Homeschool Chat Part III

[DawnM]

What feedback are you looking for? We have been using Sonlight for most of our homeschool years.

I love it! But I am a former English teacher.

My boys are not quite as thrilled with it and need more hands on. We will be switching to Winter Promise after this year and I am tweaking Sonlight so much this year that it almost isn't Sonlight......I am adding in TONS of hands on projects.

If your kids love to read or be read to for hours, it is a great curriculum. We have just realized that we like to read one book at a time (SL has you reading several at a time) and take our time to really "get" it.

I also have one child with some learning delays and did I mention I have very active BOYS! They are just not the sit on the couch and read for a long time type of boys.

Dawn

Can anyone give me feedback on Sonlight?

 

[Denine]

We are using Sonlight for the first time this year after 4 years of Calvert. I love all the books, but I can't give honest feedback yet.

 

[horselover]

Hi all. So I've been seriously considering homeschooling for my 2 DSs. DS10 is going into 5th grade this year. He's very bored & unchallenged in school & most of the time says he hates it. I really don't like hearing that. DS12 in going into 7th grade this year. He does fine academically, but school can be a big struggle for him as he has Aspergers. Some of his teachers are extremely rigid & just expects him to do what all the other kids do because he is extremely bright. But he can't always do it the way the other kids do & that leads to all kinds of problems. I'm just starting to wonder if maybe homeschooling wouldn't be a better fit for both of them. DS12 however receives lots of services on his IEP for his disability & I wonder how he would still get them if he was at home. He receives speech therapy, a social pragmatics group & occupational therapy. Does anyone else have experience with this?

I also worry about the social aspects. DS12 with his diagnosis obviously needs lots of help with the social issues. DS10 is pretty shy & is just starting to come out of his shell the last year or 2. Does it make sense to pull them away from what they "know" & the friends they have?

I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed because there is so much info on homeschooling out there & I don't really know where to start. Can anyone point me in the right direction? TIA.

 

[disneymom3]

I forgot about Roku/Netflix. I have a boatload of history/discovery channel vids in the lineup.

Most of the time, we have a good balance of us/me time, but lately I've had a string of deadlines (not a bad thing in one regard!) and they've had to self-motivate a little more than usual. Toss in that football practices have been canceled this week, and they're getting antsy. Thank goodness for their social calendar, or they'd be bouncing off the ceiling.

Thanks for the input!

I have a school shelf. On it are things like complex dot to dot books, art cards, geoboards, Rush Hour and any other strategy type independent games I can find. Math practice pages in sheet protectors etc. When there are things I need to get done, you choose something off of the school shelf. When my boys were littler there were things like K'nex and bristle blocks on there. I have also used "school boxes" with various learning oriented activities in there appropriate for whatever age. I have also had a lot of success with making up math and language arts "take it to your seat" packets. I found a couple of books at Barnes and Noble that had those types of things you could basically tear out and place in a bag for independent learning time. I LOVE independent learnign stuff like that.

 

[disneymom3]

What feedback are you looking for? We have been using Sonlight for most of our homeschool years.

I love it! But I am a former English teacher.

My boys are not quite as thrilled with it and need more hands on. We will be switching to Winter Promise after this year and I am tweaking Sonlight so much this year that it almost isn't Sonlight......I am adding in TONS of hands on projects.

If your kids love to read or be read to for hours, it is a great curriculum. We have just realized that we like to read one book at a time (SL has you reading several at a time) and take our time to really "get" it.

I also have one child with some learning delays and did I mention I have very active BOYS! They are just not the sit on the couch and read for a long time type of boys.

Dawn

Dawn I am doing a bit of that one book at a time thing with WP this year. We are doing Sea and Sky and many days I am supposed to read a page here and a couple pages there. I tend to read a big section in one book on one day, then focus on a bigger section than called for on another day. It is working out really well for us. I have also made some changes to make the Captain's log more userfriendly for them.

What year are you planning to use again?

 

[DawnM]

Are you asking me?

I had a friend send me 3 WP exclusives for FREE that go with American Culture 2. I currently have Sonlight 4 and just can't justify buying more as I really can integrate them with what I am doing.

So, here is my conveluted material mish-mash this year that I am designing as I go:

1, SL: Core 4 "lite" (as in pick and choose and leave out whatever works)
2. WP American Culture exclusives (no IG though....which I would love to have)
3. Homeschool in the Woods CDs for Civil War and Industrial Revolution
4. GuestHollow.com later American History (FREE!)

So, my real thinking is for NEXT YEAR! I am trying to decide between Sea and Sky or Children Around the World......or just skip both and jump into World History.

I think my BOYS would really like Sea and Sky.....

Dawn

Dawn I am doing a bit of that one book at a time thing with WP this year. We are doing Sea and Sky and many days I am supposed to read a page here and a couple pages there. I tend to read a big section in one book on one day, then focus on a bigger section than called for on another day. It is working out really well for us. I have also made some changes to make the Captain's log more userfriendly for them.

What year are you planning to use again?

 

[NHWX]

I just read the recent posts about Sea and Sky and Homeschool in the Woods CDs and would love to find something like this designed for high schoolers. I have a real hands-on, construction minded son. (For art this year he built a trebuchet and duct tape boots, designed a castle, etc.)

I've picked out a spine book for this year, The Unfinished Nation, and it's a fine book. It's just that it's a really thick traditional history book. I can definitely supplement with some field trips but projects would definitely perk up this kid.

Any ideas?

NHWX

 

[jacksmomma]

What feedback are you looking for? We have been using Sonlight for most of our homeschool years.

I love it! But I am a former English teacher.

My boys are not quite as thrilled with it and need more hands on. We will be switching to Winter Promise after this year and I am tweaking Sonlight so much this year that it almost isn't Sonlight......I am adding in TONS of hands on projects.

If your kids love to read or be read to for hours, it is a great curriculum. We have just realized that we like to read one book at a time (SL has you reading several at a time) and take our time to really "get" it.

I also have one child with some learning delays and did I mention I have very active BOYS! They are just not the sit on the couch and read for a long time type of boys.

Dawn

I guess I should have been more specific. My son could get lost in books. He is learning to read and loves to be read to. I have been researching sonlight and it seems like it will be a good fit for us, but I have heard some less than great comments on the science and/or history lessons. Could anyone give me feedback on that? or an example of a typical lesson? Thank you!

 

[disneymom3]

Are you asking me?

I had a friend send me 3 WP exclusives for FREE that go with American Culture 2. I currently have Sonlight 4 and just can't justify buying more as I really can integrate them with what I am doing.

So, here is my conveluted material mish-mash this year that I am designing as I go:

1, SL: Core 4 "lite" (as in pick and choose and leave out whatever works)
2. WP American Culture exclusives (no IG though....which I would love to have)
3. Homeschool in the Woods CDs for Civil War and Industrial Revolution
4. GuestHollow.com later American History (FREE!)

So, my real thinking is for NEXT YEAR! I am trying to decide between Sea and Sky or Children Around the World......or just skip both and jump into World History.

I think my BOYS would really like Sea and Sky.....

Dawn

Yes, I was asking you. That sounds like a good year. As I said, we are doign Sea and Sky this year and I do have just my two boys at home now. I had thought it would be a good year to do it while I knew DD would be going to school. However, we started three weeks before she went off to high school and she was always listening right along. It is really much less "boy focused" than I had assumed.

 

[dis-happy]

I guess I should have been more specific. My son could get lost in books. He is learning to read and loves to be read to. I have been researching sonlight and it seems like it will be a good fit for us, but I have heard some less than great comments on the science and/or history lessons. Could anyone give me feedback on that? or an example of a typical lesson? Thank you!

Guess it's time to jump back into the new homeschooling thread!


JMO but my two favorite things about Sonlight are the history and science.

 

[DawnM]

You mean what year do I plan to use Sea and Sky?

It would be next year. The boys will be 6th and 8th graders. Is Sea and Sky appropriate for middle school? My oldest is the one with learning delays so he is about at the same level as the younger one. They are almost 2 years apart. They are both fully on grade level for math though. It is reading and writing that the oldest struggles with.

Dawn

Dawn I am doing a bit of that one book at a time thing with WP this year. We are doing Sea and Sky and many days I am supposed to read a page here and a couple pages there. I tend to read a big section in one book on one day, then focus on a bigger section than called for on another day. It is working out really well for us. I have also made some changes to make the Captain's log more userfriendly for them.

What year are you planning to use again?

 

[DawnM]

For those of you using Winter Promise:

Do you use the Language Arts? What do you think about it? Do you like it?

I am considering ordering WP 5th grade LA.

Dawn

 

[MissChris]

I saw that several people were mentioning Winter Promise so I took a look and it really looks like a good option for my very active daughter. I really liked the combination of books and projects. I'm definitely going to take a look at the catalog.

However, we don't want to include religious instruction in our schooling and I was wondering if it's possible to use Winter Promise without that aspect. Are the religious components integrated into the overall learning or are they in stand alone sections that we could simply omit?

Can anyone recommend resources for homeschooling which are non-religious?

In other news: with the public schools starting we're becoming conspicuous again. Since my daughter was about 3 she's stood out during the school year as one of the very few "older" kids (isn't it weird that a 4 year old is "old"?) on the playground during the day. Now at 4 (and tall and articulate for her age) people are astonished to see her out with me during the day. Everyone asks her about school. I know it's just one of those making conversation type of topics that people pull out with children because they don't know what else to talk about, but I sometimes feel unsure how to respond. Partly because we aren't absolutely sure that we won't be sending her to school next year (although I don't expect her to go) and partly because I don't want to get into a big discussion about the merits of homeschooling with whichever random stranger who just wants to make idle conversation. Since she's only 4 we usually just say "she isn't going to school this year" and leave it at that, presumably people assume she'll start next year and I just don't go into it. Although in our neighborhood a 4 year old who isn't in preschool is pretty unusual, people are usually content to leave it alone. But what do you say when people ask you about your older children? How do you deflect the inevitable prying, judgment, and unsolicited advice?

Thanks,

 

[antree]

My son and I just respond he is home schooled, he is now in the 3rd grade and he has been telling people since Kindergarten when they ask. Very few people expressed interest in why and when they did we told them the truth.
I home school because of the severity of his allergies and the schools wont let him carry his epi-pen. I'm not risking his life because the school thinks he will play with his needle.

Don't worry what other people will think. I was a little scared when we first was asked and my son didn't know what to say, but now it's no big deal to either one of us.

 

[dis-happy]

I saw that several people were mentioning Winter Promise so I took a look and it really looks like a good option for my very active daughter. I really liked the combination of books and projects. I'm definitely going to take a look at the catalog.

However, we don't want to include religious instruction in our schooling and I was wondering if it's possible to use Winter Promise without that aspect. Are the religious components integrated into the overall learning or are they in stand alone sections that we could simply omit?

Can anyone recommend resources for homeschooling which are non-religious?

In other news: with the public schools starting we're becoming conspicuous again. Since my daughter was about 3 she's stood out during the school year as one of the very few "older" kids (isn't it weird that a 4 year old is "old"?) on the playground during the day. Now at 4 (and tall and articulate for her age) people are astonished to see her out with me during the day. Everyone asks her about school. I know it's just one of those making conversation type of topics that people pull out with children because they don't know what else to talk about, but I sometimes feel unsure how to respond. Partly because we aren't absolutely sure that we won't be sending her to school next year (although I don't expect her to go) and partly because I don't want to get into a big discussion about the merits of homeschooling with whichever random stranger who just wants to make idle conversation. Since she's only 4 we usually just say "she isn't going to school this year" and leave it at that, presumably people assume she'll start next year and I just don't go into it. Although in our neighborhood a 4 year old who isn't in preschool is pretty unusual, people are usually content to leave it alone. But what do you say when people ask you about your older children? How do you deflect the inevitable prying, judgment, and unsolicited advice?

Thanks,

Around here, homeschools are considered private schools by the state. So if I get a question about the kids with me, I just say they're in private school and leave it at that. There are so many schools on different schedules during the year anyway, and the response makes everything a non-issue.

But plenty of other times I can be out and others will directly ask if I homeschool---usually they are other homeschooling moms who can spot another homeschooler a mile off!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

But what do you say when people ask you about your older children? How do you deflect the inevitable prying, judgment, and unsolicited advice?

We just say they're homeschooled. Not many people ask anymore -- it's really becoming more "mainstream," and combined with the year-round schools we have here, it's not unusual to see kids during the weekdays.

And maybe I just look scary, but I've never had anyone say boo diddly about our education choices.

 

[MissChris]

I guess I'm expecting trouble because even now, before official school age, I get a lot of questions. When I say she isn't in preschool people are so surprised that its like they can't quite believe it at first. Frequently they will rephrase the question as though I must have misunderstood, I guess because my reply made no sense to them.

Then they always want to know why. I usually just point out that she is 4 and not really expected to be in school yet. Sometimes I mention that we're considering homeschool but often I don't have time for all the questions that opens up. I want to be friendly but honestly I mostly just want to say its none of their business, but I don't because its not their fault that I've already had this conversation with enough strangers to last me pretty much forever.

Writing this I guess its really my own issue. Of course people will be curious and I need to work on my patience, never my strongest area.

 

[DisneyDizzy]

I guess I'm expecting trouble because even now, before official school age, I get a lot of questions. When I say she isn't in preschool people are so surprised that its like they can't quite believe it at first. Frequently they will rephrase the question as though I must have misunderstood, I guess because my reply made no sense to them.

Then they always want to know why. I usually just point out that she is 4 and not really expected to be in school yet. Sometimes I mention that we're considering homeschool but often I don't have time for all the questions that opens up. I want to be friendly but honestly I mostly just want to say its none of their business, but I don't because its not their fault that I've already had this conversation with enough strangers to last me pretty much forever.

Writing this I guess its really my own issue. Of course people will be curious and I need to work on my patience, never my strongest area.

I've homeschooled in 3 different states and never really had anyone say anything. The only thing I can recall is recently we were out to lunch and the waitress asked if my son was playing hooky and he said, "No, I'm homeschooled." She just said "Cool!"

Then again, maybe I just don't look like I want to make conversation!! Or look unfriendly?

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

And maybe I just look scary, but I've never had anyone say boo diddly about our education choices.

Then again, maybe I just don't look like I want to make conversation!! Or look unfriendly?

Ah, see? We've hit on something here -- we're an intimidating bunch!

 

[MissChris]

AHA! I'm going to work on my intimidation factor!

Pictures of your discouraging looks would be extremely helpful!

This is probably too much, , right?

maybe this one would be good too cool for school.