Homeschool Chat Part III

[Nicolepa]

Have you looked into Verticy by Calvert for the writing. You can purchase just the writing from them. It has been a life saver for my ds. This program is gold. My ds has dysgraphia and has many of the same problems as your ds. I love this program!

It is an online program, or a book? It seems pricy, I'm trying to figure out if I'd have to pay that for each child, or if it's a book I could reuse, etc. It looks like something that might work, but that one component is more than all my other subjects combined.

 

[JaneSparrow]

Hi, I am a mother of a 2yr old boy and upon seeing this thread I have thought of looking into homeschooling. We are planners so we already have our eyes set on a few private or catholic schools. BUT I want to see if this is a good option for us as well. So here are my questions:

1. We both work but on different shifts so we send him part-time to daycare. Does 1 of us have to give up our job for this to work or are there folks who were able to homeschool their kids and keep their jobs?
2. Are there sites you can recommend for more information?
3. Do we need to get training?
4. Is homeschooling cheaper than private schools - approximately $4000/yr in our area?
5. Is it just one parent doing the homeschooling or both? If one, are there any dad in this thread that homeschool their kids?

I appreciate any help you can give me. TIA!

 

[erinmomof2]

My son (& I) LOVE Easy Grammar! As for the math, how is your daughter in math? If she excels in math I wouldn't use Saxon. I used it for my son and he HATED it. Too much repetition. We are now using Math Mammoth and he likes that much better. Another one to look at would be Singapore, it is very similar to Math Mammoth. Saxon is a good program, it is just very repetitive and kids who "get" math don't usually care for it.

Keep in mind, just because you use a box curriculum doesn't mean that everything has to come from the same company. It's a bit more planning for you, but if you carefully think about your child's strengths/weaknesses (or likes/dislikes) it can save you a bundle of time in the long run.

My DD is at grade level for math. She catches onto a concept quickly in many cases. Although for some reason is having the hardest time with the regrouping in addition and subtraction. I think some repitition would be okay but I do think she would get bored with too much of it. In Saxon could you just skip some of the more repetitive bits or would that be a bad idea? I looked at math u see but that didn't seem like her learning style. I think Borders sells Singapore math so I may go take a look at that. Is there a teachers guide to Singapore math or is there just the workbooks?

Also have you ever used History of the World for teaching history. I looked through it at the bookstore and it looked okay, but not sure if it was too difficult for a second grader. Other than that though I am at a loss for what to do about history. And science is even more difficult. I thought about just following the outline in What Your Second Grader Should Know, but my husband thinks we would need an actual program for science. And, since it has taken him 3 years to get on board with this I am trying to make him as happy as possible.

Thanks!

 

[Nicolepa]

My DD is at grade level for math. She catches onto a concept quickly in many cases. Although for some reason is having the hardest time with the regrouping in addition and subtraction. I think some repitition would be okay but I do think she would get bored with too much of it. In Saxon could you just skip some of the more repetitive bits or would that be a bad idea? I looked at math u see but that didn't seem like her learning style. I think Borders sells Singapore math so I may go take a look at that. Is there a teachers guide to Singapore math or is there just the workbooks?

Also have you ever used History of the World for teaching history. I looked through it at the bookstore and it looked okay, but not sure if it was too difficult for a second grader. Other than that though I am at a loss for what to do about history. And science is even more difficult. I thought about just following the outline in What Your Second Grader Should Know, but my husband thinks we would need an actual program for science. And, since it has taken him 3 years to get on board with this I am trying to make him as happy as possible.

Thanks!

The way Saxon is set up you cannot really get rid of the repetition. Every day a new concept is introduced and then you practice a few of them. That is called Lesson practice. Then you have Mixed practice which can be ANYTHING that has been covered up to that point. It is really good for children who need a lot of repetition or they will forget, but if once they have it they remember it, it will drive them crazy.

I've never used Singapore. I'm using Math Mammoth now. Check them out, they have little supplemental books you can get if you child struggles with a concept. So they will have several books on Addition/Subtraction that practice different concepts, or mulitpication, or place value. Those aren't a stand alone curriculum (she does have that too), but they are meant for more practice for a student struggling.

Story of the World is designed for the younger child. I've never used it alone, but I did buy the CD's on Audio to supplement my sons history in 2nd grade. He LOVED them.

Honestly, science it the one area where I don't feel you need a curriculum. You can study what she's interested in. Get books to read from the library, get experiment idea on the internet and go! You can also get on of those 365 experiment books and just do some. Another one that my friend uses is the Backyard scientist. It's got fun experiments using things you have around the house. There are also a lot of fun kits available.

 

[chris31997]

Hi, I am a mother of a 2yr old boy and upon seeing this thread I have thought of looking into homeschooling. We are planners so we already have our eyes set on a few private or catholic schools. BUT I want to see if this is a good option for us as well. So here are my questions:

1. We both work but on different shifts so we send him part-time to daycare. Does 1 of us have to give up our job for this to work or are there folks who were able to homeschool their kids and keep their jobs?
2. Are there sites you can recommend for more information?
3. Do we need to get training?
4. Is homeschooling cheaper than private schools - approximately $4000/yr in our area?
5. Is it just one parent doing the homeschooling or both? If one, are there any dad in this thread that homeschool their kids?

I appreciate any help you can give me. TIA!

#1: I personally do not have expierance with #1. I do know people who have worked and homeschooled. Both single parents and duel income families. It will require some teamwork from both of you and totally doable

#2: HSLDA has the laws for each state broken down and easy to understand, along with groups(Christian based). There is a book that a friend loaned me to read called "Homeschooling for Dummies". A very good read. You can also look up other groups and talk with them aboout homeschooling in your area.

#3: Training, is not needed but each state has laws on the books that you most follow. HSLDA has that info.

#4: Homeschooling can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it. Depends on you and what you want to use.

#5: Again, I personally do most of the schooling, hubby is a Marine. However, I do know families where hubby was better at math and he taught that. Or because both parents worked than they shared the teaching.

There are many things to look at and the big thing is that both of you be onboard with this.

 

[JaneSparrow]

#1: I personally do not have expierance with #1. I do know people who have worked and homeschooled. Both single parents and duel income families. It will require some teamwork from both of you and totally doable

#2: HSLDA has the laws for each state broken down and easy to understand, along with groups(Christian based). There is a book that a friend loaned me to read called "Homeschooling for Dummies". A very good read. You can also look up other groups and talk with them aboout homeschooling in your area.

#3: Training, is not needed but each state has laws on the books that you most follow. HSLDA has that info.

#4: Homeschooling can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it. Depends on you and what you want to use.

#5: Again, I personally do most of the schooling, hubby is a Marine. However, I do know families where hubby was better at math and he taught that. Or because both parents worked than they shared the teaching.

There are many things to look at and the big thing is that both of you be onboard with this.

Thank you! I will look up HSLDA

 

[Nicolepa]

Hi, I am a mother of a 2yr old boy and upon seeing this thread I have thought of looking into homeschooling. We are planners so we already have our eyes set on a few private or catholic schools. BUT I want to see if this is a good option for us as well. So here are my questions:

1. We both work but on different shifts so we send him part-time to daycare. Does 1 of us have to give up our job for this to work or are there folks who were able to homeschool their kids and keep their jobs?
The question is who is going to watch your child on the day's you both work? (ie, the days he's now in daycare) If you are working when will the school happen (afternoon, weekend)
2. Are there sites you can recommend for more information?
3. Do we need to get training?
4. Is homeschooling cheaper than private schools - approximately $4000/yr in our area?
While there are online schools that can run $$$, for the most part it will be much cheaper. I spent $200-300 this year. Last year I spent $0 (Virtual Academy)
5. Is it just one parent doing the homeschooling or both? If one, are there any dad in this thread that homeschool their kids?
You can do it however you want. Sometimes parents divide up the subjects. So one parent may do Math & Science and the other History, Literature, LA. Or who ever is home does whatever is on the schedule. I personally would find that much harder because you'd miss out on the conversations and such the child had on the days you were done, but it could be done.
I appreciate any help you can give me. TIA!

Notes in red above.

 

[graygables]

1. We both work but on different shifts so we send him part-time to daycare. Does 1 of us have to give up our job for this to work or are there folks who were able to homeschool their kids and keep their jobs?

Granted, my kids are older, but I work full time and homeschool. You work it in and adapt. I know some kids whose parents work and they pay another homeschool parent to supervise their child. Some let the other parent teach, others just have the kids hang out in an unschooling environment, then supplement with structure at home. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can make it fit YOUR family.

3. Do we need to get training?

You've already been training. 9 months leading up to the birth and however many years old your child is. YOU are his first teacher. YOU are the one who taught him to talk, walk, feed himself and potty. YOU are the one who has been reading to him, laying the groundwork for his own journey toward reading himself. You are already the teacher, it's just a matter of moving forward and learning, sometimes together.

4. Is homeschooling cheaper than private schools - approximately $4000/yr in our area?

Homeschooling can be free if you use the internet and the library. Or, you can spend a bundle on a curriculum. Or anything in between.

5. Is it just one parent doing the homeschooling or both? If one, are there any dad in this thread that homeschool their kids?

My hub never really helped and I'm essentially a single mom now (live 1000 miles apart). I think it's great if both can be involved, but sometimes it can lead to conflict with different learning and teaching styles. It certainly can be successful if you can find balance.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I also found core-curriculum.com and advantage curriculum. Both offer a complete curriculum for a good price. I can't find many reviews about them though. Has anyone here used it?

I am looking into putting a curriculum together on my own, but since this will be my first year that scares me a little. If I do it on my own I don't know what I would use for History and Science. Science that isn't Christian based is hard to find, or I am not looking in the right places. I am just worried I will miss something on my own, especially since I am just starting out.

Have you looked into R.E.A.L. science, real science odyssey, or NEOE science? I'm not sure if they're Christian or not but those are some recommendations I've received.

 

[danjoealexis3006]

It is an online program, or a book? It seems pricy, I'm trying to figure out if I'd have to pay that for each child, or if it's a book I could reuse, etc. It looks like something that might work, but that one component is more than all my other subjects combined.

It is a teacher manual, Inspiration software(you install on your computer), and depending on the level a workbook "Writing Skills" by Diana Hanbury King, and some practice pages (I just photocopy them). It can be used with more than one child, you would just have to purchase the workbook, which is easy to get and cheap. They also provide help if you need it. I know the cost of $275 is insane but the teachers manual is what makes it work. I am going to use it again with my youngest ds9 next year and buy the next level for ds12. It does also have a good resale value.

 

[graygables]

I saw this in Belle0101's signature and thought it deserved full-post status:

Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds.

Plato
(427 BC-347 BC)

Wow. Pretty smart guy, that Plato.

 

[Mouseketeer67]

Bump

 

[cmskok]

Hi all! I have finally bit the bullet and I will homeschool a 5th and 3rd grader next year. I am a little bit nervous about telling their current school but I am confident that I can do a good job with my kids!

I have met with a few friends who homeschool and wow! What a resource they are!!!

So hello all!! I hope to see you all at homeschool days!

 

[Mouseketeer67]

Hi all! I have finally bit the bullet and I will homeschool a 5th and 3rd grader next year. I am a little bit nervous about telling their current school but I am confident that I can do a good job with my kids!

I have met with a few friends who homeschool and wow! What a resource they are!!!

So hello all!! I hope to see you all at homeschool days!

Welcome to the wonderful world of homeschooling! I am a veteran homeschooler of 16 years. I was nervous all those years ago too, but don't let the school system intimidate you. I can tell you that homeschooling has been a blessing for my family!

 

[Nicolepa]

Who here does lapbooks? I want to try some with our next unit. Anyone use the ones from Hands of A Child? If so are they worth the price? I'm short on time (& creativity) so I want something where I can (for the most part) print and go but the HOAC ones seem so expensive. I don't mind spending the money if they are worth it.

Our next unit is Colonial Times, Science will be Simple Machines.

 

[graygables]

Who here does lapbooks? I want to try some with our next unit. Anyone use the ones from Hands of A Child? If so are they worth the price? I'm short on time (& creativity) so I want something where I can (for the most part) print and go but the HOAC ones seem so expensive. I don't mind spending the money if they are worth it.

Our next unit is Colonial Times, Science will be Simple Machines.

I LOVE HOAC lapbooks. LOVE them. Easy to follow, the kids enjoy the hands-on, cutting, coloring, etc. Create your own formats make them unique (some fold out, some are just folders bound like a book, etc). I like to print some of the pages on colored card stock, just to brighten it up a bit. I use them for 2 kids, and download them straight to my computer. I think they are a good value, personally.

 

[jacksmomma]

I have known for a while that I want to homeschool DS, but since he is preschool age there was no real commitment. That happened last Thursday. The school behind us had their giant yard card out for kindergarten sign-ups. DH and I drove right past. I got a little nervous, but I feel great all at the same time.

 

[Nicolepa]

I have known for a while that I want to homeschool DS, but since he is preschool age there was no real commitment. That happened last Thursday. The school behind us had their giant yard card out for kindergarten sign-ups. DH and I drove right past. I got a little nervous, but I feel great all at the same time.

I think we all get a little nervous the first year. I pulled my son out in 2nd grade. I felt left out when the teacher letters started arriving home and then the kids were all going to the meet and greet etc.

Let's just say, the 2nd year it wasn't even on my radar. I couldn't even tell you who the 3rd grade teachers are this year.

 

[Nicolepa]

I LOVE HOAC lapbooks. LOVE them. Easy to follow, the kids enjoy the hands-on, cutting, coloring, etc. Create your own formats make them unique (some fold out, some are just folders bound like a book, etc). I like to print some of the pages on colored card stock, just to brighten it up a bit. I use them for 2 kids, and download them straight to my computer. I think they are a good value, personally.

Thanks! I will go ahead and order one for our next unit and see how he likes it! We did a mini one at the beginning of the year and he seemed to enjoy it. I liked that he could show it to daddy and tell him all about the different things on his book.

 

[Jessica14]

I have been reading here for awhile now and it has really broadened my mind to all of the HSing possibilities. I really get why its done now and how diverse and fulfilling it can be!

My kids go to a public school which is in a district that is considered not too great. A lot of people don't care for our school in particular, probably because of the cultural make-up, high poverty level, and some behavior issues that can go on. I sub at the school frequently and really love all the kids. It is also a good place since my kids were born in China and there is a lot of diversity.

DD is 8 and is doing very well in 2nd grade and is reading above grade level. She has friends from all over the world and loves her teacher. The kids have had great teachers since pre-K, so we have been lucky in that area.

DS is a young 6 and is in 1st grade. From having taught kindergarten for many years, I did not think this was the best idea, but he needed speech and he was only going to recieve services if he enrolled. It has been a huge struggle although he is improving slowly. He has a terrific teacher who has gone above and beyond for him. He has some behavioral issues at home which we are working on with the help of a therapist and his pediatrican.

I think I want to HS if not next year, in the future (There, I said it! It feels good!). I'm starting to really like the idea. I see this more for DS then DD. I think the teacher is doing all she can for him within the confines she is given. Having had the experience in elementary school for 12 years f/t and 5 yrs subbing, I think I can do more for him. I recognize that he is really OK for his age, but the curriculum is quite demanding. It makes an average kid look remedial. He feels dumb and he isn't. I had this idea two weeks ago with how great would it be if I could hs for a year, catch him up and then see if he could go back. I loved the idea!

With DD, she could probably do a grade ahead of where she is now. Our reading and writing programs offer this, but not math, etc.

What I see up the line is that DS will get lost in the shuffle in our 5/6 building. The teachers get no support from administration and while I like the kids there, it is a tough place. I think some of teachers have given up on the kids who have given up on themselves (not my philosophy at all!).

My issue is that we need my subbing money to keep us afloat. Since we are OK with the way things are going, I'm hesitant to make any radical changes right now. I have no qualms about creating a curriculum. I would LOVE to do that! A lot of the way I taught was hands on and I actually did many of the type of things hsers do except with a larger group-made donuts to see how matter changed, fruit kabobs to show patterning, other non-food things! Ultimately, I'd like to some how work within the hs community and eventually hs both of them. I don't even know if doing such a thing (working in hs comm.) is possible. A few years ago, I read through a hs magazine, the hsers where not interested in hearing from or dealing with classroom teachers. I wanted to do something like offer a class for small groups (my favorite way to teach) in some fun, but eductional area. I've read that some parents are looking for informal evaluations for thier kids. I don't know if people offer these services for free or are paid or how it might work.

Ultimately, I want to stop subbing. I think I could do so much more by hsing my kids or maybe offering services to others and eventurally both.

Sorry this is so long! Any advice or thoughts would be helpful!
Jessica (PS-You TOTALLY need your own separate forum here!)