Homeschool Chat

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Hi everyone. We do not homeschool but I thought that you would be the parents I could ask for help. I am not pleased with certain aspects of the math curriculum at my daughter's school and was wondering if I could get some ideas from you on resources for "old fashioned" math curriculums that I could use at home for enrichment. We have flash cards but I would like some additional materials or books for learning the basics. My daughter is nine years old and in the fourth grade. Thank you!

What curriculum is she using now? What parts don't you like? I can think of a couple but they might contain those aspects you're trying to eliminate! :)

NHWX
 
What curriculum is she using now? What parts don't you like? I can think of a couple but they might contain those aspects you're trying to eliminate! :)

NHWX

Hi...they use Everyday Mathematics. I would like to have a curriculum that stresses the traditional ways of presenting addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The basics is what I'm looking for. I realize that in order to "pass" her class she will have to learn their variety of ways of doing math, but I see alot of holes in what she does and doesn't know. The Everyday Mathematics is the curriculum they have been using each year but I am really starting to be concerned with where she is at. I have two older sons, ages 23 and 21, so I've been around the block, so to speak, but this is the first time that I was concerned about the curriculum being used and I believe I need to see what I can do to get her on track. Thanks!
 
Both are very popular. I used Math-U-See with my younger son who had previously used Everyday Math in school. He really needed some help with fractions and Math-U-See gave him the foundations and plenty of practice.

Many, many people are happy with Saxon, and many school systems use it. I know that it's in our middle schools here. (I'm mentioning this just in case your daughter mentions it to her teacher, her teacher should be familiar with it.)

NHWX
 
Actually no they don't say uo front (on their website) that they are a Christian organization

I alos noticed they have changed their name to
The Homeschool Foundation.


Hmm.

About HSLDA

Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization

And like someone else mentioned, there's the "Is HSLDA a Christian organization? Yes" part under Who We Are.

And there's nothing up there right now, but in the past they've had some pretty darned obvious things...bits of not-education-related legislations and whatnot that they were urging support or non support for...that show that they are heavily religious.




I saw the Starbucks thing mentioned over on mothering...figured I could probably make a strong case for being a homeschooler with my "school aged" kid out of school, and our little Kumon workbooks etc (DS is only 4 but is desperate for official learning so I've promised that we'll do stuff every day that DH is at work), but at the end did NOT go b/c I don't like their plain coffee, so what's the point? :)
 

Ok I don't know if this is worth bringing up but it's been bugging me so here goes... HSLDA did not "change" their name to The Homeschool Foundation. The latter was founded by HSLDA, but they are separate entities with separate web sites, leaders, goals, etc..

.
 
I wish I had included the link back when I said it. At that time, their website most certainly said they had changed their name. It said something to the efect of: Our Name Change reflects our goal to .............
Yes that is no longer there, but it was there at the time.

I still stand by my statement that the info on it being a Christian organzation is not "right up front". It is not a part of their mission statement as I had previously c/p here.
It isn't in their about us facts either until you get the the frequently asked questions:
About HSLDA

Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Through annual memberships, HSLDA is tens of thousands of families united in service together, providing a strong voice when and where needed.


HSLDA advocates on the legal front on behalf of our members in matters which include conflicts with state or local officials over homeschooling. Each year, thousands of member families receive legal consultation by letter and phone, hundreds more are represented through negotiations with local officials, and dozens are represented in court proceedings. HSLDA also takes the offensive, filing actions to protect members against government intrusion and to establish legal precedent. On occasion, HSLDA will handle precedent-setting cases for nonmembers, as well.


HSLDA advocates on Capitol Hill by tracking federal legislation that affects homeschooling and parental rights. HSLDA works to defeat or amend harmful bills, but also works proactively, introducing legislation to protect and preserve family freedoms.


HSLDA advocates in state legislatures, at the invitation of state homeschool organizations, by assisting individual states in drafting language to improve their homeschool legal environment and to fight harmful legislation.


HSLDA advocates in the media by presenting articulate and knowledgeable spokesmen to the press on the subject of homeschooling. HSLDA staff members are regularly called upon for radio, television, and print interviews, and their writings are frequently published in newspapers and magazines across the country. HSLDA’s own bimonthly magazine, The Home School Court Report, provides news and commentary on a host of current issues affecting homeschoolers. And its two-minute daily radio broadcast, Home School Heartbeat, can be heard on nearly 500 radio stations.


HSLDA advocates for the movement by commissioning and presenting quality research on the progress of homeschooling. Whether it’s in print, from the podium, or on the air, HSLDA provides insightful vision and leadership for the cause of homeschooling.


Home School Legal Defense Association . . . tens of thousands of American families working through more than 50 dedicated staff members to preserve each other’s right to homeschool . . . together, “Advocates for Family & Freedom.”

Also while their claim is that they do not limit membership to Christians, there are many accounts out there of people who had paid for membership for yrs then were denied help.
As also mentioned, at the bottom of the PDF for the state I was looking at the other day, Said that secular programs were"public school" and were not eligible for membership
 
Both are very popular. I used Math-U-See with my younger son who had previously used Everyday Math in school. He really needed some help with fractions and Math-U-See gave him the foundations and plenty of practice.

Many, many people are happy with Saxon, and many school systems use it. I know that it's in our middle schools here. (I'm mentioning this just in case your daughter mentions it to her teacher, her teacher should be familiar with it.)

NHWX

Thank you for your recommendations! :)
 
Also...are there places where I can see some of these curriculums in person, hands on. I've been checking out websites today but I'm just not getting a true feel for them. Thanks!
 
Also...are there places where I can see some of these curriculums in person, hands on. I've been checking out websites today but I'm just not getting a true feel for them. Thanks!

Curriculum fairs/homeschooling conventions are the best places, but most of them take place in the spring/summer. If you can hook up with some local homeschoolers, many would probably be willing to let you take a peak at what they have. The very fortunate have a homeschooling store somewhere near by, we don't have one here but we did in Charlotte, NC. Some larger curriculum companies (Abeka comes to mind) will have shows at local hotels from time to time. It is tricky without having it right there in front of you to thumb though. That's why the fairs/conventions can be invaluable.
 
Sorry to burst the bubbles on all those plans, but 85,000,000,000 divided by 200 million (200,000,000) is only $425 per person. I don't know if this was a joke to see if people could figure out the error or if the person writing it just didn't add zeros when dividing.

$450 won't even get me enough Disney tickets for the family for a week.

Sigh.

Dawn

Yeah, my dh brought that up as well. Of course, now that the package is up to $700 billion, I would take my $3K+ and head down to Disney. ;)

Hey, where did everyone go???? HELLO?????

Dawn

I was getting caught up in all the family board drama lately, I guess! Time to get refocused! We started our Fall co-op on Friday. I'm helping in an Animal Habitats class for the littles (4-6 yo's) and teaching a class on elections to the 10-14 yo's. DS is taking preschool activities and a preschool Bible study, DD7 is taking Tae Kwan Do and Exploring the Human Body, and DD10 is taking Famous Weather and my Election class.

A bunch of us went to Chik-Fil-A for lunch afterward and I really appreciated seeing "socialization" in action. When a child came to tell me that DS4 was crying on the playground, a friend's DS10 immediately said "I'll go help him" and ran off to rescue him. My DD10 was sitting at a table with her best friend, who is 13. They were both playing their DS's while the mom's visited. A little boy, about 3, kept coming over to see what they were doing. (no one knew this boy, he was with another non-homeschooling group of moms). The 13yo automatically positioned her screen so he could watch what she was doing. I just thought that was so sweet, the 13yo doesn't have any younger siblings either. I so enjoy seeing different ages play together and get along. :goodvibes
 
Yeah, my dh brought that up as well. Of course, now that the package is up to $700 billion, I would take my $3K+ and head down to Disney. ;)



I was getting caught up in all the family board drama lately, I guess! Time to get refocused! We started our Fall co-op on Friday. I'm helping in an Animal Habitats class for the littles (4-6 yo's) and teaching a class on elections to the 10-14 yo's. DS is taking preschool activities and a preschool Bible study, DD7 is taking Tae Kwan Do and Exploring the Human Body, and DD10 is taking Famous Weather and my Election class.

A bunch of us went to Chik-Fil-A for lunch afterward and I really appreciated seeing "socialization" in action. When a child came to tell me that DS4 was crying on the playground, a friend's DS10 immediately said "I'll go help him" and ran off to rescue him. My DD10 was sitting at a table with her best friend, who is 13. They were both playing their DS's while the mom's visited. A little boy, about 3, kept coming over to see what they were doing. (no one knew this boy, he was with another non-homeschooling group of moms). The 13yo automatically positioned her screen so he could watch what she was doing. I just thought that was so sweet, the 13yo doesn't have any younger siblings either. I so enjoy seeing different ages play together and get along. :goodvibes

:grouphug: That is the best part about homeschooling!!!!:grouphug:
 
Also...are there places where I can see some of these curriculums in person, hands on. I've been checking out websites today but I'm just not getting a true feel for them. Thanks!


Hi OhioMom. I am in North Ridgeville. Where are you?

We use Horizon's for math and DD loves it. We are doing 1st grade math, but she is almost 1/2 way through it. We will start 2nd grade when she is done. She just turned 6 a week ago.
 
We used Abeka from K-8th and loved it. My youngest is 1/4 of the way through Algebra I using another curriculum and has not encountered anything he did not already know, so we feel Abeka definitely prepared him for high school. It uses the basics and is very heavy on reviewing past concepts.
 
Hi everyone. We do not homeschool but I thought that you would be the parents I could ask for help. I am not pleased with certain aspects of the math curriculum at my daughter's school and was wondering if I could get some ideas from you on resources for "old fashioned" math curriculums that I could use at home for enrichment. We have flash cards but I would like some additional materials or books for learning the basics. My daughter is nine years old and in the fourth grade. Thank you!


We have been using Singapore math for several years.
I think it covers the basics well, although I don't know if you would call it "old fashioned."

What exactly are you looking for? If your main focus is to get her to memorize math facts, I would suggest many of the free worksheets available on line. Just search for Math drills.
 
Hey All,
I spent several days reading all 67 pages! I am very new to homeschooling. Ok, technically, I haven't pulled my dd out of PS yet, but will do so at the end of the 9 weeks (next week). I've followed many recommended reading suggestions and have a document for all the curriculum ideas too.

I'm pulling dd out of 1st grade because I'm just not happy with the way they are pushing the kids to read. I feel like my dd isn't making some of the connections (learning styles of school and dd aren't matching up). She's a happy child and well behaved. But she does not finish her work. I believe she would fall in the category of "attention" issues. I've tried working the system, but I just don't think its the way to go. I'm so inspired by all the wonderful stories shared here. And I'm excited to begin homeschooling.

I am a SAHM, but prior to children, I was a teacher for special ed and gifted. I suppose I'm going to need more "de-schooling" than my dd! LOL I'm very interested in Charlotte Mason and unit studies. I have been reading up on right-brain learners because I think this type of learner describes my dd. Phonics is very slow going for her and it seems like she's having a difficult time moving beyond the basic consonant vowel consonant words. She's not a fan of reading and never has been (I'm a book lover myself). She's amazing with a set of kinex, though I don't know how she constructs the objects she does. I realize that she and I are totally different in our learning styles.

For those of you who have right brain learners, what have you found has helped your child learn to read? Should I just lay off and wait till comes? Should I focus on sight words? She loves to sing, and I've seen posts about Sing, Spell, Read, Write (I assume this is phonics based, do you think she could get it if she's singing)? I don't want a whole curriculum for all subjects at home, just perhaps something to help with the reading. We live in MS, so the homeschooling laws here are very lax. I can do what I want. What would you do with that freedom? :)
 
balloo's girl.. After talking to a friend of mine about the "push" for reading, I think it's in part to the "No Child Left Behind Act" and my friend has been frustrated too! My Dd 7 had the same issues as your DD last year! In fact she couldn't read beyond a Bob book by the end of the year, but over the summer, we signed up for the library reading program and she loved having a goal to reach and by the end of summer she could read Junie B Jones chapter books. The crazy thing is that I did nothing to spark this interest(except lots of prayers!;) ) she was just ready. Maybe you could offer incentives such as with the Pizza Hut Book It program and have her read a few pages a day, or whatever her limit might be, slow but sure will win the race!!

I just remembered that with my DS 11, when he was learning to read, he and I were both stressed out! So we started playing games, like treasure hunt, I would make simple and easy to read clues as to where to find the next clue, ending with a sweet treat at the end, it progressively got more challenging each hunt. I also wrote stories with words and characters that he loved(Star Wars) but I drew pictures and he loved this(even though I AM NO artist.) also we played action commands, I would write simple things like dog or cat or bug or whatever according what level he was at, and he would draw them out of a hat and then act them out and I would guess what he was. I also put a "mailbox"(paper bag) on his bedroom door and sent him letters. In his case we really needed to think outside the box!! To reassure you, he is now an excellent reader and literature is his favorite subject, I am constantly scolding him to put down his book and get back to his other work!!:rotfl:
 
We played lots of computer games that were storybooks where the computer read the words and the individual words were highlighted when they were said. They're part of the Living Books series which I'm surprised to say, is still available! Here's one: http://www.kidsclick.com/descrip/harry_haunted.htm
Dr. Suess' ABCs was another. There was also one about the Tortoise and the Hare. Something too about going to the beach with a little brother.

I also would start reading with my younger son who was worried that he couldn't do it. I would start a story and ask him to read just the last bit on the page. Or I'd read most of a story and then "have to check the spaghetti" or whatever, knowing that he was hooked enough to try to read the last sentence or whatever.

I also have pointed out lots of sight words that kids already know. Everyone knows "STOP" when they see it on a sign. If you make a game of it when kids are in a good mood, you can tell them something like "Oh, no, that's not right. That says it's mushroom flavor cookies, that's why their brown." Most kids will look at you like you're nuts and point to "Oreos" and they'll tell you that is says "Oreos!" Of course, you remind them, you do know how to read many words.

I liked another poster's ideas about games, etc. I'd definitely try that.

NHWX
 
HI all, I am new to this thread. PLease forgive me if this has already been discussed.

I am needing a program for my son. He will be in the 9th grade next year. My DD15 uses the Abeka Academy but he is not disciplined to do that. I have looked into Kentucky virtual high school, he wouldnt' be disciplined enough for that either. What other accredited programs do you suggest?

Also, I will be starting Kindergarten with my dd4 next year. I definitely need suggestions for her. I began homeschooling the older 2 in 3rd and 5th grade and I used Abeka books and Saxon Math. You think I should use that since I am familiar with it? I really like Saxon Math so we will stick with that but I need something for reading/phonics.

Thanks!:goodvibes
 
Belle4mygrl & Baloos girl~
Welcome!!

For phonics, my boys used Abeka. My dd did Abeka last year for Pre-K and all we did was the vowels!!

I don't know if she was just too little-personally I think so, she's smart, but she has such an imagination, she just wasn't ready to buckle down yet.Anyway, this year we are doing Explode the Code. She absolutely loves it!! It starts with books A,B,C,-these are your consanants--we are halfway through the C book right now. In book 1, we will add vowels and short words. But for about a week, she has been watching the letters as I read to them and picking out letters and sounding out the words.!! I highly recommen ETC-the pictures are all drawn by kids, so it's kid-friendly and there are several pages of games, tracing and linking for each letter.Way more relaxed than ABeka. until this year I would have said ABeka hands down-but the ETC is really great!

Baloosgirl~I too do the Charlotte Mason approach & coming out of ABeka it's so unstressful!! I do love ABeka-I know it sounds like I am beating them up, but if they could just take about half of it out-my kids would have done so much better!!! It's just too much for homeschooling, really. They are really doing so good with this approach-we are book lovers and so this is perfect for us. I haven't studied the right-brain learners, but I think CM would be a good fit for you too. Especially if traditional school doesn't work for your child.They learn sooo much just from you reading a great book!

I have done Saxon and ABeka math. They are good-and the ABeka will put your kids above grade level quickly--but if your kids are overwhelmed by lots of work at a time, this might not work out. My boys are now using Teaching Textbooks--it's for 5th grade & up. They add a grade level or two every year-so next year maybe they'll have at least 4th grade. This is unbeleivable-everyone should use it!!!

My dd in K is using Horizons math and we are really liking it so far. It is moving pretty quickly, but it's not so many problems that it's too much-also,it's kid friendly as well!!!
 
Hi everyone. I have been thinking about asking you all a question for weeks now, but wasn't sure if I should since I don't homeschool. I like to supplement my children's education at home. Our school does not offer language classes until 6th grade. My son age 7 has been taking spanish lessons from a great tutor, but she just moved to Texas last week. I've known for a month that she was leaving, but I can't find another tutor. Have any of you ever used Rosetta Stone? If not do you know of another good spanish program? My boys are 6 and 7. I was planning on starting the 6 year old with the tutor next summer. I do not know spanish so I'm not much help to them. I'm just so upset that the tutor (who was also a good friend) has moved away. A computer program can't replace her. Also Rosetta Stone is very expensive. I would love to hear from someone who has used it before making the purchase. Thanks in advance.
 
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