Homeschool Chat

[bumbershoot]

mariezp, very cool about your son. Can I recommend that during this time as he waits to have the knowledge and experience to open a school, that he does really focus on learning about business, the finances of having a business, employees, etc etc etc etc etc. All while earning SCADS of money to keep that business open while he is building a clientele. Most small businesses close in 5 years, mine sure did, and you *have to* have the cash to keep everything afloat during those 5 years while you get your feet planted on the ground.

Whether that learning is from reading, mentoring, or even taking some CC classes, it probably doesn't matter, but knowing about those things *before* opening his doors will be absolutely invaluable!

 

[littlepeppers]

mariezp, Most small businesses close in 5 years, mine sure did, and you *have to* have the cash to keep everything afloat during those 5 years while you get your feet planted on the ground.

QUOTE]

My son's jiu-jitsu gym just had to close its original location b/c the rent on two locations killed them. I guess the business is growing faster in the 2nd location b/c he closed his baby (1st gym). Now we have to drive 20min to the 2nd location. Rent on a building alone will kill a business.

 

[Tiana]

Well, Hello! I don't know if I have chimed in on this thread or not... can't remember!!!

I must have just habitually forgot it was here

I just wanted to share my excitement b/c we are officially enrolled in Classical Conversations!! I'm so excited!!

This year was our first year homeschooling; for DS's Kindergarten year We LOVED it!! Anyways, the co-op that we belonged to had to change so we were looking for something else and found Classical Conversations and I think it's perfect for us.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Classical education and we have the most perfect Classical Education school picked out for DS when he hits about 5th grade; so this is perfect. Does/has anyone else do this program??

We are also adding Kung Fu and Cub Scouts to the mix "next year", in addition to Football, Soccer and Basketball, oh and swimming lessons that he did this year. Also, the gym that I used to belong to has just started up a homeschool program. You get a discounted gym membership, and in addition to what is normally offered (2 hours babysitting a day, kids classes, 3 pools, workout classes, etc.) they do a HS PE class twice a week for an hour. While the kids do their class, the moms get a personal trainer to work with them as a group.

DS and I are both EXTEME extroverted/social people and we thrive as busy bees, so we are BOTH so eagerly looking forward to next year!!

We used Sonlight and Math U See and were very happy with it. Next year, I'll be supplementing CC stuff with Sonlight and MUS. I also got a bible program from Positive Action and Songschool Latin.

Well, that's everything... sorry for rambling

 

[Tiana]

Thanks for the encouragement graygables! People usually look at me like I am from an alien planet! Good to hear a positive remark for a change!
DS is currently a blue belt. He most likely will get his purple by the end of the year. While he is nearly halfway to his black belt it will still be several years before he can open his own school. He does currently help instruct kid's classes and fills in occasionally on the adults class so he is also gaining experience teaching at the same time he is earning his rank. We were blessed to have found a fantastic instructor and great bunch of classmates so it would be virtually impossible to tear him away from the area now. Oh, and there is also the new girlfriend.... but aside from that.... if you had caught him a few months ago he might have been ready to head to Orlando. He has some friends down there who we just happened to meet and to go to WDW with back in December. They are homeschoolers too, BTW.
Anyway, I do agree that finding a homeschool-friendly martial arts school would be a great blessing. Good luck finding one should you decide to go that route! Now that I have shamelessly bragged on my son I might as go ahead and throw in a plug for the benefits of martial arts, don't you think? For us my DS's Jiu-Jitsu has only been a positive experience. It has taught him self discipline and instilled self confidence and I certainly never have to worry about whether or not he can take care of himself!

We wanted to get DS into Kung-Fu b/c we speak Chinese and are into the whole Chinese culture, and lo and behold I found one in my area, owned and operated by a homeschooling dad!! Isn't that awesome??

 

[anl]

Hey everyone! I have been researching homeschooling for a while now and am considering starting next year. Just wondering if anyone had a child that was completely opposed to the idea and eventually came around? My son is going to 4th grade and does well in school and thinks we're crazy for even talking about it. So I'm trying to figure out if he will change his mind after a while of being home or if he goes to school next year and sees how much fun his sister and I are having, that will change his mind. I know it's not his decision but I keep thinking if he is fighting me tooth and nail, my first year will be even harder...and it seems most people say the first year is the hardest anyway. TIA!

 

[Nicolepa]

Hey everyone! I have been researching homeschooling for a while now and am considering starting next year. Just wondering if anyone had a child that was completely opposed to the idea and eventually came around? My son is going to 4th grade and does well in school and thinks we're crazy for even talking about it. So I'm trying to figure out if he will change his mind after a while of being home or if he goes to school next year and sees how much fun his sister and I are having, that will change his mind. I know it's not his decision but I keep thinking if he is fighting me tooth and nail, my first year will be even harder...and it seems most people say the first year is the hardest anyway. TIA!

This year we started HS'ing our 2nd grader. I gave my 4th grader the option and she was against it. Well that quickly changed and she now wants to be HS'd. My husband has said no to hs'ing her but she says something every now and then.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Looking for a change...My DS (turns 8 next week) excels at math but struggles with reading and writing.

Has anyone tried-
Talking Fingers- Read, Write, & Type and QWERTY programs?
ClickN Phonics and ClickN Spelling?
Lexia Reading?
All About Spelling?
LTK- Language Tun-Up Kit?

Thank you for any help on these programs or information on others.

 

[DawnM]

I am really excited. My boys are going to a church camp this year for the first time.

We haven't been able to afford camp for years as church camp is between $380-$450 per week!

So, a camp in the NC mountains is offering their first week for only $100 for homeschoolers since our schools had so many snow make up days they can't fill the first week up!

I signed my older 2 boys up and am SO happy for them that they get to go to this year! It will be awesome.

IF anyone on this list is nearby, here is the info. They said to sign up by Friday if possible as they can't guarantee there will be spots after Friday and it is getting too close to camp time!~

HERE IS THE INFO

I wanted to let you all know about a wonderful opportunity for homeschooled students that I learned about today. Due to many school systems in the Southeast getting out later this year because of snow make-up days, Ridge Haven's first session of camp for the summer does not have many campers registered at this point. In order to try to fill this camp, Ridge Haven is offering a special discount to homeschool families (who probably would not have been affected by the "snow days"). Your child/children can attend the entire week of camp (regularly $450) for only $100!!! Additionally, all campers will receive a free T-shirt and 10 free e-credits (used to send email to your children during the week).

This offer is good for the week of June 7-12 only and is for any student from rising 3rd grade to rising 6th grade.

For those of you who don't know, Ridge Haven is the conference and retreat center for the PCA (the denomination of Christ Covenant) and is located near Brevard, NC, about 3 hours from Charlotte. My girls have been attending since they were old enough to go and it is truly the highlight of their summers. The week is filled with fun, games, skits, Christian speakers, music, and much more. If you would like more information you can go to the Ridge Haven website or feel free to give me a call.

To register, you can go online at www.ridgehaven.org , pay the $75 registration fee, and then call the office at (828) 862-3916 to let them know that you have registered. You may pay the remaining $25 balance at any time prior to camp. They will then apply the $350 discount. Or you can call and register over the phone.

If you could also do me a favor and forward this email to any of your homeschool friends who might be interested, that would be wonderful!! It would be great to get a huge group from the Charlotte area to attend together!

Please let me know if you have questions. I hope that some of you will be able to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

 

[danjoealexis3006]

Hi all! Well we're almost done for summer. DH has decided that I should bring home both kids and hs!I am so excited and a little scared. Right know I hs my DS11. I am unsure how to hs both of them together. I really admire anyone who hs more than one! I really would like to do Verticy learning core 6 with my DS11 and Calvert 4 with my DS 8. I was wondering if any of you use Calvert for two different grade levels?Could you please explain how it works in your house! Thanks so much

 

[robinsegg]

Hi all! Well we're almost done for summer. DH has decided that I should bring home both kids and hs!I am so excited and a little scared. Right know I hs my DS11. I am unsure how to hs both of them together. I really admire anyone who hs more than one! I really would like to do Verticy learning core 6 with my DS11 and Calvert 4 with my DS 8. I was wondering if any of you use Calvert for two different grade levels?Could you please explain how it works in your house! Thanks so much

We use My Father's World with a 4th grader & 1st grader this year. We also have an infant. As far as doing 2 at once, we try to use the same science, history, literature, etc and teach all at once . . . then do sequential things like math, writing, spelling and learning to read separately. If you want more info, let me know

 

[queenbeaz]

I am so excited to see a homeschool thread here on the DISboards! Just wanted to pop in and say hi! HI!!!

 

[Soexcited!6]

HI! It's good to see a homeschooling thread. I joined disboards, because I am SOO excited my husband finally agreed to a disney trip. I am from Florida, but live across the country and haven't gone to disney as a family in 6 years. I don't have dates yet because it all depends on when my husband gets a new job, but when he does, he's going to take a two week break and I get to se my family and go to disney. Disney reminds me of home, because it is home!

We started homeschooling 4 years ago when I became increasingly concerned with what was being taught my children in public school. I don't think I'll ever be completely confident that I am a sufficient teacher, but I know that I am doing the best for them. My son just started public school again this year because it was agreed he would go to a tech high school part time and 3 courses at a regular high school. Academics and behavior has always been difficult for him. He was difficult at home and is still failing his courses, so not much has changed. I currently homeschool my DD11, and will be staring DD5 in the fall. They are a completely different story. I use mostly Abeka, and I use Aleks math (online) it's working so far.

 

[adisneymama]

Hi all! We have started winding down for summer. We will continue to work on reading and math skills over the summer but not a full load.

So far I am still enjoying K12 and will use them for 3rd grade as well just not the history part. I have gone with Abeka for history and am very pleased with their book. I'm also using an Abeka handbook for reading with her and really like it. So that is our plan for the summer and 3rd grade. So far so good!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I am so excited to see a homeschool thread here on the DISboards! Just wanted to pop in and say hi! HI!!!

and I love all the names in ur siggie!!!

Hi all! Well we're almost done for summer. DH has decided that I should bring home both kids and hs!I am so excited and a little scared. Right know I hs my DS11. I am unsure how to hs both of them together. I really admire anyone who hs more than one! I really would like to do Verticy learning core 6 with my DS11 and Calvert 4 with my DS 8. I was wondering if any of you use Calvert for two different grade levels?Could you please explain how it works in your house! Thanks so much

yay for you!!! It's easier to do more than one than you think...you just gotta find your familys pace!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

HI! It's good to see a homeschooling thread. I joined disboards, because I am SOO excited my husband finally agreed to a disney trip. I am from Florida, but live across the country and haven't gone to disney as a family in 6 years. I don't have dates yet because it all depends on when my husband gets a new job, but when he does, he's going to take a two week break and I get to se my family and go to disney. Disney reminds me of home, because it is home!

We started homeschooling 4 years ago when I became increasingly concerned with what was being taught my children in public school. I don't think I'll ever be completely confident that I am a sufficient teacher, but I know that I am doing the best for them. My son just started public school again this year because it was agreed he would go to a tech high school part time and 3 courses at a regular high school. Academics and behavior has always been difficult for him. He was difficult at home and is still failing his courses, so not much has changed. I currently homeschool my DD11, and will be staring DD5 in the fall. They are a completely different story. I use mostly Abeka, and I use Aleks math (online) it's working so far.

You are right that it's the best for him! Especially if the school had problems....I said something the other day about teaching to the tests and wanted to add to that. My neighbor is a 3rd grade teacher, has been for several years now...we were talking last night and she told us she asked to be moved back to 2nd grade. Main reason was that she had to teach to the test all year and didn't feel like she was teaching the kids anything! Also, she said kids are getting harder to control and it was mostly a discipline issue~parents do NOT make their kids mind and she sure couldn't! She said that every week she assigns diff stuff for their spelling lists as homework so they will be forced to learn to spell the words.....well, a few weeks ago the assignment was to alphabetize the list. Guess what? She got flack for that!!! A dad pretty much told her off and said he could NOT BELIEVE she made them do that...it took his son well over an hour and he didn't think that even HE (the dad) could do it either!!!! HOLY COW!!!! people....are you serious...u don't think you could put a 3rd grade spelling list in ABC order?Get real..... So...even the teachers are fed up with this test stuff....so it's not just crazy hsers!!!! LOL....made me feel a little more validated that even they are seeing the problem and know that the whole year is pretty much wasted-especially if the kid can't pass the test when it's all said and done!

Hi all! We have started winding down for summer. We will continue to work on reading and math skills over the summer but not a full load.

So far I am still enjoying K12 and will use them for 3rd grade as well just not the history part. I have gone with Abeka for history and am very pleased with their book. I'm also using an Abeka handbook for reading with her and really like it. So that is our plan for the summer and 3rd grade. So far so good!

Have you been to The Homeschool Store? It's cool!! you should check it out if you haven't!!

 

[GoofyG]

So i'm looking at HS my DD6 next yr for 1st grade. She went to a private school last yr, this yr that school is going k12.(Along with 1st-10th grade all together) So I have a hard time paying for her to have a free program, and don't like 1st grader with 10th graders. ALso would like some Christian learning to happen.
My DD4 will be going to public school next yr, i'm going to see how it goes. She has some issues and the public school is helping her.
My DD6 is a gymnast, so there are days she has gymnastic meets, she will also be having practice Tues and Thurs morning at the gym if I homeschool her.
She is a math and science kid, she is having some issue with reading comprehension. So I picked up a workbook for her to work on during the summer.
What all do you guys like to use? I need to have something that is really easy for me to do with her. Self explaining, I will be working Tue and Thurs. So We have a couple of the girls who are going to HS and we are thinking of Co-Op with each other.

Any ideas would be great! Thanks

 

[robinsegg]

What all do you guys like to use? I need to have something that is really easy for me to do with her. Self explaining, I will be working Tue and Thurs. So We have a couple of the girls who are going to HS and we are thinking of Co-Op with each other.

Any ideas would be great! Thanks

Welcome !
Have you read Lisa Whelchel's book So, You're Thinking About Homeschooling? yet? It has the best, easiest read, overview of the types of homeschooling and curricula available I've found so far.

 

[bellebud]

My DD4 will be going to public school next yr, i'm going to see how it goes. She has some issues and the public school is helping her.

just so you're aware... we have a few people in our HS group that have children with varying special needs. A few have IEP's and get services at the public school a couple of times a week, but other than that, they homeschool. One mom was a public school teacher and "knew" what her special needs child would be getting at school, so decided to hs her.

As for your older dd, I really don't think there can truly be such a thing as a "reading comprehension problem" for a child as young as K/1st grade (unless there's a true disability). We only started hsing late in the school year last year (ds was in 2nd and dd was in 4th)... anyway, when ds left K, he couldn't totally say the abc's w/out thinking about it or messing up a bit - so reading comprehension??? Wasn't even on the radar yet. But there were kids in his K class who were really reading well (btw, he's 8yo now and reading and comprehending just fine). Every kid has a different timetable, especially when they're that young.

I'd like to recommend reading "better late than early" by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore (and other books by them) - it will help you relax about all that (and I don't mean that in a condescending way like you're uptight), but unless we ourselves were homeschooled, it's hard to not think "in the school-box" about things like this. I have to remind myself all the time, and I read all I can about different learning styles (very important! I recommend "Discover your child's learning style" by Mariaemma Willis & Victoria Kindle Hodson - they also have a website "learningsuccessinstitute.com), different ways to homeschool, etc. I just finished Lisa Welchel's book another poster just recommended. I also recommend getting everything you can at the library first, then the ones you think you'll refer back to, buy them.

Good luck and enjoy hsing! We love it and would never go back to school.

and btw - your kids are totally adorable!!

 

[littlepeppers]

Hi all! Well we're almost done for summer. DH has decided that I should bring home both kids and hs!I am so excited and a little scared. Right know I hs my DS11. I am unsure how to hs both of them together. I really admire anyone who hs more than one! I really would like to do Verticy learning core 6 with my DS11 and Calvert 4 with my DS 8. I was wondering if any of you use Calvert for two different grade levels?Could you please explain how it works in your house! Thanks so much

doing Calvert w/ 1 kid is ok. It is a lot of work, if you have a slow, uncooperative, constantly singing....BOY!!!!! The curriculum is good. It covers well.

 

[danjoealexis3006]

doing Calvert w/ 1 kid is ok. It is a lot of work, if you have a slow, uncooperative, constantly singing....BOY!!!!! The curriculum is good. It covers well.

oh no! I'll have 2! Glad to hear it is a good program though!