Homeschool Chat Part III

[DawnM]

Honestly, I have to cut her a little slack. I am a former high shcool (PS) teacher and I used to not "get" homeschooling either. I thought everyone who hsed was nuts.

Now I am nuts!

Dawn

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.

 

[Mama Who]

Honestly, I have to cut her a little slack. I am a former high shcool (PS) teacher and I used to not "get" homeschooling either. I thought everyone who hsed was nuts.

Now I am nuts!

Dawn

Come to the dark side. We have cookies.

(Which our children made with a large group of homeschooled friends after converting all measurements to metric and translating the recipe into foreign languages...)

 

[jacksmomma]

Proud Momma Moment Here...

DS, 4, has been doing Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons for about a week now. He is picking it up very quickly. Last night we were going through a lesson and I was prompting him on an easier portion of the lesson. He stopped me to jump ahead a few activites to read a word completely on his own! He said, "Look Momma, that says Mat." Praise God! I am so happy for him!

 

[DawnM]

I have been homeschooling for 8 years now.

Dawn

Come to the dark side. We have cookies.

(Which our children made with a large group of homeschooled friends after converting all measurements to metric and translating the recipe into foreign languages...)

 

[figment3258]

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!

Welcome! Don't be worried everything will be just fine. Just curious what state do u live in? We have a convention next month here in ma. We have been home schooling for 3 years now if u have any questions feel free to pm me.

 

[robinsegg]

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!

Hi! Welcome!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I am our homeschool group's "new contact" person . . . anyone new or thinking about homeschooling calls me and I help them with some of the best resources in trying to figure out where to start

 

[Belle0101]

How does your state handle work permits?

DS is applying for a job tomorrow. Being a minor, he needs a work permit.

It's been explained to me, and I've left a message to be sure I understand the process, if he is offered a position there's a form for the potential employer to fill out. I then, as the director of his school, write a letter that states he is in good standing at school and get it certified. I take the employer's form and my letter to the high school and ask them if they will issue a work permit.

I understand it's the law. But really, it galls me that the high school can deny a work permit when they don't know us. I'm the parent.

So I'm just wondering how other states handle work permits and what the experiences were like.

Thanks!

 

[chicagoshannon]

How does your state handle work permits?

DS is applying for a job tomorrow. Being a minor, he needs a work permit.

It's been explained to me, and I've left a message to be sure I understand the process, if he is offered a position there's a form for the potential employer to fill out. I then, as the director of his school, write a letter that states he is in good standing at school and get it certified. I take the employer's form and my letter to the high school and ask them if they will issue a work permit.

I understand it's the law. But really, it galls me that the high school can deny a work permit when they don't know us. I'm the parent.

So I'm just wondering how other states handle work permits and what the experiences were like.

Thanks!

WOW! I don't know if this is still the case but when I was in high school in Wisconsin all I had to do was fill out a form at the county building. I can't remember if my parents had to sign something or not and I might have needed my birth certificate. I didn't have to do anything through the school. There were a bunch of rules that went along with it, though, like only a certain number of hours on a school day and certain number of total hours per week. And I think I had to be done working no later then 10pm.

 

[Nicolepa]

WOW! I don't know if this is still the case but when I was in high school in Wisconsin all I had to do was fill out a form at the county building. I can't remember if my parents had to sign something or not and I might have needed my birth certificate. I didn't have to do anything through the school. There were a bunch of rules that went along with it, though, like only a certain number of hours on a school day and certain number of total hours per week. And I think I had to be done working no later then 10pm.

I just looked up WA to see if things had changed. Here nothing is required on the employee's side. The employeer has to have a permit to hire a minor. There are also limits to the types of jobs and the # of hours they can work.

 

[erinmomof2]

Hello, I am just now starting to look into homeschooling and I'd like a few pointers if you don't mind. I have two girls 6 and 3. My six year old is in a charter school in first grade. She's doing very well, and is at least a grade level above in everything. I am having some problems with the teachers, she's in a split grade class (first and second) and they do not seem to be giving her work appropriate to her skills. They have told me over and over how she works at least at a 2nd grade level, and they teach both grades in the class (there are 2 teachers), so I guess I don't see why it would be a big deal to have her work on the 2nd grade material. I know other 1st graders in the class are doing just that. Her teachers have told me they keep her with the first graders because she's quiet and it's harder to assess her, but to me that just sounds silly. I also have issues with the way they teach and I feel like my child is being ignored in the class because she is an easy quiet kid.

I have always been open to homeschooling. I was homeschooled from 9-12 grades. My husband, as of now, is completely against it. My older DD loves learning and keeps telling us how bored she is in school and she doesn't think she should even have to go to that class because she isn't learning anything. She has asked to be homeschooled and I have been working with her after school when she asks me to. She would probably sit at her little desk and do worksheets all day if I let her. She is so eager to learn and I feel like her school is failing in that. My husband's suggestion is to pull her out of the charter school and put her in public school. But she was in a PS last year (we moved over the summer to a completely new area), and I still felt like she was being ignored in the class. So I don't really think PS is the answer either.

So I've been afterschool homeschooling her for a few weeks now, and she is learning so much and she LOVES it. My youngest DD is supposed to start Preschool this fall, and she is academically behind. So we've started to preschool at home and she is doing a lot better too. She is more difficult because she's very strong willed and also has little desire to learn.

I guess I'm wondering if any of you were able to convince your unwilling DH, and how you did it. Also I've been using the internet as a source for worksheets and info for both my kids. Can anyone recommend a good source for free printouts, ideas, ect?

Thanks so much, and sorry this is so long!

 

[robinsegg]

I guess I'm wondering if any of you were able to convince your unwilling DH, and how you did it.

It would help if you told us his objections? Social? Academic? Financial? Legal?

 

[bellebud]

Hello, I am just now starting to look into homeschooling and I'd like a few pointers if you don't mind. I have two girls 6 and 3. My six year old is in a charter school in first grade. She's doing very well, and is at least a grade level above in everything. I am having some problems with the teachers, she's in a split grade class (first and second) and they do not seem to be giving her work appropriate to her skills. They have told me over and over how she works at least at a 2nd grade level, and they teach both grades in the class (there are 2 teachers), so I guess I don't see why it would be a big deal to have her work on the 2nd grade material. I know other 1st graders in the class are doing just that. Her teachers have told me they keep her with the first graders because she's quiet and it's harder to assess her, but to me that just sounds silly. I also have issues with the way they teach and I feel like my child is being ignored in the class because she is an easy quiet kid.

I have always been open to homeschooling. I was homeschooled from 9-12 grades. My husband, as of now, is completely against it. My older DD loves learning and keeps telling us how bored she is in school and she doesn't think she should even have to go to that class because she isn't learning anything. She has asked to be homeschooled and I have been working with her after school when she asks me to. She would probably sit at her little desk and do worksheets all day if I let her. She is so eager to learn and I feel like her school is failing in that. My husband's suggestion is to pull her out of the charter school and put her in public school. But she was in a PS last year (we moved over the summer to a completely new area), and I still felt like she was being ignored in the class. So I don't really think PS is the answer either.

So I've been afterschool homeschooling her for a few weeks now, and she is learning so much and she LOVES it. My youngest DD is supposed to start Preschool this fall, and she is academically behind. So we've started to preschool at home and she is doing a lot better too. She is more difficult because she's very strong willed and also has little desire to learn.

I guess I'm wondering if any of you were able to convince your unwilling DH, and how you did it. Also I've been using the internet as a source for worksheets and info for both my kids. Can anyone recommend a good source for free printouts, ideas, ect?

Thanks so much, and sorry this is so long!

me, me, me!!

2 years ago when I wanted to pull my 2nd and 4th graders out of our private catholic school, dh said "only nutty people homeschool, no way!".

Things happened, I pulled them mid-March, convinced him to give it a try till the end of the year, and we'll reassess.

But what really convinced dh we should at least try it was reading John Taylor Gatto's book "Dumbing Us Down". Then dh started researching John Taylor Gatto and his other books and lectures, and was totally convinced we should homeschool.

My dh is a very regular, mainstream kind of guy, and John Taylor Gatto really got to him (mainly because Mr. Gatto was a 30 year teacher and *Teacher of the Year* award winner (2x's), so he really knew what he was (is) talking about.

I highly recommend starting there for your dh. Ask him to at least please read the book, then talk about it.

 

[erinmomof2]

It would help if you told us his objections? Social? Academic? Financial? Legal?

His objections are mainly academic and a little bit social. We know a lot of people who were homeschooled. We are very involved with our religion and many kids decide to homeschool at some point for that reason. Many of our friends and family were homeschooled. Unfortunately most of the examples we have near us are bad. From what I've observed many of the parents of my friends put in very little effort and as a result their children grow up and know very little academically. And when I say know very little I mean it. As an example my best friend was HS and she can not do subtraction. If she does not have a calculator she could not for the life of her figure out how to do subtract a 2 digit number (she doesn't understand regrouping). This is a skill my DD is learning in 1st grade. Stuff like this drives my husband crazy.

As a result of the poor examples around us my husband seems to think that all HS turns out this way. I keep trying to tell him that our kids can get a quality education if we put in the effort. He knows what kind of parent I am. He knows I enjoy learning myself and I enjoy passing that on to my kids. He knows I would be an involved parent. And obviously I've been able to teach my kids a lot already. He's just stuck on the point that academically a school would be better for them.

Socially I think he is a bit concerned as well. But we do go to church several times a week and they have friends there. And both girls take gymnastics and they have the opportunity to socialize there too if they wish. So they would still be around children their own ages. So I think this a lesser issue than the academic side of it.

 

[sl_underwood]

His objections are mainly academic and a little bit social. We know a lot of people who were homeschooled. We are very involved with our religion and many kids decide to homeschool at some point for that reason. Many of our friends and family were homeschooled. Unfortunately most of the examples we have near us are bad. From what I've observed many of the parents of my friends put in very little effort and as a result their children grow up and know very little academically. And when I say know very little I mean it. As an example my best friend was HS and she can not do subtraction. If she does not have a calculator she could not for the life of her figure out how to do subtract a 2 digit number (she doesn't understand regrouping). This is a skill my DD is learning in 1st grade. Stuff like this drives my husband crazy.

As a result of the poor examples around us my husband seems to think that all HS turns out this way. I keep trying to tell him that our kids can get a quality education if we put in the effort. He knows what kind of parent I am. He knows I enjoy learning myself and I enjoy passing that on to my kids. He knows I would be an involved parent. And obviously I've been able to teach my kids a lot already. He's just stuck on the point that academically a school would be better for them.

Socially I think he is a bit concerned as well. But we do go to church several times a week and they have friends there. And both girls take gymnastics and they have the opportunity to socialize there too if they wish. So they would still be around children their own ages. So I think this a lesser issue than the academic side of it.

I can understand this. My husband and I also know a few bad examples of homeschoolers but academics are something you control. If you are willing to teach, and willing to provide your children with learning opportunities, you can homeschool successfully. It also helps if you know your strengths and weaknesses. I know that I have tried and failed to teach my 14 year old certain math concepts. I understand them, in fact, maybe I get them to easily because she needs it broken down more than I can seem to do it. Therefore, she has a math tutor. This has aided her greatly. I also have a special needs child who gets extra one on one instruction from a tutor so I can have a bit of a break. By giving myself the chance to take a short break, I am able to be a better teacher and a better mom. I think that knowing this has helped our homeschool a great deal.

 

[Cynestra]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

Welcome! Don't be worried everything will be just fine. Just curious what state do u live in? We have a convention next month here in ma. We have been home schooling for 3 years now if u have any questions feel free to pm me.

I live in Oklahoma. Homeschooling is very common here, and actually protected in our state's constitution. I'm excited to start! I'm thinking unit studies. I have a struggling 2nd grader and an advanced Pre-Ker right now.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

His objections are mainly academic and a little bit social. ...As an example my best friend was HS and she can not do subtraction. If she does not have a calculator she could not for the life of her figure out how to do subtract a 2 digit number (she doesn't understand regrouping).

I just wanted to point out that there are many people that for whatever reason struggle in different academic areas. There are MANY adults that went to public and private schools that can not do addition and subtraction without a calculator or cash register. Have you ever found that extra change after the cashier put your total in on the cash register?

Your advantage as a homeschooler is that if you have a child that struggles in one area you can find ways to help them by teaching to their learning style. (While 2+2 will always equal 4, there is more than one way to get there.) They are also not limited in their areas of strength just because they find one subject challenging.

Math is not my daughter's thing. However, I would not be surprised if she has a book published by the time she turn 18. So I want her to know enough about math to make sure she is getting paid properly and to figure out the sale prices at Kohl's. (Even though she knows how to regroup, I don't care if she has to use a calculator while balancing her checkbook or shopping

My son loves math. His challenge is reading. My goal for him is build your robots and make your millions if you want but you need to be able to read the magazine articles they are writing about you and write directions for the people that are purchasing your robots.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

.....I guess I'm wondering if any of you were able to convince your unwilling DH, and how you did it.......

PRAYER!!! I've been praying about this for a couple of years. God laid HS on my heart, so I knew it was just a matter of time before DH felt the calling also DH was talking to our music minister one day & actually got excited about it! (They HS their 3 boys.) He came home & said he felt God wanted us to do it. I was THRILLED & we pulled them out of PS about 1 month later! My point is, you really don't want to convince him. He might resent you once he sees the first negative occur during your HS'ing.

It's funny how all of this worked out. It was about 1 or 2 weeks after we'd made the "big announcement" to everyone that the state of TX came forward with UNBELIEVABLE budget cuts for our public education system. It's like God was just confirming to us that we'd made the right decision.

We are "unschooling" right now. They read their books while I do Bible study, & we won't really do anything structured for these 2 months of HSing. We're going to begin a more "normal" curriculum in August. I do want to add: we own plant nurseries & the kids help us with those. DD10 ran the cash register the other day, subtracting ALL of the change in her head. We probably had 30 people comment that they were "very impressed" & "probably couldn't do her job without a calculator." They are learning all about the different types of flowers (which take sun/shade, how to water each specific variety, etc..) So, the kids get math, science, economics, & social skills just being with us at work....whether we open a textbook or not!

 

[Belle0101]

WOW! I don't know if this is still the case but when I was in high school in Wisconsin all I had to do was fill out a form at the county building. I can't remember if my parents had to sign something or not and I might have needed my birth certificate. I didn't have to do anything through the school. There were a bunch of rules that went along with it, though, like only a certain number of hours on a school day and certain number of total hours per week. And I think I had to be done working no later then 10pm.

I just looked up WA to see if things had changed. Here nothing is required on the employee's side. The employeer has to have a permit to hire a minor. There are also limits to the types of jobs and the # of hours they can work.

Thank-you both for your answers.

I'm just still shaking my head that I have to contact the local high school for a work permit when my son doesn't even go there. I guess there must be a reason but wow, talk about goofy laws!

 

[Nicolepa]

Ugh, what a week I've had. On Tuesday my oldest fell walking the dog and broke her wrist. Last week 2 of my kids woke up w/chickenpox like bumps. Turned out not to be CP but it took 4 days to get a correct diagnosis.

Well this has all put a damper in my school schedule. It really shouldn't as my daughter is not homeschooled and the bumps weren't an illness. But none the less, my son has refused to finish a day of school in 2 weeks. I am so frustrated, not to mention worn out.

I feel so bad for my daughter. She has been working on her pitching and at this point in time the only pitcher her softball team has. We purposly did not put her in the upper division so she'd have the opportunity to pitch more. I know she was a first round pick and was picked because she can pitch. Her coach is being a great sport about it and has made her an assistant coach and is going to have her give the other girls pitching tips. But I feel so bad for them all.

Thanks for letting me vent. It's been a long week. She goes in on Monday for the permanent cast. Until then we have no idea how long she will be in the cast or her recovery afterwards.

 

[Belle0101]

I would really appreciate it if anyone had suggestions for algebra.

I had a really awful time with algebra in high school. It wasn't just me though. The majority of the students who had this particular teacher failed. He had actually been hired on as a basketball coach for the girl's team. When so many students failed he was reviewed and found not qualified to teach algebra.

Just the thought of algebra makes my stomach turn. I get a headache even. I know it's just psychological but *shudders* I just can't get past it.

DS15, 10th grade, didn't get his algebra credit when he was in public school last year and it falls on me to teach it.

Ideally, I would like to find a course that is very interactive. As in if he has troubles he can email or message for help. I was thinking maybe an online course or a DVD course. I'm just not sure what's available or what is worth the money.

Speaking of money, that could be an issue. DH doesn't want to spend very much. He thinks $100 is too much but you get what you pay for and since I can't teach it and DS needs the credit, we're going to have to spend some money.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank-you!