Homeschool Chat

[littlepeppers]

We will also be there in Sept. 9/24 through 10/5.

No HS days or free dining. The free dining doesn't work with DVC points. But, it is cheaper to use DVC points than pay cash and get free dining.

Going to be ordering 2nd grade Calvert soon, plus grade 3 horizon's math.

We start the beginning of August.

I've looked through our 2nd gd Calvert & I'm worried about it being a little easy. My DS did all the math except the multiplication & fractions, and he covered the science & social studies too. His school covered & didn't master. I'm sticking w/ it and looking at it as a opportunity to master the subjects.

 

[imjoyful2]

We'll be at WDW almost the same days as you (Sept 15-26). How did you work AS Sp.? Did you get 2 rooms?

Yes, we got 2 connecting rooms. There were no family suites available at Music. Though our TA is keeping her out if one opens, then we'll switch there. Even though we had 4 kiddos last time we were down, my parents went with, so we just put 2 of the kids on their ressie but they stayed with us. That was nice, saved $$.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Yes, we got 2 connecting rooms. There were no family suites available at Music. Though our TA is keeping her out if one opens, then we'll switch there. Even though we had 4 kiddos last time we were down, my parents went with, so we just put 2 of the kids on their ressie but they stayed with us. That was nice, saved $$.

That's what we had to do this past May too. We have 4 kids and got 2 connecting rooms at All Star Movies. We're not going back this september, but we're booking for Sept. 2010, and we're going to do the homeschool days. Go to the website and it will give you all of the info on the homeschool days. They offer YES programs (Youth education series, I think it stands for) and they look interesting. I can't think of the exact website, but if you google Disneys homeschool days, it comes right up!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We did a little lesson on Independence day yesterday before we went out for our fireworks. We learned what this day was all about and how/when it started. It was very interesting and we made some 4th of July crafts.

It feels a little scary being in charge of your children's education. Because this will be our first year and they just got out of PS for the summer, I feel like, this is it, it's me, i'm in charge now, and that's a little scary. I want to make sure they learn everything they should be.

I'm sure others feel like this when they are just starting as well, am I right? How do you convince yourself that you'll do fine. I didn't think of this until we made our final decision to homeschool all 3 just 2 days ago. We though we were going to think about throughout the summer, but our homeschool group is starting a co op in the fall and it was already full, the leader said she held 3 spots for us and she would hold them until next thursday, so we talked the other night and the decision was made. I didn't want to make the decision later in the summer and have to miss out on the co op. It sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Yes, it can be scary knowing it's ALL you. But, you are gonna do fine!! You have asked questions, seeked what was best for your kids, and your conscious of the responsibility!!!! You are involved with a co op already and I think once you really get the ball rolling in the fall, you will be more comfortable. Just keep doing what you are doing. Remember, hs is not something that should keep you stressed. You are too enjoy being with your children and giving them the best education they can get. They are gonna balk at some of the subjects and revel in others, that's normal!!! Just keep encouragaing each other and know that if you are having a REALLY bad day, it's okay to say forget it and go read a book or play a game or whatever!!!!!

 

[williamson_ja]

I like to remember that just because kids are sent to public school doesn't mean that they are learning everything that they are supposed to either. So, don't be too hard on yourself. It seems like a big responsibility (and it is), but sending your kids off to school doesn't mean that they are completely taken care of either.

I teach at our local elementary school's after school and summer program (we call it Connections here in Utah). This week, we talked about the 4th of July of course and I asked my students WHY we celebrate the 4th of July. Out of the 50 kids that I had that week, not one student (besides MY own kids that I bring with me) had a clue what the holiday was even celebrating. So, my 14 yr old who comes in to volunteer said, "Well, the REAL name of the holiday is Independence day... does that give you a hint??" None of the kids had ever heard of it being called independence day, and didn't know what the word independence meant. After that, I tried to have a discussion on what it was, but I only had 5 minutes of class time at that point and the kids had so little knowledge (didn't know what the revolutionary war was, etc.) that it was hard to explain. My 5th grader sat there with her mouth open and could NOT believe what she was hearing. BTW these were kids from Kindergarten- 7th grade.
It's days like this that I remember all the good things about homeschooling. lol

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Thanks for your responses disney mommy 3 and williamson ja, I am not really stressed out about it, it's just something I was thinking about today. But, I don't think it's going to stress me out, I know i'll be fine and my kids are going to learn like never before I think I just really got a taste of what is was going to be like teaching all of them when we did our little 4th of July lesson yesterday and the day before. But....... That is what they have been talking about all day today and yesterday, they really had fun learning about it and doing crafts together.

And williamson ja, I love the fact that the PS kids didn't know what the holiday was. I mean, I can't say too much because before this week my kids didn't really know either. When they're in PS, I guess you just feel like they're learning what they need to learn and i'm finding out that that's not true. Makes me feel even better. Independence Day falls over summer vacation, so I guess it's something never learned

 

[mollyseven]

Hi all....
We are a homeschool family from Canada.
I have used Calvert for a couple of years now. Last year I just purchased the calvert math, grammar and french (which was terrible....a waste of 200.00). We really love the math. I am considering the verticy program for this year but haven't decided yet.
I would really like to find some subjects that he could do independantly, as it seems like I have to sit with him for everything. He is in grade 5.
He needs to work on some writing and reading seriously this coming year, as his math is good but not the writing/reading.
any thoughts?

 

[danjoealexis3006]

Hi Mollyseven! My DS is going to be in 5th this year and I am considering Verticy Reading program too. I am also considering Barton Reading and Sonlight Core 3&4. Has he taken the test to see if he qualifies for the program yet?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello Mollyseven...can't answer that, but I just wanted to say
glad to have you on board!!

 

[littlepeppers]

We did our first 1/2 day of Calvert today.

We completed our Math & Art Lesson 1. Things went smooth, but I saw a glimps of why DS had trouble in school. He got fustrated when he didn't get things right the 1st time & shut down. We will have to work on getting him to relax. He gets the high strung gene from me and DH.

I put in a Calvert Script lesson on writing his 1st name. He is really excited about learning script.

So far HS is easy, but we only did a 1/2 day.

 

[littlepeppers]

Hi all....
We are a homeschool family from Canada.
I have used Calvert for a couple of years now. Last year I just purchased the calvert math, grammar and french (which was terrible....a waste of 200.00). We really love the math. I am considering the verticy program for this year but haven't decided yet.
I would really like to find some subjects that he could do independantly, as it seems like I have to sit with him for everything. He is in grade 5.
He needs to work on some writing and reading seriously this coming year, as his math is good but not the writing/reading.
any thoughts?

My DS took the Verticy test, but didn't quallify. He has phonemic decoding issues, but I guess that they aren't bad enough or that he is too young. My mother-in-law is looking into Fast Forward for him. It required a trained, certified teacher or they will charge you $600+ a mos. for a trained, certified teacher to evaluate it.

I thought that the Verticy looked interesting too, but it was a no-go.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Little Peppers...glad your first time was productive!!! Now you know why he had trouble and you can work on that. Some kids just hate to be wrong or make mistakes.....personally that always was hard for me...I was raised by 2 perfectionists.....bless my heart!!!!! I try not to put pressure on mine to be perfect,( since none of us are), but, I have one that really gets upset if things aren't right. YIKES!!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Oh, Littlepeppers, my dd10 is the SAME way. We are not starting our full curriculum until the end of August, but we'll be working pretty much every day on what they were struggling with, mainly math and reading over the summer. My dd10 flipped out this morning because she did not get something right away. She is not only like this with school work, she's like this while trying to ride her bike, while trying to jump rope Oh boy!!!! My dd5 actually got upset today too because her 2 s were not coming out good. I'm trying to make them realize, I know they can't do it yet, that's why we're practicing. It's tough, I know.

 

[littlepeppers]

Oh, Littlepeppers, my dd10 is the SAME way. We are not starting our full curriculum until the end of August, but we'll be working pretty much every day on what they were struggling with, mainly math and reading over the summer. My dd10 flipped out this morning because she did not get something right away. She is not only like this with school work, she's like this while trying to ride her bike, while trying to jump rope Oh boy!!!! My dd5 actually got upset today too because her 2 s were not coming out good. I'm trying to make them realize, I know they can't do it yet, that's why we're practicing. It's tough, I know.

Bike riding, baseball, soccer, anything is a possible meltdown w/ DS. He gets it from us. We are all trying a slower lifestyle now. I have let go of a lot of my OCD ways. He finally let go a little by the end of today's lesson. I hope that he will be able to learn more at home b/c we aren't in a rush to get the test in Friday. I never stopped meaningful discussions w/ my students b/c we had a test coming up. I was famous for pushing test back. The kids loved it, but it drove their parents nuts.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Bike riding, baseball, soccer, anything is a possible meltdown w/ DS. He gets it from us. We are all trying a slower lifestyle now. I have let go of a lot of my OCD ways. He finally let go a little by the end of today's lesson. I hope that he will be able to learn more at home b/c we aren't in a rush to get the test in Friday. I never stopped meaningful discussions w/ my students b/c we had a test coming up. I was famous for pushing test back. The kids loved it, but it drove their parents nuts.

Yea, It will be the same way with my dd, I know she will need more time on certain things. Well, many things I think. We're not starting our formal lessons until mid - the end of August, but just doing what we're doing now I can see it. So, we'll have more time to work on things. I don't really plan on taking too many breaks throughout the year. I'm sure we'll take Christmas week and a few days around Thanksgiving, but other than that, we'll be working. And from what i've seen these past few days, they don't mind stopping whatever they're doing to learn.

 

[littlepeppers]

Yea, It will be the same way with my dd, I know she will need more time on certain things. Well, many things I think. We're not starting our formal lessons until mid - the end of August, but just doing what we're doing now I can see it. So, we'll have more time to work on things. I don't really plan on taking too many breaks throughout the year. I'm sure we'll take Christmas week and a few days around Thanksgiving, but other than that, we'll be working. And from what i've seen these past few days, they don't mind stopping whatever they're doing to learn.

Ii think we are going to NOT take summers off. It is too hot to do anything. We will take 1wk for Disney, 1 wk for each of the big holiday (thanksgiving, christmas, easter). My DS gets too lazy w/ 65+ straight days off. My DH works 7 & 7, so we can take off & do a lot ot things when others are hard at work w/ the books & jobs.

Good luck w/ your DD. My DD is a firecracker. She is only 2 yrs old & I see trouble brewing already. HEADSTRONG

 

[dwelty]

Looking for advice on curriculum. we are looking at two Christian based programs, Abeka and Advanced Training Institute (ATI) and advice would be appreciated! We want to start at the beginning of second grade for our daugher who is in public school right now.

 

[*Toadstool*]

Ii think we are going to NOT take summers off. It is too hot to do anything. We will take 1wk for Disney, 1 wk for each of the big holiday (thanksgiving, christmas, easter). My DS gets too lazy w/ 65+ straight days off. My DH works 7 & 7, so we can take off & do a lot ot things when others are hard at work w/ the books & jobs.

Good luck w/ your DD. My DD is a firecracker. She is only 2 yrs old & I see trouble brewing already. HEADSTRONG

Oooh! Who does your hubby work for, and what does he do? My hubby just quit his job for a better paying job at Chouest. He is a mate on a liftboat.
I'm all happy to find someone else who knows what the 7/7 life is. He is switching to 14/14 now though. I hated it when he did that a few years ago. I hope it is easier now that Hannah is a bit older. Hope this isn't too OT!
I was also thinking how great homeschooling and the 14/14 schedule will be. When I finally convince my hubby to go to DW we can go for a loooong time.

 

[littlepeppers]

Oooh! Who does your hubby work for, and what does he do? My hubby just quit his job for a better paying job at Chouest. He is a mate on a liftboat.
I'm all happy to find someone else who knows what the 7/7 life is. He is switching to 14/14 now though. I hated it when he did that a few years ago. I hope it is easier now that Hannah is a bit older. Hope this isn't too OT!
I was also thinking how great homeschooling and the 14/14 schedule will be. When I finally convince my hubby to go to DW we can go for a loooong time.

DH is the Control Room Supervisor for LOOP. He comes home every night still. He used to work some night shifts before he was a supervisor & that is when I still worked. I hated it.

Who knows, they may even know eachother. I know that Chouest does some contract stuff for LOOP, but I don't know exactly what.

Thanks God he was promoted. No more night shifts. He was a teacher when we had DS. He started working for LOOP about 5 mos after DS was born.

We like the 7 & 7, especially now that I'm not working anymore. We missed DS terribly this year when he was at school. We were often all home except him. This isn't the main reason we decided to HS, but it was a factor. We are looking forward to all of the perks & opportunities that HS will provide us w/.