Help! Have you Homeschooled an 8th Grader?

[erincon23]

If you have or are homeschooling an 8th grader, could you PM me? I may have to do this for the rest of the year -- my son, who has had school anxiety issues in the past, is now having major back issues (which I don't believe are related to the anxiety), and has missed a ton of school this year. Despite chiro, a spine specialist, physical therapy, etc., he doesn't seem to be improving. The school system may force us into this position (and believe me, they're doing everything they can to help us out, but he can't continue to miss school, and unless we can get a doctor's authorization for him to stay at home and have a home-bound tutor, he'll be considered truant). We wouldn't be doing this for religious reasons, obviously. What I'm looking for is some advice on how you found a curriculum, how you dealt with the high school the next year -- he really needs to go to the regular high school -- how you handled subjects you didn't feel qualified to teach. I'm a K-5 substitute teacher (no teacher degree), with an English background -- I can handle language arts, social studies, health, art and music, but don't feel competent to handle math and science.

Any advice you can give me would be appreciated!

Erin

 

[zumbergc]

Maybe you could ask around to find out if the school knows of others who are home schooling?

Then possibly that person could have strengthe in math and science, and you could swap.

Ask the school maybe there is some on-line he could learn the math and science from.

Just suggestions, don't know much about home schooling.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Maybe you could try Switched on Schoolhouse? They have a few different options. I hear many good things about them. It's by Alpha Omega Publications.

 

[Briarmom]

Teaching Textbooks is an excellent Math program. The lessons are done on CD-Rom.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I would definitely recommend going with a Computer Based Curriculum. It will do most of the teaching for you. There are alot of options depending on your budget and religious preferences.

Are you opposed to something with a Christian viewpoint? If not then there are a bunch of options. K-12 is secular (no religion), Switched on Schoolhouse is Christian. There are others but these are the ones I am familiar with. You will find that much of it is by Christian based companies.

You can also sign up with an accredited school. They assign the work, your child does it, and then it is sent in to be graded. You will get an official transcript.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I don't have any schooling suggestions, but want to say I'm sorry for everything your son is going through. It sounds like the poor kid has it pretty rough.

I feel bad for you too. I have an 8th grader, and I'd be climbing a wall if I had to be around him 24/7. He is one moody little monster with being on the brink of puberty.

Hope he's feeling better soon.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

If your son is out of school from the back pain a tutor should be sent to your house. This would allow him to finish with the same curriculum that he started and allow himself to heal at home.

If the anxiety is the reason (not his back) I would take the time using the tutor to look into programs for next year. I personally do not home school, but have looked into the online programs. I believe they would probably work the best for your son. Good Luck.

 

[laurie31]

I homeschool my 8th grader and have for 3 years. We are Christian but don't homeschool for religious reasons.

Our curriculum is about half and half, Christian and secular. She is taking English this year from a teacher, through our co-op group, but I teach her everything else, except PE. She takes ballet, tap, jazz, ballroom dance, and horseback riding to fulfil the state requirement for the number of PE hours. (you can do it way cheaper, with programs at the YMCA, or just independently at home with a WiiFit or something, but she loves dancing and horses, so...)

Anyway, you need to start by going to HSLDA's website and finding out about the legal requirements to homeschool in your state. Every state is different. Here, we have to affiliate with a "cover" group, and ours is pretty strict on turning in grades and attendance. I think other groups may be less strict, but I think strict is good. I am required by the state to teach English, math, science, history, and PE, plus our group requires that I teach a Bible course. Plus I teach electives by my and DD's choice. This year she's taking art, music (she plays in the homeschool band, plus takes private lessons) and German.

Even though I love homeschooling my DD, I have to wonder if it's the best thing for your DS, if he's just going to finish out this year at home and then go back to public school next year. If it were me I'd be looking into the home-based tutor from the school.

I'd be glad to tell you more if you want - just PM me

 

[erincon23]

Thanks for your responses! We are looking into the home tutor thing -- that would be the best option at this point, but we're running into a time problem -- have to have an MD authorize it, his meds management doctor doesn't feel it's in her purview (but yay, at today's meeting, she decided he no longer needs to be on his anxiety med, so he'll be off everything!!!!), and the school won't accept the chiropractor's authorization. So now I have to go to the highly unsympathetic GP -- I generally like this guy, but not for this kid -- there's something about knowing a child has a school anxiety issue (or has had in the past) that automatically makes every issue a getting-out-of-school ploy in his mind. But that will be my first call tomorrow. DS has an appt with the new back doctor, but not for over a week, so we have to get something in place and authorized for him to be home next week (and I'm hoping he starts to feel better soon, and doesn't need all this), and I'm really afraid I won't be able to get the GP to do it.

DS's b-day is Monday -- I'm hoping for a minor miracle so he doesn't feel so lousy on his birthday!

- Erin