Any homeschool families???

[nkjzmom]

I am interested in finding WHY you homeschool and WHAT kind of curriculum/schedule/materials you use.

Amy in AL

 

[nkjzmom]

Shameless bump...in case I posted this too late last night for anyone to check out......

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We dual enroll (homeschool part time) our two sons. The reason? When the school is unable to provide what they need. Each of them is about four years ahead of their agemates in math.... so I teach that, and they do their "homework" at school while the other kids are taught math. We use Saxon and LOVE it. We have also used Abeka Spanish. We have a seventh grader and a fifth grader... both have three years of high school Spanish under their belts. The oldest has the ACT and SAT scores to get into any college.

We started using this option when our DS's were bored to death in school - several teachers just started telling them to read a book or something while everyone else caught up. This was unacceptable to us, so we provide what we feel the children need.

**flame retardant suit in place**

 

[peg2001]

CJ,

Why the flame retardent suit? I would love to hear a bit more about how you do the part-time home schooling. Here in TN, it seems to be all or nothing. My oldest is currently in a public kindergarten but I have been thinking about home schooling. Your part-time arrangement sounds ideal.

Peggy

 

[nkjzmom]

If anyone flames you for doing what is best for YOUR family......well, that's just rude. I know, what strong fightin' words, huh?

My DS is going to enrichment classes in reading and math...while his class does the regular curriculum. He is extremely talented in math...which absolutely does not come from me! I'm just trying to weigh and measure what options I have for my family in the near future. Thanks for sharing what you do.

 

[Piglet]

Yes please give more details on duel enrollment. I am very interested in this.

Melinda

 

[pajamommy]

I don't homeschool, but I give everyone who does a LOT of credit!!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

WOW! This is not the usual response to homeschooling on this board!

Dual Enrollment in Iowa is a part time situation that is very flexible. You can dual enroll for activities only, or for some classes, etc. It is ideal for our family.

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

This is the first year for homeschooling both of my children. We bought our cirriculum from Calvet School. Calvert is a private school in the Baltimore area who sells their cirriculum and all materials needed. You can take the option of having a teacher assigned to you who will grade some of the required school work and send it back to you with any suggestions. Lesson plans are laid out well and it's easy to follow, especially for us first timers!

My daughter tried Pre-K at a local public school last year and I was so completely disgusted that I pulled her out. In her situation she needed more individual attention and at first the teachers would help her. One day I found a worksheet in her backpack that said she just sat there watching the other kids complete their worksheets and that they wouldn't be able to help her anymore. Her worksheet was blank. When I asked her about it she said she didn't understand the directions and no one would help her. That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. (I explained her situation at the time of signing her up--we brought her and her brother home from Russia the year before.) There were other instances that worried me a bit.

No one is going to care as much as a parent about your child's education. She is excelling in every subject and her teacher cannot get over how well she is doing. Most importantly her self-esteem has jumped by leaps and bounds. I do not regret for a moment that she is homeschooled. The biggest cliche is that my children do not get socialized! What a joke because they are involved in library groups, ballet, ice skating and play groups. The type of social interaction that goes on in some of our schools I would not wish on anyone's child now adays. Sorry this is long but it's just something I feel very strongly for MY family.

 

[jsmith]

We use this option(dual enrollment) as well-I was never happy with the history and language programs in the schools here-my boys go full days in public school and get supplemental work at home. College Board Scores have been adequate for any college they might choose since 6th grade. Also, even if you are strictly homeschooling there are some things you might want to check into. In Colorado, if your student is home schooled for most things the public schools are required by law to allow them to participate in programs such as band and orchestra. They may also tryout for sports teams-there are some residency restricitions on this-you must tryout at the high school whose boundaries you live in-there is no Open enrollment for sports and they are subject to the same eligibilty requirements as everyone else and can be cut just like any other athelete (although, in reality the kind of kids who take advantage of these programs are not likely have eligibility issues)

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Unfortunately in our area it is what they call 'all or nothing.' We are not allowed to have our children try out for anything in the public schools; however, there is a private school very close by that will allow homeschoolers to try out and participate in sports and activities. Homeschooling in this area is HUGE and at least the private school is willing to recognize and 'profit' from this.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Originally posted by CJMickeyMouse
WOW! This is not the usual response to homeschooling on this board!

I don't think anyone has a problem with people homeschooling because it will benefit their children to do so. The problem is that some homeschooling parents believe that they must love their children so much more than people who send their kids to traditional schools.

I don't homeschool, but I do supplement my son's education. I'm not fully satisfied with the education he is receiving, so we delve deeper into the subjects that I don't feel are being covered adequately.

 

[Kermit]

I'm planning on homeschooling, but since Jacob is 2 months old, it will be a while. I'm going to do it because I think it's the best way for my DH and I to educate our children. I don't think it's for everyone, and I don't think that all schools are bad. I just think that individual attention can be the ideal situation if the parents are the type that are able to and really want to teach their children. Plus, DH is in a line of work that he frequently does as a contractor for home. We'd like to be able to get an RV and take our children on months-long trips around the country at least once or twice while their growing up. Learning is always much more effective when it's hands-on, so we want to be able to show them the world while we teach them about it.

I've looked into a few different curriculums, and I think we'll piece our own together. I live a few miles from Bob Jones, so most of my friends use that, but I don't think we'll use them for every subject. I'd like to use a classical method in the mornings for Bible, reading, writing, and math, and then do unit studies for social studies, science, reading comprehension, etc.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

I was thinking of this just this morning. With the MA budget cuts we may see the schools going to 4 days, 40 students ea class. May see the public library only being open 3 days.
So parttime homeschooling may be option for us.

 

[sha_lyn]

DS attended PS for 7 years. He did well before we moved, but starting in 3rd grade we had nothing but problems with the school. After fighting with them for 3 yrs (they insisted DS had ADD, the Ped. ruled it out) I started digging into the schools record. What I found was shocking. This ele. school had a very high % of kids who qualified for special Ed or remedial help (the last report, from 2001-2002 is 61.4%). I spoke to parents of children who were then attending the local middle school. Honor students from our Ele were way behind in middle school (most dropped to a B-C average). Average students (B-C) were failing, or the parents were paying big $$ for tutors.
I later found out that his reading class (the second highest level in 6th grade) was reading at a 4.5. He was in the highest math level, and had not covered fractions, or any pre-algebra or pre-geometry.

I tested him that summer and found on most subjects he was 1- 1.5 yrs behind. At first homeschooling was just our plan for a yr, to get him "caught up".
Well I started seeing big changes in DS (in a good way) when we started HS'ing. He was no longer stressed out, and he actually enjoys learning again (something I haven't seen since 1st grade).

With DD we actually planned to put her in PS. She attended a private preschool last yr. Her preschool teacher and I both agreed she was not ready for K this yr. She just made the cut off by a few days, and would be one of the youngest in her class. There isn't a young 5 pre K/K program near us so we decided to homeschool her this yr. As the yr has progressed (and the local school has made the local news as being on of the worst in the country) we've decided to keep her at home for now. With her we will play it by ear. We will probably enroll her in a few enrichment classes next yr, mainly to give us a break from each other.
In GA it is "all or nothing" too. There is no dual enrollment. However because of the poor condition of the PS' there are plenty of other alternatives to "fill in the gaps". The group we belong to has classes (DS took a wonderful ancient history class through them), 4 H, social days, field trips, book clubs, teen community projects etc (the list is very long). Many local museums, nature centers (etc) offer free or very inexpensive classes. There are also private part time schools. One is a 2 day a week school, the other is a 3-day a week school. Local churches and HS supply stores also offer enrichment classes.

We are using Calvert K for 5 DD and Great Books Academy (8th grade) for 13 DS. We supplement their science with The Jason Project, and they are each studying Spanish with Power Glide. DS is also participating in a student Government project called S-GAP.

 

[sharbear]

sha_lyn,
If that was happening in my school, I'd take him out in a New York Minute. Good for you and the sacifice you are making. I happen to be fortunate enough to live in a great school district. Last year on our proficiencies 1 person didn't pass one part of a test. That was it. We are very lucky to be living where we are and I don't plan on moving until my kids are out of school. But if the school was substandard for either everyone or just my child I would have to look at the alternatives and it seems as if you have made the right choice for you.

 

[worm761]

this is my first year homeschooling DS. here in NY it is an all or nothing. although i live in a friendly school district. (they have enough problems without bothering homeschoolers.) we have alot of laws that we have to follow. if you do decide to homeschool, check the laws for your state at www.hslda.org
i decided to homeschool because in public school kindergarden my DS was bored. he was a full year ahead of the other kids. DS is also "very active" but also very bright. he just cant sit for more than 5 mins at a time. i dont mind the bouncing in his seat at home. but a teacher with 35 students in her class is gonna have a problem with it. i did what i thought was right. i put to gether my own curriculumn. i use the scope and sequence from world book. we use different workbooks and utulize the internets free worksheet sites. i have also found tons of really cool science sites.

 

[nkjzmom]

kermit...would you mind explaining more about Bob Jones? What is that?

 

[Kermit]

Bob Jones is a private school and college here in Greenville. They have their own press company and make their own curriculum which they sell to other Christian schools and homeschoolers. They're well-known for having some of the best pictures and graphics in their text books. The educational content in their books is solid. If I wanted to get all of my books from one company, I'd probably strongly consider them, especially for an older student.

 

[rae519]

After Kayla died, it was hard for our son to keep going to school with the boy who rearended our car and killed her - so I started to homeschool him. I used Homequest back then and it worked well for 9-12 grade. He took SAT and ACT, did very well and although he didn't need it to enroll at Indiana University. I had him take and GED (general education diploma) test. He was 1 year ahead of his peers due to his diligence and our joint efforts.
He is an Honors Student and we are very proud of him.

He has often commented that he is better prepared for college than many of his peers. I take that as a compliment to both his public school education from K-8 and his being homeschooled from 9-12.

I did start our youngest son in K, but he soon wanted to be homeschooled. I did it for 1st grade (using Saxon and Abeka)but after a few months realized that he needed that third person and peer interaction. Maybe at a later date, we will return to homeschooling but not right now. I am volunteering in his classroom and around the school (PTO). But do so enjoy this time off!!!!

Rae