Homeschool Chat

[scrapbookingmanda]

We love the letteroftheweek.com over at our house!
My DD is 3.5 and I am still undecided as to if we will homeschool her. She is in two co-op preschools(one I stay with her and teach a subject every other week and the other I drop her off and teach both days every 6 weeks) right now and is just starting to sound out words. She knows all of her letters/sounds and is getting the concept of addition and subtraction. I am worried that if I send her to public school that she will be bored and lose her creativity. She learns best by sounds so we sing a lot and role play a lot and I know thats harder to do in public school. The reason I am still questioning as to whether or not to homeschool is because she can't wait to go to school. We just did a preschool project for A entiled "All about me" where she traced her body and answered questions about herself. Her answer to when I grow up was, "I will go to school."
Any advice for me? I am not the smartest person around and am afraid that as she gets older I wont be able to teach her. Thanks for the input.

I worried about this with mine, then I realized if they don't go to preschool everyday, they don't really realize that kindergarten is supposed to be everyday. Mine just turned 6 and 4 so last year was our first official homeschool year We attend a homeschool co-op every Monday where the parents teach different classes. I treat that like their "School". The first day we went, we treated it like my ds's first day of kindergarten. We got the new backpacks, took pictures at the door, made a big deal out of it. They do field trips and have holiday parties during the lunch break so they get all the fun stuff too. So my kids know we go to "school" on Mondays and do school at home the rest of the week.

 

[DawnM]

June and July break.

I hadn't planned on taking a summer break. We normally just school year round, but this summer is turning out to be very busy!

So I have given up. School will resume in August for the new school year and then we will take a fall break to Disney.

Dawn

 

[robinsegg]

The reason I am still questioning as to whether or not to homeschool is because she can't wait to go to school. We just did a preschool project for A entiled "All about me" where she traced her body and answered questions about herself. Her answer to when I grow up was, "I will go to school."
Any advice for me? I am not the smartest person around and am afraid that as she gets older I wont be able to teach her. Thanks for the input.

Hi!
My oldest seemed to think it was some sort of "rite of passage" that made her "big" to go to "big school". She never went, and has finally (end of 4th grade) gotten over the idea of ps, realizing she won't get what she really wants from it.
If you're concerned about it, make a big fuss over making a "desk" and getting "school supplies" and setting up school for your "first day of K". You may be pleasantly surprised at her reaction.
As far as being concerned with your ability to teach her later . . . we take it "1 year at a time". Don't be too concerned, there are too many options for that to be a major problem . . . DVDs, Umbrella Schools, etc.

 

[LizEN]

I just tried to walk through the purchase process and you cannot get to the YES programs without purchasing at least 1 of the event tickets.

I am totally confused by the online purchase pages for the WDW Sept YES programs/Homeschool Days! It looks to me like we purchase the tickets, then we pay additionally for the YES class. But it doesn't explain if there is a minimum of classes we need to take in order to qualify for the park tkt discount. I might even consider doing without the class entirely and just take advantage of the discount park tkts. It looks like we could do this, but it doesn't make sense that they would allow this. Also want to be sure that I can book for our family alone and don't need to be part of a larger group. Am I just dense? Help please

 

[graygables]

I am totally confused by the online purchase pages for the WDW Sept YES programs/Homeschool Days! It looks to me like we purchase the tickets, then we pay additionally for the YES class. But it doesn't explain if there is a minimum of classes we need to take in order to qualify for the park tkt discount. I might even consider doing without the class entirely and just take advantage of the discount park tkts. It looks like we could do this, but it doesn't make sense that they would allow this. Also want to be sure that I can book for our family alone and don't need to be part of a larger group. Am I just dense? Help please

The YES programs are priced separately. It's my understanding that to take advantage of the ticket pricing, you only have to sign up for the presentation. Nope, you don't need to be part of a larger group, but they do ask for your homeschool name. "Gray's Academy for Girls", anyone?

 

[LizEN]

Thanks, that's great news. I can splurge on Park Hoppers now!

 

[graygables]

Hi!
My oldest seemed to think it was some sort of "rite of passage" that made her "big" to go to "big school". She never went, and has finally (end of 4th grade) gotten over the idea of ps, realizing she won't get what she really wants from it.
If you're concerned about it, make a big fuss over making a "desk" and getting "school supplies" and setting up school for your "first day of K". You may be pleasantly surprised at her reaction.
As far as being concerned with your ability to teach her later . . . we take it "1 year at a time". Don't be too concerned, there are too many options for that to be a major problem . . . DVDs, Umbrella Schools, etc.

Find out exactly what she's looking for at "school". For mine, it was the playground. When they discovered they could go to a playground without going to school, they were thrilled. Some kids need the chalkboard/desk kind of structure because that is what has been programmed into them and if that's the case, you can make that happen. Go shopping for school supplies, set up a bulletin board she can help decorate, etc. Some kids just think the grass is greener and there's not much you can do about that. I know someone who has a "NOT Back to School" day the first day of PS and they go to an amusement park or a beach instead. Once the advantages start to become clear, the notion of "school" tends to dissipate and is replaced by the love of learning.

 

[robinsegg]

Find out exactly what she's looking for at "school".

She'd seen on tv that kids spend time together at school. She didn't understand (does now) that the amount of time was exaggerated and that her friends aren't in the same grade as her (she wouldn't see them, anyway). Now, she's just as happy staying home with 1 or 2 "extras"

 

[Momof2princess']

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure where the notion of 'going to school' has come from since she has no older siblings. I think it may be that the school bus stops in front of our house and she wants to ride it. Any ideas for that? Also how do you go about finding a homeschool group in your area? I am clueless and really want this to work...of course, DD is 3.5 so I have a while...

 

[dis-happy]

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure where the notion of 'going to school' has come from since she has no older siblings. I think it may be that the school bus stops in front of our house and she wants to ride it. Any ideas for that? Also how do you go about finding a homeschool group in your area? I am clueless and really want this to work...of course, DD is 3.5 so I have a while...

Go to google and type in your city name and "homeschool" (or homeschooling or homeschool groups, etc). If that doesn't work, try the HSLDA website and contact the homeschool org for your state; they'll have the names of the homsechool support groups in your area.

 

[robinsegg]

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure where the notion of 'going to school' has come from since she has no older siblings. I think it may be that the school bus stops in front of our house and she wants to ride it. Any ideas for that? Also how do you go about finding a homeschool group in your area? I am clueless and really want this to work...of course, DD is 3.5 so I have a while...

Go to your local library, to the childrens' department. Tell them you're interested in homeschooling, and ask them to pass your contact information to a homeschooler or to the local group. Sometimes, they will be able to give you contact info for the group. Otherwise, they'll keep your info and give it to a local homeschooler (yes, they *always* know who is hsing) and get you in contact that way!
Have you considered using your local city or county bus a few times? That may take care of her desire to be on a bus.

 

[GoofyG]

I think I finally have it figured out for next year. I ordered DD6 Abeka's english, should get it this week. She has also been doing Bob Jones Math 1, I need to get the teacher book, none of the stores have them. I'm getting a science book and we will be at the library for other forms of reading. My mom is also going to teach her to sew. Better her then me!

I hope I haven't left anything out. If I get the Abeka this week I may go ahead and start her schooling in July!

I'm trying to decide if I want to get anything for DD4, but I do like the letter of the week. So i'm still thinking on her.

 

[jetprincess]

Isn't this "unofficial" or has that changed? Is is still a week that many homeschool families just happen to decide to go to WDW?

When does it happen?

Thanks!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I think I finally have it figured out for next year. I ordered DD6 Abeka's english, should get it this week. She has also been doing Bob Jones Math 1, I need to get the teacher book, none of the stores have them. I'm getting a science book and we will be at the library for other forms of reading. My mom is also going to teach her to sew. Better her then me!

I hope I haven't left anything out. If I get the Abeka this week I may go ahead and start her schooling in July!

I'm trying to decide if I want to get anything for DD4, but I do like the letter of the week. So i'm still thinking on her.

I too like the idea of the letter of the week!! How fun!!! And we start in July too....then we take off earlier in the spring for summer break. By thanksgiving we are all done for Semester One and are close to time for our annual trip to Disney!!

 

[graygables]

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure where the notion of 'going to school' has come from since she has no older siblings. I think it may be that the school bus stops in front of our house and she wants to ride it. Any ideas for that? Also how do you go about finding a homeschool group in your area? I am clueless and really want this to work...of course, DD is 3.5 so I have a while...

I knew a homeschool group once that rented a school bus to take them to the park their "1st" day of school. Took the mystique right out of it

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Isn't this "unofficial" or has that changed? Is is still a week that many homeschool families just happen to decide to go to WDW?

When does it happen?

Thanks!

Homeschool Days at Disney are official presentations/classes offered through the Y.E.S. program. The park tickets are an amazing savings! (Example: For Homeschool Days in January we got 10 day park hoppers including the the homeschool presentation class for $179 each for everyone in our family)

They are in January and September. This September 8&9 and January 2011- 24&25. http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/wdyp/programs/programOverview?page=HSDProgramOverviewPage

You can use tickets before and after those dates. They are good 7 days prior to your arrival date and 7 days after your departure date.

Extra Y.E.S. classes cost around $26 each.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Thanks for the advice. I am not sure where the notion of 'going to school' has come from since she has no older siblings. I think it may be that the school bus stops in front of our house and she wants to ride it. Any ideas for that? Also how do you go about finding a homeschool group in your area? I am clueless and really want this to work...of course, DD is 3.5 so I have a while...

Your DD sounds a lot like mine. My DD also wants to ride the bus SO bad! My DD is very social and thinks that by going to school she'll get to see all of her friends all the time. I've just started to prepare her now that she won't be going to school on a bus. I have another couple of years to totally get her to understand. I'm a little worried but not too much. She's so smart that she would be incredibly bored at regular school. At 3 she's already working at an almost 1st grade level. I can't imagine sending her to PS.

 

[littlepeppers]

3rd gd curriculum is in & WOW!!!!!!....... it is a lot different than 2nd grade.

No more baby school for DS. The txt are huge & there are so many txt books. We will have to use notebooks now like big kids......... where did the time go?

We are starting July 6th w/ 4 half days to ease into the year. Wish us luck.

Booked flights for WDW trip today. Southwest 39th anniversery sale.

 

[02AggieGirl]

[
They are in January and September. This September 8&9 and January 2011- 24&25. http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/wdyp/programs/programOverview?page=HSDProgramOverviewPage

You can use tickets before and after those dates. They are good 7 days prior to your arrival date and 7 days after your departure date.

Extra Y.E.S. classes cost around $26 each.[/QUOTE]

I am confused....are there 2 sets of tickets? One with just the presentation on Sept 8 and then the YES tickets (that incl park admission)?

 

[LizEN]

[
They are in January and September. This September 8&9 and January 2011- 24&25. http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/wdyp/programs/programOverview?page=HSDProgramOverviewPage

You can use tickets before and after those dates. They are good 7 days prior to your arrival date and 7 days after your departure date.

I was confused about the before and after clause and called before purchasing. The CM told me they would be good a week before, during and after. I hope that was correct or I just bought tickets I can't use. The language on the site says from 7 days prior to your arrival date UNTIL 7 days after your departure. I really hope the CM gave me the right info!