Homeschool Chat Part III

[AmandaRG]

I think Saxon has a curriculum where they incorporated Singapore as well. We are using Saxon and I like it, and hope to look at the combined one at the curriculum fair next year.

 

[Lora]

I'm starting to dive into curriculum research. I want to have everything straight before I pull the kids from school. Any thoughts on Singapore math? It caught my eye because it seems to be more for visual learners. As a former public school teacher, I know how awful some math programs are. I want to find one that incorporates more critical thinking and higher order thinking skills. Any opinions?

We used Miquon Math from about 1st-3rd grades (We loved Miquon, but it's VERY different from traditional math texts. If anyone wants more info., I'd be happy to explain.) We switched to Singapore when my girls finished the Miquon books. I think we started in book 3B or something. They didn't' like Singapore as much, but I do think it's a good program. You do need to do something to add in a few things. You can probably find a list somewhere on the internet. I don't think they cover negative numbers or something for a long time (we had already done them in Miquon, so it wasn't an issue).

Singapore is strong on preparing for word problems and mental math. I definitely liked the way they had the student write down the info. for the word problem and visualize it. It's been a while since we moved on from there, so I may not be remembering everything. After about 6B (I think this was almost as far as the program went at the time), we moved on. I had my girls do the "Key to..." series for some review and as an intro. to Algebra before moving on to Algebra.

 

[pamelasu1]

Also, What is everyone's favorite homeschool site/forum? I'm looking for a site where I can find different resources that isn't backed by a curriculum publisher.

This is one of my favorites:

http://cathyduffyreviews.com/

 

[jacksmomma]

I'm starting to dive into curriculum research. I want to have everything straight before I pull the kids from school. Any thoughts on Singapore math? It caught my eye because it seems to be more for visual learners. As a former public school teacher, I know how awful some math programs are. I want to find one that incorporates more critical thinking and higher order thinking skills. Any opinions?

We are using Math U See and are really enjoying it. Everything is hands on and very active which is great for my hands on kindergartener!

 

[jacksmomma]

We just discovered Artist Trading Cards and are excited to try them out. Would any of the kiddos be interested in a swap?

 

[C&G'sMama]

Our home schooling journey is off to a good start.

While we knew DD was stressed we didn't realize how much until she left school. Within 24 hours we noticed a difference. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. In just a couple of days she’s starting to get stuff. She learns thing very slowly and being home with mom, she can go at her own pace. She asked DP (who is the main teacher) what a word meant and DP told her. She took a long time doing her math. Her comments were she couldn’t have asked the meaning of the word at school and that if she took too long at school the aide would yell at her to hurry up and the other kids would make fun of her.

She’s learning that the changes to her world are for the better. And she’s working hard, because she wants to get it and finally is at a place where she can do it in her time in her way. She thinks it’s great that the home school bowling league she has joined counts as Phys. Ed as does her usual Irish Dance classes and practice time. DP is going to start Piano Lessons with her today.

Thank you all for your support and I look forward to reading what everyone is doing and I’ll share more about our journey and what we’re doing.

 

[Pimama]

I'm starting to dive into curriculum research. I want to have everything straight before I pull the kids from school. Any thoughts on Singapore math? It caught my eye because it seems to be more for visual learners. As a former public school teacher, I know how awful some math programs are. I want to find one that incorporates more critical thinking and higher order thinking skills. Any opinions?

I used Singapore math along with Miquon for one of my daughters. It is definitely a strong program and my daughter did well. My only complaint and thevreason we eventually switched to Horizon was the separate teacher and student workbook. I like with Horizon that the lesson is presented and immediately followed by the work pages. My daughter is able to work through it by herself. With Singapore, she would do the workbook pages without actually reading the lesson when I wasn't right there. This wasn't really a problem for her and she seemed to just "get it" but it bothered me.

I did Saxon with my son for two years and didn't like it but I know many people use it. It's very traditional and probably a good choice for a child who needs lots of repitition.

 

[enamaitteam]

Hi fellow Disney addicts!!!

My DH and I have decide to pull our daughter out of public school and home school her. However, I have not idea where to begin!!! Please give me some help and guidance!!!! Our DD is 6 and in 1st grade. So any suggestions on something easy to follow and gives me step by step instructions until I get into a routine would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much!

 

[MWGreene]

Thanks everyone for the math recommendations. I think I will order the singapore workbook since it is fairly cheap and see how I like it. I am faxing our letter to the school board tomorrow. Yikes!!

 

[C&G'sMama]

Hi fellow Disney addicts!!!

My DH and I have decide to pull our daughter out of public school and home school her. However, I have not idea where to begin!!! Please give me some help and guidance!!!! Our DD is 6 and in 1st grade. So any suggestions on something easy to follow and gives me step by step instructions until I get into a routine would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much!

We're new to this too thought we've been contemplating it for a long time. We googled local homeshooling groups and found a yahoo group in our area. We talked to friends that homeschool. We read books on home schooling from the library.

We aren't following any one curriculum per se but have found out what NYS standards are and have gotten 6th grade curriculum guidelines from a couple of schools. We felt we needed a jumping off point.

DD is in 6th grade and just started last week. For math we use IXL online, DP picked up a Prentice Hall NYS math book and a Saxton Mathbook. She also got a science text and a 20 year old History Textbook which focuses on Ancient History which we figures hasn't changed. We've talked to people that live in our district etc.

She got a couple of textbooks from a semi-annual book swap a local group does and a couple from people's notes on the Yahoo group.


Good Luck!

 

[Pimama]

Hi fellow Disney addicts!!!

My DH and I have decide to pull our daughter out of public school and home school her. However, I have not idea where to begin!!! Please give me some help and guidance!!!! Our DD is 6 and in 1st grade. So any suggestions on something easy to follow and gives me step by step instructions until I get into a routine would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much!

I would love to share some of my favorite but would first need to know if you're looking for Christian or secular curriculum and whether your interested in a highly academic, classical approach or a more casual (but still academic!) approach. I lean toward the fun stuff and one of my favorite sites is timberdoodle.com. Much of their curriculum is distinctly Christian and I think there full curriculum packages have too many extras but they do have some great stuff.

I would love to help more when I know more about you. Have fun!

 

[enamaitteam]

I would love to share some of my favorite but would first need to know if you're looking for Christian or secular curriculum and whether your interested in a highly academic, classical approach or a more casual (but still academic!) approach. I lean toward the fun stuff and one of my favorite sites is timberdoodle.com. Much of their curriculum is distinctly Christian and I think there full curriculum packages have too many extras but they do have some great stuff.

I would love to help more when I know more about you. Have fun!

I would love to hear about what you use!!! I would like to include Christianity in our curriculum, I would just prefer that the curriculum not try and convert my child to another religion (if that makes sense).

I need a step by step outline of what to do until I get the hang of things. Once I figure out what I like, then I will be more willing to not be as structured. However, I am afraid that school will consume our lives so maybe a more casual approach would be better. We love to travel and I would love to find a curriculum that would allow me to incorporate where we travel to as part of the curriculum.

DD loves to do arts, crafts, and activities and learns better by doing these types of hands on activities. I love doing those types of things with her but I never know how to make them educational. Also, DD has strong math skills and I would like to help her reach her potential. However, reading and spelling are trouble areas so I need something to help her over come that challenge.

So please share away!!! Let me know if you need me to tell you anything else that will help you give me guidance!!!!

 

[StuckInKS]

Is anyone homeschooling a child with attention issues?

DS 6 (will be 7 this month) began showing signs of attention issues earlier this year and it has been getting worse. I started school a few weeks ago and he is already getting behind because he just can't (or won't) focus. He fidgets and moves around, looks at the ceiling or off in another direction when I am talking to him, he presses any button he sees when doing work on the computer just to get it over with and when I leave him to do a workbook page, I come back to find that he has simply doodled all over it. It is really frustrating. I'm afraid I am going to have to end up putting him in school and I REALLY don't want to. But, what's to say he will pay attention there?

Anyway, I have put together my own thing using various online programs and workbooks. We did K12 for a few years, but DD8 was having the hardest time with their History since it was just me reading to her (she is a visual learner) and it was getting to be too much with 3 kids who are all too young to work independently. Right now we are using Reading Eggs, Smart Tutor (would prefer T4L, but this was cheaper) and Brain POP Jr. (mainly for the history and science videos they have). I am thinking about trying Looney Tunes ClickN Read Phonics for DS, to see if that keeps his attention at all. Still don't know what to do about math.

Does anyone know of a comprehensive history curriculum that includes videos? Cartoonish type videos would be ideal. Otherwise my kids just don't retain the info that is being "read" at them.

 

[lovethattink]

Is anyone homeschooling a child with attention issues?

DS 6 (will be 7 this month) began showing signs of attention issues earlier this year and it has been getting worse. I started school a few weeks ago and he is already getting behind because he just can't (or won't) focus. He fidgets and moves around, looks at the ceiling or off in another direction when I am talking to him, he presses any button he sees when doing work on the computer just to get it over with and when I leave him to do a workbook page, I come back to find that he has simply doodled all over it. It is really frustrating. I'm afraid I am going to have to end up putting him in school and I REALLY don't want to. But, what's to say he will pay attention there?

Anyway, I have put together my own thing using various online programs and workbooks. We did K12 for a few years, but DD8 was having the hardest time with their History since it was just me reading to her (she is a visual learner) and it was getting to be too much with 3 kids who are all too young to work independently. Right now we are using Reading Eggs, Smart Tutor (would prefer T4L, but this was cheaper) and Brain POP Jr. (mainly for the history and science videos they have). I am thinking about trying Looney Tunes ClickN Read Phonics for DS, to see if that keeps his attention at all. Still don't know what to do about math.

Does anyone know of a comprehensive history curriculum that includes videos? Cartoonish type videos would be ideal. Otherwise my kids just don't retain the info that is being "read" at them.

My son has alot of special needs. He is 7 years old and in first grade. His psychologist suggested we give him attention breaks as needed. In the beginning of the school year, last year, he needed them almost every 10 minutes. The attention break was to be 2 minutes or less. Could be either something active to get the wiggles out or something relaxing to calm him, like lying on the couch for 2 minutes.

For the seat wiggles, he sits on a balance disc. This way he can rock without tipping over the chair and his feet remain planted on the floor.

Last year, I was unable to give him seat work to do on his own. I had to sit over him and guide him through every step. So far this year, he is beginning to be able to work more independently.

I have to remove all distractions from. There cannot be any toys, writing utensils, etc. if he is suppose to be listening to me. They will distract him. When it's time to write or color, he needs to have only one thing out at a time, one crayon out of the box or one pencil, then everything else removed from reach and preferrably out of sight.

He has ASD and will not give me eye contact. So when giving instructions for seatwork, I have him explain to me what I've explained to him so that I know he understands what to do. I find that he comprehends better when we are sitting side by side rather than looking each other square on.

I hope that helps!

Oh! As for curriculum, he is using Abeka DVD. He needs structure and repetition and there is plenty of both with Abeka.

 

[MWGreene]

Can I just say...I HATE LOOKING FOR A CURRICULUM! GRRRRR. I hate looking up a million websites and links. I feel like I am looking for Gary the Gander (lol Phineas and Ferb). Anyway. It drives me insane not to be able to flip through a book or look over a set of manipulatives. I am now looking for Reading/LA and it is NO fun!!! I haven't even begun to look for anything for my Pre-K child!

 

[StuckInKS]

My son has alot of special needs. He is 7 years old and in first grade. His psychologist suggested we give him attention breaks as needed. In the beginning of the school year, last year, he needed them almost every 10 minutes. The attention break was to be 2 minutes or less. Could be either something active to get the wiggles out or something relaxing to calm him, like lying on the couch for 2 minutes.

For the seat wiggles, he sits on a balance disc. This way he can rock without tipping over the chair and his feet remain planted on the floor.

Last year, I was unable to give him seat work to do on his own. I had to sit over him and guide him through every step. So far this year, he is beginning to be able to work more independently.

I have to remove all distractions from. There cannot be any toys, writing utensils, etc. if he is suppose to be listening to me. They will distract him. When it's time to write or color, he needs to have only one thing out at a time, one crayon out of the box or one pencil, then everything else removed from reach and preferrably out of sight.

He has ASD and will not give me eye contact. So when giving instructions for seatwork, I have him explain to me what I've explained to him so that I know he understands what to do. I find that he comprehends better when we are sitting side by side rather than looking each other square on.

I hope that helps!

Oh! As for curriculum, he is using Abeka DVD. He needs structure and repetition and there is plenty of both with Abeka.

Thanks for the ideas. It is hard to even get him to work for 10 minutes to get to the small break LOL. This is where I hope the LT CNR will help. From the demo, they do a few minutes of actual work and then watch a short LT video. It seemed like it would really help, but I won't know until I actually try it.

Going to look in Abeka.

 

[MiniGirl]

Also, What is everyone's favorite homeschool site/forum? I'm looking for a site where I can find different resources that isn't backed by a curriculum publisher.

I like The Well Trained Mind Forums....
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/index.php

Our home schooling journey is off to a good start.

While we knew DD was stressed we didn't realize how much until she left school. Within 24 hours we noticed a difference. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Glad to hear she is doing so well.

Hi fellow Disney addicts!!!

My DH and I have decide to pull our daughter out of public school and home school her. However, I have not idea where to begin!!! Please give me some help and guidance!!!! Our DD is 6 and in 1st grade. So any suggestions on something easy to follow and gives me step by step instructions until I get into a routine would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much!

There is so much out there. If you are looking for a box curriculum, I think My Father's World or Sonlight (Christian based programs), or I believe Calvert is along the same lines but secular. I know with MFW and SL you can buy everything you need from them and they even include teacher's guides that show what to do and when. For me, it was a very easy way to begin homeschooling. During that first year, I came to understand more what our needs were and have been able to make those changes accordingly.

 

[chicagoshannon]

2 Curriculum places I like especially for the younger kids are www.timberdoodle.com and www.sonlight.com They have everything you'd need for a year of school in their packages. It's a good jumping off point. Both of these places also have catalogs they'll send you to look through.

If you want to put something together yourself I love the book The Well Trained Mind. She gives you guidelines and suggestions for what to use.

 

[MissNurse]

Hello again, everybody! We are still thinking about homeschooling, and I had posted last month before school started about how frustrated I was that I could not be a SAHM and homeschool the kids. I think we have decided that we are going to try doing this while I continue to work. I work 12hr night shifts at the local hospital. I am adjusting and learning what I can do sleep-wise. Does anyone have any advice on this?? DH is on board and willing to help me tackle this. I know it won't be easy, but I have such a strong desire that I firmly believe God has laid on my heart to teach my kids at home. I would love to hear from someone who actually does something like this...

 

[AmandaRG]

My mother-in-law did this when her youngest were in elementary school. I know that it was a struggle, and she didn't really balance herself. The boys' education was what suffered.

I am positive that if it is something you should be doing, God will give you the widsom to follow through with it. It will take some time and some tweaking, but you can figure out what works for you.

I may have posted this elsewhere, but teaching your children can totally be a tag-team thing. You don't have to school M-F, either. Saturday and Sunday can be school days if that works best for your family. I teach our girls all but handwriting. DH does that in the evenings after he gets home from work. Our girls are right-handed as is DH. I am left-handed, and it just wasn't translating well for us when I tried to do it. I cry SO MUCH LESS now that he has stepped in to teach them in this area.

Hopefully you will easily find the best curriculum for your family and your experience will go very well!