Homeschool Chat Part III

[chris31997]

Thank you for all of the advice! He's able to do the material (excluding Apologia science but I'm not going to use it anymore). We use Bob Jones for our phonics. I read little stories and ask questions afterwards, he does any paperwork there on his own. He's a grade ahead in math, we use Abeka 1st grade for math. He can also do that on his own. It seems as if I'm not standing or sitting right there he gets so easily distracted wondering what I'm doing.

I think the main issue is I'm setting unrealistic goals everyday. I think I'm trying to make school like a traditional school would. I preached on not doing that for so long and turned around and started expecting it!

Break out of the mold. DS is ahead of the game and doing fine. Just an FYI mine is 6, and still can't focus

Day one- not so bad
Day two- ok but I was not feeling well
Day Three- we are ahead of schedule!!!!!

We are on week 3, of a very crazy year so glad we hs and can take time off for family to visit, and we are getting ready for typhoon # 16 Thankfully we have school to keep the kids busy when stuck inside

 

[Nicolepa]

We did a really cool experiment today with Ivory soap. Here is a link if anyone is interested!

We did this in June. My kids loved it. My son spent days doing the experiment over and over. Everyone that came over got to see it. He still will do it every now and then.

 

[Nicolepa]

Break out of the mold. DS is ahead of the game and doing fine. Just an FYI mine is 6, and still can't focus



I think (from experience) expecting a 5/6 yo to be able to focus and do work on their own is unreasonable. Some can, most can't. I went to the Dr. when my son was 8 because he couldn't/wouldn't focus unless I was there. Thankfully my Dr. is a friend of mine and tells it like it is. I asked "Am I expecting too much?". She said "Yup. Some kids (usually boys) can't be expected to do that until middle school." Now her son was exactly like mine and she said she had to sit with him every night while he did his homework, or it wouldn't get done.

That being said, he is now going into 5th and he does a much better job of working alone. Some days he still struggles and I stay in the room to guide him, most days he does OK. Not as fast/efficient as I think he should, but he gets it done.

 

[JoanneDisFan]

Today become the day. After debating all sides, we pulled my daughter out of the charter school and tomorrow will be our first day of homeschool. Still figuring out curriculum, but happy we are taking this step.

 

[miami305]

Bump!

 

[antree]

I read some people test their child to see where he or she is, if they are at their grade level or higher/lower. My question is what do you use to test your child?

Thanks for any help.

 

[jenlov]

I read some people test their child to see where he or she is, if they are at their grade level or higher/lower. My question is what do you use to test your child?

Thanks for any help.

What we do is have our kids take SAT tests along with a private school here. They let our kids go in (paying for testing, of course) to take the tests. In our state (LA), the public schools do LEAP testing and rely greatly on that. I for one, do not. For instance, last year my 7th grader did K12 w/ Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy was scoring well all year, (even doing 8th grade Pre-Algebra) and only scored basic on the LEAP test. He had to take it b/c the state requires all public school students to take it (LAVCA is considered public school). I KNOW that he is above "basic". He's always scored well on SAT's. We took him out of K12 and doing the same curriculum he's been in since preschool. He is now in 8th and doing all 9th grade classes (including Algebra 1) and 2 10th grade classes, so far he's made all 100's on his quizzes. He's like a little sponge and soaks it all up. So, having said all that...I don't necessarily think testing for every child is going to be the "proof" that a student is learning at his level.

And according to my sister who teaches 7th grade in public schools, even my 5th grader is above the level of her students. ...and that's why we homeschool and use private school. LA schools are not that great.

 

[penel3]

I read some people test their child to see where he or she is, if they are at their grade level or higher/lower. My question is what do you use to test your child?

Thanks for any help.

Here in NH all we have to do is have a certified teacher evaluate their portfolio and "talk" to the child. I think that is too subjective. We can also implement standardized testing, either by taking them into the school and having them take the NECAP (New England standardized test) or implement our own, approved by the district. I have heard that we can use some California based program which I could proctor myself. I will be taking my son into the school and having it done there. I really want to feel comfortable that I am doing an efficient job as a homeschool mom, seeing this is my first year and he is in 7th grade.

 

[jahber]

I'm not too worried about a standardized test just yet because my daughter (3rd grade) has never taken one. We follow a more classical model of narration, explaining, or demonstrating what you've learned, which does not translate well to standardized tests. They wouldn't show my daughter's abilities well at all. And my son (K) won't take them either until he HAS to. Then we'll fiddle around with filling in bubbles and deciphering test question formats.
That said, if my DD had been in the public school system previously and had received their rigorous testing training (for the FCAT, which I myself taught to as a teacher), I probably would consider taking her to my local non-traditional or private school on testing day. Just to see how she's doing compared to her peers.
But personally, the further I can distance myself from the FCAT nonsense, the better!

 

[chris31997]

Break out of the mold. DS is ahead of the game and doing fine. Just an FYI mine is 6, and still can't focus



I think (from experience) expecting a 5/6 yo to be able to focus and do work on their own is unreasonable. Some can, most can't. I went to the Dr. when my son was 8 because he couldn't/wouldn't focus unless I was there. Thankfully my Dr. is a friend of mine and tells it like it is. I asked "Am I expecting too much?". She said "Yup. Some kids (usually boys) can't be expected to do that until middle school." Now her son was exactly like mine and she said she had to sit with him every night while he did his homework, or it wouldn't get done.

That being said, he is now going into 5th and he does a much better job of working alone. Some days he still struggles and I stay in the room to guide him, most days he does OK. Not as fast/efficient as I think he should, but he gets it done.

So there is hope DH is not much in giving hope that DS will be able to focus anytime soon I really don't expect him to focus on anything for longer than a minute or two, except legos. Go figure

Glad there is hope and you have a dr friend who will tell you as it is

I read some people test their child to see where he or she is, if they are at their grade level or higher/lower. My question is what do you use to test your child?

Thanks for any help.

I use christian liberty press for standard testing but they also have a placement testing option. I believe you can do the placement online, not sure though. I know the standard testing can be done online and you get results alomst right away.

 

[antree]

Thank you for the responses. We live in NJ. My son will be starting 5th grade. I have been home schooling him since the beginning. I spoke with the public school twice in the last 4 years and they told me they have nothing to do with home schooling and they didn't have to help me at all. So I never called them back.
I have been doing K12 independent for 2 yrs now. I know he struggles with spelling still, but can read all words without a problem, he just can't spell them..
I too just want to make sure I'm doing a good job. I worry every time a new year starts that I am teaching him right.
He panics under pressure, but does great in all the quizzes. So I'm pretty sure I'm doing good..
5th grade starts a different school this year, so I'm wondering if I should contact them and see what they say, or do I really have too I'm so confused. I just want to be doing right by my son.

 

[JoanneDisFan]

antree,

My daughter is the same way, reads great, but can't spell. I'm using Megawords this year to help work on the spelling skills. We just started so I can't tell you if it's worked yet or not.

 

[jdcthree]

I know he struggles with spelling still, but can read all words without a problem, he just can't spell them..

Hello! My son is also in 5th grade and still struggles with spelling. Two years ago we started using "Reading Works" and it has really helped. You can read more about it here.

 

[itsheresomewhere]

antree,

All About Spelling has helped my DS. It is a good program.

 

[antree]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to look in to them and see what one is best for us.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Thank you for the responses. We live in NJ. My son will be starting 5th grade. I have been home schooling him since the beginning. I spoke with the public school twice in the last 4 years and they told me they have nothing to do with home schooling and they didn't have to help me at all. So I never called them back.
I have been doing K12 independent for 2 yrs now. I know he struggles with spelling still, but can read all words without a problem, he just can't spell them..
I too just want to make sure I'm doing a good job. I worry every time a new year starts that I am teaching him right.
He panics under pressure, but does great in all the quizzes. So I'm pretty sure I doing good..
5th grade starts a different school this year, so I'm wondering if I should contact them and see what they say, or do I really have too I'm so confused. I just want to be doing right by my son.

Hi, we are trying something different this year, but I used K12 independently for 7 years (K-6). One of my DDs worked pretty independently with spelling from grade 3 and up. She is an okay speller - not great. My 2nd dd I went over the words with her. She is a pretty good speller. I think it really helps to go over the rules or patterns with the kids when they get a list. Otherwise, sometimes they don't even notice.

 

[Disney_Fanatic25]

Hi all I'm not a homeschooler but I would like to supplement with history and science. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 3rd and 4th grader? My 4th grader really loves the human body and wants to be a doctor. My daughter loves animals. I've thought of homeschooling but at the moment its not the best solution for my family but I want to add on to what they are learning. I hope I'm asking in the right place. Thanks!

 

[dis-happy]

Hi all I'm not a homeschooler but I would like to supplement with history and science. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 3rd and 4th grader? My 4th grader really loves the human body and wants to be a doctor. My daughter loves animals. I've thought of homeschooling but at the moment its not the best solution for my family but I want to add on to what they are learning. I hope I'm asking in the right place. Thanks!

Sonlight science is a lot of fun, you can have multiple ages working together. Different core levels have different topics so you should be able to find ones that interest you.
Another option to look in to is Apologia...it's a science curriculum that's set up for homeschooling so you don't need a separate teacher manual.

 

[Disney_Fanatic25]

Sonlight science is a lot of fun, you can have multiple ages working together. Different core levels have different topics so you should be able to find ones that interest you.
Another option to look in to is Apologia...it's a science curriculum that's set up for homeschooling so you don't need a separate teacher manual.

Thanks I will look into both of those.

 

[dis-happy]

Sonlight has a lot of experiments and you can buy the inexpensive kit with most of the supplies. The books can be checked out of the library or otherwise borrowed if you don't want to buy it all. Finally, look into a used lesson plan and save money that way. But it is a lot of fun! My favorite elementary science program.....