Any Disney Homeschoolers?

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by CJMickeyMouse
Many of the examples in Sha_lyn's post apply to our PS, but we continue to work with them.... cooperating to provide what our children need. Do we homeschool? Yes. Do the children attend PS? Yes.

I don't find the generalizations offensive on either side of the fence... because I realize there are good and bad things about both.... it all depends on where you are standing.

We all do what we feel is best for our kids.... in OUR SITUATION... with OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

I guess I think we all should be able to chuckle at the generalizations that hit home with us... much like a blonde would at blonde jokes.

There are waaaaayyyy too many variables to get uptight when someone makes a comment about homeschooling and/or public schools.

The ideas in this thread can be an asset to ALL students and I hope it's left open.

The most level-headed thing I've read all night! Thanks for putting my feelings into words.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Again, my computer isn't feeling well, so I can't refer back easily...

Someone asked about the $$$ of HS. It can range from $20 - thousands. If you go to Target this week, they have 70 page notebooks for $.10. Use the library, swap books, attend free events. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, hire a tutor, enroll in distance learning programs or community programs. For us, this year I'll probably purchase Sonlight Basic 5 and PK, $750 ish.


Someone asked about the 3rd group of HSer's. I don't know that any one family could be put into any one category. We're probably all 3's!

If we can all come away from here with the idea that we ALL want what's best for our child/ren, then we're all the better for it. If we weren't all passionate about our child/ren, we wouldn't have such strong feelings about this subject. And so tell me...what's more important....how they learn to add and subtract, or how much they are loved? Let's all celebrate the idea that we love our offspring and we can agree to disagree about something that, one way or another, they will eventually learn in spite of our meanderings here!

 

[stamper]

Has anyone used the CLASS program from Christian Liberty Press? I'm considering this for DD as it would offer an independent "someone" to grade her work which might make it more acceptable to my Ex-H who isn't real thrilled with the idea. She will be in the 8th grade.

Thought Sonlight looked good for DS (1st gr.), but I may keep him where he is for this year as I really like the teacher. Has anyone used Sonlight....comments?

TIA and keep the "real info" coming as it is helpful for all....the debates are good for no one.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Stamper, We have used Sonlight for many years and Love it! A good number of families I know also use it. Great for multi-age use, too. If you have any specific questions, please PM me, I'll be more than happy to answer what I can.

 

[crazymomof4]

I could go on a homeschool forum to ask this but I'd rather check with my fellow DISers first:

For DS14 I'm going to be using the American School for the first time this year. Has anyone had any experience with this program? What recommendations/tips would you give for using it?

 

[Kermit]

For us to homeschool a highschool student, it's probably going to cost about $300 for the year when it's all said and done. We could spend less, but we don't want to buy used text books this year. He's a child that we've taken into our family, and we don't want him to feel "second-class" or like he's a burden to us in any way. We could do it even cheaper if we were so inclined.

For those of you considering homeschooling who don't really want to bring the typical, PS classroom into your home, I'd strongly recommend that you check out The Elijah Company. It's a very Christian oriented company, so that may not appeal to all of you, but it has great articles explaining why it can be beneficial to piece together a curriculum from different suppliers. They sell homeschooling materials, but they're very selective and only sell ones that they really like. I have gotten some supplies that they don't sell, but it's reassuring to find a company that provides things from different suppliers but yet exercises some discretion about what they'll carry. The articles are expecially wonderful. You'll find all kinds of ideas in them.

One of the best pieces of advice I've gotten (from The Elijah Company and other sources) is to actually write down why you're homeschooling. Then, when evaluating resources, make sure each one fulfills at least one of your goals. There are lots of great books out there that are designed to turn out students who are top-performers in terms of academics, but I always try to remind myself that academics, while important to me, aren't on the top of my list of reasons I want to homeschool. Character development and inspiring a lifelong love of learning are higher on my list, so I try to buy things that will help with those goals first.

 

[sha_lyn]

For DS14 I'm going to be using the American School for the first time this year. Has anyone had any experience with this program? What recommendations/tips would you give for using it?

14 DS will also be using Amercain School starting this yr. While I have no personal experience with it, most of the teens in his teen homeschool group use it. I've talked in depth with one mother (who is acutually a PS teacher who refuses to send her kids to PS) and she is extremely happy with it. The only problem I have (from my research) is that they don't offer caculus and other "higher" math classes. They jsut go up to Algebra II. It is my understanding that it can usually be finished in 3 yrs, so our plan is to add higher math in after he finished with American school


As for cost .... It really depends. I know someone who buys only math text, and gets the rest of her children's work off the internet for free (minus paper and ink cost). I know some who spend 1200 on boxed curriculums. Some programs like Five inm a Row can be done with very little over the cost of the book, because the lessons are pulled from liturature that is easily found at the library.

As for all those upset over a joke ..get over it it is a joke... Almost all jokes make generalizations in one way or another.... and yes there have been plenty of anti homeschool jokes, avatars and signatures right here on the DIS ... so don't act like it has never happened.

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
As for all those upset over a joke ..get over it it is a joke... Almost all jokes make generalizations in one way or another.... and yes there have been plenty of anti homeschool jokes, avatars and signatures right here on the DIS ... so don't act like it has never happened.

Really nice.

No one ever said it never happened. But just because the shoe has been on the other foot should not make it right. And, I should think, that you being a HS parent, being on the receiving end of jokes, cruel remarks, sweeping generalities, avatars and signatures would be more sensitive to other's feelings. I guess not.

And with that, dear readers, I am done. I started reading this thread to try and get a little more perspective on Homeschooling. And aside from a select few, all I have gotten is that I have no right to even read this thread, because we are not homeschoolers. How to make someone feel welcome, everyone.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
14 DS will also be using Amercain School starting this yr. While I have no personal experience with it, most of the teens in his teen homeschool group use it. I've talked in depth with one mother (who is acutually a PS teacher who refuses to send her kids to PS) and she is extremely happy with it. The only problem I have (from my research) is that they don't offer caculus and other "higher" math classes. They jsut go up to Algebra II. It is my understanding that it can usually be finished in 3 yrs, so our plan is to add higher math in after he finished with American school

Glad to hear the PS teacher is pleased w/ American. I have 2 friends who use it and they are happy too. I agree w/ the Math and also find the required Science to be light. They allow 3 units of electives in the college prep course so I think he'll use 1-2 of them on science. I have heard that American only sends 1 course, Psychology, to new 9th grade students. I put a note in with the enrollment form requesting more subjects. I'll send that on Mon., we'll see. What drew to American was the fact that they are widely accredited and issue a real highschool diploma upon graduation.
I've been looking around the net for creative (and inexpensive) ways to supplement his curriculum. I came across this site to use with the literature he'll be reading this year. It has teaching aids to use with a long list of literature both classic and modern.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/

I also like a packet of CD's that I bought collectively called "Highschool Advantage" Here's a site to view them:

http://www.encoresoftware.com/dbdriven/detail.aspx?sku=23500&category=education

ooooooh I just noticed, this is my 500th post!

 

[GladysK]

Homeschool Kids Don't Get the Chance To...

? Be told to sit down and shut up 7 hours a day or more.

? Be told your class doesn't get to use the slide till Friday; go back
to the Monkey Bars.

? Hide their poor grades for three months at a time.

? To beg to be allowed to go to the rest room..

? Be ridiculed for buying clothes at Wal-mart.

? Be punished along with 29 others for something only one child did.

? Keep up with the most recent versions of History.

? Eat food of a lower quality then state prisoners.

? To get socially promoted to the next grade even if they didn't
understand the last grade.

? To learn that a noun is a person, place or thing twelve years in a
row.

? Be made fun of for keeping their virginity.

? Have the water that they are allowed to drink after recess severely
limited.

? To be told that their parents morals are stupid by a teacher they are
supposed to respect..

? To wait for a school bus under a tall tree in a thunder storm.

? To wear a uniform, name tag, walk through metal detectors, be
surrounded by police officers, have their possessions
searched and basically be treated like a common criminal 7 or more hours a
day.

? To miss out on a scholarship because their grades were not as high as
the homeschooler down the street.


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Gosh, sha_lyn, what a FUNNY joke!!!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Ooo...I did find that offensive as well. My kids are public school educated, although I also supplement the public school education with stuff at home. So I guess I am a homepublicschooler?

I have never, never understood this "competition" that goes on between public schooling and homeschooling? It truly amazes me.

 

[crazymomof4]

I don't get it.....
A post is made and for reasons (right or wrong) it is met with several negative responses. The thread is taken down a path toward becoming a debate. This could potentially lead to the thread being locked.
So, what exactly would be the reason for quoting the entire negatively recieved post and reposting it? This could only stir up more contention! Arguments have been made for both sides of the issue, now please, just let it go. Some of us (including the OP) want to see this thread remain alive. We are enjoying the interchange of info concerning homeschooling.

GEEZ!!

 

[Planogirl]

I agree. I checked this thread out of curiosity and I thought about asking a few questions. But now that I see the direction that it's going in, I think I'll pass. By the way, I'm a happy PS'er but I'm always curious about other methods.

Anyway, except for the slams, it's been real informative though!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Well, since Pete had been asking for suggestions for a new forum....was a homeschooling/supplemental schooling forum ever brought up?

 

[6_Time_Momma]

And since we're sharing ideas, etc. here is a cool site. If you visit every week and download the pages offered, at the end of the year, you will have seven complete books for free.

http://www.teachinglearning.com/freeteach_weekly_giveaway/freeteach_weekly.php

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I have yet to figure out why those who are so anti-homeschooling even bother to open a thread with this title??

Anyhow.... for those of you looking for advanced math, I highly recommend the Saxon series. However, I would start with the series early as each book builds upon the last. Each lesson is very well explained, and the kids are basically able to pick up the concepts on their own. Great for homeschooling and/or unschooling!

 

[SilverLily]

Originally posted by CJMickeyMouse
I have yet to figure out why those who are so anti-homeschooling even bother to open a thread with this title??

Who on this thread said that they were "anti-homeschooling"? So now anyone who doesn't homeschool is anti-homeschooling? Just because some parents choose to send their kids to PS does not mean that they are "anti-homeschooling". It is comments like these that separate and divide parents and contributes to that "I'm better than you" attitude.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Originally posted by SilverLily
Who on this thread said that they were "anti-homeschooling"? So now anyone who doesn't homeschool is anti-homeschooling? Just because some parents choose to send their kids to PS does not mean that they are "anti-homeschooling". It is comments like these that separate and divide parents and contributes to that "I'm better than you" attitude.

Oh for gosh sakes.

I am not even going to respond to that.

FYI, my kids attend PS.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by CJMickeyMouse
Anyhow.... for those of you looking for advanced math, I highly recommend the Saxon series. However, I would start with the series early as each book builds upon the last. Each lesson is very well explained, and the kids are basically able to pick up the concepts on their own. Great for homeschooling and/or unschooling!

I like Saxon too. I was given a 7/8th grade Saxon math text and last year I used it to help my 5th grade PS son w/ howmework and 7/8th grade HS son who had a different text with his curriculum package. It explained the concepts much better than the texts that they were individually using.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by Planogirl
I checked this thread out of curiosity and I thought about asking a few questions. But now that I see the direction that it's going in, I think I'll pass. By the way, I'm a happy PS'er but I'm always curious about other methods.

Ask away! I've only got 1 year of HS under my belt, but I will try to answer if I can. If not, there are plenty of HS vets here who could.