*** Homeschool List ***

[Ellester]

Ellester--when in Oct to you plan to go? If we go around the same time we could combine and become a group. We would only need 4 more homeschooled kids to make our 10 min. and then as parents we would qualify as chaperones and get the same ticket prices.

We haven't totally decided yet. Probably early to mid-October. I'll post my dates when we figure it out (in the next few weeks, so I can reserve DVC). Do you have dates in mind yet? We're pretty flexible, being homeschoolers and all.

 

[earthfaries]

Good morning!
So whose bought their homeschool days tickets yet? Which package did you get? Do you have your iteneraries figured out yet?
Does anyone want to try to meet on one of those two homeschool days?

 

[DawnM]

Dh has been on a business trip all week. He told me not to book until after he goes in to work tomorrow and makes sure the dates are ok.

Dawn

 

[TNKBELL]

We bought 2 weeks through skyauction. We haven't purchased our tix yet. Dh has developed cold feet, but I'm trying to warm them up!! He gets a bonus on his check next pay day, so maybe that will help!! We have until January 7th to purchase tix according to the site. In addition I'm hoping that skyauction will have a larger unit open up, otherwise I think we'll go with Orbit One again. I really hope we can go, it would be nice to be in a warmer place in January!! Ds8 gets eczema pretty bad during cold weather and it would be a nice break for his skin! I haven't told any of my friends or family what we have been planning, they will think we have finally lost it!! If the 5 kids and homeschooling haven't already convinced them!!! LOL!!

 

[Nanu57v]

Hi all, I'm looking for a math manipulatives kit. I had one in college, and DD is about the level we could start using it, but I can't find it. Any idea where to get one with counters, cuisenaire rods, fraction circles, etc?

 

[Praise2Him]

Rainbow Resource is a great place to find almost anything for homeschool curriculum, and the prices are very reasonable. Here's a link to the Math Manipulatives:

http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1195598656-1578320&subject=10&category=2317

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Saxon math is what we use and we are happy with our man. kit.

 

[Shmu]

Math U See is based on manipulatives. It's a great program.

 

[Lora]

Hi all, I'm looking for a math manipulatives kit. I had one in college, and DD is about the level we could start using it, but I can't find it. Any idea where to get one with counters, cuisenaire rods, fraction circles, etc?

I've always purchased my manipulatives from http://www.etacuisenaire.com/. I had a starter kit from them when I was in grad. school and when my girls were quite young, we started using it as our "math toys".

I was just on their site and noticed they have a homeschool link that takes you to http://www.etahomeschool.com/.

 

[lori1043]

HI!!!!! 2 more weeks of school for us before I let my kids go wild for the holidays!!!

They are thrilled!

I am excited too b/c after we go back on 1/7-we have 4 weeks then we go to DISNEY WORLD!!!!!

Lori

 

[earthfaries]

Yeah!
I think the holidays really help the wait. It seems to go faster!

 

[lori1043]

How many of you let your kids do every other math problem on a daily basis? DD9 is doing Saxon math and it has taken her an hour and a half to complete her work. She is frustrated and I am too b/c I LIKE this curriculum. One of our friends mentioned her doing every other problem and making sure she does well on tests-so long as she is doing well, then this may work out! It has been 3 days and she LOVES that she is doing every other math probelm! She finished ALL of her schooling yesterday in 2.5 hours!! I think she felt the world lifted off her shoulders. She has a test on Thursday, so we will see how it goes!

Lori

 

[meandtheguys2]

After my kids have proven proficiency, we practice a concept periodically, but not in excess. So, we will sometimes do even fewer math problems than that. So far, it has worked well for us.

Ihope that all goes well for her on Thursday!

 

[sha_lyn]

How many of you let your kids do every other math problem on a daily basis? DD9 is doing Saxon math and it has taken her an hour and a half to complete her work. She is frustrated and I am too b/c I LIKE this curriculum

We used saxon for 1st. After a few weeks of headaches over how long it took DD to finish I started marking out every other line of problems. While I believe Saxon explains things very well, it is too dry and repetitive IMHO.

 

[kathrna]

Lori, I was where you were last year, so I sympathize with everyone being frustrated. I finally called the support line @ Calvert (that's our curriculum) and they said that if it's something that could be done orally, and he showed proficiency, that was fine, as well as every other problem. That helped A LOT!! This year, I am keeping to time limits for each subject and whatever doesn't get finished is homework. That way ds doesn't get overwhelmed by looking at the same thing for hours. (And HOURS is what we were going through last year! School took FOR-EVER!) Now we're usually finished by lunchtime (instruction wise for me, anyway. Then he has free time then homework, if any). I LOVE HOMESCHOOL!

 

[earthfaries]

Sorry I can't help in this area as we pretty much unschool and don't use a lot of popular stuff. We don't do math everyday with my 11 year old, well at least not in a book! That way just never worked for him.
I say do what works and what makes your child happy and motivated, they are all different and that's one reason we homeschool/unschool right?

 

[Mason7AK]

Hi all, Well our first few weeks of homeschool have gone wonderfully! My DS5 is coming along fast on his letters and sounds. I think he really just needed the one on one! He is a happier boy too - well, as long as we don't go over a couple of hours of school at a time! His attention span won't allow longer than that! Isn't two hours about right for kinder though? We get a lot done in those two hours, so I am pretty happy with our schedule for now. My DD6, special needs, non verbal - is doing great too! She is doing her switch work for me (activates toys and devices by switch) and LOVES hooking the switch up to the computer for stories and activities (Living Books are great!) I am so glad I brought them home!
And we are taking an early Christmas break as we are heading to Disney World this FRIDAY! YEAH! We are doing the Land/Sea package and it will be our first Cruise - we are so excited!! So far Disney has been wonderful helping with all the arrangements for handicapped accessible rooms, etc and I know the kids will have the BEST time! It will be our youngest DD2's first trip to the Disney - can't wait to introduce her to the princesses!!
Angela

 

[DawnM]

Can we get a headcount on the Disney homeschool days?

We are planning to GO!

Dawn

 

[lori1043]

THANKS for the encouragement!! Poor thing was doing math for 1.5 hours a day!!! Mean ole' mom!!!! WHY did I not think of this before!!!
I guess I am a stickler and it was RUINING our experience with math!! Moving on...

I am so excited for you going in FOUR days on the cruise too!!!!!

Lori

 

[earthfaries]

Hi all, Well our first few weeks of homeschool have gone wonderfully! My DS5 is coming along fast on his letters and sounds. I think he really just needed the one on one! He is a happier boy too - well, as long as we don't go over a couple of hours of school at a time! His attention span won't allow longer than that! Isn't two hours about right for kinder though? We get a lot done in those two hours, so I am pretty happy with our schedule for now. My DD6, special needs, non verbal - is doing great too! She is doing her switch work for me (activates toys and devices by switch) and LOVES hooking the switch up to the computer for stories and activities (Living Books are great!) I am so glad I brought them home!
And we are taking an early Christmas break as we are heading to Disney World this FRIDAY! YEAH! We are doing the Land/Sea package and it will be our first Cruise - we are so excited!! So far Disney has been wonderful helping with all the arrangements for handicapped accessible rooms, etc and I know the kids will have the BEST time! It will be our youngest DD2's first trip to the Disney - can't wait to introduce her to the princesses!!
Angela

That's great! I love that we are able to homeschool our children

How exciting about your trip!!! Have fun and enjoy your cruise~watch out, they are addictive

Can we get a headcount on the Disney homeschool days?

We are planning to GO!

Dawn

You know we are! So that is 2 of us for sure
I was wondering the same thing. Did anyone get their tickets yet? I charged mine on Halloween and still haven't been charged for them! Talked to Disney and they said the end of November but here we are... I think I will call them again.

Anyone else coming to the Homeschool Days at Epcot???