Homeschool Chat

[williamson_ja]

My dd is 13 right now. I also have a ds who is 12. What worked really well for us when dd started to get the teenager attitude was to make sure that she had time to study the things that she really enjoyed, not just MY list of things for her to do. I really involve her in the educational choices we are making. We set long term goals together, then SHE can see what she needs to do to make those goals (i.e. she needs to finish a certain level of math by Junior year so that she can start applying for scholarships, etc.) It also helps her to just be able to study the things that she loves. She wakes up late every day still, but once she is studying Shakespeare (which is her love) then she is in a good mood and gets done what she needs to for the day.

I also am probably wierd for a homeschooler as I don't take away all electronics, computers, t.v.s etc. During the schoolyear, they are allowed to watch t.v., play video games, etc. after dinner if they have finished their schoolwork and chores. In the summer, I still have them do math (so we don't have to relearn everything in the fall) and their chores, then they are allowed free time to do other things. This helps us have an incentive for them to get their stuff done so that they can go "play"

 

[wvdislover]

I think you probably just need to let your DS13, if not all the kids, have a break for a while before you start schooling. Homeschooling may come as a major shock to them. They just finished a school year, and in the past had their summer breaks. It may take some time to get them into the homeschool year round pattern. Eventually, most kids get bored with "nothing to do" in the summer, and maybe you can ease into the homeschool thing then Just an idea! We're still homeschooling, but we took a couple of weeks off, and we're only doing an hour of school, and an hour of reading every day, just to keep my DD's from forgetting everything. DD7, who's still in PS, loves it. DD11 (almost 12) could do without it, if it were up to her

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I think you probably just need to let your DS13, if not all the kids, have a break for a while before you start schooling. Homeschooling may come as a major shock to them. They just finished a school year, and in the past had their summer breaks. It may take some time to get them into the homeschool year round pattern. Eventually, most kids get bored with "nothing to do" in the summer, and maybe you can ease into the homeschool thing then Just an idea! We're still homeschooling, but we took a couple of weeks off, and we're only doing an hour of school, and an hour of reading every day, just to keep my DD's from forgetting everything. DD7, who's still in PS, loves it. DD11 (almost 12) could do without it, if it were up to her

I am getting bored!! I love what I do,so my poor kids will be starting back with easing into our History reading next week!! Little do they know....I really don't like the idea of doing nothing for 3 months...after about 5 weeks, I am ready to go back. Our schedule has been shifting and changing with every year. They have been reading for fun, but I need more of a schedule...I don't do well with free-time for such an extended period. But, we can take a fall break for sure!!! We all tend to get grouchy with too much time on our hands.Me included!!! Know what I mean?

 

[littlepeppers]

I am getting bored!! I love what I do,so my poor kids will be starting back with easing into our History reading next week!! Little do they know....I really don't like the idea of doing nothing for 3 months...after about 5 weeks, I am ready to go back. Our schedule has been shifting and changing with every year. They have been reading for fun, but I need more of a schedule...I don't do well with free-time for such an extended period. But, we can take a fall break for sure!!! We all tend to get grouchy with too much time on our hands.Me included!!! Know what I mean?

Why do you feel the need to follow the traditional school calendar? You broke tradition by HS, keep it up. Go for it. Mold it to fit your life, not those around you.

The great thing about HS is you make the calendar. It is too hot to go outside right now. I think that after this summer's decompression from his traditional schooling we will go through the summer and take more 1 or 2 week breaks during seasons with better weather.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I don't really follow the traditional school calendar--we were starting back the end of middle of July because that's when it was hottest. We work about 9 weeks--that usually puts us in Sept and then we take off for a hurricane! We have managed to have a couple of doozies here the last few years, and wind up with no electricity and evacuated!!! So...I need to have time scheduled off. We then go back until T-day and finish then for our first term. I don't go back until New Years, then we work straight through til the mid/end of April. I am gonna start at the beginning of July this time and be finished the end of March--that's when we have good weather here.
Next fall & spring we are wanting to take a couple of small trips outside of our Disney trip, and we will just work around these. I am liking the idea more & more of public school going year round....makes my calendar look even better!!! Really down here, the kids shouldnt have to go back to summer band & all that in July & august...it's just tooooo hot!!!! I am surprised more kids don't get sun stroke! We already broke a record for our temp yesterday---102!!!! And it isn't even July yet!!!

 

[littlepeppers]

I don't really follow the traditional school calendar--we were starting back the end of middle of July because that's when it was hottest. We work about 9 weeks--that usually puts us in Sept and then we take off for a hurricane! We have managed to have a couple of doozies here the last few years, and wind up with no electricity and evacuated!!! So...I need to have time scheduled off. We then go back until T-day and finish then for our first term. I don't go back until New Years, then we work straight through til the mid/end of April. I am gonna start at the beginning of July this time and be finished the end of March--that's when we have good weather here.
Next fall & spring we are wanting to take a couple of small trips outside of our Disney trip, and we will just work around these. I am liking the idea more & more of public school going year round....makes my calendar look even better!!! Really down here, the kids shouldnt have to go back to summer band & all that in July & august...it's just tooooo hot!!!! I am surprised more kids don't get sun stroke! We already broke a record for our temp yesterday---102!!!! And it isn't even July yet!!!

We head to Fort Worth for the hurricanes. We took a direct hit from Gustav last yr. We feel your pain.

 

[wvdislover]

I need some help. We have just started to homeschool our two kids (13 & 9). Both of our kids are "above average" and have done well in public school but have not been challenged.

The advice I need is with our 13y/o son. He has a horrible attitude about his work. He isn't putting any effort into his work and is sloppy and lazy about everything he does. He has not done this with traditional school and I know he would never talk back to a teacher like he does us. How do you keep your kids focused or teach them pride in their work? So far relaxing and going with the flow isn't working and neither is taking away EVERYTHING outside of "school".

Thanks in advance for the help.

I think you probably just need to let your DS13, if not all the kids, have a break for a while before you start schooling. Homeschooling may come as a major shock to them. They just finished a school year, and in the past had their summer breaks. It may take some time to get them into the homeschool year round pattern. Eventually, most kids get bored with "nothing to do" in the summer, and maybe you can ease into the homeschool thing then Just an idea! We're still homeschooling, but we took a couple of weeks off, and we're only doing an hour of school, and an hour of reading every day, just to keep my DD's from forgetting everything. DD7, who's still in PS, loves it. DD11 (almost 12) could do without it, if it were up to her

Just wanted to add to my comment I made...a friend of mine told me this morning that she's been having trouble with her DS12 mouthing off to her (my DDalmost12 is doing the same thing with me). She came up with a great idea to punish him for it...they're taking him to the track to run laps when he mouths off (Dad took him that evening after work). My DD can be so lazy, this should be a great punishment for her, too, as well as being healthy for her Maybe if he is having a bad attitude, take him somewhere to burn off some of that negative energy. As my DF pointed out, when you're in the military, or participating in organized sports, a negative attitude earns you push-ups, running laps, etc. Shouldn't this work in other areas of our lives, too? Just another idea, one I'm planning on trying, too.

 

[wvdislover]

I am getting bored!! I love what I do,so my poor kids will be starting back with easing into our History reading next week!! Little do they know....I really don't like the idea of doing nothing for 3 months...after about 5 weeks, I am ready to go back. Our schedule has been shifting and changing with every year. They have been reading for fun, but I need more of a schedule...I don't do well with free-time for such an extended period. But, we can take a fall break for sure!!! We all tend to get grouchy with too much time on our hands.Me included!!! Know what I mean?

I put my kids on a schedule just this week, to prevent them from spending all day watching tv, playing computer/Wii games all day. We have time for housecleaning, reading, school work, lunch, and some free time. I thought they would balk at the idea of a schedule, but they love it. They run over to the schedule posted on the fridge to see what they're supposed to be doing at different times of the day. If you're getting bored, try something like this, work on a big project of your own, or start doing prep work for your school work. Those kind of things can take up some of that down-time that's driving you crazy, maybe.

 

[Praise2Him]

We are really enjoying our Summer Break and will switch to a 2 day Academy in the Fall where my first grader will attend 8-3 T/TH then we will work on M/W with homework and then Music/Art classes on Friday mornings.
Looking forward to the combination of Classical Christian Academy and Homeschool
Does anyone else do a part time program?

We did the Master's Academy of Fine Arts for a couple of years and loved it!

 

[herodrx1]

Just wanted to add to my comment I made...a friend of mine told me this morning that she's been having trouble with her DS12 mouthing off to her (my DDalmost12 is doing the same thing with me). She came up with a great idea to punish him for it...they're taking him to the track to run laps when he mouths off (Dad took him that evening after work). My DD can be so lazy, this should be a great punishment for her, too, as well as being healthy for her Maybe if he is having a bad attitude, take him somewhere to burn off some of that negative energy. As my DF pointed out, when you're in the military, or participating in organized sports, a negative attitude earns you push-ups, running laps, etc. Shouldn't this work in other areas of our lives, too? Just another idea, one I'm planning on trying, too.

I love the idea of running laps! So far he is just LAZY and does the whole attitude thing. Nothing really bad but he seems to feel the need to argue everything ever brought up! I think he may be a lawyer in training. It just wears me out some days.

Thank you guys for the support. Just knowing that others are dealing with teenagers and that what he does is the same as other kids his age makes things MUCH better.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We head to Fort Worth for the hurricanes. We took a direct hit from Gustav last yr. We feel your pain.

Girl, can you believe 'the season' is here AGAIN???!!!

Just wanted to add to my comment I made...a friend of mine told me this morning that she's been having trouble with her DS12 mouthing off to her (my DDalmost12 is doing the same thing with me). She came up with a great idea to punish him for it...they're taking him to the track to run laps when he mouths off (Dad took him that evening after work). My DD can be so lazy, this should be a great punishment for her, too, as well as being healthy for her Maybe if he is having a bad attitude, take him somewhere to burn off some of that negative energy. As my DF pointed out, when you're in the military, or participating in organized sports, a negative attitude earns you push-ups, running laps, etc. Shouldn't this work in other areas of our lives, too? Just another idea, one I'm planning on trying, too.

Our street is a cul-de-sac, and my husband does that with our kid!! It does tend to curb the mouthies!!!

I put my kids on a schedule just this week, to prevent them from spending all day watching tv, playing computer/Wii games all day. We have time for housecleaning, reading, school work, lunch, and some free time. I thought they would balk at the idea of a schedule, but they love it. They run over to the schedule posted on the fridge to see what they're supposed to be doing at different times of the day. If you're getting bored, try something like this, work on a big project of your own, or start doing prep work for your school work. Those kind of things can take up some of that down-time that's driving you crazy, maybe.

I would like to do one more big 'ole puzzle before I start back!!! But, I am a puzzle maniac and have to finish it really quick!!!!Not much gets done around here when I am puzzling!

 

[Denine]

Hey everyone, just checking in.

DD is loving being outside playing and doing the summer reading at the library and t-ball.
We also got season passes to Cedar Point and we are going there this evening.

 

[jenn-]

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?

I used NOEO science for my 3rd grader this past year, and I found it to be quite boring. I will admit to getting a little bit relaxed on doing the experiments with the readings after the first few didn't exactly work right. We did level 1 Biology. I have Real Science 4 Kids in store for her this year. I think we went with level 1 in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. NOEO really focuses more on learning from reading different books, whereas RS4K is more textbook driven. I can't honestly say DD learned much last year, but that could be totally different for a 6th grader that I would assume would be using one of their harder levels.

 

[*Toadstool*]

Subbing.
Plan on homeschooling DD. Thinking about starting some kind of light curriculum in the fall.

 

[danjoealexis3006]

Has anyone here used Veticy Learning from Calvert? I am going out of my mind trying to figure out what reading program to use for my DS who is dsylexic. Thanks!

 

[littlepeppers]

Subbing.
Plan on homeschooling DD. Thinking about starting some kind of light curriculum in the fall.

OMG, you homeschool too. It's a Small World.

 

[littlepeppers]

Has anyone here used Veticy Learning from Calvert? I am going out of my mind trying to figure out what reading program to use for my DS who is dsylexic. Thanks!

We looked into it too.
We had our DS take the test for it. He passed it, so they said it wasn't for him. He is a horrible reader & needs help w/ it. We got our Calvert stuff in a week or so ago.

 

[MomTo4+more]

Hi. I am new to these boards, but not new to homeschooling. What a great surprise to find homeschoolers communicating on here too! I found these boards while gathering info about my son's future Make-A-Wish trip.

I am a single, homeschooling mother of three - maybe four. The baby I have been caring for may end up staying for good. It's a wonderful surprise! We have homschooled since K. It's been a great thing for our family. I love the togetherness and flexibility it gives us. The baby will be going to school two mornings a week this fall. She is profoundly deaf and has bilateral cochlear implants. I found a fantastic oral school for the deaf that she will start when she is 18 months old. we will be doing lots of school on the road this year.

Since we will be driving so often to therapies and the baby's school, I am thinking of what we can do in the car to make good use of that time. I found glass markers the kids can use to write times tables and spelling words on the van windows. We can listen to our Spanish and Latin CD's. There are books on tape and classical music CD's. We can recite our memory work. We could work on One-Minute Mysteries. Any other ideas for "car-schooling?"

 

[Lindabelle]

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.

Hi Chicagoshannon
We are a homeschooling family in IL, Arlington Heights, to be more specific. There are many homeschooling groups around this area. CHAMPS, HELP, HEART. I know Champs in now on the computer and they meet in Mount Prospect. Also, many libraries also have information on how to get in touch with home schooling groups.
As far as graduating goes, my oldest child just graduated from HS and he had the option of attending a graduation ceremony at our church. Caps, gowns and speeches, but he didn't feel the need to go, so we just had a party for him instead.
As far as homeschooling in IL goes, you don't have to report to anyone. It is really up to the parent to be diligent and cover all the appropriate subjects. My high schoolers, once they have turned 16, started taking an occasional class at the local community college, to prove to themselves and the colleges that they were interested in, that they were capable, and did truly deserve the grades I gave them.
We have also been involved in a group called Christian Youth Theater, and that gave my children many opportunities for socialization. They were involved in acting, singing, and dancing classes, and were involved in 3 musicals each year. Their best friends were usually kids in this group. It is a very full and busy life. Many of the families in our CYT group homeschool so it is also a good way to make connections.
I have not used the Horizons curriculum, but in the younger grades, I used a combination of Sonlight and Abeka.
Best of Luck in making your decision.

 

[wvdislover]

Hi. I am new to these boards, but not new to homeschooling. What a great surprise to find homeschoolers communicating on here too! I found these boards while gathering info about my son's future Make-A-Wish trip.

I am a single, homeschooling mother of three - maybe four. The baby I have been caring for may end up staying for good. It's a wonderful surprise! We have homschooled since K. It's been a great thing for our family. I love the togetherness and flexibility it gives us. The baby will be going to school two mornings a week this fall. She is profoundly deaf and has bilateral cochlear implants. I found a fantastic oral school for the deaf that she will start when she is 18 months old. we will be doing lots of school on the road this year.

Since we will be driving so often to therapies and the baby's school, I am thinking of what we can do in the car to make good use of that time. I found glass markers the kids can use to write times tables and spelling words on the van windows. We can listen to our Spanish and Latin CD's. There are books on tape and classical music CD's. We can recite our memory work. We could work on One-Minute Mysteries. Any other ideas for "car-schooling?"

How wonderful that you may be able to keep "your" little girl! That is exciting! As for carschooling, you might want to consider purchasing small dry-erase boards for your kids to use in the car, too. It would be fun to have math "contests" between them (if they're close enough in age) or spelling "contests", etc. With a dry-erase board, their answers can be kept more secret Do you have a DVD player in your car? You could maybe get some educational movies (such as Schoolhouse Rock), classic stories, or movies of books you've read for the kids to watch while you're traveling, when you need a bit more quiet time or thinking time for yourself. Maybe get some workbooks from a parent-teacher store or Sam's club, for the kids to work on to reinforce skills they're learning (just make sure no one is going to get carsick ). Good luck, and congratulations!