*** Homeschool List ***

[Ellester]

We started our spring co-op today. I'm teaching a high school age class on probability. A typical engineering class makeup, 8 boys and one girl! DD9 is taking "dramatic monologues" and "cooking with Narnia", DD6 is taking "Eric Carle" (a Five in a Row type class) and art history. She drew a copy of "Edward VI" with crayons. Edward VI by Hans Holbein the Younger. DS3 enjoyed the preschool class. It was a sad day too as very good friends said goodbye before leaving for Ft. Lewis, Washington tomorrow.

 

[Blackunicorn]

.... I'm trying to find a way to get a little education for them about WDW in the process.
The kids hate going on vacation as I always find something to study before we leave and always something to see or do while there that has educational overtones.

Oh well back to school.

Have a great weekend

I know everyone always talks about learning about the cultures in Epcot. We're studying language right now, and I would love to be able to go and listen to the cast members speaking in their native languages. I'm sure my Spanish accent is atrocious!

 

[Poohbear77]

Hi,

I checked out the disney homeschooling days web page, but I am confused. For the homeschool days in January do you have to have a group of 10 to get the reduced 5 day passes?

 

[DawnM]

No. I had only 5 of us.

Dawn

Hi,

I checked out the disney homeschooling days web page, but I am confused. For the homeschool days in January do you have to have a group of 10 to get the reduced 5 day passes?

 

[earthfaries]

Hi,

I checked out the disney homeschooling days web page, but I am confused. For the homeschool days in January do you have to have a group of 10 to get the reduced 5 day passes?

Normally you have to have a group of at least 10 students and pay with a school check.

Disney created Disney Homeschool Days two times a year for individuals who homeschool to buy tickets, as many or as few as they want, for the same great discount they offer the groups.

You can buy 1, or 2 if you want, but only on the Disney Homeschool Days in Jan. or Sept.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I just called and talked to them last week about it all

 

[toystoryduo]

Does anyone know when they will release the dates for the Sept. homeschooling days? Also, I noticed on the site that they are selling one day tickets. How do you get the multi-day tickets at the discounted price? Thank you!

 

[Ellester]

Since the board's been quiet for a while, I'll throw this one out. How many of you have to give achievement tests? In NC, it was required every year. Here in GA it's required in grades 3, 6, 9, & 12. You do not submit your scores to anyone in either state, you just have to have a record in case someone wants to see them. We've used the Woodcock-Johnson III the past two years and plan to again this year just to see how we're doing. More for DH's peace of mind than anything, but I don't mind seeing how we're doing either. This will be the first year we test DD6, I'm very interested to see where she is.

 

[Aristomommy]

Hello everyone,

I haven't read through all the pages since it may take me a few weeks, LOL. I wanted to ask though if any families here have signed up with a virtual academy (public charter school). I would like to educate DD9 at home, but the task seems very overwhelming to me. When I heard about our state's virtual academy, I thought that may be an option. Financially, this is the first year I can stay home and I am in the process of gathering information. Please let me know the good and the bad of this type of homeschooling. Thanks

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

Since the board's been quiet for a while, I'll throw this one out. How many of you have to give achievement tests? In NC, it was required every year. Here in GA it's required in grades 3, 6, 9, & 12. You do not submit your scores to anyone in either state, you just have to have a record in case someone wants to see them. We've used the Woodcock-Johnson III the past two years and plan to again this year just to see how we're doing. More for DH's peace of mind than anything, but I don't mind seeing how we're doing either. This will be the first year we test DD6, I'm very interested to see where she is.

In Ohio we only have to test if we choose to. We can also have an academic assessment done at the end of the year. All I do is contact a certified teacher of my choice and have them come in and review their work. I have my niece do it for me. None of my kids were great at taking tests especially my last to as they are both ADHD. Oh! I could not imagine having them sit more than 20 minutes to take any test.
When teaching them I do test them orally on information taught. Then maybe ask the youngest to draw a picture or maybe write a few sentences. The older one I ask for a few paragraphs.

The state only asks that they make progress according to their ability.

 

[kathrna]

In FL the kids have to take the FCAT starting in first grade (at the nearest public school). Or you can have a FL certified teacher look over the portfolio of the child's work, write a letter on your behalf stating that they think that the child's work is up to standard and that it has in fact been done. We opted for the teacher last year, but DH wants DS, 5th grade, to take the tests this year to make sure he is where he is supposed to be. I have to say that I am a bit nervous about having my son go to the school and take the test. We had to stop by and drop off paperwork. It looked a bit "seedy" to me.

 

[tnmomof4]

No posts for 5 days???? what is up people????

We were supposed to go out tonight but my 3 year old has come down with a fever. I just called to cancel and to cancel the babysitter. We haven't had a babysitter and just gone out with the 2 of us in over three years!!!!!

Oh well.

Dawn

I haven't been on because my kids got the flu (or some kind of virus) really bad. (The throwing up kind of flu) This wasn't a 24 hour bug. It lasted a long time. First one of my twins got it then the next day the other one. They were sick for a few days then I thought they were better. Then my DS 9 got it too. Then for some reason the twins started throwing up again. It just seemed never ending. They are better now. It is a lot of work keeping up with the laundry and cleaning the house really good.

As far as testing I don't really know what is required in Tennessee. In the private school they went to they tested in every grade. I think only certain grades have to test though. I had to sign up my 5th grader at the beginning of the school year in September. My 4th grader doesn't have to test. I actually got an e-mail today letting me know that his testing will be next month.

 

[DawnM]

September homeschool group to Disney.

We may not go in September. DH just found out that his November training can be done in Orlando!!!! They will pay for his food and all lodging and transportation there, so we are going!

Dawn

 

[earthfaries]

September homeschool group to Disney.

We may not go in September. DH just found out that his November training can be done in Orlando!!!! They will pay for his food and all lodging and transportation there, so we are going!

Dawn

That is so exciting!!!

How wonderful that your food, lodging and transportation will all be paid for by someone else!!!

Congrats on the second trip this year!!!

Now you can save your sky auction week for January 2009 ​

 

[dvcbnd]

Does anyone know how state tests are given in the NYC area? We're going to begin hs'ing in Sept. for the first time and this part of it scares me. It's the only thing that I don't have an understanding on as of yet. We live in an area where I wouldn't feel comfortable dropping off my 9 yrs old DD alone to take a statewide exam. I'm hoping that there is a way where I will be able to administer it to her at home. I know I have to research this, but I thought that I would put it out there in case anyone has experience with this area. Thanks in advance!

 

[TheRatPack]

We're using the CAT5 Test, which is accepted by Georgia instead of the ITBS that they normally take in public school. My dd has to take it this year, it's every 3rd year beginning in 3rd grade. There are local homeschool groups that organize a testing week though, and they alternate test, including the ITBS. In public school they had to take it every year, and only those 3rd years counted towards the pass/fail.

 

[DawnM]

Well, they will only pay for his food, but the budget they give him is high. It is like $65-$75/day and our whole family can eat on that! HA!

Not sure where they will have us stay, I am hoping they allow us to pick within a budget because if I had a choice I would like to stay at the Residents' Inn where they serve you meals and you get a room with a kitchen and 2 TVs.

Dawn

That is so exciting!!!

How wonderful that your food, lodging and transportation will all be paid for by someone else!!!

Congrats on the second trip this year!!!

Now you can save your sky auction week for January 2009 ​

 

[earthfaries]

Well, they will only pay for his food, but the budget they give him is high. It is like $65-$75/day and our whole family can eat on that! HA!

Not sure where they will have us stay, I am hoping they allow us to pick within a budget because if I had a choice I would like to stay at the Residents' Inn where they serve you meals and you get a room with a kitchen and 2 TVs.

Dawn

That will help a lot, you can eat lots of places with the whole family for that much money. I know last month we ate at Sweet Tomatoes on Kirkland a few times, it was so good!

It was only like $40.00 inc. tip for all 5 of us!!!

That's so great!

Hopefully they will give you a budget and you can stay where you'd like. Residence Inn would be nice, what kind of meals do they serve there?

I'm looking for 2 nights before we check into our villa at Silver Lake, I got the RCI paperwork today

I just have to find a place to hide it so Trevon doesn't see!

Anyway, I need somewhere nice for two nights before the check in day. We're going from Thurs. through Sunday again. (9/25/08-10/05/08)​

 

[disneymom3]

Hi guys. Haven't been around much lately. I am having DS tested for Sensory Integration Disorder by the school district and as the process goes on I am getting more uncomfortable with it. In MN we have to do achievement testing yearly but the results are private. Well, they did an achievement test last week and now they have the results. Not liking that a lot. Haven't been able to find much help as far as what to do INSTEAD of working with the school. Just not liking it.

Otherwise, things are going good with us. We are trying to figure out our next trip to WDW.......

We had a Valentine party today with a group we do field trips and such with. There were 49 kids there! Isn't that great!? We had a core group of families who put it on and our kids who are 10 and older helped run the games etc. Lots of fun!

 

[DawnM]

They serve a full hot breakfast every am, which is very nice.

Sun-Thur they also serve dinner. It is really nice. One night will be chicken BBQ/grill night, they have pizza night, all with full salad, main dish, drinks, even wine, dessert and side dishes. Often they tell us to take extra for "tomorrow's lunch" as they have so much leftover.

Dawn

That will help a lot, you can eat lots of places with the whole family for that much money. I know last month we ate at Sweet Tomatoes on Kirkland a few times, it was so good!

It was only like $40.00 inc. tip for all 5 of us!!!

That's so great!

Hopefully they will give you a budget and you can stay where you'd like. Residence Inn would be nice, what kind of meals do they serve there?

I'm looking for 2 nights before we check into our villa at Silver Lake, I got the RCI paperwork today

I just have to find a place to hide it so Trevon doesn't see!

Anyway, I need somewhere nice for two nights before the check in day. We're going from Thurs. through Sunday again. (9/25/08-10/05/08)​

 

[disneymom3]

They serve a full hot breakfast every am, which is very nice.

Sun-Thur they also serve dinner. It is really nice. One night will be chicken BBQ/grill night, they have pizza night, all with full salad, main dish, drinks, even wine, dessert and side dishes. Often they tell us to take extra for "tomorrow's lunch" as they have so much leftover.

Dawn

Wow, that is close to what they serve concierge level at WL. Throw in a few afternoon snacks and I bet you can beat the $$$ price you would have to pay for Disney concierge. Not that we have ever paid for it, but DH adn I were upgraded during free dining year before last. It was awesome, but no way could my budget minded attitude ever justify the price. Residence Inn however, I could do!!