Homeschool Chat

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

No attacks intended, I promise...but why are we as parents so focused on getting our kids ready for school? And why do we think this means that they have to sit still, color inside the lines, know their letters (or even know how to read) and know how to tie their shoes?

I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm starting to think (and I stand up and raise my hand as I did it too when my DS was little) that we push our kids too much to learn that learning isn't fun.

So, I've been homeschooling for 1 week and I have to say it's the best thing I've ever done!!!!!!!! Why oh why did I wait? Why oh why did I think homeschooling parents were (sorry) religious zealots or freaks?

I am so sorry to everyone I've misjudged for homeschooling their children (she said with a voice filled with shame)!!!!!

Let me tell you what my DS said today, "Mom, I love homeschool. I get to move at my pace (faster on somethings and slower on others) and it's creative! I get to do fun stuff like converting fractions within recipes to learn fractions....and using measuring cups to make fractions add up to whole numbers!" I think the best thing about homeschool for my DS is that it is not "regimented" like his old school was. We are accomplishing just as much (if not more) and he's learning things that he wasn't learning before (like how to check and edit his work!).

Sorry to ramble. I guess I just have a series of random (yet connected) thoughts about how we are educating our children. Moms of little ones, take it from this mom, enjoy your children. Help them learn creatively. Don't worry if they know how to read going into kindergarten. Instead, enjoy a picnic, snuggle under a blanket, run around with them and the rest will come in due time!

Again, no offense or attacks meant toward anyone...it's just my odd ramblings.

Karen

 

[tnmomof4]

Can someone explain to me what the Charlotte Mason approach is? What is the difference between that and other approaches?

 

[HomeschoolMama]

No attacks intended, I promise...but why are we as parents so focused on getting our kids ready for school? And why do we think this means that they have to sit still, color inside the lines, know their letters (or even know how to read) and know how to tie their shoes?

I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm starting to think (and I stand up and raise my hand as I did it too when my DS was little) that we push our kids too much to learn that learning isn't fun.

So, I've been homeschooling for 1 week and I have to say it's the best thing I've ever done!!!!!!!! Why oh why did I wait? Why oh why did I think homeschooling parents were (sorry) religious zealots or freaks?

I am so sorry to everyone I've misjudged for homeschooling their children (she said with a voice filled with shame)!!!!!

Let me tell you what my DS said today, "Mom, I love homeschool. I get to move at my pace (faster on somethings and slower on others) and it's creative! I get to do fun stuff like converting fractions within recipes to learn fractions....and using measuring cups to make fractions add up to whole numbers!" I think the best thing about homeschool for my DS is that it is not "regimented" like his old school was. We are accomplishing just as much (if not more) and he's learning things that he wasn't learning before (like how to check and edit his work!).

Sorry to ramble. I guess I just have a series of random (yet connected) thoughts about how we are educating our children. Moms of little ones, take it from this mom, enjoy your children. Help them learn creatively. Don't worry if they know how to read going into kindergarten. Instead, enjoy a picnic, snuggle under a blanket, run around with them and the rest will come in due time!

Again, no offense or attacks meant toward anyone...it's just my odd ramblings.

Karen

I agree. That was well said.

I think that's part of why I'm so upset about this reading thing. I've let him learn at his pace with fun games and activities. Now that they are going to participate in the co-op on M/W, I have to push him to get him to learn certain things so he won't be "behind".

He such a smart kid, he's just not interested in reading right now.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

I agree. That was well said.

I think that's part of why I'm so upset about this reading thing. I've let him learn at his pace with fun games and activities. Now that they are going to participate in the co-op on M/W, I have to push him to get him to learn certain things so he won't be "behind".

He such a smart kid, he's just not interested in reading right now.

OK...so cook with him. Ask him how many eggs are needed for chocolate chip cookies. Play board games with him and ask him to help you read the directions. Read fun books at bedtime (I know I read Dinosaur Roar until I thought I'd keel over when my DS was 2 to 3...and we won't talk about the Foot Book or Mr. Brown Can Moo!). Have him cut out specific words (with safety scissors) out of (your) magazines! Take him for story time at the library or puppet shows. Buy him simple comic books...ask him to help you write a play that you act out together. There's a million things you can do with reading that won't seem like work.

Hang in there. Maybe putting away the "curriculum" right now and getting out your creativity and imagination is the best thing to do right now.

Let us know how you are doing. The best part about this board is that we're all here for each other (and I sure am grateful for that!).

Karen

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Can someone explain to me what the Charlotte Mason approach is? What is the difference between that and other approaches?

OOhhh~ let me tell you!!! I love the CM approach. It's mainly the idea of reading good books. (in a nut shell). Not cheesy or what she calls "dumbed-down" books;just great classic stories. Check out the website Yesterdays Classics to get an idea of one type of book. They are usually older books from days gone by. Things like Robin Hood, Anne of Green Gables,Caldecott & Newbury Winners. Things that are interesting yet teach at the same time. The History I went with this year--Truth Quest----utilizes this approach. For example, we have this year read, The Sign of the Beaver, Island of the Blue Dolphins, the Matchlock Gun,In Freedoms Cause, Otto of the Silver Hand.....just a smattering of what we are doing for History. Karen Andreola has written several books on CM that I highly recommend. Our library actually had one--but I loved it so much I went and bought it!! Also, Catherine Levinson(sp?) has some that are great. Google Charlotte Mason--you will get lots of info. This approach lets you visit the library a lot!! Things for littler kids, like Pooh, Beatrix Potter--The story About Ping.... I love this and it's one of my HSing passions!!!! Check these sites out and see what you think. I feel that it's very liberating--don't you wish we could have just read great literature instead of some boring History book? I know I do. It also proves the fact that kids learn a lot of grammar from reading good lit. So, when they are old enough to study verbs, or punctuation, it's more natural for them because they understand the flow--whether they know they are learning or not!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Karen- I agree. Why do we feel so much pressure? I think we really let others 'control' us more than we realize. I don't mean that in an ugly way, but you don't realize how freeing hs is until you do it. I have loved it from day one and am just so thankful that the Lord did lead me here!!!! It's been an awesome journey and I am sad for those who could do this, but for whatever reason are so against it. Time with our kids can never be brought back, and is NEVER wasted! Ok, off the soap box!!!!! Just wanted to chime in and say I agree!!!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I need help finding an art curriculum for my very talented 15 year old DS. I have been unable to find any sort of local classes. He is a very good artist and would like to go to art school. We looked at our state HS convention but there was nothing there that he felt was challenging enough.

My daughter is using Exploring America by Notgrass. It has American History, Literature and Religion (although you can skip this if you aren't looking for a religion class). It is challenging and my dd does enjoy it. She is 14 but very advanced for her age. It is actually an 11th grade curriculum. She loves the reading and has taught me alot about history! For math we use Saxon and she finds it challenging. She really enjoys Apologia science. She loved the experiments in Biology last year, and this year she is really having fun with Marine Biology! WE too had a very hard time finding a single curriculum for her so we did it piecemeal.

She also is a very good artist, but finding something for her for artistry is hard. Last year, each week, she researched an artist and had to try her hand at an art piece in that artists' style. She really learned a lot. This year, she is really doing a lot of sketching and painting. She goes to free classes at the library when they are offered, and I am looking into a class with local art teachers.

Hope that helps.

 

[HomeschoolMama]

OK...so cook with him. Ask him how many eggs are needed for chocolate chip cookies. Play board games with him and ask him to help you read the directions. Read fun books at bedtime (I know I read Dinosaur Roar until I thought I'd keel over when my DS was 2 to 3...and we won't talk about the Foot Book or Mr. Brown Can Moo!). Have him cut out specific words (with safety scissors) out of (your) magazines! Take him for story time at the library or puppet shows. Buy him simple comic books...ask him to help you write a play that you act out together. There's a million things you can do with reading that won't seem like work.

Hang in there. Maybe putting away the "curriculum" right now and getting out your creativity and imagination is the best thing to do right now.

Let us know how you are doing. The best part about this board is that we're all here for each other (and I sure am grateful for that!).

Karen

I know my son is only 6, but he's more like a 10 year old. He doesn't like cartoons (think: Leap Frog Letter Factory), storytime at libraries, crafts, etc. It's really difficult after having two girls who love a workbook approach to figure out what a hands on boy would enjoy.

We pulled out magnets and played games to learn the sounds. Now I need to figure fun ways to teach reading several letter sounds smooshed together.

We read the first of the Animal Antics Now I'm reading books today. I just helped him with it and we read it once two different times. He read it to his dad a few minutes ago. Each time is better, so I'm happy with that.

I bet I can google 'reading activities' and come up with a bundle of them. Thanks for the ideas. Keep them coming if anyone else has come too!

 

[desparatelydisney]

Hey guys, I need to vent a little bit so please pardon the rambling...as I have ventured into the world of possible homeschooling I have encountered so many feelings inside of myself. I was prepared for others comments but not so much for my own feelings. I have truly come to believe that homeschooling is "right" for our family...so why do I keep second guessing myself? If I know this is the right thing to do, why do I keep beating myself up and wondering if I am being "eccentric"? More importantly, why have we come to believe as a society that being different is wrong? Only one person has said to me "I wish I could do that". Why isn't homeschooling the preferred option and everyone else is "doing what they fell they have too"?

The State of NC actually says in a state written article on the Dept of Non-Public Education's webpage - "Any educator would agree that "one-on-one" academic instruction from a caring and competent instructor is an ideal setting for learning." When a commentator talks of an Olympic athlete they are always quick to point out that they have a "private tutor" to assist them with their studies since competition and practice takes up so much of their time. Ever notice they don't say they are "homeschooled". Perhaps we should quit calling it homeschooling and tell everyone that we are going to begin "privately tutoring" our children.

I don't know what my point is here other than that we are so trained to "to be a sheep", to follow the masses that it is nearly impossible to go against that grain; to stand up and say "I want to do something different for my family and I have that right".

Well, sorry if all of this had made no sense at all...I just needed it to come out and this seemed like the best place.

 

[graygables]

Well, sorry if all of this had made no sense at all...I just needed it to come out and this seemed like the best place.

That made perfect sense. Let me guess, you are a product of a "traditional school" of some kind. That is the whole point of traditional schooling, to minimize creativity and encourage group-think. It is VERY difficult to get those tapes to stop playing over and over in your head. You have been programmed that only "trained professionals" can teach children (newsflash: I *AM* a "trained professional" and I don't WANT to teach other people's kids... ) The public at large has been primarily exposed to the "eccentric" homeschoolers and paints us all with the same brush, thanks to the teachers' unions. The unions HATE us and have a lot more money and organization to put the messages out there that we are somehow not "normal".

As you begin the journey, it is not at all uncommon to question your decisions. Just keep your eye on the goal and those voices will begin to fall behind as time passes. I've been homeschooling for 12 years and, believe me, I have my "put 'em on the bus" days still, but by remembering that what they are learning and HOW they are learning it is SO much better for them, I snap out of that fairly quickly. Those are the days we leave the books on the shelf and just have some fun together.

It gets better!

 

[NHWX]

Been there, done that but with writing. At some point when you're past primary grades, there's a point to say "You just have to do this. Stop complaining." But now is the fun time.

Take him grocery shopping. Go to the cereal aisle. Any child can tell you which one has the free car. In a completely straight face tell him with your finger going past the word "FREE!!", "It says "Contains green beans. You won't like it." " He'll go on and on, and maybe you'll have to concede that he does know how to read the word "FREE! Inside! Matchbox!" or whatever.

And then, you might give him a note that says something like "snowballs". Once you and he sound out the word, you go outside and throw around snowballs.

Or how about computer/video games? Pick a new one with required reading. Leave it around but don't install it yet. Or do install it, but don't start it for him.

I'm willing to bet that once there's a clear reason to learn to read, he'll be more interested. Bob books are probably not a good enough reason. Captain Underpants has gotten many a reluctant reader past a certain hump. www.guysread.com is a great site for book recommendations. Jon Scieszka's website's pretty funny too. If you scroll down on this page http://www.jsworldwide.com/worth_a_thousand_words.html, you get to my favorite part: the writing draft.

Have fun!

NHWX

I was hoping someone here would have some idea of a good reading program for my reluctant 6 year old son. I've bought the Scaredy Cat reading system, Sing, Spell, Read and Write, 100 Easy Lessons...
He doesn't seem to want to focus and look at the words he's learning. He gets frustrated easily. I don't want something he has to do a lot of writing with because that will just frustrate him further.

It wasn't as big of a deal to me when he reads, but I putting everyone in a two day homeschool co-op in the fall. He'll be tested for his classes in the fall in June and I'm stressed. I don't want my almost 7 yr old in kindergarten again next year.

I'm so frustrated I could cry.

 

[desparatelydisney]

thanks graygables (and sorry for all the spelling errors I just found on my re-read )

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hey guys, I need to vent a little bit so please pardon the rambling...as I have ventured into the world of possible homeschooling I have encountered so many feelings inside of myself. I was prepared for others comments but not so much for my own feelings. I have truly come to believe that homeschooling is "right" for our family...so why do I keep second guessing myself? If I know this is the right thing to do, why do I keep beating myself up and wondering if I am being "eccentric"? More importantly, why have we come to believe as a society that being different is wrong? Only one person has said to me "I wish I could do that". Why isn't homeschooling the preferred option and everyone else is "doing what they fell they have too"?

The State of NC actually says in a state written article on the Dept of Non-Public Education's webpage - "Any educator would agree that "one-on-one" academic instruction from a caring and competent instructor is an ideal setting for learning." When a commentator talks of an Olympic athlete they are always quick to point out that they have a "private tutor" to assist them with their studies since competition and practice takes up so much of their time. Ever notice they don't say they are "homeschooled". Perhaps we should quit calling it homeschooling and tell everyone that we are going to begin "privately tutoring" our children.

I don't know what my point is here other than that we are so trained to "to be a sheep", to follow the masses that it is nearly impossible to go against that grain; to stand up and say "I want to do something different for my family and I have that right".

Well, sorry if all of this had made no sense at all...I just needed it to come out and this seemed like the best place.

Oh do I understand that! I'm just starting to get to the point (after one week, I add proudly) of thinking that maybe sending our kids to school is really the weird part! I mean think about it. We won't let our children go play at just anyone's home...but we'll turn them over to a school with plenty of unknown adults just because they have "teacher" or "principal" credentials and a school is supposed to be a safe place.

So, I say go for it....find your new sense of normal. Be adventurous and don't look back (trust me you won't like the picture in your rear view mirror anyway!).

Karen

 

[HomeschoolMama]

Thanks for the ideas, NHWX. You must know my son. Those all sound like reasons he'd get busy learning to read!

Today I searched for phonics activities and for Starfall's website. People told about it before, but I thought it was just printing worksheets. I found the section where there's a game for two ending sounds and a book to read on-line. Then I printed the worksheets of the words he knows so he could put them in a folder like a trophy. He liked the books because after he read the sentence I let him click on the picture which always had a silly thing happen on it. He was laughing and reading!
He wants to come back and do more later and if he's got a good attitude, we will.

I'm excited about this program and it's FREE!

 

[dvcbnd]

hi all! i've been lurking here on this thread for quite a while now...a few months i think! i've been considering hs'ing my oldest ds who is in 5th grade. he really struggles with school, and we feel he has been passed along from one grade to the next. he is required (due to poor test scores) to have extra help, but the school says that due to budget cuts, he gets what he gets. his 5th grade teacher is trying really hard to bring him up to date, but he just continues to struggle and get further behind. we find that when he comes home from a full day of school, he's doing homework here for a few hours too, and he is just a plain grump! he's got no time to be a kid, and it's making him and us miserable!!
it seems lots of people hs their kids because the child is not being challenged enough at school. can it work if it's the opposite? will it be bad for my ds because he is already behind? i'm afraid of him falling even further behind. he has a pretty good attention span, i think he just doesn't do well, cuz he needs a little more one on one. (at least i'm hoping this is the case! he does ok when i try to help him with homework and stuff.)
i've checked out the link to that was provided above.
is there anyone else on this board that homeschools and is from NY? i don't remember seeing anyone else from ny, and i just wondered if there was any from here.
i'm sure i'll have tons of questions too!! you all seem so friendly to each other and so helpful....thanks!

Hi!
Sorry that it took so long to post this, but this is the first chance that I had to jump on in a little over a week. We had a family medical emergency and had to go down to SC. We're from the NYC area and this is our first year hs'ing. We love it!! Our dd is in the 4th grade and ds is in the 2nd. Prior to us hs'ing, they were in a private catholic school since pre-k. Our oldest is still in catholic school. He just began highschool this year. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions that I can possibly help you with.

 

[DawnM]

Makes perfect sense!

I am also in NC if you have any questions.

Dawn

Hey guys, I need to vent a little bit so please pardon the rambling...as I have ventured into the world of possible homeschooling I have encountered so many feelings inside of myself. I was prepared for others comments but not so much for my own feelings. I have truly come to believe that homeschooling is "right" for our family...so why do I keep second guessing myself? If I know this is the right thing to do, why do I keep beating myself up and wondering if I am being "eccentric"? More importantly, why have we come to believe as a society that being different is wrong? Only one person has said to me "I wish I could do that". Why isn't homeschooling the preferred option and everyone else is "doing what they fell they have too"?

The State of NC actually says in a state written article on the Dept of Non-Public Education's webpage - "Any educator would agree that "one-on-one" academic instruction from a caring and competent instructor is an ideal setting for learning." When a commentator talks of an Olympic athlete they are always quick to point out that they have a "private tutor" to assist them with their studies since competition and practice takes up so much of their time. Ever notice they don't say they are "homeschooled". Perhaps we should quit calling it homeschooling and tell everyone that we are going to begin "privately tutoring" our children.

I don't know what my point is here other than that we are so trained to "to be a sheep", to follow the masses that it is nearly impossible to go against that grain; to stand up and say "I want to do something different for my family and I have that right".

Well, sorry if all of this had made no sense at all...I just needed it to come out and this seemed like the best place.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Oh do I understand that! I'm just starting to get to the point (after one week, I add proudly) of thinking that maybe sending our kids to school is really the weird part! I mean think about it. We won't let our children go play at just anyone's home...but we'll turn them over to a school with plenty of unknown adults just because they have "teacher" or "principal" credentials and a school is supposed to be a safe place.

So, I say go for it....find your new sense of normal. Be adventurous and don't look back (trust me you won't like the picture in your rear view mirror anyway!).

Karen

Amen Sister!!!! I whole-heartedly agree! And we all know how bad the crime, bullying,etc is getting in school. We live in a very 'safe' place as far as most crimes are concerned. Mostly around here, police will tell you, it's DWI's or Domestic stuff-not shootings, stabbings and all that. Well, the next town north of us (we lived there for 5 years) is a little country town, quite smaller than where we are now---the High School there is crazy!!! The kids have to all have badges with id,they walk in through a security frame around the door, and they can search them with a wand or whatever--kinda like at the airport. They have police at diff parts of the building at ALL times. It's really nutty. The building is about 4 or 5 years old-it's a very nice facility, but the first day of school in that new building-Emergency #1. A guy stabbed another guy in the lungs with a big 'ole knife he brought from home.....and that's how it is there.

I know I don't want my kids going to schools like that. I have friends that work at several schools around here, the things that are going on would totally blow your mind!And we are in a 'good' school district. Someone mentioned earlier the comments that drive you crazy. Well, mine is when it comes from someone who you know well enough to have seen their children in action, or the kids they hang with and ask you about YOUR childs socialization.I just want to say"Yeah, I am concerned. I have been watching your kids and there is NO way I want them acting like that. So, we are kinda monitoring who they socialize with". WOW! I wonder would that would do!!!???
All the activities we are in or places we go(dentist, dr., etc.) they always comment on how much better behaved HS kids are and they could pick them out of a crowd.They are usually more polite, smarter, and get along with siblings and all ranges of people well. That's what I like to hear!!!!!!

 

[Ellester]

Wow! I don't check the board for a few days and look at all the posts!

Welcome to all the newcomers! I'd like to go back and quote lots of the posts, but the baby is sleeping so I know I don't have much time.

Anyway, my biggest recommendations to the new hs'ers are:

1) Don't drop a ton of money on any one curriculum right away, get to know your child's learning style first. See if you can hook up with local hs'ers and check our their choices. You don't want to spend $500+ on a package just to discover that you and your child hate it.

2) Along that path, make sure you pick programs that YOU like as well. Trust me, if you don't like to teach it you will find plenty of ways to put that subject off as long as possible!

3) If you are bringing them home from public/private school don't be afraid to take some time off to allow your child to decompress and get used to being at home. The general rule of thumb is to allow one to two weeks per year spent in "building" school (as my kids sometimes call it) for adjustment. Meaning, if you pull out a 5th grader you may need 6 to 12 weeks of adjustment.

4) Remember that many homeschool parents second guess themselves frequently. I have an engineering degree, but still wonder from time to time if I have the skills to teach elementary math and science.

Guess that's it for now. I have packing to do. Going to Disney in the off season is not the least important perk of homeschooling!

 

[graygables]

Going to Disney in the off season is not the least important perk of homeschooling!

Just thought I'd share this...I was visiting with my Cast Services manager at Animal Kingdom yesterday and we were talking about homeschooling. She told me not to forget that just spending a day at the parks here and there was PERFECT to count as a school day for them and fun for me. I appreciated that she "got it" b/c I haven't met a lot of homeschooler/CMs here...

 

[Ellester]

Just thought I'd share this...I was visiting with my Cast Services manager at Animal Kingdom yesterday and we were talking about homeschooling. She told me not to forget that just spending a day at the parks here and there was PERFECT to count as a school day for them and fun for me. I appreciated that she "got it" b/c I haven't met a lot of homeschooler/CMs here...

Oh, I totally agree. I'm sure I'll count most of next week as school. I think a day at Epcot or AK should count as a WEEK of school based on all the learning opportunities.

Are you going to be at AK next Thursday? (2/12) That's the day we're planning for that park. We'll try to look for you if you're there.