Homeschool Chat

[NHWX]

I was in Walmart today and I just couldn't resist the back to school sales. I'm pretty sure we didn't need some of the things I bought but I just loved new supplies as a kid. So I bought some.

We'll use those notebooks at some point in time.

NHWX

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Is anyone here h/sing middle school kids? For some reason it seems like a completely different beast than h/sing elementary where everything is a fun discovery and pretty easy to teach. Yesterday, my 11yo said h/s seemed more fun in previous years (elementary). And I'm thinking, "Well, yeah, it was pretty easy to make fun, interactive learning situations to learn multiplication or about the states. How do you "fun up" square roots?"

I don't mind buckling down and doing a little more book work, and he's not adverse to pushing himself to to do harder material; I'm just curious to see how others are finding the transition from teaching elementary to teaching middle.

 

[MomTo4+more]

Is anyone here h/sing middle school kids? For some reason it seems like a completely different beast than h/sing elementary where everything is a fun discovery and pretty easy to teach. Yesterday, my 11yo said h/s seemed more fun in previous years (elementary). And I'm thinking, "Well, yeah, it was pretty easy to make fun, interactive learning situations to learn multiplication or about the states. How do you "fun up" square roots?"

I don't mind buckling down and doing a little more book work, and he's not adverse to pushing himself to to do harder material; I'm just curious to see how others are finding the transition from teaching elementary to teaching middle.

My oldest will be 11, so we are not quite to middle school, but I have found she enjoys the following. Now that she is older she can have a bit more independence in her work. I give her a clipboard with a checklist of things to do independently. Right now I still break it down daily for most areas. One or two things are only done on a weekly basis. I give her the freedom to decide when to complete each thing. I let her be a more active participant in choosing the curriculum we use. We are adding in other things she wants to learn. For example, she is learning to make a grocery budget, nutritious menu, and prepare the meals. Are there some projects your son might want to learn?

Some of the things we must do, she doesn't particularly enjoy. I use those times as an opportunity to talk about diligent work, cheerful work, and the pride felt in a job well done.

I have several friends who have homeschooled through high school. There are lots of people doing it who probably have better advice than I do!

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm not whole curriculum type person. We're on year 2, 10th grade, and I buy everything individual instead of signing up for a whole program.
We loved it last year. I have enjoyed picking and choosing curriculum and even though last year was our first year, we liked everything we chose.

My DD has to have Bible credit because she is umbrella-ed under a Christian school here in town. We're Christian though so it is nice for us. So much of the homeschool stuff has a religious twist that it would probably be hard to find it w/o but I'm sure it exists.

Bumbershoot, all I can say is to feed his hunger. DD learns differently than I do too. I have to keep that in mind when i'm selecting because what I think is "cool" might not seem that way to her!

Good luck!

 

[Buckalew11]

ABeka is great for the younger levels...they have an awesome phonics program. We started out with them, but around 2nd grade they really start packing it on!!!!

For Science, we are loving Apologia!!! We have used this for the last 2 years and just love it!! You could definitely combine your children for this curriculum.

I second Apologia. We used it for Biology last year and DD loved it. In fact, she wants to be a Biology major in college. We have the Chemistry for this year.

DD went to Christian school K-8. They used a lot of Abeka and I think she got a wonderful foundation from using it.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

We are adding in other things she wants to learn. For example, she is learning to make a grocery budget, nutritious menu, and prepare the meals. Are there some projects your son might want to learn?

We've been doing household budgeting and nutrition, too -- seems like something my kids can really bite into...

Part of the reason things are kind of off-kilter is a change in our household situation, so I'm hoping once that's evened out we'll be able to start enjoying the process of learning again! Thanks for the input; I appreciate it. Seems like a lot of people drop out of h/sing after elementary school...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

bumbershoot and those of you looking for secular curriculum: We use OakMeadow.com The kids enjoy it, it's a great curriculum and has good prices AND choices in the curriculum, which was important to us. It has lots of options and allows the kids to decide certain projects, etc. We were concerned about getting boxed curriculum in the beginning but found that Oakmeadow has more freedom, makes learning stuff fun, and less BOX.

 

[AKADrea]

I think I'm going to take the plunge! DD is 4.5 and I think she's totally ready to start up this year...

So...has anyone used Five in a Row?

I'm totally clueless and really need something to spell things out for me!

 

[Tink561]

I think I'm going to take the plunge! DD is 4.5 and I think she's totally ready to start up this year...

So...has anyone used Five in a Row?

I'm totally clueless and really need something to spell things out for me!

I used Five in a Row with my sons when they were little and we enjoyed it. I have Before Five in a Row and will probably use it with my daughter this year who is 3.5.

Check out the message boards at http://fiveinarow.com/

 

[kalc12345]

I think I'm going to take the plunge! DD is 4.5 and I think she's totally ready to start up this year...

So...has anyone used Five in a Row?

I'm totally clueless and really need something to spell things out for me!

LOVE LOVE LOVE Five in a Row!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't say enough good about it!!! I used it with my daughter for the first couple of years. I am now doing Before Five in a Row with my 3 year old. Visit the FIAR website and message boards. The boards are full of WONDERFUL ladies.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Can anyone tell me about Switched on Schoolhouse? I was considering it for my 5th grader. I want to give her a break from all the books and thought the interactive nature of it might be a good idea, but I don't know too much about it. Thanks

 

[LegoMom3]

Can anyone tell me about Switched on Schoolhouse? I was considering it for my 5th grader. I want to give her a break from all the books and thought the interactive nature of it might be a good idea, but I don't know too much about it. Thanks

My son used it in 2nd grade. I guess I'd have to say it depends on your DD. Unless the format has changed dramatically in the last few years, we found it to be quite repetitive and my DS didn't like that. It's very interactive and keeps track of everything for you, which I liked. But the format for science and math and spelling and what have you were all exactly alike. Go in, watch a demo, do the problems, take a test after x-number of lessons. My son got bored with it pretty quick.

But others use it and love it, so again it's a lot of personal preference. As a curriculum, it's good and quite thorough.

Actually, here is a link to their site with 5th grade info:

http://www.aophomeschooling.com/switched-on-schoolhouse/grade-5

I think if you go into the individual subjects, there's an on-line demo.

 

[ladytink75]

Can anyone tell me any info on the 2010 Disney Home school Days . My friends and I are trying to plan our Dream Vacation around next years Home school Days. If no info is available yet do we know when the info will be available.

 

[anabelle]

Can anyone tell me any info on the 2010 Disney Home school Days . My friends and I are trying to plan our Dream Vacation around next years Home school Days. If no info is available yet do we know when the info will be available.

They have two sessions per year. One in January and one in September. We are going this years Sept. session.. It is on Sept 21 and 22. They usually release dates about three - four months in advance.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

They have two sessions per year. One in January and one in September. We are going this years Sept. session.. It is on Sept 21 and 22. They usually release dates about three - four months in advance.

I can't wait to hear about the homeschool days, will you post a little bit about what you did when you get back? We are going back to Disney next September and want to participate in the homeschool days and the YES programs (at least one) They look really neat. Are you doing any of those?

 

[fabumouse]

I used Five in a Row with my sons when they were little and we enjoyed it.

I noticed that there were Christian "supplements" to FIAR. Is the whole program religion-based?

 

[graygables]

They have two sessions per year. One in January and one in September. We are going this years Sept. session.. It is on Sept 21 and 22. They usually release dates about three - four months in advance.

Are you doing the American YES program, by chance??? I just signed my girls up for it!

 

[wvdislover]

I can't wait to hear about the homeschool days, will you post a little bit about what you did when you get back? We are going back to Disney next September and want to participate in the homeschool days and the YES programs (at least one) They look really neat. Are you doing any of those?

Keep in mind as you're planning that to participate, you have to buy one of their ticket packages. This year, their ticket packages are only for 3, 4, or 5 days. No longer, no shorter (unless you live in Florida). We already had a package booked with free dining (which requires at least 1 day tickets), and are going to be there long enough that we need 10 day PH. They told me I would HAVE to buy one of their ticket packages (smallest is $127/person). To do the YES programs costs another $25/person, per program. I was so excited that we were going to be there during Homeschool Days this year, but am unable to participate, since it would cost us another $500, just for the one session. Buying their 5 day ticket package and then another 5 day ticket package doesn't make economic sense, either. It's a shame they won't let us just pay a small fee and participate, when we're already spending far and above what they are charging for the homeschool tickets I would love to do the American Story YES program, but I don't think we can, since we're not buying a Homeschool Days package.

I hope everyone who is going this year has a great time! Wish I could join you, though

 

[Tink561]

I noticed that there were Christian "supplements" to FIAR. Is the whole program religion-based?

No, it can be used secularly. You will get the Bible Study Supplement if you want to do religion with it.

 

[fabumouse]

Thanks Tink! I couldn't tell if it was secular plus religion or religion plus religion.

And re: before five in a row - I have to admit I'm a bit nervous re: my 3 year old (I'm homeschooling my 8 year old) as I never quite know when I should be making a planned effort. They're only three! But she's getting soooo bored....