*** Homeschool List ***

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Tara--we have used Singapore and may again in the future. What I love about it is it's emphasis on mental math and focus on real world word problems. What I didn't like was that there are no instructions in words on the pages--at the level DD was at--and it was annoying. She also was bored with it as it is a little dry. We took the last half of this year off from it and are just doing a variety of workbooks that she can choose which one she uses each day and that has been nice. She is all of a sudden saying math is her favorite subject and she used to hate it so that is a very positive change.

For your second question, we do use a standardized test yearly. We are required to by our state standards. I chose the Peabody Individual Achievement Test and the reason I chose it is that it is very verbal especially at the younger grades so it is easy to have kids as young as K tested. It also tests until the child is getting too many wrong thereby giving you an acurate read of where your child is really at and when using the same tester each year, she just starts a little behind where DD left off last year instead of testing on stuff we would know was too easy. For instance, DD scored at 6.9 for spelling last spring so this spring, the tester will start her at about 6.6 and go from there. The test is different for each grade level esp when it comes ot general knowledge, but they can just keep going up up up until the level they are at is met. Make sense? We are only required here to test once they turn 7, but I had DS tested before K and will have him tested this year again at 6 just for my own info. The tester is coming next Tues as a matter of fact!

Thanks Julie, when you did Singapore did you use it alone for math?

 

[disneymom3]

Yes, I did. I also started DS on the Early Bird math, but he really needed something more hands on. We are now using Moving with Math and it is a huge improvement for him. He'll be doing the K level next year and I feel a little guilty about that as he is going to really be in first grade, but that is what he is ready for.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

Yes, I did. I also started DS on the Early Bird math, but he really needed something more hands on. We are now using Moving with Math and it is a huge improvement for him. He'll be doing the K level next year and I feel a little guilty about that as he is going to really be in first grade, but that is what he is ready for.

There is no reason to feel guilty! The ability to educate him at whatever level needed is just one of the many benefits of HSing.

 

[jaycns]

I am still working on getting things together for a Disney based unit study. I have taken on the chunk dealing with Mr. Walt Disney himself (would go very well with One Man's Dream at MGM or just about any park as an overview).

I have a busy rest of the week but hope to get something posted by this time next week.

Thanks for inspiring me!

 

[DisneyDadof3]

All that said, I have two things for you. #1 Homeschooling is not for everyone. I know some moms who I am pretty sure would truly lose their minds doing this and I know some folks who just wouldn't DO it. (In fact I know one who doesn't do it and I worry about her child!) #2 If you try it and decide it is not working, the public schools will ALWAYS take them back. For one thing, they have to and for another thing, they want the money that each child brings.

As a public school teacher, I commend those of you that homeschool for exercising your option to do what you see best. I choose to send mine to public schools, but I feel I have solid options though.

Tax dollars (at least in Illinois and in the property tax area) go to the school regardless of whether your child attends the school or is homeschooled or parochial or .....

We do take all comers - wish we had some say, but ............ not an option.

Good luck and for those of you that get tired from teaching your child (or couple of children), keep in mind I generally have 150-175 a day to wear me out. There isn't a bath I could take that would long enough!

 

[Lora]

I know some of you on here use Singapore Math and I just wanted to hear a some reviews of it.

Do any of you have your children take standardized test, and if so, what are your reasons for doing it and how do you arrange that?

We use Singapore Math and I would recommend it. We started it after finishing Miquon (also highly recommend) in 3rd grade for dd10. (I'll do the same for dd8 when she finished Miquon.) At first she was NOT happy to stop Miquon, so she disliked Singapore Math just because it wasn't Miquon. She got over that and we've liked it a lot since then.

I had been advised by other hs moms to start at Singapore 3A to get an introduction to the word problems and how they map them out.
We went through 3A and 3B fairly quickly getting acquainted with it and doing some review. DD10 is now in 5B. She mostly does the lessons on her own now and then does the workbook assignment that goes with them. She comes to me if she has a question or doesn't "get" something.

I do like the focus on word problems and the mental math. I'll admit that we don't do all of the mental math "extras". Sonlight sells this program in a kit of sorts. It comes with a teacher's guide (with answer keys), the Singapore text and workbooks, and the Key to... series. So far, we used some of the Key to Fractions and Key to Decimals. Dd10 said they were very helpful as review.


As for Standardized Testing...we also do that. In TX, I'm not required to do any testing, but I do it for ME. I've used the CAT5 (California Achievement Test) since dd 10 was in 1st or 2nd grade. I think the real value of the test is not seeing the numbers at the end, but actually seeing for myself which questions my girls have trouble with. Sometimes a low score can just mean we haven't covered that. For instance, in Miquon Math, they were introduced very early to multiplication, division, fractions, etc., but the subtraction that much of the test was geared toward at a certain level was in just around the corner for us. I didn't panic because I knew we would soon be getting to it. I reassured dd that it was ok that she didn't know all of the stuff on the test, that she knew tons more than they were testing her on. The same goes with social studies. We started with World History, whereas most schools begin with American History. My girls didn't know some of the things that the test was based on because of that. Again...no worries, because we were doing great with our World History and knew that Amer. Hist. was right around the corner.

I get my materials through Thurbers.net. I sign up for a specific week of testing (I do the same week every year). They send the materials, I administer the test, and then send everything back to them. They send the results several weeks later. This has worked well for me and I recommend doing the testing yourself for the best benefit.

Yikes, this is too long!! Sorry about that!!

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

We use Singapore Math and I would recommend it. We started it after finishing Miquon (also highly recommend) in 3rd grade for dd10. (I'll do the same for dd8 when she finished Miquon.) At first she was NOT happy to stop Miquon, so she disliked Singapore Math just because it wasn't Miquon. She got over that and we've liked it a lot since then.

I had been advised by other hs moms to start at Singapore 3A to get an introduction to the word problems and how they map them out.
We went through 3A and 3B fairly quickly getting acquainted with it and doing some review. DD10 is now in 5B. She mostly does the lessons on her own now and then does the workbook assignment that goes with them. She comes to me if she has a question or doesn't "get" something.

I do like the focus on word problems and the mental math. I'll admit that we don't do all of the mental math "extras". Sonlight sells this program in a kit of sorts. It comes with a teacher's guide (with answer keys), the Singapore text and workbooks, and the Key to... series. So far, we used some of the Key to Fractions and Key to Decimals. Dd10 said they were very helpful as review.


As for Standardized Testing...we also do that. In TX, I'm not required to do any testing, but I do it for ME. I've used the CAT5 (California Achievement Test) since dd 10 was in 1st or 2nd grade. I think the real value of the test is not seeing the numbers at the end, but actually seeing for myself which questions my girls have trouble with. Sometimes a low score can just mean we haven't covered that. For instance, in Miquon Math, they were introduced very early to multiplication, division, fractions, etc., but the subtraction that much of the test was geared toward at a certain level was in just around the corner for us. I didn't panic because I knew we would soon be getting to it. I reassured dd that it was ok that she didn't know all of the stuff on the test, that she knew tons more than they were testing her on. The same goes with social studies. We started with World History, whereas most schools begin with American History. My girls didn't know some of the things that the test was based on because of that. Again...no worries, because we were doing great with our World History and knew that Amer. Hist. was right around the corner.

I get my materials through Thurbers.net. I sign up for a specific week of testing (I do the same week every year). They send the materials, I administer the test, and then send everything back to them. They send the results several weeks later. This has worked well for me and I recommend doing the testing yourself for the best benefit.

Yikes, this is too long!! Sorry about that!!

Lora,

Thanks, don't apologize for a long response. I appreciate the detail & examples. I'm going to check out Thurbers.net and add it to my list of websites. Thanks again.

 

[bear74]

We use Singapore Math and I would recommend it. We started it after finishing Miquon (also highly recommend) in 3rd grade for dd10. (I'll do the same for dd8 when she finished Miquon.) At first she was NOT happy to stop Miquon, so she disliked Singapore Math just because it wasn't Miquon. She got over that and we've liked it a lot since then.

I had been advised by other hs moms to start at Singapore 3A to get an introduction to the word problems and how they map them out.
We went through 3A and 3B fairly quickly getting acquainted with it and doing some review. DD10 is now in 5B. She mostly does the lessons on her own now and then does the workbook assignment that goes with them. She comes to me if she has a question or doesn't "get" something.

I do like the focus on word problems and the mental math. I'll admit that we don't do all of the mental math "extras". Sonlight sells this program in a kit of sorts. It comes with a teacher's guide (with answer keys), the Singapore text and workbooks, and the Key to... series. So far, we used some of the Key to Fractions and Key to Decimals. Dd10 said they were very helpful as review.


As for Standardized Testing...we also do that. In TX, I'm not required to do any testing, but I do it for ME. I've used the CAT5 (California Achievement Test) since dd 10 was in 1st or 2nd grade. I think the real value of the test is not seeing the numbers at the end, but actually seeing for myself which questions my girls have trouble with. Sometimes a low score can just mean we haven't covered that. For instance, in Miquon Math, they were introduced very early to multiplication, division, fractions, etc., but the subtraction that much of the test was geared toward at a certain level was in just around the corner for us. I didn't panic because I knew we would soon be getting to it. I reassured dd that it was ok that she didn't know all of the stuff on the test, that she knew tons more than they were testing her on. The same goes with social studies. We started with World History, whereas most schools begin with American History. My girls didn't know some of the things that the test was based on because of that. Again...no worries, because we were doing great with our World History and knew that Amer. Hist. was right around the corner.

I get my materials through Thurbers.net. I sign up for a specific week of testing (I do the same week every year). They send the materials, I administer the test, and then send everything back to them. They send the results several weeks later. This has worked well for me and I recommend doing the testing yourself for the best benefit.

Yikes, this is too long!! Sorry about that!!

Lora I think I remember doing those test in the Private school I attended.

 

[2 princes 1 princess]

I'm not new to the Dis, however I'm new to this homeschool thread. I wish this topic can have it's own message board. I have so many questions about homeschooling and I don't have time to read all 63 pages of this thread.
Please give us a homeschool board!! Please! Please! Please!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I keep checking to see if we have been given our own subforum yet. Guess not. I agree with the poster above that it is just to hard to go through all these pages!

I actually was having "one of those days" 2 weeks ago and had quite seriously decided that we were done homeschooling and I would send my kids back to PS next year. Then I remembered that we have 2 trips to WDW already planned and they would miss over the allowed number of days with just those 2 trips alone! DH also managed to calm me down and things are back to normal now !!!

The Disney/Homeschooling connection is definitely strong and needs to be recognized!

 

[disneymom3]

For those wanting a subforum, make sure you have emailed the moderators of THIS board to tell them of your interest. I agree we will get more posting without having to rely on this one thread, but they need to hear from more than just three or four of us.

Also, feel free to start new threads with specific questions, just put OT Homeschooling as part of your title. For instance, Tara's question about testing would have been an awesome thread on it's own.

 

[katelynsmommy2001]

WOW!! How did I miss this thread??

We are wrapping up our first year of homeschooling!! My DD is 5 & was in PS preschool. She has Spina Bifida but was main stream because she is smart as a tack!! After almost 2 years of empty promises from the district, we decided to homeschool. She is finishing kindergarten and is reading at a 1st grade level!! I am happy with our progress!!

We are using Lifepac math(love It),Sing Spell Read Write (LOVE IT),Christian Liberty Press for Bible (not happy with) science (just ok) and history (not happy with) and hand writing without tears (love it).

What did you use for 1st grade? We are leaning toward Lifepac for everything! Any experience with Lifepac?
Thanks in advance for the info!! I am sooo glad to find you all!!

 

[gottagodisney]

Add me to the list.

We (son and daughter) just finished up our first year of homeschooling. We are on track to continue next fall (with a short break to WDW of course)! Here's hoping we make a new forum.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

For those wanting a subforum, make sure you have emailed the moderators of THIS board to tell them of your interest. I agree we will get more posting without having to rely on this one thread, but they need to hear from more than just three or four of us.

Also, feel free to start new threads with specific questions, just put OT Homeschooling as part of your title. For instance, Tara's question about testing would have been an awesome thread on it's own.

Oh man Julie, you know you are so right!!! I should have started a seperate thread and asked, but I wasn't thinking about it. For awhile it seemed that the family board was filled with lots of homeschooling questions. Then I think everyone started to get a little upset, which should have led to not only us asking for a seperate board but also the people who were sick of our threads, but it didn't. Then we kind of went back to all posting on this thread. I have emailed the mods and I'm still hopeful. Now I'll have to think of another good question that calls for tons of discussion. That shouldn't be too hard for me, after all, I was homeschooled for awhile too.

 

[pinkminnie]

We are a homeschooling family too! I have two boys (12 & 10) and we are using Calvert curriculum. We love homeschooling and would love a board devoted to homeschoolers. Great idea!

 

[ohioMickey]

I think it is a great idea!

You could count me in as a regular reader.

 

[learnhome]

HELLO! For my first year of homeschooling, I used lifepacs for my oldest son! He really loved it, and so did I! But, as the years go on - and when you are homeschooling three children at different levels, for me - I had to change it up a bit!! But, I still recommend lifepac!! I lean towards relaxed homeschooling style, so lifepac is more than what we wish to do as far as bookwork in our family! We are much more hands on rather than book work!!

Chris

 

[disnutt]

I've been lurking on this thread for a couple of weeks. I'll find out by the end of the month if my husband will be getting a new job in PA which would allow me to quit my job and homeschool my 10 yo and 5 yo DD's and be home with my 3 yo DS until I start homeschooling him.

Send me some pixie dust please because this is something we would love to be able to do. I hope I'm posting with more questions soon.

Thanks!
Kiena

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

I've been lurking on this thread for a couple of weeks. I'll find out by the end of the month if my husband will be getting a new job in PA which would allow me to quit my job and homeschool my 10 yo and 5 yo DD's and be home with my 3 yo DS until I start homeschooling him.

Send me some pixie dust please because this is something we would love to be able to do. I hope I'm posting with more questions soon.

Thanks!
Kiena

Kiena,
Here's some Pixie Dust for you .

 

[house_of_princesses]

I've been lurking on this thread for a couple of weeks. I'll find out by the end of the month if my husband will be getting a new job in PA which would allow me to quit my job and homeschool my 10 yo and 5 yo DD's and be home with my 3 yo DS until I start homeschooling him.

Send me some pixie dust please because this is something we would love to be able to do. I hope I'm posting with more questions soon.

Thanks!
Kiena

A little more can't hurt, can it??