Homeschool Chat

[Denine]

Yesterday was "box day".

DD was so excited. She couldn't wait to geo through everything. She said it was like getting a present. It is so nice to see her excited about school. I think it will be a good year. I just haven't decided when we are starting yet.

She just finished t-ball and will be starting swimming lessons on Monday. It is once a week for 5 weeks.

 

[gottagodisney]

1. teacups
2. TLHB70
3. Lori1043
4. LittleBlue22
5. wvdislover
6. Disney Mommy 3
7. Nuzmom
8. NHWX
9. sha_lyn
10. Momvic5
11. heatherplus3
12. Temair
13. gottagodisney__________________

 

[LittleBlue22]

Happy Saturday all :

I checked over on the tech forum and the hs request thread is getting confusing. Please leave a post to show your support.

I have a question for the seasoned posters. When you requested a hs forum in the past, did you ever receive a reply post from a webmaster?

 

[Praise2Him]

Sorry to be focusing on the homeschool days when you all are trying to get the forum request settled, but I'm really confused. Maybe someone can help me. I did call youth services today and asked about the Jan days and was told they aren't decided yet, but probably 2 or 3 week in Jan. I then looked at the Sept info and checked into the ticketing. It looks like there are two days where you can buy a ticket to AK if you need one and then add on the home school ed component. I then looked at the YES info and they have a variety of ticket options that go from three day to five day options. I guess they are different programs. My question is: if you are a family not with a group, can you purchase the YES package and then add on the home school days part? I want to get my facts straight when I discuss this with dd and dsil! Thanks and good luck with the forum. Grammy

Okay, since no one has answered you, I'll do my best...we didn't go last year, but I did check into it as a possibility.

The YES program can usually only be booked by groups with a minimum number of students (I think 10). We've done the YES program with a homeschool group from our state (last November).

However, during Homeschool Days, some of the YES programs (but not all) are offered to individual families - you are put together with other families to form the group.

Plus, during HS Days they have special programs and speakers. In January it was at Epcot, but from your post it sounds like this year it may be at AK?

About the tickets, I think there's a package that you purchase that includes Park Hopper tickets that are good for 14 days. I'm not sure about this part because we had AP's and didn't need tickets.

I know that there were some people from this board that went last year (we didn't because the YES programs available included the one we'd already done, plus a couple that my DD wasn't interested in) - so maybe they'll chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

I hope this helps a little bit!

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Thanks Praise for your reply. What you are saying makes sense. I will probably call youth services back as things get closer and see if I can find out exactly what the story is. DD and family are trying to decide when to plan their trip Jan or Late Feb/early March so it would be helpful to know about the hs days. Thanks again, Grammy

 

[KibbyCat]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice. I will definitely look into curriculums and try to find one that will work for us. Will keep you posted....

For anyone who cares, here's the latest, as promised:

We never got a windfall, large inheritance, or huge job promotion, so we still can't afford Christian School tuition for next year, but rather than viewing it as a negative, we've chosen to put our energy into making it a positive experience for all our children. My oldest is actually excited about homeschooling, and since her cousin is in the same situation we are, they'll be homeschooling together. We decided to use a mixture of Curriculum. They're school used mostly ABeka, but we liked the Switched-on-Schoolhouse by Alpha Omega. So we're going to start out using ABeka 2nd grade, which is advanced, then switch over and use the SOS 3rd Grade (since it starts out in 3rd) after Christmas. We figured that if the discs proved too hard for them, we'll just save them for next year and continue with the 2nd grade books.
For my Kindergartner, I'll use ABeka and ACSI workbooks, and I'll use ACSI and Standard for my Preschooler. My one-year-old will be the only wild card. I'm going to sit down and make a schedule so that I can devote enough time for each child per week, and so that they have something to go by (since kids LOVE consistency). Hopefully it will all balance out and still allow us quality family time to spend together.

Thanks!

 

[NHWX]

I've been doing the curriculum search too, and I think I've found one that will click with my younger son. It's called Tablet Class (www.tabletclass.com) and it looks like it's a) affordable, b) fun and c) comprehensive. They're going to be coming out with Algebra II this fall so we'll just start with reviewing the end of algebra and then pick up with II once they get it going.

I had my son check out Teaching Textbooks, Chalkdust, ALEKS and .... spaced it... must have been really boring. He's a thoroughly visual learner so how it looks is just as important as anything else. And I'm glad that if it doesn't pan out, $10/month at the most expensive rate is a pretty small hit.

Now if I could find something as fun, inexpensive and acceptable to all for my reluctant 15 year old for English/Lit, I'd be a good ways towards being done. Writing is not something he wants to do, at all. *sigh*

NHWX

 

[lori1043]

For anyone who cares, here's the latest, as promised:

We never got a windfall, large inheritance, or huge job promotion, so we still can't afford Christian School tuition for next year, but rather than viewing it as a negative, we've chosen to put our energy into making it a positive experience for all our children. My oldest is actually excited about homeschooling, and since her cousin is in the same situation we are, they'll be homeschooling together. We decided to use a mixture of Curriculum. They're school used mostly ABeka, but we liked the Switched-on-Schoolhouse by Alpha Omega. So we're going to start out using ABeka 2nd grade, which is advanced, then switch over and use the SOS 3rd Grade (since it starts out in 3rd) after Christmas. We figured that if the discs proved too hard for them, we'll just save them for next year and continue with the 2nd grade books.
For my Kindergartner, I'll use ABeka and ACSI workbooks, and I'll use ACSI and Standard for my Preschooler. My one-year-old will be the only wild card. I'm going to sit down and make a schedule so that I can devote enough time for each child per week, and so that they have something to go by (since kids LOVE consistency). Hopefully it will all balance out and still allow us quality family time to spend together.

Thanks!

Sounds like a decent plan! Make sure you give yourself some "makeup days" in your schedule so IF things don't go AS planned, you will not stress out. We plan these days every 3 weeks. I give us 2 "make up" days per 3 weeks. If we are behind schedule, we catch up, if we are on target, it can be off days or get ahead days, depending on moods and waht is going on those days. I plugged these into my schedule last year and with feild trips and just needing the extra day or 2 every so often, it worked out well. We start slowly in mid July, take a month off at Christmas, and possibly a week or 2 for vacations/other holidays in the year and end in beginning/mid May. Good thing about HSing, is being able to adjust your schedule to your life!

Lori

 

[DreadpiratK]

I'm not sure if homeschooling dads are welcome here, but if so you can add my name to the list of folks petitioning for a new forum. Mrs dreadpirat does most of the actual schooling, but I help as I can. Nice to see so much involvement by home schoolers on this board now. Last time I spend any time here was in 2006, and there was some homeschooling discussion then, but not as much as this now. Looks like we've missed out by not stopping by once in a while.

 

[LegoMom3]

Of course dads are welcome!!! Nice to have one here!





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[wvdislover]

Hi Mr. dreadpiratK--great to have a homeschoooling dad join us!!! For all the hs moms out there, thanks for supporting and helping your wife out as a homeschooler!

 

[DreadpiratK]

Hi Mr. dreadpiratK--great to have a homeschoooling dad join us!!! For all the hs moms out there, thanks for supporting and helping your wife out as a homeschooler!

Thank you. If it's any encouragement to y'all out that that you're doing the right thing- our 18 year old just got accepted at RIT with a lot of scholarship money. One of the top engineering schools in the country, and they had no problem at all with a home schooled student, it even worked in his favor. Wish I could say it was a full scholarship, but it's not. Anyway it's sort of vindication for all those years of hard work. For all those who told us home schooling puts kids at a dis-advantage

 

[lori1043]

I LOVE hearing stories like yours-Thank you and congrats!
I am hoping the Lord allows us to continue(financially) homeschooling. I feel we were called to it and feel convicted He will work it out-both our jobs are on the line right now! Can't do nuthin' but laugh!

Lori

 

[jenga1030]

Hello! I just found this thread, I'm so excited-my two favorite things, homeschooling and Disney, all rolled into one!

My name is Jennifer, I have always homeschooled my DD9 and my DS7. We all love it. And it's an extra bonus that it allows us to go to Disney every year for free dining in September. My kids don't even know what crowds are!!

I have always used the school at home method, but as the years go on, it is getting more and more relaxed. This year we are trying something new-unit studies. We are all really excited about it. I think we were all getting burned out on the school at home method. And it just wasn't as much fun anymore. My DD has already picked out her first 2 small units to study next month and I am preparing the different activities we'll do. We're even going to try a unit while we're at Disney-but keep it really fun, of course!

I look forward to getting to know you all better and reading your posts!

 

[DreadpiratK]

Hello! I just found this thread, I'm so excited-my two favorite things, homeschooling and Disney, all rolled into one!

My name is Jennifer, I have always homeschooled my DD9 and my DS7. We all love it. And it's an extra bonus that it allows us to go to Disney every year for free dining in September. My kids don't even know what crowds are!!

!

My standard reply to the question of why we homeschool has always been 'Disney in September!' (of sometimes 'the beach in September') either way.

When we can't afford Disney which is too often, we go to Ocean City NJ for a week in September- $400-$500 for a 3 bedroom house a block from the beach, and NO CROWDS.

 

[DawnM]

We went in January of last year. We did not do any of the HS specific activities though as my kids are still quite young.

I would ASK about adding those on later. I understand that some of them fill up quite fast though, so you may want to go ahead and plan and buy when you order tickets.

Dawn

Okay, since no one has answered you, I'll do my best...we didn't go last year, but I did check into it as a possibility.

The YES program can usually only be booked by groups with a minimum number of students (I think 10). We've done the YES program with a homeschool group from our state (last November).

However, during Homeschool Days, some of the YES programs (but not all) are offered to individual families - you are put together with other families to form the group.

Plus, during HS Days they have special programs and speakers. In January it was at Epcot, but from your post it sounds like this year it may be at AK?

About the tickets, I think there's a package that you purchase that includes Park Hopper tickets that are good for 14 days. I'm not sure about this part because we had AP's and didn't need tickets.

I know that there were some people from this board that went last year (we didn't because the YES programs available included the one we'd already done, plus a couple that my DD wasn't interested in) - so maybe they'll chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

I hope this helps a little bit!

 

[jenga1030]

My standard reply to the question of why we homeschool has always been 'Disney in September!' (of sometimes 'the beach in September') either way.

I hear ya!!! Disney in September is one of my top 5 reasons for homeschooling...underneath all of those "educational" reasons, of course!

 

[DreadpiratK]

At the risk of sounding like I'm bragging about my kids, which of course I am, shamelessly, I wanted to share something that happened this morning- My DD, 16 came downstairs all excited and bouncy saying 'we've got to go the Rochester on November something" ok, why? Well, with most kids it would be a teen heart throb or the latest airhead pop star. Erin couldn't care less about those things so I was a little curious. Her favorite author was going to signing books on that day! Somehow, mostly by accident, we did something right.

My wife once read me a quote that went something like "You know you've succeeded when you're kids biggest decorating worry is where to put all the book shelves"

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Jenga--Welcome
We are glad to have you!! Is hsing not the best!! I am curious what unit studies you are doing with your daughter. My little girl is 5- and we are doing Kinder. this year-did some stuff for Nursery 3 and pre-K;this year we are starting out with math and phonics and I was interested in maybe a small unit study, but was curious what would hold the interest of a busy 5yo

I would love to hear from any of you with little girls what unit studies you have worked with.TIA!!

 

[jenga1030]

Jenga--Welcome
We are glad to have you!! Is hsing not the best!! I am curious what unit studies you are doing with your daughter. My little girl is 5- and we are doing Kinder. this year-did some stuff for Nursery 3 and pre-K;this year we are starting out with math and phonics and I was interested in maybe a small unit study, but was curious what would hold the interest of a busy 5yo

I would love to hear from any of you with little girls what unit studies you have worked with.TIA!!

Thanks for the welcome! Yes, I love homeschooling so much! I stumbled on a thread here about school supplies and I am just so glad that I don't have to worry about all of the "politics" at public school. Every day I discover a new reason that homeschooling is best for my family.

We are starting our very first unit studies before we leave for Disney, so we are getting our feet wet with 2 one week long mini studies of my DD's choosing. This will be to help both of us (especially me) figure it all out and work out the bugs before we start more in depth ones.

She chose birds and cats for our 2 mini studies. I am finding vocabulary and spelling words related to these subjects, I have art projects planned, I'm even going to let her do a "documentary" about our cat using my video camera. We are going to study how much food a day our cat eats and how many hours a day she sleeps. And then we'll have creative writing too. I'll supplement the math every week and supplement other subjects whenever necessary. My DD has helped me come up with a list of units, we have American Girls, French Revolution, Underwater Life, Civil War, pick a state, pick an animal, pick a country, etc. In case you can't tell, I am sooo excited!

I am even putting together a Disney book. In it I will have questions to be answered at various parks, about countries, animals, presidents, science etc. I want the kids to ask questions of the CMs and learn by having fun. We are also going to record how long it takes us to drive, how many miles it is and then figure our average speed. We are going to record temperatures as we head farther south.

It's still a work in progress so I am trying to think of new things. I won't make them carry the book around with them, of course, just things we can discuss and record when we're back at the hotel or on our relaxing days. Besides being the greatest, most magical place in the world there is so much to learn about there too! It's the perfect place for a homeschool field trip!