Homeschool Chat Part III

[Mouseketeer67]

I ran across this site and thought that some of you who homeschool younger kids may find it helpful.

http://www.dadsworksheets.com/

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Thank you so much for the 'thinking about it' references, I will be on the hunt for this information to continue/start my further research and interest. My son has had a terrible cold and missed the last few days of school, I couldn't help but think about how much easier it would be for him to recover without the concern of missed work and having to make it up if we were homeschooling. Anyway, thank you and continued applause to all of your efforts! I will keep lurking here to gain more insight.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Oh, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2679558 there is so much I want to say but I am going to keep my mouth shut!

 

[kimmyann]

Oh, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2679558 there is so much I want to say but I am going to keep my mouth shut!

I was wondering if someone was going to bring this up on here. I think the testing in public school is out of control. It seems the schools are rewarded for good test scores just like the children are rewarded for being there. My DD was just talking about how her teacher was bribing them with candy yesterday to get their work done. What are they dogs? Anyways, I think it bothered me because before that my DD was talking about how they had cupcakes in class AGAIN.... I really wish they would stop feeding her junk everyday, but if I were to say somethng then it would single her out. I'm hoping to homeschool her starting next year, I really like how it is going with her brother now. Which I think he will move on to the public high school, so I will flip flop them.

 

[bellebud]

I was wondering if someone was going to bring this up on here. I think the testing in public school is out of control. It seems the schools are rewarded for good test scores just like the children are rewarded for being there. My DD was just talking about how her teacher was bribing them with candy yesterday to get their work done. What are they dogs? Anyways, I think it bothered me because before that my DD was talking about how they had cupcakes in class AGAIN.... I really wish they would stop feeding her junk everyday, but if I were to say somethng then it would single her out. I'm hoping to homeschool her starting next year, I really like how it is going with her brother now. Which I think he will move on to the public high school, so I will flip flop them.

of course I had to go read it, and of course I had to respond a little, but nothing bad. just couldn't keep my mouth shut. especially so many people complaining about their children's anxiety about these ridiculous tests, really tears my heart out for these kids.

 

[DawnM]

http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Virginia.pdf

Are there other hsers in your area you can ask?

Here in NC we have to test too, but I was able to find an older Woodcock Johnson for $25, including protocols and can use that for ALL of their schooling years! I am VERY happy because I was paying $25 per kid through Seton for the CAT test, which is a test I don't even care for but I used it because it was cheaper.

Dawn

You didnt upset me, just sensitive I guess. Sorry!

I have checked into that, but it is such a hassel to do it any other way. My understanding is that Virginia is one of the only states left that allow it, but I just want to see what other wrote on their letters. Just want to know how much, or how little I need to give. That's the only reason why I'm asking. I do not want to give any more info then needed. I have 4 kids, so I really do not want this to become a HUGE expense.

 

[Nicolepa]

I was wondering if someone was going to bring this up on here. I think the testing in public school is out of control. It seems the schools are rewarded for good test scores just like the children are rewarded for being there. My DD was just talking about how her teacher was bribing them with candy yesterday to get their work done. What are they dogs? Anyways, I think it bothered me because before that my DD was talking about how they had cupcakes in class AGAIN.... I really wish they would stop feeding her junk everyday, but if I were to say somethng then it would single her out. I'm hoping to homeschool her starting next year, I really like how it is going with her brother now. Which I think he will move on to the public high school, so I will flip flop them.

My daughter is in a gifted program. They are required to work 1-2 years above grade level. They take the grade level test. So, for example, this year she is in 5th grade. So she is working at a minimum of 6th grade but will take the 5th grade test. They spend almost a MONTH prepping for the test and 2 weeks taking the test.

I find it a total waste of time, if these kids cannot pass the test w/o prepping then the test is faulty. I mean these kids are in the top 2%.

The other sad part is the 10th grade test is required for graduation. The test is at an 8th grade level. I mean really, can't we have more confidence in our kids abilitys than telling them 8th grade is good enough?

 

[gallafamily]

http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Virginia.pdf

Are there other hsers in your area you can ask?

Here in NC we have to test too, but I was able to find an older Woodcock Johnson for $25, including protocols and can use that for ALL of their schooling years! I am VERY happy because I was paying $25 per kid through Seton for the CAT test, which is a test I don't even care for but I used it because it was cheaper.

Dawn

I am still researching this option. My family that homeschools also uses the religious exemption, that is why I was thinking of just going that route. I know that I will make sure my kids are taught properly. I just don't think the school system should have any say so over my teaching my kids what I think they should be learning. That is the whole reason I am taking my kids out of school. I feel that they are not teaching them anything that they need to learn, and they aren't allowing them to be taught some of the things I want them to learn, like religion (just 1 example).

My husband & I are looking at the possiblity of finding a friend with a teacher's degree to see if they are willing to write an evaluation of our children each year. So far, we are not really finding many people. Again, I guess its the whole "Homeschool" thing.

One way or another, we are going to make this work for us.

 

[DawnM]

I would look for a former teacher who is now homeschooling to make sure the teacher you choose is homeschool friendly.

Dawn

I am still researching this option. My family that homeschools also uses the religious exemption, that is why I was thinking of just going that route. I know that I will make sure my kids are taught properly. I just don't think the school system should have any say so over my teaching my kids what I think they should be learning. That is the whole reason I am taking my kids out of school. I feel that they are not teaching them anything that they need to learn, and they aren't allowing them to be taught some of the things I want them to learn, like religion (just 1 example).

My husband & I are looking at the possiblity of finding a friend with a teacher's degree to see if they are willing to write an evaluation of our children each year. So far, we are not really finding many people. Again, I guess its the whole "Homeschool" thing.

One way or another, we are going to make this work for us.

 

[NHWX]

My husband & I are looking at the possiblity of finding a friend with a teacher's degree to see if they are willing to write an evaluation of our children each year. So far, we are not really finding many people. Again, I guess its the whole "Homeschool" thing.

One way or another, we are going to make this work for us.

We have a statewide organization that lists teachers who are willing to review work and write homeschooler's evaluations. You might check for something like that.

NHWX

 

[robinsegg]

Testing isn't required in my state, but our hs group partners with a private school to provide testing for those who want it.

 

[bumbershoot]

My husband & I are looking at the possiblity of finding a friend with a teacher's degree to see if they are willing to write an evaluation of our children each year. So far, we are not really finding many people.

If you find a homeschool group in the area, I'm sure they'll have a list of people who will do it. I know it's that way in WA; I mean, even the YMCA's Homeschool PE program passed out a list for us.

 

[MaryAz]

Have lorked here for awhile but now can "offically" post. Decided (for now) to homeschool my 6yr old DD via a virtual acad using K-12. i say for now since I have a feeling that the VA may be to " public school" like for me but this late in the year I wanted to do something to get my feet wet. For those who have done a VA will they let my DD move ahead as she "tests" out of something. For instance we are being sent the first grade cirriculum but she is reading at about prpbably a 4th grade level. Math is prob 2nd grade. Part of the reasone we pulled her out of the last school (Montessori) was due to her not being challenged and getting in trouble daily for talking.
I really have enjoyed reading all the differnt approaches and advice given here. What a great group. Makes me feel like my thinking is not that "crazy" as even close friends have told me.....

 

[graygables]

Need help with an acronym for a homeschhol group and the word: class.

I have Creative Learning And ? ? I'm open to all ideas!

 

[Nicolepa]

Have lorked here for awhile but now can "offically" post. Decided (for now) to homeschool my 6yr old DD via a virtual acad using K-12. i say for now since I have a feeling that the VA may be to " public school" like for me but this late in the year I wanted to do something to get my feet wet. For those who have done a VA will they let my DD move ahead as she "tests" out of something. For instance we are being sent the first grade cirriculum but she is reading at about prpbably a 4th grade level. Math is prob 2nd grade. Part of the reasone we pulled her out of the last school (Montessori) was due to her not being challenged and getting in trouble daily for talking.
I really have enjoyed reading all the differnt approaches and advice given here. What a great group. Makes me feel like my thinking is not that "crazy" as even close friends have told me.....

I used K12 for a little over a year. In that time we did 2nd & most of 3rd grade. 2nd grade was very, very easy, 3rd grade became a struggle with my son. Not the content, just the format.

K12 is very much "school at home". It is mostly sit at your seat and do work. LOTS of worksheets. This just did not work for my son. My daughter would probably have done fine with it, but it was torture for my son.

Also, I dropped their math after the first year. I did not really care for the math they had last year. The new math program they have this year, while I never tried it, I've heard nothing but bad about. The way it is designed, it is virtually impossible to easily test out of areas that they already know, it is time consuming to complete a lesson. Last year I could do 5 lessons in an hour, this year (from what I've heard) it takes over an hour to complete one lesson. Because it's on the computer you can't skip over stuff like you used to.

All that being said, using K12 for a year (and 2 months), gave me the time to get to know my son. If I had picked a curriculum on my own from the get go I would have chosen the wrong thing. The curriculum(s) we are using know are perfect for him!

 

[bumbershoot]

Part of the reasone we pulled her out of the last school (Montessori) was due to her not being challenged and getting in trouble daily for talking. ...

So, not a good Montessori school at all, then? Yikes! Glad she's outta there!

K12 is very much "school at home".

That's what I realized, too. I met with the WAVA/K12 resource lady in my area and she actually talked me OUT of the program without even trying. We went to an "ice cream social" for people interested in the program, and seemed to hate that she had newbies there! She had her sheaf of brochures that were clutched so tight to her chest, I had to ask her, half an hour after getting there, for one. And she said that in K12 done through WA's virtual academy the parent would be "basically like a Teacher's Assistant".

And right with that, it wasn't for me.


I met a lady at homeschool PE at the Y whose family is from Brazil, and they take a month or two vacation there every year starting in September. The WAVA/K12 rep she met (probably the same one) told her that she could NOT use K12 as a virtual academy (could pay the hundreds for it, but not with the VA) if she wasn't going to be in the States at the start of the school year.


We were not impressed!

I played around with Calvert for awhile, and might still do it in the future, but Oak Meadow in all its floatiness has been fun this year and E is learning a ton.

 

[robinsegg]

Need help with an acronym for a homeschhol group and the word: class.

I have Creative Learning And ? ? I'm open to all ideas!

Creative
Learning
And
Supportive
School

Creative
Learning
Academy
Sacred
School

Creative
Learning
And
Sanity
Sacrifice

Creative
Learning
and
Special
Searching

Creative
Learning
Academy
Searching for
Specialness

 

[MiniGirl]

I like those.

What about....

Creative Learning and Supreme Socialization.

LOL!! Can you tell what kind of question I got today while I was out with my homeschooled daughters?!

 

[Mama Who]

I like those.

What about....

Creative Learning and Supreme Socialization.

LOL!! Can you tell what kind of question I got today while I was out with my homeschooled daughters?!

And I'm sure you're going to have serious problems with math and science too! :eyeroll: I have apparently upset a public school teacher in another thread today.

 

[Cynestra]

Howdy! I'm newish to the boards and going to start homeschooling this summer, as soon as school is out. I have no idea what I am doing yet and am attending a home schooling convention next month. Very excited, and absolutely terrified I'll mess something up!