Homeschool Chat

[mykidsintow]

And I'd like to know more about lapbooks - someone tried describing it to me on time, and it seemed more of a hob-podge of whatever the kid felt like throwing in the book. Which my son would like - I just have a feeling it wasn't described very well.

I thought Lapbooks were just a crock. Then, we did one. My kids *LOVE* lapbooking. Basically you get a folder and refold it. Then you find things you like online and cut/color/paste, etc.

Here is a great website:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/

Its like homeschool google! It has free lapbooks, below (just pick and print the parts you want, FREE)! There is one on CINDERELLA! My daughter is working on cinderella. My son is working on frogs.

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php

We have taken a break from our regularly scheduled program due to a lot of things going on (My mil recently passed unexpectedly, my husband is getting laid off, etc etc). Anyway, lapbooking and Math is what we are finishing the year out with.

If you have other ?s yell! I hope someone hasn't already covered this.... I am catching up.

 

[Laura.bora]

I thought Lapbooks were just a crock. Then, we did one. My kids *LOVE* lapbooking. Basically you get a folder and refold it. Then you find things you like online and cut/color/paste, etc.

Here is a great website:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/

Its like homeschool google! It has free lapbooks, below (just pick and print the parts you want, FREE)! There is one on CINDERELLA! My daughter is working on cinderella. My son is working on frogs.

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php

We have taken a break from our regularly scheduled program due to a lot of things going on (My mil recently passed unexpectedly, my husband is getting laid off, etc etc). Anyway, lapbooking and Math is what we are finishing the year out with.

If you have other ?s yell! I hope someone hasn't already covered this.... I am catching up.

It looks like lapbooking is mostly for review of something you've just covered - is that right? Thank you for the weblinks - we're on a "break" right now, but maybe I could sneak some learning in if I pass it off as Arts and crafts!

 

[mykidsintow]

Its not really review. Its more to reinforce/activities to go along with lessons.

For example we are reading a book on the life cycle of frogs. So to go along with that we have in our lapbook a cute cover we colored. Then there is a life cycle wheel he got to glue in order the cycle. We have a thing about why frogs sing, a small book of frog facts, etc.

Its reinforcing and putting into a cute book my son can show daddy and it goes along with what we would have otherwise read and put down. Its very cool that he can show daddy and "review". They *love* the crafty-ness of it.

I guess you could do one as a review for something you have previously covered. Its up to you

 

[bear74]

Hi fellow Texan! No, there isn't any testing requirements. The only thing that I had to do was write a letter to our school district letting them know that I was withdrawing my children from the public school system and that I was going to be homeschooling them. This was to insure that the children would be withdrawn from the school officially and that they wouldn't be counted under the absentee laws.


We are not going to DW in Sept but we are in December!

Thanks for the info. We do plan on sending a letter to the school. Glad that is all we need to do!

What part of Texas do you live in? We live south of Houston.

Hi fellow Texans. I am Dripping Springs we will be starting our fist year of HS in Aug.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I chose to hs for two main reasons:

1) I was a public school teacher and didn't like what I was seeing. Where I taught, there were few consequences for bad choices whether it was academically or behaviorally. Students were lacking in skills and school was just a social gather for many of them. (Please realize that I know that all public schools are not like this, but I saw enough to turn me away.)

2) I knew one very lovely homeschool family and was really impressed with their family bond. I saw my friends and their older children growing further apart. I saw the way parents are portrayed in TV shows and how parents who got involved in the schools were ridiculed by the teachers where I taught. I wanted to preserve that special family bond and be a positive influence in my children's lives without the saturation of a peer group at such a young age.

I have since found even more reasons to keep homeschooling.

1) academic excellence through one-on-one involvement
2) flexibility in our schedule and curriculum
3) time to devote to special talents and other areas (piano, theatre, creative writing)
4) avoiding agendas that are contrary to the core beliefs of my faith
5) a great homeschool community of friends

Yes, I am in the same boat. Taught, been there, done that. I am right there with ya!

 

[DawnM]

Oh man! I am jelous! I don't know if we will ever do a cruise now....once your family size is over 4, you pay way too much!

I think our next trip to WDW won't be until December. DH has a meeting for a whole week the 2nd week of Dec. so we will have free lodging!!!!

Dawn

Wow - 7 pages already!! I don't know how I'm going to keep up. I now have Disney threads to read on the Sonlight forums and homeschool threads to read on the DIS!!!

We're in our 8th year of homeschooling. DDs are in 7th and 5th. We use mostly Sonlight, Singapore Math, Rod and Staff (English), some Critical Thinking stuff, Rosetta Stone, and other bits and pieces.

We're heading to WDW in October this year - starting our trip with our first Disney Cruise. I'm looking forward to making a feeble attempt at following this thread.

 

[WeDisney4]

I don’t think I fit a typical Homeschooling profile?

First, I think if one is even thinking about Homeschooling there must be something there? Most either Homeschool or would never even think about it. Does this make sense? I do think about it, Alot!

I feel I am different in that we are not exceptionally religious, and I truly don’t have a complaint w/ DD’s school (1 in PK & 1 in 1st grade @ a small Catholic school in the south). I just don’t like the fact that 1st grade DD is gone from 7:30 – 3:30 (including commute) and still has homework. DDs both truly like their school.

I’m by nature a procrastinator & less than well organized. However I think I’d love to unschool them! What if it’s just the dreamer in me? I did take my first formal step and borrowed The Homeschooling Book of Answers from our library.

Sorry for my short launch, I just needed to jump in & look forward to your thoughts!

 

[Momvic5]

Hi fellow Texans. I am Dripping Springs we will be starting our fist year of HS in Aug.

Howdy neighbor! Dripping Springs is a beautiful area. I guess you are in the middle of planning and preparing for next August. It is very exciting and a little overwhelming.

 

[Momvic5]

Oh man! I am jelous! I don't know if we will ever do a cruise now....once your family size is over 4, you pay way too much!

I think our next trip to WDW won't be until December. DH has a meeting for a whole week the 2nd week of Dec. so we will have free lodging!!!!

Dawn

I know the feeling. We looked into taking a cruise but we could not get over the amount of $$$$ it took for a family of 5. We decided to stick with the land!

We booked in December(14-20) as well! No free lodging though!

 

[WelovMickey!]

Hi

I am so happy I found this thread! I am new to DIS but I have been homeschooling for two and a half years now. I am a mother to 3 and I homeschool 2 of them. Their ages are 6, 9, and 1. I posted a thread about discounted Disney tickets for homeschoolers in another thread but I want to make sure all the homeschoolers read it. Its here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1785493&page=1&highlight=

I hope that link works let me know. Well just wanted to say hi

Blessings,
Ingrid

 

[WeDisney4]

LOL ~ I’m already checking for a reply, when I see I look like a crazy lady!

I’ve been a LOOOOng Time Lurker & feel like I know you. I also just booked our Free Dining incl. reservations, so I guess all my hidden HS energy is just finally exploding!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Welcome, We! Too funny about that energy!

There are some good unschooling books out there. Unschooling well takes far more energy than I have! We are always willing to add something fun to our curriculum, but I like having the stability and accountability of a regular program. I.E., I know if math is behind, because DS is only on lesson 24, and we want to be done by May 30!

Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I bet we are close. We live south of Houston too ~ about 45 minutes away.

There is a great homeschool store in Houston. It is called The Homeschool Store. It is a hole in the wall place, but they have a ton of new and used materials and curriculums. I can spend hours in there thumbing through things. Check it out it you can.

We are neighbors as well! I think I already put that in,but I can't remember!! We are 1 hour and 45 min. E/NE of Bush INT. Airport! My favorite houston place-it takes us to Disney!! My best friend always shops the Homeschool store, I haven't had a chance to go-YET!

I wanted to add my reason for hsing: I knew I wanted my children to have a Christian based education. We had a great Christian school in our area where our oldest son started Kindergarten. It closed the next year,so we finished 1st grade in our local public school. I really felt the Lord was leading us to HSing, but I just had a new baby and my mother-in-law passed away that summer and dh felt we had too much going on to undertake this. So, I kept praying about it, and asked the Lord to soften dh's heart and lead him to this as well, if this was His will for our family. Well, wouldn't ya know it, we were talking one evening and hubby says, I really think we should take him out of ps and bring him home(this was the end of his 2nd grade year). He felt the Lord had really put this on his heart. So, thank you Lord!! that was MY confirmation--after that an unbelievable amount of info. and comments about hsing started to come my way.
It has been the greatest blessing in our families journey so far. I am ending our 4th year this Friday. Older son has been home for 3rd - 6th, my youngest son K-3rd, and little daughter, pre-K .

Our weather-as you know,fellow southeast Texans -is sooo hot and humid, we start school in early-mid July , take a few breaks and have off the month of December.(Family vacations to Disney). Then we pick it up in Jan,and cruise through April. This is where our summer vacation time begins.We usually don't take a big trip-just rest up and swim A LOT!!!!

 

[WeDisney4]

Thank You!

I am sooo sorry for starting with you all, please bear w/ me. I guess I didn't mean unschooling. I envision finding the right curriculum & textbooks along w/ many field trips; our museums, library, the zoo, DC, a local grist mill, etc.

How far off am I? I’m so willing for lots & lots of input!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

bear74-where is Dripping Springs? Sorry to say I have not heard of this

 

[bear74]

Howdy neighbor! Dripping Springs is a beautiful area. I guess you are in the middle of planning and preparing for next August. It is very exciting and a little overwhelming.

very much so especially since my parents are very supportive and my mom watches my girls on the days I work at the Hospital

 

[meandtheguys2]

Thank You!

I am sooo sorry for starting with you all, please bear w/ me. I guess I didn't mean unschooling. I envision finding the right curriculum & textbooks along w/ many field trips; our museums, library, the zoo, DC, a local grist mill, etc.

How far off am I? I’m so willing for lots & lots of input!

That is ALL fun stuff! I love curriculum hunting. I have 4 copies of the Rainbow Resource catalog. Rainbowresource.com . And $1500 worth of new books sitting in my kitchen awaiting proper put-away! There are several good catholic programs, too.

You might want to check your library for notices about HS groups, too. Then you could talk to a real person who is up to date on your state requirements, etc. They might have some sort of get together during the summer for newbies.

 

[bear74]

bear74-where is Dripping Springs? Sorry to say I have not heard of this

we are about 20 minutes outside of Austin to the west toward Johnson City

 

[mykidsintow]

I don’t think I fit a typical Homeschooling profile?

I feel I am different in that we are not exceptionally religious, and I truly don’t have a complaint w/ DD’s school

I’m by nature a procrastinator & less than well organized. However I think I’d love to unschool them! What if it’s just the dreamer in me?

I did take my first formal step and borrowed The Homeschooling Book of Answers from our library.

Me either....

Me too! I am not sure mine never went....

DITTO! I am so unorganized and a procrastinator.... Dreaming is good...

Getting a book is always good start! Just don't feel you can't or shouldn't for the reaons listed above! After all, you sound like me!

 

[sha_lyn]

I don’t think I fit a typical Homeschooling profile?

First, I think if one is even thinking about Homeschooling there must be something there? Most either Homeschool or would never even think about it. Does this make sense? I do think about it, Alot!

I feel I am different in that we are not exceptionally religious, and I truly don’t have a complaint w/ DD’s school (1 in PK & 1 in 1st grade @ a small Catholic school in the south). I just don’t like the fact that 1st grade DD is gone from 7:30 – 3:30 (including commute) and still has homework. DDs both truly like their school.

I’m by nature a procrastinator & less than well organized. However I think I’d love to unschool them! What if it’s just the dreamer in me? I did take my first formal step and borrowed The Homeschooling Book of Answers from our library.

Sorry for my short launch, I just needed to jump in & look forward to your thoughts!

Welcome to our little community.

I don't believe there is a typical profile anymore. Home-schooling has become more mainstream/common place in the last few years. 7 years ago most home schoolers around here HS'ed for religious reasons. Most of those used one of the many religious curriculum out there. All the HS groups in the area required signing a religious statement etc. It was a very lonely beginning.
Now the HS community has grown into a very diverse community.

Now that Hs'ing is more "mainstream" I find that there are a lot of people like yourself that are just drawn to it. It just seems like a natural extension of parenting to them.

I am a very unorganized procrastinator too. At first I thought I had to have a boxed and scripted curriculum to cope with my weaknesses. However over the years I have found that since I hate structure I would keep procrastinating when it came to using a highly structured curriculum.

What works for me is dividing our year into 6-6 week sessions. I then go through each subject and divide it into 6ths. The goal is to complete 1/6 of a subject in each 6 week session. However the one thing I did have to realize it that I need to allow for DDs needs. If she needs more time on a subject I reevaluate the time needed to cover a subject and adjust accordingly.


Sorry I have to run right now. DD is finishing up her math lesson, so I need to get her started on grammar.