*** Homeschool List ***

[Disney Mommy 3]

Will it also work for a child who is too smart for their own good? My middle daughter solves the math problems in her head while leaning over her sister's shoulder. It drives my older daughter mad.
Ha! That is my story for sure! My middle son answers for the older son on some stuff and he gets FURIOUS!! But it's so darn funny 'cause his answers are always right.He's going to be doing 5th grade math and I let him check it out online with me and he loved it. Go to their website and look at the sample pages with your girls- they will probably like it. I don't know if you can order it anywhere else or not. I've only seen it on their website and christianbook.com. They (the TT) have and 800 # also.

 

[angelfallenhere]

Hi!! I havent posted on here but I homeschool my children. They are DD13, DS12, DS3, and DD1. It starts from birth right LOL. But heres my question does anyone else have to take annual test for the state?? I dont mind but they are so disorganized. Its sad. The test for my daughter is next Monday. But thanks to public school since last year. My son was last year at a 2nd grade reading level. Hes in the 6th grade. So he has to have modified testing. They are only taking math and reading test. But he has to have is read to him. His test is THIS WEEK. And they still have not told me when. I called them again today. And a worker took his file home she is suppose to call me my 5pm thats in 22 minutes or I am suppose to call her. This is agravating. The state doesnt even get his results that get a combined score from all homeschoolers. This is supposedly an attendance thing. If you dont show up and get an signed card. The state can come after you for truancy. Sorry for the long rant this is just aggravating. I wish the state would just leave us alone or get there act together.

Thanks for letting me vent,
Melanie

 

[NHWX]

You might want to also consider Thinkwell's math courses. The Homeschool Co-Op has a group buy going now for them. My younger son did the pre-algebra one last year as an 11 year old. He used his older brother's Algebra I (public high school) text book through chapter 5 to study for the final. Next year, we'll be back to Thinkwell. I think it's about $75/course.

NHWX

 

[MiniGirl]

Minigirl--homeschooling is a big decision and I too thought long and hard about the fact that my kids would be home all the time if I made this leap. I had REALLY looked forward to my oldest going off to Kindergarten and then that year is when we started talking about this. DH was convinced long before I was. He would say "You know it is the best choice for her." And I would counter with "Yes, but I don't know if it is the right choice for ME!" I too am very unorganized and cluttered but my kids do just fine. We might have to clear a spot on the dining room table for dinner but our school stuff manages to be spread out all the time. As for science, that is one of the easiest things because there is just SO much out there!

I would suggest going to www.rainbowresource.com and looking in their science section. They are a HUGE homeschooling supplier and you will be able to see just what there is. I also really like the stuff offerred by a place called I think "science in a box." As for math--again lots of choices there all of which come with teacher's manuals. Good luck in your searching and your decision.

Julie, Thank you for your response. I know my post got lost in the socialization discussion, so I really appreciated your post.

Anyway, I have pretty much decided that cyber-schooling is NOT what we're looking for. For us in FL, that leaves an umbrella school or a more independent approach. Since my kiddos are so young, I think we will go the independent route. That is if we do this.

Here's my game plan. (I welcome any comments -- good or bad. Truly, I am here to learn.) My girls do not like to play outside during the summer. By 8:30, it is already boiling hot, so I am considering starting our school year in July -- after the 4th. This will give us a chance to get in a groove and see if hs will work for us. Remember, I was concerned about my lack of discipline and I'm also concerned that my dd doesn't take instruction well from me. Anyway, this will give us a month or so to see if things will work out. I know we won't be completely there, but hopefully, I'll be able to tell (and have the confidence) that this will work for us. If it is a go (and I feel certain it will be), I'll send in my letter of intent to the school board. That will allow us to travel and take some great field trips to the zoo and WDW when the weather turns a little cooler. Starting so early will give us a chance to take lots of breaks or even have a 4 day school week which I think it much better than the traditional school year -- at least for us.

So, does that sound doable or am I completely off?

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I think your plan sounds great. We started beginning of August last year. If was our first year. It was soo hot in August anyway. This also gave us the opportunity to end earlier than the schools. We take our breaks at different times so we can do things without everywhere we go being crazy.

I was amazed at how fast the schooling goes. My younger dd is done within 1-1 1/2 hours and the older one is done in 3. So, by lunch they are ready to play or read or go somewhere.

Good luck!

 

[bcvprincesses]

I am having a problem in science. We are using K12 and it is just so boring this year. Is anyone using a science program that they love? We really need help.

 

[meandtheguys2]

what grade level? And do you prefer a Christian or secular program?

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I am having a problem in science. We are using K12 and it is just so boring this year. Is anyone using a science program that they love? We really need help.

I am not sure what grade you are doing, but my older dd loves her apologia series. She did biology this year and is planning on Marine Biology next year. My younger dd who will be 1st grade next year will also do the Aologia series. We plan on using Astonomy our first year. She picked that one. They do have a lot of meniton of creation in it, but it is still a great science series.

 

[meandtheguys2]

We use Apologia, too. We've done botany, zoology 1 and 2, General sicence, and Physical Science. This year we are tackling Biology. That is one of our most expensive classses yet!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

We use Apologia, too. We've done botany, zoology 1 and 2, General sicence, and Physical Science. This year we are tackling Biology. That is one of our most expensive classses yet!

We were lucky enough to be able to borrow the slides from someone who already tackled this class. We are buying the dissection kit this week. Ugghh...can't believe we will be dissecting animals in our house. My dd is very excited!

 

[NHWX]

What K12 science are you using? A lot of time I look at the science experiments and just decide "this is ridiculous". Or, I'll just say "if you can answer the questions without doing the experiments, fine." We're using the Physical Science one this year (started 2/08 due to an earlier experiment in curriculum which was a mistake) and so far we've had a couple duds with the experiments.

The science really varies... now that there's hope for spring (at least here in New Hampshire) you could do all sorts of interesting seed starting, vernal pool exploration, raising chicks, etc. learning moments. I know our local 4-H offices are very friendly towards homeschoolers and have lots of free resources. If you have the room, how about planning on entering a largest pumpkin, best tomato, etc. contest at a local fair and have that be the goal? On the way you could learn about fertilizers, soil composition, weather, pollination, parts of the plant, insect control, irrigation and water saving methods, etc.

Science is just too much fun to have someone make it boring!

NHWX

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

MiniGirl~
Being from Texas we are in the same boat you are in as far as weather is concerned in the summer. We are so hot here by 10 am you are ready to take a bath and just lay down for the rest of the day!! So, we always start school earlier than every body else. For the last 3 years we have started the 2nd week of July -while it's still hot we swim early in the am and start school later. When it's not a swimming day, or it's cooler, we start by 9. We do about 9 weeks and take a week off. Then we kick it back in gear and we are through by Thanksgiving. My older son's bday is the first week of Dec. and then the big Christmas season, so we take off the whole month of Dec. This is usually when we go to Disney!!! We go back right after the first of Jan. and go straight through to April. We are through with our year before the end of the month. We don't take a spring or Easter holiday because we are on the down hill and every thing here is so crowded!!

Some times we will take off on Fridays and have a 3day weekend and go some where fairly close. This is just what works for our family. That's the beauty of hsing!! And remember all experiences are learning times. As long as you have a set of studies you love and they are learning what they need to know days & times really don't matter. Also, lots of books!! We are big readers and this has really expanded their knowledge on lots of things. I can't stress reading enough. Read aloud times are really helpfull. If you have favorites from your childhood bring 'em on! I also try to read lots of books from the Caldecott and Newberry Awards. One great book to get as a guide is by Gladys Hunt:Honey for a Child's Heart. Looooove that book-is just a good basic starter for lots of books for kids. Different ages and interests. Also, anything your kids are interested in are great reading starters. My middle son loves tractors and dinos, so guess what he gets at the library? He knows more about that stuff already than I've ever learned.
Sorry this got so long!! But I believe in hsing and love to talk about it!! Have fun with it. Our kids are only little for a short while and this is great bonding time. Blessings!

 

[Bunnies]

Hi Fellow homeschooler from Pa

Has anyone used 'Teaching Textbooks' for math? If so, how do they compare to Saxon?

The price seems about triple the price compared to Saxon, so I was wondering if they are '3x better' lol.

We've used saxon for the past few years, but if the Teaching Textbooks is better, I am sure I can trim costs elsewhere ... I just feel it's a huge expense to just "try out" without being sure...

 

[lori1043]

Hi Fellow homeschooler from Pa

Has anyone used 'Teaching Textbooks' for math? If so, how do they compare to Saxon?

The price seems about triple the price compared to Saxon, so I was wondering if they are '3x better' lol.

We've used saxon for the past few years, but if the Teaching Textbooks is better, I am sure I can trim costs elsewhere ... I just feel it's a huge expense to just "try out" without being sure...

I have heard that they are good for geometry. I have never personally looked at them though. We have a used curr. fair happening Thursday and i am looking sooo forward to it for these reasons. Looking up new stuff!

I think I will be using Easy Grammar for DD8 along with Daily grams and a writing curr.

Lori

 

[TarzansKat]

I have not read all of this thread yet, but I was wondering if some of you could help me out with this? I am debating whether or not to send DS3 to preschool next year two days a week. Most preschools require him to be potty trained, and the only one I've found that doesn't is three days a week which I feel is too much for him. He's an only child, so I am worried about socialization. We've also had a very hard time potty training, and I really hate forcing a child do something when they're not ready. He is capable, but it has turned into a power struggle. My pediatrician's office advised me to back off for a bit, and wait until late spring, early summer and try again. Theory, he'll be a little bit older, and I'll have some paid time off. I work part time, but only 4 days a week. However, I need a longer stretch of time than my three days a week to get him on board for potty training. When I'm at work, three days, he is with my mother. I guess my questions are as follows: have any of you home schooled at the preschool age? Is there a curriculum for three year olds? Would you recommend my getting involved in a playgroup so that he will have some time with kids? I'm really looking for some guidance here, and hoping you all have some thoughts can lead my family in the right direction for our situation. Thank you so much!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Preschool homeschooling is just called motherhood, IMO. Play, read, count...all of those things mommas do, and your little guy will be fine. I found playgroups to be fun...for me! Little kids do not really play together, but side by side. But a day at the park with moms I like was really nice.

As far as the potty training, some kids just take longer. OTOH, I have seen kids go into preschool and become potty trained. When I was consulting with headstart, this was really common.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[nyprincess]

I have not read all of this thread yet, but I was wondering if some of you could help me out with this? I am debating whether or not to send DS3 to preschool next year two days a week. Most preschools require him to be potty trained, and the only one I've found that doesn't is three days a week which I feel is too much for him. He's an only child, so I am worried about socialization. We've also had a very hard time potty training, and I really hate forcing a child do something when they're not ready. He is capable, but it has turned into a power struggle. My pediatrician's office advised me to back off for a bit, and wait until late spring, early summer and try again. Theory, he'll be a little bit older, and I'll have some paid time off. I work part time, but only 4 days a week. However, I need a longer stretch of time than my three days a week to get him on board for potty training. When I'm at work, three days, he is with my mother. I guess my questions are as follows: have any of you home schooled at the preschool age? Is there a curriculum for three year olds? Would you recommend my getting involved in a playgroup so that he will have some time with kids? I'm really looking for some guidance here, and hoping you all have some thoughts can lead my family in the right direction for our situation. Thank you so much!

I have a two year old and a one year old I found this curriculum for preschool aged kids that I am going to get for them. The curriculum starts at age 2, but I'm sure you can pick up anywhere. If you want the link, just PM me and I can send it to you.

As for the potty training, just make sure your mom works with him when she has him. My mom bought my son a book for Easter about going to the potty and it makes flushing sounds. My son LOVES that book. He will sit down and make us read it over and over. I took him into our bathroom and showed him our "potty" and his "potty" and now he's more interested going in there. I work 5 days a week and he stays at home with my in-laws while I'm there. Thank Goodness there are supporting my potty-training efforts!!

 

[sha_lyn]

I think I will be using Easy Grammar for DD8 along with Daily grams and a writing curr.

We use Easy Writing. It is the nuts and bolts construction of sentences, not creative writing. We also have a book called the 5 finger paragraph that work on the construction of paragraphs. I have not used it yet with DD, but it really helped DS.

 

[skoi]

Are you in a cyber charter, or are you buying the curriculum? We're still looking for high school next year.

Julie

 

[Laura.bora]

While I agree that homescholoing at a young age is just mothering (or parenting), it IS helpful to have some ideas and diection to go in. I used Hands on Homeschooling and loved it. It just gave a little more structure to our day, and had some terrific arts and crafts and games that incorporated whatever we were currently learning.