Homeschool Chat

[dvcbnd]

Denine, sorry that you won't be able to make Williamsburg this year. How is your cat doing?

 

[Denine]

Denine, sorry that you won't be able to make Williamsburg this year. How is your cat doing?

Thanks.

Our cat is doing surprisingly well. He is starting to gain weight and the jaundice is gone from his ears. He is even friskier than he has been in a long time.

Hopefully we can go to Williamsburg next year.

Bring back a full report!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello everyone!
I usually start trying to decide which direction I will go with school curriculum around this time of year. We end our year about a month earlier than the local public school, but we start a month earlier as well!!! So, I try to order my material by the end of March or mid-April. I also like to get ahead of everyone else so our stuff isn't backordered. All this to say, I am getting rid of material we won't be using anymore!!! Which is a great deal for someone else!!! If anyone is interested in used ( but taken GREAT care of) curriculum, let me know and I will tell you what's available. I don't know how much info I can put on here!!!! I do have ABeka and Bob Jones and Saxon--just pm me if you are interested. Thanks!

 

[Denine]

What is a good "real history" history program for 2nd grade?

I am not sure I am liking the Calvert 1st grade history and was wondering what else is out there? It is pretty dry to this point.
I don't know what their 2nd grade program is like and can't really tell from reading the on-line description.
I know a lot of places like their 4th grade history book though.

 

[cdhheidi]

What is a good "real history" history program for 2nd grade?

I am not sure I am liking the Calvert 1st grade history and was wondering what else is out there? It is pretty dry to this point.
I don't know what their 2nd grade program is like and can't really tell from reading the on-line description.
I know a lot of places like their 4th grade history book though.

Not sure what you mean by "real history" Denine, we started using the Mystery of History recently, and Sean LOVES it. We started at the beginning of history (staring with level one) and creation, and it has a little bit of history each day, along with pretests, exercises, we make a time line for the wall (although you could do it in a binder as well if you prefer). We also have a box of memory cards that we have made to go along with it. I have enjoyed it as much as Sean, as it really puts into perspective when things have happened in history. It gives activities to go along with each lesson as well, based on the age of the student, so it can even be used for multiple grades OR used again several years from now...

We have also used and enjoyed History of the World, which gives more activities in their activity book (which is separate from the reading book, and also has a CD that has the book read aloud for you).

Just a few thoughts from a rather eclectic mom in Idaho!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Hi,
We're getting ready for our trip next weekend to Colonial Williamsburg. We're so excited about it!!
Is anyone else planning on attending? Has anyone ever experienced a homeschooling event @ Colonial Williamsburg in the past? If so, do you have any helpful tips. Also, if you had to choose between the Jamestown Settlement or Yorktown Victory Center, which one would you recommend. Our children are ds14, dd9, and ds7. Thanks for any information and maybe we'll see you there.

Our kids preferred Jamestown. It was long ago, right after the Pocahontas movie.
Our experience at Yorktown was that busloads of schoolkids were there and we were constantly told to move aside so they could do a presentation for them. Very frustrating. We left without seeing much.
Enjoy Williamsburg. I wish we were going--maybe in the summer.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Hello everyone!
I usually start trying to decide which direction I will go with school curriculum around this time of year. We end our year about a month earlier than the local public school, but we start a month earlier as well!!! So, I try to order my material by the end of March or mid-April. I also like to get ahead of everyone else so our stuff isn't backordered. All this to say, I am getting rid of material we won't be using anymore!!! Which is a great deal for someone else!!! If anyone is interested in used ( but taken GREAT care of) curriculum, let me know and I will tell you what's available. I don't know how much info I can put on here!!!! I do have ABeka and Bob Jones and Saxon--just pm me if you are interested. Thanks!

We have a homeschool curriculum fair in the summer. Most books go for half of the original price. You might see if your area has one--it beats messing with shipping.

 

[dvcbnd]

Our kids preferred Jamestown. It was long ago, right after the Pocahontas movie.
Our experience at Yorktown was that busloads of schoolkids were there and we were constantly told to move aside so they could do a presentation for them. Very frustrating. We left without seeing much.
Enjoy Williamsburg. I wish we were going--maybe in the summer.

Thanks! It's funny that you mentioned the Pocahontas movie. We all just watched it again yesterday in prep for our trip. The kids really enjoyed it and are very excited about going. We also watched the American Girl movie "Felicity" to prep for Colonial Williamsburg.

 

[dvcbnd]

Thanks.

Our cat is doing surprisingly well. He is starting to gain weight and the jaundice is gone from his ears. He is even friskier than he has been in a long time.

Hopefully we can go to Williamsburg next year.

Bring back a full report!

I'm so glad that your cat is doing well.

I'll let you know how our trip went.....getting ready to leave soon!!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Hi,
We're getting ready for our trip next weekend to Colonial Williamsburg. We're so excited about it!!
Is anyone else planning on attending? Has anyone ever experienced a homeschooling event @ Colonial Williamsburg in the past? If so, do you have any helpful tips. Also, if you had to choose between the Jamestown Settlement or Yorktown Victory Center, which one would you recommend. Our children are ds14, dd9, and ds7. Thanks for any information and maybe we'll see you there.

Oh..we go begninng of march! Jamestown is much better if you had to choose. It has great things for the kids to do. Dd13 was 5 last time she went and had a blast! Now I have another dd who is 5 and we are hoping she will have a great time too! Your dd14 might like both, especially if she is into history and learning. hope you have a blast!

 

[Praise2Him]

We also watched the American Girl movie "Felicity" to prep for Colonial Williamsburg.

When we went, DD was 9 and actually had the Felicity dress and mini doll. She wore the dress at Williamsburg and was so cute! We got lots of great pictures and she got a lot of attention from the workers.

 

[FreeTime]

Help me! I was excited to come across this thread on my favorite website. However, I have tried reading through it and there is so much going on! We are considering HS our girls 8 & 9 next year. I am considering using Ohio Virtual Academy does anyone have any thoughts on this? I just don't know where to start. Also, does anyone work FT and HS their kids? We were planning on having class from 730-12 (then I would go to work) and grandpa would then help them with any work that I give them and take them to extra curr. Is this enough time each day? Maybe HS isn't for us.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello FreeTime!
What an awesome decision! If you have someone to help in the afternoons, there is no reason why you shouldn't try it! I don't know about virtual academy, but check out the HSLDA to find out what's required from your state. I bet your local public library could hook you up with some other hsing mom--since we all tend to frequent the public library a lot!!! My kids are usually doing school around 3 hours a day. So, you should have plenty of time. Of course, the virtual thing may take longer, I don't know. But, welcome aboard and let us know what you decide!!

 

[Denine]

Not sure what you mean by "real history" Denine, we started using the Mystery of History recently, and Sean LOVES it. We started at the beginning of history (staring with level one) and creation, and it has a little bit of history each day, along with pretests, exercises, we make a time line for the wall (although you could do it in a binder as well if you prefer). We also have a box of memory cards that we have made to go along with it. I have enjoyed it as much as Sean, as it really puts into perspective when things have happened in history. It gives activities to go along with each lesson as well, based on the age of the student, so it can even be used for multiple grades OR used again several years from now...

We have also used and enjoyed History of the World, which gives more activities in their activity book (which is separate from the reading book, and also has a CD that has the book read aloud for you).

Just a few thoughts from a rather eclectic mom in Idaho!

Thanks for the idea. I mean something that isn't just dry facts, the stuff is presented in stories that make it more interesting and easier to remember.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Denine,
I used Mystery of History last year and we really liked it. But, I wanted more books to read, to help tie things together and this year we are using the TruthQuest History! It's wonderful. You get the guide for which period you are studying and she has it broken down into sections. You have the choice of a few 'spine' books for each section then a list of fiction/non-fiction books to go with each time period. My older son is in Ren.and Reformation(1400s) and we have read some really great stuff-Otto of the Silver Hand, the Magna Charta, Robin Hood, etc.
My middle one is in early amer.HIst., one thing he read was the Sign of the Beaver--all great books---we are going to spend quite a lot of time on George Washington- Ben Franklin was great too!!!
Check out the website and see what you think!

 

[Denine]

That sounds great. I wrote it down and will have to look into it. Thanks!

 

[avic77]

ummm hello all I just started a thread for homeschoolers becuase the search thing didnt find anything. After I made a thread I redid the search and it found this one which has obviously been here longer then 10 minutes
Well I have a link in my siggy to the thread I started it's on the community board

 

[Honeymooner04]

I'm subscribing to this thread. I'm kind of toying with the idea of home schooling my daughter who is now three so I have some time before I have to *really* get started. I'm just trying to gather information as I go! Thanks!

 

[Buckalew11]

We are considering homeschooling our daughter. I have completed the research on Illinois laws and have the required material to be in compliance. I purchased (off of ebay) the same textbooks that she is using in her current public school classroom. I also have some independant study type materials. We are considering begining the homeschooling for the last grading period of this school year.

I just don't know where to start after that? Where do I turn next? Any help would be greatly appreciated. She is in the 7th grade -- if that matters.

We've only been HSing for this school year but we love it. DD is almost 15 and a freshman. One thing I have found is that the way DDs curriculm is written is much more reader friendly than her regular classroom books--esp. math. Science also though. It is like the book was written like the teacher is talking to you and she has really enjoyed it (Biology). I highly recommend Teaching Textbooks for math. DD is doing terrific in Geometry this year and her best friend at public school is hating it (and not doing well). I can't help her with it so if she needed help, we'd have to get outside help but Teaching Textbooks is so thorough and it is giving her a lot of confidence when it comes to math.


In elementary school she used a lot of ABeka books at her private christian school and for the most part she enjoyed them. in fact, she kept a lot of the reading books and history books. They helped her fall in love with World history and geography (plus she had a great teacher).

For those of you who use or have used Switched on Schoolhouse for History and language arts can you tell me how much the Bible is weaved into lessons? Is it to the same extent as Abeka? I am hoping it's to a lesser extent... I really want to keep Sunday School and Regular School as separate as possible.

TIA

I don't know how much Bible is in them but DH's cousin's DD used that curriculum and really enjoyed it.
ABeka has a lot, however, if you attend SS and all, ABeka definitely ties things together so that the Bible and History don't seem to be two separate subjects. Using ABeka during her early years at scool seems to have really given DD a good understanding of where History and the Bible connect and cross over and parallel. Just something to think about unless you'd rather stay away from Biblically based curiculums. I am sure those are probably harder to come by. good luck to you!

 

[hudsonsinaf]

Hi all! I am a homeschooling mom of a 5 yo, 3 yo, almost 2 yo, and 5 week old. I have noticed that people keep mentioning homeschool programs at different locations, including Disney and Williamsburg. Where have you guys learned about these? Where can I go to find a list and learn more about what is offered? Thank you so much for your help and I look forward to "schooling" with you

Shannon