Homeschool Chat Part III

[polkadotsuitcase]

We check out DVD from the series The Science of Disney Imagineering from the library. I wish they had more but we just finished this one http://www.dep-store.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=77D58VL00 Just thought I would share in case others have not heard of this series. We love them and they sure make learning fun!

We've seen a couple, and they are fun. You're lucky they're at your library -- they're fairly pricey!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I'll have to check our library too, they look awesome. My kids would LOVE anything that had to do with Disney.

 

[robinsegg]

We've seen a couple, and they are fun. You're lucky they're at your library -- they're fairly pricey!

Yeah, $30 for 30 minutes is *way* more than I would ever spend. I can understand why libraries wouldn't want to spend the money, too.

 

[DawnM]

Check out Winter Promise. They have a program called Animals and their Worlds which people rave about.

Dawn

Hi Everyone! I have a DS that will turn three in January but is very advanced for his age. We plan on homeschooling and I want to take advantage of how much he loves to learn right now. Can anyone reccomend a good Pre-K curriculum? I was hoping to keep it Christian based and have heard that Ace Paces is a great program. Im so excited to be a part of this awesome thread!

 

[Nicolepa]

Hi all. I need some advice. I don't know how to motivate my son to get his work done in a timely manner. We started up on the 1st and it has been a battle ever since. I am talking 10 hour days, every day, and not getting everything done. He is 8, 3rd grade.

Now here's where I'm at a loss. He actually started 3rd grade last April. When we stopped schooling in July. He was able to finish in 2-3 hours most days. So I know he can do the work, he is just choosing NOT to do it.

I have tried punishments/loss of privileges, rewards for finishing on time, letting him sit until it gets done. I don't know what to do. I feel I shouldn't have to sit with him and babysit him to ensure he does his work, but as soon as I leave the room he stops working.

One example is he was supposed to take a scantron reading test. (We use K12 thru a Virtual Academy.) It was supposed to take 30-60 minutes. He spent 7 HOURS doing the test. His scores came back advanced, but his reading speed was "not on target". I know he doesn't have issues with reading, he scored upper 5th grade on the IOWA in April, and the reading speed was LOWER than the beginning of last year when he was tested. It was just a matter of him refusing to do the test.

I have no clue what else to try!

 

[robinsegg]

Hi all. I need some advice. I don't know how to motivate my son to get his work done in a timely manner. We started up on the 1st and it has been a battle ever since. I am talking 10 hour days, every day, and not getting everything done. He is 8, 3rd grade.

Now here's where I'm at a loss. He actually started 3rd grade last April. When we stopped schooling in July. He was able to finish in 2-3 hours most days. So I know he can do the work, he is just choosing NOT to do it.

I have tried punishments/loss of privileges, rewards for finishing on time, letting him sit until it gets done. I don't know what to do. I feel I shouldn't have to sit with him and babysit him to ensure he does his work, but as soon as I leave the room he stops working.

One example is he was supposed to take a scantron reading test. (We use K12 thru a Virtual Academy.) It was supposed to take 30-60 minutes. He spent 7 HOURS doing the test. His scores came back advanced, but his reading speed was "not on target". I know he doesn't have issues with reading, he scored upper 5th grade on the IOWA in April, and the reading speed was LOWER than the beginning of last year when he was tested. It was just a matter of him refusing to do the test.

I have no clue what else to try!

A few ideas:

1. Take a week off formal schoolwork and do science projects and field trips instead. This will help him remember that learning can be fun.

2. Ask him what the deal is. Is he bored? Could he be doing more advanced work? Is the first subject one he doesn't particularly care for?

3. Let him pick the order of his classes. Giving him that much choice may make him feel he "owns" his work more and he has a bit more control (instead of just controlling how fast he does it).

4. Ask him what 1 thing he might *really* like to do that's school related: a special type of field trip, a special PE time with other kids (at a local jump center or play area), a special project he'd like to do. Then, if you don't have to fight him all week, he gets to do that 1 thing.

5. Take note when he does his best work. Is he a morning person or does he really start later in the day? Start school at that time each day.

6. Would he rather go to public or private school? If so, what does he think would be so much better there? See if you can duplicate it at home.

7. Does he like this method of school? Would he prefer a different type of schooling?

 

[Denine]

I love the Disney Imagineering videos. We got DD a couple through the Disney Movie Club when they have good deals, like buy 1 get 50 or 60% off the rest.

Today was DD's 8th birthday party. Her birthday was yesterday.

 

[Nicolepa]

A few ideas:

1. Take a week off formal schoolwork and do science projects and field trips instead. This will help him remember that learning can be fun.

I wish I could do this, but since I am in a Virtual Academy I have to show attendance/progress each week. I guess I could use the hours at the science museum as science and such. But the problem is this doesn't show him that he needs to to the hard work in order to have the fun. And he won't do the work part of it unless I'm at the end of my rope.

2. Ask him what the deal is. Is he bored? Could he be doing more advanced work? Is the first subject one he doesn't particularly care for?

I have asked him what's wrong, he just says "I got distracted." He just doesn't get that if he would do the work he could play and we could go do fun stuff. I don't know why. Last year if he got his work done we'd take Friday's off and do something fun. He's accelerated 2 years in Math and 1/2 year in everything else. Intilectually he could probably do more but his writing skills are very poor. He flat out refuses to write when he needs to. Tries to get me to do it for him. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I don't think he's bored. We switched math cirriculums this year. Last year the K12 was so easy that I would just have him do the assessments which were like 5 problems. This year I we are using Saxon. I have him do the Lesson Practice and 1/2 of the mixed practice. He can do it, it's easy for him, he spends 3 hours on it.


3. Let him pick the order of his classes. Giving him that much choice may make him feel he "owns" his work more and he has a bit more control (instead of just controlling how fast he does it).

I usually let him pick what he wants to do next. The only time I don't is when the baby is napping or at preschool. Then he has to do the subjects that require a lot of my input (science, history, art), which isn't a problem as science and history are his favorites.

4. Ask him what 1 thing he might *really* like to do that's school related: a special type of field trip, a special PE time with other kids (at a local jump center or play area), a special project he'd like to do. Then, if you don't have to fight him all week, he gets to do that 1 thing.

I've tried rewarding him for finishing on time, he doesn't care. 2 weeks ago he got to go get a HUGE donut because he got caught up by the day of the farmers market. I tried something similar (but different place) and he told me he didn't want to do that as "he'd been going there too much". It's his favorite place to get a treat and I KNOW if schoolwork wasn't tied to it he would have wanted to go.

5. Take note when he does his best work. Is he a morning person or does he really start later in the day? Start school at that time each day.

We have to start first thing. We can't do anything else first or he will be distracted all day. I've set a start time of 9am each day which he is fine with. I tried starting as soon as he was done w/breakfast and he felt too rushed so I set a start time and he can take as long as he wants up until that time. Problem is we are still going at 6,7,8 at night. I feel like I'm being held hostage in my home. Add to that Dh has been gone 4-5 nights and/mornings with assorted things for the last 3 weeks. I'm exhausted, stressed and at my wits end. The other thing is his sister goes to Public school. If he is not done by 3 when she gets home all is lost. He thinks because she is home he shouldn't have to do school anymore.

6. Would he rather go to public or private school? If so, what does he think would be so much better there? See if you can duplicate it at home.

He absolutly would NOT want to go to school. He says he NEVER wants to go back. When he was in school he would get migraines so bad they would cause him to throw up and pass out from the pain. Those have virtually disappeared since he's been home. 2 weeks ago I totally lost and and told him if he didn't finish xyz by Friday he was going back to school. He freaked out at the thought of it (and did everything I needed him to do w/o a fight and in a decent timeframe).

I am actually planning on duplicating a Public school day tomorrow. He will have recess, lunch, he is going to get 3rd grade math (instead of 5th) he won't be able to go to the next subject until the time is up or get out of his seat w/o asking permission. He will have to write all the answers instead of telling most of them to me orally. I'm hoping to show him that he really doesn't have it all that bad here.

7. Does he like this method of school? Would he prefer a different type of schooling?

He seems to like it. He loves the interactive of the computer (sometimes too much). I really don't think it's the cirriulum. Like I said he did just fine with it last year. I am debating doing something different so I don't have to follow the Virtual Academy rules, but I have no clue what I am looking for. He loves the interation w/the computer and I think would be totally bored w/o it.

I am at a loss. Last year we had a lot of fun, we both loved it. This year it's been lots of tears (mostly on my end). He just doesn't care. I've told him if he wants to spend 10 hours a day he's going to do 7 of those at school w/a teacher and I'll fight him the other 3 at home. I KNOW he doesn't want to go to school. I just don't know how to motivate him again.

 

[cbjl]

Have you tried taking breaks between classes?
We use k12 also (but independently), so I know the workload can get heavy at times.
One thing that has worked for us is to take a 10-15 minute break between classes. I throw in a load of laundry, my kids can run outside or down to the basement to blow off steam for a few minutes, then we start up again.
Sometimes we take breaks when they've finished a class, and sometimes I set a timer for 45 minutes and let them have the last 15 minutes of the hour for whatever they want to do. If we're using a timer and they don't finish their work in time, we just save the last few math problems or whatever for the end of the day to wrap up.

Oddly enough, when we take more breaks during the day, we seem to finish up earlier. I think it keeps them "fresh" and it definitely helps with motivation around here.

 

[Nicolepa]

I do give him breaks. Usually between subjects. Sometimes it's just go get a drink, other times I will send him outside or set a timer for 15-20 minutes. The last week he hasn't gotten many breaks because a) he just gets up randomly and does x-y-z with no regard to what we are doing and b) I tell him he used his break time when he was stitting at the table doing nothing, or I find him playing.

 

[robinsegg]

I am at a loss. Last year we had a lot of fun, we both loved it. This year it's been lots of tears (mostly on my end). He just doesn't care. I've told him if he wants to spend 10 hours a day he's going to do 7 of those at school w/a teacher and I'll fight him the other 3 at home. I KNOW he doesn't want to go to school. I just don't know how to motivate him again.

Writing:
Does it seem to be the physical process of writing, or the mental process of slowing down his thoughts to write/type them? If it's actual handwriting, you could let him type it out? If it's slowing his thoughts down, could you:
a) get him a small tape recorder to record his thoughts and write them down a bit later or
b)help him start making outlines so he can write his thoughts down in order, then write out what he wants to say

Time Management:
I *like* the idea of reminding him what ps is like! Are you willing to send him back if he refuses to perform for you? If so, let him know that you're really serious about that possibility. It might make a huge difference

 

[Nicolepa]

Writing:
Does it seem to be the physical process of writing, or the mental process of slowing down his thoughts to write/type them? If it's actual handwriting, you could let him type it out? If it's slowing his thoughts down, could you:
a) get him a small tape recorder to record his thoughts and write them down a bit later or
b)help him start making outlines so he can write his thoughts down in order, then write out what he wants to say

He does type out his composition, or any other writing that requires more than a couple of sentences. We started that sometime last year and that really helps. At least he doesn't cry at the thought of writing. He doesn't like it because it's hard for him and he doesn't want to put forth any effort.

I really don't know what the problem is, he used to have a phonological processing problem when it came to speech. I sometimes wonder if that is coming into play, but I have no idea how to figure that out.

Time Management:
I *like* the idea of reminding him what ps is like! Are you willing to send him back if he refuses to perform for you? If so, let him know that you're really serious about that possibility. It might make a huge difference

At this point I don't see any other choice. We pulled him out because of the principal, but the school has a new one this year and everyone I've talked to really seems to like him. My son is much happier at home, he also went from being behind in EVERY subject to testing at or above grade level for everything, including 2 years for reading (which he was in a remedial group in school) and 2 years for math. Which confirms to me that they put him in remedial classes simply because he has a 504 (for hearing loss) and they felt they could get away with it.

OK, gotta go. It's almost time to walk to school. (We are walking 1/2 way to school and back and then he has to stand on the front porch until 8:55 when they let students in.)

 

[robinsegg]

OK, gotta go. It's almost time to walk to school. (We are walking 1/2 way to school and back and then he has to stand on the front porch until 8:55 when they let students in.)

Keep us posted on how the day works for you/him!
Do you currently take his dictation? Is that one of the things you'd like to get away from?
Have you thought about giving him something in print he needed to type out? That might let you see if his problem is "figuring out what to write" or "I don't like typing or writing".

 

[Nicolepa]

Keep us posted on how the day works for you/him!
Do you currently take his dictation? Is that one of the things you'd like to get away from?
Have you thought about giving him something in print he needed to type out? That might let you see if his problem is "figuring out what to write" or "I don't like typing or writing".

We are finishing up math. He's been done 20 minutes and is getting frustrated at having to sit quietly.

He likes typing and he actually picked it up much faster than I thought he would. He doesn't like coming up with the ideas. He doesn't like having to write in complete sentences, w/proper spelling, punctuation, capitalization. He just wants to throw something down and be done. Now to be fair, he is MUCH better than he was this time last year. Last year the mention of writing would bring him to tears.

I allow him to dicatate his History answers. We usually do Literature, Science orally (Except for tests.) I make him write his composition & LA. Composition he gets to do on the computer and LA he has to actually write.

In second grade I let him dicate just about everything to me. Or I would write it down and make him copy it in his own writing (mainly composition, which he now types).

I'm trying to get him to a point where he is self motivated to do his work. Right now if I don't hand him each item and give him directions he won't do it. I want to be able to give him a list of things to complete and have him do them and do them to the best of his ability the first time, not the 2nd, 3rd or 4th. I am even willing to put them in a pile/shelf for him each morning.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

We've seen a couple, and they are fun. You're lucky they're at your library -- they're fairly pricey!

We are lucky to live where we can use several counties libraries. (fun keeping up with what is due where) I don't know if you live close to another county. If you do, check and see if they have them.( Each library system here uses the same card number so I only have to carry one card.)

Border emails me a coupon often for 33%-40% of one item. http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=786936801712
I may buy one here or there at $28.99 minus 30%-40%( not too bad.) Also Borders offers 25% off in-store to educators but they are not available in the store.

It was cool at the end of the Gravity one, the "Do It Yourself" section, they showed how to make a hovercraft just like the one the imagineers made for the Homeschool Days "Engineering Behind the Magic" in January.

 

[Srackangast]

Hi Everyone! I have a DS that will turn three in January but is very advanced for his age. We plan on homeschooling and I want to take advantage of how much he loves to learn right now. Can anyone reccomend a good Pre-K curriculum? I was hoping to keep it Christian based and have heard that Ace Paces is a great program. Im so excited to be a part of this awesome thread!

Abeka is great through pre k and elmentary. It is Christian based and easy to teach.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

My dd9 has mild to moderate developmental delays. She is in 3rd grade and still struggles very much to add. I need help Any suggestions you have on teaching a special needs child or just any child just learning to add would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

She can add a small number to another small number on her fingers, but once they are bigger she can't grasp it. If I sit down with her and show her, she'll say ok, but she cannot do a problem on her own.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

My dd9 has mild to moderate developmental delays. She is in 3rd grade and still struggles very much to add. I need help Any suggestions you have on teaching a special needs child or just any child just learning to add would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

She can add a small number to another small number on her fingers, but once they are bigger she can't grasp it. If I sit down with her and show her, she'll say ok, but she cannot do a problem on her own.

What math curriculum are you using? I wonder if Math-U-See would be a good fit for her? It is very manipulative-based. She could build each problem as she does it. I believe you can request a demo CD through their site: http://www.mathusee.com/

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

My dd9 has mild to moderate developmental delays. She is in 3rd grade and still struggles very much to add. I need help Any suggestions you have on teaching a special needs child or just any child just learning to add would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

She can add a small number to another small number on her fingers, but once they are bigger she can't grasp it. If I sit down with her and show her, she'll say ok, but she cannot do a problem on her own.

http://www.touchmath.com/
This method might be helpful.

 

[NHWX]

I'm trying to get him to a point where he is self motivated to do his work. Right now if I don't hand him each item and give him directions he won't do it. I want to be able to give him a list of things to complete and have him do them and do them to the best of his ability the first time, not the 2nd, 3rd or 4th. I am even willing to put them in a pile/shelf for him each morning.

I think it's a pretty rare third grade boy who's self-motivated to do work. Ask them to play video games, ride their bike off ramps, tease their little sister or whatever else is active, challenging and competitive and you're probably good to go.

Is there a local homeschool co-op so you could have PE together?

Does your son care that he's sitting there all day? Is he playing games in another window? Or is he designing the best race car, video game, story or what have you in his head while you're getting more frustrated? Is he just bored with the material? He might be capable of much more complicated ideas in literature and history and just not have his written expression skills be up to returning that information to you.

Does he think that if he spends a certain amount of time doing school, that there will be less time spent on it later? I can see a kid thinking "Well, I spent all those hours being stuck on school so after 7 hrs/day * 180 school days = done! but I've spent 10 hrs/day so I'll be done in no time at all!"

I used K12 as an independent and liked it for the most part but I do have to say that it doesn't seem to be working well for your son. Is he the sort of kid who can analyze what's going on with him and tell you what's working and what's not?

I'm not sure I helped at all,

NHWX