Homeschool Chat

[GoofyG]

Thanks, i'm going to see what the library has!

 

[queenbeaz]

and I love all the names in ur siggie!!!

Thank you for the warm welcome! I realized that I never really introduced myself, so here goes: We have 4 kiddos, 2 of whom I am "actively" teaching, and two who are just enjoying childhood. DD4 is still mostly disinterested in "doing school", but we might do a bit more actual preschooly stuff in a few months. This was our first FULL year of hs, though we did about 1/2 year back when oldest ds had a horrible kindergarten experience so we took him home & his little sister tagged along with her own preschool curriculum and loved it. We used Heart of Dakota for most of this year. It is a great program and how I would really love to do school. But I had to get honest with myself and realize that I don't and just can't teach like that right now, so we are switching to Switched on Schoolhouse for next year. The kids asked for stuff to do on the computer, so hopefully this will work for everyone.

I've seen several people mention that Disney has a college program? That is so very cool! Where can I find more info on that? Everyone needs a goal to aim for right???

 

[Praise2Him]

My homeschooled DD just finished working as a Costuming CM in the Disney college program. Here's the link:

https://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/index.html

There's also a College Board here on the DIS that has lots of info about it. One of the hs'ing moms on this board, GrayGables did the CP a year or so ago as an adult and will probably join in for more info.

 

[adisneymama]

I'm one of those that is hs a special needs child and receiving services thru the school. Just let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

queenbeaz...I am using HoD this coming year...got all of dd's stuff and part of my ds11s....I looooove looking thru that guide book!!! Can't wait to jump in!!!

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

I've seen several people mention that Disney has a college program? That is so very cool! Where can I find more info on that? Everyone needs a goal to aim for right???

https://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/index.html

My niece is doing her second semester. So she has been there since January. It was super cool because when we went for Homeschool Days in January for 10 awesome days she was there. And she might go back next January for a managerial internship.

If you have any questions just ask- I have lived vicariously through her. LOL

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Speaking of something to aim for have you heard about this

http://www.theultimatefieldtrip.com/pdfs/National-Graduation-Flyer.pdf

 

[GoofyG]

Just got told about this curriculum
http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/
Has anyone used it?

 

[dis-happy]

Just got told about this curriculum
http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/
Has anyone used it?

I've never used it but a friend of mine did for many years of homeschooling and she absolutely recommended it to others. The 2 older children that graduated went on to college and careers so I guess they did well academically. HTH

 

[GoofyG]

I've never used it but a friend of mine did for many years of homeschooling and she absolutely recommended it to others. The 2 older children that graduated went on to college and careers so I guess they did well academically. HTH

Thanks, anyone use the k12 program? What do you think of it?
Also, how many hours a day does it usually take for HS? I'm so new to this!!!!

 

[skoi]

We did K12 as a cybercharter years ago. I found it much too hard for our ds (he was in K), and it made him anxious as there were reviews after every lesson. We ended up pulling him out and going back to a more relaxed style of homeschooling, and while he was technically "behind" in terms of anything Language Arts related until he was about seven, by eight or nine he was on track. Our oldest dd used K12 in 3rd and 4th and really liked it, except the music.

We're looking for a good curriculum to use with youngest ds (will be 6). He has an overall developmental delay, severe speech delay (due to cleft palate, no therapy as a child, and undiagnosed hearing impairment), and some adoption related issues. We normally use Sonlight in the lower grades, but are wondering if anyone has any other suggestions?

Thanks-
Julie

 

[robinsegg]

We're looking for a good curriculum to use with youngest ds (will be 6). He has an overall developmental delay, severe speech delay (due to cleft palate, no therapy as a child, and undiagnosed hearing impairment), and some adoption related issues. We normally use Sonlight in the lower grades, but are wondering if anyone has any other suggestions?

Thanks-
Julie

We loved Sonlight PreK, now have found My Father's World curriculum. It's literature-rich unit studies, very much Christian-centered (if that matters to you), and is loosely based on a Classical education style.
You may also consider something as unintimidating for the student as Five in a Row. This is also a literature-rich unit study, from a specifically Charlotte Mason approach.
I hope that helps!

 

[GoofyG]

We did K12 as a cybercharter years ago. I found it much too hard for our ds (he was in K), and it made him anxious as there were reviews after every lesson. We ended up pulling him out and going back to a more relaxed style of homeschooling, and while he was technically "behind" in terms of anything Language Arts related until he was about seven, by eight or nine he was on track. Our oldest dd used K12 in 3rd and 4th and really liked it, except the music.

We're looking for a good curriculum to use with youngest ds (will be 6). He has an overall developmental delay, severe speech delay (due to cleft palate, no therapy as a child, and undiagnosed hearing impairment), and some adoption related issues. We normally use Sonlight in the lower grades, but are wondering if anyone has any other suggestions?

Thanks-
Julie

My DD4 had a submucous cleft palate, she had surgery to fix it this past MArch. She is very behind for her speech also, and has hearing loss. They have also just discovered she has sme SPD problems. So now she is starting OT.
I just don't know about the K12.

 

[skoi]

My DD4 had a submucous cleft palate, she had surgery to fix it this past MArch. She is very behind for her speech also, and has hearing loss. They have also just discovered she has sme SPD problems. So now she is starting OT.
I just don't know about the K12.

It depends on if you're going to do it privately, I would think, or through a cybercharter. And then, it depends on how flexible the charter will be, what sort of special ed services they'll offer, etc. We did one year of a cybercharter, not a K12 school, but I didn't really like it for youngest ds.

robinsegg- thanks for those suggestions. We'll look into it.

Julie

 

[mariezp]

mariezp, very cool about your son. Can I recommend that during this time as he waits to have the knowledge and experience to open a school, that he does really focus on learning about business, the finances of having a business, employees, etc etc etc etc etc. All while earning SCADS of money to keep that business open while he is building a clientele. Most small businesses close in 5 years, mine sure did, and you *have to* have the cash to keep everything afloat during those 5 years while you get your feet planted on the ground.

Whether that learning is from reading, mentoring, or even taking some CC classes, it probably doesn't matter, but knowing about those things *before* opening his doors will be absolutely invaluable!

Very, very good suggestion bumbershoot! He really does not want to go to college. However, with the internet options out there today there are so many resources that he should have no problem finding plenty to read on the subject. His instructor is a fantastic guy. I am sure he would offer his assistance too if DS ever needed some pointers.

My son's jiu-jitsu gym just had to close its original location b/c the rent on two locations killed them. I guess the business is growing faster in the 2nd location b/c he closed his baby (1st gym). Now we have to drive 20min to the 2nd location. Rent on a building alone will kill a business.

That is too bad about the gym. I guess you can just never tell what business will go over well. My son's instructor just happened into good locations, I guess. He now has 4 gyms, 3 of which were opened in the last 2 years.

We wanted to get DS into Kung-Fu b/c we speak Chinese and are into the whole Chinese culture, and lo and behold I found one in my area, owned and operated by a homeschooling dad!! Isn't that awesome??

Very awesome! Proof again that God does indeed provide!
When my son needed sports we found the perfect group to join. When he needed a martial arts school he also headed us in the right direction. When we first started Jiu-Jitsu classes we had to drive 40 miles. Within a year his instructor started a new gym 10 miles from us. That was pretty cool too!

HI! It's good to see a homeschooling thread. I joined disboards, because I am SOO excited my husband finally agreed to a disney trip.

I don't think I'll ever be completely confident that I am a sufficient teacher, but I know that I am doing the best for them.

Congrats on the Disney trip! We can all use a little magic!
I agree completely. After homeschooling for 13 years I still am not always convinced I am the best teacher BUT I do know without a doubt that I will put my heart and soul into it for them like no one else would. Kudos to you for doing what you feel they need even though you've hit some bumps along the way.

 

[Nicolepa]

Thanks, anyone use the k12 program? What do you think of it?
Also, how many hours a day does it usually take for HS? I'm so new to this!!!!

We are finishing up our first year with K12. I personally found 2nd grade to be super easy. My son, who was supposidly was behind in the regular classroom sailed thru 2nd grade. We completed it in 7 months and are 20% done with 3rd grade. 3rd grade has been at the appropriate level for him.

The one thing I hate about K12 is their math. It is horrible (IMO). We completed 2nd grade math in 5 months and are about 80% of the way thru 3rd grade. I am so frustrated with it that we are going to do 10 more lessons (what we need for our VA goals next month) and then I'm tossing it. Next year we are not doing K12 Math. Our VA lets us pick and choose what subjects we want, some do not allow that.

On the other hand my son LOVES their history. It is his favorite subject. He also likes the Art lessons. The projects not so much, but the lessons yes.

 

[robinsegg]

Also, how many hours a day does it usually take for HS? I'm so new to this!!!!

How long depends on the age of your child, along with curruculum and style choices. This year just finished, I had a 4th grader and 1st grader, and we spent around 2 hrs per day on formal academics.

 

[Dannielle_1]

Does anyone have experience with ShillerMath? Your thoughts/observations about it. I'm considering it for DS (4.5).

 

[adisneymama]

We are finishing up our first year with K12. I personally found 2nd grade to be super easy. My son, who was supposidly was behind in the regular classroom sailed thru 2nd grade. We completed it in 7 months and are 20% done with 3rd grade. 3rd grade has been at the appropriate level for him.

The one thing I hate about K12 is their math. It is horrible (IMO). We completed 2nd grade math in 5 months and are about 80% of the way thru 3rd grade. I am so frustrated with it that we are going to do 10 more lessons (what we need for our VA goals next month) and then I'm tossing it. Next year we are not doing K12 Math. Our VA lets us pick and choose what subjects we want, some do not allow that.

On the other hand my son LOVES their history. It is his favorite subject. He also likes the Art lessons. The projects not so much, but the lessons yes.

I have the opposite reaction. LOL I hate their 2nd grade history but think the math is ok. LOL It seems to follow the math curriculum for our public school so maybe that is why. Just goes to show that everyone needs to look into more than one curriculum before deciding. What math program are you thinking of going to?

 

[dis-happy]

Does anyone have experience with ShillerMath? Your thoughts/observations about it. I'm considering it for DS (4.5).

I hadn't heard of it but looked at the info website. One thing that would concern me is they say you should stick with it until 6th grade, as the math skills they learn aren't easy to transition to another program until then. If your child's learning style is different than the program's, you are either stuck or behind for starting another math program.

That said, 4.5 is young for formal math programs. In Saxon, the K math is a lot of numeric awareness (ie. calandar activities, etc). You could try Shiller for a year or two and move to something like Saxon for grade 1 and be okay. Another nice option for younger math that many of my friends like is Horizons Math. Good program, plus lots of color in the workbooks.

Math-U-See is manipulative based (sounds like Shiller). However, most people don't stay with it up through the advanced levels.

If you have a child that excels in math, go with Singapore Math.