*** Homeschool List ***

[disneyelaine]

Hi again, scratchmom, I have heard good things about some of the Autism Scholarship Provider schools in Columbus. I'm thinking Oakstone, Haugland, Step by Step, etc...But we are about 2 hrs west of there. I think we will do fine either homeschooling or utilizing tutors with the AS Program. It is just time consuming to find tutors, especially when I know my son best already and can teach him probably best. Time will tell. I'm glad to know the virtual school is working good for your son. Is there much hand writting involved with that. That is a one of my son's major issues.

Lora, nice to meet another SL core 3 person! Today was day 2! It really seems like a neat program. So far it is keeping his attention. I am doing all the reading right now mostly. I ask him to switch off and read a part here and there. We are not doing much handwritting though.

 

[disneymom3]

Dare you to start a thread...

.

No, I don't think I am that brave!

 

[disneymom3]

.
I spent about a 2 weeks trying to research cirriculum and realize I will just have to wing it for now and see how Sonlight goes. Then last night I found Switched on Schoolhouse & that sounded kinda neat. Then I found Beyond Five in a Row & did a hmmm over that! We are doing Horizon's Math, which came with sonlight. I'd love to hear anyone's opinions of any of those I mentioned!

Oh, don't we all just go through this time and time again!! I find this and that and the other and feel muself really start to lean toward one or another or ALL of them!! Of course, it doesn't help that I went ahead and did a big ol' packaged history curriculum this year and am sooo incredibly disappointed in it that it's almost painful. I keep looking thinking I will find the perfect thing but I just think I have to accept that what I really want is not out there. We are great for the basics, it's just history that is doing us in this year. (I had such high hopes too.)

I use Horizons math with DD, 5th grade and am quite happy with it. I started using Everyday Mathematics with her this year but it was just sooo different that neither of us could wrap our brains around it. We did Singapore for a few years but we are both really liking the blend that Horizons uses between new and already learned material in each lesson instead of just a whole chapter on multiplying 9s or whathaveyou.

Welcome to all the new faces! It's exciting to see so many homeschooler DIS members.

 

[fromscratchmom]

...I'm glad to know the virtual school is working good for your son. Is there much hand writting involved with that. That is a one of my son's major issues.

disneyelaine, I'm not really familiar with Haugland or Step by Step. I've met several different parents who have tried Oakstone and heard a lot of good and also a few pretty bad things. I guess you'll have a few with bad experiences just about anywhere. Of course, it is a mute point with it being 2 hours away for you.

The virtual school requires blessedly little handwriting. And luckily my son did OK learning to type while I was homeschooling him.

On a homeschooling note, my son also had horrible "pen and paper task issues" as one school psychologist called it. His handwriting was and occasionally still is (at age 15) atrocious. For years he really just wouldn't or couldn't write anything down for days or even weeks at a go, or so it seemed at times. The real turn around for him was the first year that I homeschooled him (pulled him out of PS in March of his 4th grade year and started right away and just kept going through the summer); I used Handwriting Without Tears materials with him. He did NOT want to do it. He thought it was for kindergartners. He hated writing anyway. There were a million reasons. But I just kept insisting that it was important that he try and that he could do it. I only made him work at it for one year. But 4-5 times a week for a whole year was enough to dramatically improve is handwriting to the point of it being completely legible to me and to others. We did not do more than a few minutes per session as per the recommendation of the OT who designed the program. I never made him do more than a couple of copies of any given letter or word. Ever since then he has continued to show gradual improvement. Now he generally recognizes when his handwriting is bad and has to be recopied for someone else to be able to read it, without me telling him. (Wow, that makes me happy!) And he'll usually even do it on his own without me having to force or coerce, several times even without me even having to suggest it. (Double wow!) I was ecstatic when it got to the point that he could consistently write down a single word answer that I could make out, all this time later I can't get over how far he has come.

 

[Danovara]

I have totally different advice than the PP. I think what your ILs are reacting to is the "differentness" of homeschooling.

Yes that is entirely possible. We were dealing with an extreme case and it was with drug abuse around our dc.

I do agree with the PP that you might need to cut back on the babysitting times if this is happening often.

Why ty

I wonder what would happen if I started saying to people, "You send your kids to public school? Really? Don't you worry about the bad habits they will pick up, the liberal agenda in the schools and that they are wasting a heck of a lot of time standing in line and waiting for all the kids to do what the teacher says?" What do you think guys? How would that go over?

omg I love this! if I were behind you in the grocery store I would be having a hard time not snickering!

 

[Danovara]

I read the groveling type of letter from the teacher in the one thread that reminds me one reason I am fortunate to be able to homeschool my children!

Oh no missed it. Could you post the link please? I would love to read it.

 

[luvdiz2]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1273306 advice from a teach about taking your kids out of school.

 

[fromscratchmom]

Wow. I wouldn't want to turn this into a forum for bashing public school teachers, but I really disliked that teacher's post; it was fine for what it was worth to parents who have students in her classroom. It was purely her opinions on what she would like and what would work for her personally. I know a few public school teachers and for just about every point she made against what parents usually do or what she dislikes for parents to do, I've heard a teacher speak up for that exact thing as the way to go. Resulting opinion: parents ought to work for what works for them rather than worrying about if the teacher will hate what they say or ask for. The teachers that they are working with are free to try to negotiate, if they disagree, but have very little basis for thinking that it is all about what works for them. It should be about the needs of the student, the parents and the teacher, not just the teacher.

I think that teacher's attitude and the overflowing gratitude that several posters showed to her for expressing it combine to do a really good job of illuminating one of the problems I've had with public school teachers in general. (This is mostly based on my experience as a parent. However, I've heard many examples from other moms and also from my own mother.)

Prefacing it with the fact that I acknowlege it as a generality and not a 100% thing, I'd have to say that many teachers have the same awful attitude that so many people complain about in doctors. They behave as if they are gods although it seems that teachers usually do so without any self awareness. Parents get to worrying constantly about how to deal with them. It is just as true for parents with teachers as it is for patients with their doctors that what is really needed is a good open relationship where the rights and needs and insights of the parent (or patient) are fully respected and fully understood.

I have friends that are teachers and are apparently among the very good ones. So, please believe that this is not a matter of me just having a thing against all teachers. But in general, I'd estimate that going into any given school year a child has, at best, 50-50 odds of getting a good teacher rather than a problem teacher. If teachers and administrators typically operated as they should with the goal of helping children to learn at the forefront and true understanding and respect for the parents' part in that backing it up, I would have never have become a homeschool mom.

Another thing I noticed, while reading through the first bit of that thread was that particular teacher and some of the people who responded do not truly understand how much learning there is in the life of a child and how many different ways that it happens. I can't quite understand why the OP and so many other teachers say they understand how enriching such experiences can be, but in the same breath proclaim against the very same possibility. They can barely bring themselves to acknowlege that there are a few educational opportunities at Disney.

I am so truly thankful for homeschooling and for the lessons we have learned through it about the nature of education, formal and informal; not to mention the fact that we, as a family, will be able to take full advantage not only of the flexibility we have as homeschoolers to go when we want without any negative consequenses but more importantly of our children's love of learning and receptiveness to all types of learning. We will get so much more out of our Disney vacation than just mickey heads and a few "educational" things that Disney has squeezed in on purpose. Kind of a shame to have to say that as the fun and magic of Disney are actually huge. But since in my family we can enjoy both aspects to their fullest and not have to see one side as being diminished by the other, I think we are far better off for it.

 

[luvdiz2]

My points exactly. I felt the post encourages the "god" like attitude people have for teachers. Grovelling and asking permission. After going through that myself for years, dreading telling them the kids would be out of school - I am all done with that!

Of course as their teacher, I can't quite get that kind of respect!

 

[sha_lyn]

I actually agree with the teacher. Being kind,showing appreciation and respect to a teacher is not groveling.

 

[disneymom3]

omg I love this! if I were behind you in the grocery store I would be having a hard time not snickering!

I am just waiting for the next time someone is insulting about it. The last I had was the lady at the park who after complimenting my son repeatedly for what a nice friendly boy he was asked me if I wasn't worried about socialization. She wasn't really rude--just clueless.

For that whole socialization thing I think society just tries to condition people to believe that the only way to "socialize" a child is by sending them off to school. It is clear from the lady at the park as well as plenty of others that it really isn't even a thought out response. It is just an automatic assumption. Sad, really. I think my own sisters were finally able to get it a little bit when DD and I spent a week with them this last Feb. Gee, she is not a freak, incredibly shy, has no social skills etc......

I have friends that are teachers and are apparently among the very good ones. So, please believe that this is not a matter of me just having a thing against all teachers. But in general, I'd estimate that going into any given school year a child has, at best, 50-50 odds of getting a good teacher rather than a problem teacher. If teachers and administrators typically operated as they should with the goal of helping children to learn at the forefront and true understanding and respect for the parents' part in that backing it up, I would have never have become a homeschool mom.

Another thing I noticed, while reading through the first bit of that thread was that particular teacher and some of the people who responded do not truly understand how much learning there is in the life of a child and how many different ways that it happens. I can't quite understand why the OP and so many other teachers say they understand how enriching such experiences can be, but in the same breath proclaim against the very same possibility. They can barely bring themselves to acknowlege that there are a few educational opportunities at Disney.

I am so truly thankful for homeschooling and for the lessons we have learned through it about the nature of education, formal and informal; not to mention the fact that we, as a family, will be able to take full advantage not only of the flexibility we have as homeschoolers to go when we want without any negative consequenses but more importantly of our children's love of learning and receptiveness to all types of learning. We will get so much more out of our Disney vacation than just mickey heads and a few "educational" things that Disney has squeezed in on purpose. Kind of a shame to have to say that as the fun and magic of Disney are actually huge. But since in my family we can enjoy both aspects to their fullest and not have to see one side as being diminished by the other, I think we are far better off for it.

This is a great post! For the bolded points, I soooo agree. The idea that "well some teachers are not very good and we just have to get through this year" simply appalls me. This is an entire YEAR of your child's life. And yet they want you to believe that going to WDW is going to seriously impact your child's education. AND people think we cannot do educational justice to our kids by teaching them at home. I can guarantee you that I feel more strongly about how well my kids learn a concept than any teacher on the planet.

As for the lifestyle of learning...I just can't put into words how amazed I am by what kids can learn when they are not "learning." This fall we went on a family trip to Yellowstone and in addition to seeing how wildfire 20 years ago effects the ecology of a place, seeing in person how big a caldera really is and being awed by eruptions and deep pools and waterfalls my four year old also learned what verbs, nouns and adjectives are. How you ask? By listening to his older brother and sister play Mad Libs in the back seat. By day 7 of this vacation you could ask him for any of those and he would give you the right part of speech. It compares to DD exclaiming as we rode into Epcot on the monorail, "Mom!! Spaceship Earth is a giant tessalation!" Seeing something in real life that she had been studying was such an awesome experience. It really brought it home for her. (BTW we also discovered that week that the walk between the TTA and the Poly is also a tessalation!)

 

[disneygal33]

Originally Posted by disneymom3
I wonder what would happen if I started saying to people, "You send your kids to public school? Really? Don't you worry about the bad habits they will pick up, the liberal agenda in the schools and that they are wasting a heck of a lot of time standing in line and waiting for all the kids to do what the teacher says?" What do you think guys? How would that go over?

I may have to try this

 

[fromscratchmom]

"Mom!! Spaceship Earth is a giant tessalation!"

Good for her! Don't ya' just love those moments?

 

[fromscratchmom]

...Of course as their teacher, I can't quite get that kind of respect!

 

[happypooh]

Subscribing as we are deciding to homeschool! Real excited about it even though our son is only 22 months old right now (with one on the way..may be downs syndrome but that's another story..) Now just have to read through these 88 pages! Would love any recommendations for toddler/preschool age kids.

 

[fromscratchmom]

...Would love any recommendations for toddler/preschool age kids.

When I first read your request for recommendations, my first thought was that now is the time to strengthen your bond with him and your relationship with him. Let him be with you. When it is easier and faster to pick up a wash cloth that you dropped, instead let him be a helper. When you are tempted to turn on a video for him in order to get more done, instead muddle through and keep on with every little bit of nurturing and also every teachable moment that comes along. Hopefully he'll learn to play near you and give you plenty of peaceful moments too. But the more that he is a part of your day, aware of what you do, and able to "help" and ask questions, the more that he'll be bright and inquisitive and capable as a student and as a person. Many toddlers and preschoolers are just not ready for any type of formal program. And many of the ones that seem to benefit from such formal preschool programs later hit a wall and end up with some negative effects from it. But since you are already in a homeschooling mindset you will most likely be able to teach him tons of stuff in your one on one interaction with him. The type of interaction that you'll be strengthening everyday is the perfect thing for the type of learning that will do him the most good in these early years. Whether you think of academics or personal money management or chores or any other area that parents want their children to eventually learn all of it can have a marvelous basis right now through the wonders of just being with "Mom" everyday, (as long as Mom is also taking care of herself and not so stressed out as to cause undo fussing and snarling.) If you find yourself overwhelmed or stressed out find a way to take care of that. I'm sure we have all had plenty of times that we really needed a break or some help of some kind.

And surprisingly I do have a curriculum recommendation, although it is not for something to do this year. I'm a big believer in the age old advise to read, read, read to your children. And one curriculum that expands on the benefits of that, even at the preschool level is Five In a Row.(http://www.fiveinarow.com/) Depending on your child you could start pretty early with their book, Before Five In a Row. And if you are the type who likes to own books, you could start now collecting books recommended in that one or even books recommended in their other materials. Even if you did not end up utilizing all (or very many) in the "five in a row way" they are great books to have around when you read to your children!

 

[fromscratchmom]

For anyone dealing with relatives who disagree with your decision to homeschool, I couldn't help thinking of y'all when I read the email that I got from HSLDA today. I won't copy it here, but I'll give you a link to where it is on their website. That way who ever is interested can check it out.

http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/71/hshb7110.asp

This is a program that they send me daily. It is always about the same length and there is always a theme that runs through a week's worth of programs. So if you appreciate what you see on the link you can page back and read Mon and Tues. and you can go look again tomorrow for more. (There is a spot to click that says "previous program" for you to page back to yesterday and the day before.)

 

[nyprincess]

I know it may be a bit early for this, but I would LOVE to homeschool my kids. My oldest son is only a year old and his brother isn't even born yet. Can anyone give me the pros and cons of homeschooling? Also, what about Virtual Schooling? Anyone have any info on that, such as if its available in Florida?

 

[lostmom]

Although dh won't let me homeschool I am starting to supplement his work!

 

[Ellester]

I know it may be a bit early for this, but I would LOVE to homeschool my kids. My oldest son is only a year old and his brother isn't even born yet. Can anyone give me the pros and cons of homeschooling? Also, what about Virtual Schooling? Anyone have any info on that, such as if its available in Florida?

I don't know how many "cons" you'll get from this group! We're pretty much in agreement that, for us, it's the best thing going. But, to be fair, the first downside that comes to mind is that I don't get much "alone" time. I am almost always with my kids. Trips to the grocery store, Target, post office, etc. take longer because I have my three tagging along. Of course, each trip is a learning opportunity! My house is always a mess, a byproduct of being home so much. If my two oldest were in public school for 7 hours a day and my littlest in preschool 8-10 hours a week, I know I could bang out some housework. But, I'll take wading through the toys/books/laundry any day over not seeing my girls for 35+ hours a week. The pros are too many to list. I personally feel God has led us to homeschool and since we started we haven't looked back.

I don't have any info on virtual schools. I'd recommend googling for Florida's homeschool support groups or home education association and go from there. Oh, and congratulations on your upcoming arrival! Two boys are sure to keep you hopping!