*** Homeschool List ***

[sha_lyn]

Hey Jenny

I've been down the middle school road with Russ, and am already looking into our options for Bri. She's just finishing up 4th, but I'm trying to plan out our history time line, when we'll cover GA history, US history, civics etc.
I love the looks of Oak Meadow as a complete curriculum. From what I understand it is completely secular

Right now we are very ecletic. You might have seen my post on the CB (the thread about the CA HS'ing legal issue). some asked about the cost and I posted our materials along with prices.

For foreign language we love Power Glide. I just didn't have $$ for Rosetta Stone or i might have looked into it more. Everyone I know that uses it loves it.

 

[wvdislover]

Yes, the number of guest tickets can't exceed the number of student tickets. We always have extra guest tickets, though, due to the families with more children than parents. (Yeah for big families! )

Dianna

Yes, anyone can go. We have to charge a registration fee to cover our mailing expenses (we mail tickets via signed/registered/confirmed mail) and other expenses (long distance, etc), and use whatever is left over to try to cover some of our operating expenses. Homeschoolers that aren't members of our participating associations (who already pay a fee per membership) have to pay a little higher registration fee. We have homeschoolers from all over, though, so you're welcome to join us.

Dianna

Sounds fun! I'll have to mention it to DH. The dates are a bit off from when we were planning to go, but it may be worth switching.

 

[wvdislover]

I don't mind your asking at all. DD is one of those kids who is just scary smart. You know all those people on there on the DIS who think they have a gifted child? I don't intend to be condescending at all but most of them have no idea. It is really really hard to keep her challenged and over the last year I have just been feeling like I am not opening the doors she needs opened and honestly have no idea where to help her go next.

Well, I found this school that is about 20 miles from our house that offers an age integrated, project based learning program for highly gifted kids. She had to apply and yada yada. After her interview they asked her to join the program and to both of our surprise said she could start right away. We had thought she would have to wait until fall. So, after thought and prayer we decided to start now instead of waiting. My sister who is a principal really pushed this idea. Her thougths were that if we waited until fall, then everything is new for everyone and everyone is feeling that beginning of the year stress. Whereas if we were to start in midyear, the other kids would be interested in meeting the "new girl" and helping her figure out where things were, what she needed to do next etc. She said she had seen the kids who start midyear transition much easier than the new kids who start a school in the fall. This sister has been a HUGE support to me since the beginning of homeschooling and I really trust her opinion.

The two teachers (for25 kids) in this program are amazing. They see their role as mentors in helping kids figure out where to find the information they need and helping the students as facilitators. They then go about teasing out the parts of their work that meet state based standards so they fulfill graduation requirements. The one teacher basically told me it was very much like a big homeschool classroom where they kept the records instead of me. I like getting rid of that stress.

So, hopefully it will be as awesome as we expect! We are already adjusting to the challenges though--we had a family vacation planned and had to switch our departure date to the day after DD gets out of school. She IS missing class a few days in October to go to WDW though. That just has to be!

Sounds really cool! Hope it goes well for you and DD!

 

[wvdislover]

Hi everyone.. I am about to pull 12 you ds out of the 7th grade and homeschool him...
I'm not new to this..I homeschooled my kids for years but they all went back to school 3 years ago..1 in a high honors students..2 are so-so students and DS 12 is passing but not doing well..He is severa ADHD and it's just not working for him..The school has tried, but it's just not working.. He is struggling an the reality is they just can't focus on him like he needs..Nor should they really as they have tons of other children to deal with.
I have found an accredited homeschooling program called worldwide IDEA. It is associated with the Military and is used by a lot of military members in remote areas..I have leeway with regards to curriculum ,but they will monitor and test him and we will have teachers involved with us full time.
The only thing I'm even remotely settled on is getting him a first year German program , either with Power Glide or Rosetta Stone..
DO any other homeschool parents with middle schoolers have curriculum advice? He is a very bright kid but has serious attention issues. I am Jewish and as such am not interrested in religious curriculums.. I'm also looking for a math progam that is pretty involved as I am not comfortable teaching math ..I'm probably looking at getting him a math tutor

Good luck Jenny! My DD10 has similar issues as your DS12, so I know how difficult things can be. In fact, today is her first day of HS (I let her sleep in her first day--she had problems getting to sleep last night). Since we're starting so late in the year, I'm still trying to figure out exactly what we're going to do with her. I may borrow textbooks from the schoolboard. I've also borrowed Switched on Schoolhouse from a friend, but I'm not sure if we can start in the middle of the program, or only from the beginning. I'll have to download the CD-Rom's to look at it more closely. Anyways, I'm seriously looking at Teaching Textbooks for math for her for next year. I like the fact that there is a CD-Rom with lectures and there is a stp-by-step tutorial for every math problem in the workbook. Maybe you could check into that

 

[disneymom3]

Sounds like a great school!

20 miles away? Wow, do you carpool or do you have to drive that back and forth twice a day?

Dawn

It is on the way to DHs work so he will bring her in the mornings and I will go pick her up in the afternoons. The boys and I will be listening to a lot of books on CD in the next few years I think! There is the possibility of carpooling as there are a few families who live even farther away than we do and would have to pass through our town to get to theirs. At first though, I will definitely be picking her up.

Jenny--I was going to recommend Teaching Textbooks too. The only problem I could foresee though is that the lecture does move a little slow so it might be hard for your DS to stay focused on it.

Today is DD's first day and I am a bit nervous. Feeling a little bereft.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Well DS went to school today and told everyone we were removing him from school...He was supposed to wait for me to talk to them..I already got call from the school this morning, well DH did..They were nice and said they needed to start the process if that was the case.
I think Teaching Textbooks look pretty good as does somethng called Unique Math.. I have decided to spend next years history lessons focusing on the Middle Ages, as it seems he did the ancients this year..I'm not sure what we will use for that.
I really haven't found anything for Science or Language arts yet.
I'm pretty certain we are going to use Rosetta Stone for either, German, Italian or Japanese.

 

[sha_lyn]

I'll have History Odyssey level 2 (middle school level) Middle Ages in my hand any day now. I will be certain to post a review.
Homeschool buyers co-op is having another group buy on cyber-ed plato science.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I'll have History Odyssey level 2 (middle school level) Middle Ages in my hand any day now. I will be certain to post a review.
Homeschool buyers co-op is having another group buy on cyber-ed plato science.

I was wondering about this program..I'll watch for your review

 

[Parksfamily5]

Hello. I have a question and figured that you ladies would be the most helpful. My daughter goes to public school and is in Kindergarten. I am looking for curriculum to do with her over the summer to give her a head start on first grade. I am also looking for preschool curriculum for my 3 year old son. I am not familiar with the different brands or styles and which ones are better. We live in Ohio if that makes a difference. Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks
Heidi

 

[meandtheguys2]

Hi Heidi! I'd suggest you spend the time reading with or to your kids. Very few things in life will benefit them more. And watch the world around. It is easy to count throughout the day, adding and taking away. Or put a birdfeeder on the porch, and make a chart to keep track. (Easy chart with pictures and stickers, kind of thing.) Any way you spend observing the world around, and talking about it will enrich your kiddos.

I'm not big on workbook pages, etc. But I know some kids dig that sort of thing. Walmart carries some decent ones!

 

[sha_lyn]

ITA with meandtheguys2......Summer breaks should be filled with fun. not school work.

If you really want a workbook, the Summer Bridge workbooks are pretty good.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Julie, how did yesterday go?

 

[DawnM]

Would you do this in my situation????

My just turned 4 year old needs occupational therapy. Long story short, he has problems with fine motor skills because of a hand deformity at birth.

Even though we have had 3 surgeries, there are just some things he cannot do.

OT with our insurance is 18 miles each way and $30 copay per 1/2 hour visit. So, lets just say 4 visits per month......$120 plus $25 min. in gas, $145/month.

He has the opportunity to go to FREE preschool within the public school from 8-1 and get FREE OT daily.

I really think that even if we HS him after next year, this is a perfect time to get him the skills needed for actually doing things like holding a pencil, etc....

But then I also feel that it is a bit unfair for him to have to go to school when the older boys are being homeschooled.

Thoughts?

Dawn

 

[disneymom3]

Dawn--yes I would do it. Make it sound SO fun for your little guy and like it is a special thing only he gets to do and I bet he won't fuss at the older kids not going to school. I just think that any help you can get and the younger you can get it will be a good thing in the long run. This from a mom who is going to be driving farther than that for OT once a week soon. Luckily our insurance will cover the first 24 visits at 100%.

Michelle--thanks for thinking of me. It went really well. She enjoyed her day though she was VERY wiped out when she got home. She said she hadn't slept well in addition to having to leave the house just after 6:30 which I am sure she didn't because I didn't sleep very well either. Today was good too. She is already making some friends and has arranged to sit with someone on the bus for the field trip tomorrow. She doesn't have school Thurs or Friday which is good because she is in the drama at church on Friday and singing on Easter. As for me, I am feeling so relieved and rather freed to do more little kid stuff with my boys. I did lots of creative stuff with DD when she was youner but this year I seem to have been stuck on making sure we covered the necessary stuff and skipping over that funner stuff. I am feeling very positive about this change.

 

[mykidsintow]

Dawn --

My daughter (as you have seen) has some physical differences. We have not sent her to pre-school. However, they still have to provide services to her. I can have them come to our home, or I can go to them for her therapies each week. I know that each state has different regulations (I think maybe even each county), but it is something to check into.

My daughter doesn't currently participate in these services. I had a long talk with her Ortho and her therapists at Shriners. While she would get limited time with therapists at school.... she would get nowhere what I am able to give her here at home. I do regular therapy with her everyday, for much more time in a week than she would get in a school yr. However, I do have her therapists at Shriners to call or go to anytime I come across something I need help/suggestions with. I can call/email or make an appt with them anytime. Typically I just drop in .

While I know many parents aren't comfortable with therapies and don't quite jump in as head-first as I tend to.... it is a good option.

Good luck with your decisions!

 

[meandtheguys2]

That is awesome, Julie! I'm glad she likes it, and is making friends. I totally understand trying to get the little kid stuff done, too. I really have to make an effort.

 

[DawnM]

Yeah, that is an option too. I did speech with my other son and it ended up really eating away two entire mornings of homeschooling. I guess part of me is a little selfish in thinking that I can actually get some real schooling in with my older 2 while he is at school.

Also, my 4 year old is very different than my older 2. He really doesn't want to do ANYTHING I tell him to do and will cry and fuss but will perform for someone else very well and very easily. I have already told DH this one may have to go to school!

Dawn

Dawn --

My daughter (as you have seen) has some physical differences. We have not sent her to pre-school. However, they still have to provide services to her. I can have them come to our home, or I can go to them for her therapies each week. I know that each state has different regulations (I think maybe even each county), but it is something to check into.

My daughter doesn't currently participate in these services. I had a long talk with her Ortho and her therapists at Shriners. While she would get limited time with therapists at school.... she would get nowhere what I am able to give her here at home. I do regular therapy with her everyday, for much more time in a week than she would get in a school yr. However, I do have her therapists at Shriners to call or go to anytime I come across something I need help/suggestions with. I can call/email or make an appt with them anytime. Typically I just drop in .

While I know many parents aren't comfortable with therapies and don't quite jump in as head-first as I tend to.... it is a good option.

Good luck with your decisions!

 

[wvdislover]

Yeah, that is an option too. I did speech with my other son and it ended up really eating away two entire mornings of homeschooling. I guess part of me is a little selfish in thinking that I can actually get some real schooling in with my older 2 while he is at school.

Also, my 4 year old is very different than my older 2. He really doesn't want to do ANYTHING I tell him to do and will cry and fuss but will perform for someone else very well and very easily. I have already told DH this one may have to go to school!

Dawn

It sounds like sending him to preschool would be a really good option for him. Maybe he just needs a change of environment for a while. Also, could the crying and fussing thing be an attention-getting scheme, since maybe he feels like you're giving the 2 older ones more attention while schooling? I think the therapy at school is a great thing, too. My DD10 did special needs preschool for 2 years, and it made a huge difference in her. Good luck in your decision.

 

[teacups]

We made our minds up... situations have helped us do that of course. Spring break starts this Friday ad=nd that will be my 3rd graders last day of public school. You should have seen her face light up when I told her!

I could slap that teacher for setting the stage for depression and self doubt in an 8 year old. He is God of the classroom, his little world.

 

[disneymom3]

Got our results back from the school for all the testing we have been doing with DS. Turns out he won't qualify for services. Want to know why? Because "Child's mother refused to allow school staff to observe "name" in his learning environment." Really??? A homeschooler would not allow the schools to come into her home???? What a surprise! That's okay, I really just wanted OT and in order to get it, he would have to do math at the school every single day. I do not have time for that.