Homeschool Chat

[LittleBlue22]

DawnM, I appreciate your posts and other prior/fellow teachers. Its encouraging to read your insights on things.

This being our first year hs'ing, I'm starting to cross out material I feel my kids don't have to complete due to being repetative.

to the thread new HS parents.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

DawnM, I appreciate your posts and other prior/fellow teachers. Its encouraging to read your insights on things.

This being our first year hs'ing, I'm starting to cross out material I feel my kids don't have to complete due to being repetative.

to the thread new HS parents.

It's so great when you know they have truly learned something and that you don't have to keep going over & over it again!!!

 

[feedthebirds]

Hello everyone! We are a family with 3 homeschoolers (5 kids total). This year I have 2 on SOS (5th and 7th)and one on Lifepacs (1st). You all seem like such a friendly group, a nice place to share our ups and downs with homeschooling!

 

[Ashley Kees]

Ashley Kees~
I just noticed your countdown---3 days till Yeah for you!!!!!

Thanks! My gracious, everyone in my house is SUPER EXCITED! I have so much schoolwork to do for myself, plus HS the girls, and clean house, and PACK (slightly important, I know ) and now DH is snoring in the recliner next to me with a heating pad due to a pulled back! AAAACCCKKKK!!!!

And on top of all that, this silly family still wants me to FEED THEM!! Can you believe the unmitigated gaul?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello everyone! We are a family with 3 homeschoolers (5 kids total). This year I have 2 on SOS (5th and 7th)and one on Lifepacs (1st). You all seem like such a friendly group, a nice place to share our ups and downs with homeschooling!

HI!!! We are glad you are joining us!!! How are the Lifefacs and the SOS working out for you? I haven't done more than math on our computer-curious how it really works!

Thanks! My gracious, everyone in my house is SUPER EXCITED! I have so much schoolwork to do for myself, plus HS the girls, and clean house, and PACK (slightly important, I know ) and now DH is snoring in the recliner next to me with a heating pad due to a pulled back! AAAACCCKKKK!!!!

And on top of all that, this silly family still wants me to FEED THEM!! Can you believe the unmitigated gaul?

I know girl, some kids insist on eating when there is work to be done!!! How long are you going for and where are you staying? I am soooo excited for you!! I am hoping you get zero lines /crowds!!

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

Hi all! I am in need of help! We are thinking of HS...but here is my big question...how do you get your kids to agree? My children love going to school and I fear that they will really fight being hs and that may keep them from being receptive to the entire idea. I want this to be enjoyable for them and am really kinda tired of what is going on in PS here. Also, can you guys send me to some resources that you trust than I can learn more of what I need to be prepared for? TIA!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi Kim! I know we would all love to help you! First of all-transition--unless they are really ecountering some tough issues personally at school, the older they are, the harder it is to convince them they should be home--so the sooner the better!!! Are you wanting to bring them home at mid-term or let them finish the year? You can do either. You need to go to the Home School Legal Defense Assoc and check out the HS(homeschooling) guidelines for your state.Once you know what is required, you can go from there. You really need to sit down with your kids once you and hubby have decided this is the way it will be, and have a family discussion-listen to their fears & doubts and be able to answer them with some information! This will take some research from you.

books: "So, You Are Thinking About Homeschooling" By Lisa Whelchel---fabulous little book that describes the different types of home schooling and a peek into diff families & how they use each method

100 Top Picks for Home School Curriculum by Cathy Duffy-tells about the diff types of learners you may have, how to tell what they are, and her fav 100 curriculums and how they work with each type of learner. Both Cathy and Lisa have websites you can go to.

There are tons of places to order from as well-I personally love the Christianbook.com, lots of my friends also use RainbowResources. Of course you can find some great used stuff as well.

You can google homeschool and get loads of info!! Hope this helps you a wee bit!! Keep asking questions!! Welcome aboard!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Kim, I also wanted to say that this is such a big decision that I personally, put a LOT of prayer into this before I did it. I knew without a doubt this is where the Lord was leading our family. I don't know how you feel about that, but for me, it gave me such peace, I knew that I could handle whatever would come with the decision. That being said--I did get some flack from people. Mostly people with no kids!! Isn't that funny how they ALWAYS have the best advice! But, I could say with firmness and conviction that I was doing the best thing for my kids! And God opened so many doors for me-it was all confirmation that this is what I should do. Keep us posted!

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

Thanks so much for the book info...I'm heading to the library today. My DH has been trying to talk me into it for some time. We moved a year ago and the schools in our new area and not up to par with where we moved from. Plus our old school really was great and everyone there was a part of the community in so many ways. Our current school is going thru a transistion with administration and really I am not sure what to think...last year or last year. Now this year, we are having a real problem with one of our kids not getting what we want as far as things that I think should be left to parents...I hope that makes sense! Anyway, I guess my other concern is me...am I really smart enough for this? I worry, what if I amd the reason my kids don't suceed! I would die if I was the reason for them not being prepared!

My oldest would be the hardest...she is one of those kids that is not bothered by things. She had another student really picking on her at the beginning of the year and she just turned her cheek to him. I was proud of her for finding a way to deal with it, but I hated seeing her going thru it.

I worry that she will really fight us on this. She loves her friends that she has and would miss seeing them everyday...but I am really tired of their time getting wated on stuff that teaches them NOTHING! Ugh! What to do!

 

[Temair]

It's great to hear how everyone is doing with homeschooling. With this being our first official homeschooling year, (Virtual school for 2 years) I feel we are doing very well. MY DD still hasn't gotten that eagerness to learn, and just picking up a book to read. But I'm sure that will come in time. We've focused on the three r's so far and are just adding in science and history. I bought the Vol 4 The Story of the World to follow the K12 History Curriculum. For science we have started a hydroponics lettuce garden. Disney inspired us with the Living in the Land and Behind the Seeds Tour. We still have our struggles at times, but my DH has really helped by stepping in and helping in my weak areas. Right now her is doing the composition and doing a much better job than I ever could have. My daughter is actually writing whole paragraphs and complete sentences.

For all you new homeschools one thing I've found helpfull is if something doesn't work for a curriculum feel free to drop or change it to something that will work. You can always resell your used items and buy used to save money as well.

 

[LittleBlue22]

Hello everyone! We are a family with 3 homeschoolers (5 kids total). This year I have 2 on SOS (5th and 7th)and one on Lifepacs (1st). You all seem like such a friendly group, a nice place to share our ups and downs with homeschooling!

!

We have SOS and Lifepac too. I'm am pleased with their material. The only frustration I get with SOS is some of the video voices are garbled. Maybe its just my video application .

When people ask, "what do you do with your toddler while schooling", I feel like giving them as I describe what I try to do .

I have a book called, Home Schooling at the Speed of Life. This book might give you insight too Mooonks Mom.

Have a great day moms!

 

[Ellester]

The Moonk's Mom:

Since you are in NC, head to http://www.ncdnpe.org/. In NC, homeschooling falls under the Department of Non-Public Education. The requirements are not too bad. You will have to prove that you (as instructor) and your DH (presumably as principal) have at least a high school diploma, come up with a name for your school, keep attendance (although you don't have to turn it in unless they ask and I've never heard of anyone who had to), and test once a year (again, you don't turn in results unless they ask).

Your kids are young enough that you could present it as a trial effort. We've always said we'll evaluate each year to determine our course for the next year. I don't see us ever going back to PS, but you never know. Your kids may soon realize the benefits themselves (like my dd10, who decided to get up early today and finish all her seatwork before breakfast so she could play Webkinz by 9:00am!). You can still line up play dates with her school friends. I would also find the local homeschooling group, I'm sure there are some around Salisbury (we used to live in Charlotte), I know there are a few in Concord. Find out if there are local park days, field trips, etc. Once your kids see the benefits in their own lives (more time to play, more time with mom, no more rushing out the door in the morning), they may embrace it. Good luck!

 

[Ashley Kees]

I know girl, some kids insist on eating when there is work to be done!!! How long are you going for and where are you staying? I am soooo excited for you!! I am hoping you get zero lines /crowds!!

We leaving Friday morning and coming back on Thanksgiving Day. (I got a REALLY cheap flight for coming home on T-Day). DH, DD5, DD4, DS1, and DB15 are staying at ASMu in a Fam suite and DMil and DFil have a preferred room, hopefully (cross fingers!) next to ours.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Kim~if you are unhappy with the school and she is what, 4th grade? Now is the time to change it. Tell her she can still see her friends on the weekend, or whatever is best for you--but, I would consider taking her out at mid-term---especially if you husband is pursuing this.

Yes, you ARE smart enough for this--you more than any one know your kids best. If you pull them out at mid-term (or even if you wait till schools out) I have always heard (and actually did this for awhile) that for a few weeks, until you get curriculum picked and bought, that it's great to spend a couple of days just resting. Then hit the library!! Get CLASSIC BOOKS--not just easy readers. She can get those for herself, but for an allotted amount of time per day, read the classics to them. This is great for developing all your Language Art skills.Spelling, grammar, pronunciation, etc... all without picking up a pencil!! This will help ease into a transition for you and she's getting educated without you or her getting too stressed at first. Also, books off the Caldecott and Newberry list work great too!!!

 

[Ashley Kees]

Moonks Mom,

I think you should go ahead and talk to your kids, to save yourself some stress. They *might* surprise you. My DB is 15, REALLY popular, etc., and we all assumed he would balk at being homeschooled. Then this year, my mom just asked him about it, as a rhetorical question, and he was all for it. He said he could still see his friends, he just wouldn't have to waste time learning at everyone else's pace. He said the only thing he would really miss is the extracurriculars (wrestling and orchestra, odd I know) but he could find all those outside the school, as well.

And yes, you ARE smart enough to teach your children. You went through the school system yourself, right? It's not really a question of "smart enough", it's all about confidence and research, research, research!

Bottom line, do your research, then talk to your kids. Don't leave them out of the decision. If they feel they have some control, they will be far more willing to be homeschooled.

 

[crl]

Hi Ladies!
I haven't had a chance to read through all the posts (just the most recent ones). We are a homeschooling family of a k'er and a 2 yr old. So far we love it. Just wanted to say hi and thanks for having a place for us to congregate.
Crystal

 

[Ashley Kees]

Hi Ladies!
I haven't had a chance to read through all the posts (just the most recent ones). We are a homeschooling family of a k'er and a 2 yr old. So far we love it. Just wanted to say hi and thanks for having a place for us to congregate.
Crystal

 

[TLHB70]

Hi everyone.
I know that I haven't been around here lately. However, our school year is going well. Next week we will take off and head to the mountains in TN. We are looking forward to that. We are meeting up with friends from Texas.

I wanted to let you know about a wonderful devotional book that I use each morning. It was written by a homeschool mom and it is written to homeschool moms. A homeschool friend gave it to me for Christmas last year. It is a wonderful way to be encouraged each morning before I start my day. Some of you might know about it. However, I know that some of you are new to homeschooling and might not know about it. Here is the information: http://www.aophomeschooling.com/homeschool-resources/other-resources/ar8001.prod

Also, while looking for the link for this devotional, I came across an announcement for a homeschool giveaway! You can register to win the devotional book or an entire curriculum!
Here is the link for the contest: http://www.aop.com/news/alpha-omega-publications-announces-homeschool-giveaway

ETA: I just registered for the contest. When you fill out the entry form, there is a blank that you can check to receive the daily devotionals by email each day! That way you can get it for free without buying the book!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Thanks, I gotta check that out!!!

 

[crl]

I get an email version of the Daily Focus and it's great. (Plus it saved me a few dollars).

Edited to add: I see that if you sign up for their free drawing, signing up for the Daily Focus is a box that you can check off.