Homeschool Chat Part III

[nighttowll]

That's what I'm hoping for. Speech is accessed via community care here for our schools. I figure we pay taxes, I should be able to access that care. I'm going to talk to our md about a referral to the community care. We will see what happens. I think I may have to bang on a few doors but I will find my way.

Well, I know where I live the private school kids get access to the all the publicly funded educational therapies. Speech therapy, dyslexia tutoring etc., so I'm pretty sure homeschoolers would fall under the same category. You pay the same taxes, so you should be entitled to the same services as well, even if not formally enrolled.

Where you have to watch out is places where homeschooling is looked down on by the public schools, where they need your kid for a head count. Those types of school districts will generally leave you alone unless you come to their attention. Trying to get therapy or pulling a kid out can attract that unwanted attention. They can then cause all kinds of problems for you. You will win in the end, but I know people who have gone to court over stuff like this. It comes down to how much trouble are you willing to cause. How much are you willing to fight to get what's rightfully yours. Lots of people just break and down pay for private tutoring or whatever to avoid the hassle.

If you do have trouble and really want to fight for it though, you can always go to the Homeschool Defense Association. They take care of all your lawyers and cases and all that legal stuff. And once you join, you are good for life. If your kids have trouble with colleges, with anything, because they were homeschooled, they will step in and take care of everything for you. Usually it just takes a strongly worded letter from them to make a school district see you mean business, and that's the end of it. The school districts normally won't fight an expensive court battle they know they can't win.

 

[quandrea]

Well, I know where I live the private school kids get access to the all the publicly funded educational therapies. Speech therapy, dyslexia tutoring etc., so I'm pretty sure homeschoolers would fall under the same category. You pay the same taxes, so you should be entitled to the same services as well, even if not formally enrolled.

Where you have to watch out is places where homeschooling is looked down on by the public schools, where they need your kid for a head count. Those types of school districts will generally leave you alone unless you come to their attention. Trying to get therapy or pulling a kid out can attract that unwanted attention. They can then cause all kinds of problems for you. You will win in the end, but I know people who have gone to court over stuff like this. It comes down to how much trouble are you willing to cause. How much are you willing to fight to get what's rightfully yours. Lots of people just break and down pay for private tutoring or whatever to avoid the hassle.

If you do have trouble and really want to fight for it though, you can always go to the Homeschool Defense Association. They take care of all your lawyers and cases and all that legal stuff. And once you join, you are good for life. If your kids have trouble with colleges, with anything, because they were homeschooled, they will step in and take care of everything for you. Usually it just takes a strongly worded letter from them to make a school district see you mean business, and that's the end of it. The school districts normally won't fight an expensive court battle they know they can't win.

Thanks for this. I'm in Ontario, Canada. I wonder if we have an association like that here? I'm willing to fight for the therapy should she require it, because my experience with the private arm of the system was that they were just looking to make a buck. The publicly funded arm had been more results oriented.

Homeschooling is frowned upon here. My kids do go towards their head count. We are mostly left alone. All I need to do each year is provide a letter of intent. We are able to access provincial testing if we so desire. Why would speech be any different?

I'm going to get things rolling on Friday when we meet with dd's speech therapist. I'll have her release dd's file to our md, her paediatric geneticist (prominent dr in the country), and the school system. None if this takes effect until June, but things move very slowly through the channels.

In the meantime, we are rolling along with reading. In the afternoons, I'm also working on some of the things the teacher says the twins don't know. Which I am finding they mostly DO know. Lots of work, but I want to make sure they know what they need to. Looking forward to September when they will be home with me and I won't have to march to someone else's drum.

 

[quandrea]

I just found the homeschool defense league of canada. Sounds like your homeschool defense association. I'm going to join regardless. They provide legal defense, community connections, insurance for homeschooled events. Thank you so much. I think being a member there will be valuable. I'm going to ask them about accessing speech therapy. Love the dis!

 

[nighttowll]

I just found the homeschool defense league of canada. Sounds like your homeschool defense association. I'm going to join regardless. They provide legal defense, community connections, insurance for homeschooled events. Thank you so much. I think being a member there will be valuable. I'm going to ask them about accessing speech therapy. Love the dis!

Yep, we thought it was well worth joining as a form of insurance, a just in case kind of thing.

 

[MatoMany]

In the meantime, we are rolling along with reading. In the afternoons, I'm also working on some of the things the teacher says the twins don't know. Which I am finding they mostly DO know. Lots of work, but I want to make sure they know what they need to. Looking forward to September when they will be home with me and I won't have to march to someone else's drum.

Something I found with my daughter is that she really doesn't like feeling like she is being tested or quizzed on things. She will deliberately give the wrong answer if someone is asking her a ton of questions. She has my in laws convinced that she doesn't know how to count to 3 or her alphabet. She just aced her spelling quiz today, read a book (with help, reading is something she struggles with) and did a lesson in multiplication. She just cant stand it when people start asking her repeated questions..
I wonder if they are the same way. They don't like being quizzed and don't want to do them. Or they are bored in class. I use to fail a lot of tests in elementary school because I was bored and would say random answers or daydream until like a minute before the end of the test and fill in whatever came to my head first.

 

[quandrea]

Something I found with my daughter is that she really doesn't like feeling like she is being tested or quizzed on things. She will deliberately give the wrong answer if someone is asking her a ton of questions. She has my in laws convinced that she doesn't know how to count to 3 or her alphabet. She just aced her spelling quiz today, read a book (with help, reading is something she struggles with) and did a lesson in multiplication. She just cant stand it when people start asking her repeated questions..
I wonder if they are the same way. They don't like being quizzed and don't want to do them. Or they are bored in class. I use to fail a lot of tests in elementary school because I was bored and would say random answers or daydream until like a minute before the end of the test and fill in whatever came to my head first.

I know this is how my son would behave. They sit them down periodically throughout the year and test them. The results are recorded check list style. I know ds would be only interested in getting back in the action and would rush, or be noncompliant. Dd is a bit better, but she too would have her patience tested and then get difficult. What can I say? They are four. At home, we keep it fun, and I take note of what they know as we go. I'm a teacher and I think this is the best way of assessing knowledge. It's natural and the kids are relaxed. Catch them doing what they need to know when they think you aren't looking. Anyway, assessing for myself, puts my worries at ease.

 

[momimouse27]

They used to give my son timed math quizzes(and they did it with my daughter way back in the late 90s) and it was always negative. It just made them so nervous. I have truly never understood the benefits of timing a kid on their math facts! Not once as an adult have I-or anybody else I know-been asked to fire off math facts at a job or job interview. .

I have to share the nice day I had with my son. I'm usually pretty adamant we do all our sit down and computer work daily. But today I surprised him and brought out the Scrabble game. We played for a long time and he had a blast. A nice change from the frustration he's having with his fractions right now.

 

[quandrea]

They used to give my son timed math quizzes(and they did it with my daughter way back in the late 90s) and it was always negative. It just made them so nervous. I have truly never understood the benefits of timing a kid on their math facts! Not once as an adult have I-or anybody else I know-been asked to fire off math facts at a job or job interview. .

I have to share the nice day I had with my son. I'm usually pretty adamant we do all our sit down and computer work daily. But today I surprised him and brought out the Scrabble game. We played for a long time and he had a blast. A nice change from the frustration he's having with his fractions right now.

Sounds lovely. Reminds me of our day. My three: 9, 4 and 4 played with their trains for hours today. Building, imagining. A little fighting too but lots of fun. Didn't read with the twins today but they were having so much fun. Now we shared soup and a movie by the fire. Live these special days.

 

[Tuffy4God]

Hi! I'm newer to these boards. I homeschool my ds age 9 and dd age 7 and we live in MN.

We are planning a trip to WDW in September and I ran across the info for the Carolina Homeschool group's September Disney trip and am contemplating joining them since it coincides with the dates I was already planning on.

Has anyone gone with this group before? Would you recommend it? I'd love some feedback as I'm trying to decide for sure what we want to do.

Thanks!

 

[Ellester]

Hi! I'm newer to these boards. I homeschool my ds age 9 and dd age 7 and we live in MN. We are planning a trip to WDW in September and I ran across the info for the Carolina Homeschool group's September Disney trip and am contemplating joining them since it coincides with the dates I was already planning on. Has anyone gone with this group before? Would you recommend it? I'd love some feedback as I'm trying to decide for sure what we want to do. Thanks!

I have not personally gone with Carolina Homeschoolers but I have a very close friend who has done Washington DC and Huntsville Space Camp trips with them and will be going to Italy with them next year (lucky duck!). She has only had great things to say about her experiences and she has pretty high standards! My oldest may be going to public high school next fall but if she stays home I am planning on tying our next trip in with them.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Sounds lovely. Reminds me of our day. My three: 9, 4 and 4 played with their trains for hours today. Building, imagining. A little fighting too but lots of fun. Didn't read with the twins today but they were having so much fun. Now we shared soup and a movie by the fire. Live these special days.

Fractions do seem to really be taking a hit in our house too! I too stepped away from them and we played SMATH for the day!

 

[Tuffy4God]

I have not personally gone with Carolina Homeschoolers but I have a very close friend who has done Washington DC and Huntsville Space Camp trips with them and will be going to Italy with them next year (lucky duck!). She has only had great things to say about her experiences and she has pretty high standards! My oldest may be going to public high school next fall but if she stays home I am planning on tying our next trip in with them.

Thanks for the info! I'm pretty sure we are going to tie in our trip with hers since we're already planning on being there on the same dates as her trip and it's such a great deal and educational opportunity! It's just a little nerve-wracking mailing someone you don't know a large check...so I appreciate the endorsement!

 

[MatoMany]

Thanks for the info! I'm pretty sure we are going to tie in our trip with hers since we're already planning on being there on the same dates as her trip and it's such a great deal and educational opportunity! It's just a little nerve-wracking mailing someone you don't know a large check...so I appreciate the endorsement!

If its a well known group I wouldn't really worry about it.. If it was a scam it would already be blasted out there. This day and age of computers and social networks scams are lasting less and less time.

 

[kc10family]

Little rant (sorry and thank you for reading)

DD2 had to get an x-ray, after it was done the Dr came in talked with us a minute and then asked questions……
Dr- what grade are you in?
DD2- 4th
Dr- Do you like your teacher?
DD2- I school at home and my mom is my teacher.
Dr- Oh.
He looks at me and says, “she speaks well”.
Me- (nothing)

Once again I didn’t know what to say and the second I am in the car it came to me, I should have replied, “so do you”.

I am no longer going to blow it off when people say stuff like that.

What is your reply when people say this to you?

I feel better now

 

[jahber]

Little rant (sorry and thank you for reading) DD2 had to get an x-ray, after it was done the Dr came in talked with us a minute and then asked questions…… Dr- what grade are you in? DD2- 4th Dr- Do you like your teacher? DD2- I school at home and my mom is my teacher. Dr- Oh. He looks at me and says, “she speaks well”. Me- (nothing) Once again I didn’t know what to say and the second I am in the car it came to me, I should have replied, “so do you”. I am no longer going to blow it off when people say stuff like that. What is your reply when people say this to you? I feel better now

Wow. No one has ever said anything like that to me. And it's a good thing! Although, my dad's future wife is completely unfamiliar with homeschooling and asked about socialization (yes, really), but in a nice way. And she did comment once about how well my 6yo reads. I just said thank you and mentally rolled my eyes. What does she think we DO all day if not learn things like reading? My son may not be able to sit still for 5 minutes straight, but he DOES read well for 6. So she may have been genuinely surprised at any 6yo willing to sit and read a book out loud--I know *I* was surprised that he did it! However, I've never met a person close to my age or younger who even gave me a second glance at the mention of homeschooling.

 

[dowchick]

Little rant (sorry and thank you for reading)

DD2 had to get an x-ray, after it was done the Dr came in talked with us a minute and then asked questions……
Dr- what grade are you in?
DD2- 4th
Dr- Do you like your teacher?
DD2- I school at home and my mom is my teacher.
Dr- Oh.
He looks at me and says, “she speaks well”.
Me- (nothing)

Once again I didn’t know what to say and the second I am in the car it came to me, I should have replied, “so do you”.

I am no longer going to blow it off when people say stuff like that.

What is your reply when people say this to you?

I feel better now

WOW! I would have been taken back by that too. I'm sorry that it happened to you.

We don't get too many comments now, partially because my daughter is 15 and partially because it is very common and we have a huge homeschooling commuity here. However I have had a few comments in the past. One was a dental hygenist. She was hypercritical of everything my daughter said and did (DD was about 8 at the time) as soon as she found out we were homeschoolers. She kept trying to quiz DD on facts, which I find super annoying. She also kept asking me questions about how we would handle highschool and higher education. The whole conversation had a negative, judgemental vibe. I was patient through most of it but finally I told her we were there to have a dentist appointment not to educate her on homeschooling regulations or lifestyle and if she couldn't get her job done to please find some one who could. I never saw her again.

When people would ask me about her socializiation I generally would say, "well she is talking to you isn't she".

 

[chris31997]

Little rant (sorry and thank you for reading)

DD2 had to get an x-ray, after it was done the Dr came in talked with us a minute and then asked questions……
Dr- what grade are you in?
DD2- 4th
Dr- Do you like your teacher?
DD2- I school at home and my mom is my teacher.
Dr- Oh.
He looks at me and says, “she speaks well”.
Me- (nothing)

Once again I didn’t know what to say and the second I am in the car it came to me, I should have replied, “so do you”.

I am no longer going to blow it off when people say stuff like that.

What is your reply when people say this to you?

I feel better now

I don't know what I would have said. I guess it would have depended on how he meant it and his attitude. If he was shocked because not alot of 4th graders can speak so well, then I would have mentioned she was trying out for Mensa But if he was amazed because she was homeschooled and was not used to homeschoolers, I would have taken a moment to educate him on homeschoolers, nicely

But it all depends on where he was coming from. Questions can be a double edge sword. I want them because I want to show we are weird but not scarey If you are asking for knowledge with a nice attitude then I'm gonna play nice. But if you come across wrong, well then

WOW! I would have been taken back by that too. I'm sorry that it happened to you.

We don't get too many comments now, partially because my daughter is 15 and partially because it is very common and we have a huge homeschooling commuity here. However I have had a few comments in the past. One was a dental hygenist. She was hypercritical of everything my daughter said and did (DD was about 8 at the time) as soon as she found out we were homeschoolers. She kept trying to quiz DD on facts, which I find super annoying. She also kept asking me questions about how we would handle highschool and higher education. The whole conversation had a negative, judgemental vibe. I was patient through most of it but finally I told her we were there to have a dentist appointment not to educate her on homeschooling regulations or lifestyle and if she couldn't get her job done to please find some one who could. I never saw her again.

When people would ask me about her socializiation I generally would say, "well she is talking to you isn't she".

I gotta remember this "well she is talking to you" That is good.

 

[bellebud]

Homeschool Conference in Virginia in 2 weeks... I'm just reading about it now. Anyone going? I'm thinking of making the 8 hour drive from NY to go.

 

[RobertsFam6]

Hi! My name is LaRae. I'm a homeschool mama of 4 ages 8,8,6,3. We are going to Disney mid October this year for the first time.

 

[wunkmom]

Hi! My name is LaRae. I'm a homeschool mama of 4 ages 8,8,6,3. We are going to Disney mid October this year for the first time.

Have a great time! We were there mid October last year.