Homeschool Chat

[Disney Mommy 3]

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 foor our daugher who is in public school right now.

I am not familiar with ATI--someone else probably is! But, we did use ABeka for a few years. It is a very good curriculum and with just one child for elementary it would be great! I love their concepts, but...! After a while, the repetition in math for a kid who has learned the math fact gets boring. I would suggest that when you cover a new concept each day, go through the exercises (if she get bored or frustrated) and mark out the problems that she has learned. For example 2+2, once she has learned that-and learned it well-she doesn't need to do it 40 times that week. They do this in ABeka, and I just learned it's okay to cut some of it out!!! Otherwise my kids got aggravated because it just adds so much each day. The phonics part of the curr. is awesome! We loved it. Very thorough. Handwriting can get a bit long too, so if you feel the need to shorten the lessons, do it! If you go to the website, they should have a schedule of when they will be coming to your area for a booksale. You can look at each book for each grade and see what you think. If you decide to order then, you will get a small discount..I think like free shipping or 10% from the order. I can't remember, but it was a good deal for us when we ordered. Hope this helps!!!

 

[thebeesknees]

I went through ATI when I was homeschooled. They have you use a lot of BJU stuff, so be aware that you will still have to buy or borrow BJU textbooks to use with the Wisdom Booklets. I liked the Wisdom Booklets, and my mom said she like having all of us study the same thing at the same time because it made her planning easier. Also, and I am sure you already know this, ATI requires you to be enrolled through IBLP and have gone to their seminars before you can start with them (at least they did a few years ago, may have changed now).

My son used A Beka for kindergarten. It was good for K and 1st grade, but I have some issues with the subtance for older grades. It is very good for phonics/reading, but the math seemed to have some holes in it. We are going to use some of their stuff for reading this year for 2nd grade, but I am using a different science and history curriculum because I felt that A Beka had too many holes. That is just my opinion, though. I know a lot of people really love it. See if you can actually look through the textbooks of both ATI and A Beka before you decide on anything. You may decide you like one over the other, or you might want to sort of mix and match what fits your family best.

 

[bluesky225]

I am not familiar with ATI--someone else probably is! But, we did use ABeka for a few years. It is a very good curriculum and with just one child for elementary it would be great! I love their concepts, but...! After a while, the repetition in math for a kid who has learned the math fact gets boring. I would suggest that when you cover a new concept each day, go through the exercises (if she get bored or frustrated) and mark out the problems that she has learned. For example 2+2, once she has learned that-and learned it well-she doesn't need to do it 40 times that week. They do this in ABeka, and I just learned it's okay to cut some of it out!!! Otherwise my kids got aggravated because it just adds so much each day. The phonics part of the curr. is awesome! We loved it. Very thorough. Handwriting can get a bit long too, so if you feel the need to shorten the lessons, do it! If you go to the website, they should have a schedule of when they will be coming to your area for a booksale. You can look at each book for each grade and see what you think. If you decide to order then, you will get a small discount..I think like free shipping or 10% from the order. I can't remember, but it was a good deal for us when we ordered. Hope this helps!!!

I think this (and the other poster above) both had great advice! We used A Beka for k-5 and first. This year we will use it for most subjects and do Classical Conversations as well. I don't think there is much I can add to the previous posters, but A Beka is a good curriculum for the first few years at least. We will consider a few other curriculums after this next year though...

 

[*Toadstool*]

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/.

Ah okay. Hubby just started working for Chouest today, so I doubt he knows him. My friend's hubby works at LOOP his name is Chisom.. they'd probably know each other.
My DH works offshore so he doesn't come home nights. I'm thinking I am going to miss him alot more with the 14/14.

 

[Mouseketeer67]

Ah okay. Hubby just started working for Chouest today, so I doubt he knows him. My friend's hubby works at LOOP his name is Chisom.. they'd probably know each other.
My DH works offshore so he doesn't come home nights. I'm thinking I am going to miss him alot more with the 14/14.

Hi *Toadstool* & littlepeppers, I'm a Louisiana homeschooler too. I live in Dulac, LA which is south of Houma. I have been homeschooling for 14 years. I started when my oldest son was 2 years old, he's 16 now. There weren't many homeschoolers back then. Most people thought we were crazy. Now they can see the difference that homeschooling has made my children's lives. My husband used to work in the oilfield years ago. We now own and operate a charter fishing business. It's nice to see other homeschooler's from Louisiana here!

 

[littlepeppers]

Ah okay. Hubby just started working for Chouest today, so I doubt he knows him. My friend's hubby works at LOOP his name is Chisom.. they'd probably know each other.
My DH works offshore so he doesn't come home nights. I'm thinking I am going to miss him alot more with the 14/14.

I still remember when my dad swapped to 14/14 when I was a kid. 7 days flies, but 14 never ends.

What dept. does Chisom work in? I'll ask DH. DH is supposed to be off tomorrow, but his relief is on vacation.

Going read DS lesson for tomorrow while my embroidery machine puts a minnie on a tank

 

[littlepeppers]

Hi *Toadstool* & littlepeppers, I'm a Louisiana homeschooler too. I live in Dulac, LA which is south of Houma. I have been homeschooling for 14 years. I started when my oldest son was 2 years old, he's 16 now. There weren't many homeschoolers back then. Most people thought we were crazy. Now they can see the difference that homeschooling has made my children's lives. My husband used to work in the oilfield years ago. We now own and operate a charter fishing business. It's nice to see other homeschooler's from Louisiana here!

Used to think we are crazy? I think most people still do. Many people seem to think it is nuts to give up your "time" to HS. I love spending time w/ my kids, but they do drive me nuts from time to time. Too many people are out for themselves these days. What happened to good old family time?

I find myself not telling anyone, but DS is proud of it. The conversation just gets all weird & I don't feel like justifying. I must admit that I do use the "Well I am a certified teacher." line. It has seemed to come in handy & shut some of the HS haters down.

People......poop on them. I like HS.

My dad lives to fish. He would be jealous of your business.

How does your DS feel about HS now that he is on high school? You guys still have a pretty decent high school down there. I know they have a great science dept. Very smart people.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

My dd just turned 10 and will doing 4th grade work this year. She HATES to write. I have her reading a lot more now since PS got out and she's even enjoying it But writing, forget it.

Can anyone recommend anything in particular? I want her to somewhat like writing. Even if she never truly enjoys it, I would like her to at least like it, because you can't really do something well if you despise it. I always despised math in middle school and I always struggled with it, until I got to high school and I had an awesome math teacher and really did well.

So, i'm thinking there must be a way out there to get her to semi-enjoy writing.

Thanks so much!

 

[*Toadstool*]

Hi *Toadstool* & littlepeppers, I'm a Louisiana homeschooler too. I live in Dulac, LA which is south of Houma. I have been homeschooling for 14 years. I started when my oldest son was 2 years old, he's 16 now. There weren't many homeschoolers back then. Most people thought we were crazy. Now they can see the difference that homeschooling has made my children's lives. My husband used to work in the oilfield years ago. We now own and operate a charter fishing business. It's nice to see other homeschooler's from Louisiana here!

I definitely know where Dulac is! I've been there a few times. I am a homeschooling newbie. I may need lots of help...

I still remember when my dad swapped to 14/14 when I was a kid. 7 days flies, but 14 never ends.

What dept. does Chisom work in? I'll ask DH. DH is supposed to be off tomorrow, but his relief is on vacation.

Going read DS lesson for tomorrow while my embroidery machine puts a minnie on a tank

I'm not sure what Chisom does.. He works with Daryll Morgan.. whatever he does. I know both of their wives very well.

Are either of you a member of the Houma/Thibodaux homeschooling group? They have a group on yahoo groups, and meet monthly I think. I've posted there a couple of times, but haven't posted that much lately.
I wish there was a more local group for me, but I know that more than likely if I want to be a part of any group it will be in the Houma or New Orleans area.
Several people I have told that I am planning on homeschooling have made really mean comments about how my DD will turn out to be a socially awkward freak.... We have so many activities that we can be involved with at church that honestly I am not that worried bout the social stuff.

 

[littlepeppers]

Are either of you a member of the Houma/Thibodaux homeschooling group? They have a group on yahoo groups, and meet monthly I think. I've posted there a couple of times, but haven't posted that much lately.
I wish there was a more local group for me, but I know that more than likely if I want to be a part of any group it will be in the Houma or New Orleans area.
Several people I have told that I am planning on homeschooling have made really mean comments about how my DD will turn out to be a socially awkward freak.... We have so many activities that we can be involved with at church that honestly I am not that worried bout the social stuff.

New Orleans group? Are you nuts? There was a cajun HS group but the only email activity I see w/ them is spam. The Houma/Thib group is pretty active.

Ask your local librarian if there are any HS that come to the library. See if you can leave a note for them w/ your contact info. I find the Houma/Thib group kind of keep among themselves online. We haven't met them for anything.

I get so mad when people think HS kids aren't socialized. My DS wanted to do so many things, but school & the excess homework & tears was taking up all of his time. He will be able to be more social now. He has already joined Jiu-jitsu, he is signed up for soccer & baseball again too. We are thinking about putting him in music lessons if his schedule permits. He wants to take trumpet lessons, but I think that the lack of front teeth may cause a problem here. He needs to wait a few years. He has a guitar too, maybe he will want to take it up. He will even have time to play w/ the kids by the house. Last school year we often had to tell them that DS couldn't play b/c he had too much homework. I think that his social calendar will be more well rounded outside of a regular school.

 

[MomTo4+more]

My dd just turned 10 and will doing 4th grade work this year. She HATES to write. I have her reading a lot more now since PS got out and she's even enjoying it But writing, forget it.

Can anyone recommend anything in particular? I want her to somewhat like writing. Even if she never truly enjoys it, I would like her to at least like it, because you can't really do something well if you despise it. I always despised math in middle school and I always struggled with it, until I got to high school and I had an awesome math teacher and really did well.

So, i'm thinking there must be a way out there to get her to semi-enjoy writing.

Thanks so much!

I have found Writing With Ease works well for my children. It is very methodical and gentle in the approach. First they are doing copysork and narrating from good, short passages of literature. They slowly build on their skills until they are taking dictation and starting to write their own thoughts. They explain it much better than I can in the book. Basically they teach children to write and to be able to hold their own thoughts in their head long enough to get those thoughts down on paper. It's working well for both my dd's - the one who loves to write and the resistant writer.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I was going to suggest Writing With Ease as well. We just got it, will be starting soon...I am very excited about it.My best friend used it last year and she said it worked wonders...she has some writing Haters as well!! I have read part of the book and it makes so much since...we ordered workbook level 2 to get us going. We are in 8th and 5th grade, sothey have had some writing already, but didnt like it....Level 3 is gonna come out at the end of summer, I will order it too. I am sure my older son will be ready for that soon.

 

[wvdislover]

Maybe try some journal writing or creative writing, to maybe get her more interested in writing. Give her some cues to start her off, some ideas that may make a funny story or a story about a fond memory. Good luck...I may check into the Writing with Ease, too. My DDalmost12 doesn't like writing either, and usually writes a paragraph with only one long sentence ...difficult for a former English teacher to deal with

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Thanks so much, i'll definitely look into writing with ease, sounds great. I have tried getting her writing about fun things we did or were waiting to do, but nothing gets her excited about writing. My friend from work did say that she was going to bring me something that her brothers were doing. It starts off with a little sentence and you have to finish writing something, they are usually funny things. Like, If I were locked in a toy store over night...... Things like that, so i'll let you know if that works out, that sounds cute. But I feel she may like that , but when it comes to writing other things, we'll be back to square 1, so i'm going to go check out writing with ease.

Thanks again!!!!

 

[deanainnc]

Has anyone used Landmark curriculum?

We went to our states homeschool conference and my son going into 9th grade showed this curriculum to me and asked could we try it this coming year. We have been using ACE and doing good with it. My son liked the fact that he did not have to look at a different lesson plan book to see how much school work to do everyday in each subject.

What's everyone's opinon on Landmark?

 

[*Toadstool*]

New Orleans group? Are you nuts? There was a cajun HS group but the only email activity I see w/ them is spam. The Houma/Thib group is pretty active.

Ask your local librarian if there are any HS that come to the library. See if you can leave a note for them w/ your contact info. I find the Houma/Thib group kind of keep among themselves online. We haven't met them for anything.

I get so mad when people think HS kids aren't socialized. My DS wanted to do so many things, but school & the excess homework & tears was taking up all of his time. He will be able to be more social now. He has already joined Jiu-jitsu, he is signed up for soccer & baseball again too. We are thinking about putting him in music lessons if his schedule permits. He wants to take trumpet lessons, but I think that the lack of front teeth may cause a problem here. He needs to wait a few years. He has a guitar too, maybe he will want to take it up. He will even have time to play w/ the kids by the house. Last school year we often had to tell them that DS couldn't play b/c he had too much homework. I think that his social calendar will be more well rounded outside of a regular school.

What are you saying about the New Orleans area or group?
I go to New Orleans pretty regularly, so I wouldn't mind going there if the group there fits me better.
It seems like most of the Houma/Thibodaux group has older kids, and I really wanted to find some with younger kids. Did you see the add in the paper? It says something about homeschooling group has a certain number of spots left for 1st through 6th grade.. I think that may be the group that does it together, but meets in a building and stuff.
I don't think I'd be interested in that.

 

[Mouseketeer67]

I definitely know where Dulac is! I've been there a few times. I am a homeschooling newbie. I may need lots of help...



I'm not sure what Chisom does.. He works with Daryll Morgan.. whatever he does. I know both of their wives very well.

Are either of you a member of the Houma/Thibodaux homeschooling group? They have a group on yahoo groups, and meet monthly I think. I've posted there a couple of times, but haven't posted that much lately.
I wish there was a more local group for me, but I know that more than likely if I want to be a part of any group it will be in the Houma or New Orleans area.
Several people I have told that I am planning on homeschooling have made really mean comments about how my DD will turn out to be a socially awkward freak.... We have so many activities that we can be involved with at church that honestly I am not that worried bout the social stuff.

I was a member of the Houma / Thibodaux group a couple years back. My kids were older than most of the kids in the group, so they never made any real friends there. We went bowling with that group on several ocassions and met them at Pinnochios Pizza a few times, but like I said my kids were older than the majority of the group. It's also a group for catholics. My family is catholic and active in our local church. My kids attend cathecism class there and I teach the first communion class. Anyway, there are a few moms in the Houma / Thibodaux group that are snobbish to the moms who do not use the Seton curriculum. I attended catholic school growing up, I know how snobbish people can be. I really didn't expect to meet snobbish catholic homeschoolers! Don't get me wrong, not everyone in that group is a snob. There are some really great families in that group too. We were just older than the rest of the group at the functions that we attended.

Don't buy into the "your kids will turn out to be socially awkward freaks" bit. My three kids a social butterfies. They have a close knit group of friends that I like very much. I always know where they are and who they are with.
My daughter has been attending dance classes for 11 years. She has made some good friends there, & at church too. My sons are both into fishing and hunting and are proud to be able to take their friends fishing with dad. We took all the kids and their best friends hydrosliding and tubing yesterday. They all had a blast! School is starting here again on August 10, I'm not sure I'm ready for the summer to end. My kids best friends attend catholic school, so we follow their schedule. That way all the kids get the same days off during the year. Homeschooling has been a blessing for my family.

 

[danjoealexis3006]

Can anyone here recommend a science curriculum for a child who is supposed to be starting in 5th grade but can only read at a 3rd grade level? I need something that is hands on (but not overboard) and I am willing to read the text. I am considering Alpha Omegas Life Pack or Sonlight. Anyone use these?

 

[littlepeppers]

What are you saying about the New Orleans area or group?
I go to New Orleans pretty regularly, so I wouldn't mind going there if the group there fits me better.
It seems like most of the Houma/Thibodaux group has older kids, and I really wanted to find some with younger kids. Did you see the add in the paper? It says something about homeschooling group has a certain number of spots left for 1st through 6th grade.. I think that may be the group that does it together, but meets in a building and stuff.
I don't think I'd be interested in that.

New Orleans is getting soooooo dangerous. Even Houma is getting dangerous. I avoid Houma when possible too, but they have so many more stores than Thibodaux. It hate it when I go into town & have to deal w/ the nasty people who steal, let their kids break things, ......, and it makes me angry to know that the prices go up b/c of those people.

 

[littlepeppers]

I was a member of the Houma / Thibodaux group a couple years back. My kids were older than most of the kids in the group, so they never made any real friends there. We went bowling with that group on several ocassions and met them at Pinnochios Pizza a few times, but like I said my kids were older than the majority of the group. It's also a group for catholics. My family is catholic and active in our local church. My kids attend cathecism class there and I teach the first communion class. Anyway, there are a few moms in the Houma / Thibodaux group that are snobbish to the moms who do not use the Seton curriculum. I attended catholic school growing up, I know how snobbish people can be. I really didn't expect to meet snobbish catholic homeschoolers! Don't get me wrong, not everyone in that group is a snob. There are some really great families in that group too. We were just older than the rest of the group at the functions that we attended.

Don't buy into the "your kids will turn out to be socially awkward freaks" bit. My three kids a social butterfies. They have a close knit group of friends that I like very much. I always know where they are and who they are with.
My daughter has been attending dance classes for 11 years. She has made some good friends there, & at church too. My sons are both into fishing and hunting and are proud to be able to take their friends fishing with dad. We took all the kids and their best friends hydrosliding and tubing yesterday. They all had a blast! School is starting here again on August 10, I'm not sure I'm ready for the summer to end. My kids best friends attend catholic school, so we follow their schedule. That way all the kids get the same days off during the year. Homeschooling has been a blessing for my family.

We are catholic too. My DS attended Maria Immacalota for Pre-K & K and St. Mary's for 1st. I noticed that a lot of people used Seton, but the science & social studies book were too slanted. I want my DS to learn his lessons & his religion & find the way that they mesh together for himself.

I'm sure if there are Seton snobbs in the Ave Maria group, then they really not like my reason for not going w/ it. We joined Ave Maria, but haven't met w/ them or anything. My DH & I are both science majors & do not like the left out parts of some of the major religious curriculums. I even had to teach sex ed to 7th graders for 9 years. (I know, I'm going to heaven for that one.) I tend to use very scientific explinations to address edgy questions.

When school & starts again we are planning on still attending St. Mary's Friday kids mass (we asked his old principal 1st). I think that I'm going to keep Friday's non-curriculum. I think we will go to kids mass, the library, review his CCD from Mon, & do some Time4learning on the computer.

We start CCD Aug 10th. I'm not thrilled about that, but this year has two big saccraments.

I am glad that your kids still like it even as they are gettin older. I hope mine do too.