Homeschool Chat

[Lilogirl]

Can anyone recommend a good Language Arts book for 2nd graders? The book we have is by Instructional Fair and it is just not working for my DD.

 

[Ellester]

My husband and I got into an argument last night because he is totally against it. He feels that our DS needs to face the bully, because in life you can't run from your problems. I disagree with him and told him our son has enough on his plate to deal with. Just let me homeschool him the rest of this school year and when open enrollment comes around then I will get him into another school district in our area. I feel like i'm stuck in between a rock and a hard spot, the school won't do anything, my husband doesnt want me to pull him out, I want to pull him out and homeschool him, I don't know what to do.

I am SO sorry you are having to go through this. What exactly does your husband expect your son to do to face this bully? Punch him back, so your son can get in trouble? In real life, if someone is harassing or attacking you, you go to the authorities. You have done that and it hasn't helped a bit. I would be tempted to file a police report against the bully, he has BATTERED your son and that is against the law. Maybe that will get the school's attention. Personally, I would pull him out immediately. Now I know that my DH would be behind me and yours is not. That is definitely something that figures into the equation. But, my goodness, your little guy is only 7 years old and has enough issues all on his own without having to fear for his life. I think you are running the risk of emotionally damaging him for a long time if something is not done soon. What "special help" is he getting in his current class other than living in fear and being humiliated on a regular basis? Sorry if this is sounding harsh, but my heart is just breaking for you and your little guy. No child should have to endure terror at the thought of going to school. My prayers are with you and your family.

 

[Mommy2three]

I am SO sorry you are having to go through this. What exactly does your husband expect your son to do to face this bully? Punch him back, so your son can get in trouble? In real life, if someone is harassing or attacking you, you go to the authorities. You have done that and it hasn't helped a bit. I would be tempted to file a police report against the bully, he has BATTERED your son and that is against the law. Maybe that will get the school's attention. Personally, I would pull him out immediately. Now I know that my DH would be behind me and yours is not. That is definitely something that figures into the equation. But, my goodness, your little guy is only 7 years old and has enough issues all on his own without having to fear for his life. I think you are running the risk of emotionally damaging him for a long time if something is not done soon. What "special help" is he getting in his current class other than living in fear and being humiliated on a regular basis? Sorry if this is sounding harsh, but my heart is just breaking for you and your little guy. No child should have to endure terror at the thought of going to school. My prayers are with you and your family.

My husband and I don't see eye to eye on anything to do with parenting. Our parenting styles are completly different from each others. The only special help my son is getting at school is help in reading and math and then speech and language, which is nothing, I can help him out with those at home. In my basement I have a whole schoolroom. Each of my three kids have their own school desk, i have the all the workbooks, reading books, computer games, etc that I would possibly need to homeschool any of my three children. My husband doesn't think I could do it, stick with it, etc. I know my children need their education and I am willing to provide it at home, he just doesn't have faith in me.

 

[lori1043]

My husband and I don't see eye to eye on anything to do with parenting. Our parenting styles are completly different from each others. The only special help my son is getting at school is help in reading and math and then speech and language, which is nothing, I can help him out with those at home. In my basement I have a whole schoolroom. Each of my three kids have their own school desk, i have the all the workbooks, reading books, computer games, etc that I would possibly need to homeschool any of my three children. My husband doesn't think I could do it, stick with it, etc. I know my children need their education and I am willing to provide it at home, he just doesn't have faith in me.

This is a mixed group of homeschoolers in the area of faith, but since I am a Christian, I will tell you that you are being lifted up in a prayer right now, as is your hubby-for open heart, open mind and some faith to lead you in the right direction.
You sound ready and prepared, but homeschooling life is that much better when DH is on board. Plus, you really cannot do much about it unless he gives a little and lets you try. Maybe ask him to give you 1 year, and see where that goes-he may be totally sold after that!

Lori

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Can anyone recommend a good Language Arts book for 2nd graders? The book we have is by Instructional Fair and it is just not working for my DD.

Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL)--we started using LLATL for this school year and we love it!! We are 7th and 4th grade, but I am sure the 2nd grade is just as good. I know some other people on here use it as well. I have never heard any complaints---it's very gentle in it's approach, but it gets the message across. Also, it's combined --grammar, handwriting, spelling,vocabulary--as they go and it is so much easier having all that in one subject/book-& not several.

 

[wvdislover]

My husband and I don't see eye to eye on anything to do with parenting. Our parenting styles are completly different from each others. The only special help my son is getting at school is help in reading and math and then speech and language, which is nothing, I can help him out with those at home. In my basement I have a whole schoolroom. Each of my three kids have their own school desk, i have the all the workbooks, reading books, computer games, etc that I would possibly need to homeschool any of my three children. My husband doesn't think I could do it, stick with it, etc. I know my children need their education and I am willing to provide it at home, he just doesn't have faith in me.

I wanted to homeschool my DD11 from the beginning, but my DH, too, didn't think I could do it. We had a couple of incidents in kindergarten, first grade was OK (as best as I remember), a few more incidents in 2nd grade, 3rd grade was really bad (b/c of both kids and the teacher). In terms of how the kids treated my DD, things just went downhill from there. In 3rd grade, my DD was wishing she was dead and has threatened several times to kill herself...and she's only recently turned 11 I knew that if I didn't pull my DD out of school, eventually, she would either commit suicide or become the next Columbine shooter (no flames, please. I'm quite serious here). DH made the decision last year that we should indeed pull our DD out of school. We did it and have never looked back, except to see how much more was going on at school that we didn't have a clue about. We know we did the right thing.
I pray that your husband will be able to see your perspective and support you in your efforts to educate your son in a safe, non-threatening environment. Again, lots of hugs to you, your son, and your family as you face this difficult issue

 

[sms]

My 5yr old just started Kindergarten in PS. He is not happy at all. Neither am I. I want to take him out and HS him. I am a single mom and I know it will be hard but I think I can do it. I haven't found any groups or organizations in my county yet so I'm going to need you guys! Money is very tight though. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to start him with. I really want something Christian based. I have enjoyed reading about everyones feelings on HS. My mother doesn't think its a great idea but I think I can convince her. Not that she has any choice in the matter, I would just like her to see all the good things about HS. "Its always nice to have a moms approval".

 

[mykidsintow]

Single and still HSing?

I would love to hear from others that are managing to Homeschool but are single. My husband has decided he has found someone else he should be in love with. We have 2 special needs kids, one is immune compromised. I know that money is going to be tight (I am not sure how tight until I meet an atty). However, I also know catching everything coming and going could kill my daughter. I have always been a stay at home parent and I am not sure how that my change.....

I was just wanting to hear the experience of others have have made it work... how? Or that haven't managed to make it work?

Beth

 

[Ellester]

My 5yr old just started Kindergarten in PS. He is not happy at all. Neither am I. I want to take him out and HS him. I am a single mom and I know it will be hard but I think I can do it. I haven't found any groups or organizations in my county yet so I'm going to need you guys! Money is very tight though. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to start him with. I really want something Christian based. I have enjoyed reading about everyones feelings on HS. My mother doesn't think its a great idea but I think I can convince her. Not that she has any choice in the matter, I would just like her to see all the good things about HS. "Its always nice to have a moms approval".

Where are you at in NC? We used to live in Charlotte and I know there are several groups in that area. Since he has already been in school, you will have to file with the NC Dept. of Nonpublic Education. http://www.ncdnpe.org/ It's a very easy process, the hardest part may be coming up with a name for your "School". Since he is 5, I would suggest looking at Five in a Row (www.fiveinarow.com). You can get most of the books from the library and they do have a Bible supplement. Very inexpensive and covers so much. You should be able to check out "Homeschool Your Child for Free" from the library. There are tons of resources in there. www.starfall.com is free as are the basic things on www.enchantedlearning.com. We use Sonlight. We do buy our books from them as I have several children who will be doing the same cores later on, but most of the books they use are available at the library so you could get by just buying the Instructor Guide (which you may be able to find used). Personally, I don't feel K needs to be that structured so there are lots of ways to do it for free/almost free. It will be a little more work since you are a single mom, but I'm sure it can be done.

 

[Mellie2162]

I have a question and thought it might best get answered here. I am new to homeschool this year and my kids are doing SOS. My county requires 5 hours per day of English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and PE. My question is this, do you have your kids do art, music, and PE every single day or do they do it a few times per week to equal the number of hours required? Also what ideas do you have for music? We have the art and PE covered, but I don't have a clue about music? My kids are 4th and 8th grade. Thanks for any help.

 

[sms]

Where are you at in NC? We used to live in Charlotte and I know there are several groups in that area. Since he has already been in school, you will have to file with the NC Dept. of Nonpublic Education. http://www.ncdnpe.org/ It's a very easy process, the hardest part may be coming up with a name for your "School". Since he is 5, I would suggest looking at Five in a Row (www.fiveinarow.com). You can get most of the books from the library and they do have a Bible supplement. Very inexpensive and covers so much. You should be able to check out "Homeschool Your Child for Free" from the library. There are tons of resources in there. www.starfall.com is free as are the basic things on www.enchantedlearning.com. We use Sonlight. We do buy our books from them as I have several children who will be doing the same cores later on, but most of the books they use are available at the library so you could get by just buying the Instructor Guide (which you may be able to find used). Personally, I don't feel K needs to be that structured so there are lots of ways to do it for free/almost free. It will be a little more work since you are a single mom, but I'm sure it can be done.

Thank you so much for all the info. I'm in lumberton so, the closet group I can find is in fayetteville, but I'll still check them out.

 

[Elaine R]

Mellie,

The only subjects we do every day are reading, math, writing, and religion.
All other subjects are rotated. (My DS is 6.)

Music can be music appreciation or learning to play an instrument. You could check out something like How to Introduce your child to classical music in 52 Easy Lessons or the Music Masters series. Evern learning about different composers or styles could count. Emmanuelbooks.com has quite a few resources.

 

[npmommie]

good website i found for learning about the states
http://www.netstate.com/states/index.html


I also found a good workbook last week at the Christmas Tree Shop, its all about the states, and has a nice cd with it.
it was a $15 book, but their price was $3.99

 

[disneymom3]

I am wondering if I could hear from those of you who pulled your kids out midyear? I know I am legal, I have no qualms or questions about homeschooling but I am not sure how to go about actually withdrawing DD from school. The school she has been attending this fall is not working out adn we are going to pull her and bring her back home next week.

Any advice on how you handled it would be great.

 

[livndisney]

I am wondering if I could hear from those of you who pulled your kids out midyear? I know I am legal, I have no qualms or questions about homeschooling but I am not sure how to go about actually withdrawing DD from school. The school she has been attending this fall is not working out adn we are going to pull her and bring her back home next week.

Any advice on how you handled it would be great.

I pulled mine out the last month of school. I went into the office and told them I wanted to withdraw. They gave me a form (and told me a bunch of garbage I already knew was not true) to sign. I sent my letter to the county and that was it.

 

[NHWX]

I am wondering if I could hear from those of you who pulled your kids out midyear? I know I am legal, I have no qualms or questions about homeschooling but I am not sure how to go about actually withdrawing DD from school. The school she has been attending this fall is not working out adn we are going to pull her and bring her back home next week.

Any advice on how you handled it would be great.

We had our younger son switch hs curriculum mid-year two years ago and he's never really caught up. Next year when he starts ninth grade, he'll be at grade level for all or all but one course, because at some point in time, he just needs to be on track.

Our older son hated our ps high school last year, and we took him out at the end of the fall semester. Luckily, all the courses there run on a semester or quarter basis so he didn't lose any credits. We had to scramble for curriculum and some wasn't the best choice but it was better than the high school.

Overall, both boys were much better off as a result of making the transition. If you're not concerned with high school or university level courses, then I really wouldn't be concerned about it.

NHWX

 

[npmommie]

Anyone catch saturday night live last night?
what did you think of the quiz bowl with the homeschool family?

 

[sha_lyn]

Didn't see that but did catch a segment on HS'ing on one of the Sunday AM shows. Was pretty good over all but they had one college professor ( or dean?) that drove me nuts.
First he tried to say that HS'ers needed more regulation and that the parents needed to be certified because home-schoolers were getting a poor education. The interviewer called him on that and pointed out test scores. He then tried to claim that HS'ers had no social skills, don't interact with peers etc. They told a home-schooler what he said and I while I loved her reply I can just see the anti crowd jumping on he. She had this shocked look on her face and said "anyone who says that must be insane".

 

[Mellie2162]

Mellie,

The only subjects we do every day are reading, math, writing, and religion.
All other subjects are rotated. (My DS is 6.)

Music can be music appreciation or learning to play an instrument. You could check out something like How to Introduce your child to classical music in 52 Easy Lessons or the Music Masters series. Evern learning about different composers or styles could count. Emmanuelbooks.com has quite a few resources.

Thanks for your answer. My dd actually got a dvd on learning how to play the guitar, so I am using that for now. Also we joined a co-op and have signed up for some art classes.

I can take all the advice I can get right now.

 

[disneymom3]

Overall, both boys were much better off as a result of making the transition. If you're not concerned with high school or university level courses, then I really wouldn't be concerned about it.

NHWX

Thanks for the advice. I am guessing you don't recognize my screen name but I am on here a lot and have been homeschooling for 7 years. I really appreciate your reassurance that it will work out. What I am trying to figure out though is what to do on the school end. Not sure if I just call them or what. My thought right now is that I will wait until they leave for the camp they are going to on Tuesday and then call the school office and simply ask them what the protocol is. I don't want to deal with the director of the program and the teachers trying to convince me not to withdraw her. They would.