*** Homeschool List ***

[GreatLakes5]

Has anyone ever considered full-time RVing while homeschooling? I'm on the road so much as it is that I've been toying with the idea. My biggest concern is that DDs love their dance classes. That is our only tie to the area right now that would be difficult for them. They both have some special needs that make social relationships difficult anyway, so they don't have any "friends" per se, most are online anyway.

I actually went today and looked at some 5th wheels, that's how bad the bug is. Anyone do it? thought about it? think you could?

OH I have so toyed with this many times. We currently do camp and pull the 5th wheel though I'd only do it in a motorhome. We have friends who have done this partially, leaving their state for about 4 months at a time. I'd love to just cut all ties - rent a storage facility, the whole bit. Then ask me 2 hours later and I've changed my mind

We do try to be open to longer vacations and I can see that happening as we actually learn geoegraphy/history by being places in person. My kids would love it. We'd have music issues (two violinists, two pianists in the family).

It's a fun dream.

 

[GreatLakes5]

HSLDA....perhaps better left 'hands off' in terms of topic?

 

[disneymom3]

I would like us to be able to discuss things like HSLDA and it seems to me that everyone who regularly posts on here is respectful of others beliefs and practices enabling us to have rational discussions. For instance, a LOT of pages ago we had a discussion of virtual schools that I thought went very well.

sha_lyn, thanks for the link. That is something to think about now.

Now for my political issue of the day. Anyone heard of Ron Paul? He is running for the Rep endorsement for Pres in 08. He is the only candidate I have ever heard of who directly endorses home schooling on his main candidacy page. Interesting at any rate. http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/home-schooling/

 

[SusanMomOf2]

I don't know how HSDLA works, but until I know more, I haven't joined it.

I've heard of Ron Paul. From what I know, he seems like the best candidate for my views. I just may vote for him. I'm so disillusioned with politics at this point!

But anyway - we started out FIRST day today! It took up to 3 hours to do reading, writing, math, science, spelling, Bible study, P.E. etc. It was a very awesome day! My daughter thought it would be more fun, but when I explained to her that she didn't have any homework, she was very pleased with that. She wants to do science, science, science. I will take her to a science museum very soon, then. I think that's very cool.

 

[GreatLakes5]

I would like us to be able to discuss things like HSLDA and it seems to me that everyone who regularly posts on here is respectful of others beliefs and practices enabling us to have rational discussions. For instance, a LOT of pages ago we had a discussion of virtual schools that I thought went very well.

sha_lyn, thanks for the link. That is something to think about now.

Now for my political issue of the day. Anyone heard of Ron Paul? He is running for the Rep endorsement for Pres in 08. He is the only candidate I have ever heard of who directly endorses home schooling on his main candidacy page. Interesting at any rate. http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/home-schooling/

Gov. Mike Huckabee, also running for President, is as big a supporter and backed it up by appointing the first ever homeschooling parent to the state board of education.

From the link I take it not supporting HSLDA based upon a bill proposed by Rep. Barney Frank is the point - Barney Frank represents everything pretty much opposite to what I would endorse.

To each his own....

 

[Tink561]

We started with Core C (it was Core K then) our first year, our older dd was 7 and starting 2nd grade. We loved it. We skipped Sonligh last year to do an American Girl unit study. This year we are doing Core 1+2 and we've been enjoying it so far, in fact I am going to read our read aloud right now for our bedtime story.

I am interested to hear the details about my friend's daughter. She did say it was the teacher's first year, so we'll see if inexperience had anything to do with it.

Tell me about the American Girl unit study please!

 

[Ellester]

Tell me about the American Girl unit study please!

We used a book put together by a lady in New Mexico. We didn't do all the activities, but we really liked the ones we did. The "Welcome to ___'s World" books were great. I got most of the books from Amazon, they discount AG books heavily. I discovered that I like a little more structure than the AG study provided, but it was still a good year for us.

http://www.unitsunique.com/


**********
I did talk to my friend about her daughter's "Survivor" experience. The girls did indeed ostracize her, but reportedly the teacher said that she was the only one who could actually eject someone from a group. My friend does not seem totally satisfied with the teacher's response, I have a feeling her daughter will not go back to PS after the Christmas break. She is in some sort of performing chorale with the school so she will stay in through their upcoming performances at least. I was glad the hear that the teacher wasn't as bad as it originally seemed, but her daughter is still upset about whatever it really was that happened.

 

[Ellester]

But anyway - we started out FIRST day today! It took up to 3 hours to do reading, writing, math, science, spelling, Bible study, P.E. etc. It was a very awesome day! My daughter thought it would be more fun, but when I explained to her that she didn't have any homework, she was very pleased with that. She wants to do science, science, science. I will take her to a science museum very soon, then. I think that's very cool.

Glad your first day went so well! Your first step on an ongoing journey....

 

[tnmom25]

I don't know how I missed this thread before. I've not read all of it yet, but wanted to join and say HEY! We homeschool three of our five children. Our oldest is grown and our youngest is 2. I'll check back in once I get caught up reading the thread!

 

[lori1043]

While I may not agree with everything HSLDA stands for, it makes me feel better to have thier protection, esp. since I work outside the home once a week and my kids are with my MIL or DH.If any questions arrive about our kids not being in "school", I feel we have someone backing us. Louisiana doesn't have anything that could protect us that I know of, or our homschool organization probably would have that option.

While I don't feel we will wind up needing them, I feel thier cost is minimal for that protection.

We did/do an American Girl study from some old teacher guides the company used to put out. My girls want another doll for Christmas!

Lori

 

[SusanMomOf2]

So, Lori, what groups have you found in Louisiana? I am at Ft. Polk and there aren't even any social groups nearby. Thank God for my HSing neighbors who have helped me figure out what to do. We're officially Davis Christian Academy.

Ooooh by the way, I just ordered French. I don't know who it will benefit more... my daughter or myself! I feel like I'm in school myself. I love the books Sonlight has picked out.

By the way, I love the Florida Gators, and our QB is Tim Tebow. He's great and is one of the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy this year. Well, he's another great product of homeschooling. He was evidently on his local high school's football team. If my daughters will be allowed to join the band, cheer, dance or whatever in high school, then I will likely HS them til they go off to college. I like to hear of successful HSers. And Florida is a tough school to get into athletically and academically. Go Tim Tebow!

 

[Ellester]

So, Lori, what groups have you found in Louisiana? I am at Ft. Polk and there aren't even any social groups nearby. Thank God for my HSing neighbors who have helped me figure out what to do. We're officially Davis Christian Academy.

Some really good homeschooling friends of ours are moving to Ft. Polk next month. They have 5 kids from 7 down to 4 months. I'm glad to hear there are other homeschoolers there. I have to be honest, I've not heard real great things about Ft. Polk.

 

[earthfaries]

We homeschool and would love a homeschool board!!!

 

[GreatLakes5]

for those who standardize test, how often do you do it? We live in Michigan so it is not required but I use the Iowa Basics every year just to make sure I'm doing my job I've got a 6th/7th grader and I'm wondering if anyone started PSAT-type tests in early middle school, partly for practice in taking them?

 

[mamaloya]

Hey Susan, I am at Ft. Polk. We arrived there this summer. I have met a few homeschooling families. I attend PWOC at the main post chapel every Tuesday at 9am. They have a homeschool room where the kids can work on their work, supervised, while I go to PWOC. I then meet my hubby for lunch at the Burger King with the playplace around 12 noon. I am homeschooling my 4 youngest right now. dh is with the 4-10.

Well, if you ever want to meet up, you now know where to find me LOL!! I am a little hard to miss. I am the crazy blonde lady with the 4 kids. Maybe I will see you around. It would be cool to meet another hsing diser at Polk.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

Ellester - Yeah when we got here, I was like WHAT! But now that we found a great church and have a slow lifestyle, we can focus on our family, school, and God. It pretty much is what you make it. My mama taught me to bloom wherever I was planted. i wonder, if we got stationed in Alaska, how much can a flower bloom in Alaska? Literally? LOL. But I hear that place is wonderful, too. But really, the people who LOVE Ft. Polk are usually still here because they don't want to leave. We are one of those families.

Sandra, I go to PWOC. I was thinking of dropping out because I'm so busy. I dunno, I may stick with it. But if I go, I'll look for you. We slept in today . But yes, it would be lovely to meet you! Which class are you in? I'm in the Holiness class. I love how you put it: hsing diser at Polk. Too funny!

 

[beautybelle]

There is a homeschool resourse book that im trying to think of the name of so I can order it. Its a big huge thick book with a brownish red cover. Can anybody think of the name of this book?

 

[sha_lyn]

rainbow resources?

ETA: here's their website
http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php

 

[beautybelle]

nope thats not it. Ive got that book. Gosh I can see it in my head but I cant get the title or the authur. Dont that just drive you crazy when that happens?

 

[sha_lyn]

LOL... yep. I just had to ask DD the name of the store we buy most of our stuff from.
They do have a catalog and online store BTW
www.learningthings.com