Homeschool Chat Part III

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Hi, everyone!

Does anyone use Rosetta Stone (Latin America) Homeschool? I am thinking of purchasing it for 2 of my kids (elementary school age and middle school age), but even with the 6 month guarantee, I am nervous b/c it is so expensive! It has some fairly negative reviews on Amazon, and some people have said that even by Level 5, they are not very fluent in the language. I'm under the impression that it comes with some assignments or workbooks or something too, but it doesn't have to be too formal at this age. Still, it's a LOT of money...

Also, many years ago I purchased some awesome math CD-ROMS from The Learning Company. They were amazing! I don't know if they don't make anything anymore or if I'm looking in the wrong place. Does any one have any learning technology from them?

Thanks!

 

[AmandaRG]

Hi everyone!

I am very interested in home schooling my 5 1/2yr old son who is starting kindergarten. I am feeling a bit lost as to how to get started. Wondering if anyone here can point me in the right direction please? Do we need to make it official in any way or just go ahead and start? From what I am reading on line I get the impression that for kindergarten we don't really need to report anything. Is this true? Also, how do I go about finding the correct materials? Ugh! I am sooo lost!!! Please help! Thank you!!

We started kindergarten this year as well. Do check with your state to see what their requirements are. In TN, we have two options. We registered with a school that provides an umbrella for us and we are a "satellite" campus for them as are all others that are registered with them. I have to report to them what we are doing and will send in grades once per quarter.

Good luck! We are loving it! We are also doing a tutoring group once per week and have church and playdate activities so that they aren't isolated from others.

 

[jacksmomma]

DS is constantly asking me how to say things in spanish. I can remember some of what I learned in high school, but I am stuggling. I have asked around in our area and I cannot seem to find anyone who tutors kids or even any playgroups. Does anyone have any suggestions for programs? DS is in kindergarten so something like Rosetta Stone would not be appropriate.

 

[bellebud]

DS is constantly asking me how to say things in spanish. I can remember some of what I learned in high school, but I am stuggling. I have asked around in our area and I cannot seem to find anyone who tutors kids or even any playgroups. Does anyone have any suggestions for programs? DS is in kindergarten so something like Rosetta Stone would not be appropriate.

my kids are older and use Rosetta Stone, and they started at 8yo and 10yo and did totally fine with it, so I'd definitely keep it in the back of your mind for the future.

I bought (at Staples or something like that) a young kids spanish workbook, just to change things up for my kids w/ the spanish. If you google it, you may even find an age appropriate learning site.

 

[Mouseketeer67]

You might want to check with your public library. Our library offers a free online foreign language course called Mango Languages. It has 29 different languages to choose from.

 

[Jessica14]

DS is constantly asking me how to say things in spanish. I can remember some of what I learned in high school, but I am stuggling. I have asked around in our area and I cannot seem to find anyone who tutors kids or even any playgroups. Does anyone have any suggestions for programs? DS is in kindergarten so something like Rosetta Stone would not be appropriate.

I bought Spanish for Dummies. It is very much cheaper but I think it is just conversational. I wouldn't use it for a course. I haven't used it yet. Ironically, I wanted to be able to communicate with the kids in ps. Well, when I see them around town, I'll try it out. Right now I can't say anything that has any real meaning. I can say huavos so if there is an egg emergency I'm all set!
Jessica

 

[WDWMom9898]

Is Online School done at home considered Home Schooling? or should I start another thread? My DS is doing Online High School from home this year and
I'm a bit scared because it's all new to me, I'm sure everything we be OK.
Looking of other High Schoolers.

Hello! We are doing online high school also! My son is in 10th grade and this is his third year homeschooling. My daughter is in 3rd grade and we are using the same program for her this year. Please be patient with yourself-you will find what works best for your family.

 

[jacksmomma]

my kids are older and use Rosetta Stone, and they started at 8yo and 10yo and did totally fine with it, so I'd definitely keep it in the back of your mind for the future.

I bought (at Staples or something like that) a young kids spanish workbook, just to change things up for my kids w/ the spanish. If you google it, you may even find an age appropriate learning site.

I was hoping to find some spanish workbooks at the Borders sale, but there was nothing left. I am going to have to search amazon.

You might want to check with your public library. Our library offers a free online foreign language course called Mango Languages. It has 29 different languages to choose from.

I have asked and they do not seem to have anything, so I am in the hold que for Muzzy. I will have to see if that is any good. I am 3 or 4 on the list so we have a bit of a wait. I have never heard of Mango. I am adding that to my google list!

I bought Spanish for Dummies. It is very much cheaper but I think it is just conversational. I wouldn't use it for a course. I haven't used it yet. Ironically, I wanted to be able to communicate with the kids in ps. Well, when I see them around town, I'll try it out. Right now I can't say anything that has any real meaning. I can say huavos so if there is an egg emergency I'm all set!
Jessica

Great, all egg emergencies are covered! I sprinkle spanish in with DS when I can. I use a lot of catch phrases like vamanos and excelente! He does know some vocab. like colors and farm animals. I figure if anyone actually heard us speaking I would be at about a 12 month old's level!

Thanks Everyone!

 

[bellebud]

I sprinkle spanish in with DS when I can. I use a lot of catch phrases like vamanos and excelente! He does know some vocab. like colors and farm animals. I figure if anyone actually heard us speaking I would be at about a 12 month old's level!

Thanks Everyone!

I honestly never thought of me using some spanish words w/ the kids. Thanks for that tip - I'm going to start doing that, and tell them to try to do it too. That will be fun, and maybe help a little!

 

[jacksmomma]

I honestly never thought of me using some spanish words w/ the kids. Thanks for that tip - I'm going to start doing that, and tell them to try to do it too. That will be fun, and maybe help a little!

Glad I could share an idea! I was catching some flack from a family member about homeschooling when my son interrupted our conversation with, "Mira, dos las vacas!" (Sorry if the spelling if off) Which means, look two cows! Needless to say that stopped the conversation in its tracks!

 

[Lora]

Looks like I've missed a lot! I never subscribed to the 2nd hsing thread, so I'll start over with an intro.

I've been hsing my 2 girls (almost 16 and 14) since the beginning. We've used mostly Sonlight along with Rod & Staff (English only), Wordly Wise, various math programs (Miquon, Singapore, Jacobs), Rosetta Stone German, SL Science and Apologia Science. We've done lots of co-ops (drama, art, musical drama) and have been in the same homeschool choir program for about 9 years.

My older dd is starting an Early College Start program at the local community college this semester. She'll be able to get dual credit for her classes. She is looking into colleges and other options to study or work in film. This has been an interesting step in the hsing process. It's definitely making me feel the pressure.

I cannot begin to say how much we have benefited from homeschooling. The hours my girls have spent on filmmaking alone would have had to be sacrificed to the public school schedule. Someone else mentioned that they loved who their teens were becoming. I also think that's a big part of it.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the loop here. We'll be in WDW in a couple weeks (Sept. 11-23). If anyone else is going to be there and wants to meet up, let me know.

 

[jacksmomma]

I found a great website for prinatables for the preschool-1st grade set. It is www.colormountain.com lots of fun activities!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Looks like I've missed a lot! I never subscribed to the 2nd hsing thread, so I'll start over with an intro.

I've been hsing my 2 girls (almost 16 and 14) since the beginning. We've used mostly Sonlight along with Rod & Staff (English only), Wordly Wise, various math programs (Miquon, Singapore, Jacobs), Rosetta Stone German, SL Science and Apologia Science. We've done lots of co-ops (drama, art, musical drama) and have been in the same homeschool choir program for about 9 years.

My older dd is starting an Early College Start program at the local community college this semester. She'll be able to get dual credit for her classes. She is looking into colleges and other options to study or work in film. This has been an interesting step in the hsing process. It's definitely making me feel the pressure.

I cannot begin to say how much we have benefited from homeschooling. The hours my girls have spent on filmmaking alone would have had to be sacrificed to the public school schedule. Someone else mentioned that they loved who their teens were becoming. I also think that's a big part of it.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the loop here. We'll be in WDW in a couple weeks (Sept. 11-23). If anyone else is going to be there and wants to meet up, let me know.

Welcome back! We're just starting out with Sonlight. It's good to see someone that's used it long term.
We'll just miss you in Fl. We arrive on the 23rd.

 

[MWGreene]

Hello! I am in desperate need of advice from the vets of homeschooling!

Background: I'm a former k and 2nd grade public school teacher from TN. We moved to Canada temporarily for my DH's work. We probably have another year maybe two here before moving back to the states. DS 6 is starting 1st grade and DD 4 is entering JK (junior kindergarten, every other day).

My Concern: I'm fairly certain DS is gifted. I'm worried about what he will gain in school and how far he will be pushed. He has all the "emotional" hallmarks of a gifted child and can be very intense at times. I know he will do fine at school (even though he hates going) but I also don't want him to waste time when he could be learning topics in a more in depth way. I'm also worried about the Social Studies curriculum since he will be learning all about Canada. I don't want him to lack information about the US when we move back. At the very least I feel like I need to supplement him at home in Social Studies. I am also concerned about how productive he will be for me after he comes home from school each day.

We live in a very isolated, small town where homeschooling resources are few and far between. I do think he would perform better with a full time homeschooling group/activities/outings but that's just not an option here. The nearest museum is 2 hours away!

If we were in the states I feel like I would have so many more options. I'm going to talk with his teacher and give her a few months to get to know him before inquiring about testing. I'm also going to talk with insurance about covering the cost of private testing. The nearest child psych is also about 2 hours away. So frustrating.

So does anyone have any opinions on what I should do? Any SS curriculums I should check out?

 

[Lora]

Hello! I am in desperate need of advice from the vets of homeschooling!

Background: I'm a former k and 2nd grade public school teacher from TN. We moved to Canada temporarily for my DH's work. We probably have another year maybe two here before moving back to the states. DS 6 is starting 1st grade and DD 4 is entering JK (junior kindergarten, every other day).

My Concern: I'm fairly certain DS is gifted. I'm worried about what he will gain in school and how far he will be pushed. He has all the "emotional" hallmarks of a gifted child and can be very intense at times. I know he will do fine at school (even though he hates going) but I also don't want him to waste time when he could be learning topics in a more in depth way. I'm also worried about the Social Studies curriculum since he will be learning all about Canada. I don't want him to lack information about the US when we move back. At the very least I feel like I need to supplement him at home in Social Studies. I am also concerned about how productive he will be for me after he comes home from school each day.

We live in a very isolated, small town where homeschooling resources are few and far between. I do think he would perform better with a full time homeschooling group/activities/outings but that's just not an option here. The nearest museum is 2 hours away!

If we were in the states I feel like I would have so many more options. I'm going to talk with his teacher and give her a few months to get to know him before inquiring about testing. I'm also going to talk with insurance about covering the cost of private testing. The nearest child psych is also about 2 hours away. So frustrating.

So does anyone have any opinions on what I should do? Any SS curriculums I should check out?

I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for. Is it a sure thing that he is going to school, or are you considering homeschooling? If he's going to school, I'm getting the idea that you are looking for extra curriculum for him to do at home after school. That's not what I'd recommend for the next few years. Even if he is gifted, what he needs when he gets home is your love, affection, conversation, cuddles, etc. Read books together, sing songs, get good children's music classical music and dance, make cookies, paint pictures, do kitchen science experiments (Usborne has some books for that), go for nature walks and collect stuff. Find areas that interest him and get books for him to read. If music interests him, have him take piano lessons. Right now, he should be having fun and getting love. Let him build on that foundation. If his brain is geared for high intellectual stuff, he'll get there. I would encourage you to not worry about it and not to push him.

If you're thinking that homeschooling might be your answer, but you're concerned because of the isolation, I can see your point. There are probably others here who could respond to that a little better than I can. We're in a pretty well populated area with lots of homeschool groups, but I think if I were in a more isolated area, I would have still home schooled. I think it would have just required a greater amount of effort to make some connections with others.

 

[MWGreene]

Thanks Lora- I know I am all over the place. He is such a complicated child.

My top concern is that he will be bored in class (which will cause behavior problems for sure). I looked up the Ontario math objectives for first grade and they are required to learn skills I taught in k. Ex: tell time to half hour, make combos of money up to 20 cents.

Next, I really would consider homeschooling if we were in a different area. The isolation is just too great a factor. His interests right now are local/state governments, Life of George Washington, How to write his name in Chinese and those were just this week.

I guess I'm trying to find a way to balance public school basics with what I feel he is capable of learning. Should I wait and see how he does the first few months in school? Is there a program I could use to supplement? I guess I just need a direction to start in lol. I do have a friend that is going to send me the first grade scope in sequence from our school in TN.

 

[lovethattink]

Hello! I didn't realize this thread or the first one existed. Last school year was our first year with homeschooling. It is the perfect fit for our family! DS17 is a senior this year. He is dual enrolling as a high school student at a local college and homeschooling. DS7 has special needs and he is starting 1st grade.

I use Switched ON for the senior and teaching textbooks. Using Abeka DVD for the 1st grader.

 

[jacksmomma]

Hello! I didn't realize this thread or the first one existed. Last school year was our first year with homeschooling. It is the perfect fit for our family! DS17 is a senior this year. He is dual enrolling as a high school student at a local college and homeschooling. DS7 has special needs and he is starting 1st grade.

I use Switched ON for the senior and teaching textbooks. Using Abeka DVD for the 1st grader.

Welcome!

This is my first year of homeschooling, my DS is in KG. We are using My Father's World and Math U See. I am loving it so far, and so is DS.

 

[bellebud]

Glad I could share an idea! I was catching some flack from a family member about homeschooling when my son interrupted our conversation with, "Mira, dos las vacas!" (Sorry if the spelling if off) Which means, look two cows! Needless to say that stopped the conversation in its tracks!

don't you just love little moments like that?

 

[Jessica14]

Glad I could share an idea! I was catching some flack from a family member about homeschooling when my son interrupted our conversation with, "Mira, dos las vacas!" (Sorry if the spelling if off) Which means, look two cows! Needless to say that stopped the conversation in its tracks!

That's so great! We just started two weeks ago and although I really don't get any flack (yet!), I find that my DS is already doing very well. He did OK in school, but was essentially going to be socially promoted which was not for us or him. So I'm seeing the payoff right away.

That and today was the first day in our district and he has a nasty stomach bug. No sweating that he missed the first day of school, no agonizing over should he miss the second day of school. So far, I'm really enjoying this!
Jessica