*** Homeschool List ***

[bear74]

Just wishing all HAPPY Holidays whatever you celebrate.

 

[disneymom3]

Just had a chance to read some of the pages. Will need a few more nights to readup.

My kids are 2.5 and 1. I am trying to get DS to read and learn words more.

I am VERY interested in homeschooling, but I have few questions. (Sorry if these a dumb questions, I haven't had time to read books on HS)--

1. Do you end up using a lot of computers and TV to supplement their education?
2. How many hrs do you normally dedicate to schooling (for pre-K)
3. Is Blue's Clue bad for them? DS LOVES Blue. DS learns really fast with Blue's videos. I have tried books and flashcards, but with Blue, the topic hit home faster. Is there a better alternative if this is bad.
4. Do you go crazy being with your kids 24/7? I love them, but sometimes I think I might need a break. I currently work fulltime and would consider HS after I leave this job.
5. What do you think a montessori schools?

Thanks!!!!

Wow. Well, that is a lot to want from a 2 yo IMO. If he can do it great, but really being two is about finding out how finger paint feels and that grass is green. Hopefully you are not stressing about this reading thing. For pre K--I have a 4 yo with two older siblings--he basically does "school" if and when he feels like it. I feel like he is pretty surrounded by learning opportunities. We are obsessed with the library so have so many books in our house that I lose track of them no matter what system I have tried. We also have a LOT of the preschool/early elem stuff from Discovery Toys that he has access to at all times.

Yes, I get tired of my kids. My biggest boon has been finding a homeschooled teen who sits for me. She can usually come in about every other week for a few hours during the day. Then I get all the errands done or simply go to a bookstore. I also have found a homeschool gymnastics class recently that all three of my kids will be able to attend at the same time and I cannot tell you how excited I am about that!! However, after watching DD get on the school bus every day in K and trying it again this year for two weeks, I have to say, I wouldn't have it any other way. I just don't like it when they are not there and we have such fun together that I cannot deal with the idea of them being gone every day for 7 hours.

#1 and #2 I am combining my answers. DS 5 does much better picking up phonics from his Leapster(he just got the Kindergarten game today and it rocks!!) and from Starfall.com than he does doing any workbooks with me. DD just picks things up and I dont' know how. She just learns from like osmosis or something. DS4, like I said does his own thing and spends some time watching Blues Clues and a little time on the computer a few days a week. However, what I think they learn best from is reading and playing games. I can't see either one of my boys doing flashcards. I tried working on math facts with DD with flashcards and she hated it. Switched to games and she does much better with her facts now. And I can't say enough about reading. DS 5 could tell you more about Pompeii than you would ever want to know and it is all from just reading books written for kids about it. (Oh yeah, we did find a video by David MacCauley too.)

 

[TNKBELL]

Wow. Well, that is a lot to want from a 2 yo IMO. If he can do it great, but really being two is about finding out how finger paint feels and that grass is green. Hopefully you are not stressing about this reading thing. For pre K--I have a 4 yo with two older siblings--he basically does "school" if and when he feels like it. I feel like he is pretty surrounded by learning opportunities. We are obsessed with the library so have so many books in our house that I lose track of them no matter what system I have tried. We also have a LOT of the preschool/early elem stuff from Discovery Toys that he has access to at all times.

Yes, I get tired of my kids. My biggest boon has been finding a homeschooled teen who sits for me. She can usually come in about every other week for a few hours during the day. Then I get all the errands done or simply go to a bookstore. I also have found a homeschool gymnastics class recently that all three of my kids will be able to attend at the same time and I cannot tell you how excited I am about that!! However, after watching DD get on the school bus every day in K and trying it again this year for two weeks, I have to say, I wouldn't have it any other way. I just don't like it when they are not there and we have such fun together that I cannot deal with the idea of them being gone every day for 7 hours.

#1 and #2 I am combining my answers. DS 5 does much better picking up phonics from his Leapster(he just got the Kindergarten game today and it rocks!!) and from Starfall.com than he does doing any workbooks with me. DD just picks things up and I dont' know how. She just learns from like osmosis or something. DS4, like I said does his own thing and spends some time watching Blues Clues and a little time on the computer a few days a week. However, what I think they learn best from is reading and playing games. I can't see either one of my boys doing flashcards. I tried working on math facts with DD with flashcards and she hated it. Switched to games and she does much better with her facts now. And I can't say enough about reading. DS 5 could tell you more about Pompeii than you would ever want to know and it is all from just reading books written for kids about it. (Oh yeah, we did find a video by David MacCauley too.)

SPOOKY!!!! I would have said the same thing!! Another great educational tool that Ds2 received for Christmas is the Leapfrog Alphabet and Number Magnet Fridge Set, it has several magnets that you connect to the main magnet and it tells you what letter and sounds that it makes and if it's a letter it also has a button that lets you play the alphabet song and when it's a number it counts to ten. My Ds 2 doesn't have a clue about letters or numbers yet but he likes the alphabet song, but Dd4 runs and tells me what the different sounds of the letters are....cool!! We love leapster as well, v-smile is also a great tool. I too lack the organization to return library books on time or find them all, but I think single-handedly our family keeps the library afloat with all our fines...gosh I hate when it's a dvd...much steeper fines!!
Right now I'm just trying to teach Ds2 colors and shapes by reading to him and pointing them out, it's weird one day it will just click, like it did with the others, I'm still waiting, though.

Well... Santa brought us an unexpected Christmas present this year!! We just found out we are expecting baby#5!!!! So now lots of plans are going to be altered this year!!!

 

[hsmamato2]

Disneymom3- i just wanted to say you make me laugh, i just caught another of your posts about sharing rooms with kids...you remind me of how people begin homeschooling expecting a certain attitude of saintliness from mom,and are always pleasantly surprised by the reality of a mom who can kid about kids!

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

We just found out we are expecting baby#5!!!!

congratulations

 

[disneymom3]

Well... Santa brought us an unexpected Christmas present this year!! We just found out we are expecting baby#5!!!! So now lots of plans are going to be altered this year!!!

and maybe..... ! Just kidding--that is wonderful! I would love to have more than three. Congratulations!!

hsmamato2--that must have been the post when I said even I did not want to share a room with my kids. Weeellll, as I said, you do get kinda tired of them when they are around all the time!

 

[bear74]

SPOOKY!!!! I would have said the same thing!! Another great educational tool that Ds2 received for Christmas is the Leapfrog Alphabet and Number Magnet Fridge Set, it has several magnets that you connect to the main magnet and it tells you what letter and sounds that it makes and if it's a letter it also has a button that lets you play the alphabet song and when it's a number it counts to ten. My Ds 2 doesn't have a clue about letters or numbers yet but he likes the alphabet song, but Dd4 runs and tells me what the different sounds of the letters are....cool!! We love leapster as well, v-smile is also a great tool. I too lack the organization to return library books on time or find them all, but I think single-handedly our family keeps the library afloat with all our fines...gosh I hate when it's a dvd...much steeper fines!!
Right now I'm just trying to teach Ds2 colors and shapes by reading to him and pointing them out, it's weird one day it will just click, like it did with the others, I'm still waiting, though.

Well... Santa brought us an unexpected Christmas present this year!! We just found out we are expecting baby#5!!!! So now lots of plans are going to be altered this year!!!

congrats. Hope all goes well with pregancey.

 

[jaycns]

Congratulations on baby #5!! What a wonder for your entire family! I have just been rereading the entire thread (boy that took some time) and I am so happy to see so many other hsers here! It's so amazing to find others who homeschool and even more amazing to find so many that love Disney too! Maybe we could all meet up for a homeschool day at Disney sometime.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a VERY reluctant writer. He is 9 years old and getting him to write is like pulling teeth. He is advanced in lots of other ways. He reads at an early high school level, he reads non fiction books for fun (and classic literature), he does very well in math, history, science, reading compreshension, and learning other languages and even does really well with sentence structure and parts of speech...

BUT...he really struggles writing and spelling. We have tried so many spelling programs that I don't know what we haven't tried. We have tried spelling integrated with other topics/subjects (the same for writing) but it's not clicking for him. Does anyone have ANY suggestions? I am so very thankful in advance for any ideas you have to offer.


Thanks and again, it is great to see so many hsers here at DIS!

 

[disneymom3]

BUT...he really struggles writing and spelling. We have tried so many spelling programs that I don't know what we haven't tried. We have tried spelling integrated with other topics/subjects (the same for writing) but it's not clicking for him. Does anyone have ANY suggestions? I am so very thankful in advance for any ideas you have to offer.


Thanks and again, it is great to see so many hsers here at DIS!

At the top of this page, I explain my love of Spelling Power. What is great about it is that there are only 5 min spent on each thing so that kids who are reluctant writers don't get overwhelmed. A friend of mine whose son is 9 and is an attrocious writer and speller just started using it and it is working well for him. Otherwise, I have heard a lot to just give it time and not make it overwhelming.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I wish we could get our own board!!

I don't post on this thread very often, but I do come here quite a bit. I've gotten some great tips. Thank you all!

I am waiting for the "Before Five in a Row" book to be delivered. I'm excited. I'm sure I'll stick with the Five in a row series.

You guys are great!

 

[TNKBELL]

Sounds like your son is gifted! I think as long as he can write legibly(?) that is enough for now and allow him to practice in different ways such as on a chalk board and a dry erase board or even with chalk on the driveway, sometimes routines get mundane it helps to make small changes. My friend told me of a creative writing program that is on dvd and it's very good but expensive, does anyone know what I'm talking about, I can't remember what it's called. Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job!!!

Thanks for the congrats...I'll be needing some advice on how to teach 3, watch a toddler and take care of a baby too!!!

 

[Goofygirls4God]

Yes that would be awesome! I homeschool and love it...We often head the WDW when other kids are in school still. We try to bring the vacation into our school studies as a supplimental experience...I would love to connect up with others with same lifestyle. Totally fun!

 

[Goofygirls4God]

Oh Sweetie,
I homeschool and have a precious Heaven sent helper that comes 2x mo. to help me...I manage things day to day (somedays better than others)but she gets down in the deep dark dirty places I have no time for.
I left the whole super mom idea behind and gave my heart freedom to have someone help me. I have been so much healthier. And my kids have been alot happier too.

I always joke about Proverbs 31 woman...if you read it- you will see she was the SUPER WOMAN and she had 2 young handmaiden helpers... why can't we?

Anyway, I have learned we are all wired differently and where one woman can do it all, some can't. And that doesn't make either better than each other...it's just different. If you are called to home school and you need alittle help acheiving that- go for it! It does not say you are a lazy mom!

And as this season changes as the kids get bigger, the need for a helper may change...you may need someone less or more or not at all...It's just a season! I think you are a great mom for recognizing and considering help.

 

[Belle0101]

Real Homeschool Mothers

Real Homeschool Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Homeschool Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Homeschool Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Homeschool Mothers know that dried playdough doesn't come out of shag carpet.

Real Homeschool Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Homeschool Mothers sometimes ask "why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "because I love you best."

Real Homeschool Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade ... It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mom.

 

[ebarj1098]

I'll be starting to check out all the homeschooling posts from now on. We are thinking about buying a cranberry marsh and the potential school in the area is not one I'd choose. My older son is in Kindergarten yet and have one that's 3. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who switched from public to home school and how its going. I am also a bit torn on what they may miss out on by not going to a school (besides bullies and more bad words! ) Thanks for any input!

 

[kimbac3]

Real Homeschool Mothers

Real Homeschool Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Homeschool Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Homeschool Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Homeschool Mothers know that dried playdough doesn't come out of shag carpet.

Real Homeschool Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Homeschool Mothers sometimes ask "why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "because I love you best."

Real Homeschool Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade ... It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mom.

LOVE THIS!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Kimba

 

[disneymom3]

Belle--I am going to have to print that out, frame it and hang it on my wall. And maybe DH's cubicle at work!!

 

[AMaloy314]

Hi everyone,

After reading all 47 pages of this thread, I still feel like the mom who doesn't have a clue. I do not currently homeschool, but I know that our public school system is sadly lacking. I am not confident that I would be able to do as good a job as the teachers that my children have had so far, but then again, so far we have only attended at Catholic Preschool, with kindergarden looming next year at the local school.

I know that the whole homeschooling-vs-public school issue is very polarizing, but I was hoping to get some input from people who have been there.

First let me outline our situation: me- 39, SAHM, (work as a pharmacist 4 hours on Sat while husband is with kids), DS1- 5, currently in Catholic Pre-K program 2&1/2 hr 3 days per week (his 3rd year in school). We originally put him in this preschool which was 2 &1/2hrs two days per week to get him more exposure to children his age. It worked wonders. He has become a very selfconfident little boy, a real leader and above average in academics as well as very gifted in atheletic abilities. DS2- 4, currently in 2&1/2 hr Catholic preschool program 2 days per week. He is very advanced academically from absorbing everything that his brother works on. We were surprised to find that he is actually not very self-confident in school and tends to prefer to watch instead of participate. This is totally different than how he behaves at home and when in his comfort zone. DS3- 6 months, easy baby, loves to be in the middle of what's going on with his brothers.

I have seen the best and worst results of homeschooled children. One family that I know have the most well adjusted, nicest, smartest kids around. Another family, it seems that all the kids do is play outside alone, but to be fair, I doubt that I would see them when they were inside learning or studying. The 8 yr old is not at all on par with his contemporaries and prefers to play with 4-5 yr olds. Just one example of his lack of social skills occurred when DS1 tried to do a "Knock-Knock" joke with him. The little boy just looked blankly at him, not knowing to respond with "Who's there?" Of course, if anyone could guarantee me that my kids would turn out like the first group, I'd jump on this is a minute. But my biggest fear is that they wouldn't even be able to interact with kids their age, like the second family.

Also, there is the fear that I don't know enough or even how to teach things to my kids. I went to school 5 years to be a pharmacist and it takes at least 4 to get an education degree. I don't have any of that basic education/teaching knowlege. Will I have the patience when they just aren't getting it? Sometimes, I feel like there isn't enough time in the day as it is. How would I make time to do lesson plans, grade tests, etc.? Would I be disciplined enough to do it everyday? It is already a fight to get them to sit down to eat meals at the table. Would I have to fight them to sit to study EVERYDAY?

Is there anyone who uses homeschooling to suppliment the public school system program? We already do lots of extracurriculars. Go regularly to the zoo and local museum. We are almost a fixture and on a first name basis with our local librarians. The boys participate in bowling, T-ball, karate, story times, regular play dates, etc.

Another thing I wonder is (and please do not think that this is a flame) if some homeschoolers try justify doing any activities that they want to do with the excuse that it is educational. ie, to me, a walk downtown for ice cream does not constitute an excursion with alot of educational value. It is just a walk to get ice cream and yet, I know there are people who try to 'rename' it. If I were to homeschool, how would I know what to do to have an educational outing? Something with real learning value.

Of course, there is always the financial issue. Homeschooling is just expensive. I know, I know. The value of my child's education and all that, but it is STILL expensive. Is there anyone who has found any free references to use, maybe not as good as some of the costly brands but still effective?

Does anyone feel that using the public school system for what it can give the children, but adding on the benefits of homeschooling can still work?

ACK! My head is spinning again with trying to make a decision.

Anyway, I guess that what I am trying to say is that I would love to sign up to be part of this group, if nothing else, to learn from all of you.

Anna

 

[TNKBELL]

Anna, wow it sounds like you have a very busy life with your little ones and who do you credit that they are advanced? I think it sounds as if you would be a great homeschooler! Once you start researching you'll be surprised at all the classes and educational activities your city offers for homeschoolers, and many are not very expensive. It doesn't sound as if you would make the same choices as some less involved homeschoolers have made. I too am discouraged when I read about bad situations or meet very challenged hs kids, but honestly they are few and far between. I think it sounds like your off to a great start! Check out the local hs groups in your area and they probably have lots of resources to share.
The cool thing about hs is learning with your kids, you don't have to "know it all" believe it or not even ps teachers are still learning, I know several!! For the more advanced subjects many hs families hire tutors or enlist the help of college student or even other hs kids who are older. There are many curriculums available, ranging from inexpensive to outrageous, but you could probably put an academically challenging curriculum together based on library resources and online sites...www.schoolexpress.com and www.enchantedlearning.com are some of my faves. I'm sure people on this board could give you some great tips as well. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[disneymom3]

Don't have a lot of time to answer right now and will say more later, Anna, but one thing I wanted to point out is that the 8 yo boy you know could very well have some sort of disability. Kids with Aspergers often look "normal" but then don't know how to handle typical social interactions. Not criticizing at all, just saying that that is probably something you would not have to worry about as a homeschooler.