Homeschool Chat

[Denine]

Aren't those test great. I taught for 11 yrs in public schools & I did oral testing my last year. The answer to the cell resp/photosynthesis question wasn't even a choice. I actually taught one of the students I was testing & he looked at me like "but.....". All I could do was repeat the question & directions.

I even began to doubt myself. I got on the internet & in my college txt to make sure I was right and I was. The correct answer wasn't a choice. Yeah LA. No wonder we are at the bottom in ed.

We can take the test for free too. Don't you think that the bubbling in, style, being timed, ...... is a good experience for them to have sinc ACT, SAT & many other college test are like that. It would also be a great confidence booster to yoour kids and yourself to compare their score to the ones that the newspaper reports for the public schools. It could be yet another reminder of why you hs.

I did the CAT with DD this year since I need to have test scores or a written evaluation by a certified teacher. DD scored in the 98th percentile. I don't know a certified teacher that could write and eval for me, so the test it is. I will not teach to a test. I do use a boxed curriculum (calvert), and whatever else we teach her in life.

 

[DawnM]

You give up the state tuition program? Really? That is not fair by a long shot.

In SC my hs friends still get the state tuition program for their kids.

Dawn

In our state you have 2 opt.

If you establish yourself as a private school, you don't have to report anything to the state about your child's progress. You also give up the rights to state testing & the college tuition program.

If you do tohe home study program, you have to keep your kids up w/ the public schools (like that's hard) and send them a letter from a teacher saying that they are keeping up w/ the public schools. My mother-in-law, myself, & my DH are all certified teachers, so we can write the letter. You have to keep samples of their work & test incase they want to review them. Kind of like keeping your tax info. incase you get audited.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I got certified to do the IOWA this year through Bob Jones Press. It was an easy process, and required that I have a Bachelor's deg.
I wanted to give my kids testing practice without doing the state's test (MEAP). We're not required to test here in Michigan.

The local Christian School has offered to let our homeschooled students take any test they offer. So they do the MEAP, but they also do the Sanford(sp?). As well as the PSAT and the ACT. My dd15 will be taking the PSAT with them this fall. This was a good option for us.

Hope everyone is having a good week. We're supposed to be schooling through the summer, but this week so far hasn't been so organized, and now the kids are all sick. Ah the joys of big families! LOL

 

[littlepeppers]

I got certified to do the IOWA this year through Bob Jones Press. It was an easy process, and required that I have a Bachelor's deg.
I wanted to give my kids testing practice without doing the state's test (MEAP). We're not required to test here in Michigan.

The local Christian School has offered to let our homeschooled students take any test they offer. So they do the MEAP, but they also do the Sanford(sp?). As well as the PSAT and the ACT. My dd15 will be taking the PSAT with them this fall. This was a good option for us.

Hope everyone is having a good week. We're supposed to be schooling through the summer, but this week so far hasn't been so organized, and now the kids are all sick. Ah the joys of big families! LOL

How is schooling through the summer. We haven't started hs yet. I want my DS to decompress a little, but I want his HS to be a part of his life & not a burden. How do you spread the curr. out? I know that we have to teach 180 days for the state & keep up w/ their public schools.

 

[herodrx1]

Hi there! I wanted to jump in here and introduce myself. My family has just started to Homeschool as of June 1st 2009. I have a 9 y/o daughter and a 13 y/o son. So far everything is going pretty good. There has been some moaning and groaning but that is to be exptected, I imagine.

I'm glad I've found you guys and hope to be posting.

 

[disneymom3]

Aren't those test great. I taught for 11 yrs in public schools & I did oral testing my last year. The answer to the cell resp/photosynthesis question wasn't even a choice. I actually taught one of the students I was testing & he looked at me like "but.....". All I could do was repeat the question & directions.

I even began to doubt myself. I got on the internet & in my college txt to make sure I was right and I was. The correct answer wasn't a choice. Yeah LA. No wonder we are at the bottom in ed.

We can take the test for free too. Don't you think that the bubbling in, style, being timed, ...... is a good experience for them to have sinc ACT, SAT & many other college test are like that. It would also be a great confidence booster to yoour kids and yourself to compare their score to the ones that the newspaper reports for the public schools. It could be yet another reminder of why you hs.

Here is what I think about the "experience" of test taking. They aren't going to take those tests until high school. You don't need 10 years of experience filling in bubbles to get used to it. So, in 9th grade get them an SAT prep book from Barnes and Noble and have them practice. Ta da. The public school system is all about preparing the child for the next test. What about preparing them for learning what they need to know how to learn and find out the information they are seeking. Or even a desire to learn it at all.

The thing that made me more fully understand that the test was not an evaluation of what I know was when I moved in 10th grade and the test directions specifically stated to 'darken the circle of the credited response'. What is that? How do I know which one is the credited response? Why can't I mark the right answer? Right! B/C it's not there!!

The developers of these standardized tests aren't looking for the 'correct answer' but rather they want the student to selected the response that is 'most correct' (er, least wrong?). How's that for a test? Which one is least wrong?

That is why the teachers have to teach to a test. It continues on after elementary, middle, high school. Graduate school entrance exams are like this too. Many state licensing tests (insurance, real estate, law) offer prep courses so you can know the answers ahead of time b/c you wouldn't ever get it right if you were looking for the least wrong answer.

Yep, I am licensed in Real Estate. At the level one class it is all about prepping for the test. They straight out tell you, "You are not going to handle this situation like this in real life. You have to know this for the test. After you pass the test, forget this info." They were right, too.

 

[DisneyMom5]

How is schooling through the summer. We haven't started hs yet. I want my DS to decompress a little, but I want his HS to be a part of his life & not a burden. How do you spread the curr. out? I know that we have to teach 180 days for the state & keep up w/ their public schools.

We counted our new year from July 1 last year, and hit 180 days a few weeks ago. And this is with keeping a fairly loose schedule, off when Daddy's off, etc. That's part of why I go year round. We don't have a day or hour requirement here, but I like to shoot for 180.

We just keep going in curriculum. If they finish a math book, we start the next one. That way we don't feel pressure to finish a book by year's end, OR to skip parts just to start a new book. We're aiming for mastery, so if a book takes longer than a year, I'm ok with that. I have the luxury of teaching my children until they understand vs. having to have a certain book done by June 1.

We're trying to do math every day, and get done what else fits into whatever we're doing. The little kids are doing less than the bigs.

Got to have something accomplished before the end of August so we can go to WDW!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Little Peppers~ Texas public schools go about 170-180 days--I think it's 180.
We do 18 weeks from the end of July to Thanksgiving. With a week off mid-Sept for hurricane season!! We go back when the New Year holiday is over and go for about 16-17 weeks. We do NOT take a spring break!!! It's just tooo crazy everywhere---the last 2 Januarys have been Disney trips, so that's our week off. Texas doesn't require we keep a certain amount of days, but we usually work out this way----and I enjoy May, June and the first of July off. I need some down time and the kids can enjoy outdoors before its inhumanely hot!!! Of course,lots of my time is spent looking up curriculums and what's needed for the next school term.

 

[sl_underwood]

For those of you who have used Noeo or Real Science 4 Kids, please share your experience. I am looking for my 6th grade dd. She is not a textbook learner, needs something engaging and interesting. So far these are the two I have seen that might meet her requirements, what do you all think? And are there any other programs that might just do the trick?

 

[feedthebirds]

I am looking for anyone who has had experience with Queen Homeschool Supplies (Charlotte Mason). My dd 13 and dd 11 really like the catalog/samples. My dd 5 loves copywork (her own idea, not mine) and this may fit her well also. I saw Queen at my hs convention and briefly browsed, I had never heard of them. If I had known then that my dds might be interested, I would've looked more closely. Thanks for any feedback!

I really need to buy my curriculum, I am so indecisive right now! We just finished up SOS for the older ones and lifepacs for ds 7 and I don't think we will go that route this next year. Sonlight and MFW are not on my list either.

My dd 11 is really having a hard time with multiplication. Her 4th grade teacher did not focus a lot on this and I have spent this year struggling in math with her. I had to go back in math quite a bit (before multiplication). It amazes me that her teacher gave her a B in math, yet she struggles so much with simple math facts, including division. Had I known this, I would've given her extra help long ago in previous grades. She is improving, but we still spend a fair amount of time on multiplication memorization and old math. I loved Teaching Textbooks at the hs convention, but need help in which level to start her in. Any suggestions?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Feed the birds~ first of all, we do T.T. and we loooove them!! They are supposed to have the 4th grade available this summer, and I read somewhere possibly 3rd. Have you checked their website? I think they might have a placement test---not sure, but do you ever go to Christian Book.com? They have a # just for homeschool helps. The lady I talked to last year is the one who encouraged me to use it for my boys---one of the best hs decisions I ever made!!! If she is struggling so hard with multiplication, 4th grade might be good after some work over the summer. I am not sure where they pick up for 4th in this program. I just know we loved it. I already have my math for when we go back in July!!!
For math and the Queen question--have you seen the copybook for math facts they have? My friend used it last year and said it was phenomenal!! I ordered a couple of copywork books for my boys and the Lang Lessons 3 for my dd. I was super impressed with the way it's put together. It just came in and I have already looked through all 3 books. It's gentle, but thorough. I am looking forward to using all this in the upcoming year.

For the rest of your curriculum, have you looked at Apologia for Science? We really enjoyed it this year. Christian kids explore.... is a good curr. also.
For History we like Mystery of History and TruthQuest. MoH is all in one book,and TQ is a guide that you use a spine with and any additional 'real books' that are related to your topic study. Hope this helps you!!

 

[Tink561]

I was just looking at the Queen site today. I think I will order the Language Lessons for Little Ones for my daughter. I would have loved those things with my sons when they were younger. What age/grade is the math fact copy book for?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I was just looking at the Queen site today. I think I will order the Language Lessons for Little Ones for my daughter. I would have loved those things with my sons when they were younger. What age/grade is the math fact copy book for?

I am not sure--I am not sure if it's just multiplication or add and sub. also. i think they have a contact # or email addy for ?s.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Does anyone here have an afternoon instead of morning learning routine?

I work overnight, so here are my choices:

• Sleep in the morning, kids have a morning routine, and DW goes it alone.
• Sleep in the morning, kids have an afternoon routine, I assist DW teaching, or
• I sleep in afternoon, kids have morning routine, I assist DW teaching.

Which would you guys suggest?

 

[graygables]

Does anyone here have an afternoon instead of morning learning routine?

I work overnight, so here are my choices:

• Sleep in the morning, kids have a morning routine, and DW goes it alone.
• Sleep in the morning, kids have an afternoon routine, I assist DW teaching, or
• I sleep in afternoon, kids have morning routine, I assist DW teaching.

Which would you guys suggest?

My DDs do their "school" after lunch. We tend more toward unschooling anyway, but I am using a curriculum for a few things. Mornings generally start later for us and involve a few chores and outside time. We skewed toward late nights due to my work schedule this Spring, but it may change depending on my new schedule. Even so, we'll wait until afternoon for school. It's too hot to go outside and there's usually a thunderstorm rolling through by then.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I am looking for anyone who has had experience with Queen Homeschool Supplies (Charlotte Mason). My dd 13 and dd 11 really like the catalog/samples. My dd 5 loves copywork (her own idea, not mine) and this may fit her well also. I saw Queen at my hs convention and briefly browsed, I had never heard of them. If I had known then that my dds might be interested, I would've looked more closely. Thanks for any feedback!

I just got Queen Lang Lessons for 5 of my kids.
We are using Little ones 1 & 2, Elementary 1, and Secondary 1.
It is a very light load, but "educationally compact," if you understand what I mean. Doesn't feel like very much, but it's really good.
I REALLY love the Secondary 1, and my non-creative writing ds12 has already written a very nice story!!!
What I love about it is all the instructions are in the workbook, so no teacher's guide needed.
There is space for all the writing assignments, so no additional workbook needed.
There IS an answer key for Elementary and up, I think.

We have only done a tiny bit, as we've taken some time off the last couple of weeks, but I think it's going to be a good fit for us.
I don't see the need for any additional copy work books, as this has some in it, but if your child really likes copy work, then go for it.
Maybe substitute that for a handwriting program?
Hope that helps!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

P.I.Squirrel~ First off, I think it's great you are wanting to help teach your kids!!!! We usually do mornings, just so when we are through, the rest of the day is open for what we have to do. BUT, we start in July, so at this time (while it's still summer) I sometimes let them swim earlier in the morning and then come in during the heat of the day and do our work then. It's just tooooo hot out there. All that to say, whatever will work for your whole family---their is no right or wrong time. Maybe during summer you can all sleep in and do school during the afternoon and then later go to mornings if you want.

DisneyMom5~ I have 2 boys that do not like writingWe are going to focus on that this year. We had a great grammar curr last year, so we are just gonna work on that writing monster!!! I have looked at Writing With Ease, and that's one of my top choices. Do you know how that compares to the Secondary from Queen? I really don't want to be flopping in my decision, but I need to decide soon and order it all. That's the biggest decision I have yet to make-so I need to compare the options and just order!!! I liked the WWE because you have a teaching/guide book, and workbooks that correspond for them to write out of--but the book has ways to teach different levels. So, if we start at the low level and they rapidly progress, I can just keep moving up until we are where we should be. Is that clear or did I jumble it badly?

 

[DisneyMom5]

DisneyMom5~ I have 2 boys that do not like writingWe are going to focus on that this year. We had a great grammar curr last year, so we are just gonna work on that writing monster!!! I have looked at Writing With Ease, and that's one of my top choices. Do you know how that compares to the Secondary from Queen? I really don't want to be flopping in my decision, but I need to decide soon and order it all. That's the biggest decision I have yet to make-so I need to compare the options and just order!!! I liked the WWE because you have a teaching/guide book, and workbooks that correspond for them to write out of--but the book has ways to teach different levels. So, if we start at the low level and they rapidly progress, I can just keep moving up until we are where we should be. Is that clear or did I jumble it badly?

I'm not familiar with WWE. Queen combines grammar and writing, so if you're good on grammar, probably not.

I'm the WORST when it comes to writing assignments, and I'm an ENGLISH major!
I did recently teach a homeschool co-op composition class using techniques I gleaned from a homeschool convention class on IEW style writing.
I don't own the program though.
I just found that the idea of teaching to write keywords, link them into sentences, then paragraphs, paragraphs into a report, and reports into research papers was brilliant!
My composition class went really well!

The key to good writing, in my opinion, is read, read, read, and good stuff, not fluff.
Read to them, have them read, you get the idea.
In my class, the kids who read a lot were naturally good writers,
and the kids that were only familiar with textbook style teaching (think packaged school-like curriculum) were not.
Cautionary tale, I guess.

 

[Praise2Him]

Does anyone here have an afternoon instead of morning learning routine?

I work overnight, so here are my choices:

• Sleep in the morning, kids have a morning routine, and DW goes it alone.
• Sleep in the morning, kids have an afternoon routine, I assist DW teaching, or
• I sleep in afternoon, kids have morning routine, I assist DW teaching.

Which would you guys suggest?

That's the great thing about HSing - you can be as flexible as you want/need to be!

My DD just graduated, but for the past 2 years I've worked from 9:30 - 12:30, 4 days a week. She, being a teenager, would rather stay up late and sleep late. So she would get up whenever and work on her school work, then when I got home I would check it. She's not really a morning person, so most of the time she didn't even start until after lunch. Of course, when they're older, they do most of their work on their own so it's easier.

But, I'd go with whatever schedule works better for you. Would you rather sleep in the morning or afternoon? Does your DW want you to help or is she okay with doing it on her own? You might want to try it one way, and if that doesn't work, try something else. You'll eventually find out what works best for you and your family!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

DisneyMom5~ We do read lots of good books!! I am big on that--I agree that it does subcon. teach them good grammar and sentence structure. And it's FUN!!