Anyone Home School their kids? How do you start?

[graygables]

I am so glad someone started this thread! I am a public school educator and have been seriously considering homeschooling now for several months. Much like the person who started this thread, my oldest DS9 has an IQ of 150, which comes with its own set of issues. There is a pullout GT once a week and even that is sporadic. DS7 loves school and likes the socialization. DS9 stresses constantly and is bullied because he is "different." DD3 is not in school yet but I would definitely consider HSing.

I was never a believer in homeschooling, but I am beginning to see the light. I am frustrated about the GT situation in our district, but for work-related resasons, am limited with my options for changing this. I KNOW I can do it, but I am concerned about teaching different levels of curriculum at the same time? Any thoughts on teaching different ages simultaneously?

Mine still at home are entering 4th and 6th according to the norms, but the younger one (8yo) is more inline with a lot of 5th grade work. One thing I've done that eases things up is to teach certain things together like science and social studies. Quite a bit of math can be done that way, too, as a review or a gap-filler for the older one or a preview of concepts for the younger, plus she can offer some alternate explanations if I don't seem to be getting through. Grammar is another subject that can be taught together. When it comes time for literature, I usually set the older one off to read, then the younger one and I work on some writing, then we switch off. Spelling is done pretty much online on their own. If we are in an unschooling phase, they usually take turns choosing what to focus on and we do that all together (our recent trip to Jamestown/Williamsburg, for instance).

 

[graygables]

My ds is only 2 but I am interested in possibly homeschooling. Would anyone be willing to share their daily HS schedule? I mena how your day flows? Do you HS 5 days a week?

We are year-round, daily homeschoolers, but we more unschool than have a schedule. With all the travelling we do, it's too hard to maintain. My DDs are usually in bed by 1030 and don't get up until 930 or 1000. They do their spelling program first thing (they each have a computer), and once our new curriculum arrives, they will have to do that first thing. It's also computer based, so they can do quite a bit independently. We do tend to ease up on Sunday and use that as a catch up/relax time.

If we are on a trip for work or vacation, we do take along a little here and there, but try to find learning opportunities where we are (zoo, aquarium, museum, local history, etc) We study geography on the way plus map-reading skills. When we cook, DDs learn fractions, weights, and measures, and science. We watch Good Eats to learn even more fun things. When we do our scrapbook shows, DDs learn math and how to count money. They are learning to inventory and use a computer spreadsheet. They learn how to communicate with people of all ages and I'm happy to say that neither one of them knows how to make disgusting noises with their armpits.

Last year, 8yo DD actually was giving mini, impromptu paper qulling classes at an expo we vendored. The grown-ups were amazed by how articulate and capable she was. The freedom from social engineering has allowed my children to bloom in ways we never could have imagined.

 

[graygables]

One more word of advice to those considering homeschooling: NEVER underestimate the power of PLAY. Let your children just play. A LOT! My older 2 missed out on a lot of that and I can tell a big difference in them. They are much more constrained and less creative thinkers. I give my younger 2 clay and let them have at it. They make elaborate and intricately detailed play sets, "rooms" full of furniture, food, people, and creatures. 11yo recently asked me to get them some more clay so they wouldn't have to take the tomato garden apart for the red they needed to make pizzas!

8yo invited me down to her room last night to watch her give her teddy an eye exam (she'd just had one on Monday and had spent the afternoon "playing eye doctor"). She had it down EXACTLY. She had cut out the little thing they have you hold over your eye from some paper, had a chart to write on, a letter chart (both distance and close), and was using her little book light as the flashlight. She talked to the bear about the blood vessels in his eyes and the optic nerve that looked "very healthy". Then she told me that she was taking his prescription and would put it in this drawer, then a tube would whoosh it away to the glasses place and they would put the glasses in a tube and they would whoosh back to the drawer. She put the paper from her "chart" she'd written on in the drawer, then said, "WHOOOSH", opened the drawer and pulled out her old pair of glasses and put them on the bear. It was a HOOT! I wished I had a video camera (without her knowing). It was precious and playing, but at the same time...she was learning (and maybe planning a career path???)

 

[emh1129]

I don't have any suggestions yet We will be starting our homeschooling journey this fall. I'm really looking forward to it.
Everyone around us is really supportive (especially my parents who are both teachers ), so that has really helped me to feel more confident.
Good luck!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I KNOW I can do it, but I am concerned about teaching different levels of curriculum at the same time? Any thoughts on teaching different ages simultaneously?

I am going to start homeschooling this summer, I've been planning it for a few months now and teaching so many different levels concerned me also (I'll have 4, an 11yo, 9yo, 8yo, and 5yo plus a 3yo to entertain). Someone suggested using unit studies, that way I can teach the same subject matter to each child, but only go as in depth as is appropriate for each child. I also plan on having my older two children help answer questions with my younger two. They already do this alot with homework, if I'm not explaining something well they offer a different perspective.

Something that I had to get past when I started planning was that there is no RIGHT way to homeschool, it is just what works for you and your child/children. I wanted something to say "okay, this is how you do it", but it has been very interesting finding my own way and I'm sure we will be refining it throughout the year as we find what works and what doesn't. But I have to think of that as part of the process instead of as failure.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I have no clue on homeschooling but have always thought that maybe I would - seems like a huge and vital undertaking. I always set up a plan (only like 30-60 min per day) for DS8 in the summer to help keep him wheres he at and hopefully improve in the areas he needs to i.e. reading. So far each year he has done great and improved and the teachers seem quite impressed.

This is a strange question but if I were to homeschool how would I work in the social aspect of school and the sports aspect? Would the local schools help me to incorporate sports into DS8's schedule? Currently he plays Little League, & soccer which are from outside sources so I know he could continue that but what happens at middle school ages where those programs phase out (except Little League) and we would need to rely on the schools in the area for team sports? Thanks for any info.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

As far as the school sports, I may be wrong, but I think the school district that you pay school taxes to has to let them participate.(high school football, basketball, for example). My kids aren't that old yet so I am not sure-also, each state is probably different, so check around.

I have to teach different grade levels as well and what works for us is staggering. I usually let my oldest start with math, my other son does his handwriting. Then when my youngest son does his math, big brother does his handwriting- just rotate so they aren't both needing math or lang. at the same time and this cuts out a lot of confusion.

Best wishes to all of you who are contemplating this new adventure. Go for it and don't look back!! It is very scary at first, but God gave them to YOU and He will help you teach them what THEY need each year! Read as much as you can and then try out some diff. curriculums. I have never been to a HS fair, but I would love to-but I am afraid I would want to buy all the neat and new stuff!! Ask around and get on hs chat rooms, whatever you can find. Another good book-other than what we've already listed- is Karen Andreola's A Charlotte Mason Companion. Go to Karen's website and check it out. I have sooooo enjoyed teaching my babies & you will too!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

As far as the school sports, I may be wrong, but I think the school district that you pay school taxes to has to let them participate.(high school football, basketball, for example). My kids aren't that old yet so I am not sure-also, each state is probably different, so check around.

Each state is different. Some states have a "all or nothing" policy with enrollment and extra curricular activities. If you don't go to public school, you don't get to play public school sports or take part in the school's programs (band, enrichment classes, etc.). Other states may allow some participation.

 

[nuzmom]

Wow, lots of good advice in this thread. We've hs'd for 4 years and love it. I have DS11 and DS6. Love the Lisa Whelch books - she's so down to earth and truthful I think it's easy to relate to her.

I would suggest writing down "why" you are interested in homeschooling. It really helps to be able to look back on the difficult days and remind yourself of what's important to you and that life wasn't "greener" before.

Teaching multiple ages - combine science and history. Use unit studies. Younger children do less school and more play so have them play quietly (playdoh, painting, whatever) while you tackle the more difficult subject for older children. Staggering does really work well, too. DS11 does "easy" studies while I do one-on-one with DS6.

Sports and such - take one year at a time. Soccer and little league works for you right now. Why "worry" about 5 years from now? You can always decide to send him back to PS if you think the sports are worth it (not for my family!!!!) Rest assured, if this is important to you, you'll go out of our way to find activities for your children. In our state, you can now do extra curricular activites at your public school (but there are some strings). A nearby private school allows hs'd children to play sports for $100 fee.

Our day - I assign a certain amount of work per week, broken down by day. We start around 8:30 am and they're done when they're done. Sometimes DS11 is done right after lunch, other days it's around 4:00 pm. I like to "reward" him - if he focuses and works diligently he's done early, if not, he's done late. He is also allowed to work ahead and take a day completely off!!! DS6 has school for about 2 hours per day. Same philosphy holds true, it's just he has less to do and gets done quickly.

Our state requires 180 days. I take our curriculum and spread out over 180 or so, 5 days per week. If we need to slow down on anything, we do. If we speed up, we do. I'm a big stickler for finishing curriculum, but if he does, I don't add more work for him (he'd quickly learn not to work so fast). So, spelling was done in about 150 days, grammar was about 160 days. Math took about 185 days.

 

[Ellester]

This is a strange question but if I were to homeschool how would I work in the social aspect of school and the sports aspect? Would the local schools help me to incorporate sports into DS8's schedule? Currently he plays Little League, & soccer which are from outside sources so I know he could continue that but what happens at middle school ages where those programs phase out (except Little League) and we would need to rely on the schools in the area for team sports? Thanks for any info.

Not a strange question at all, it's a very common one actually. Again, it varies state to state for sports. Our local homeschooling group has just started a football team and there are also local options for us for homeschooling tennis and golf (in addition to the soccer, swimming, little league, gymnastics, tai kwon do, etc. available to anyone). The social aspect is a nonissue for most homeschoolers. Between park days, co-ops, gymnastics, bowling, church, skating, fieldtrips, just playing in the neighborhood, and being out in public they are constantly interacting with kids of all ages as well as adults. I know my daughter has more social interaction now than when she was in PS. There they only had 20 minutes a day at recess where they could socialize (assuming they actually had recess that day)! No talking at lunch, in line, etc.

 

[LUV2BNWDW]

I have been trying to decide whether or not to Homeschool next year. I went to a hs convention. I'd like to homeschool, now its trying to decide which is the best way to go for my girls. There are SO MANY options that I can hardly decide. It was very overwhelming at the convention with all the options. I came home with a stack of books. I've read them so many times it made my head hurt. I have 10yr old twin girls. Both with very different learning styles. If anyone would like to offer advice, I'm trying to find pros and cons of the different programs. Your help would be very much appreciated.

 

[jenrose66]

Has anyone homeschooled through 12th grade. How do colleges look upon homeschooling?

 

[graygables]

Has anyone homeschooled through 12th grade. How do colleges look upon homeschooling?

We were actually e-schooling mine at the time, but the school had some issues, so DD decided (at 17) to just take the GED and get on with her life. She passed with flying colors and decided to start out at a community college. She did one semester there before being chosen for the WDW College Program (where she is right now)

From what I understand, there are "umbrella" organizations that can provide you with a regular diploma and most colleges are happy to accept homeschoolers.

 

[nuzmom]

Has anyone homeschooled through 12th grade. How do colleges look upon homeschooling?

The graduates that have attended our co-op have had wonderful success with colleges. Now that there is more documentation of the success of homeschooled children in colleges, colleges are VERY interested in recuiting hs'd children.

I attended 2 conferences to hear first hand from certain colleges what they look for and what we as hs'ers can do to help our children get accepted at the colleges of their choices. What I was told is that the SAT is looked at "a little more" with hs'd kids. Grades that hs'd kids received need to match up to the SAT score and application essay. Successfully completing accredited AP courses will help make an applicant "stand out".

A boy in our co-op who just graduated was awarded $20,500 in scholarship money (out of $22,000 needed). His SATs were good and he had a few AP courses. I would say that overall he was a bright student.

 

[nuzmom]

LOV2BNWDW - I think one of the hardest things to do is to pick curriculum. What different programs are you considering? It helps me to remember that I will make mistakes and pick the "wrong" thing, but I also have the ability to change it. If something I choose just doesn't work out, I can go with something else. At the least, it gives me a better idea of what to choose next time.

You could also get your childrens opinions on what you choose. Narrow it down to a few choices and then talk to them. At 10 years old, they'll tell you what sounds like of more of a match for them.

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I apologize in advance, this is a long story...

The first thing I worried about in homeschooling was whether or not I would be able to do it. I was worried that I wasnt an accredited teacher and wouldn't know where to begin. The reason homeschooling came up at all was because of problems we were having with our oldest daughter at school. We tried to get help for her but our school system wasn't at all helpful.

We took her to Sylvan and had her tested to see if the problem was hers and how we could deal with it. But the surprise at Sylvan was that she was extremelly bright and that she hadnt been given the basic building blocks to learn with. At this same time our middle daughter, who had been in private school her first year until the school closed, was very bright and bored to tears with the classroom because she had to wait for the other kids to catch up with her. In private school they work at their own pace.

Well, lets just say all kinds of stuff hit the fan when Sylvan called our school to talk to them. We didnt know they were going to do this by the way. The school officials got really upset and told me that I shouldnt have gone to anyone outside of our school for independent testing. The teacher called my child "stupid" in front of me and I can only imagine what she said when I wasnt there! They pulled my daughter out of class and put her in remedial courses. Anyone ever deal with remedial courses? They dont teach anything in remedial classes at our school, they just give them the answers to the questions to get the kid out of the way.

They then performed a test on her, at the school, that said her iq wasnt very high. Sooo, I took her outside the school for an independent iq test and she scored VERY high. They didnt like that either...

So after such a long story, my friend who homeschools asked me a very important question. "Do you love your children?" "Of course I do" I replied. "Well then, how could you possibly do anything worse than what they are getting at public school?"

I am now homeschooling my 3 girls and have been for the last two years! It was the absolute best decision I have ever made. We travel and have visited our capitol and historic sites in our state and we have even travelled parts of the world. It has been a true blessing. My kids don't just know where the state capitol is, they can tell you details about it that only come from experiencing it.

We used Abeka the first year, but not the second. It was very structured. The second year we went to the homeschool book fair and let each child determine which program they liked best for their courses. This year we are going to try Sonlight since it has been highly recommended by several friends. The one thing to remember is that sometimes the kids need to be UNschooled first. My kids would cringe at the word test, but now they don't.

Good luck with your decision, just remember you only get one chance to raise your children.

 

[meandtheguys2]

My brother and SIL homeschooled thru high school. Their kids were accepted into their top colleges, and did wonderfully. Both started taking college classes at 16, due to the ability to "double dip" in OH, counting those classes as HS credits and earning the college credit.