*** Homeschool List ***

[sha_lyn]

We are still here...just trying to get back into the routine.

GA started virtual public schools this yr (using K12). So far what I have heard is pretty bad. The work load is impossible to complete and you have to document 20 hr a month of organized physical activity. It can not be at home. Must be through an organized sport, a park & rec or home-school group PE class etc. Even when DD played a HS league sport 1x a week and attended martial arts 3x a week, we wouldn't have met that.
My friend who's DD is a competitive gymnast barely would get that time in a month.
So far everyone I know that enrolled in the virtual PS pulled out once they got the paperwork and saw how intense it is.

 

[disneymom3]

sha_lyn, that is one thing that holds me back. I have a feeling it would be too much work to learn the concepts. Well, I should say way more than DD needs. That afterall is the reason she is homeschooled.

 

[NHWX]

We're using K12 now with their OLS option - basically homeschoolers who just pay for the classes. I know we couldn't do all the work that they assign and many times I just skip stuff. OTOH, I believe that it's set up so that they're giving you ideas as to what to do, and it's your reposibility as a parent to pick and choose.

I like it because of the organization, the information that I just don't know (intransitive verbs anyone?), and the fact that it seems pretty well rounded. I know that my ds14 did their 8th grade language arts course and many of the books that he read last year were on the high school's freshman honors English course list.

The science labs are pretty mixed in my mind.

At any rate, it's better than dazed mom schooling!

NHWX

 

[bebelle]

Anyone have ideas on how to teach study skills to my 8th grader? Learning has always been very easy for him. Now that we are getting into some of the high school curriculum, he is finding he has to sit down and actually study.

Also does anyone in PA use PAVCS? I just wanted to get some insight. We currently use a mix of A Beka, Apologia, Positive Action for Christ, Winston Grammar, IEW and several other things.

And is anyone from PA going to CHAPS in May?

 

[sha_lyn]

NHWX..... I keep hearing the same thing from those who have used K12 without a VPS. Manyhave continued to purchase it instead of going the VPS route.They skip a lot because K12 approaches from a few different learning styles and include repetition for those who need it. However the brick and mortar charter here in GA over-seeing the VPS is requiring all work be done. I know in some states that there are only a certain number of lessons, or just test/reviews etc that are turned in.
Also if I remember correctly the VPS is requiring a couple of additional subjects... I believe health, and a foreign language. The load just seems so crazy.

A VPS program that uses Calvert has been trying to get approval in GA, but so far hasn't (as far as I know). Now that I might just give into.

 

[disneymom3]

See that is where I am stuck. I like K12 a lot. Might have to just figure out the budget situation and bite the bullet.

More research is needed for me!

 

[Tink561]

Hi,
I've been very quiet lately. We are getting back into school. My boys are doing online courses with FL Virtual School this year.

I'm planning to order Calvert pre-K for my daughter. I think we will start using it in August. She will be 2.5.

Have any of you used the early grades with Calvert? I used it one year with two of my sons one year and we liked it. I just don't have any experience with the beginning grades.

 

[sha_lyn]

we used calvert K with DD. I felt it was too worksheet intensive, but back then I was new to HS'ing and felt like I "had" to do everything. There would often be 5-7 math sheets in one day. The reading was more than DD was ready for at the time. We laid off it and used sight words/bob books etc then Hook on phonics in 1st grade. I probably could have went back to the calvert K stuff for 1st but DD had "bad" memories about it so I thought HOP would work better. Had I not got it for a great price, I probably would have used the calvert reading.

 

[earthfaries]

My son found this and I thought here would be a good place to share it. If you or your kids like Star Wars, you'll love this, the Star Wars characters are veggies, it is appropriate for kids and is about eating organic and pesticides and is so cute and funny!

CLICK HERE FOR "GROCERY STORE WARS"​

 

[DawnM]

Leaving tomorrow at this time for Disney~!!!!! I am so excited!

Dawn

 

[Praise2Him]

Have FUN!!!

 

[lori1043]

Dawn, I am soooo excited for you!!! Be careful and have a blast!!

We'll be there in 22 days!!!

Lori

 

[DawnM]

Lots of rain forcasted for this week, esp. over the weekend.

I am bummed. I am planning to go get some of those disposable rain ponchos at WalMart today as they are easy to carry "just in case."

Darn!

 

[lori1043]

If there is a Dollar Tree around they have a 2 pack for $1!! WE have both though!! I get them every so often b/c we use them on Kali River Rapids and then hand them off...

Lori

 

[earthfaries]

Have fun Dawn! We are leaving in just 3 Hours !!!See you at the Homeschool Days !!!​

 

[disneymom3]

Have a great time you two and report back about it when you get home!

 

[earthfaries]

Have a great time you two and report back about it when you get home!

Thanks we will and I started a pre trip report, the link is on my signature. When we get back I am doing a trip report with TONS of pics
I'll report here about Homeschool Days too​

 

[dizcrazee]

Hi everyone! I was so excited to find this thread, and I'm enjoying reading the old posts. I homeschool my DD (age 10 now, ignore my outdated signature, lol), and this is our first year. This is what we are doing:

Liberty Press Bible Program
Saxon Math
Easy Grammar
Spelling Power
Beautiful Feet History of Science
Sonlight History and Geography
Sonlight Reading and Language Arts
Rosetta Stone (German)
Art classes at a local art studio
Piano lesson
4-H
Horseback riding lessons

Of course, we also use a multitude of other resources such as Usborne books, computer based materials, educational games, videos, etc. My daughter watches Magic School Bus every day, for example (she adores it, and has learned a ton of science facts). We also incorporate practical skills like sewing and cooking.

We are planning a trip to WDW in early May (we are WDW-devotees), and we are planning to include trips to Kennedy AFB (we'll do a unit on space travel), St. Augustine (Ponce De Leon and European explorers in general), and the Orlando Science Museum (which I've heard is great). We've done all of the parks extensively, so we are ready to branch out and take advantage of some of these other educational opportunities as well. We will be staying at Fort Wilderness (in a camper trailer).

Anyway, I welcome your feedback and thoughts on our homeschool plan and on how to "boost the educational value" of our upcoming trip! By the way, isn't it great to be able to go to WDW during the "off-season" and not miss school? Ah, the life of homeschooling...it's grand!

 

[dizcrazee]

Hi everyone! I was so excited to find this thread, and I'm enjoying reading the old posts. I homeschool my DD (age 10 now, ignore my outdated signature, lol), and this is our first year. This is what we are doing:

Liberty Press Bible Program
Saxon Math
Easy Grammar
Spelling Power
Beautiful Feet History of Science
Sonlight History and Geography
Sonlight Reading and Language Arts
Rosetta Stone (German)
Art classes at a local art studio
Piano lesson
4-H
Horseback riding lessons
Homeschool Association Bowling League

Of course, we also use a multitude of other resources such as Usborne books, computer based materials, educational games, videos, etc. My daughter watches Magic School Bus every day, for example (she adores it, and has learned a ton of science facts). We also incorporate practical skills like sewing and cooking.

We are planning a trip to WDW in early May (we are WDW-devotees), and we are planning to include trips to Kennedy AFB (we'll do a unit on space travel), St. Augustine (Ponce De Leon and European explorers in general), and the Orlando Science Museum (which I've heard is great). We've done all of the parks extensively, so we are ready to branch out and take advantage of some of these other educational opportunities as well as touring the parks again. We will be staying at Fort Wilderness (in a camper trailer).

Anyway, I welcome your feedback and thoughts on our homeschool plan and on how to "boost the educational value" of our upcoming trip! By the way, isn't it great to be able to go to WDW during the "off-season" and not miss school? Ah, the life of homeschooling...it's grand!

 

[dizcrazee]

Sorry about the double post, I'm not sure why how I managed to do that.