Homeschool Chat

[disneyfinatics]

How can I get more info about the home school days? Do they do this at the same time every year?
Thanks,
Shelly

ps. I've been home schooling for 9 years. My boys have never been in public school. I was glad to find this thread.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I saw the thread too and almost responded...HOW do people say they know all about how hard homeschooling is and how bad it is when they DON'T HOMESCHOOL?!?!?!

 

[Nicolepa]

I am 99% sure I am going to homeschool DD. I have started a little with preschool this year. We are thinking about moving in the Spring so will therefore be purchasing a new house. I have been trying to think what the ideal homeschool environment might be. I would love to hear what all of you do! I anticipate much of our day will be on the move learning and using manipulative. However, I would like a place with minimal "other" distractions when we need it. I have thought of an area in the basement, if we can make it bright enough, a spare bedroom converted, an area of the living room? So I really have nothing narrowed down as you can tell! I would love any suggestions you have. btw, I was a public school teacher prior to DD so I am familiar with set up in this location; but this will not be the same (as you all know!) Thank you for your help!

I don't have a set area. All of our books & supplies are in one area but we usually do school at the kitchen table. We read on the sofa, he'll do worksheets in the car or read to me on the bed while I fold laundry. A good friend said "Whatever you do resisit the urge to make a school room." I thought that was great advice.

I like working at the kitchen table. While he's working on a worksheet I can empty the dishwasher or sweep the floors. I feel not sitting by him 100% of the time is teaching him independence.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

In response to "setting up"- The setup for HS is different for every family. That is what makes HSing so great. I have friends that have not set area and others that have a very structure traditional classroom type setting.

We have four Ikea desks side by side across one end of our basement. They each have their own computer on the end desk with middle area available for writing/drawing/manipulatives. Most of our curriculum uses the computer. On the wall above the four desk we have various help posters (8x11) size. However, sometimes I work with my son at the dining room table when needed to keep them from distracting each other. And we usually do science in the living room or backyard. And a lot of our social studies is in the car on audio CDs or on couch with books. Not to mention all the lessons that take place on hikes, in museums, at zoo, the library ...AT DISNEY!!!

We are doing a unit study on all the countries at Epcot with our field trip in January.

 

[wvdislover]

MY problem right now is not where to homeschool, but WHEN? Our life's schedule is so crazy right now! I take DD8 to school (still in PS), then come home by 8 and have b'fast. I have to leave for work at 10:30 to help my DH out at our restaurant, and get back home at 2:30ish. We then have to leave for dance class by 3:15 on Mon (get home around 8, as both girls have classes and rehearsals) and Thurs (get home around 6:45), and by 4:30 on Wed (get home around 8:30 after church). Unfortunately, DD12, who homeschools, is HFA, so she hasn't been able to get school work done while I'm at work (I take her with me), since she needs total quiet to get her work done, and isn't quite capable of completing her work on her own, and I can't get her to wake up to do school in the mornings lately before I go to work (she's wide awake until I mention starting school ) Part of the problem is that she HATES school. She doesn't like to do anything that requires any work from her. Putting her back in school is not an option (they don't service her special needs and she is bullied at school to the point of becoming suicidal). Not working isn't really an option (DH needs me, and we need the money from my paycheck). Don't want to quit dance, either (great socialization for DD's, as well as good exercise. Plus, they love it!). Not really looking for someone to solve my problem, just needed to voice it to people who hopefully will understand. I WILL figure out how to make it work. I think a lot of it will depend on DD12 having to change some things in her lifestyle, which I think she is capable of ...she just doesn't want to (we don't always get what we want, though, do we?). Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[anabelle]

How can I get more info about the home school days? Do they do this at the same time every year?
Thanks,
Shelly

ps. I've been home schooling for 9 years. My boys have never been in public school. I was glad to find this thread.

Hi Shelly,
Homeschool days are twice a year. Usually the third week of September and the third week of January. They did give us a flyer for the January homeschool days, but I don't see it updated on the website yet.

http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/wdyp/programs/programOverview?page=HSDProgramOverviewPage

The topic for January is more engineering oriented. I didn't keep the flyer, but it seems like the kids will have more opportunities to work with the Imagineers. It does sound cool, but we just went.

 

[MiniGirl]

I saw the thread too and almost responded...HOW do people say they know all about how hard homeschooling is and how bad it is when they DON'T HOMESCHOOL?!?!?!

Thanks everyone. I knew ya'll would understand. The OP was looking for thoughts, so I offered mine, but I also clearly stated that I didn't know about the other options because I had never done them. I guess I just wished that others who had never done them wouldn't have offered up their opinions as knowledge on the subject. Also when she said that "most homeschoolers aren't doing as good a job as they think they are" bothered me. Really? Most? I think so many of us -- especially those of us that are still new to it -- still have moments of insecurity, and this comment didn't help that. LOL!!!

We homeschool all over the house. We keep our books in one place, but do not stay there to school. If we are reading something aloud, we might sit on the sofa and 2 of us fold clothes while the 3rd one reads. Two of us might be up dusting while one reads. For spelling, I might have one sitting at the kitchen counter, and she'll write out her words while I'm unloading/loading the dishwasher. If I'm working at the table with one child, the other will go into another room to do some independent work. In the next month or so as it starts to cool here, I suspect we will be moving outside more, too.

 

[LegoMom3]

Thanks everyone. I knew ya'll would understand. The OP was looking for thoughts, so I offered mine, but I also clearly stated that I didn't know about the other options because I had never done them. I guess I just wished that others who had never done them wouldn't have offered up their opinions as knowledge on the subject. Also when she said that "most homeschoolers aren't doing as good a job as they think they are" bothered me. Really? Most? I think so many of us -- especially those of us that are still new to it -- still have moments of insecurity, and this comment didn't help that. LOL!!!.....

That statement right there proves her ignorance. HS'ers consistently test higher than the national "average" of PS'ers! And yes, I constantly struggle with "moments of insecurity"...actually mine are more like extended periods than moments!! "Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley", anyone?!!

I have to stay away from threads like that one because I find it very difficult not to get sucked into an argument....

.

 

[PoohBear]

Thanks everyone. I knew ya'll would understand. The OP was looking for thoughts, so I offered mine, but I also clearly stated that I didn't know about the other options because I had never done them. I guess I just wished that others who had never done them wouldn't have offered up their opinions as knowledge on the subject. Also when she said that "most homeschoolers aren't doing as good a job as they think they are" bothered me. Really? Most? I think so many of us -- especially those of us that are still new to it -- still have moments of insecurity, and this comment didn't help that. LOL!!!

We homeschool all over the house. We keep our books in one place, but do not stay there to school. If we are reading something aloud, we might sit on the sofa and 2 of us fold clothes while the 3rd one reads. Two of us might be up dusting while one reads. For spelling, I might have one sitting at the kitchen counter, and she'll write out her words while I'm unloading/loading the dishwasher. If I'm working at the table with one child, the other will go into another room to do some independent work. In the next month or so as it starts to cool here, I suspect we will be moving outside more, too.

Comments based on ignorance bother me, as well. Everyone must do what they feel is right for their child and their situation. Traditional schooling or home schooling, only you know your child. I doubted myself and recently signed my kids up for one of the top rated cyber schools. After testing my high schooler, they feel he may be too far ahead of their curriculum. He tested at a college level. As to socialization, I recently received a phone call from a local author. She wanted to speak to the mother of "the most personable, fascinating and engaging young man I have ever met". And you know what...we hardly socialize at all! We are too busy filling their heads with knowledge.
I frequently hear compliments similar to this about my boys.

I have found, as I'm sure you have, that the majority of nay sayers are those who are hanging their own insecurities on our group. In fact, I think that holds true of prejudice in general. As far as I'm concerned, education is the answer to everything. I think it would prevent people from passing judgement. Try to remember that no one knows your kids better.

 

[Tink561]

Thanks everyone. I knew ya'll would understand. The OP was looking for thoughts, so I offered mine, but I also clearly stated that I didn't know about the other options because I had never done them. I guess I just wished that others who had never done them wouldn't have offered up their opinions as knowledge on the subject. Also when she said that "most homeschoolers aren't doing as good a job as they think they are" bothered me. Really? Most? I think so many of us -- especially those of us that are still new to it -- still have moments of insecurity, and this comment didn't help that. LOL!!!

We homeschool all over the house. We keep our books in one place, but do not stay there to school. If we are reading something aloud, we might sit on the sofa and 2 of us fold clothes while the 3rd one reads. Two of us might be up dusting while one reads. For spelling, I might have one sitting at the kitchen counter, and she'll write out her words while I'm unloading/loading the dishwasher. If I'm working at the table with one child, the other will go into another room to do some independent work. In the next month or so as it starts to cool here, I suspect we will be moving outside more, too.

Even those of us who have homeschooled for a long time still have insecurities. We started in 1999 and I still have moments. Right now I'm really insecure about preschool and Kindergarten because I've never done those. You wouldn't think it would be that scary but it is to me. LOL

We also have done as you described with working around the house. Now that my only teen left homeschooling does online classes, he works in his room with his laptop.

 

[Tink561]

Anyone use My Father's World for Kindergarten? I really like the looks of it. I have been reading about it on The Well Trained Mind site along with MFW site. I would love to hear your thoughts. I'm thinking about getting the K program for my soon to be 4 year old to start after Christmas.

Also, if you have used later years of MFW, please tell me about it.

 

[tkbbmom]

Hi everyone. I joined the forum back in 2006 ---but haven't been here much bec we've only been back to WDW for a quick, spur of the moment, weekend trip when dd was competing in St. Pete. We are going in Dec.

We are hsing 3 of our 4 -our oldest is in college.

The previous poster asked about MFW ---we used ECC one year with WP AW and had a great year. We tried CTG and RTR but it just didn't fit our family. I thought about the MFW K program ---but decided not to do a structured program for K since I had the older ones.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8limRtHZPs

If a picture is worth a thousand words...tell me how many this video is worth?

 

[wvdislover]

Today was a better day. Got DD awake to do history before I went to work this morning, and then we got math done tonight. We're making progress!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8limRtHZPs

If a picture is worth a thousand words...tell me how many this video is worth?

Oh my word!! That was beautiful!! Thank you for sending it to us!!!Sometimes we just need help getting things into perspective and being reassured that we are doing the right thing for our children!!!! You all need to watch this...it's moving.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8limRtHZPs

If a picture is worth a thousand words...tell me how many this video is worth?

Thank you so much for sharing that!

 

[disneyfinatics]

annabelle,
Thanks so much. I searched & searched and couldn't find anything. Maybe we can go next year.

wvdislover, I know you weren't looking for advice, but I thought this might help. We use Chester comix for history. It's great. My son loves it. http://www.chestercomix.com/
I made tests for all of them. I could give you the website that I have them filed on if you decided to use them. They at least make history fun. Don't give up, you can do it!!
Shelly

 

[DawnM]

I am NOT touching that thread either. Sheesh! I HATE homeschool arguements and opinions from diehard ps folks!

I value anyone's personal right to school their children in public, private, or homeschools.....why can't they value mine?

Dawn, a former ps teacher

 

[DawnM]

My Father's World ECC vs. Sonlight 5

Anyone taken a close look at both of the above and have an opinion?

This is for NEXT year for us so I have time to think it through. I feel like with SL I am always cutting out some as we just can't get to it all and I have heard that with MFW you add things in.....wondering which is easier???

We have always used Sonlight.

Dawn

 

[LegoMom3]

We've had a very slow "academic" start to our year (sort of de-schooling, if you will) but DS12 and DS10 both started Time4Learning this week and so far it's going great! I like that I can choose a different grade level for different subjects. DS12 is much slower with math than Lang. Arts, so he's at "grade" level with LA but went back 2 grades with math and it's giving him some much-needed review. DS10 thought the 4th-grade LA was too easy, so we'll be moving up a level with that for him.

.