Homeschool Chat

[DisneyWalle]

We did BJU's Bible curriculum for two years and it just became repetious and Isaiah just wasn't as involved in Bible as I wanted. So, I went looking for something new and discovered it at our local Lifeway Store.

Kay Arthur has written over 14 Bible studies for children called, "Discover 4 Yourself - Inductive Bible Studies For Kids." So far, we have completed "Lord, Teach Me To Pray" and are currently working on "God's Amazing Creation, Genesis 1-2."

These studies are written for the children to do on their own, but we do them together. They learn alongside Molly and Max as they travel on different adventures to discover more about the Bible and God's plans for them. The studies incorporate drawing, Bible reading, morse code, prayer, verse memorization and a variety of other medias to teach the lessons. Isaiah has throughly enjoyed them so far. He is excited when we sit down to do Bible study and I love that!

I'm not certain if this is all of the titles in the series, but I have listed the ones I have found so far:
Lord, Teach Me To Pray for Kids
God's Amazing Creation - Genesis 1-2
Digging Up The Past - Genesis 3-11
Abraham-God's Brave Explorer - Genesis 11-25
Joseph-God's Superhero - Genesis 37-50
How To Study Your Bible for Kids
Wrong Way Jonah
Boy, Have I Got Problems - James
You're A Brave Man, Daniel - Daniel 1-6
Jesus Awesome Power Awesome Love - John 11-16
Jesus in the Spotlight - John 1-10
Jesus, To Eternity and Beyond - John 17-21
God, What's Your Name
Extreme Adventures With God
Bible Prophecy for Kids - Revelation 1-7
A Sneak Peak Into the Future - Revelation 8-22

I hope this helps!

 

[disneymarie]

Wow small world! We use k12 curriculum with Agora Cyber Charter here in South Eastern, PA
Let's just HOPE Rep. Beyers isn't sucessful in taking away the cyber education option in Pennsylvania this year.
One would think that is her ONLY platform.

I agree, but the popularity of the online/home schooling is really taking off. I certainly wish she would refocus on some real issues! Our local district wants to build a new high school, our county taxes just went up 35% the additional New school tax increase would put us out of our home.

Each Dept of education has Phys Ed standard. In PA, the PE time is logged as educational documentation. The health and understandung dynamics of physical activity are counted towards hours. There is a reimbursment of so much for any other activties toward the PE hours. If we decide to use the local pool once a week, horseback riding, dance class, bowling, even as a group of local charter members home school and online we can use group activities toward the hours. But frankly after what is offered in course work there are few hours outside needed.

Just because it states PE hours, they may not mean physical activity, likewise it could incorporate the health and theory part also.
I did see Georgia is in the process of having a Connections Academy open there.

There were many, many options for PA online prorgrams. I went with one which was not so over burderned with written work, and too consuming for my dd, nor was it one that was too easy not to challange her.

The program uses the same text as in school, she can work at her pace.
If she moves through the work quickly and completes the 5 subjects in less time she can move on to the next day. Which is nice because of appointments and destress time. I see by day 4 of morning tutoring she is stressed out to tears, BUT loves school work and is gifted. This does not pressure her into a nonflexable school day. Her abilty to transition and flexability is helpful in the therapy she is going through. There is live Web learning and lots of options.

I do still have to talk to the Guidance office of our decision....They were willing to go half days and work in the plan to full days, but I can not even get her in the doors.

She has socialization, but it is very difficult for her to try to make friends again. She needs to heal and I hope with cyber school this is less stress for our family.

I do not desire structured year round schooling. BUT to use the summer for flexable outside learning yes. The community activities, programs offered at parks, study programs at local Colleges, day trips to the zoo, museums etc.

One day I am willing to consider that all school will be year round, due to both parents working and no longer the need to families to need they labor of the children to run farms as they stated was the reason for 9 months from way back,........
But to each I hope and pray the right education for all our children and thankful so far that we live in a country we have options AND Schools.

Imagine how in Pakastan women could not even be educated!
dianne

 

[NHWX]

OK - has anyone been using Tablet Class for math yet? It looked like a pretty good deal. It's either that or Thinkwell for our younger son.

Onto the older one... conversations about the validity of number theory and combinatorics not been fruitful. One upside is that by taking AP Calc this year, he'll be spreading out taking the AP tests. There's nothing like having a ton of finals all at once to do you in.

Anyone have anything to say about AP Calc BC courses? Textbooks?

Thanks,

NHWX

 

[NHWX]

Anyone use it? Is it worthwhile? And specifically, is the unit on writing for the SAT really good? I have one child who will be thirteen soon and believe me, spending a couple years getting ready to write an SAT essay, college application essays and college papers will not be starting too early!

Thanks

NHWX

 

[TLHB70]

Anyone use it? Is it worthwhile? And specifically, is the unit on writing for the SAT really good? I have one child who will be thirteen soon and believe me, spending a couple years getting ready to write an SAT essay, college application essays and college papers will not be starting too early!

Thanks

NHWX

I have considered this as well. My oldest DD just turned 13. She LOVES to write! She writes stories, scripts, poems, etc. in her spare time. I have considered getting it for her. I do not know anyone that has used it, though, so I have not made the jump yet.

 

[TLHB70]

We did BJU's Bible curriculum for two years and it just became repetious and Isaiah just wasn't as involved in Bible as I wanted. So, I went looking for something new and discovered it at our local Lifeway Store.

Kay Arthur has written over 14 Bible studies for children called, "Discover 4 Yourself - Inductive Bible Studies For Kids." So far, we have completed "Lord, Teach Me To Pray" and are currently working on "God's Amazing Creation, Genesis 1-2."

These studies are written for the children to do on their own, but we do them together. They learn alongside Molly and Max as they travel on different adventures to discover more about the Bible and God's plans for them. The studies incorporate drawing, Bible reading, morse code, prayer, verse memorization and a variety of other medias to teach the lessons. Isaiah has throughly enjoyed them so far. He is excited when we sit down to do Bible study and I love that!

I'm not certain if this is all of the titles in the series, but I have listed the ones I have found so far:
Lord, Teach Me To Pray for Kids
God's Amazing Creation - Genesis 1-2
Digging Up The Past - Genesis 3-11
Abraham-God's Brave Explorer - Genesis 11-25
Joseph-God's Superhero - Genesis 37-50
How To Study Your Bible for Kids
Wrong Way Jonah
Boy, Have I Got Problems - James
You're A Brave Man, Daniel - Daniel 1-6
Jesus Awesome Power Awesome Love - John 11-16
Jesus in the Spotlight - John 1-10
Jesus, To Eternity and Beyond - John 17-21
God, What's Your Name
Extreme Adventures With God
Bible Prophecy for Kids - Revelation 1-7
A Sneak Peak Into the Future - Revelation 8-22

I hope this helps!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! I did not know this.
A Beka's Bible curriculum, to be honest, is a little boring for my DDs. I have stopped using it and just started purchasing my own material at Lifeway. We have done some Beth Moore studies together. We have done some material put out for Sunday school. However, I had no idea about Kay Arthur material for kids. I will definitely get some for us!!!!!! I want to start with the studies on Revelation. We have been talking about this a lot with the girls since we did the Beth Moore Daniel study.
Where are these shelved in the Lifeway store? I have not seen them. Where are they located?

 

[DisneyWalle]

Where are these shelved in the Lifeway store? I have not seen them. Where are they located?[/QUOTE]

Our local Lifeway store had them on endcaps with the children's books. However, they have not carried them since I purchased them; but they did say that they could order them. Each study runs about $8.99 to $10.99 - very inexpensive for a Bible curriculum.

 

[lori1043]

I have considered this as well. My oldest DD just turned 13. She LOVES to write! She writes stories, scripts, poems, etc. in her spare time. I have considered getting it for her. I do not know anyone that has used it, though, so I have not made the jump yet.

They use it at our co-op and I have heard wonderful things about it. Both my girls are taking the elementary one(A or B) this semester. I am using 'Writing with the Best' to give them a head start. I found it online and it was a good price PLUS the lady highly recommends using ti with Daily grams and Easy grammar which I am using for DD8. DD10 uses LLATL.

Lori

 

[Praise2Him]

I received this today from my local hs group and thought it might be helpful for those of you who are thinking about homeschooling (it is Christian, though)

Considering Homeschooling? Good News for All Parents.

The good news for homeschooling families in California is that the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District ruled unanimously that "California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education," effectually reversing the opinion issued last February requiring parents who homeschool to hold teaching credentials

This is a huge victory for all California homeschooling families, as well as families who are considering homeschooling, since the original opinion would have outlawed home education for most parents if it had remained in effect. This ruling provides complete confidence of a parent's legal right to teach their own children in California and, with the advent of SB 777 recently signed into law, may provide new "talking points" for Christian homeschoolers who want to let other parents know of the urgent need to find educational alternatives for their children.

"With school starting just around the corner, we want parents to know that our ministry assists parents who are considering homeschooling by providing a free DVD and brochure with information on why a home education in today's culture provides the best option to support their children's spiritual, moral and academic training", said Denise Kanter, founder and director of the national outreach, Considering Homeschooling Ministry.

In a call to Christian parents and churches, Randy Thomasson of the California-based Campaign for Children and Families says, "To rescue their children, loving parents need to find an alternative to government schools, and every church needs to make it a priority to help parents be in charge of their children's education again."

"We are very thankful for those individuals and organizations who have worked so diligently to protect and defend parental rights and the freedom to homeschool in California, and the nation. Perhaps one way every homeschooling family can help perpetuate these freedoms is to enlighten and encourage other parents to investigate the blessings of home education", remarked Kanter.

Considering Homeschooling Ministry, a not-for-profit national organization, with its free DVD, resources and web site (www.consideringhomeschooling.org, will encourage families to provide their children with a safe, Biblical home education.


Homeschool FAQs Click here for answers to these questions.

· How Many People Are Homeschooling Now?

· What Kind of Families Homeschool?

· Are Their Children Getting a Good Education?

· What about Socialization?

· How Do We Start?

· Am I Qualified?

· Is It Legal?

· Can Someone Else Homeschool My Children?

· How Do We Take Our Children Out of State/Public Schools?

· What Curriculum Should I Use?

· What about My Talented or Gifted Child?

· What about My Special Needs Child?

· I Am a Teenager Who Has Been in Public or Private School. How Should I Go about Beginning Homeschooling?

 

[teacups]

Anyone use it? Is it worthwhile? And specifically, is the unit on writing for the SAT really good? I have one child who will be thirteen soon and believe me, spending a couple years getting ready to write an SAT essay, college application essays and college papers will not be starting too early!

Thanks

NHWX

I was just reading the posts here and this sounded interesting. I found a couple on ebay. Not something I need once I read up on it, but just FYI that's it's out there used.

 

[NHWX]

I hadn't thought to look on ebay. If it's cheap enough, I might be interested in taking just a look at it.

NHWX

 

[TNKBELL]

www.k12.com

This is our THIRD year....it works for us.

We just started our first year with K-12, the first day was rough!!
But the next day was much better!!

The best part, at least for my DKS is the use of the laptops!!
I certainly think K-12 is a great way to homeschool because of affordability,
accountability,and accreditation. I feel like I finally have some support, each child is assigned a teacher, and all my DKS teachers are homeschool moms themselves ,currently enrolled in the K-12 program, so that makes them very understanding and helpful.

We are all excited to continue our K-12 adventure!!

 

[Disney_Angel]

We just started our first year with K-12, the first day was rough!!
But the next day was much better!!

The best part, at least for my DKS is the use of the laptops!!
I certainly think K-12 is a great way to homeschool because of affordability,
accountability,and accreditation. I feel like I finally have some support, each child is assigned a teacher, and all my DKS teachers are homeschool moms themselves ,currently enrolled in the K-12 program, so that makes them very understanding and helpful.

We are all excited to continue our K-12 adventure!!

We start tomorrow!!! (this is our third year) What ages are your kiddos. We have a seven year old and start language arts reading or history reading the night before the lesson.
It makes the day run smoother. KWIM?

While in Disney we will be covering the history 2 Units on China and Japan!
We may even complete the corresponding art units on China and Japan.
I am so excited. I haven't decided what unit to complete in Science.
It seems like Epcot was tailored for use with K12.

All Hail the k12 Curriculum Development Team and the mighty Bror Saxberg

Dr. Saxberg is the head of k12 curriculum development...I belive (don't quote me) that he worked for the Core Knowledge Foundation before coming to k12. We have meet him on several ocassions...what a facinating and down to Earth guy. When DD started Math 1 in kindergarten she seemed to struggle. I posted this on the k12 forums and Bror personally responded and emailed me. He actually suggested I was moving to slow . I picked the pace and he was RIGHT....she was bored. That to me is the k12 difference. She is a year ahead in math but now slowing down the pace. The dreaded times tables. By next year the gap will have closed more. I am just thankful we can move at her pace.

Did you know k12 went public? It is now a publically traded stock on the NYSE.

 

[Disney_Angel]

I received this today from my local hs group and thought it might be helpful for those of you who are thinking about homeschooling (it is Christian, though)

Considering Homeschooling? Good News for All Parents.

The good news for homeschooling families in California is that the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District ruled unanimously that "California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education," effectually reversing the opinion issued last February requiring parents who homeschool to hold teaching credentials

This is a huge victory for all California homeschooling families, as well as families who are considering homeschooling, since the original opinion would have outlawed home education for most parents if it had remained in effect. This ruling provides complete confidence of a parent's legal right to teach their own children in California and, with the advent of SB 777 recently signed into law, may provide new "talking points" for Christian homeschoolers who want to let other parents know of the urgent need to find educational alternatives for their children.

"With school starting just around the corner, we want parents to know that our ministry assists parents who are considering homeschooling by providing a free DVD and brochure with information on why a home education in today's culture provides the best option to support their children's spiritual, moral and academic training", said Denise Kanter, founder and director of the national outreach, Considering Homeschooling Ministry.

In a call to Christian parents and churches, Randy Thomasson of the California-based Campaign for Children and Families says, "To rescue their children, loving parents need to find an alternative to government schools, and every church needs to make it a priority to help parents be in charge of their children's education again."

"We are very thankful for those individuals and organizations who have worked so diligently to protect and defend parental rights and the freedom to homeschool in California, and the nation. Perhaps one way every homeschooling family can help perpetuate these freedoms is to enlighten and encourage other parents to investigate the blessings of home education", remarked Kanter.

Considering Homeschooling Ministry, a not-for-profit national organization, with its free DVD, resources and web site (www.consideringhomeschooling.org, will encourage families to provide their children with a safe, Biblical home education.


Homeschool FAQs Click here for answers to these questions.

· How Many People Are Homeschooling Now?

· What Kind of Families Homeschool?

· Are Their Children Getting a Good Education?

· What about Socialization?

· How Do We Start?

· Am I Qualified?

· Is It Legal?

· Can Someone Else Homeschool My Children?

· How Do We Take Our Children Out of State/Public Schools?

· What Curriculum Should I Use?

· What about My Talented or Gifted Child?

· What about My Special Needs Child?

· I Am a Teenager Who Has Been in Public or Private School. How Should I Go about Beginning Homeschooling?

This is wonderful news

 

[NHWX]

It'll be fun to see how everyone's school year is going to proceed. We're still trying to decide on some curriculum for my older son. We're happy with K12 as Consumer Direct customers; our younger son is using it for Literature, History, Science and Music.

I'm halfway excited to close to starting and halfway not wanting summer to end.

NHWX

 

[mommyof2princesses]

We start school today! I am not as excited as the kiddos....need another day for sleep. But that is okay. We are starting. DD13 will start some of her high school courses and dd4 will be starting 1st grade. She is so excited. She has been going around telling everyone she is in 1st grade. It is so cute.

 

[Disney_Angel]

We start school today! I am not as excited as the kiddos....need another day for sleep. But that is okay. We are starting. DD13 will start some of her high school courses and dd4 will be starting 1st grade. She is so excited. She has been going around telling everyone she is in 1st grade. It is so cute.

That is too cute!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Well, we are almost through day 1! Sara beth finished her work by 11 and Ashley is finishing up her math problems. We had a great talk about John Hancocks's speech on the boston masscre. I may actually learn something this year. I realy never paid attention in ss when I went through high school!

Now, we have a library trip to take and Ashley has a yearbook meeting to attend. WoW! A busy first day!

Anyone else out there started yet?

 

[sha_lyn]

We started Aug 5. Taking the day off today because we are both sick. We almost school yr round. We take the month off between Thanksgiving and Xmas and the month of July off. Other than that we take a few days off here and there. This past yr we did get our 180 days finished mid June, but went ahead and did a few more days to finish up a couple of things.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Yep!! We are in as well.Today actually started our 4th week-the first couple of weeks we eased in pretty slowly--slower than we usually do-we had all had a bout with sinus/allergy stuff, so I didn't want them completely worn out. But we are really getting on track now!! We usually start a couple of weeks earlier than this, so by the first of Fall we are past our 9th week mark We usually take a 3 day weekend in there somewhere-then by Thanksgiving we are pretty much finished with the first semester-taking off all of Dec. This is great to relax for the holidays-usually we are squeezing in a Disney trip-but are lately looking at just sticking with Jan.


So, to all of you waiting to start hope your first days are blessed days!!