Homeschool Chat Part III

[SewingMom]

Hello, I just found this thread. We just got back yesterday from our week trip during Homeschool Week at Disney. I was wondering if anyone else went to the nutrition seminar last Monday at Epcot and got the handouts? We had to leave about 20 minutes before it was over because my 2 youngest absolutely would not sit still and be quiet. I was really interested and I wanted to get the information about making the plants in the tank like she had up on the table, I think my son would really enjoy doing something like that. Could anyone share links or maybe her contact info so I could ask her for copies?

 

[danjoealexis3006]

Both my ds have dysgraphia. We got the diagnosis from the school and from a psychologist that the school hired. My youngest has not been formally diagnosed but his difficulties mirror his brother. A eye specialist would not be qualified although he could diagnos any eye problems he may have. I am persuing getting the school to test my youngest as I am looking to the future and *if* I need to put my kids back in school. I want the school to accomidate him, this could be helpful in college for him as well. I hate lables but I hate him not getting a fair chance more. As for hand writing-I am not sure about your ds age but I will say that he can get OT help from the school once diagnosed. I would teach him to type TODAY! There is nothing wrong with being able to type answers! I would also skip the printing if he is in elementary school and teach him cursive. Both my ds can write better in cursive than printing. I use Verticy from Calvert for both my kids for the grammar/comp. They test for free to place your child. You don't have to buy the whole program ( I do by the whole program for my 7th grader) to get the grammar/comp. It is VERY systematic in the way it teaches writing and grammar. It is costly but sometimes you can find the program used. If you have any questions about this program or anything else pm me! Goodluck! Oh, I hope things have calmed down for you, I have had bad days like that too! Sometimes the only thing that gets me through is coffee, chocolate, and a long walk!

 

[jacksmomma]

I thought of something else? Do most people take weekends "off"? Anyone "do" school on a Saturday or Sunday? I could see those being good "field trip" days, since DH might be available to tag along and combine schooling and family time even more.

We homeschool on the weekend most weeks! I work part-time; one of my scheduled days is Saturday so DS has an off day with Daddy and I work. Then we HS on Sunday. It works well! We also use weekends for field trips occasionally. DH loves to be as involved as possible in school and loves to join us when he can. The only issue we have found so far is some destinations do not offer the "field trip experience" on the weekend. For instance if we want to take a filed trip to the pumpkin patch. The field trip package, guided tour, and discounted rates are only available through the week. In that case, DH can sometimes take off early and join us. Sometimes it takes a little creative scheduling to get everything in, but so far it works for us!

 

[momimouse27]

southern redhead, I will try to answer some of your questions, at least from what my experience has been. We tried to lapbook, and did a few when my girls were much younger. But it wasn't something we did a lot of...when we did do them, it was usually on some subject we were already on in our unit studies.

As far as unit studies go, our early education existed on unit studies in the realm of history and science. We kind of borrowed an idea from my daughter's previous school, where they alternated Science and History by month. We did that and it worked well for us. We would study maybe electricity in September and in October we would study Presidents, for example. Then at some time during the month I would try to find some place to go for a field trip that was related to what we studied...sort of as a reward for finishing a unit. Unit studies worked well for us because we couldn't afford a lot of expensive curriculum, so we kept the curriculum purchases for things like math and language arts.

On the question about year round school, I know that works well for a lot of people, I am not one of them. I have always tried to set my school calendar pretty close to the public school. My reason is that my girls had friends who were not homeschooled and if we were working on something school related and they were looking out the window and all the other kids were headed to the pool, we just didn't get much done. Our school district starts around the first week of August, which I think is waaaayyy too early. So we usually get started mid to late August, take a nice sized break for Christmas(we usually have lots of family company) and end up getting done in early June.

Hope that helps a little!

 

[MiniGirl]

MiniGirl - when you said evaluation time (re: the lapbooks) did you mean time for your kids to test or that you get evaluated?

I spoke to someone today who homeschools locally. They use a virtual academy, it did NOT sound like something that would work for us. So at least I know that particular one is off the table.

I thought of something else? Do most people take weekends "off"? Anyone "do" school on a Saturday or Sunday? I could see those being good "field trip" days, since DH might be available to tag along and combine schooling and family time even more.

And, does anyone have a child with dysgraphia? Looking at the checklist, I could almost say "that is my boys." I don't know how one gets a formal diagnosis (specialty eye dr?) or how on earth I would set out to have them tested for it..... I don't know that it even MATTERS if they can be labled with it, if they have almost all the symptoms. It just seems that most of what I see is taking dictation, giving quizzes orally, etc.. but surely there is something you do to help them learn to improve the handwriting besides just practicing it the same old way?

Florida is a homeschool friendly state, but there are some annual requirements for us. Each year we either have our children take a standardized test and turn those scores into the school district. Our other option is to have an evaluation with a state certified teacher. The teacher will sign a form stating that the children are "making progress according to their abilities" or something along those lines, and then we send that into the school district. Because a lot of our work is done orally or on a dry erase board, we don't have a lot of things to show the evaluator. Lapbooks/notebooks are nice (for us) because they can show that progress not only in the difficulty in material covered but also fine motor skills like cutting and hand writing. It allows us to still do a good bit of narration and other work on the dry erase boards, and at the same time gives a nice overview to the evaluators. Plus, the kids love showing them off.

I also looked into the virtual schools and ruled them out fairly quickly. However, I know several families that love being part of a virtual school.

We sometimes do schoolwork on the weekend. It really just all depends. If we are short on time during the week, I will have them leave whatever independent work I have for them for later. Sometimes they will have to do it on the weekend.

Sorry. I can't help with the dysgraphia.

 

[southern_redhead]

Let's keep this on the front page I hop on my phone during lunch and read the thread to keep myself (slightly) sane while at work LOL

I'll ask another question - anyone used Legos for developing skills? I was thinking this was a fun way of helping my youngest develop sorting skills (I'm a tad Type A, so we HAVE to sort the pieces into like groups as soon as we open a bag...), following directions, learning sequence, and develop motor skills. Anything I missed?

And.....does anyone here do 4H? My DD just got to start this year and it has been a big deal to her. I need to check and see if we have a homeschool group that does it together. I think some of their projects and record keeping could be awesome additions to our learning. My ODS would particularly enjoy photography (do they even still do that? LOL), he would really, REALLY enjoy the dog project but that's not happening anytime soon

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I never used the Legos specifically for motor skills, but my middle kid is a LEGO MANIAC!! He has loved them for as long as I can remember...and he is my little professor/engineer!! I think it does help them in many, many ways....I am all for playing to learn!!!!!!
And all my kids love word search/crossword/acrostic puzzles.

 

[AmandaRG]

Let's keep this on the front page I hop on my phone during lunch and read the thread to keep myself (slightly) sane while at work LOL

I'll ask another question - anyone used Legos for developing skills? I was thinking this was a fun way of helping my youngest develop sorting skills (I'm a tad Type A, so we HAVE to sort the pieces into like groups as soon as we open a bag...), following directions, learning sequence, and develop motor skills. Anything I missed?

And.....does anyone here do 4H? My DD just got to start this year and it has been a big deal to her. I need to check and see if we have a homeschool group that does it together. I think some of their projects and record keeping could be awesome additions to our learning. My ODS would particularly enjoy photography (do they even still do that? LOL), he would really, REALLY enjoy the dog project but that's not happening anytime soon

I do know that there is one 4H group in my area.

 

[bumbershoot]

We are looking at Wyoming Virtual Academy. Everything is free and if we don't like it we can drop and go to a homeschool system I set up. It is a division of K12 but at our State level.

We are now also looking at time4learning along with a italic handwriting program and other supplements.

I spoke to a friend and WVA who confirmed that we must conform to the attendance policy set by the state. We feel that learning does include travel which in turn becomes hand on learning. I don't think this would be possible with WVA.

We looked into the same virtual academy setup in WA, called WAVA. Free is soooooo good, but we had to give up so much, IMO. Especially since, for us, we hadn't been inside of the school stuff yet, so it felt immensely restrictive. Virtual academies like that are school. The curriculum is free to the student, they are able to provide laptops, because they get school funding. So you toe their lines, you follow their schedules...

I didn't like that at all, so we opted to not do it. In WA, the main association is trying to make sure that people really know the difference between actual homeschooling vs school at home aka virtual academies.

So I'm glad you started to see the difference already!

 

[dis-happy]

Hello, I just found this thread. We just got back yesterday from our week trip during Homeschool Week at Disney. I was wondering if anyone else went to the nutrition seminar last Monday at Epcot and got the handouts? We had to leave about 20 minutes before it was over because my 2 youngest absolutely would not sit still and be quiet. I was really interested and I wanted to get the information about making the plants in the tank like she had up on the table, I think my son would really enjoy doing something like that. Could anyone share links or maybe her contact info so I could ask her for copies?

We weren't at the Nutrition Seminar, however, I wonder if you are talking about the hydroponics there? If so, we do have a couple of handouts from doing the tour they give at the Land. LMK if that's what you are looking for.

 

[southern_redhead]

I realize this thread is about homeschooling, and I am not quite there yet......but will you allow me a small rant about the public school system we are enduring?

YDS is in "interventions" and is considered a "tier 3". What that means, for those not familiar with the tier system, is that he is as "low" as you can go and receives the maximum amount of intervention time possible. Which is fine, so far as it goes. The thing is, where do they find time for all this "extra" intervention? Well, during his OTHER classes of course. Tonight, I opened his take home folder to review the work he had done at school during the day. I only found one completed sheet, the rest was a packet of blank worksheets. At the top of the worksheets was a "red ink" note that ended with a smiley face, this (I have learned) is NEVER a sign of good things to come. The note read, "[Interventionist] worked with [YDS] today on his story. This is what we did while he was with her, please do these tonight " Yeah, it was SIX worksheets. These worksheets covered things like capitalizing proper nouns, recognizing blends, discerning letter sounds.....all instruction that he missed for "extra intervention". What is really irking me is that the STORY is a reading story that we have for the week. It is "mandatory" homework each night that we read it, then he works on it again in class, then with the FIRST interventionist, and now with a SECOND interventionist. Overkill? Me thinks so. Especially when it means that he misses valuable learning time (I was kind of hoping he might learn to capitalize names, heaven help me.)

I'm not upset with the teacher, what could she do? This is how the system works. I'm not upset with either of the interventionists, because they are doing their jobs as the state mandates. It's just the overall idiocy of the whole thing. I really think intervention (as it is being done) might be the dumbest idea ever. EVER. The child spends an hour (30 minutes with each interventionist) being taught using the same method as the classroom teacher. It seems fairly plain to me that if the child LEARNED the way the teacher is presenting it, that s/he would not need two more people to try to drill it into them. When a child qualifies for intervention, it means they are absolutely sinking in the classroom. Why (WHY?!) wouldn't you try new ways of presenting the information? I think I need to make a paper chain like we had for our Disney trip, only this one will be "Days left until we can homeschool" *sigh*

Rant over - if you read it, thanks for "listening" We leave tomorrow on an 8 day vacation. I have never needed to get away so badly!

 

[danjoealexis3006]

southern redhead I feel your pain. I never found the interventions they used at school to be helpful b/c they took up class time. However, you need to talk to the teacher. My ds was always behind b/c he had to leave the classroom for "interventions". We always had a ton of homework every night. This was the breaking point for us. 3 hours of homework a night for a 5th grader. Too much. Now at home he gets intervention and regular work, No homework (unless he chooses this path b/c he doesn't do it during school). Its not easy by no means but it is better for him than what the school was doing. I do feel bad for teachers b/c their hands are tied. Have fun on your vacation!

 

[mom2boys77]

Hi I am looking for some advice. I have 2 boys. My oldest is doing online highschool. My youngest is in p.s. in the 4th grade. For lots of reasons, we have decided to homeschool him. Today will be his last day. He is very excited. I am happy with the decision but kind of freaking out about how I go about it. I've decided to stick with the school's curriculum just because it is working for my son. I really need structure and a plan. I need to know what I'm doing every day. How do I go about it? I don't know if I'm overthinking this and making it harder than it has to be or what. There are so many resources out there that it is overwhelming. I guess I just don't even know where to start. Also, he is struggling in Math. In 2009, we had a fire that destroyed our home. We spent 2010 rebuilding. Then this Feb. my mom passed away. I wasn't as on top of him as I should have been. I don't understand how the school didn't notice and just passed him on without saying anything. Anyway, should I bother with a Math curriculum at this point or just work on getting him to know his multiplication/division facts? I don't want to stress him out anymore with the Math. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We looked into the same virtual academy setup in WA, called WAVA. Free is soooooo good, but we had to give up so much, IMO. Especially since, for us, we hadn't been inside of the school stuff yet, so it felt immensely restrictive. Virtual academies like that are school. The curriculum is free to the student, they are able to provide laptops, because they get school funding. So you toe their lines, you follow their schedules...

I didn't like that at all, so we opted to not do it. In WA, the main association is trying to make sure that people really know the difference between actual homeschooling vs school at home aka virtual academies.

So I'm glad you started to see the difference already!

It took about a day but I saw the difference quickly and I asked the right questions when they called.

DS is in the middle of his 3 year IEP evaluation at the public school so until they finish and give us the results he needs to stay in public. We are scheduled to meet on Nov. 14th so just 30 days until we get all the results. I think either Thanksgiving or Christmas would be a good time for us to "leave".

Doing this also has to be done very carefully as DH works for the school district, non teaching.

We have been using writing Italics all this week and playing spelling city. I need to find a good language arts program as that is my downfall.

Any suggestions?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi I am looking for some advice. I have 2 boys. My oldest is doing online highschool. My youngest is in p.s. in the 4th grade. For lots of reasons, we have decided to homeschool him. Today will be his last day. He is very excited. I am happy with the decision but kind of freaking out about how I go about it. I've decided to stick with the school's curriculum just because it is working for my son. I really need structure and a plan. I need to know what I'm doing every day. How do I go about it? I don't know if I'm overthinking this and making it harder than it has to be or what. There are so many resources out there that it is overwhelming. I guess I just don't even know where to start. Also, he is struggling in Math. In 2009, we had a fire that destroyed our home. We spent 2010 rebuilding. Then this Feb. my mom passed away. I wasn't as on top of him as I should have been. I don't understand how the school didn't notice and just passed him on without saying anything. Anyway, should I bother with a Math curriculum at this point or just work on getting him to know his multiplication/division facts? I don't want to stress him out anymore with the Math. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks

I am pming you!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Ok, we are nearly there, I think. I am scared, I keep praying that I can know I can do home school. Right now I think I am going to use time 4 learning along with 5 in a row, with spelling city and some extra LA and math. Whew!

I know time4learning will give me the planner and I need it. I hope I can learn from their planner and become comfortable enough to make my own in time.

Is this a solid approach?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Ok, we are nearly there, I think. I am scared, I keep praying that I can know I can do home school. Right now I think I am going to use time 4 learning along with 5 in a row, with spelling city and some extra LA and math. Whew!

I know time4learning will give me the planner and I need it. I hope I can learn from their planner and become comfortable enough to make my own in time.

Is this a solid approach?

this is great for a start!! You just jump in there and go for it! You will acclimate quickly and see what works and what doesn't...just give it time!

 

[southern_redhead]

southern redhead I feel your pain. I never found the interventions they used at school to be helpful b/c they took up class time. However, you need to talk to the teacher. My ds was always behind b/c he had to leave the classroom for "interventions". We always had a ton of homework every night. This was the breaking point for us. 3 hours of homework a night for a 5th grader. Too much. Now at home he gets intervention and regular work, No homework (unless he chooses this path b/c he doesn't do it during school). Its not easy by no means but it is better for him than what the school was doing. I do feel bad for teachers b/c their hands are tied. Have fun on your vacation!

Thanks I have actually talked to his teacher about my concerns a number of times, we talked about them again yesterday. She isn't a fan of intervention either. It's just "where we are" in education. I'm not even sure that continuing with testing is the right path, all that can happen is he will be given extra time OR be expected to complete less of the work.....it will still be presented the same way We have so many kids with IEPs at our school, I wonder if they presented the information differently...would some of them suddenly "get it"? Anyway, I am feeling better today. My husband and I played Monopoly with the kids today. At first, YDS really struggled with simple concepts but it was amazing how quickly he picked up counting the dots on the dice and moving X number of spaces. He was also picking up things like telling 100 from 10 from 1 when using the money, which is something they've never really made a point of teaching them. We were having so much fun that we left the board set up and will continue the game tomorrow (2 hours in, the kids were restless LOL) I look forward to doing more of that and being able to "teach" them without them realizing they are learning Most weeks, we just don't have time. Saturday is for cleaning and laundry. Sunday is for getting clothes ironed and bookbags cleaned out and ready for the week, buying groceries. It will be nice to actually have time to actually enjoy my kids.

 

[bumbershoot]

It seems fairly plain to me that if the child LEARNED the way the teacher is presenting it, that s/he would not need two more people to try to drill it into them. When a child qualifies for intervention, it means they are absolutely sinking in the classroom. Why (WHY?!) wouldn't you try new ways of presenting the information? I think I need to make a paper chain like we had for our Disney trip, only this one will be "Days left until we can homeschool" *sigh*

Rant over - if you read it, thanks for "listening" We leave tomorrow on an 8 day vacation. I have never needed to get away so badly!

You make a lot of sense!!!!!

I hope you can start homeschooling soon!

I wonder if, for now, it might be worth it to dump the intervention and either work with him extra at home, or have private tutoring?

And yes, it is amazing the difference can be when something is explained differently. When I'm not getting through to DS, DH can step in. Heck, another child explained something to my son once that opened up a whole world of counting!

Monopoly is amazing. Really helps with a lot. DH and DS will meticulously write down where they were, what they had, and their money situations, then put the game away, to continue it the next time.






I wanted to say that I don't think virtual academies are bad...they are just different from homeschooling. It didn't work for our situation, especially with their problems with travel and after she said that I would "be like the TA!", but I know it's a good system that bridges homeschooling and school-schooling for others.

You just do want to know the difference and make sure you're doing the one you want to do!

 

[southern_redhead]

You make a lot of sense!!!!!

I hope you can start homeschooling soon!

I wonder if, for now, it might be worth it to dump the intervention and either work with him extra at home, or have private tutoring?

And yes, it is amazing the difference can be when something is explained differently. When I'm not getting through to DS, DH can step in. Heck, another child explained something to my son once that opened up a whole world of counting!

Monopoly is amazing. Really helps with a lot. DH and DS will meticulously write down where they were, what they had, and their money situations, then put the game away, to continue it the next time.

That's a really good idea. I had a train table that we had never put together, we brought it with us (to DH's work apartment) and are using it as a game table. It has been great, but if we were here longer we'd use your method




I wanted to say that I don't think virtual academies are bad...they are just different from homeschooling. It didn't work for our situation, especially with their problems with travel and after she said that I would "be like the TA!", but I know it's a good system that bridges homeschooling and school-schooling for others.

You just do want to know the difference and make sure you're doing the one you want to do!

That's how I feel. One reason I wasn't happy with it was because one of the upsides of homeschooling would be spending longer periods of time with DH when he is working, it seemed like it would be an ordeal to do that. Mostly, my issue was the "we'll tell you what to do and when". I can understand wanting or needing that, but it isn't working well for us in PS, I'm hoping to employ a different strategy for HS.