*** Homeschool List ***

[Denine]

It is interesting having a non-homeschooler on the thread. It does seem though, that you wish you could homeschool if your DH would let you. Maybe in the future.

I was very nervous about HS. My DH needed to persuade me. I also got my hands on everything I could read. I was going to start with K, but decided that both of us would benefit from starting with PK. SO far, so good. But, we have only been doing it a week. I hope it continues to go well.

 

[disneymom3]

I know I should not really be on this thread, seeing that I do not homeschool, but I agree with some of the things that have been said. My DS, 6th grade, has been doing 2-3 hours of homework every day. If I homeschooled him, he wouldn't have this 9 hour school day. (8:00 - 2:30 is school, then add homework.) My DS 4th grade begs my to homeschool because he hates it so much. He has lots of friends and likes lunch, gym, recess, etc., but hates everything else about it. It truly makes me sad watching him cry every Sunday night (which is routine for him after the weekend to be upset about going back to school).

Plus the perks for homeschool - vacations could be whenever! Creative learning (my friend takes her kids to the grocery store for math lessons. How many cereals can you buy with $20.00, etc.)

I respect all homeschoolers. Maybe I secretly would like to be one. DH would never have it unless one of my kids were falling behind...At least they are doing well in school....

You and anyone else are perfectly welcome on this thread. Well, unless they are coming solely to tell us that we are idiots and doing our kids a disservice. That gets rather irritating! Why would your DH be against it? Could you convince him to try it for a year and see how it goes?

I know I would lose my mind having to get my kids out the door every single day, making school appropriate lunches, and then having to do homework when they finally came home. I know a lot of moms who say they "don't know how I do it" regarding homeschooling, but i tell ya, I think for me, this is a lot easier than what they have to deal with!

DH and I just returned from a trip to WDW for just us two so we need to get back into the swing of things. Today I am just lettting the kids enjoy being back in our own house (they were at Gma and Gpa's) and play with the gifts we brought home. Tomorrow, it's back at the books.

 

[nuzmom]

For those who have used the Story of the World books, a few questions. We are using Volume 2 & 3 in our co-op this year. Grades K to 6, about 12 kids. We meet once per week for a total of 30 weeks.

Looking for some opinions. We started with Volume 2. During our planning meeting this summer, parents expressed that we should start with vol 1. The parent who's responsible for the class decided that we wouldnt'.

We are doing THREE chapters per week so that we can get through both Volumes 2 & 3. Parents who did this series a few years ago, did 1 volume per year for 3 years (they didn't do volume 4). Again, parent who is running the class stated that her son would be bored if that's what we did, so we're doing 2 volumes.

Ok, her son is 4th grade and is amazing at remember WORD FOR WORD what he reads. He LOVES history and they have always had him read history books "for fun". I truely believe that he can read 3 chapters a week. (we only have 4 at home class days because co-op takes a full day each week because there's other classes). Anyway, other parents and I are having concerns because we want to do the additional activities that are in the activity book. They do the mapping activities in class. I'm referring to the making costumes, food, etc. type stuff.

For those familiar with the books, Story of the World, do you recommend doing 2 volumes in 30 weeks?

 

[nuzmom]

Real quick - as far as making the decision to HS or not. We found it VERY helpful to list what we see as the negatives and positives to PS and HS. We even gave each a number from 0 to 10 on importance to us. It really helps us to remember why we homeschool.

There are SOME times when PS is appealing (mainly financially as I could return to working full time) but when we take a look at our list we are reminded that we would be VERY unhappy (again) if we did that.

I also like to think - how badly can you "mess up" a PK, K, 1st, etc.? Ok, now think about the absolute best results if you HS? Big difference, isn't it? That really helped take the pressure off of me when we first started.

 

[love~disney]

sign me up

 

[disneymom3]

For those who have used the Story of the World books, a few questions. We are using Volume 2 & 3 in our co-op this year. Grades K to 6, about 12 kids. We meet once per week for a total of 30 weeks.

Looking for some opinions. We started with Volume 2. During our planning meeting this summer, parents expressed that we should start with vol 1. The parent who's responsible for the class decided that we wouldnt'.

We are doing THREE chapters per week so that we can get through both Volumes 2 & 3. Parents who did this series a few years ago, did 1 volume per year for 3 years (they didn't do volume 4). Again, parent who is running the class stated that her son would be bored if that's what we did, so we're doing 2 volumes.

Ok, her son is 4th grade and is amazing at remember WORD FOR WORD what he reads. He LOVES history and they have always had him read history books "for fun". I truely believe that he can read 3 chapters a week. (we only have 4 at home class days because co-op takes a full day each week because there's other classes). Anyway, other parents and I are having concerns because we want to do the additional activities that are in the activity book. They do the mapping activities in class. I'm referring to the making costumes, food, etc. type stuff.

For those familiar with the books, Story of the World, do you recommend doing 2 volumes in 30 weeks?

Holy Toledo!!! No WAY! There is absolutely no way I would want to do years two and three in 30 weeks. Three chapters a week is a heck of a lot! Man, we didn't like it when we had weeks we had to combine two chapters. May I ask what the point of doing SOTW in a co-op environment is if you are only doing map work? What is the point of that? I would rather do mapwork at home and do the projects and hands on group stuff together.

And personally, I would not have skipped Year one either. The point of the whole thing is to take world history in order. This parent seems like a bit of a prima donna.

 

[sha_lyn]

I would drop the SOTW co-op in a heartbeat if I were you. Go back and start with level 1 and take your time. Do you have the activity guide and chapter tests?
If not order those. There are some very good suggested additional reading list in the guide.

 

[vhoffman]

I've been struggling with the decision to homeschool my ds, and when to take him out of ps. To make a long story short, ds has had numerous problems over the years with ps. Despite my best efforts to work with the ps on his behalf, it just seems to go nowhere. Basically, he's at least 1-1.5 grade levels behind (per the school's own testing!), yet they continue to insist he do 4th grade level work (I've wanted to have him repeat a year, but they refuse). They keep insisting he's capable of doing the work and say its a behavioral issue. It seems almost every night for the last several weeks he's brought home work he didn't finish in class, along with the usual homework. I can clearly see the work's beyond him. Its not a conduct or behavioral issue, its an academic one.

However, last night I decided this is ds's last week of ps. He brought home several uncomplete assignments to complete at home (he barely did anything, its not like he can do the work then just doesn't want to, it should be obvious to anyone looking at the assignment and his responses that he's not capable of doing that level). At the bottom of the page of one assignment he drew a picture of a little boy with a frown and tears running down his face. Oh, how awful! why didn't the teacher see that? I give up on trying to deal with them. His self-esteem must be at an all time low. To just have work placed in front of him that he's not capable of doing, then say he's a behavior problem because he doesn't do it! I cried all night after seeing that sad little picture he drew! He'll finish up this week, then that's it! I need to work with him to catch him up to grade level without the emotional trauma the ps situation is inflicting.

 

[Denine]

vhoffman: That is so sad. HS will be much better. You can start him out at his level and let him learn at his own pace.

 

[noodleknitter]

That poor kid! Just an FYI, he may need a bit of time to "decompress" from that environment. Some R&R with school-lite might be called for. He sounds pretty burnt out.

 

[sha_lyn]

vhoffman
Oh wow. I've been in a similar situation and I know how hard it is to take that jump into homeschooling. Our situation was different in that DS's entire class was behind. I didn't really realize it until I noticed that his acelerated reader books were 1.5-2 grade below his grade level. I started researching and found that over 70% of the kids from that ele scholl ended up in special ed or remedial classes in middle and high school.

There had been a on going battle with the school for over 2 yrs. they wanted DS on ADD meds when the MD ruled out ADD. He was diagnoised with mild depression after a very hard yr. I won't go into all the details, but our family life was turned upsdie down due to a lot of things gong on. some good (like the birth of DD) but the rest involed death, illness etc of family memebers. The wschool didn't like the Dr's opinion and told me to find a Dr that would write a prescription. From then on we were pretty much labled as an uncaring mom with an unmedicated ADD child.

My first thoughts were to homeschool him for the 2 yrs of middle school to catch him up, then put him back in PS. However by then the damage was done. My DS use to love school, but by the end of 6th grade the thought of getting on the bus would make him ill. He was completely stressed out.

My advise is let him "deschool" a little while before you start up. Give him a couple of weeks off then start in slow.

Is he behind in all subjects? What would you say seems to be his biggest stumbling block.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

vhoffman - so sorry about your situation. Though my DH will not allow me to HS not, he would allow me to HS if my child was struggling. I think you are making a very hard and wise decision to HS. Don't let the educators of your school make you feel like you are doing a disservice to your child, which they seem to do around this area.

And congratulations on not pusing to get your son ADD medicine. While I believe there are definitely children who need it, I also believe some kids do not and the medicate them anyway..

And to the OP who asked why my DH will not allow me to HS....He wants them to experience the school atmosphere. Sports (which they are very active in and good at), friends, school dances (down the road which I am not looking forward to - they grow up to fast), and all the things that come with school. He wants them to learn how to cope with the outside world. While I can understand that, they get the outside world without being in school - church, certain sports, neighbors, etc. I am fine with not homeschooling, I just wonder about sometimes.

But I sure respect those who do. I find most of the homeschoolers around here to have the nicest families and well behaved children. It is a great sacrifice and your kids will do well because of it.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

You know I wasn't going to say anything about this but I can't help it. What is with all the "My DH won't LET me" or My DH won't ALLOW me" to do something. I can understand your point of having a different opinion as your husband, but please...please don't use the words ALLOW or LET. You're an adult now. Obviously if the two of you feel differently on the homeschooling issue or any issue then it's something that should be discussed, but c'mon.

 

[noodleknitter]

You know I wasn't going to say anything about this but I can't help it. What is with all the "My DH won't LET me" or My DH won't ALLOW me" to do something. I can understand your point of having a different opinion as your husband, but please...please don't use the words ALLOW or LET. You're an adult now. Obviously if the two of you feel differently on the homeschooling issue or any issue then it's something that should be discussed, but c'mon.

Semantics. Allow or agree, both mean the same when discussing an issue like this. Talking down to people doesn't usually make them feel a whole lot better about the situation.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Semantics. Allow or agree, both mean the same when discussing an issue like this. Talking down to people doesn't usually make them feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Aloow and agree do not mean the same thing. I can agree with someone else's opinion, but I do not allow them to have it. I have no control over their opion. You can only talk down to people if they're below you and if you feel that you are below me, that's your issue not mine.

 

[vhoffman]

Hmmmm............We've been married almost 24 years and I've never once asked my dh permission to do anything! I tell him what I'm going to do, and that's that! He never asks my permission, either Why that seems so funny--if you could see him, a big hulk of a man, 6'4'' 250 pounds, he doesn't need to ask anyone permission!

But I do discuss what I'm doing with dh. We've discussed the homeschooling, and dh says he's comfortable with it. I would seriously consider his point of view if it were an opposing one. However, for this particular issue, I would go with my gut and homeschool, anyways.

I, too, was concerned about socialization when I first considered homeschooling. It is impoortant to learn to function in a group, group dynamics, give-and-take, etc. However, looking at ds's situation all he's learning is how to function in a group in a negative way. I mean, he's in a group 7 hours a day, so he must be functioning, right? But its such a negative overall environment for him. All he's learning right now is the frustration that being in a negative environment causes. Am I making sense? The most important life skill anyone will ever achieve is self confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin. Many adults go through life never achieving this. The poor kid is so lost its pathetic. He's in 4th grade, but tests 1-1.5 grade levels behind in all subjects. Perhaps that was something he could compensate for in lower grades (second grade, reading at 1.5 grade level), but it gets much more intense at the higher grade levels.

I was going to wait until the end of the first report card period to take ds out, but that another 2 weeks away. Two weeks can be a long time for a child to be in a negative environment. That sad little picture he drew haunts me (I was even dreaming about it!). I just want him out of there! I really feel he will transition back to ps at some point, but just not now. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

 

[vhoffman]

Has anyone ever had their child tested for dyslexia? I've suspected it for years. I've approached the school many times concerning this, but they essentially brush it off. I learned via the grapevine that dyslexia carries so many legal ramifications (for the school), and related expenses, that our particular school district will fight tooth-and-nail to keep from that diagnosis. Even if I did have him tested myself, they wouldn't accept it. I know now the thing to do is not to discuss, but put my requests in writing (such as to test for dyslexia). Legally, they have to respond. However, its a slow boat to nowhere. They have 60 days to respond and respond on day 60. At that point they basically engineer another waiting period (lets see what the so-and-so test reveals, lets see what happens with a course of reading help), then its another wait, etc. You wake up one day and realize that almost a full school year has passed without an official evaluation.

Ds is ok with reading, just behind. However, his downfall is writng. He's great with math and writing numbers. He can also write if he's copying (his penmanship is quite good when copying). So he gets the physical mechanics of writing. However, he's at a loss when it comes to translating his thoughts into the symbols of writing. When we do assignments at home he composes the answer, paragraph, whatever verbally. I then write it for him (exactly as he spoke it), then he copies my writing. He does fine that way. But ask him to write something himself and he just give up after 2 or 3 words. That's when he gets into trouble at school. He get action plans, etc., for "refusing" to do his work when, in essence, he's not capable of doing so. I don't know if he's just overwhelmed by the process and gives up or if there's more of an underlying reason, such as dyslexia. I fully intend to have him tested myself, if for nothing more than to rule it out.

I will start slow and give him a chance to "unschool". Right now he needs to let go of whatever emotional baggage he's carrying from school. I intended to buy the school's textbooks (I copied the ISBN numbers and found a place I can order them), but I feel seeing the same books will trigger whatever negative emotions he carries from his current environment. He needs a true fresh start. I have a lot of materials already and will develop a cirriculum as we go on and I understand his needs. I can't wait to get him out of that environment--its a major stress on me as well!

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't know a lot about dysleixa, but I do know there are a lot of other learning/developmental disabilites that could be ther problem. It almost sounds as if he has a verbal processing problem. He can not process verbal thought into writen word.



I really hate when the "S" word is brought up.
Can anyone here really give an example of how "real life" socialization is like school socialization? In school you are first segregated by the area you live in. This decides what school you will attend. Then you are further segregated by being put into a classroom with people who's birthdays are within the same 12 month period as yours.
You are then usually even further segregated by you abilites and divided up into reading levels etc.
Most schools have done away with any "free" time beyond the 3 or 4 grade. Lunches and bus duty are quiet time. You have to ask permission (and are often denied until it fitssomeone elses schedule) to use the bathroom,get a drink of water etc. Just when does positive socialization take place?

As for dances, sports etc. There are many other options other than PS.
DS has attended a homeschool prom the last 2 springs. The same group that host the prom also hosts other teen dances along with family dances, cookout etc.
They also have soccer,bastkeball, flag football, and tennis. These are not competitive teams but more of an instructional program.
For those wanting a more traditional competitive atsmophere, parks and rec offeres football, basketball etc up through middle school age. Once highschool age there are homeschool teams through an organization that competes in the same leagues as the local private schools.

In some other states I know that the school systems have to allow homeschool students in extra curricular activites.

There of course are other sports such as martial arts too that homeschool students can participate in.
There are almost always options other than remaining in PS to be exposed to sports, dances etc.

Many museums, area attractions, national/state parks offer homeschool days/programs. The "days" are usually designed to give homeschool students a chance to experience the "attraction" in the same enviroment as a fieldtrip.
Also many have started offering classes.

vhoffman... what state are you in?

 

[vhoffman]

We are in Texas. I don't think he can attend extra cirricular activities if not currently enrolled, but that's really not a concern of mine at this point. There's plenty of activities outside of school for him--right now he needs a clean break.

 

[vhoffman]

Sha Lyn,

I really like your description of a typical school day and how its "socialization". Honestly, I was just telling my kids yesterday that college is really easier than high school. Its not the subject matter, its the logistics. In college, you can plan your schedule to your needs. There's no one hovering over your every last move, from going to the bathroom to eating to walking back and forth, etc. I remember in college finally feeling "free".