*** Homeschool List ***

[lori1043]

THIS is the homeschooling thread!!

MDO is 'mom's day out'!

Our church has an MDO program that has kids for 3-4 hours, 2-3 days per week. and the choice of them staying 'til 3pm a couple days a week.

Lori

 

[mommyof3grlz]

Dr. Dobson on Focus on the Family yesterday and today has a program on how to get dads more involved in the homeschooling process. The guest is Michael Farris, president of HSLDA and his wife.
We too use SOS. What I did was go into the teacher program and remove some of the projects and tests. In my opinion there are too many projects. I didn't feel bad about removing the tests because every section has a quiz at the end. To me the quizzes take the place of the test. You can also bump their work so that it is spread out from today until your last school day. Just go into the teacher program and edit your school day calendar to take off for example, yesterday when they were watching Dad play webkinz. After you make that day a non school day by removing the check mark from the box then it will let you regenerate all of their lessons. For me not seeing all of those red exclamation points makes me feel better. Their work load will be more for a while but that is how they can catch up. Good luck. Do all you can do and then don't stress yourself out. I'll send up prayers for you this morning.

 

[sha_lyn]

Douglisa....are you keeping an eye on this thread too?
I can see the tone of the thread you started headed the wrong way, so I really rather not even post over on it.

Last time I tried to dispel a false statement about homeschooling (that you have to be well educated in every subject and remember everything you were taught int school ) I was accused of being too defensive, and "threatened" that if I said anything else I would be told exactly what they though about home schooling.

 

[Helpmate]

Today, I got an e-mail from this subscription and thought I'd check it out again. It's been a while for me. After some rather unpleasant happenings, I was scared . Honestly, quite scared of posting again.

I'm glad I came back, though . When I discovered this thread, I was way thankful. Me thanking God!

My family's lives had been turned upside down by "Katrina" and making an abrupt and untimely move up North, we had lost our homeschool support network. It was reassuring and comforting to hear the thoughts of others who have made the decision to homeschool, unschool or whatever one chooses to call it. We are still in the rebuilding mode, but we have made many powerful strides and decisions to help our family appreciate the meaning of the word "home".

We are currently homeschooling 4. We wouldn't change our minds about our decision for the world.

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

Today, I got an e-mail from this subscription and thought I'd check it out again. It's been a while for me. After some rather unpleasant happenings, I was scared . Honestly, quite scared of posting again.

I'm glad I came back, though . When I discovered this thread, I was way thankful. Me thanking God!

My family's lives had been turned upside down by "Katrina" and making an abrupt and untimely move up North, we had lost our homeschool support network. It was reassuring and comforting to hear the thoughts of others who have made the decision to homeschool, unschool or whatever one chooses to call it. We are still in the rebuilding mode, but we have made many powerful strides and decisions to help our family appreciate the meaning of the word "home".

We are currently homeschooling 4. We wouldn't change our minds about our decision for the world.

Welcome back. I'm sorry about everything that has happened to your family. Hopefully you are on your way back to normal. Homeschooling is a blessing for us as well. And "home" is a place to be cherished. I am in my 16th year of homeschooling and still have 10 more to go.
But I would not change a thing.
Be Blessed

 

[Helpmate]

Thanks. We are doing well, focusing on today and the future.

It's really cool to hear that you've been at it for 16 years with homeschooling. I look forward to the day when my babies are all grown up. It's funny. I look at them sometimes and cry, "They're growing up so quickly!" Then, I thank my father in heaven that they are!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

I don't know if anyone is interested but some homeschool moms have put togehter a forum called Homeschool Lounge. There are general discussions on homeschooling as well as a bunch of specialized "groups". The link is http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/, it is small right now but seems to be growing every day.

Anyway, I started a group for Disney Homeschoolers, even though I am very new to this thread I know a lot of you have wanted a seperate thread (me included) and we haven't been given one. I know it won't be the same but it is a seperate forum.

GrayGables--Don't know what to say for sure but you definately have my prayers and

Helpmate--Glad you're back, the more the merrier.

 

[Helpmate]

Thanks, dutch girl scout! It's good to be back in such great company.

 

[disneymom3]

Helpmate--I am sorry to hear you were scared away by something but glad you are back. I do remember a bit there where we had some harrassers on this thread that we asked to just leave us alone. All it took was a few of us reporting posts and the mods took care of it. At any rate, I am glad you came back around. I love this thread. I just wish we could get a board so the questions could be expanded and answered better. Maybe someday.

douglisa--I did answer your thread you linked. My main advice for you is to take your time and consider what would serve both you and your son the best. One thing I like most about homeschooling is that my kids don't have to fit someone else's mold. They are still expected to be polite and wait their turns etc, but there overall development happens when they are ready. Not when a book says they should be. And you don't have to know everything or even close. Books are your friends!

graygables--I feel for you. Men can be such different creatures sometimes. Honestly it sounds to me like your DH might be depresed. Was his job loss expected, hard to take or what was the deal there? I know when my DH was laid off for sometime he was very hard to deal with and I had days when I wondered why I was staying with him. Good luck with it!

 

[graygables]

graygables--I feel for you. Men can be such different creatures sometimes. Honestly it sounds to me like your DH might be depresed. Was his job loss expected, hard to take or what was the deal there? I know when my DH was laid off for sometime he was very hard to deal with and I had days when I wondered why I was staying with him. Good luck with it!

Thanks for the pixies and prayers. Hubby is self-employed (masonry contractor), took over the business from his dad 8 years ago and it has withered to nothing. He has 0 sense of the business end of things, but won't listen to me b/c I'm female and "know nothing about masonry". Welllll, you may be right, but I know a LOT about business in general and how to run one. For some reason, he also has no sense of urgency regarding employment, so supporting the family has fallen to me, 13 years out of the workplace with my own brand new company that was just supposed to be for financing Disney trips. I just don't get how someone who is SO "Pleasantville" can NOT go out and look for work.

I've re-set the girls' school once before when they got very behind b/c of illness, but this last time was just laziness, so I'm hesitant to re-set it again. I don't want them thinking they can just get away with not doing the work. I did not know that I could remove some of the projects and such...I'd already "blocked" them, but having them still show up is discouraging for everyone, even with the red X! As soon as I get back from the show, I'm going to spend some serious time removing a bunch of the extra stuff and re-set their schedule (but they don't know that yet...they have until I get back to get caught up or no internet for another week )

I have added 2 new homeschool shirts to my line-up; I'm hoping to get them printed up and on my website in the next few weeks, so maybe that will open a new avenue for me. I really wouldn't mind if my business took off and hubby could work for me...

 

[sha_lyn]

douglisa..... With out knowing more its hard to say, but my first reaction is that your DS just lacks the maturity to sit through 7.5 hrs of school, a long boring scout meeting etc.

Some of the answers on the thread you started just have me shaking my head. Your DS doesn't have to "conform" at age 7 to grow into a well adjusted "socialized" (I hate that word LOL) adult.
Slow and easy wins the race IMHO. Pushing when they aren't ready just leads to them hating school, social situations, life in general etc.

 

[lori1043]

wow, I must have missed SOMETHING...glad you are back!

Lori

Just ignore naysayers and people trying to make themselves feel better.

Lori

 

[disneymom3]

douglisa..... With out knowing more its hard to say, but my first reaction is that your DS just lacks the maturity to sit through 7.5 hrs of school, a long boring scout meeting etc.

Some of the answers on the thread you started just have me shaking my head. Your DS doesn't have to "conform" at age 7 to grow into a well adjusted "socialized" (I hate that word LOL) adult.
Slow and easy wins the race IMHO. Pushing when they aren't ready just leads to them hating school, social situations, life in general etc.

sha_lyn--you and I think a lot alike on this issue. That attitude of "Well, the kid can't handle this situation so let's make sure we force them to do so they have to cope" just blows me away. What do we accomplish by that tactic? It is really sad to me that just because a child doesn't meet the goals some guy in the state capital decided he should means there is something wrong with the child. People are so afraid to even admit that gee, maybe something is wrong with the system.

 

[DawnM]

So sorry. When I went away for 2.5 week a year ago (traveling to get our adopted son) I didn't even leave schoolwork for DH to do with the kids because I knew it would be too much frustration when I got back, but then, I don't do a lesson a day curriculum. I would have had to leave detailed lesson plans! HA!

I am sorry. That must be very frustrating.

Honestly, I don't think school is the big bad evil and if you have to send them, it wouldn't be the end of the world. I feel for you if you don't really want to do that though.

Hope you can work this out.

Dawn

VENT WARNING!

I'm about ready to send them to public school. If it weren't for the fact that we travel so much, I probably would. Here's the situation...I've started back to school for my Master's degree. Hubby hasn't worked since Thanksgiving and doesn't look like he's going to anytime soon. I'm also self-employed and have 22 shows to do this year, so my getting a "real job" isn't happening, either. I've been working my hiney off, sleeping about 4 hours a night. I have my schoolwork to do, housework, cooking, shopping, run my business (including hand-dying shirts), phone calls, any type of business-related work, run DDs to lessons, I coordinate an American Girls Friendship Club within our homeschool group, plus trying to homeschool DDs. Hubby takes out the trash. Seriously. I've been having him do more and more as far as housework/cooking, but he GRIPES and complains at every step. He's also a total grouch dealing with the kids.

They are now 33 lessons (6 days) behind in their schoolwork (we use Switched On Schoolhouse), a lot of which has happened b/c I left him in charge of it last week when I had a show to do. I simply cannot do it all anymore, it's killing me. My stomach is a wreck from the stress of what I have to do combined with the lack of income. I turned off the internet and told them NO MORE until they get caught up. What do I find this afternoon??? Hubby, sitting at HIS computer letting them watch him play Webkinz.

How on earth do I get him more involved? (is it possible?) He is SO mid-century and thinks that it's all "woman's work", but HE won't go get a job so I don't have to work so hard. I simply do not have the time to hover over DDs to make sure they are getting it all done and I don't think there is anything wrong with him taking some responsibility. They are HIS kids, too, and HE was more adamant about homeschooling than I was.

Even if you don't have advice, I'd sure appreciate some pixies.

 

[Ellester]

Graygables: No advice really, but I do feel for you. It gets so frustrating feeling like you are running the whole show sometimes. You are totally right that they are his kids too and he needs to buy into the need for them to succeed at learning (homeschool or PS). Just wanted to let you know that I'm sending prayers your way.

DougLisa: Wow, your original thread has certainly gotten snippy! I tend to agree that all the "structure" of a school day plus scouts or whatever may be just too much for your little guy. Those posts saying how important it is for him to learn how to raise his hand or stand in line for the bathroom just crack me up! They remind me of our old neighbor, their little girl is the same age as our oldest and when they were 4 she was in the public pre-K. One day the two girls were walking together and my daughter reached out to hold Sally's hand and Sally yanked it away. My dd was quite upset, she just wanted to hold her best friend's hand. Sally's mom explained that they got in trouble for holding hands or touching another student in any way, they had trained her that it was bad to hold hands! That just about broke my heart right there. Whatever you decide to do, this thread is a great, non-threatening place to ask questions and vent. Good luck!

 

[tnmomof4]

I received the following e-mail today along with a list of state officials to e-mail asking them not to vote on this bill. If this bill was to pass it would be the end of homeschooling in Tennessee. Can some of you give me advice on what to say in an e-mail to these state officials?

TN House Bill 2795:

House Bill 2795 would subject non-public school students, including homeschool students, to additional state testing. It would require them to take subject matter tests based upon state-approved textbooks. It would also require them to pass the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program tests before receiving a high school diploma. These new testing requirements would also apply to students being taught at home through extension or satellite programs of church-related schools. Your calls to state representatives are needed to stop this dangerous legislation!

If House Bill 2795 passes, it will essentially mean the end of homeschooling in Tennessee. Parents deciding to teach their children at home would have to conform their curriculum to the material taught in public school in order for their children to be able to pass the state tests. The Tennessee Department of Education, not parents, would determine whether a student taught at home was eligible to receive a high school diploma.

Sponsored by Representative G.A. Hardaway (92nd District), this horrendous bill is now in the House Education Committee. It is scheduled to be heard by the Special Initiatives Subcommittee of the House Education Committee this coming Wednesday, February 27. Representative Hardaway and members of the House Education Committee need to hear from you today!

This E-Alert originated from the offices of:
Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, Virginia 20134
Phone: (540) 338-5600
Fax: (540) 338-2733
Email: info@hslda.org
Web: http://www.hslda.org

 

[teacups]

Thinking about home schooling... where do I start? Mind boggling....

 

[Ellester]

I received the following e-mail today along with a list of state officials to e-mail asking them not to vote on this bill. If this bill was to pass it would be the end of homeschooling in Tennessee. Can some of you give me advice on what to say in an e-mail to these state officials?

TN House Bill 2795:

House Bill 2795 would subject non-public school students, including homeschool students, to additional state testing. It would require them to take subject matter tests based upon state-approved textbooks. It would also require them to pass the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program tests before receiving a high school diploma. These new testing requirements would also apply to students being taught at home through extension or satellite programs of church-related schools. Your calls to state representatives are needed to stop this dangerous legislation!

If House Bill 2795 passes, it will essentially mean the end of homeschooling in Tennessee. Parents deciding to teach their children at home would have to conform their curriculum to the material taught in public school in order for their children to be able to pass the state tests. The Tennessee Department of Education, not parents, would determine whether a student taught at home was eligible to receive a high school diploma.

Sponsored by Representative G.A. Hardaway (92nd District), this horrendous bill is now in the House Education Committee. It is scheduled to be heard by the Special Initiatives Subcommittee of the House Education Committee this coming Wednesday, February 27. Representative Hardaway and members of the House Education Committee need to hear from you today!

This E-Alert originated from the offices of:
Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, Virginia 20134
Phone: (540) 338-5600
Fax: (540) 338-2733
Email: info@hslda.org
Web: http://www.hslda.org

Yikes! That's scary! I would just forward the recommended "blurb" from HSLDA. I think in most cases it's not the wording that convinces the politicians but the amount of mail/calls they get on a subject. Good luck!

 

[stamper]

Yikes! That's scary! I would just forward the recommended "blurb" from HSLDA. I think in most cases it's not the wording that convinces the politicians but the amount of mail/calls they get on a subject. Good luck!

This is absolutely right!! Make sure the committee knows that you oppose this bill. Pass the info on to everyone you know who Homeschools and also every parent of a child in a "non-public" school (Chrisitan, Catholic,private) because it appears that this bill will target them as well! This is NOT acceptable!

I can tell you from experience that you want to start a letter writing campaign NOW! The number of letters is what counts. Last summer there was a bill proposed in CA that dealt with dogs/cats....mandatory spay/neuter over 4 months with strict exceptions that no one could meet, restrictions on breeding and many other issues. This was in essense a fight for all pets in CA and if passed a fight for the whole country. I know some of you will read this and think it sounds good. On the surface yes, but do a search or ask me for info on what the Animal Rights people are really up to here. Anyway, the dog/cat world rallied with letters, faxes and visits. One Representative's fax machine actually BROKE!!! At the hearing a Rep. took out a stack of letters about 2 inches thick of "yes" votes. Then he reached down and picked up a stack a foot thick of "no's" and said "something is obviously wrong" (with the bill)!!! The bill was pulled from committee so it couldn't be voted on (the sponsor was afraid). So it was a half victory for the pet world...it didn't pass then, but is back now to be fought again.

So, rally the troops and write those letters! Talk to as many people as you can. This bill will seem good to many on the surface as well. It's those of us who live with homeschooling daily (or private education of any kind) that know the true impact this would make. Just as those of us who live with dog sports, breeding and training know the true impact of the above mentioned CA bill and those in other states. Spread the word and get people to flood the committee's inboxes! Write to the main sponsor and the co-sponsors and all committee members. Faxes and letters get more notice than emails btw.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[disneymom3]

Yikes! That's scary! I would just forward the recommended "blurb" from HSLDA. I think in most cases it's not the wording that convinces the politicians but the amount of mail/calls they get on a subject. Good luck!

Yes, I agree. A couple of years ago MN had something like this come up. As stamper says above, it doesn't just affect homeschooling it also affects private schools, religious etc. I contacted all the private schools in our city to make sure they knew about it too. Turns out some of them did but a couple didn't. They got their parents on a letter writing campaign too as well as what HSLDA was doing. The principal of hte Catholic school told me there was big publicity about it among Catholic schools as well. The bill died a quiet death before it made it anywhere. Thank goodness. IIRC, CA recently had some big thing come up about homeschooling also that was reversed or defeated. Not that CA should surprise us--the state that wants madatory preschool, because heaven forbid we should trust parents to take care of their children.