Homeschool Chat

[DawnM]

We haven't done anything for days and days as it is.....kids have been quite sick.

I have just ordered a few things online and hope they come this week. It is projects based and the kids will really enjoy it I hope!

Christmas shopping some. Hate it every year! Never know what to get for inlaws.

Dawn

 

[gottagodisney]

Same here.

Ready for a break- so are the kids. The whining is getting to me. I always feel so guilty about not being as productive as the start of the year. We just ordered some new math texts. Hopefully that will change things up enough for awhile.

Hang in there everyone! I'm trying to do the same.

 

[nuzmom]

We've been sidetracked for several weeks. My DS12 was in an accident on Nov. 12th (he had a 500 pound tombstone fall on top of him) and was in the hospital for 4 days. He's home and doing GREAT and we're now back to the point of TRYING to get back into our routine.

His pelvis is broken in 3 places, but everything is lined up and healing beautifully. No pins, braces, surgery were needed. He also has 2 breaks in his left hand (he's right handed) which are doing just fine. We were orginally told it would be 4-6 weeks in a wheelchair but he was given the ok to go with OR WITHOUT crutches after 2 weeks!!!!! Praise the Lord.

Anyway, we've done SOME school work up until now, but today we're trying to get back to "normal". It's going slow. Too much time spent sitting around watching TV, playing Wii, and on the computer for both he and his little brother (DS7)!!!!

 

[Ashley Kees]

We've been sidetracked, too. Last week we were at Disney (sniff, and now we're back home) and this week is MY finals week, plus unpacking, both of my parent's birthdays, Thanksgiving, and getting some Christmas stuff up. We'll do a bit when the kids want to from now until the end of the year, and Jan 1st is "nose to the grindstone" time. Well, as much as homeschooled kindergardeners can have their noses to grindstones, anyway!

 

[asfarrell]

I posted this in the wrong place and was re-directed here...thank you.

Our DS is in 4th grade, our elementary only goes to 4th grade...then on to the DREADED 5th grade center (no way will I EVEN let him go there)..So we are in such a delimma. I grew up in this city and know all the local "Private Schools", which are basically where the "bad kids" are sent after being kicked out of public school (ok, it's not all that, but pretty much).

I work full time but he can go to work with me and can have his own "office and computer"....we are considering homeschool (only for 5th grade), until we decided where we want to move.

I found South East Academy online and a couple others...they offer an Internet Curriculum Program, everything is done online. I know this would appeal to him, way more than me trying to teach him.

I am not trying to have a "Is she qualified" discussion, just asking if anyone else does online school for a younger school aged child? Thanks, it's keeping me up at nights!!

Thank you DawnM for helping me find this thread...

 

[Ashley Kees]

I posted this in the wrong place and was re-directed here...thank you.

Our DS is in 4th grade, our elementary only goes to 4th grade...then on to the DREADED 5th grade center (no way will I EVEN let him go there)..So we are in such a delimma. I grew up in this city and know all the local "Private Schools", which are basically where the "bad kids" are sent after being kicked out of public school (ok, it's not all that, but pretty much).

I work full time but he can go to work with me and can have his own "office and computer"....we are considering homeschool (only for 5th grade), until we decided where we want to move.

I found South East Academy online and a couple others...they offer an Internet Curriculum Program, everything is done online. I know this would appeal to him, way more than me trying to teach him.

I am not trying to have a "Is she qualified" discussion, just asking if anyone else does online school for a younger school aged child? Thanks, it's keeping me up at nights!!

Thank you DawnM for helping me find this thread...

I don't do it myself, but I have a couple friends who use Texas Tech University Independent School District, which is the same thing. One has a 5th grader and the other has a 1st grader in it. They love it! They were too nervous to come up with their own curriculums, and didn't feel comfortable without someone else doing the grading, so they signed up. So far, everything has been peachy.

It is important for you to be comfortable. If you aren't comfortable doing ALL of the planning/teaching/grading yourself, the online programs are a GREAT resource.

Good luck, and good for you for putting your child's well-being above social pressures!

***Edited to add***

OOH! I see you are also in Texas. If you go to the Texas Tech website, you can find the links to TTUISD. It is considered a true school district by the state, which means at graduation your child will get a Texas high school diploma, and will be eligible for "traditional" state scholarships and college admittence, if that is something you are looking for.
here it is:
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/TTUISD/

UT does something similar:
http://www.utexas.edu/cee/dec/services/index.php?page=partners

If you are enrolled in that school, you shouldn't have ANY trouble with your local superintendent, not that you should anyway, thank to the AWESOME Texas homeschool laws.

 

[graygables]

We used both a local e-school and the K12 version of charter schooling with our DDs. The local e-school, not so great, but the K12 curriculum was very good, albeit advanced. We wound up going to a mix of traditional/unschooling because of my schedule. We prefer year-round schooling and I couldn't keep up within the school calendar and my travel schedule. The girls liked it well enough, but like what we do now better.

As for the holidays, we aren't taking much of a break. We'll be working on Christmas lapbooks up until Christmas Eve, then we'll be driving to OK and on to WDW from 12/27-1/1. After that, it's back to business as usual (yes, they are still going to be doing school work the month that we are at WDW, poor dears.)

 

[disneymom3]

nuzmom so sorry to hear about your son but glad he is doing okay.

We are in a bit of a rut here too. I would really like to be happy with My Father's World but the reality of it is that I am not. I have tried three different years now and it just doesn't fit me or the kids. I have never made it through the full year or anything, just tried! We are doing world geography this year and while we will keep up with the topic I am going to be using our two week break at Christmas to figure out what ELSE I am going to do so that we are not all BORED. I have a couple of friends who are using the same year or already have done it and htey love it.

At any rate, I am trying my darndest to keep going over the next few weeks until break. DD 12 is doing quite well. She has gotten As on both science units so far so I am very pleased with that. My boys are making progress in their various topics but I just feel like we are all bored and not getting the Joy piece of this journey at all right now.


As for online curriculums I have not used one but a friend of mine does have her kids in the online K-12 program. She likes some of the materials but is very frustrated by the sheer amount of time that it takes to get everything done. I know she is planning to "drop out" in Jan. I would think for a working parent though that it would be ideal.

Nicole--I agree about Cathy Duffy's book and would also suggest Homeschooling The Gifted Child by Lisa Rivero. It really helped me out when I started homeschooling my oldest who is frighteningly quick. In fact, in light of my frustrations above, I need to get that out and reread some parts of it!

 

[KibbyCat]

I found South East Academy online and a couple others...they offer an Internet Curriculum Program, everything is done online. I know this would appeal to him, way more than me trying to teach him.

I am not trying to have a "Is she qualified" discussion, just asking if anyone else does online school for a younger school aged child? Thanks, it's keeping me up at nights!!

We got Alpha Omega's Switched On Schoolhouse for my 2nd grader. She came from Christian school and we couldn't afford to keep her there. Anyway, I'm a teacher, but wanted something EASY since I work part time and have 4 children. I didn't want to have to write lesson plans, grade papers, etc. I like SOS because it is all Cd-Rom, and it has all the lessons planned out, and even grades them for you. It's cool, because you don't HAVE to have an internet connection to use it (although we have Verizon Fios, so ours is always on), which is nice for when we have to go places that we're not sure will have internet.

SOS starts at 3rd grade (my daughter's school was advanced, so she's able to do the work just fine, although I do it with her) and is self-paced.

The entire year's curriculum is around $350 but you can buy it used off ebay for a lot less. You can also just buy the subjects you want. (The curriculum is based on 5 core subjects: Bible, Math, Language Arts, History & Geography, and Science. But if you plan on sending him back to public school and don't want the Bible, you wouldn't have to use it.) You can also pick and choose from the units and lessons within the subjects (I omitted the units on technology and space, since I thought those would be too advanced for my 7-year-old. I can just add them back in next year. I also took out certain science projects that didn't appeal to us or that used items we didn't have on hand.)

Anyway, if you're looking for a cheap alternative to some online programs, you might want to check it out:
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/

Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you. Good luck!

 

[labdogs42]

Anyone know anything about homeschooling options in PA? My son is only 3, but I'd like to investigate all of my options before he goes to kindergarten! Thanks!

 

[Leader of the Club]

My 20 year old unschooled daughter was accepted into Miami University starting January 2009! This was the first and only school she applied to.

When she was 16 she decided that she wanted to spend some time in Japan and study the Japanese language and culture. She did odd jobs, babysat, made beautiful jewelry for extra money. She started working at Limited Too at the mall when she was 17 and the day she turned 18, they made her a manager. This was her "senior year." (BTW-she hated LTD2 and left there to work at the Disney Store!--my kinda girl!)

She saved like crazy and made her dream of living and studying in Japan come true.

Two months after returning home she was helping a woman that was going through a very nasty divorce, by watching her kids so this woman could look for work. On the way home she was in a terrible auto accident. They were hit head-on by a well-known delivery company.

After many months of physical therapy she is still in pain, but ready to start college.

She went to take her placement tests today and scored in the 90's on everything.

Not bad for a kid that never went to school or used a curriculum. She learned what she wanted, when she wanted, how she wanted and for as long as it interested her. She was allowed to dream and do nothing when it suited her. She was encouraged to follow her interests always.

I am more proud than I can say.

 

[Ashley Kees]

Anyone know anything about homeschooling options in PA? My son is only 3, but I'd like to investigate all of my options before he goes to kindergarten! Thanks!

Here ya go!

Homeschool Legal Defense Association web page for Pennsylvania:
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/PA/

listing of homeschool support groups in your area (a great resource):
http://www.home-school.com/groups/PA.html

 

[DawnM]

What???? Oh my gosh! How did that happen?

I am so sorry.

Dawn

We've been sidetracked for several weeks. My DS12 was in an accident on Nov. 12th (he had a 500 pound tombstone fall on top of him) and was in the hospital for 4 days. He's home and doing GREAT and we're now back to the point of TRYING to get back into our routine.

His pelvis is broken in 3 places, but everything is lined up and healing beautifully. No pins, braces, surgery were needed. He also has 2 breaks in his left hand (he's right handed) which are doing just fine. We were orginally told it would be 4-6 weeks in a wheelchair but he was given the ok to go with OR WITHOUT crutches after 2 weeks!!!!! Praise the Lord.

Anyway, we've done SOME school work up until now, but today we're trying to get back to "normal". It's going slow. Too much time spent sitting around watching TV, playing Wii, and on the computer for both he and his little brother (DS7)!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We haven't done anything for days and days as it is.....kids have been quite sick.

I have just ordered a few things online and hope they come this week. It is projects based and the kids will really enjoy it I hope!

Christmas shopping some. Hate it every year! Never know what to get for inlaws.

Dawn

Harry and Davids fruit baskets....prices range from okay(not really cheap) to elaborate-they come in decorated boxes or baskets and are delivered!!!!

We've been sidetracked for several weeks. My DS12 was in an accident on Nov. 12th (he had a 500 pound tombstone fall on top of him) and was in the hospital for 4 days. He's home and doing GREAT and we're now back to the point of TRYING to get back into our routine.

His pelvis is broken in 3 places, but everything is lined up and healing beautifully. No pins, braces, surgery were needed. He also has 2 breaks in his left hand (he's right handed) which are doing just fine. We were orginally told it would be 4-6 weeks in a wheelchair but he was given the ok to go with OR WITHOUT crutches after 2 weeks!!!!! Praise the Lord.

Anyway, we've done SOME school work up until now, but today we're trying to get back to "normal". It's going slow. Too much time spent sitting around watching TV, playing Wii, and on the computer for both he and his little brother (DS7)!!!!

Praise the Lord--that's a miracle!! Can I ask how that happened? Man--that's scary!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I posted this in the wrong place and was re-directed here...thank you.

Our DS is in 4th grade, our elementary only goes to 4th grade...then on to the DREADED 5th grade center (no way will I EVEN let him go there)..So we are in such a delimma. I grew up in this city and know all the local "Private Schools", which are basically where the "bad kids" are sent after being kicked out of public school (ok, it's not all that, but pretty much).

I work full time but he can go to work with me and can have his own "office and computer"....we are considering homeschool (only for 5th grade), until we decided where we want to move.

I found South East Academy online and a couple others...they offer an Internet Curriculum Program, everything is done online. I know this would appeal to him, way more than me trying to teach him.

I am not trying to have a "Is she qualified" discussion, just asking if anyone else does online school for a younger school aged child? Thanks, it's keeping me up at nights!!

Thank you DawnM for helping me find this thread...

Just wanted to say HEY to another Texan!!!! Hope you find what you are looking for!!! It does take a lot of stress off of you to get a plan and know what to do!!!

nuzmom so sorry to hear about your son but glad he is doing okay.

We are in a bit of a rut here too. I would really like to be happy with My Father's World but the reality of it is that I am not. I have tried three different years now and it just doesn't fit me or the kids. I have never made it through the full year or anything, just tried! We are doing world geography this year and while we will keep up with the topic I am going to be using our two week break at Christmas to figure out what ELSE I am going to do so that we are not all BORED. I have a couple of friends who are using the same year or already have done it and htey love it.

At any rate, I am trying my darndest to keep going over the next few weeks until break. DD 12 is doing quite well. She has gotten As on both science units so far so I am very pleased with that. My boys are making progress in their various topics but I just feel like we are all bored and not getting the Joy piece of this journey at all right now.


As for online curriculums I have not used one but a friend of mine does have her kids in the online K-12 program. She likes some of the materials but is very frustrated by the sheer amount of time that it takes to get everything done. I know she is planning to "drop out" in Jan. I would think for a working parent though that it would be ideal.

Nicole--I agree about Cathy Duffy's book and would also suggest Homeschooling The Gifted Child by Lisa Rivero. It really helped me out when I started homeschooling my oldest who is frighteningly quick. In fact, in light of my frustrations above, I need to get that out and reread some parts of it!

A friend of mine used MFW last year and wasn't impressed with it.

My 20 year old unschooled daughter was accepted into Miami University starting January 2009! This was the first and only school she applied to.

When she was 16 she decided that she wanted to spend some time in Japan and study the Japanese language and culture. She did odd jobs, babysat, made beautiful jewelry for extra money. She started working at Limited Too at the mall when she was 17 and the day she turned 18, they made her a manager. This was her "senior year." (BTW-she hated LTD2 and left there to work at the Disney Store!--my kinda girl!)

She saved like crazy and made her dream of living and studying in Japan come true.

Two months after returning home she was helping a woman that was going through a very nasty divorce, by watching her kids so this woman could look for work. On the way home she was in a terrible auto accident. They were hit head-on by a well-known delivery company.

After many months of physical therapy she is still in pain, but ready to start college.

She went to take her placement tests today and scored in the 90's on everything.

Not bad for a kid that never went to school or used a curriculum. She learned what she wanted, when she wanted, how she wanted and for as long as it interested her. She was allowed to dream and do nothing when it suited her. She was encouraged to follow her interests always.

I am more proud than I can say.

Congrats & glad to hear that she's doing well!!!

 

[cerberus]

Hi! I am new to this thread, but have been reading through to get ideas. My DDs are 3yo and a 20 months old.
My DD turned 3 at the end of August. She does go to preschool for the socialization (twice per week for 2.5hours), she is very shy.
But we work alot together at home on basic learning. Wondering how much "school" (for lack of better word) do you plan each day for a 3yo? I mean pretty much all day is about learning, picking out colors in a book, or counting blocks, etc. But should we be doing more structured sit down time? I hope that makes sense

 

[nuzmom]

Praise the Lord--that's a miracle!! Can I ask how that happened? Man--that's scary!!!!

My DSs were over at a hsing friends house for a birthday party sleepover. There were 7 boys all together, ranging from my younger DS7 to a 17 yr old big brother of the birthday boy. The birthday boy is a pastor's son and they live in the church manse - with a cemetary in their "backyard".

The kids are permitted to play in the newer parts of the graveyard (because the older parts have unstable stones) and they enjoy playing "army" there. My DS12 was hiding behind one of the stones and another boy snuck up and bumped into the stone while trying to "shoot" my son. The stone wasn't anchored properly (to say the least) and fell on top of my son (who had attempted to get away from it). 5 of the 7 boys were all playing there together.

The 17 yr old and a 14 yr old LIFTED the stone off of my DS (took a few tries to get it completely off, but they never moved my son) while the 2 other boys went running for the mom. Those 2 boys thought my son was dead - he was white, still, and staring (he had passed out).

The 17 yr old prayed with my son while the mom ran to them. She called 911, called me, kept my son from moving, rode to the hospital with him, etc., etc. Another mom "happened" to show up while they were waiting for the ambulance and stayed with the boys (including my younger son) and helped them cope with what happened.

Thankfully, my younger son did NOT see his brother hurt - he was told what happened, saw the ambulance, saw the worry in his friends eyes, but did not see the accident.

The whole thing was extremely frightening and my husband and I couldn't get to each other and my son quick enough - although we made it to the hospital (in Pittsburgh!!!) 6 minutes after the ambulance had arrived!!!!!

There were ups and downs in the hospital - DS ended up needing a blood transfusion the night of the accident due to some minor internal bleeding. He was also in ICU for about a day so he could be watched closely (his heart rate was too high and slow to drop back to normal). HOWEVER, today is 3 weeks from the accident and he is walking WITHOUT CRUTCHES!!!!!

God had his protective hand over my son from the start. In those early critical moments, everything was done perfectly (some of which by 11-14 yr old boys)!!! He also gave my son, and our whole family, a sense of peace and comfort during this time. The healing that has taken place is beyond what I was afraid to even ask for (so glad to have friends that could). We are so unworthy of God's goodness - I can certainly be sure to give Him the glory and praise.

 

[Ellester]

Wondering how much "school" (for lack of better word) do you plan each day for a 3yo? I mean pretty much all day is about learning, picking out colors in a book, or counting blocks, etc. But should we be doing more structured sit down time? I hope that makes sense

Welcome to the thread! At 3, I personally don't think you need any seat work at all. If your daughter really wants to sit and do something, then of course, that is fine. My ds is 4 1/2 and we rarely do seat work. He will sit with a workbook or paper occasionally when his sisters (10 and 7) are doing their work, but I don't force him. He's just not ready for that yet. He can write his name, all the Wiggles' names (he's a bit on the obsessive side), knows his letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. We have worked on very little of that officially, he's just picked it up. Like you say, much of the day is about learning without even trying! Enjoy it while they are young, parts of speech and long division will arrive before you know it!

God had his protective hand over my son from the start. In those early critical moments, everything was done perfectly (some of which by 11-14 yr old boys)!!! He also gave my son, and our whole family, a sense of peace and comfort during this time. The healing that has taken place is beyond what I was afraid to even ask for (so glad to have friends that could). We are so unworthy of God's goodness - I can certainly be sure to give Him the glory and praise.

Wow! What a story! God certainly was watching out for your family. Sending prayers for a continued miraculous recovery!


We are getting ready for our big Christmas/new baby break. I'm trying to finish up a few things so we can start fresh in January, but I have to admit we are all losing steam quickly! We finished our science a week ago and are almost done with our latest Sonlight core. I plan on taking three weeks totally off when the baby arrives (sooner than later, I hope!) and then probably another few weeks of lighter school as we get used to our new routine. Thankfully, dd10 is pretty self motivated. She likes to get her work out of the way. Dd7 is a whole different matter. But, she is getting a little better.

 

[nuzmom]

Hi! I am new to this thread, but have been reading through to get ideas. My DDs are 3yo and a 20 months old.
My DD turned 3 at the end of August. She does go to preschool for the socialization (twice per week for 2.5hours), she is very shy.
But we work alot together at home on basic learning. Wondering how much "school" (for lack of better word) do you plan each day for a 3yo? I mean pretty much all day is about learning, picking out colors in a book, or counting blocks, etc. But should we be doing more structured sit down time? I hope that makes sense

Welcome. I agree with what Ellester said, there's no need to do any structured sit down work right now. Enjoy reading books, playing with playdoh, coloring, painting, etc. Counting, abc's, recognizing letters and numbers are just around the corner so you could do activites gearing up for those. We used to pick a different letter every few days. We make a craft with that letter, wear a shirt with the letter on it somewhere, read a book that focuses on that letter, etc. Oh, and started with letters in child's name and "easy" letters. It was completely "light" learning and so fun, but it was amazing what my DSs picked up.
Enjoy your "fun time" with your little ones. Time goes fast!!!

 

[Embel]

I don't homeschool, but I hope some of you might be able to help me. I have a 7 yr old, a 6 yr old, and a very active 2 yr old boy. Homework takes about an hour each night. I find it very hard to focus on school work for only 1 hour with a 2 yr old present- I have great respect for those of you who do it all day!

I would love any suggestions for occupying him during this time. I would happily plop him in front of a TV, but it doesn't interest him at all. Plus, he just wants to be part of what the rest of us are doing. Sadly, he doesn't stay still or quiet, and nothing holds his interest for long. Any ideas? Thanks!