have no idea where to start and what is good.

I guess I just need some help/support.

Wow, you are going through a lot! I will be praying for you and your family. Only you can decided if homeschooling is right for you and your daughter, but tell your friends and family that homeschooling IS part of a "normal" life for many children.

Getting started can be really overwhelming. Do you have any homeschool groups in your area or friends that homeschool? It's nice to have support, but even if you don't, you can homeschool! I would recommend checking out some info on the HSLDA site: http://hslda.org/earlyyears/StartHere.asp Also, a book that was really helpful to be was 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. It has so much information about homeschooling that goes beyond curriculum!

I hope you figure out what works best for you!

[mks18412]

Any South Atlanta HSing Families here???

[Grammyof2]

Does anyone know where I could find online videos or purchase a subscription that doesn't cost a fortune for history and science? I am looking for significant world events in one place. Thanks!

[mariezp]

Originally Posted by Grammyof2

Does anyone know where I could find online videos or purchase a subscription that doesn't cost a fortune for history and science? I am looking for significant world events in one place. Thanks!

You might check on homeschoolbuyersco-op.org. They are free to sign up and offer all kinds of deals on many different types of curriculum. We have several video subscriptions we have found through them in different price ranges. Here you go:

• iKnowthat.com currently $28.97 for 1 year subscription
• The Happy Scientist currently $10.00 for 1 year subscription
• DE streaming Plus currently $199 for 1 year subscription

Also, we have a subscription with Brainpop.com which runs $99 for 1 year subscription. This has been my daughter's favorite.

You can also find videos for free on http://video.pbs.org/. There is a Topics tab which gives you several options to choose from. And, http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ also has many videos to choose from.

[Grammyof2]

Thanks! I will check them out.

[OHmomof2]

Originally Posted by Grammyof2

Does anyone know where I could find online videos or purchase a subscription that doesn't cost a fortune for history and science? I am looking for significant world events in one place. Thanks!

What age range?

[Grammyof2]

Originally Posted by OHmomof2

What age range?

She is 11 and in the 6th grade.

[OHmomof2]

This website is specifically for American history:
http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/
The History Channel, history.com, has a lot of free videos.
This website has a lot of science videos:
http://www.neok12.com/