Homeschool Chat

[mommyof2princesses]

In our state we have to administer a nationally normed test each year. My dd is used to testing as every year the schools did end of grade tests. These tests were long and timed, but the timing was ridiculous, they were given way to much time.

We are doing the Iowa's and she didn't finish the last math section in the time given. She is now in her room crying loudly about this stupid test. She is 13 and has always been in the gifted program. But she always tries to set herself up for failure in testing. I think she will do great on the test but she doesn't understand that 1. she doesn't have to pass the test 2. there is no pass/fail on this test 3. I don't care what the results are we just have to take it for state requriements. What will I do next year when she has to take high school level exams? UGghhh

 

[Praise2Him]

I would like to hear from other parents who have switched their children to HS during their high school years.

We started homeschooling my DD in 8th grade. Then DS came home to school in the middle of 11th grade. We love it so much and wish that we'd started from the beginning, but it didn't work out that way. Now DS is a freshman in college and DD is finishing up her junior year in high school.

I started out by going to the library and checking out every book on homeschooling I could find. Did a lot of research, and also connected with a local homeschool group - asked lots of questions. Go to HSLDA website and find out the laws about homeschooling in your state. Most states have a hs conference in the early summer - Alabama & Georgia are coming up in the next couple of weeks. They have seminars which are very helpful - also vendors with curriculums galore. I'm sure you'll get lots of other good suggestions from people here.

Good Luck!

 

[Praise2Him]

In our state we have to administer a nationally normed test each year. My dd is used to testing as every year the schools did end of grade tests. These tests were long and timed, but the timing was ridiculous, they were given way to much time.

We are doing the Iowa's and she didn't finish the last math section in the time given. She is now in her room crying loudly about this stupid test. She is 13 and has always been in the gifted program. But she always tries to set herself up for failure in testing. I think she will do great on the test but she doesn't understand that 1. she doesn't have to pass the test 2. there is no pass/fail on this test 3. I don't care what the results are we just have to take it for state requriements. What will I do next year when she has to take high school level exams? UGghhh

Are you allowed to choose the test you take? Here we take the SAT (not the college one) and it is untimed.

I don't like these tests because they aren't a true picture of ability and knowledge. I'm not that smart, but I'm a GREAT test taker and always do well on them. OTOH, 2 of my kids are really intelligent - straight "A" students, but they don't test well at all. It's really frustrating, because I know what they're capable of, but the tests don't show it.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Is it too late to switch her to homeschooling now. She is failing most of her subjects (she has problems taking tests but does great with hands on projects).

NO! It is NEVER too late! And if she is doing that badly at ps her grades will only improve!! Take heart!You know the best thing for her and if she is in that type of environment with heated arguments, doesn't sound like lots of learning going on anyway. I say pull her out today.Why wait? She's miserable-getting a great education is a wonderful blessing and she's not getting that, so do what you need to do.

Go to the library and get books for her to start reading. I always say start with what she likes. For example, did she enjoy the Anne of Green Gables series? Or Little House on the Prairie? Get some today and have her start reading, she can read a whole book, or just a few chapters and then write a short summary for you of what she read and what stood out to her. Go to any local book store and get those cheap math workbooks for what ever level she was last comfortable with. She needs to start at whatever level she has confidence in. Be it 5th grade math or 9th grade--just do what's easy for her right now. You have all summer to enquire about curriculums-even go to a homeschool convention if you can.

I have been amazed at how much knowledge my children have gleaned just from reading GOOD books. Caldecott and Newberry award winners are great for every age and the classics are very broad in what you can learn. This is going to be an exciting time for her-so just surprise her when you get home from school today and tell her that today was her last day!! What a thrill that will be for her!!Let us know what you decide! Remember-that first step is the hardest(& most nerve-racking ).

 

[sha_lyn]

NO! It is NEVER too late! And if she is doing that badly at ps her grades will only improve!! Take heart!You know the best thing for her and if she is in that type of environment with heated arguments, doesn't sound like lots of learning going on anyway. I say pull her out today.Why wait? She's miserable-getting a great education is a wonderful blessing and she's not getting that, so do what you need to do.

I don't believe it is too late either. I have watched a girl I know just blossom over the last 1 1/2 yrs since her mother pulled her 1/2 way through 10 grade.
She was in a similar but "other side of the fence" situation. She is not Christian, and was being told left and right that she was going to hell. She was being picked on for being more interested in her horse than in dating etc.
Her grades have slowly gone down hill since middle school and her mother has hired tutor after tutor to try to get her DD caught up.
I think what it really boiled down to was she needs things hands on and she needs to see real life applications. She apprenticed for 6 months with a ferrier, and has spent the last yr learning the ins and outs of running a horse breeding and training farm. Now that she can see the "why" instead of just being told "you will need this some day", she is finally getting it.

 

[disneymom3]

In our state we have to administer a nationally normed test each year. My dd is used to testing as every year the schools did end of grade tests. These tests were long and timed, but the timing was ridiculous, they were given way to much time.

We are doing the Iowa's and she didn't finish the last math section in the time given. She is now in her room crying loudly about this stupid test. She is 13 and has always been in the gifted program. But she always tries to set herself up for failure in testing. I think she will do great on the test but she doesn't understand that 1. she doesn't have to pass the test 2. there is no pass/fail on this test 3. I don't care what the results are we just have to take it for state requriements. What will I do next year when she has to take high school level exams? UGghhh

Use the Peabody test. It is much less time consuming and there is no fill in the bubble. For all the kids I know who take it, it is a genuinely fun experience. YOu have to pay someone who is certified in offerring it. Around here it is usually around $50.

 

[Ellester]

Use the Peabody test. It is much less time consuming and there is no fill in the bubble. For all the kids I know who take it, it is a genuinely fun experience. YOu have to pay someone who is certified in offerring it. Around here it is usually around $50.

We use the Woodcock-Johnson III, which I know is accepted by the state and given in NC by PES (http://www.pesdirect.com/wj3.html). It is very low stress. The kids don't even know what they've gotten correct or incorrect. It's individually administered and you get the results instantly. Well worth the $75 we paid. It scores all the way into graduate school level as well.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

We use the Woodcock-Johnson III, which I know is accepted by the state and given in NC by PES (http://www.pesdirect.com/wj3.html). It is very low stress. The kids don't even know what they've gotten correct or incorrect. It's individually administered and you get the results instantly. Well worth the $75 we paid. It scores all the way into graduate school level as well.

I know this is a great test, but to me $75 is a lot for a test. I paid $40 for the Iowa. We will see how she does. I know I can do the Stanford for about the same price and the peabody and there is one more that I can't remember. Mostly I just hate these types of tests. They are stressful.

 

[kimsuenew]

My 15 yr old is really struggling in Indy public school. Too much drama and today she came upset because a teacher argured with her that there was no heaven and that she along with everyone else came from a monkey. She stated that he did not want to discuss his beliefs but that he was right and everyone else was wrong. A heated discussion with another student was there is only a hell and that is where everyone was going. She has had trouble with other students and threats. Is it too late to switch her to homeschooling now. She is failing most of her subjects (she has problems taking tests but does great with hands on projects). I want to move her from the public system but am not sure I can afford private schools and there is a waiting list for charter schools. I would like to hear from other parents who have switched their children to HS during their high school years.

Hello! No... not at all!

Our DS attended the same school K-9th.

He has a high IQ but numerous learning challenges (dysgraphia/dyslexia) and was on a 504 for the last 3 years there (which incidently the school never followed... it looked great on paper however). I cannot say all teachers did not follow but I can say that about 90% did not and it was constant calls and meetings.

DS was a wonderful student, very polite, never a bit of problems... kind of forgotten... they dealt with the behavioral kids.

Finally, after many problems with his plan not being followed, with a horrible 8th grade inclusion class, with the school demanding he go into a 10th grade inclusion classroom (their inclusion is 1/2 of class on IEP's/504's and the other 1/2 typical learners with 2 teachers... sounds great but it was not... we tried it in 8th, refused it in 9th, and they tried to force it in 10th) and a GPA that slipped to a 1.4, we decided to homeschool.

We home-schooled last year and this year! He will actually be a senior next year and has decided not to go back to the HS for his senior year... he is going to stay in our homeschool.

He is doing excellent! We are proud of his effort and how far he has came! His grades have went up tremendously, he passed our state testing with flying colors, he actually feels pride in his school work now!

PM me if you need specifics, have questions, or anything!

 

[disneymom3]

Hi everyone, My daughter is currently in PreK and I have to say I hate the school system here it has been terrible! I was wanting to look into homeschooling my daughter but I have no idea where to start or what to check out Im completly clueless, if anyone has any helpful sites/advice please pm me! thanks!

Hi there! I don't think I have seen an answer to you. Will your DD be in K next year then? I would say first off books are your friend. Books and art and games and puzzles. I surprise myself over and over and over again with how much my kids learn when it seems like they are not doing anything. Become friends with your local library's children's librarian. They are a huge asset. Choose something to learn about that you and your DD are interested in finding out more about. Do a Yahoo search for groups in your area that you can connect with.

Check out www.hslda.org for laws in your state. I am thinking your location says PA and there are several on here from there that might be able to help.

Also, ASK questions!

If you are looking for a specific curriculum, I personally love My Father's World for K. I know people who have really liked Calvert (Denae used this and is around sometimes) and many people like Abeka though I prefer to be more loose than that.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

I just purchased Sonlight 1 ( for my 4 1/2 & 6 1/2 year olds) and Sonlight 3 Advanced (For my 7 and 9 year olds). We did Calvert this year and it just had too many worksheets and textbooks for the kiddos... My Oldest DD finished 2nd grade in 4 months. No joke. So we did review and I made up a curriculum for her be cause we had some financial difficulties. We have been done with school for over a month because the kids all zipped right through Calvert. Hopefully Sonlight is more challenging. Especially with them tag-teaming it on different levels. I am not sure when to start, however...

 

[jinthaalor]

Thought I'd drop by this thread as a homeschooling graduate!

I was homeschooled (more unschooled/self taught - very unstructured without many textbooks or much planning) for my entire pre-college education, and didn't go to a traditional school until college.

I started taking college classes when I was 15, and was full time in college when I was 16. I got my AA from community college when I was 17, but then spend a LONG time exploring at university and graduated with a double BA when I was 21. Now I'm off to law school this August, and I look back very fondly on my untraditional education. It's definitely not for everyone, but it can definitely be amazing for some. I got to spend a lot of time with my parents and grandparents, did my lessons on the beach (I'm from Hawaii), and got to travel all around the United States and even to other countries without having to worry about getting back in time for school.

Keep up the good work, homeschoolers!

 

[nuzmom]

We're going mid september - the 16th - 25th. Woo hoo Free Dining! And that brings me to this question:
Is there a place where I can find a list of all the animals in AK? )

Sorry, no time to read the whole thread (yeah, and it's not even very long yet), but here's a link I've used...http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/resorts/aklguide.html

 

[Momvic5]

Thought I'd drop by this thread as a homeschooling graduate!

I was homeschooled (more unschooled/self taught - very unstructured without many textbooks or much planning) for my entire pre-college education, and didn't go to a traditional school until college.

I started taking college classes when I was 15, and was full time in college when I was 16. I got my AA from community college when I was 17, but then spend a LONG time exploring at university and graduated with a double BA when I was 21. Now I'm off to law school this August, and I look back very fondly on my untraditional education. It's definitely not for everyone, but it can definitely be amazing for some. I got to spend a lot of time with my parents and grandparents, did my lessons on the beach (I'm from Hawaii), and got to travel all around the United States and even to other countries without having to worry about getting back in time for school.

Keep up the good work, homeschoolers!

Wow! Very impressive! Your parents must be very proud of you.

to you too!

 

[lori1043]

Wow! Very impressive! Your parents must be very proud of you.

to you too!

Thanks for the testimony to all of us struggling, yet loving, homeschooling!! It is a wonderful boost you gave me that we are doing right by our children!!!

Lori

 

[teacups]

Thought I'd drop by this thread as a homeschooling graduate!

I was homeschooled (more unschooled/self taught - very unstructured without many textbooks or much planning) for my entire pre-college education, and didn't go to a traditional school until college.

I started taking college classes when I was 15, and was full time in college when I was 16. I got my AA from community college when I was 17, but then spend a LONG time exploring at university and graduated with a double BA when I was 21. Now I'm off to law school this August, and I look back very fondly on my untraditional education. It's definitely not for everyone, but it can definitely be amazing for some. I got to spend a lot of time with my parents and grandparents, did my lessons on the beach (I'm from Hawaii), and got to travel all around the United States and even to other countries without having to worry about getting back in time for school.

Keep up the good work, homeschoolers!

Very nice to hear!!

 

[graygables]

In case anyone is interested in a couple of fun homeschool t-shirts, PM me!

 

[lori1043]

For any homeschoolers who also work outside the home...

I work in a hospital 6-8 days a month. I also take call another 1-2 days a week, in which I rarely get called out. I work mostly weekends.

On Mondays after I work 2-3 BUSY days, I am pooped. Little school gets done these days.

I have been homeschooling 3 years-moving on in the fall to year 4!!

Our original thought was that I'd be home completely by the time DD10 hit 5th grade, but that is not happening.

I feel that I can EASILY HS with my schedule, but that it will take some more work on my part.

So far, in the fall, I am teaching my kids(2) and 3-5 others the Apologia Astronomy science course on Mondays. Tuesdays is co-op for 3 hours. After that is yoga class for the kids. Wednesday is either AWANA or choir, depending on time of year(we do half a year of one , then the other half of the other). Saturdays is a 10am PE.

So far, I have planned for my DD10:
finish Saxon 5/4(she is on lesson 85 and will get to lesson 90 by the time we are done with this year), start saxon 6/5. LLATL (purple-also already started but just a few weeks into it),Story of the World(but not with the activity book-she has excellent comprehension skills, so I just plan on her reading it-hope this is enough at this point)

For DD8: Abeka arithemtic 3, Easy Grammar, Daily grams, Abeka History(not pushing this though!!, I'd rather see her enjoy the American Girl series)

Plus, for both: A Reason for Handwriting-transition(I feel this is important, esp manuscript), Writing with the Best(new for us and possibly 1-2x per week), Sequential Spelling, and almost weekly Drive Thu History.

I think I am covering all ground, but also feel like I can always do better as a teacher to them. I may just be "me'. Or just that I have too many things going at once.

I am seriously thinking my life would be easier if we used ONE comprehensive curr., but we like LLATL for DD10, Saxon is working well and DD8 will use it for 4th gr. I am a very hands on type person and think my kids are at this point still too. Hence the other good stuff. My kds are VERY different type learners/ people, and having them on the same thing will be good for 1, bad for the other.

I am thinking out loud here, but any comments or ideas about a better way-or what you find do-able with having an outside job, would be welcome. I have SoS in the back of my mind, but not sure how happy we'd be with our heads constantly behind a laptop. But then it could make me more available for the more FUN subjects-like science and history. But i do like how it does so much, incl. grading(esp for my older one, whom I feel needs to get more academically sound). I hear SoS math isn't so great, but do not know. Most I know use Teaching textbooks or Saxon with all else SoS.

My kids are SAT'ing this Mon-Wed, so you can see that I am of the mind and heart that believes my kids need more mainstream academics, with that personal touch of Christianity.

I like what we do but find time short, and I guess Dis'ing less often will help!!!

Anyway, what do you do that works for you???

Lori

 

[disneymarie]

Since our Homeschool Thread is going to be closed soon, I thought I would be proactive and start us a new place to chat. I also changed the title since we aren't looking for folks to see if there are enough for a subforum, just looking to talk to each other and get advice on day to day school stuff.

Happy Posting!!

I am interested in enrolling my daughter in a PA Charter Cyber school. There are two, one is the PA cyber charter and the other is 21st centry, I guess country wide.

She is on Homebound right now. Anxiety panic from bullying, and schoolphobic. She has so improved being home, but she is a straight A student, and not deciplined to spend 5 hours on school work if not in class. She has 2 Days of 2 1/2 homebound tutoring at the library, and I enrolled her at www.time4learning.com

I can not hoe school her myself, I lack the academics, I have two BA's but can not do scientific reasoning, expotentials, gen. math, nor proper Language to teach it.

So I am wondering if anyone has positive things to report of Online schooling?
She will be 13 and 7th grade in Sept.
She is in therapy and difficult to even get her there. I do nt want her agoraphobic too.

dianne

 

[Temair]

My DD is part of the K12 virtual schools. We are actually with ARVA. We are just completeing our second year with them and really like it. K12 has a very rigourous curriculum that covers all subjects well, with the exception of music. Most users do not like the music course as its just not easy to understand and follow. When a student joins the virtual school they take placements tests to determine which courses they are to take. You often have students 1 year behind. Typically they find a public school grade 5 student will end up taking grade 4 courses. The students quickly catch up to grade level. There is still some parentl involvment, but at the the higher grades and highschool the student is expected to be more self movtivated.

There are also other virtual schools out there that use the connections academy. This is the calvert curriuculum. I have not used it but have heard that others like this program as well.

Good luck in finding a program that will meet your needs.