Homeschool Chat Part III

[bellebud]

I hope this group isn't closed yet?? Hi! My name is Stephanie. I see you are on Part 3, so I am sure you are all pretty close by now. I've recently joined DIS and just found this thread. I'm going to back to the original to read, but thought I'd pop over here, ask if I could join and introduce myself just in case.

I have three kids, DD (7 1/2) (That 1/2 is important, right!!) DS1 4 and DS2, 2.5, We've been homeschooling from the beginning and I just love it. I found DIS bc we're planning our very first Disney World trip in November 2012, but realize this is so much more. We use mostly My Father's World with other things and hope to begin DD's 3rd grade year the second (ish) week of July. DS1 will be more concentrated preschool this year. Our family vacation this year is the first week September in OBX, so I'd like to get some school in before we take a big break.

I hope I can join and I'd love to chat with other moms. It's so important to support other homeschooling moms! Thanks so much.

I really thought I replied to your post yesterday, but I can't find it... so....

HI and welcome!! there's always room for more here, and there's always someone new all the time, so join right in Glad you found us. and yes, the DIS is much more than just if you're planning a trip to DW!

We love OBX!! We've been there 3x's w/ friends/extended family. We've always stayed up in Corolla. So nice and peaceful!!

My kids are dd11 and ds9, and we've been hsing for 2 years now and LOVE it! It's changed our lives for the better in soooo many ways! I still don't use any one curriculum, as my kids both learn so differently, one box would never fit us. We're also part of a wonderful hsing group where we attend weekly classes, do lots of field trips, weekly park days, etc, so we're always on the go! We'll be heading up to Maine in Sept, and we won't bring any 'school work' with us, but they also learn as they live, which is one of the best parts of hsing to me.

Hello all, glad to have found you. I've been homeschooling for 7 years and have five children ages 3 mo. to 16. (one of these days I'll do a proper siggy but I'm new to this forum stuff and learning when I can find time). I hope to go back and see what you've all been talking about but those fun TR keep sucking me in. I get to enjoy the Dis when I'm nursing but try to stop when he's done and get back to work.

My question to you all is- what do you do with your old curriculum? I try to pass on what I can but have not made the time to do a used fair and have missed them all this year. I'm thinking about trying eBay but it seems like a lot of work and wonder if it's worth the time. Sometimes I just want to drop it all off at Goodwill and be done with it!!

What do you do?

Hi and welcome

I give away my old books that we've outgrown to others in our hsing group, and since I don't use any real curriculum, I don't have much to give away that I spent any good amount of money on. The others in my group who have actual boxed "curriculum" I believe try to get a little money for it to put towards their new school year - again, in our own group or the other local yahoo hsing groups.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Hmmm, no posts in awhile.... Just want to bump this back up.

I'm itching to start school back up, just to get back in a bit of a routine. All of our curriculum is here. At least, I hope so. I still want to get a few math manipulatives, but I think that's it. Life has been crazy and I'm craving a bit of normalcy. DD2 has an endoscopy next week, so I guess we will have to wait until after that. But, I do plan to start back up by August!

 

[danjoealexis3006]

I'm jealous! I wish I had all our curriculum picked out and here! I am still struggling with DS13 history! Ugh! They give us homeschoolers way too many choices!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I'm jealous! I wish I had all our curriculum picked out and here! I am still struggling with DS13 history! Ugh! They give us homeschoolers way too many choices!

It's both a blessing and a curse.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I hear you on all of the choices. We will be starting on August 1st. We plan to do year round schooling at least for the younger years.

 

[Nicolepa]

I can't start up until 9/6 as that's when my PS daughter goes back and my son will have a fit if he has to start earlier. That being said we didn't finish until 6/22 so we are no way ready to start back up again!

We are switching things up again this year. I signed him (I guess us) up for Classical Conversations. I hope that the "peer pressure" will encourage him to start memorizing the basics. Plus he's been starting to miss the socialization a bit.

That being said I have no idea what that entails. I have one source telling me that this is just an addition to my regular curriculum and another telling me that this will replace my history & LA for the most part. I have no clue. I went ahead and ordered my LA because my son did really well with it and we are in the middle of the year w/our History/Science since we switched last year, so I'm going to prep some of that to supplement the CC.

 

[axpo23]

Hi! We are starting Preschool this week. We have to have some sort of structure in the morning and I'll start 3rd grade with my DD next week. It's been in the 90's (with a heat index of over 100-115) this week so we've only been outside for swim lessons. So....school starts. We might as well, we've got all the stuff, I just need to read it.


OH! And send in my letters to the school board. OY!

 

[bellebud]

we pretty much do year round, with breaks whenever we feel like it.

I gave them a couple of weeks 'off' when the schools around here got out, but we still listened to 'story of the world' in the car, and I've been using teaching with movies dot com... so in reality, it never really stops. We don't use curriculum by grades really (a little, but only for a reference point)... we really try to do what they're interested in. DS9 needs to work on his mult. tables, but I try not to stress, because I know I can frustrate both of us now by pounding it in, or waiting until he's ready to grasp it, and it will be done overnight practically. I've seen it so many times already in our 2 years of hsing. But it's still so hard as a mom who was schooled to get out of the 'school box', ya know? Relaxing as a hs mom is really difficult!!

 

[axpo23]

Bellebud--that is true! I had some grand plans to continue with DD's Math and DS's preschool through our summer break (which was only going to be about a month to 6 weeks). Things just got away from me. I needed the break, too, I suppose. But, it's life.

I figure they'll all get it eventually--

 

[MiniGirl]

We are switching things up again this year. I signed him (I guess us) up for Classical Conversations. I hope that the "peer pressure" will encourage him to start memorizing the basics. Plus he's been starting to miss the socialization a bit.

That being said I have no idea what that entails. I have one source telling me that this is just an addition to my regular curriculum and another telling me that this will replace my history & LA for the most part. I have no clue. I went ahead and ordered my LA because my son did really well with it and we are in the middle of the year w/our History/Science since we switched last year, so I'm going to prep some of that to supplement the CC.

We are starting our 3rd year with CC, so obviously, we enjoy it. How CC looks in our home, however, has changed each year. We joined midway through the year. The girls were really craving some time with kids their own age, and I was having health problems and was having a hard time keeping us on track. With CC, the girls had that social outlet and I knew that we would get at least 1 good day of schooling in every week. The following year we did a lot more and really focused on our memory and expanded on the topics. However, I wasn't really ready to give up our other curriculum. This year, though, CC will be our core. For example, since Week 1 history sentence has to do with Columbus, we will study him. We will study types of tissue for Science, etc. We will continue with our math, though, and grammar and spelling fir my youngest. My oldest will also be in Essentials, so she will get this there.

Here is a blog I enjoy reading by a CC mom. She has lots of great resources and ideas.

http://halfahundredacrewood.blogspot.com/

 

[Nicolepa]

We are starting our 3rd year with CC, so obviously, we enjoy it. How CC looks in our home, however, has changed each year. We joined midway through the year. The girls were really craving some time with kids their own age, and I was having health problems and was having a hard time keeping us on track. With CC, the girls had that social outlet and I knew that we would get at least 1 good day of schooling in every week. The following year we did a lot more and really focused on our memory and expanded on the topics. However, I wasn't really ready to give up our other curriculum. This year, though, CC will be our core. For example, since Week 1 history sentence has to do with Columbus, we will study him. We will study types of tissue for Science, etc. We will continue with our math, though, and grammar and spelling fir my youngest. My oldest will also be in Essentials, so she will get this there.

Here is a blog I enjoy reading by a CC mom. She has lots of great resources and ideas.

http://halfahundredacrewood.blogspot.com/

Thank you for that site. It looks wonderful! I will have to browse more this evening when I have some time.

My son is going into 4th grade so he will be in both Foundations & Essentials. I was hoping I could take whatever the Grammar subject was for the week and use that part of our grammar curriculum. I wan him in Essentials so that he will have the math practice, science etc. I don't care so much about the grammar part.

As for the history. I'm debating continuing my curriculum, or just supplementing like you said. I will probably start out w/my own curriculum at a slower pace. It's a unit study and he loves it (for the most part ;-). I really want him to learn the importance of memorization. He just doesn't understand that while he can compute the multiplication problem each time, it will go a lot faster if he memorizes it. Same with history, I've tried to explain that if he just remembers names of people and important events along with a couple of facts that I won't keep asking the same thing over and over.

 

[Belle0101]

Where could I find info that homeschooling your child will not lead them to be socially inept?

My right to homeschool DS16 is being threatened by his bio. father. He has filed a motion that I be stripped of my full custody status, he be given custody and DS be returned to public school. The socialization being only one of the reasons against homeschooling.

I have an atty but anything that I can find for him I feel will only strengthen my case. HSLDA can't help because the topic of custody is being addressed.

Thanks in advance.

BTW - some prayers and / or pixie dust wouldn't hurt, if you're so inclined.

 

[jacksmomma]

Where could I find info that homeschooling your child will not lead them to be socially inept?

My right to homeschool DS16 is being threatened by his bio. father. He has filed a motion that I be stripped of my full custody status, he be given custody and DS be returned to public school. The socialization being only one of the reasons against homeschooling.

I have an atty but anything that I can find for him I feel will only strengthen my case. HSLDA can't help because the topic of custody is being addressed.

Thanks in advance.

BTW - some prayers and / or pixie dust wouldn't hurt, if you're so inclined.

I will send up lots of prayers! I would contact HSLDA, they will be able to give you lots of resources!

 

[jacksmomma]

I had planned on starting with DS's homeschool curriculum in September, but we might bump that up a couple of weeks.

So far this summer we have participated in Michael's Passport to the World free craft program. Every Tues., Thurs., and Saturday they visit a country and do 2 crafts from the area. I put my homeschool spin on it by having my DS color the flag from the country and find it on our world map. We sometimes watch videos or read books about the area, and if we can, visit a restaurant or try a recipe at home that relates to the country. DS is having a ball with it and the lady at our local store who facilitates the programs knows DS by name. This summer we are also working on manners. We are using the beginning program from The Etiquette Factory and DS loves it. I add extra books and talks to the basic ideas in the teacher's guide and I am seeing a big difference in DS's bahavior!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I had planned on starting with DS's homeschool curriculum in September, but we might bump that up a couple of weeks.

So far this summer we have participated in Michael's Passport to the World free craft program. Every Tues., Thurs., and Saturday they visit a country and do 2 crafts from the area. I put my homeschool spin on it by having my DS color the flag from the country and find it on our world map. We sometimes watch videos or read books about the area, and if we can, visit a restaurant or try a recipe at home that relates to the country. DS is having a ball with it and the lady at our local store who facilitates the programs knows DS by name. This summer we are also working on manners. We are using the beginning program from The Etiquette Factory and DS loves it. I add extra books and talks to the basic ideas in the teacher's guide and I am seeing a big difference in DS's bahavior!

Sounds like a great summer!

 

[norrodh]

Hi There,

I'm a mom of 3 teens and have been homeschooling for a year now. Its been hard keeping them on task but I have to tell you my husband and I are really loving it. We moved to Florida a year ago for our jobs and its been hard for my middle schoolers to meet kids their age, but my 16 yr. old son has met other homeschoolers who skateboard and they are really nice kids. We are trying to get our kids out to different youth groups so they can meet other kids. But I have to tell you I wouldnt give up the time we have with our children right now for anything in the world. The things they are learning on their own is remarkable. My son has taken off with his music and can play like 3 different instruments (piano, guitar both accoustic and electric, drums, banjo). He is playing Billy Joel and different people and even though I'm his mother, I do have to admit he's really good because he has the time and interest to practice until he gets it right. My husband has him do oil changes on the car and change the brake pads and has even taught my girls how to do it also. Its just amazing at what they learn and what regular school does to hold them back. We are also a part of the Disney Homeschooling where we meet up at Epcot and learn alot of different things. Its really cool! Would like to meet other moms with teens who live near Disney that homeschool. Also, our relationship with our teenagers has grown so close and I am just so proud of them!!

 

[bellebud]

Hi There,

I'm a mom of 3 teens and have been homeschooling for a year now. Its been hard keeping them on task but I have to tell you my husband and I are really loving it. We moved to Florida a year ago for our jobs and its been hard for my middle schoolers to meet kids their age, but my 16 yr. old son has met other homeschoolers who skateboard and they are really nice kids. We are trying to get our kids out to different youth groups so they can meet other kids. But I have to tell you I wouldnt give up the time we have with our children right now for anything in the world. The things they are learning on their own is remarkable. My son has taken off with his music and can play like 3 different instruments (piano, guitar both accoustic and electric, drums, banjo). He is playing Billy Joel and different people and even though I'm his mother, I do have to admit he's really good because he has the time and interest to practice until he gets it right. My husband has him do oil changes on the car and change the brake pads and has even taught my girls how to do it also. Its just amazing at what they learn and what regular school does to hold them back. We are also a part of the Disney Homeschooling where we meet up at Epcot and learn alot of different things. Its really cool! Would like to meet other moms with teens who live near Disney that homeschool. Also, our relationship with our teenagers has grown so close and I am just so proud of them!!

so there's a disney homeschooling group that meets at disney???? I could not be more jealous right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I so very badly want to move to Florida (we're in NY), and live near Disney. Enjoy!!

 

[axpo23]

so there's a disney homeschooling group that meets at disney???? I could not be more jealous right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I so very badly want to move to Florida (we're in NY), and live near Disney. Enjoy!!

OMG, I so agree. My DH has his own business, so we could go anywhere...I wonder if I could use that as a selling point...lol!

 

[Pimama]

Where could I find info that homeschooling your child will not lead them to be socially inept?

My right to homeschool DS16 is being threatened by his bio. father. He has filed a motion that I be stripped of my full custody status, he be given custody and DS be returned to public school. The socialization being only one of the reasons against homeschooling.

I have an atty but anything that I can find for him I feel will only strengthen my case. HSLDA can't help because the topic of custody is being addressed.

Thanks in advance.

BTW - some prayers and / or pixie dust wouldn't hurt, if you're so inclined.

Really sorry to hear you're going through this. I don't know of any formal studies but I think it would be important for you to be able to show that your son has plenty of social interaction. My DS16 is very involved at church, meets up with friends as often as he can talk me into it, along with co-op last year and a choir. Is your son active outside the home? I certainly don't think the kind of socializing kids are getting at school is beneficial but you may have to show that your son has sufficient contact with the outside world.

Are you members of HSLDA? I'm surprised to hear you say they wouldn't help. I would think they could at least provide you with info about defending homeschool but I could see how the custody thing could muddy it up, especially if there are other issues involved. Sorry you have to go through this and I will pray for your family.

 

[norrodh]

so there's a disney homeschooling group that meets at disney???? I could not be more jealous right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I so very badly want to move to Florida (we're in NY), and live near Disney. Enjoy!!

Haha!! I used to live in NJ and now work for Disney as also my husband!! I have to tell you, you always want what you cant have. Its definitely different when you start working for the mouse. But its nice what we have before us. The only thing with my kids and the Disney homeschooling is that alot of times its the younger kids. Its really hard to get the teens out!! It started out great in the beginning of the year and then weaned off. WE will try again this year. We just go ourselves alot and see what we can learn. My kids have really researched Walt Disney and how much he failed before he made it big and than didnt even get to see Disneyworld open! That's such a shame. It is nice to be part of Disney and see behind the scenes and feel like your a part of it. My kids now know every inch of Disney. In fact if anyone wants to hire them as tour guides, they come cheap!! They really know their stuff!! My husband is a mechanic on Space Mountain and I'm a bus driver so we are at Disney alot. We laugh now, cus when we lived in NJ, we practically mortgaged our house just to come down here and now we can go whenever we want and my kids dont want to go as much although they still enjoy it but like anything else it gets old. I do like the whole aspect of homeschooling and lots of people in this area homeschool as the schools are not that great!! NJ probably has one of the best school systems and compared to that, the Orlando school system is not that good. Th-opere are alot of co-ops and support groups here which is great!! Anyway, have a great night and talk to you soon!