Any Disney Homeschoolers?

[sha_lyn]

CJ... on HS'ing matters speak for me anytime LOL...

The local college we have chosen has a very good reputation in the HS'ing comunity. With a good transcript and good test scores he should get in no problem. It also has a reputation for being one of the harder schools around too, which is a bonus when it comes to trying to apply for out of state scholarships in the future.

Now we just need to work on his test taking skills. I really have to get on the ball and order his standardized test for this yr. Now to decide if I want to get the 1st grade test for DD for "practice" (in GA, homeschoolers must test in 3,6 and 9 grades)

Any homeschoolers here use the PASS?

 

[FreshTressa]

Rereading my post, it is just looking at it from one angle.

My son gets along fine socially with kids that are into the same things he is. He also gets along well with girls. Like when one of my friends older son comes over (he is 8) and they can do things together. He also gets along well with girls. He has had lots of girlfriends, he just can't seem to do the buddy buddy guy thing And he communicates well with adults. He is happy and loving and I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong with him. If you were to meet him, you would think of him as perfectly normal. I have a friend with a child with asperger's, and both of my children have symptoms, but not to the extent where I would use medication to treat them. I have even had them evaluated a few years ago, because I was worried about autism, but the lady seemed to thing they were within normal limits.

I don't think he is gifted, but he is definately ahead. He learned to read at about 2 and a half, thougt up the concept of algebra all by himself, etc.

I truly don't think that being a victim at school is going to teach him 'socialization'. I think it would just damage his self esteem to the extent that he no longer likes himself. I think if he is loved for who he is, he will develop self confidence, and then when he is older, find a niche of people that are more like him.

I am beginning to wonder what is normal behavior for a 5/6 year old boy. The other kids his age all seem to have focusing problems, the seem rambunctious (sp?) and out of control. Lots of potty language and swear words and pushing. Maybe that is normal for that age, and being able to sit still and finish a puzzle or write a letter to grandma is abnormal. I think it just isn't cool to be polite and well mannered and interested in things, which is how he is. I know that both of my kids are kind of different, but I don't really know what to do about it, or even if I want to change them.

I guess I am also overprotective. I want to shelter him from all of the harsh realities of life. I guess I would like to wait until he is older and better equipped to handle it before he is confronted with issues like bullying and things like that.

I have talked to the teacher, and she said he was very organized and it was difficult for him to deal with other kids disturbing his organization. She thought he was a delightful child that was polite and iquisitive. She also said he should be tested for the gifted program, but it doesn't start until 1st grade.

When I talked about the bullying, she agreed that they had a rough group of Kindergarteners this year, and that she would keep an eye on it. She also said to give it some time and that she would try to see what she could do to help him out socially.

Sorry for the long rambling post! I'm just another obsessive mother

 

[FreshTressa]

duplicate post

 

[FreshTressa]

duplicate post

 

[peg2001]

Ok, after a heart to heart talk with DH the other night, we've decided to homeschool DD6. We will have her finish the current 6-weeks grading period at school to give us time to order the books and programs we want to use and to do a bit of planning and arranging at home.

Here's my next question for those experienced homeschoolers: How do you temper your enthusiasm in wanting to "do it all"? The more I read and learn about homeschooling, the more I'm thinking "oh, that's cool, we should do that" and "wow! we need that."

I'm excited but do not want our homeschool to crash and burn because we try to do too much too soon. How do you keep your feet on the ground?

Peggy

 

[house_of_princesses]

How do you temper your enthusiasm in wanting to "do it all"? The more I read and learn about homeschooling, the more I'm thinking "oh, that's cool, we should do that" and "wow! we need that."

Very good question! We all go through that to some degree or other, I think. My suggestion would be to really try and envision what you want to accompolish by end of calendar year, by spring time, by the time she's ready for high school. Have a goal, a family statement directing that goal (not an easy task). Determine how your dd learns best. Is she visual, auditory or kinesthetic (sp?)? Which curriculum will best suit her learning style. I'd also remember to factor in such things as field trips, household responsibilities, lessons, illness, etc. When life throws a curve, try and use it as a teachable moment. Then, remember to adjust your goal accordingly. Don't beat yourself up when you didn't get everything done you wanted to. Look at what you did do!

One of the best pieces of advice given to me early on was...you WILL make purchasing mistakes...and that's OK. You will purchase a book, kit, unit study, math curriculum, whatever....and it just won't work for your family. That's OK. It's a lesson learned.

Hope this helps a bit! Maybe someone else can share how they temper their excitement?!

 

[house_of_princesses]

Come on, DIS'ers! Who else has some help for Peg2001? I KnoW I'm not the only one with some tips on how to restrain yourself from over excitement!

 

[sha_lyn]

I started to answer this earlier, but I realized that I still get excited and go overboard LOL. At least this yr I do having something slowing me down. The construction on our home. I'm waiting to purchase more materials until after we get into our classroom. I guess it is good that it's taking so long. I keep finding different things that I like. In the beginning of this thread I mentioned combining ronbinson Method with golden beetle because I couldn't find a good balance between classic and creative curriculums. Well I finally found The Tanglewood School. I plan on ordering their 1st grade history, science and spelling.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Sha_lyn! Talk about getting excited!! I just took a gander at Tanglewood School...Wow! I've studied Mason, read Well Trained Mind and Teaching the Trivium, have listened to Bluedorn at conventions... I'm a classical gal and Tanglewood is a great find! (Keep your feet on the ground, keep your feet on the ground..and it wouldn't hurt to keep the Visa in the wallet)

Have you used their core book yet? I'm interested to see how well it directs you, if at all. We are using Sonlight again this year, but I borrow Mason's line of thinking, WTM grammar helps, etc... Wonder if the core book would be useful. I need someone to tell me read this book first, then this, start this one when 1/2 way through the first, blah, blah, blah. Can't keep up with my readers to be able to read ahead in order to make a plan. (Did that make sense?)

Looking forward to see what they come up with for 2004!

 

[sha_lyn]

Did you see the page with samples of the core book?

http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com/corebook.htm

I like the set up. It's not a structured lesson plan, but a guide to keep you on track. I haven't ordered one yet. Still putting all that on the back burner until we have the room for everything. Right now we're concentrating on reading and handwriting since those are the areas DD needs the most work on.

Also have you heard of Ambleside? It's a free C Mason curriculum. It might come in useful since you are working CM into Sonlight.

 

[peg2001]

Thanks for the input! I guess it is helpful to know that I'm not the only one that gets excited about all the resources and subjects out there.

I've made my first big purchase, Math U See. I think the hands on approach and emphasis on teaching WHY in addition to HOW will benefit both DD and DH, who will be doing most of the instructing. If Math U See doesn't work for us, I've noticed that it sells well on E-Bay, so I figure we have an out.

That's the only "curriculum" purchase I'm planning. I thought about "Explode the Code" since I've read so many glowing reviews and recommendations. However, I worked with DD6 on the sample lessons available and she found them too easy, able to complete the sample lesson from Book 6 with ease (supposed to be for grades 3-4). I think we are safe to skip formal phonics instruction.

We plan to cover reading, handwriting, creative writing, history, science, and art through home-designed unit studies. DD has already started giving me ideas of what she is interested in: planets and stars, insects and spiders, American Indians, and caves.

I've briefly started researching available sources for information and literature on caves and have gotten excited all over again at the many different aspects that can be included (geology, geography, animal life, explorers, ancient cave art). We can even include a couple field trips to real caves, of which there are plenty in East Tennessee.

I don't plan to formally include spelling and grammar yet. I think she is learning a lot of it on her own through reading and writing.

Peggy

 

[house_of_princesses]

Did you see the page with samples of the core book?

Yes, Sha_lyn, I did see it, but as I said, at this time in my life I need someone to pretty much tell me what to do from day to day.

Also have you heard of Ambleside?

Yes! And I have logged few hours there, too!

Peg, We have used Math U See. The girls did not enjoy the video teacher, but it seems thorough. Have you seen the Learning Language Arts Through Literature program? Covers all language arts in one book, lessons are integrated. We all really like the program (once out of the first two books, red and blue). After those two subjects, (MUS and LLATL) they are free to delve into those unit studies! (Or in our case, Sonlight.)

BTW, there are a few nice handwriting programs out there. We happen to use Getty/Dubay's Italic Handwriting series. However, I have two lefties, and they are both struggling.

Can anyone recommend a writing program geared towards lefties? Anyone ever hear of a writing tutor?

 

[sha_lyn]

Handwriting without tears has received praises from parentsof lefties.

 

[*Robin*]

Hi everyone, just thought you may want to check this out...it may call for some hardcore letter writing, and may possibly invoke people wanting legislation...

All my lists are a bit worried, it doesn't look good...


CBS Eye on America, tonight CBS nightly news.

 

[crazymomof4]

Next year, in addition to DS14 (American School), I will be HS'ing DS12 begining with 7th grade. When we began hs'ing first DS we used Pearblossom School and they combine 7th and 8th grade. The combined course is $750. The year went well. They send traditional textbooks and software for taking tests on the computer and e-mailing them in to be corrected.
A friend of mine who began hs'ing her DS in 8th grade this year made up her own curriculum by getting materials from a school supply store. She is doing this only for 8th gr. and then he will begin American School for highschool.
This has got me thinking. Do I really need to spend $750 for textbooks and test correcting services? What do you think? I would only do this until 9th grade when I'd enroll him in American. How easy/difficult is it to hs "on your own" w/o buying a curriculm? Would I be able to combine 7th and 8th grade the way Pearblossom does? Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by *Robin*
Hi everyone, just thought you may want to check this out...it may call for some hardcore letter writing, and may possibly invoke people wanting legislation...

All my lists are a bit worried, it doesn't look good...


CBS Eye on America, tonight CBS nightly news.

Just looked over the stories on CBSnews.com!
How sad! Just one more reason for people to bash homeschooling. A few parents in the entire country homeschool to cover up abuse and now, in the ever-narrow minds of the general public, everyone who homeschools is a suspect! I didn't know about this story until just now, but last week my DH came home and said that one of the secretaries (knows we HS) told him, "Ya know, some people homeschool so that they won't get caught beating their kids." When he told me I thought, "Where on earth did that come from?" Now I know.

 

[sha_lyn]

crazymomof4

What you can do really depends on the laws in your state. I checked the HSLDA site and it looks on the surface like it would be no problem to go ahead and combine the the grades.
What I suggest is looking at what your DS is doing now and compare it to 7-8 grade test books at the HS stores. If the 8th grade ones look too far ahead you might want to go ahead and do both grads at home instead of skipping one. However I really feel that the test we used for 8th were as hard if not harder that the American School 9th grade materials.

This is what we used for 8th

Shurley Grammar 7 (8 is almost identical was wasn't available as a home school edition last yr)

Saxon Algebra 1/2 (you get a free placement test on their web site)

Vocabu-Lit (level E I think) for vocabulary and spelling

Switched on School house GA history (wouldn't use it again, just gave essay assignments, I could do that on my own without spending 40 for software)

Middle School Advantage History

Power Glide Spanish

Jason Project (science)

National Geographic 112 years CD-Rom and Great Books Academy outline for them for social studies

He also read several novels and wrote reports on them.

 

[crazymomof4]

Thanks sha_lyn!
I have just under a year to look around and decide if doing it this way is right for DS and I. I appreciate your recommendations!

BTW, I also found American School's 9th grade to be "light" but that's OK bc. it allows me to "add on" some exciting learning opportunities.

 

[sha_lyn]

The only thing I don't like about American school is they are a bit light on math. However we'll just supplement with Saxon once he finishes there math. DS will be taking all science courses as his electives. We also supplement with Jason Project and Power Glide Spanish. Next yr he'll take a SAT prep course that last a semester.
We're looking into music lessons of some sort, guitar or drums, but Karate is keeping us so busy. Russ will begin teaching Karate in Jan, and he is apprenticing right now.

 

[crazymomof4]

Music lessons are one thing that is easy for me. My DS14 would sleep with his guitar in his hands if he could find a way!! He began teaching himself about 2 years ago and has done very well. He just finished the intermediate guitar lesson software (from e-media). He wants to review that and then move on the a more challenging program.
Beware of drums! Friends of ours are getting rid of their son's set because they were so loud the rest of the family could't stand it.

How did you go about obtaining the info for the SAT prep course?



Question for everyone: What have you found to be the best source (quality and price) for the materials you've purchased? My only experience homeschooling has been with pre-packaged core curriculums. This is my first attempt at creating 100% of the curriculum and so I'm very overwhelmed by all of the options on all of the websites. PS- I'm very willing to buy used texts if the savings are significant. (I don't ever remember having a brand new textbook in public school!)