*** Homeschool List ***

[palmtreegirl]

I'm looking for a new Math curriculum for my DD, she's starting 5th grade. We used Horizons this year and I really love how it constantly reviewed things from past lessons in each new one. But towards the end of the year I wasn't real thrilled with how they started covering some new material, very long lessons and not very clear information.

Anyone have any recommendations? She loves Math and picks it up very quickly but she also has a short attention span.

Thanks so much!

 

[lori1043]

We started our school year this past Monday. We're having a blast! We're using all different types of learning tools.

One fabulous resource I am using is www.home-school-inc.com. You can set up a whole school online - and it's free.

I have set up our entire school year - it's hard to describe - you really have to check it out.

It's perfect for me becuase I work full-time and it's essential that we be uber-organized. In addition, the fact that it keeps attendance and grade records is just invaluable to me. It will print off quarterly and final eval reports, which are mandatory in NYS.

HOW do you work full time and HS? I am being serious. i work PRN at a local hospital as an cardiac sonographer and find it challenging-mostly due to the fact that when i work, if DH cannot work from home, we have to get someone to watch them. Luckily, it usually is my MIL or dad, but they are getting older. Do you have older kids that watch the younger ones. Do you give them weekly goals to finish school- work -wise? I LOVE Hs'ing and hope it lasts as long as the good Lord allows!!
Thank you for info-Lori

 

[HomeschoolMama]

I'm looking for a new Math curriculum for my DD, she's starting 5th grade. We used Horizons this year and I really love how it constantly reviewed things from past lessons in each new one. But towards the end of the year I wasn't real thrilled with how they started covering some new material, very long lessons and not very clear information.

Anyone have any recommendations? She loves Math and picks it up very quickly but she also has a short attention span.

Thanks so much!

I wish I could help you, but my Dd (also a 5th grader) just started her 2nd year on Horizons Math. One thing to think about, though, is that Horizons tends to be a year ahead of other curriculum. So, you may need to make sure you get the right level with a new program. Good luck!

 

[palmtreegirl]

One thing to think about, though, is that Horizons tends to be a year ahead of other curriculum. So, you may need to make sure you get the right level with a new program. Good luck!

Thanks, I did notice that when I was looking at some of the others. I don't know, on one hand there are things I love about Horizons but for example the section(4th grade) on the Metric system and ratios I didn't like at all. Decisions, decisions.......

 

[HomeschoolMama]

Thanks, I did notice that when I was looking at some of the others. I don't know, on one hand there are things I love about Horizons but for example the section(4th grade) on the Metric system and ratios I didn't like at all. Decisions, decisions.......

I think that was a little confusing. Number 5 seems pretty easy to understand. I just love Horizons Math. The only problem I have with it is that the K level moves so fast. My DD could handle it, but I'm scared my DS will get frustrated easily.

 

[TNKBELL]

Thanks for the planning link!!! That is great!!! I shared that with my HS group!!!

 

[ILuvWDWorld]

We actually completed day 14 today! This is our first year hs-ing. The kids were just eager to start so we did! Everything's going well. I'm hs-ing DS10 and DS8. (and keeping DD3 busy, too!)

5th grade:
Abeka History (with timeline and Hands & Heart History Kits)
Abeka Science, math, language, penmanship
Wordly Wise 3000 Book 5
Sonlight Reading

3rd grade:
Abeka History (Old World; combined with my DS 10) timeline & hands and hearts history kits
Abeka science (stretched over the year with a pocket notebook & supplemental videos, library books on each subject)
Abeka math, language, penmanship
Wordly Wise 3000 Book 3
Sonlight Reading

Both will be participating in band on Wednesdays and our church has a hs group with monthly activities, geography fair, holiday parties, etc. We also do the upper elementary 'word of the day' from superkids.com. (just for fun!) We listen to the mystery of history cd, work geography puzzles, etc. for extra. Hopefully, things will continue to go well.

Right now, I'm in the "Am I doing enough? Do I need to add more?" stage. I'm constantly researching - there's just SO much out there! We're having a great time.

 

[lori1043]

I just found out that our library has Rosetta Stone online-free-just need a library card! All you need is a shockwave player and to download the instructions! I am thrilled as my kids are interested in Spanish-I am interested in Italian! It goes by semester. Really cool, RS is usually about $200.
Another subject to add in.

Lori

 

[jonna30]

Hi all! I am homeschooling my ds8 and ds10 this year while my dd12 attends ps and my dd14 attends charter. Crazy, I know. We are in AZ and the schools leave something to be desired, IMHO, so...we have to be a little choosy. ANYWAY, I just wanted to say hi. We homeschooled the girls a few years ago, but got overwhelmed and sent them back. Trying it again, but really trying to "chill" this year. We are using the Weaver Curriculum and Singapore Math. Wish us luck!!!

 

[HomeschoolMama]

We actually completed day 14 today! This is our first year hs-ing. The kids were just eager to start so we did! Everything's going well. I'm hs-ing DS10 and DS8. (and keeping DD3 busy, too!)

5th grade:
Abeka History (with timeline and Hands & Heart History Kits)
Abeka Science, math, language, penmanship
Wordly Wise 3000 Book 5
Sonlight Reading

3rd grade:
Abeka History (Old World; combined with my DS 10) timeline & hands and hearts history kits
Abeka science (stretched over the year with a pocket notebook & supplemental videos, library books on each subject)
Abeka math, language, penmanship
Wordly Wise 3000 Book 3
Sonlight Reading

Both will be participating in band on Wednesdays and our church has a hs group with monthly activities, geography fair, holiday parties, etc. We also do the upper elementary 'word of the day' from superkids.com. (just for fun!) We listen to the mystery of history cd, work geography puzzles, etc. for extra. Hopefully, things will continue to go well.

Right now, I'm in the "Am I doing enough? Do I need to add more?" stage. I'm constantly researching - there's just SO much out there! We're having a great time.

Awesome! Good for you. I'm of the mind of, wait and see if it's enough. It's not good to have too much. We do 2-3 things like scouts, PE, and dance. We add to it as the year goes on if the kids need more time out of the house.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

HOW do you work full time and HS? I am being serious. i work PRN at a local hospital as an cardiac sonographer and find it challenging-mostly due to the fact that when i work, if DH cannot work from home, we have to get someone to watch them. Luckily, it usually is my MIL or dad, but they are getting older. Do you have older kids that watch the younger ones. Do you give them weekly goals to finish school- work -wise? I LOVE Hs'ing and hope it lasts as long as the good Lord allows!!
Thank you for info-Lori

I own my own business, so I can bring my daughter with me. I also have an Au Pair, who can take her to music, horseback riding, etc. when I can't get away.

We do 7 days a week. It's so fun and we work it around our schedule. Today, for example, we were up early (I work out from 4:30 - 6:30 every morning - I get her up around 7am - after I get home from the gym). We did a couple of hours. Cleaned up the kitchen. Went for pedicures. Came home, did another hour, I cooked dinner and then she did an hour swim with dad while I drank a glass of wine.

Right now I have tons of help at my business (college kids) so I have some more free time than usual. We're in between Au Pairs (she'll be coming on 8/24), so I'm handling it all for now.

Once my college kids leave and the Au Pair comes our day will be something like: 7:30am - 9:30am at home. Time for independent work (book responses, individual reading, paragraph of the week, etc.) at home with the Au Pair while I'm at work. Music is done by an outside provider (she takes cello and Music Theory). Phys Ed varies - she plays tennis, rides horses, swims like a fish, canoes, etc. Our Au Pair then brings her to me and I will work with her for another few hours. We have a very flexible school day - we will do evenings, weekends, work when we go on trips (we go away a lot), etc.

I'll keep you posted as time goes on. So far, we are managing to get a lot more work done than I thought we would. She has a fabulous attitude about it and we're really having fun. Good luck to you!!

 

[lori1043]

WOW, I am IMPRESSED!! I get overwhelmed by getting my 2 homeschooled and working and keeping the house up. I do not know, for the life of me, HOW you get up at 4:30am. I have to say that I am a night owl, addicted to reading and lately, the disboards, with all the Feb. times put out today. Once fall hits, and co-op and PE start ,new times for activities(DD7 also horseback rides, DD9 does gymnastics, we have a pool they swim in almost daily, they do PE). I have to tell you that I have been having a lazy summer and feel gross right now(bodily wise). My plan is to get up with DH, walk for about 30-45 minutes, then get the kids up and start early. Lately we have started at 10am and ended about 2 or 3 pm.

I made out my schedule for the year and gave myself lots of space for field trips, make up days, and vacation/holidays. I am looking forward to having a good , productive year.

Thanks for sharing, I find it truly interesting how you manage.

Have a great school year!
Lori

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

WOW, I am IMPRESSED!! I get overwhelmed by getting my 2 homeschooled and working and keeping the house up. I do not know, for the life of me, HOW you get up at 4:30am. I have to say that I am a night owl, addicted to reading and lately, the disboards, with all the Feb. times put out today. Once fall hits, and co-op and PE start ,new times for activities(DD7 also horseback rides, DD9 does gymnastics, we have a pool they swim in almost daily, they do PE). I have to tell you that I have been having a lazy summer and feel gross right now(bodily wise). My plan is to get up with DH, walk for about 30-45 minutes, then get the kids up and start early. Lately we have started at 10am and ended about 2 or 3 pm.

I made out my schedule for the year and gave myself lots of space for field trips, make up days, and vacation/holidays. I am looking forward to having a good , productive year.

Thanks for sharing, I find it truly interesting how you manage.

Have a great school year!
Lori

Hey Lori -

The amazing thing about working out is it clears your head and gives you energy like you can't believe. I HATE getting up in the morning. My alarm went off this morning and I thought I would cry. I HATE mornings. but, I get up (today I went to the gym late - I didn't get there until 6:30 and only stayed for an hour - I'll do my treadmill later - I worked with a new trainer this morning who was excellent, so I am energized and ready to go!).

It really is about scheduling - but being flexible at the same time. The best thing, we have found, about home schooling is the ability to make our own rules.

I find the home-school-inc website to be invaluable. I can schedule our classes into time slots and then I can move them around at will. It allows you to set up a "school" and enroll as many "students" as you wish. So, for your two children, you can create schedules, incorporate field trips, give assignments (the kids get their own username and password, so they can check online every day to see what their assignments are - you can even send messages to them).

It truly is fantastic. The BEST part about it is the record keeping. When your child completes a class, you mark it complete (which is basically how the program takes attendance). If you give an assignment or a test for a grade, you can enter the grade. It will automatically create reports such as attendance, book lists, course work completed, etc.

I am not afraid to teach my daughter in the evening, on a Sunday, at the nail salon, at work, wherever. You'll be amazed how much time you do have when you actually lay it all out. Outside of my actual teaching, I also make sure she understands the importance of independent work (we don't call it homework - we call it independent work) because in real life, we all have independent work that needs to get done. By showing her how I effectively manage time, I'm hoping she uses these skills to learn how to manage hers to get projects and assignments done independently and handed in on time. Time management is one of the most valuable tools we can teach our kids - but we have to kind of set the example for them.

Good luck!! Try that website - I think you'll love it. It's a little awkward at first, so make sure you have some time to devote to it to get it all set up. Now that I've figured it out - we used it all day long.

 

[GreatLakes5]

MATH - Saxon is so popular that saying "try Saxon" sounds too easy BUT one of the things that people dislike about Saxon is that it takes what people have learned and reiterates it and then does it again and then takes the dead horse out back and beats it to death. AND that's GREAT for kids who need it. You may want to try that. We use it and then supplement with Alpha Omega for my faster moving student and supplement with Key To... for my struggles with math kid.

LA - SHURELY! LOVE IT! I use it across the board for all three kids each at different levels. I think it teaches grammar the way it used to be taught - very thorough WITH one exception - diagramming. I purchase a diagramming lesson book from a local educational store - nothing fancy but I wanted my 5th/6th grader to diagram sentences.

GETTING IT ALL DONE -
I think it's important to get school work done - no one said it had to happen from 8:30am - 2:30pm. We go back and forth a bit with time, but keep our schedule the same - start with math even if we start at 8:30 or start at 10am.

If you can stretch some $ from the ol' budget try hiring someone to clean for you....it (she) was the best gift my husband ever gave me. It may sound over the top BUT I'd rather pay for this than, for example, cable TV or meals out ... pick the 'luxury' item and to me it's just worth my sanity.

I also cook and bake on Saturdays - it helps that I enjoy it. So I'll cook ahead & bake ahead while watching something on TV or what have you - it's actually relaxing and then saves me some time.

My evenings are spent doing some accounting work for our business and if it gets late that means school starts later the next day.

I really admire those of you who are working outside the home and doing this. YOU ARE AMAZING!

 

[sha_lyn]

I think I've decided on Easy Grammar. I did use Shurley for DS in 7th or 8th grade. While I agree it covers everything well, it wasn't a good fit for him. I can see DD having the same problem.
I almost ordered Easy Grammar online but decided to go to the store Mon so I can look at both. My original plan was the use the speturm LA workbook, but it just isn't through enough IMHO. We will use their spelling, writing and vocabulary workbooks.

Math... Saxon is IMHO great for middle and high school but their lower grades just have way too much review and busy work IMHO.
When we used Saxon for K, I started crossing out 1/2 of the problems on the review sheets. OTOH Saxon (along with the solutions manual) is what it possible for me to teach algebra to DS. It had been so long since I took/used algebra that I was way too rusty. For lower grades I love Singapore math. I do feel it has to be supplemented with drills because it is very lacking on memorization of basic addition, subtraction and multiplication facts.

 

[disneymom3]

MATH - Saxon is so popular that saying "try Saxon" sounds too easy BUT one of the things that people dislike about Saxon is that it takes what people have learned and reiterates it and then does it again and then takes the dead horse out back and beats it to death.

That is about the way I felt about Saxon. I have indeed heard it is much better for the older grades. When I read the teacher's manual back when DD was in second grade, I thought "Oh she is gonna hate me if I do this!!" She's one of those kids who hears it once and gets it. We are actually going to be going into Teaching Textbooks Math 7 in a couple of weeks here. I am buying it used from somoene who still has the workbook even. She said her son just did the computer lessons and that was enough for him. I am thinking that might do it for DD too.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Anyone use Abeka? How do you like it? I was thinking of getting some stuff from there, but not the entire kit. It does seem to be cheaper then some of the others.

 

[mommyof3grlz]

I like homeschoolreviews.com they have several reviews of almost every curriculum. BTW we are going to Disney for 14 days in September!!!! The first week another homeschool family will be going and sharing a 3BR condo at Grand Beach. I got the whole week on skyauction.com for $226.(Surf and Turf auction) The second week we will stay at All Star Music and enjoy free dining! I am so excited this is how I feel....

 

[graygables]

I also own my own businesses, but I run them out of my home. The girls help as much as they can and I pay them (that's how they earn their Disney money ) We are very much night owls, though, so our day starts later than most, but that's what works for our family. That's what I love about homeschooling so much is that it ISN'T one-size-fits-all.

When I have to travel (a LOT), they can go with me, so we've been able to visit Jamestown this year, and learn about how Delaware got it's name (as well as adding it to the list of states they've visited). Pocahontas is more than a Disney princess and ships 400 years ago were nothing like the Disney Cruise Line! Growing up a traveller in Europe, it's VERY important to me that they can interact with the world, not just sit in a classroom and "learn" about it.

We finally got their Switched-On Schoolhouse up and running and so far, we are all very happy with it. The concepts are presented so that they are both engaged. 8yo came in today and told me that she hoped it was OK, but she "got a little carried away" and did 3 science lessons! I told her of COURSE it was OK, I'm glad she's enjoying learning for a change, rather than it feeling like a chore!

 

[lexeka]

Let me know what you think of Sonlight. I was very tired by the end of the year with it and my daughter didn't retain a whole lot but I hear others love it! I guess it depends on the child/parent.