*** Homeschool List ***

[Leader of the Club]

Has anyone used Konos? What did you like? What didn't you like? What ages did you use it with?

Tell us all!

 

[Leader of the Club]

Has anyone used Konos? What did you like? What didn't you like? What ages did you use it with?

Tell us all!

Oh My! I am replying to my own posts now!

Is it possible to do the Konos without doing the Bible portions?

 

[wvdislover]

I've been using mostly worksheets this week (our first week of HS) that I've found online. Here are the websites I've found to be really helpful:

www.abcteach.com
www.googolpower.com
www.didax.com
www.hsunlimited.com
www.homeschoolmath.net

Have a Happy Easter everyone!!!

 

[lori1043]

I have used the whole attentiveness KONOS and part of Obedience. My kids were under 3rd grade when it was used but I plan on using it again sometime. It is a curr. you can use multiple times for different ages/grade levels b/c it is broad. I do not think you can use it w/out the bible part b/c it is pretty doused with Christian references throughout. I guess your best bet is to find a book and browse through it for a more personal opinion about that. Otherwise, we LOVE KONOS but honestly haven't used it this year at all. It takes a lot of time and this year we did co-op and time was less than we thought. You know how that goes. I did not use it as my whole curr. besides math like it boasts. I feel it is TOO broad to be used for language arts to and I am not good enough a "teacher" to figure out what and where my kids should be with that. I am the type I need a day to day curr. for all the 3 "Rs". For everything else, we choose theming or unit study or books to read. Or co-op! KONOS is something that I will use again when we are needing a break from "books", which happens every so often, then we will do KONOS and math and daily grams.

Hope this helps, it was a wonderful memorable experience to use KONOS.

Lori

 

[NHWX]

Our oldest is entering 9th grade next year. We've homeschooled since K with one year in a cyber charter (loved the curriculum, not so much working with the school). We live in Pennsylvania, so we can enroll her in a degree granting program, so no problem with that.
...
Thanks.
Julie

One last thing before I go fill Easter baskets...

We didn't plan on homeschooling for high school until our oldest gave it a try. Now we're homeschooling a ninth grader and a seventh grader.

Because we had about 3 weeks to decide on what to do it wasn't the best choices but here's what we did:

Math - Precalculus through www.vlacs.org our state virtual charter school. If you poke around you can see that they bought a lot from the Florida virtual charter school. They're using the online version of Forester's Precalculus book. Perhaps the printed version is better but I ended up buying another one on ebay. It's by Hungerford.

Biology - Combination of CyberEd's biology (yes, the narrator does talk with a monotone) through www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org (I hope I got that right), a bunch of videos from Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a virtual frog dissection (co-op again), and assorted books that have accumulated at our house. I bought the SAT II biology book as a check to make sure that I'm covering what should be covered.

Physics - DS14 wanted to read current topics in physics, and hey! it's his life so he is. He's currently reading Brian Green's Fabric of the Cosmos. Classical mechanics will come next year. I'm thinking (but really haven't looked at it yet about using the MIT opencourseware for this.) (.5 credit course)

English - Dreaded by both my sons. We're using BYU's online high school courses because 1) they're approved by the high school in case he does want to go back 2) they're not terribly hard for a kid who hates to write and 3) they're not very expensive. Another plus is that you have a whole year to complete the course.

Art - another self-designed course, this time in contemporary art. DS14 isn't very big on this whole freeform expression thing (see his love of science and math) so it's turning into mathematical art. (.5 credit)

Last but not least - Gym which is being covered by the same state virtual charter school. Gym at the public high school was less than stellar. I'm glad that if he does go back, he'll never have to take it there. (.5 credit)

We're using NARS as an accrediting agency. It makes my mind a bit easier and helps with the dreaded "but how will he graduate?" questions.

NHWX

 

[the4princesses]

Hi I'm on board!!
I've homeschooled for 12 year. Can you tell me about the homeschool board.

What is the homeschool thing in September about?
we went to WDW in Sept. 2007, with the free dinning plan.
Is that when the homeschooler go?
please e-mail me and let me know about it.
my e-mail is cdozer1@eatel.net.

Thank you,
kathy

 

[Magic Making Mom]

Hi! I'm so sorry it took so long! I thought I subscribed, but I'm not getting emails. I'm sure I'll figure it out. Always something!

This is our fourth year to coordinate an annual trip for homeschool families to WDW. We have people come from across the US and even a few from other countries - reached over 400 last year and we are up this year, even before they announce the special (which I hear is free dining again!) We finally had the cash to make a website this year, so you can go there to see more: theultimatefieldtip.com If a family is from Florida, they can come to our events for a small fee to cover give-aways (not much!)

Now if I can just figure out what else I've missed.....

 

[skoi]

NHWX: Thanks for the ideas. We're definitely sticking with homeschooling, still up in the air about a curriculum besides continuing with Rosetta Stone for Spanish and adding Chinese. We're trying to decide which degree granting program to us here in Pennsylvania. A couple have graduations, prom, etc. Not the dd is interested in the whole prom thing. She'd rather buy a gown and go on a Disney Cruise.

Julie

 

[nyprincess]

I definitely want to homeschool my two sons...I'm tired of turning on the TV and hearing about all the rotten things happening out there in our schools. Everybody looks at me like I have two heads whenever I mention doing this. They say that my kids won't get any type of social education.

 

[MiniGirl]

Hi everyone,

My oldest dd (8) has this past week expressed an interest in being home schooled. She has always loved school in the past, and in fact, looked at me like I grew a second head, when I mentioned it at the end of last year. (Her sudden interest is a different concern, and one I plan to dig deeper on.) However, I do have some concerns....... I am not the most disciplined of people. My house is often a wreck because I'd rather be on the computer or because I take on projects and don't have time to do the things I need to do, so that is a concern. Also, I don't feel comfortable with some subjects. I don't think I could teach my 2nd grader science and math would be difficult as well in a few years. Other subjects I'm comfortable with. Another concern (and this is my biggest) is that I have always been a bit of a loner and need time to myself. My youngest just started Kindergarten this past Fall and I have LOVED having the house to myself; and it may be selfish, but I don't know if I want to give that up. Do your kiddos ever drive you crazy being there all the time? I mean I know we all love our children, but I hope you know what I mean. My dh is great about staying home and encouraging me to get out, but he isn't comfortable taking them out and letting me stay home. Also, the main reason I'd want to home school is because we could travel more during off seasons, and I don't know if that is really the right reason to home school. Also, dh is reluctant because of my previously mentioned lack of discipline and also because his ex-wife home schooled for a couple of years and the children really fell behind their peers. Apparently, she too, wasn't as disciplined as she thought she'd be.

Do any of you use the cyber academies? I want to look into that, but I know that they accept students already enrolled in public schools before they accept students that are currently HSed. So, I think I would want to try that first. I'm going to the library today to see if I can find some good books on the subject. I really think it could be a great thing, but I just don't know.

I'd love your thoughts on the subject. We are a Christian family, and I do love the thought of being able to incorporate our faith into all subjects. I also know there are some good faith-based programs out there and some notsogreat ones, too. How do you decide? Is it expensive?

Anyway, thanks in advance. I hope ya'll don't mind me posting on this thread, but I didn't want to start a new one because I didn't want it to become a home school vs. public/private school debate. I don't need that. I think I know the pros and cons. I just need to know if we are good candidates for this.

Thanks again....

ETA: You'll also notice I do a lot of races. I am terribly overweight (need to lose about 60 pounds) and these races encourage me to get out and excercise. For some reason if I am "training," it is more enjoyable to me than just "working out." Go figure. Anyway, I know I could no longer do these if I HS. Again, I know it sounds selfish and maybe it is, but it is also my health we're talking about.

 

[disneymom3]

Just wanted to say a quick hello and welcome to new folks! I have had no sleep as I have two kids with Chicken Pox this week. Not a very fun Easter!! For now, this is it for the homeschooling "board" We never got that so it's basically a thread.

Does anyone know how long a they are letting threads get now. I would hate to lose all the info we have here.

 

[sha_lyn]

I think pages get locked (not deleted) after 200 pages

ETS: sorry to hear about the chicken Pox. many yrs ago DS had chicken pox over Easter break too. He was in preschool at the time. We were planning on attending sunrise service with my grandmother who was having a huge dinner afterwards and everything.

 

[snugglepeas]

I definitely want to homeschool my two sons...I'm tired of turning on the TV and hearing about all the rotten things happening out there in our schools. Everybody looks at me like I have two heads whenever I mention doing this. They say that my kids won't get any type of social education.

a social education can be gained by, joining scouts or if you belong to a church, or by joining a homeschooling group in your area, also dont buy into that socialization excuses, children these days dont really get much socialization in school when the teacher is talking all day and the kids are made to be quiet and work on there schol work, heck some schools are even doing away with recess, the only true time kids have to socialize during school hours.

 

[sl_underwood]

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked what about socialization, I would be able to live at Disney World! Your kids can socialize without going to public school. In fact, my kids socialize now more than they ever did at school. When asked about socialization, my teen is the first to state that when in PS she was constantly told "School is not for socialization, its for learning!" Now she just uses that statement against them.

 

[sha_lyn]

LOL SL, that is so true. On the CB several DIS'ers try to claim it just isn't the same. I was even picked on for "claiming" that DD does plently of socializing with her girlscout troop. According to the anti-homeschool crowd it isn't the same because I get to pick and chose the girlscout troop. Mmmm alrighty then. Yes I picked the troop she is in but I don't have any power over who joins the troop. Just like I have no power over who joins any activity my kids participate in.

 

[earthfaries]

I definitely want to homeschool my two sons...I'm tired of turning on the TV and hearing about all the rotten things happening out there in our schools. Everybody looks at me like I have two heads whenever I mention doing this. They say that my kids won't get any type of social education.

That's funny

That's one of THE reasons I would never send my child to school...who wants that kind of socialization?

Everybody talks about how bad it is in school these days but then they turn right around and say the kids need the socialization there

I'd rather give them socialization they really need and will actually help them in life...with nice peers doing things they love like skating, playing, drawing, etc.

While most kids are behind a desk learning memorization ~ and "socializing" -

my children are in the real world seeing how things work and how to be responsible and creative...AND socializing with their friends doing whatever it is we are doing that day. Going to the zoo, the museum, or just at home or the park.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard the concern from other parents not wanting to send their child to school, but they had to because the "idea" of not being able to socialize was so taboo!!!

You're child will get plenty of socialization...as much or as little as you want...with whom you and they want...and it will be good, quality socialization

 

[OceanStateKelly]

Hey all,

I would love to home school my DD but I'm way to dumb for that, beleave me it would make live so much easier on me and her. I pick her up everyday from school run home, she tries to get her homework done and something to eat before we have to drive for a half an hour to go to gym for gymnastics, Shes there 5 days a week, most nights are three hours long but wednesdays are 4 hours. 16 hours a week - I just got her report card last night and her teacher sad twice in the comments that she has only read 9 books and 25 is the standred for the year - she just don't have the time.

A friend of mine home schools her DD and just hired a one on one coach for her dd for during the day and I would love to get in on that but I just feel she would be missing out on so much and I would hate it if I could'nt give her all she needs as a teacher would.

And I also seen that my friends dd had a hard time with the other kids on the team, my dd told me she was mean to all of them. I think she just didn't know how to be with other kids. I told my dd this and try to be nice to her. Have any of you come across homeschool kids having a hard time fitting in with kids there owe age?

 

[sl_underwood]

Honestly, my oldest went to ps til she was in 4th grade and she had a harder time socially than my youngest who only went to a montessori pre-k. She had anxiety of being made fun of and mistreated and feared putting herself out there. It took nearly 3 years of homeschooling for her to regain her self confidence. Now at 14, you couldnt tell that she ever had any problems. She is confident, fits in with groups of all ages, has friends that are 10 and friends that are in their 50s. She is on swimteam, involved in dance and theater, a library volunteer, does rock climbing club, goes to summer camp, none of these activities cater to homeschoolers. She chooses her own friends and chooses them not because they will sit with her at lunch or that they share the same initials or they will help her gain status in the school but because she genuinely likes them. She has a boyfriend and likes rock music and wants her belly button pierced just to rebel. She is an average teen, the only difference is she doesnt sit in a classroom with 30 other kids each day.

 

[sha_lyn]

Over the yrs I've seen many more public schooled kids that had trouble fitting in, than I have homeschooled kids.

One of my favorite stories to illustrate this is the boy (well young man now as he will be 18 in a couple of days) I babysat for yrs. He was in a home daycare from 6 weeks old until he started 3yr pre-K. He and DS attended the same 1/2 day pre-k. I watched him after pre-k, during school & summer vacations etc.

Afew weeks after he started public school the teacher commented to the mother something like "kids like J that spent every day at home with mommy and no time around other kids have a hard time adjusting to school".

The teacher actually didn't believe the mother when she was told that he had been in daycare and preschool since he was 6 weeks old.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Hey all,

I would love to home school my DD but I'm way to dumb for that, beleave me it would make live so much easier on me and her. I pick her up everyday from school run home, she tries to get her homework done and something to eat before we have to drive for a half an hour to go to gym for gymnastics, Shes there 5 days a week, most nights are three hours long but wednesdays are 4 hours. 16 hours a week - I just got her report card last night and her teacher sad twice in the comments that she has only read 9 books and 25 is the standred for the year - she just don't have the time.

A friend of mine home schools her DD and just hired a one on one coach for her dd for during the day and I would love to get in on that but I just feel she would be missing out on so much and I would hate it if I could'nt give her all she needs as a teacher would.

And I also seen that my friends dd had a hard time with the other kids on the team, my dd told me she was mean to all of them. I think she just didn't know how to be with other kids. I told my dd this and try to be nice to her. Have any of you come across homeschool kids having a hard time fitting in with kids there owe age?

Interesting. My kids get along great with the other kids they encounter, whether that be in a pickup game of ball, church, 4-H, etc.

People are just different. The same kid that supposedly has trouble might have had the same trouble had she been in school. Funny thing is, that while you wouldn't homeschool, there is no way on earth I would encourage my child to be so involved with gymnastics, to the point of school difficulty. As I said, people are different. Guess that is what makes the world go 'round.