Homeschool Chat

[Disney Mommy 3]

What is your opinions of Writing Strands? I am looking at that (level 3)with both boys, or the Writing with Ease. don't know if any of you have experience with these or not.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Thanks all for your input.

 

[feedthebirds]

Thank you all for your comments about the Queen homeschool stuff, I really appreciate it. I am going to go ahead and order it. We will be doing a co-op for history, science and bible, so my main concern was for the english and math. I have read very few negative reviews of TT and Queen. The more I look at things and discuss them with dh, the more I am pretty sure they will be a good fit for us.

 

[theduck619]

I wanted to give a heads up to my fellow newbies to homeschooling. We just went to a Home School Book Fair/Swap at our local Library. It was Awesome . A good deal of the information reinforced what I had learned on here and much of the advice was similar in terms of age, curriculums (differs for everybody) and why we homeschool.

i also wanted to give a big heart felt thanks to all of the posters who have answered my many questions

We know there will be ups and downs but we know that this is the right choice at this moment in time!!

Thank you

 

[Beavers5]

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying your summer "break". If you are like me, though, you are busy planning away for fall. I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with Calvert? DS is going into fifth grade and I am considering using their full course with teacher support this year. Any opinions or advice?

TIA!

 

[littlepeppers]

Our Calvert curr. came in today. I wanted to review it before jumping in. We will hopefully start sometime in late July or early Aug. I like that the book part can be done in less than 3hrs a day. That leaves time for more reading & my fav., science.

I knew that my DS wasn't doing well in school for a reason. Now that I see his 2nd gd curr., I can see that he was doing 2nd gd. work in the 1st grade. There really isn't anything in the curr. that they didn't do, but the 3rd gd. one is too hard.

He didn't learn much last year. Atleast not master anything. He had all B's and and A in science of course, but not much was learned for retention. It was learned b/c today is Friday & we have to take the test every Friday.

I think that we will just stay in the 2nd gd curr. It meets all the objectives that the public schools cover. We can strive for mastery.

I hope he learns to spell better then I do. I can't stand English & Language Arts. Maybe going through this w/ him will help me also.

 

[littlepeppers]

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying your summer "break". If you are like me, though, you are busy planning away for fall. I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with Calvert? DS is going into fifth grade and I am considering using their full course with teacher support this year. Any opinions or advice?

TIA!

We are doing Calvert, but not w/ the ATS. I taught for 11yrs & my DH taught for 2yrs, so I can't see paying someone to grade papers for us. I did want the lesson plans. I can do the math & science, but the ELA. God help us all.

They always told us that every teacher was certified to teach ELA. I told them that if they wanted the kids to have any hope of passing the state test (LEAP), then I shouldn't be allowed near an ELA classroom. I used to tell my students that I went into science and math for a reason. In sciencethe words were so big that no one would miss a letter or two, and math has very few words.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Hi everyone. We are heavily considering home schooling our daughter. I've read through a lot of this thread so I have a decent idea of curriculum and how to go about finding that- I think we're going to start with Horizons.

PS is not a choice for us for a bunch of reasons that I won't go into at the moment. We've always said that we'd send our DD to the private Christian school for our particular denomination. Unfortunately with the housing market the way it is we are stuck in our house for a while so we're not sure we'll be able to make the move before Kindergarten. (it would be an hour commute each way from where we're living- gotta love traffic) So we've started to consider home schooling. The more I read about it the more excited I get. I have a couple of issues/questions though:

1. How do you get over the emotional aspect of not seeing your child graduate? Do you have little ceremonies with your HS friends/groups?

2. have any of you ever had a child that wanted to go to school but you kept them home? I asked DD the other day if she wanted mommy to teach her school at home and she said "no I want to go to a building"

3. anyone from IL? I'm having a heck of a time finding groups to join. I found 1 yahoo group but it's for the entire state of IL and there is only like 1 person on it from my area.

4. I read the law for IL and it seems that the only requirements are 176 days a year and that we cover certain subjects including US history and IL constitution. It does not appear that we have to notify anyone that we're HSing. Can anyone comfirm this?


Has anyone used Horizons curriculum for more then math? If so did you like it or what did you not like about it?

Thank you.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi everyone. We are heavily considering home schooling our daughter. I've read through a lot of this thread so I have a decent idea of curriculum and how to go about finding that- I think we're going to start with Horizons.

PS is not a choice for us for a bunch of reasons that I won't go into at the moment. We've always said that we'd send our DD to the private Christian school for our particular denomination. Unfortunately with the housing market the way it is we are stuck in our house for a while so we're not sure we'll be able to make the move before Kindergarten. (it would be an hour commute each way from where we're living- gotta love traffic) So we've started to consider home schooling. The more I read about it the more excited I get. I have a couple of issues/questions though:

1. How do you get over the emotional aspect of not seeing your child graduate? Do you have little ceremonies with your HS friends/groups?

2. have any of you ever had a child that wanted to go to school but you kept them home? I asked DD the other day if she wanted mommy to teach her school at home and she said "no I want to go to a building"

3. anyone from IL? I'm having a heck of a time finding groups to join. I found 1 yahoo group but it's for the entire state of IL and there is only like 1 person on it from my area.

4. I read the law for IL and it seems that the only requirements are 176 days a year and that we cover certain subjects including US history and IL constitution. It does not appear that we have to notify anyone that we're HSing. Can anyone comfirm this?


Has anyone used Horizons curriculum for more then math? If so did you like it or what did you not like about it?

Thank you.

First off, glad you are here!!! I don't know about your states requirements, maybe someone can give you answers....check the HSLDA also. My older son went to school (local Christian and public) for K,1st and 2nd. We brought him home the year he was beginning 3rd. It has been the biggest blessing having my kids home with me. As far as wanting to go to 'school' he is the only one that ever says anything, because he's the only one that has ever been!!! It is usually if he is bored that day. The Graduation thing doesn't bother me one bit--neither does prom. When I was in HS, it was just another excuse for lots of the kids to party---I had some pretty wild kids in my class. The class before us and after us where ok, but most of our guys were party-hardy and stayed in trouble. So...it left a bad taste I guess. If you and your husband feel this is right for your family, don't let things like grad or whatever get you sidetracked right now. That's along way off---and from what you said about your home/moving, that may be an option for you in the future!
Just jump in there and enjoy your dd.Your gonna be so glad you did!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Forgot to tell you about Horizons! I did use it this year with my dd for K. I liked some of it, but it just seemed to move really fast. For the summer, we are slowly working through Singapore Math 1A. After this I am gonna do Rod & Staff 1. I love their stuff! You should check it out!!
Also, some co-ops do offer parties, and graduations....just depends on your local groups!!!

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

1. How do you get over the emotional aspect of not seeing your child graduate? Do you have little ceremonies with your HS friends/groups?

The public schools around Atlanta have grown so big, it takes a good 3 hours for the graduation. So big in fact that even something as simple as applause for your own child is outlawed, as the names have to be read so fast that you don't have time to savor the moment. This year, some schools here even had police escort anyone who applauded out the gate. It made the news.

Graduation ceremonies don't seem as special now mainly because of this.

Our children are still young, but we will likely have a private party, or an organized homeschool graduation ceremony.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping that by going to library or art class that will help with Madeline's wanting to go to a building for school.

I'm not worried about Prom.

Has anyone had their kids go to the public school or a Christian school for sports?

 

[lori1043]

Our homeschool association is have a decent sized book and curriclum sale today!! Gonna work at it and see if there's anything I am needin'!

Lori

 

[DisneyMom5]

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping that by going to library or art class that will help with Madeline's wanting to go to a building for school.

I'm not worried about Prom.

Has anyone had their kids go to the public school or a Christian school for sports?

Different states have different laws & policies on that. Here in MI it sounds like each school district can decide. Some let you...some don't.
Here they let you do things like choir or band or gym. I think to play sports, you have to take a full load of classes.

There are homeschool groups in bigger cities that have sports teams, so that might be an option too. They usually have graduations.

Our homeschool group is up to 47 families, and people are homeschooling through graduation instead of putting their kids back in for high school. We should be able to graduation ceremonies soon. Even those who do not do ceremonies have graduation parties.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping that by going to library or art class that will help with Madeline's wanting to go to a building for school.

I'm not worried about Prom.

Has anyone had their kids go to the public school or a Christian school for sports?

We go to the library a lot!! We really enjoy it--when they were smaller we would go to the weekly story time. She may enjoy that! Here you have to be 5 to get your own library card and they were each so excited when they were finally able to get their own. Have you looked into Five In A Row? They have a Before FIAR for kids her age--you may really like it. Then when you go to the library for books, she can help pick out the ones you need for 'school'.
We didn't do ps for sports, but our boys have played in the local little league.

 

[chicagoshannon]

We go to the library a lot!! We really enjoy it--when they were smaller we would go to the weekly story time. She may enjoy that! Here you have to be 5 to get your own library card and they were each so excited when they were finally able to get their own. Have you looked into Five In A Row? They have a Before FIAR for kids her age--you may really like it. Then when you go to the library for books, she can help pick out the ones you need for 'school'.
We didn't do ps for sports, but our boys have played in the local little league.

We did story time at the library last fall/winter. We did 2 complete sessions and I skipped the 3rd set. She was just too wild. They did play time BEFORE reading time so all the kids got riled up (and she was the worst) After those 16 weeks I was DONE. She's a much better listener now so we'll be signing up for whatever they have in the fall again.

We were at the library this morning. DH finally got a card. I had him ask how old for kids and she said it's up to the parents. We didn't get one today but maybe next time.

I noticed a sign for home schooling parents to sign up to be notified of activities. I'm excited about that. I didn't sign up today but will at some point. Hopefully I'll be able to find a group to join that way.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Way to go!! Now go check on that FIAR!!! I think you will like it!!!

 

[bebelle]

Anyone have ideas art curriculum? My DS is in high school. He is a very gifted artist. He has taken several advanced art classes at our local community art center. But they are not offering them this year. I really need to find him something that will challenge and strengthen his abilities.

 

[wvdislover]

Anyone have ideas art curriculum? My DS is in high school. He is a very gifted artist. He has taken several advanced art classes at our local community art center. But they are not offering them this year. I really need to find him something that will challenge and strengthen his abilities.

How about a local community college or a university (some colleges allow hs students to take classes) or at a local art store? Is he able to enroll PT in the PS and take an AP art class?

 

[bebelle]

He is going to take some art classes in 11th grade at our local community college but they will not except him until then. So I need to find something for 10th grade. He cannot enroll PT in PS. Thanks for your kind response to my dilemma.