*** Homeschool List ***

[Leader of the Club]

UNSCHOOLERS WINTER WATERPARK GATHERING: Jan. 21 - 25, 2008.


There are just 2 weeks left to register for the Unschoolers Winter Waterpark
Gathering!!!

All reservations must be made by Sat., Dec. 22, to obtain our super discounted
group rates!

Join Unschoolers from around the country and Canada, for a fun week among
other unschoolers / life learners at the Sandusky,Ohio Kalahari Waterpark
Resort, They're giving us super discounted rates on rooms, that also includes
waterpark passes to the largest indoor waterpark in the country!

We also have lots of fun activities and events planned throughout the week,
including funshops, unschooling discussions, talent show, dance, social
activities, and more. So, our families will have an additional way to connect
with other unschoolers. Plus, the Kalahari has an activities coordinator who
will work with us to organize additional activities, from crafts to movies. So,
they’ll be plenty to do, throughout the week for the kids, parents and
grandparents!

The Kalahari Resort has reserved a large block of rooms at super discounted
rates for our UWWG gathering.

All reservations must be made by Dec. 22, to obtain our special discounted
group rates!

For further details and information on how to register for this awesome
gathering, join our yahoo group today at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/

Hope to see you in January!

Carol Reinhard
UWWG Coordinator

 

[disneymom3]

Thanks Dawn and Earthfairies for the further info about these tickets. I am just trying to figure all of this out for sure. I realized after I was all comfortable with my decision to wait for the fall that next year DD is going to be going to a brick and mortar school. Yikes. So, this might be my last year of traveling whenever I feel like. You know, I think that is what i am going to miss the most!! I am very excited for her as this school is a model for gifted schools around the country and it seems like a perfect fit for her.

But for mom who LOVES the homeschooling lifestyle, this is gonna hurt!!

 

[earthfaries]

I'm sorry, I must have missed this discussion as I was trying to wade through the 146 pages. Are these discounted tickets? We are going during that time frame and would love to get a good discount on tickets.

It is an incredible deal!!! It is only $117.00 a person for the 5 day basic ticket to the parks. You can pay a little more and get hoppers and water park also.

I got my tickets 2 days ago and they are good for 3 weeks, Jan. 7-28th

Oh my goodness!

I just ordered our homeschool tickets! I ordered 5 day hoppers with 4 additional passes to the waterpark (Typhoon Lagoon is open) and DisneyQuest.

The kids have always wanted to try the water parks and DisneyQuest and this is their chance to do it for a good price.

I called reservations and asked some specific questions:

RE: The DQ and Waterparks, you bascially get 4 vouchers to use at either the waterpark or DisneyQuest, SO, each time you go to one, you use a voucher.

This works for us because we will not be there 9 total days, so one day we can do the waterparks in the day and DQ in the evening if we want.

Also, I asked about them being non-changeable and non-refundable. He said that Disney is very understanding about things like deaths in the family, etc...and would probably at least offer to let you use the tickets at another date, but would probably not fully refund them.

Just thought some of you might like to know!

Dawn

Yeah!!! How exciting! That's good to know about possibly being able to change them!

UNSCHOOLERS WINTER WATERPARK GATHERING: Jan. 21 - 25, 2008.


There are just 2 weeks left to register for the Unschoolers Winter Waterpark
Gathering!!!

All reservations must be made by Sat., Dec. 22, to obtain our super discounted
group rates!

Join Unschoolers from around the country and Canada, for a fun week among
other unschoolers / life learners at the Sandusky,Ohio Kalahari Waterpark
Resort, They're giving us super discounted rates on rooms, that also includes
waterpark passes to the largest indoor waterpark in the country!

We also have lots of fun activities and events planned throughout the week,
including funshops, unschooling discussions, talent show, dance, social
activities, and more. So, our families will have an additional way to connect
with other unschoolers. Plus, the Kalahari has an activities coordinator who
will work with us to organize additional activities, from crafts to movies. So,
they’ll be plenty to do, throughout the week for the kids, parents and
grandparents!

The Kalahari Resort has reserved a large block of rooms at super discounted
rates for our UWWG gathering.

All reservations must be made by Dec. 22, to obtain our special discounted
group rates!

For further details and information on how to register for this awesome
gathering, join our yahoo group today at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/

Hope to see you in January!

Carol Reinhard
UWWG Coordinator

I've read about that. It sounds super fun! Do you live near there? Are you going?

 

[earthfaries]

Thanks Dawn and Earthfairies for the further info about these tickets. I am just trying to figure all of this out for sure. I realized after I was all comfortable with my decision to wait for the fall that next year DD is going to be going to a brick and mortar school. Yikes. So, this might be my last year of traveling whenever I feel like. You know, I think that is what i am going to miss the most!! I am very excited for her as this school is a model for gifted schools around the country and it seems like a perfect fit for her.

But for mom who LOVES the homeschooling lifestyle, this is gonna hurt!!

That will be hard Just enjoy this year and travel as much as you can! Are you rethinking Homeschool Days?

 

[DawnM]

I don't know what your situation is, and maybe this is best for your dd, we tried school this year and I pulled them out by Thanksgiving! So, you just never know! One of mine wanted to stay at school and one wanted to come home and I just couldn't fathom having to work my homeschooling around the one child in school. We would miss all the fun afternoon stuff.....but when I finally told the one who wanted to stay what he would miss out he opted to come home again!,

Dawn

Thanks Dawn and Earthfairies for the further info about these tickets. I am just trying to figure all of this out for sure. I realized after I was all comfortable with my decision to wait for the fall that next year DD is going to be going to a brick and mortar school. Yikes. So, this might be my last year of traveling whenever I feel like. You know, I think that is what i am going to miss the most!! I am very excited for her as this school is a model for gifted schools around the country and it seems like a perfect fit for her.

But for mom who LOVES the homeschooling lifestyle, this is gonna hurt!!

 

[disneymom3]

That will be hard Just enjoy this year and travel as much as you can! Are you rethinking Homeschool Days?

Yes, I am rethinking it because I am not sure how well it will work to pull her out next fall. She will be in 7th grade.

Dawn, we actually tried a traditionally school when DD was in 4th grade but my boys were only a preschooler and and a K'er at the time so they were still at home. We didn't last very long--only a couple of weeks actually! It served it's purpose at the time though which I believe was to reaffirm for us that homeschooling was the best path. This school is WAY different from the mainstream though. It basically looks like homeschooling in a classroom. There are no grade based standards or expectations. It is all about the individual child. There are only a total of 25 kids with two teachers who both have Master's degrees in educating gifted kids and the age range of the kids is from 9 to 17. A friend of mine has a son who goes there. He is in 4th grade and this last grading period has earned half a highschool credit (figuring one class counts as a whole credit) in Latin. How cool is that!?

I think it will be the perfect fit for DD. When I visited it just spoke to me as basically what I would like to do with DD if I had the resources and experience to do it all. The kids study the same topics but all at a rate and in a way that works best for them. Then the teachers take that work and tease out whatever points and learning outcomes that will fulfill all the credit requirements they will need.

I will let you all know how it goes. And you'll have to hold my hand as I cry about not being able to jet off at a moment's notice. The good news is that my friend is always complaining about how many days her son has off of school. In my world that is a VERY good thing! For instance, they don't have school every other Thursday. I like that idea.

 

[DawnM]

Ah, well, that sounds like a great school. I will admit that in CA we had lots of options, even some part time schools, which we did for a while. In NC they seem to be very into traditional everything and anything inovative or "different" is frowned upon.

But I have 2 MAs in different fields of education and I only have 3 students, so for now, this is what we will do!!!! If something great presents itself down the road or if we move, we will rethink and decide then.

Best of luck to you,

Dawn

Yes, I am rethinking it because I am not sure how well it will work to pull her out next fall. She will be in 7th grade.

Dawn, we actually tried a traditionally school when DD was in 4th grade but my boys were only a preschooler and and a K'er at the time so they were still at home. We didn't last very long--only a couple of weeks actually! It served it's purpose at the time though which I believe was to reaffirm for us that homeschooling was the best path. This school is WAY different from the mainstream though. It basically looks like homeschooling in a classroom. There are no grade based standards or expectations. It is all about the individual child. There are only a total of 25 kids with two teachers who both have Master's degrees in educating gifted kids and the age range of the kids is from 9 to 17. A friend of mine has a son who goes there. He is in 4th grade and this last grading period has earned half a highschool credit (figuring one class counts as a whole credit) in Latin. How cool is that!?

I think it will be the perfect fit for DD. When I visited it just spoke to me as basically what I would like to do with DD if I had the resources and experience to do it all. The kids study the same topics but all at a rate and in a way that works best for them. Then the teachers take that work and tease out whatever points and learning outcomes that will fulfill all the credit requirements they will need.

I will let you all know how it goes. And you'll have to hold my hand as I cry about not being able to jet off at a moment's notice. The good news is that my friend is always complaining about how many days her son has off of school. In my world that is a VERY good thing! For instance, they don't have school every other Thursday. I like that idea.

 

[Leader of the Club]

I've read about that. It sounds super fun! Do you live near there? Are you going?

Yes, I am taking the kids. I live about 4 hours from there. The kids are so excited. We got a one bedroom suite with a kitchen!

 

[sk!mom]

Ah, well, that sounds like a great school. I will admit that in CA we had lots of options, even some part time schools, which we did for a while. In NC they seem to be very into traditional everything and anything inovative or "different" is frowned upon.

But I have 2 MAs in different fields of education and I only have 3 students, so for now, this is what we will do!!!! If something great presents itself down the road or if we move, we will rethink and decide then.

Best of luck to you,

Dawn

Dawn, I remember your posts over the summer about going back to work and traditional school. Were you able to leave your job without penalty?

I ask because I find myself considering HS more and more. DD went to a great, small elementary school that fit her perfectly but middle school is different. DD likes it and is happy but I wonder if it's right for her. I teach at the elementary that DD went to and I find myself wondering how they would react to a mid-year resignation.

At this point, I'm talking to and seeking input from my many HS friends.

 

[DawnM]

Yes I was able to leave without any penalty. I had to do it the right way and give SIX WEEKS' notice! I thought that was a LONG time to have to give notice, but I wanted to make sure I didn't leave without doing it all the right way so I would leave on the best terms possible. The district resignation letter you have to sign asks for a reason and I chose not to say job disatisfaction, even though the job was HORRIBLE! I used my son's health as my reason. He does need surgery in Dec., but I could have worked around it if I really needed or wanted to.

My oldest really struggled with regular school and begged from day 1 to come home. It broke my heart.

I have almost 17 years of teaching experience so I am not worried about not being able to get a job if and when I ever choose to go back. I am making sure to keep up my credentials in CA also and to not let them lapse. Most states have full reciprocity with CA so it makes it nice.

Dawn

Dawn, I remember your posts over the summer about going back to work and traditional school. Were you able to leave your job without penalty?

I ask because I find myself considering HS more and more. DD went to a great, small elementary school that fit her perfectly but middle school is different. DD likes it and is happy but I wonder if it's right for her. I teach at the elementary that DD went to and I find myself wondering how they would react to a mid-year resignation.

At this point, I'm talking to and seeking input from my many HS friends.

 

[earthfaries]

Yes, I am taking the kids. I live about 4 hours from there. The kids are so excited. We got a one bedroom suite with a kitchen!

How much did it cost you for the whole thing? It sounds great. Do they do it every year?

 

[wvdislover]

I don't know if this is the right place for me to be. I have a DD10 who is ADHD, has sensory integration dysfunction, and has autistic tendencies (we're thinking probably Asperger's--it fits well). Anyways, she has been in public school till now (5th grade). 3rd grade was really rough (mainly b/c of the teacher), but last year was really a year of redemption for her. 5th grade has been a whole new ballgame, though. She has a good teacher, and is receiving special ed. services, as well as OT services; however, she is really having a lot of problems socially. Most of the kids in her class won't have anything to do with her, as she's the "weird kid." They are all realizing now that she is different than they are, and aren't really giving her a chance. And then it gets worse. Earlier this year, she decided she wanted to be friends with one particular girl in her class. Unfortunately, this girl didn't want to be friends with my DD and told her so. My daughter then threatened this little girl (threatening to cut her throat with scissors, then telling her another day that she was going to bring an axe to school and chop her into little pieces We're not really sure where she came up with such an idea! Anyways, now that girl's parents, as well as at least one other student's parents, have told their children that they are not allowed to speak to my DD. We also have to have her backpack checked daily to make sure she hasn't brought any weapons to school. At this point, I don't think she would really act out on her threats.
Anyways, we're considering homeschooling her next semester. I really like her teachers, and feel guilty pulling her out, like I don't believe in them (I know, I should care more about what's happening to my DD, and I do. It's just that she's been at that school since she was 3, in a special needs preschool, and it feels strange to think about not keeping her there, almost like I owe the school or something). On the other hand, do we send her to school where she has no friends and people may be making fun of her when the teachers aren't around to see or hear it? If I bring her home, I'll probably lose her special ed help and her OT (who has worked with my DD since she was 3), neither of which we can really afford. I'm not really sure how well I can homeschool her, since we can't usually get through homework without arguing. Maybe it will be better homeschooling, though, since I won't be trying to work with her after she's already been pushed for 6 1/2 hours already. I could really use some advice, especially from those of you homeschooling special needs kids. Thanks in advance! Sorry so long!
Missy

 

[DawnM]

My son sounds somewhat similar. He is ADHD and "different." He has such wonderful qualities that many times are completely overlooked because of his bahavior. He had a big blowout just yesterday at a church party, but that is for another time.

Anyway, after a lot of tears last night, DH and I realized that WE are his safe house. We are his parents and he was given to us to care for, protect and nurture to the best of our abilities......for us, that means homeschooling first and formost and will probably include never just "dropping" him off at a party again without one of us staying with him.

The three few/short months we put him in ps this year were somewhat disaterous. By the end I knew I was throwing him to the wolves on a daily basis. It was 7.5 hours per day of sheer torture for him. I wouldn't even suffer that as an adult, and yet I was expecting my child to suffer through it.

Homeschooling is the BEST solution for us. We can see what his strengths are and capitalize on them. We can help him through his weaknesses in a gentle and loving way. When I look at the way kids these days treat one another it makes me sick! It is so not real adult life. I don't have anyone in my life acting so mean and vicious. School is truly an artificial environment that works great for many kids, but is a hell-hole for others.

Ok, sorry, I got a little emotional about this as it hits close to home. But I also have been a school counselor for years and have seen kids just really miserable and it is painful to watch, esp. when you really can't do anything about it. But the good news is that many of us CAN do something about it for our own children.

Dawn

I don't know if this is the right place for me to be. I have a DD10 who is ADHD, has sensory integration dysfunction, and has autistic tendencies (we're thinking probably Asperger's--it fits well). Anyways, she has been in public school till now (5th grade). 3rd grade was really rough (mainly b/c of the teacher), but last year was really a year of redemption for her. 5th grade has been a whole new ballgame, though. She has a good teacher, and is receiving special ed. services, as well as OT services; however, she is really having a lot of problems socially. Most of the kids in her class won't have anything to do with her, as she's the "weird kid." They are all realizing now that she is different than they are, and aren't really giving her a chance. And then it gets worse. Earlier this year, she decided she wanted to be friends with one particular girl in her class. Unfortunately, this girl didn't want to be friends with my DD and told her so. My daughter then threatened this little girl (threatening to cut her throat with scissors, then telling her another day that she was going to bring an axe to school and chop her into little pieces We're not really sure where she came up with such an idea! Anyways, now that girl's parents, as well as at least one other student's parents, have told their children that they are not allowed to speak to my DD. We also have to have her backpack checked daily to make sure she hasn't brought any weapons to school. At this point, I don't think she would really act out on her threats.
Anyways, we're considering homeschooling her next semester. I really like her teachers, and feel guilty pulling her out, like I don't believe in them (I know, I should care more about what's happening to my DD, and I do. It's just that she's been at that school since she was 3, in a special needs preschool, and it feels strange to think about not keeping her there, almost like I owe the school or something). On the other hand, do we send her to school where she has no friends and people may be making fun of her when the teachers aren't around to see or hear it? If I bring her home, I'll probably lose her special ed help and her OT (who has worked with my DD since she was 3), neither of which we can really afford. I'm not really sure how well I can homeschool her, since we can't usually get through homework without arguing. Maybe it will be better homeschooling, though, since I won't be trying to work with her after she's already been pushed for 6 1/2 hours already. I could really use some advice, especially from those of you homeschooling special needs kids. Thanks in advance! Sorry so long!
Missy

 

[lori1043]

I don't know if this is the right place for me to be. I have a DD10 who is ADHD, has sensory integration dysfunction, and has autistic tendencies (we're thinking probably Asperger's--it fits well). Anyways, she has been in public school till now (5th grade). 3rd grade was really rough (mainly b/c of the teacher), but last year was really a year of redemption for her. 5th grade has been a whole new ballgame, though. She has a good teacher, and is receiving special ed. services, as well as OT services; however, she is really having a lot of problems socially. Most of the kids in her class won't have anything to do with her, as she's the "weird kid." They are all realizing now that she is different than they are, and aren't really giving her a chance. And then it gets worse. Earlier this year, she decided she wanted to be friends with one particular in her class. Unfortunately, this didn't want to be friends with my DD and told her so. My daughter then threatened this little (threatening to cut her throat with scissors, then telling her another day that she was going to bring an axe to school and chop her into little pieces We're not really sure where she came up with such an idea! Anyways, now that 's parents, as well as at least one other student's parents, have told their children that they are not allowed to speak to my DD. We also have to have her backpack checked daily to make sure she hasn't brought any weapons to school. At this point, I don't think she would really act out on her threats.
Anyways, we're considering homeschooling her next semester. I really like her teachers, and feel guilty pulling her out, like I don't believe in them (I know, I should care more about what's happening to my DD, and I do. It's just that she's been at that school since she was 3, in a special needs preschool, and it feels strange to think about not keeping her there, almost like I owe the school or something). On the other hand, do we send her to school where she has no friends and people may be making fun of her when the teachers aren't around to see or hear it? If I bring her home, I'll probably lose her special ed help and her OT (who has worked with my DD since she was 3), neither of which we can really afford. I'm not really sure how well I can homeschool her, since we can't usually get through homework without arguing. Maybe it will be better homeschooling, though, since I won't be trying to work with her after she's already been pushed for 6 1/2 hours already. I could really use some advice, especially from those of you homeschooling special needs kids. Thanks in advance! Sorry so long!
Missy

My heart goes out to you. It reminded me of my cousins son-who fits what you are dealing with very closely. They have tested him for everything and also shows autistic tendencies but not autistic. he can get mean also but usually a meek and mild , very curious and SMART kid. He is also very loving. He is almosy deaf in one ear(has an aid) and has expressive/?? disorder-he cannot express his feelings correctly nor does he understand what you are telling him-like a processing thing, not due to his hearing problems but made worse by the deafness.
My cousin decided to homeschool him but he does have OT and other therapies given by the public system/private therapists.
It has been very rough for her but she knows homeschooling is right for them. She had him in public school-special ed, but most of the special ed kids were physically disabled and he really didn't fit in-plus, his preschool teacher told my cousin that she's seen kids like him go through the public school system and get beat up physically and emotionally, so if HS'ing was an option, she'd do it.
He is very regimented, has to do certain things at certain times and does it WELL. He loves school and is accelerating fast. I personally think there is a genius under there. He is amazing, yet hard to deal with. If things are out of order, he acts up, temper tantrums and anger from what I understand. I wish I could put you in touch with her. If you feel you need it, PM me and I will ask her if she is willing to talk to you by email or phone. She is a nurse, now HS/SAHM. She knows a lot after dealing with it with her son as far as HS'ing. he is a lot younger than your DD. He is 5, almost 6.

Prayers to you-Lori

 

[crl]

Thanks so much for the link to the Homeschool Days. Those are great prices and I'd love to see the self guided materials for DD to use.

 

[SeeDisney]

This is going through my homeschooling network --- it's hilarious!!!!



Click here: Homeschool2
http://www.doublesharpevideo.com/HomeSchool2/Homeschool2.html

 

[wvdislover]

My heart goes out to you. It reminded me of my cousins son-who fits what you are dealing with very closely. They have tested him for everything and also shows autistic tendencies but not autistic. he can get mean also but usually a meek and mild , very curious and SMART kid. He is also very loving. He is almosy deaf in one ear(has an aid) and has expressive/?? disorder-he cannot express his feelings correctly nor does he understand what you are telling him-like a processing thing, not due to his hearing problems but made worse by the deafness.
My cousin decided to homeschool him but he does have OT and other therapies given by the public system/private therapists.
It has been very rough for her but she knows homeschooling is right for them. She had him in public school-special ed, but most of the special ed kids were physically disabled and he really didn't fit in-plus, his preschool teacher told my cousin that she's seen kids like him go through the public school system and get beat up physically and emotionally, so if HS'ing was an option, she'd do it.
He is very regimented, has to do certain things at certain times and does it WELL. He loves school and is accelerating fast. I personally think there is a genius under there. He is amazing, yet hard to deal with. If things are out of order, he acts up, temper tantrums and anger from what I understand. I wish I could put you in touch with her. If you feel you need it, PM me and I will ask her if she is willing to talk to you by email or phone. She is a nurse, now HS/SAHM. She knows a lot after dealing with it with her son as far as HS'ing. he is a lot younger than your DD. He is 5, almost 6.

Prayers to you-Lori

Hi Lori--Thanks for your reply. We've added a new med and some therapy to our "regimen" recently. As of right now, things are going ok. We're still contemplating the homeschooling thing, but have decided to put a hold on it, per doctors' advice. At this point, we need to help my DD10 be a little more assertive (in a positive way) and not let the other kids get to her. Her psychologist told her to try counting to 10, while breathing deeply when someone says something offensive to her, rather than responding immediately. She tried it the other day, and it seemed to work. We'll see. We're trying to teach her to deal with the world and don't want her to think she can just "run away" when life gets tough, which she really has a strong tendency to do. I'll let you know if I need to talk to your sister. Thanks again!
Missy

 

[Praise2Him]

That is so cute! Thanks for posting it.

This is going through my homeschooling network --- it's hilarious!!!!

Click here: Homeschool2
http://www.doublesharpevideo.com/HomeSchool2/Homeschool2.html

 

[earthfaries]

This is going through my homeschooling network --- it's hilarious!!!!



Click here: Homeschool2
http://www.doublesharpevideo.com/HomeSchool2/Homeschool2.html

That's funny. How many kids are there? I tried counting but couldn't count them all!!!

 

[crl]

Very cute video. It was a god start for a Monday morning!