Homeschool Chat

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi everyone,

A while back I posted asking about Singapore Math. Well, we've been using it now for a month and DS and I both love it! Just thought you all might want to know.

Karen

 

[Lora]

If you registered for Homeschool Days, have you received an information packet of any kind? The website and the CM I spoke to a while ago said something would be sent out, but we haven't gotten anything yet. I'm wondering if there will be any problem with us skipping the kick-off meeting on the 21st.

 

[Lora]

Hi everyone,

A while back I posted asking about Singapore Math. Well, we've been using it now for a month and DS and I both love it! Just thought you all might want to know.

Karen

We used Singapore from 3A - 6B after finishing Miquon Math. I've been very happy with both programs. My younger dd is finishing 6B this week. From there we move on to other things. Time flies.

 

[Praise2Him]

Hi everyone, I found this thread through a search for homeschooling and high school. I have not read the whole thread, just skimmed looking for any info on High School age kids,trying to see if I have what it takes to do it. DS just started his Sophomore year on 8/20 and it is not going well academically already. Socially, fine, but slowly sinking in any other areas. I have never been a strong student, am not an organized person myself, so the thought of HS is daunting, but need to get DS as far as a HS diploma. Our HS does offer virtual on line classes,( but not full line) not sure if it will be any better other than he can work at his own pace kind of thing. DS centers his life arouind his circle of friends right now, and is convinced he will be looked down upon. We have tried general accomodations within the school district but they have been counter-productive...belittling him, and questioning his intelligence ( even though they are aware of his IQ) I must have him entered into the Special Ed/504 plan before they or are even willing to discusss that he that he can learn differently than their curriculm teaches.
Without going on and on,( as I know my story is not a new one) can anyone who is HS the high school years please PM me or post? I am in the very beginning stages of researching options so please bear with me. We are in Illinois if that makes any difference. Again, I have no idea if HS is an avenue we will take, but need to be as informed as I can be.
Thanks!

I'm not sure how much I can help, but I'll give you my experience. A lot depends on your state, and I don't know anything about Illinois, so maybe someone from there can help you. If you go to hslda.org and click on your state it will tell you the legal requirements. I'm in Alabama, which is a very easy state to HS in - really no requirements except what is mandated by your cover school (that you get to choose).

Anyway, I didn't start HSing DD until 8th grade and very social DS was in 10th and stayed in PS. He was a very average (C) student and only went to school to see his friends! LOL It took me a long time to accept that fact, because DH & I are both college educated, and his older brother was an A/B student and his younger sister a straight A student. I kept thinking that he just wasn't trying, or that he had a learning disablility. Once I accepted the fact that he was an average student and would never be a traditional college student life was a lot more peaceful.

Well, he surprised me halfway through 11th grade and asked to come home to school. It worked out great, because I could tailor his studies to what he was interested in and he didn't have to take subjects that he would never use, like Physics or Calculus. He also was able to work his Senior year and since he was HS he could work during the day, when other kids were at school, so his bosses loved that. He still saw his friends after school and at church, etc. He graduated in 2007 and started Film School in Orlando that September. He graduated this June with a BS degree in Film and is living in Orlando and working.

Now, I'm not sure how it would've worked if I had forced him to be HS. He saw his sister doing it and decided that he wanted to do it also. Maybe you could give it a trial period? I think once he wasn't under so much pressure to perform he would relax and enjoy it. Also, there are lots of opportunities for extra-curricular activities for HSers. Try to find a group that he's interested in, such as drama, choir, sports, etc. and get him involved.

Hope this helps some! Good luck in making your decision - I know it's hard!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Hi everyone, I found this thread through a search for homeschooling and high school. I have not read the whole thread, just skimmed looking for any info on High School age kids,trying to see if I have what it takes to do it. DS just started his Sophomore year on 8/20 and it is not going well academically already. Socially, fine, but slowly sinking in any other areas. I have never been a strong student, am not an organized person myself, so the thought of HS is daunting, but need to get DS as far as a HS diploma. Our HS does offer virtual on line classes,( but not full line) not sure if it will be any better other than he can work at his own pace kind of thing. DS centers his life arouind his circle of friends right now, and is convinced he will be looked down upon. We have tried general accomodations within the school district but they have been counter-productive...belittling him, and questioning his intelligence ( even though they are aware of his IQ) I must have him entered into the Special Ed/504 plan before they or are even willing to discusss that he that he can learn differently than their curriculm teaches.
Without going on and on,( as I know my story is not a new one) can anyone who is HS the high school years please PM me or post? I am in the very beginning stages of researching options so please bear with me. We are in Illinois if that makes any difference. Again, I have no idea if HS is an avenue we will take, but need to be as informed as I can be.
Thanks!

I don't know much about high school curriculum since I only have a preschooler, but I do live in IL.

Homeschooling here is super easy as far as the requirements go. You just need to write a letter to your school letting them know you're going to be homeschooling. That's it! Being that he's in high school I think he's already gone through the constitution test (that's in 8th grade, right?) so you don't even have to teach that (it's the only requirement for homeschooling in IL).

 

[Temair]

'm in need of advice from some other homeschooling moms. This is the start of my second year at homeschooling, but I did 2 years of a state virtual school before that. So I''ve been schooling at home for a while. I've noticed this year that I'm just not been a great teacher. I have curriculum's that my DD can do mostly on her own. I've encouraged her independence. I thought I was teaching her to teach herself.

Well I've noticed and today it became very obvious that right now my DD is learning to cheat the system. She only does what she has to do, or even just says she did it, even if she hasn't.

I'm getting frustrated because I know I'm not teaching her anything but how to cheat the system. I think I need to be more strict and disciplined with her. Honestly I'm starting to doubt my own ability to homeschool. I thought the doubts were just my hormones being all messed up at the moment, but I'm starting to see I may have valid doubts. I was thinking switching to SOS, but I'm thinking I'm just putting a band aid over the bigger problem. And i think I'm the problem. I know at times I let my DD get away with too much. But I thought I was getting better about it.

I just don't know what to do. I just want the best education for my DD, and maybe its time to send her back to public school, or even back to the virtual school where I have the teacher to fall back on. There is a local charter school that I consider fairly good that might have openings. I really need some advice here.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

If you registered for Homeschool Days, have you received an information packet of any kind? The website and the CM I spoke to a while ago said something would be sent out, but we haven't gotten anything yet. I'm wondering if there will be any problem with us skipping the kick-off meeting on the 21st.

We got our tickets weeks ago. And about 2 days ago I received an email about the homeschool days about how to sign in, and a link to a self guided tour packet for Epcot. We probably won't really do the homeschool activities, but the cost of the tickets was nice!

 

[LegoMom3]

'm in need of advice from some other homeschooling moms. This is the start of my second year at homeschooling, but I did 2 years of a state virtual school before that. So I''ve been schooling at home for a while. I've noticed this year that I'm just not been a great teacher. I have curriculum's that my DD can do mostly on her own. I've encouraged her independence. I thought I was teaching her to teach herself.

Well I've noticed and today it became very obvious that right now my DD is learning to cheat the system. She only does what she has to do, or even just says she did it, even if she hasn't.

I'm getting frustrated because I know I'm not teaching her anything but how to cheat the system. I think I need to be more strict and disciplined with her. Honestly I'm starting to doubt my own ability to homeschool. I thought the doubts were just my hormones being all messed up at the moment, but I'm starting to see I may have valid doubts. I was thinking switching to SOS, but I'm thinking I'm just putting a band aid over the bigger problem. And i think I'm the problem. I know at times I let my DD get away with too much. But I thought I was getting better about it.

I just don't know what to do. I just want the best education for my DD, and maybe its time to send her back to public school, or even back to the virtual school where I have the teacher to fall back on. There is a local charter school that I consider fairly good that might have openings. I really need some advice here.

I think you need to start with asking yourself why you brought her home in the first place?

We all go through periods of doubt with our "abilities" but I am convinced that parents ARE the best teachers for their kids. I think you're on the right track with trying to teach independence, but like anything else in life, she has to learn that there are consequences. Will she have to take tests at the end of the semester and/or year? Just doing the bare minimum won't cut it and she may have to learn the hard way. Can you sit down and discuss this with her, and set some guidelines and clear penalties for not doing the job properly?

We've had our kids in the public schools but they're home now and I'm personally very anti-public school, so I'm not the best person to give unbiased advice! But if this were the direction you decided to pursue, as I said in the beginning, what made you take her out in the first place? Remember kids learn to "cheat the system" in the public schools all the time!! That won't necessarily solve this.

All families work differently, but I know in our home, if this type of thing were happening, we would step back from the "academics" for a while and address the deeper issue of why she's doing this. Is she burned out on the curriculum? If your state requirements aren't all that strict, let her pursue something she's interested in for a while! It's amazing how much information a child can absorb when they're learning about something they truly want to know (my DS12 is a gear-head, so any time he can take apart a small engine or help his dad on the van, he's in adolescent-boy heaven!).

I'll quit here because I feel like I'm just rambling now, but those are some thoughts FWIW! Hopefully some others here will chime in with their experiences too.

.

 

[NHWX]

OK, so how is she cheating the system? Looking at multiple choice answers and back figuring the math? Looking up the answers in the back of the book. (Duh moment here. I *showed* my son that there were some answers in the back of the book. How tired a Mom do you have to be to do that?) Make sure her exams have no multiple choice and no way to discover the answers any other way. And let her know beforehand that since she's been getting 100's on her exercise papers, that you expect her to get at least an 85 or better. Otherwise, she'll have to go back and do more practice, so you're sure she's learned the material.

If there's something that she already knows, like what a pronoun is and she doesn't do the written work that's supposed to, well, maybe you can simply give her the end of chapter test and move on from there. There's no real point in busy work for the sake of doing it. If there's work that teaches something, even if your child doesn't understand that yet, then you should do it. But if you already know the skill or material, then it's probably just a waste of time.

But if she's supposed to do something like "Research Ben Franklin's many different roles (printer, inventor, diplomat) and write at least five paragraphs on it" and she simply doesn't do it, then I'd urge definite consequences. My two know that if the week's work isn't done, they're not having fun on the weekend. And they really do want to do a lot on the weekend with their friends.

You might make the time and spend more time with her as she does her work. Read her math lesson directions, for instance and say "20 problems shouldn't take you more than a half hour. I'll be happy to correct them with you in a half hour." Knowing that someone is going to be checking up soon is a powerful motivator.

And I'm sure she'll complain and you can tell her that doing the bare minimum isn't enough. I went 'round and 'round with my two about this. I said "How would you like it if I just threw your dinner at you instead of serving it nicely? That would still get your food to you. Or if we said 'I'm still playing a game. Wait until I save before I come pick you up.' " They got the point pretty quickly.

Everyone goes through phases; I'm sure this is just one of them.

NHWX

 

[Temair]

Thanks for the advice. I pulled my DD out of school after K. She began and ended her K year with about the same level of education. Sure she learned to stand in a line, and eat quickly and quietly in the cafeteria. I took her out so she would actually learn something and could work at her own pace. The problem is that she has learned that she can get away wit only doing the bare minimum. I know she could do more and learn more, and do it quicker if she would just apply herself, but she doesn't. I want so much for my child, but she would rather just be lazy. Obviously she isn't that bad as she still scores very well when it comes to standardized testing.

And I'm sure it doesn't help that I suffer from depression at times and honestly when I'm there I don't pay attention to her, and make sure the work is getting done.

This year I've been trying to be better on track and not let things slip. I got Homeschool Tracker Plus, and it does help somewhat. But I've also recognized that my curriculum choices might not have been the best ones for my DD. I was thinking that maybe something like SOS where it does the majority of the work and grading and tracking might help my DD to work on her own and not skip steps.

 

[Nicolepa]

Has anyone used www.factsfirst.com? I would love something like this for my 2nd grader but was wondering if there was something that might be cheaper, or a boxed program that I can use with all of my children (when they are ready).

Thoughts?

Nicole

 

[Temair]

After talking things over with my husband we are thinking we will try and get back into the virtual school. That seems to have been working and I wasn't always doubting my ability to teach me DD.

 

[Tracy041500]

We also use the virtual school (GVA) this is our first year my son is in K. We love it. He's doing great Math & Reading on a 2nd grade level and I love the fact that you keep going. He will never skip grades but he can surely get 2nd & 3rd grade work. And its way more flexible than I thought.

 

[fabumouse]

How flexible is the Georgia Virtual Academy? Can you focus on certain areas and test through others?

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Want another reason to be thankful...check out this post
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2286386
25 pages in 4 days! All over one question. It is not even worth responding to all the fighting going on over there.

PHEW!

 

[graygables]

I chatted with a Guest from Canada today. They are given tax relief and are PAID if they choose to homeschool their children to offset the expense of providing curriculum. Oh. My. Gosh. I asked if they wanted to sponsor me...

 

[disneymom3]

No way! I wonder how much government oversight is given to homeschoolers there. I don't mind the taxes but financial help with curriculum would sure be nice!

 

[disneymom3]

Hi everyone, I found this thread through a search for homeschooling and high school. I have not read the whole thread, just skimmed looking for any info on High School age kids,trying to see if I have what it takes to do it. DS just started his Sophomore year on 8/20 and it is not going well academically already. Socially, fine, but slowly sinking in any other areas. I have never been a strong student, am not an organized person myself, so the thought of HS is daunting, but need to get DS as far as a HS diploma. Our HS does offer virtual on line classes,( but not full line) not sure if it will be any better other than he can work at his own pace kind of thing. DS centers his life arouind his circle of friends right now, and is convinced he will be looked down upon. We have tried general accomodations within the school district but they have been counter-productive...belittling him, and questioning his intelligence ( even though they are aware of his IQ) I must have him entered into the Special Ed/504 plan before they or are even willing to discusss that he that he can learn differently than their curriculm teaches.
Without going on and on,( as I know my story is not a new one) can anyone who is HS the high school years please PM me or post? I am in the very beginning stages of researching options so please bear with me. We are in Illinois if that makes any difference. Again, I have no idea if HS is an avenue we will take, but need to be as informed as I can be.
Thanks!

I only am at 8th grade with my oldest at this point. However, there are wonderful options out there. If you are comfortable with the Christian perspective, Apologia Science simply are wonderful. Learning Language Arts through Literature is a good program. There are tons of options for history out there. Have you child choose an interest area and go from there. See if he can attend a class at a local community college. YOu might also consider letting him do a partial day at the public school. A friend of mine has a 9th grader who is on the high school football team. He takes one class, which is small engine repair--best of both worlds! If you will not be totally overwhelmed www.rainbowresources.com has just about every option that is out there. You can look at just high school things. As for math, I can't reccomend anything more highly than TEaching Textbooks. It has saved my sanity with high school math. I used Singapore but their higher level stuff doesn't have enough info for the teacher--at least this teacher!! and I was lost!!

I think you need to start with asking yourself why you brought her home in the first place?

We all go through periods of doubt with our "abilities" but I am convinced that parents ARE the best teachers for their kids. I think you're on the right track with trying to teach independence, but like anything else in life, she has to learn that there are consequences. Will she have to take tests at the end of the semester and/or year? Just doing the bare minimum won't cut it and she may have to learn the hard way. Can you sit down and discuss this with her, and set some guidelines and clear penalties for not doing the job properly?

We've had our kids in the public schools but they're home now and I'm personally very anti-public school, so I'm not the best person to give unbiased advice! But if this were the direction you decided to pursue, as I said in the beginning, what made you take her out in the first place? Remember kids learn to "cheat the system" in the public schools all the time!! That won't necessarily solve this.

All families work differently, but I know in our home, if this type of thing were happening, we would step back from the "academics" for a while and address the deeper issue of why she's doing this. Is she burned out on the curriculum? If your state requirements aren't all that strict, let her pursue something she's interested in for a while! It's amazing how much information a child can absorb when they're learning about something they truly want to know (my DS12 is a gear-head, so any time he can take apart a small engine or help his dad on the van, he's in adolescent-boy heaven!).

I'll quit here because I feel like I'm just rambling now, but those are some thoughts FWIW! Hopefully some others here will chime in with their experiences too.

.

Okay, you are like my twin brain or something! Your answer earlier was just what I was thinking too! I want my kids to have a desire to learn. Sometimes that takes on a much different look than I expect it to. My kids learn weird things at weird times. The other day my seven and nine yo's were playing some science game on the computer. The 9yo tried some solution and the 7 yo said "Well, of course that isn't going to work. There is a total lack of inertia." Honestly, I am not even sure I know what that means and I have NO idea where he got it!

Workbooks are not, for most kids, the best way to learn and master a subject.

Thanks for the advice. I pulled my DD out of school after K. She began and ended her K year with about the same level of education. Sure she learned to stand in a line, and eat quickly and quietly in the cafeteria. I took her out so she would actually learn something and could work at her own pace. The problem is that she has learned that she can get away wit only doing the bare minimum. I know she could do more and learn more, and do it quicker if she would just apply herself, but she doesn't. I want so much for my child, but she would rather just be lazy. Obviously she isn't that bad as she still scores very well when it comes to standardized testing. .

It sounds like this year or for right now, you guys are sort of just going through the motions of learning. Neither of you are passionate about what you are working on. Is there something you could learn about to spark your and her interest? Take some time to just go hang out at the library and see what interesting books you can find. My oldest and I will go and pick a topic and then each get a few books on it. Then after a week or so, we have a conversation about what we each found out. The trick is that we have to each try to find something we have learned that the other one hasn't.

We also play a lot of games. Just about all the games I have in the house involve learning in some way. We have a game called Spelldown where you roll some letter dice and then have to think of a word that uses those letters but then also includes as many of your little tiles as you can. There is one from Discovery Toys which I think is called Whiz Kids and it gives you a letter and a part of speech or some particular thing and you have to think of a word that fits that starts with that letter. Tons of math games with dice. EVen as simple as seeing who can get the best score by adding or multiplying hte dice. Mastermind, mancala, Set, Quiddler and tons of other teach logic along with reading or math stuff. Look at www.rainbowresources.com for supplies and check out their games section.

BTW, we all just do the bare minimum sometimes. Doesn't mean that either you or your DD are lazy. Maybe you just need to cut each other some slack and have a little fun.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Can anyone recommend some good books for a 10 yo, 5th grade girl who loves animals? We just started Stone Fox, but I'm not too sure where to go from here. I plan on covering Charlotte's Web even though it is below level for her simply because she didn't read it while in public school. It's such a wonderful book, I think she'll enjoy it. She also wants to read Black Beauty and Redwall. Where can I find recommendations for grade level reading and what we should cover every year? There is still so much that I need to learn about homeschooling! Thanks for any help!

 

[Tracy041500]

How flexible is the Georgia Virtual Academy? Can you focus on certain areas and test through others?

Yes you can do the assessments and if they know it you get to go to the next one. If theres something I need to take more time and teach I can do that too.