Homeschool Chat Part III

[weHEARTmickey]

This is solely up to you. Do you need time to gather materials and get yourself geared up? If so, do your kids want to be out of school NOW? That could be the opportunity to deschool. They are out while you figure it all out! Could be GREAT fun, with no responsibilities while you guys order books and look through them, really figure out what's best for them right now.

The more & more I think about it, the more I want to take them out SOON, maybe after spring break. We are all SOOO excited! We played bananagrams for 2 hours tonight. Afterwards, I asked them, "So, how did you like your homeschool spelling tests?" They thought that was just the coolest.

What's her reason? Is it because she doesn't want to lsoe your Dd as a student? ....... YES & she said this was the reason. They all know that DD will help the school TREMENDOUSLY with her TAKS test scores. I feel a little like I should let her take the TAKS b/c this school has been SOOO wonderful to us. (Last year, before & after my Mom passed away, they went above & beyond to help us out, and to offer love & encouragement. They are all precious.

So...my mother in law. She's not very supportive of homeschooling. Thinks we're cheating. Cheating the state, cheating DS out of an education, etc. She cannot figure it out......... I'm so sorry you're going through that situation. I will be praying for you & your family.

We currently use My Father's World & Math U See with a visual 5th grader and kinesthetic 2nd grader. Crosswalk.com has some good info. Thank you SO much! I'm going to try to discover their learning styles. I LOVE what I've heard so far about MFW & MUS

Just wanted to say "Hi" from an 'older' homeschool parent! FYI...It can be done! Wanted to encourage all these newbies that YOU are your biggest fear! Think you can't do it? You can! Who knows your child better than you? What's your goal for your children? Whose vision do you want them to have? Whose morals or motives? Whose standards?
We homeschooled our first two from 5th grade all the way up until college. Both won full scholarships, my ds won his IMBA (full assistantship), and my dd was preadmitted a year early to nursing school. After 9 years of college, we paid for a backpack and a few books. My ds finished his MBA in Dec at 23, my dd is a cardiac/neuro nurse at one of our hospitals.
And guess what? We just started our 6th grader in August homeschooling. So here we go again!
When ppl ask us when we will put her in or IF we will ever put her back in, we tell them, "We don't know, it's a year to year decision", but we'll do what's best for her!

Love our choices, no they weren't easy (but is anything in life?), but so proud of Who they have become, Who they belong to, and What's in store for them next!

You can do it!!!

Thanks for the encouragement! As a mom who is about to embark on this journey, hearing your success story means the world to me. God bless you! And I'm SUPER excited about that smilie I can officially use it now!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks for the kind words, weHEARTmickey. I appreciate it.

 

[horselover]

So...my mother in law. She's not very supportive of homeschooling. Thinks we're cheating. Cheating the state, cheating DS out of an education, etc. She cannot figure it out.

She's been told that we're going to homeschool since DS was around 3. We've explained it every which way we can. What we NEED is to have the conversation in Korea, with one of DH's cousins who is totally fluent in both English and Korean, to be the middleman. DH is not fluent in Korean (mom didn't believe it was useful to teach her kids Korean, so they communicate in "Konglish", a hybrid) and she is not fluent in English (the "ifs" and other hypotheticals, as well as past or future tenses, are nearly incomprehensible to her for some reason...everything is in the present, and she doesn't get it if it isn't NOW).

She got the opportunity to watch DS last Saturday, while DH and I went to a work party. This was only the second time she's gotten to watch him on his own, as she raised her children with routine hitting, and we wanted to make sure that she understood that that was not acceptable to us, AND that if she did it, DS was old enough to tell us if she did it. She ruined that first time by inviting a friend over, and they spoke Korean the whole time, which she won't teach him and we can't teach him yet (and I can't find any kid's Korean classes! gotta get Rosetta Stone soon).

This was going to be a special occasion, really great. Everyone was excited.

She took that opportunity to QUIZ him. Set out words for him to read, set out math problems. Would NOT let him use fingers to add. She's NOT a positive encouragement person in any way, shape, or form, so I know it was not a good spot for him to be in.

When we got there, he was sleeping, and as I picked him up, we didn't know any of this. She said "you have to send him to school, he cannot read, he cannot add..." Well, YES he is learning to do both, and NO we don't have to send him to school. If he's picking these up on the slower side (and I don't think it's slow at all, I think it's his own pace) with a caring, loving parent teaching him, how do you think he's going to do in a class with 29 other kids all distracting him?????

DS woke up at some point when we got home, and instead of "I missed you" or "I had fun", he said, sadly, that his grandma had tested him and made him feel bad about himself. And made him mad at her, because he does NOT need to go to school, and he IS learning, and why doesn't she see that?



How could she take what should have been 4 hours of bonding grandma/grandson time, and turn it into testing? Why doesn't she see what he CAN do, and be happy for that?

If anyone else's family has done this, you have my deepest empathy and sympathy. We don't know what to do, and I hate that she did this to him.

I'm so sorry. Your poor DS. What grandma did was so wrong on so many levels. I think maybe no more trips to her house if you & your DH are not going to be there. DS shouldn't have to go through that. We haven't even told my DH's parents we've been homeschooling our DS since Oct. for fear of the same kind of reaction. They really wouldn't get it so it's best to keep it to ourselves, sad it has to be that way though. Hang in there.

Just wanted to say "Hi" from an 'older' homeschool parent! FYI...It can be done! Wanted to encourage all these newbies that YOU are your biggest fear! Think you can't do it? You can! Who knows your child better than you? What's your goal for your children? Whose vision do you want them to have? Whose morals or motives? Whose standards?
We homeschooled our first two from 5th grade all the way up until college. Both won full scholarships, my ds won his IMBA (full assistantship), and my dd was preadmitted a year early to nursing school. After 9 years of college, we paid for a backpack and a few books. My ds finished his MBA in Dec at 23, my dd is a cardiac/neuro nurse at one of our hospitals.
And guess what? We just started our 6th grader in August homeschooling. So here we go again!
When ppl ask us when we will put her in or IF we will ever put her back in, we tell them, "We don't know, it's a year to year decision", but we'll do what's best for her!

Love our choices, no they weren't easy (but is anything in life?), but so proud of Who they have become, Who they belong to, and What's in store for them next!

You can do it!!!

Thank you for sharing your story! Your children sound amazing. I'm curious did you do your own thing or have a set curriculum for them?


Anyone out there used the superchargedscience website? It looks interesting. They charge a monthly fee, but you can get a 1 mo. trial for $1. We're thinking about signing up but I just wondered if anyone had any feedback on it.

 

[robinsegg]

I have found some good free online info on learning styles, if anybody's interested:
http://www.berghuis.co.nz/abiator/lsi/lsiframe.html
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/lstyleqz.htm
http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm
There's also a book I recommend: How to Maximize Your Child's Learning Ability

 

[kimmyann]

Just wanted to say "Hi" from an 'older' homeschool parent! FYI...It can be done! Wanted to encourage all these newbies that YOU are your biggest fear! Think you can't do it? You can! Who knows your child better than you? What's your goal for your children? Whose vision do you want them to have? Whose morals or motives? Whose standards?
We homeschooled our first two from 5th grade all the way up until college. Both won full scholarships, my ds won his IMBA (full assistantship), and my dd was preadmitted a year early to nursing school. After 9 years of college, we paid for a backpack and a few books. My ds finished his MBA in Dec at 23, my dd is a cardiac/neuro nurse at one of our hospitals.
And guess what? We just started our 6th grader in August homeschooling. So here we go again!
When ppl ask us when we will put her in or IF we will ever put her back in, we tell them, "We don't know, it's a year to year decision", but we'll do what's best for her!

Love our choices, no they weren't easy (but is anything in life?), but so proud of Who they have become, Who they belong to, and What's in store for them next!

You can do it!!!

Thank you, your post helps alot.

I have found some good free online info on learning styles, if anybody's interested:
http://www.berghuis.co.nz/abiator/lsi/lsiframe.html
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/lstyleqz.htm
http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm
There's also a book I recommend: How to Maximize Your Child's Learning Ability

Thank you for the links, I'll be using these this week.

 

[kimmyann]

Well, we are taking the plunge....now. My son is now expressing concern (and alot of it) that he may want to go to the high school. He is scared that he will miss out on alot & is worried about being stuck at home all of the time. Well, he is already failing the 8th grade & since his classroom settings are so disruptive we are going to homeschool the remainder of the year and then he will make the decision of what exactly he wants to do then. If he decides he wants to go to the high school we can turn in his homeschool work & he may have to take a placement test to make sure he is on level and he would be able to move on to the high school. I feel at this point, even if I only get the one semester with him that I may atleast be able to give him the one on one he needs to get on track & to give him the self confidence he really needs. Also, this will give him a chance to experience both worlds so he will be able to make a solid, educated decision.

So, now I need to find a cirriculum for him that would be closest to what the school is teaching for the second semester. This is in case he would need to take a placement test, he would be able to move on to high school if that is what he chooses. If he wants to continue homeschooling, we will then change to something totally different and not be concerned about following closely to the school. I know I have found some wonderful websites that are going to be a blessing in helping him. Thanks to everyone who has ever posted links on this board, yes I have read it all.

 

[sullins5]

So proud of all of you for this journey! It's different now than it was 10 years ago to be sure. We didn't have alot of support, ppl thought we were weirdos, fanatics, socially depriving our kids (puuuuuhhhhhhllleeaaasse), and missing the boat. Now you have sooo much support (if you don't, find a group or a HS newsletter), and alot of homeschoolers around the country!
For those that have asked me...Yes, we did our own curriculum although the first year, we stayed with the elem schools curriculum. Why? We were timid (like most first timers) and wanted the kids to stay on that schedule. What we learned was that most school curriculum is for many kids, some of it quite boring, some of it not challenging enough, and some of it, just time killers.
We researched, knew our kids' bents, strengths and weaknesses. We tried to get them 'tested' for only our peace of mind annually or semi. And to keep them acquainted for testing when they needed to take the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
What we learned:
Yes...hard! Yes...good days and bad! Yes, there were days just getting to go to Wally World (WM) by myself, felt like Tiffanys! But in the end? So proud of my kids, kept my family as a whole close, gave my kids the confidence to 'face the world', and allowed for travelling all over the world! Both my older ones have been to oland, Mexico, Dominican Republic and China.
Today homeschoolers have sooo many opportunities! When you get discouraged, remember : You're mom and dad, Their YOUR kids, no one else's (and aren't you glad), and if it gets really bad? "This too shall pass"!!!

So proud of you all!!!

 

[nrpofp]

So proud of all of you for this journey! It's different now than it was 10 years ago to be sure. We didn't have alot of support, ppl thought we were weirdos, fanatics, socially depriving our kids (puuuuuhhhhhhllleeaaasse), and missing the boat. Now you have sooo much support (if you don't, find a group or a HS newsletter), and alot of homeschoolers around the country!
For those that have asked me...Yes, we did our own curriculum although the first year, we stayed with the elem schools curriculum. Why? We were timid (like most first timers) and wanted the kids to stay on that schedule. What we learned was that most school curriculum is for many kids, some of it quite boring, some of it not challenging enough, and some of it, just time killers.
We researched, knew our kids' bents, strengths and weaknesses. We tried to get them 'tested' for only our peace of mind annually or semi. And to keep them acquainted for testing when they needed to take the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
What we learned:
Yes...hard! Yes...good days and bad! Yes, there were days just getting to go to Wally World (WM) by myself, felt like Tiffanys! But in the end? So proud of my kids, kept my family as a whole close, gave my kids the confidence to 'face the world', and allowed for travelling all over the world! Both my older ones have been to oland, Mexico, Dominican Republic and China.
Today homeschoolers have sooo many opportunities! When you get discouraged, remember : You're mom and dad, Their YOUR kids, no one else's (and aren't you glad), and if it gets really bad? "This too shall pass"!!!

So proud of you all!!!

Thanks for the encouragement. I rarely tell anybody I homeschool. Its just too hard to explain to people. Boths sets of grandparents are shocked that my kids actually read above their grade level, seem happier, and more relaxed than their other 15 grandkids. I am glad everthing worked out well for your family. I am planning on doing a lot of traveling with my kids. Thats if food and gas prices don't keep rising, and chipping away at my disposable income. YIKES

 

[figment3258]

For the person that had asked how do you find home school groups I found mine on yahoo. You look up yahoo groups and type in home school groups in your state and there will be a list. That's how we have met all our friends.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm so sorry. Your poor DS. What grandma did was so wrong on so many levels. I think maybe no more trips to her house if you & your DH are not going to be there. DS shouldn't have to go through that. We haven't even told my DH's parents we've been homeschooling our DS since Oct. for fear of the same kind of reaction. They really wouldn't get it so it's best to keep it to ourselves, sad it has to be that way though. Hang in there.

Thank you so much. DH is home from his work trip, so we will have a chance to really talk about it with each other, and see where we go from here.

What's sad is that we rent in a building filled with mainly very senior retirees, and once they got used to the idea of homeschooling (so weird to think about, because some of them are old enough that their parents and grandparents would have been schooled at home quite naturally, especially the ones that grew up rurally), they have seen his intelligence shine through. They don't think he's lacking in any skills. Guess it's b/c they haven't sprung a pop quiz on him...

 

[NHWX]

So...my mother in law. She's not very supportive of homeschooling. Thinks we're cheating. Cheating the state, cheating DS out of an education, etc. She cannot figure it out.

She's Korean, and they have nothing like this in modern society.
....

....
If anyone else's family has done this, you have my deepest empathy and sympathy. We don't know what to do, and I hate that she did this to him.

We didn't tell my husband's family for *years* and they're just very opinionated folks. We didn't have to deal with language barriers, cultural expectations, etc. I'm sorry that you and your family went through this. And my Mom was convinced that neither one of my boys would go to college. Our eldest just got a college acceptance today with his list of credits granted through AP test scores.

So Grandma wants to measure her grandson and ask male family relatives for confirmation that her opinion is correct. It makes sense to her, I'm sure. And your son's means of communicating his learning to his grandmother (I'll tell you everything I know about dinosaurs or the train system of the nineteenth century or whatever he knows a ton about) is probably going to be somewhat impaired by the culture/language difficulties. If there's a way of setting up a situation where your son can spend a time with you, your husband and your MIL and just naturally explain what he knows (the natural science museum, the living history museum, seeing a play about a story that he knows well, etc.) that might alleviate some of her concern.

Sometimes no matter what you say, it's just not going to sink in. Realistically, my MIL (DH's dad's second wife) didn't understand much about our need until her son's children began having trouble in school. And my Mom is forgetting enough things that I've told her the same stories about my two's bad experiences and she just keeps forgetting them. She romanticizes her educational experience and doesn't track what it's like today. My niece had a horrible high school experience for 3 years in the same city that my parents live in and I don't think my Mom really remembers that at all.

So, no really great advice. You know your son best. Keep at it. As I tell my friends who have kids in brick and mortar schools, I'd be working at making school work no matter what situation they were in. And if they were at the closest semi-decent private school, I'd have to be taking home over $52K to pay for two to attend. And that just isn't going to happen in this economy around here.

NHWX

 

[bumbershoot]

NHWX, thank you so much. It really helped and made sense! You are SO right that it's the *male* family member thing she's looking for, and that his way of communicating what he knows just sounds like babble to her (he will talk her ear off on the phone, we get the phone, and she hasn't understood a WORD he has said b/c he talks quickly when he's excited).

Meanwhile, he's learning about archaeology... on his own (using old books that I had as a child, and a TV show on the History channel which talks about the real history in the Indiana Jones movies LOL) while I'm still recovering from this long illness (I have very little voice and cannot read to him right now). But that wouldn't be interesting to her (digging up bones?) so she probably wouldn't care. And I can't tell her how sick I've been or she'd harp on me about EVERYTHING else (I should eat meat, eat bone marrow soup, I don't keep myself warm enough, there's something WRONG with me, etc etc etc as she has done a million times in the past). No one wants that. (anyone know the homeschooling laws in Fiji, LOL?)


We work really hard to not lie to her, or even lie by omission, as it was an issue in DH's childhood and it's important for DH to be totally open and honest about things she's going to find out about anyway.


Sorry, now I'm just whining.

I can't wait to get my voice back so I can finish up the last 4 fairy tales in the Oak Meadow book!

 

[Nicolepa]

NHWX, thank you so much. It really helped and made sense! You are SO right that it's the *male* family member thing she's looking for, and that his way of communicating what he knows just sounds like babble to her (he will talk her ear off on the phone, we get the phone, and she hasn't understood a WORD he has said b/c he talks quickly when he's excited).

My MIL was a teacher, FIL a Dentist. We knew they were against homeschooling, but for some reason they kept their mouths shut, thankfully. I knew the only way to convince them was test scores. So even though my son was only 7 I had him tested. (As you know here in WA you don't have to test until 8). I figured if he did poorly we wouldn't say anything about it, if he did well I could show them. Keep in mind the school had told us he was so far behind, I had no clue where he really was.

We got his results back and he was at grade level in spelling/LA and at least 2 grades ahead in everything else (including reading which he was in a remedial class in Public School).

Now I won't say they are supportive, but they at least know he is learning and we aren't sitting on our duff all day. They no longer ask us how long we are going to do this for etc. They accept that it is what it is.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Do you/have you ever used an e-reader (like the Kindle) for your childs literature books? We will be traveling a lot while homeschooling, and it seems a Kindle would help with "excessive baggage." I realize we may need 2 so both of our kiddos can read at the same time. (Or 3 so Mommy can read too!)

Are any of you members ("season pass holders") at the science museums? I see where we can have a membership that includes science museums all over the country. Is this a good deal & does it really work? Thanks

 

[Trixieplus2]

We are getting ready to take the plunge. With our four year old.She is in Prek 4 (public school) and it just isn't working for us. I feel like it is stifling her and us. I originally wanted to homeschool but felt like I couldn't do it. I have been scouring websites and library books and I am starting to feel like maybe I can. I don't know how the school is going to take it when we pull her though???

It is just so many little things she has lost her zest for learning.
She got a frowny face on her calender for playing in the mud at recess.
I feel like I never see my own child .
A lot of other things but to drawn out to go into anyways I might lurk in here for a while too so Hi

 

[weHEARTmickey]

We are getting ready to take the plunge. With our four year old.She is in Prek 4 (public school) and it just isn't working for us. I feel like it is stifling her and us. I originally wanted to homeschool but felt like I couldn't do it. I have been scouring websites and library books and I am starting to feel like maybe I can. I don't know how the school is going to take it when we pull her though???

It is just so many little things she has lost her zest for learning.
She got a frowny face on her calender for playing in the mud at recess.
I feel like I never see my own child .
A lot of other things but to drawn out to go into anyways I might lurk in here for a while too so Hi

We are taking the plunge too!! I think we will pull the kids out after spring break. Their teachers hate the idea, but like other WISE moms here have told me: It's not about whether the teachers approve or not! It's about the well-being of our children & what's best for our family. I think the fact that you are studying up on how to homeschool shows that you will be great at it! I'm reading everything I can get my hands on, so I KNOW I will be able to offer more than what my kiddos are getting at school. May God bless you on your new journey

 

[MommyBell08]

We are getting ready to take the plunge. With our four year old.She is in Prek 4 (public school) and it just isn't working for us. I feel like it is stifling her and us. I originally wanted to homeschool but felt like I couldn't do it. I have been scouring websites and library books and I am starting to feel like maybe I can. I don't know how the school is going to take it when we pull her though???

It is just so many little things she has lost her zest for learning.
She got a frowny face on her calender for playing in the mud at recess.
I feel like I never see my own child .
A lot of other things but to drawn out to go into anyways I might lurk in here for a while too so Hi

Good for you and congratulations! You seem to be very involved with your daughter and Im sure you will give her way more than any school can. You will do a great job!

 

[graygables]

She got a frowny face on her calender for playing in the mud at recess.

Wow. No one should ever get a frowny face for playing. Really??? I remember one day DDs and I had gone to Amish country for the day and there were puddles around. They decided to splash and I stood there watching as they were jumping around the sidewalks in their rain boots. SO many people stopped to watch and enjoy their abandon and I had several thank me for just letting them play. I'm glad I didn't give them a "frowny face".

As for the Kindle question...I have a Kindle and love it. 14yo is NOT a reader, hates to read except on a computer screen. She doesn't like the Kindle, but I am thinking of getting her the Nook Color for her birthday as it is more computer-like. She has tracking issues and a bit of dyslexia, so for some reason, the backlit screen works well for her. Youngest, I just offered to buy her most recent book on the Kindle, but she said she'd prefer the actual book.

I'm a fan myself of having an entire library on the device. As a matter of fact, when I was an English teacher way back when, I was called on the carpet for using a laptop in class for my attendance/record book (I was the only teacher with a computer in the classroom at the time). I told the principal at that point that there would come a day within the next generation when school books would be issued on computers and paper books could be obsolete in the classroom. He laughed at me. I just completed my Master's degree with ALL of my books online. I wonder if he ever remembers that conversation as often as I do...

 

[Trixieplus2]

Wow. No one should ever get a frowny face for playing. Really??? I remember one day DDs and I had gone to Amish country for the day and there were puddles around. They decided to splash and I stood there watching as they were jumping around the sidewalks in their rain boots. SO many people stopped to watch and enjoy their abandon and I had several thank me for just letting them play. I'm glad I didn't give them a "frowny face".

As for the Kindle question...I have a Kindle and love it. 14yo is NOT a reader, hates to read except on a computer screen. She doesn't like the Kindle, but I am thinking of getting her the Nook Color for her birthday as it is more computer-like. She has tracking issues and a bit of dyslexia, so for some reason, the backlit screen works well for her. Youngest, I just offered to buy her most recent book on the Kindle, but she said she'd prefer the actual book.

I'm a fan myself of having an entire library on the device. As a matter of fact, when I was an English teacher way back when, I was called on the carpet for using a laptop in class for my attendance/record book (I was the only teacher with a computer in the classroom at the time). I told the principal at that point that there would come a day within the next generation when school books would be issued on computers and paper books could be obsolete in the classroom. He laughed at me. I just completed my Master's degree with ALL of my books online. I wonder if he ever remembers that conversation as often as I do...

Yes the frowny face totally blew me away. I thought to myself isn't that how kids learn? By exploring and playing,She loves to play in the mud/dirt and brings in leaves,sticks and stones all the time to ask me questions about them and show me the pretty ones.

I am still a little nervous but this is prek 4 so my husband is open to pulling her from the school and I get to try to use this time to convince him A) That she will get plenty of "socialization" and B) That she won't miss or feel left out of "real school". So hopefully this works out for us so I can go ahead and keep her out of kindergarten and homeschool for that as well right now though I figure I'll go in baby steps.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Well, PLEASE pray for our family!! I sent notes to all of our teachers today, letting them know our kids' last day at ps will be the day before spring break!!!! I did send a very lengthy letter, letting them know all the reasons why. I hope they understand, but either way, THIS is what's best for our family.

.....As for the Kindle question...I have a Kindle and love it. 14yo is NOT a reader, hates to read except on a computer screen. She doesn't like the Kindle, but I am thinking of getting her the Nook Color for her birthday as it is more computer-like. She has tracking issues and a bit of dyslexia, so for some reason, the backlit screen works well for her. Youngest, I just offered to buy her most recent book on the Kindle, but she said she'd prefer the actual book. Thanks for answering my question

I'm a fan myself of having an entire library on the device. As a matter of fact, when I was an English teacher way back when, I was called on the carpet for using a laptop in class for my attendance/record book (I was the only teacher with a computer in the classroom at the time). I told the principal at that point that there would come a day within the next generation when school books would be issued on computers and paper books could be obsolete in the classroom. He laughed at me. I just completed my Master's degree with ALL of my books online. I wonder if he ever remembers that conversation as often as I do...

That's HILARIOUS!! It pays off to step out of the box sometimes And, yes, I'm SURE he remembers the conversation!