*** Homeschool List ***

[lisalonglash]

Thank you for helping me see past my blurred vision. Sad that just knowing so many people bash homeschooling that it was my first thought. I tried to convince myself that no major comic strip writer would so blatantly bash us, but I'm so jaded these last few days.

Good thing I ran it past people with more clear vision.

Thank you all again.

But, as the OP pointed out, the kid is trying to impress the teacher. Hmmm, I wonder why? Or maybe he's a 3rd grader trying to distract the teacher while the other kids plan and plot. (sarcasm!)

Hakuna matata As long as Jon didn't write that comic, I think it's quite safe to have a giggle at it

 

[teacups]

On a similar, but not exact note... I was warned that people would "QUIZ" my kids when they discovered we homeschooled. It happened yesterday at Win-co. The guy starts asking my 8 year old "What's 3X4? What's 6X8? What's 4X12?" (she knew all the answers btw ).

What an idiot.

I didnt think fast enough, but I'm ready for the next one:

"What do you ask the PS kids? How do you roll a joint? How do you buy beer without an ID? What's the bully motto?"

 

[DawnM]

Oh man! I have NEVER had that happen to me~! If that happened I really don't think I could contain myself! I might start quizzing the adult on dates, times, ancient historical references, Latin, Chinese dynasties, ANYTHING just to throw it back on them!

Dawn

On a similar, but not exact note... I was warned that people would "QUIZ" my kids when they discovered we homeschooled. It happened yesterday at Win-co. The guy starts asking my 8 year old "What's 3X4? What's 6X8? What's 4X12?" (she knew all the answers btw ).

What an idiot.

I didnt think fast enough, but I'm ready for the next one:

"What do you ask the PS kids? How do you roll a joint? How do you buy beer without an ID? What's the bully motto?"

 

[disneymom3]

Someone tell me not to go back to the budget board thread. I am getting so pi**ed at the ignorance of others. I am going to go school my socially inept children right not, then visit nana to do some more sewing. We may go to the park afterwards and catch up with a few other soically inept friends and then I have to go to work to deal with all the social people in this world.

Oh thank you! I think you just saved me a lot of pain and aggravation! I will not read that thread now. I had marked it before so I could read it tonight. Now, I won't bother.

And on a brighter note...I have just received 3 boxes of new curriculum stuff for next year! I love new school books. This particular order even included dead animals...

Trying to figure out the best avenue for selling some of my old stuff, though. Anyone have a favorite method? Our local sale went kaput when the group running it fell apart.

We had a woman in our neighborhood who held a garage sale and advertized it as a homeschooling sale. She said that when she opened her garage door at 8 o'clock, there were 7 people out there waiting. She sold a lot of stuff that way. Otherwise, ebay is a pretty good way to go or if it is from a specific curriculum, like Sonlight, etc most of them seem to have yahoo groups for hte express purpose of buying and selling. I am on a My Father's World one.

On a similar, but not exact note... I was warned that people would "QUIZ" my kids when they discovered we homeschooled. It happened yesterday at Win-co. The guy starts asking my 8 year old "What's 3X4? What's 6X8? What's 4X12?" (she knew all the answers btw ).

What an idiot.

I didnt think fast enough, but I'm ready for the next one:

"What do you ask the PS kids? How do you roll a joint? How do you buy beer without an ID? What's the bully motto?"

tnmomof4, that was an awesome story about your son and his testing! DD has testing for the first time coming up here in her school and she is very nervous about it. She was under the impression that she would not pass 6th grade if she didn't pass the test! Poor thing--not that there is even a chance of that happening!

 

[NHWX]

I would love to join this board.

I have been HSing for 4 years. I just had my son tested so he could go to the virtual school. He is 9 1/2 in the 4th grade he scored 93% in math and 100 in language. They want to place him in 6th grade.

HS works--don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Now what do I do??? Keep him in HS or put him in virtual school? Since he is doing well in HS.

I would LOVE to save money and virtual school is free. But I do not want to fail my kids.

I suspect that in many ways, virtual or cyber schools are different enough from traditional homeschooling that they need their own name. I have a 14 year old who is taking two classes through our state's virtual charter school and it is very different. We have to be mindful of deadlines, despite competitions or being sick. We had to email them not to mark him behind in classes when we went on vacation during our district's school vacation. (They did readjust it.) The school decided not to do an honors math class at his level so everyone's taking the same class, despite what you might have wished for.

I'd ask questions. Is there an option for literature that is academically appropriate for his reading level but developmentally or socially appropriate for his age? When your son reaches the end of the virtual school's grades, will there be any problem with your local district if he wants to take a class or two at the brick and mortar school? Some districts might have a problem with a two year skip, others not. Will he have to do standardized testing? How often do you meet with/talk to a teacher? What's the method? (Our uses skype which has some problems.) In later grades, how are finals given?

I think virtual schools have a valuable place in the constellation of education choices but I do think it's important to know what's what.

NHWX

 

[sha_lyn]

But, as the OP pointed out, the kid is trying to impress the teacher. Hmmm, I wonder why? Or maybe he's a 3rd grader trying to distract the teacher while the other kids plan and plot. (sarcasm!)

They cover this briefly in GS leader training and more in depth in a class called how to be an effective leader with your daughter in the troop. I have not taken the second class but plan to, and have a friend that shares what she was taught.It just that basically mom is "mom" and not someone they feel the need to impress or "win over". Part of the training in the effective leader class was to avoid correct your own child, or assigning them task. Let another leader do it if possible. IMHO it really works.

So anyway the point is the children often act differently for other adults than they do for their own parents.

 

[sha_lyn]

I just read this interesting article on virtual schools
http://homeedmag.com/HEM/252/takingcharge.html

 

[lori1043]

LOVE the post about the testing, that was GREAT!!! You should be soo proud!

My DD10 LOVES testing. She looks forward to it every year. She has done well on it the past 2 years also. DD8 tests for the first time this year. No presure from me at all. Don't beleive it shoud be a "test" of thier wisdom, just a guide for us. I DO just do Spectrum with them every so often so they get a feel for filling in the circles and how questions are asked-no surprises.

I had the attack today about HS'ing and also about why I don't work F/T to pay off the debt incurred by my DD10's illness. I think she was nutty for asking. I will not allow debt to make me work F/T and have me miss my DD's CHILDhood. PLUS this is a calling for us. A choice, yes, to follow that calling, but this is the only thing that I do that I KNOW is right with God(for me). My kids childhood will pass by and the debt will be paid off slowly, but SURELY. And if it is still there later, we will finish it off then. Other questions came up, you know, the normal ones, but I just answered nicely and did my job. I DO work outside the home and picked up extra days this week to help someone have a vacation. I DO wish i had a better answer for her. She is young, not married, no kids-so I will cut her a little slack. BUt OH how i wish i had a smart answer for her today!! I am not good at that!!!

I just hope I can live up to the calling. If there is pressure , it is on myself!

oooooohh, it makes me want to prove it to all the naysayers out there!!!

Lori

 

[AuroraBeauty]

They cover this briefly in GS leader training and more in depth in a class called how to be an effective leader with your daughter in the troop. I have not taken the second class but plan to, and have a friend that shares what she was taught.It just that basically mom is "mom" and not someone they feel the need to impress or "win over". Part of the training in the effective leader class was to avoid correct your own child, or assigning them task. Let another leader do it if possible. IMHO it really works.

So anyway the point is the children often act differently for other adults than they do for their own parents.

Sha_lyn, thank you for explaining this in a way I finally understand. I always knew there was a better way for me to be involved. We're not involved in GS, but I was in GS for 15+years and now I know why everyone thought my mom was the coolest!



I'm so glad that everyone here is very helpful and supportive. I know it would have been very easy to make fun of me for even wondering about that comic strip. But I'm glad you didn't.

Thank you all! Everyone, Kumbaya!!

 

[DawnM]

Ok, about the bullying thread.....the more I read the more I think it is abusive for these parents to continually send their children into these environments 8 hours per day!!!! If the allegations are true (which may not be) then I would yank my kid out of those schools in a hot minute! How can they allow their children to be tortured like that on a daily basis???

Dawn

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Unfortnatley, the schools are having a hard time keeping it out of the schools. The last year I taught was in my local school (which is a pretty good school). There was a student in my friends class who had behavior disorders. He beat kids up, teased them, tried to throw a chair at the teacher.

Well, 2 years later in middle school, my dd has to ride the bus with him where he starts picking on her. I write to her teacher and she says she "talked" to them and he was just "teasing" her and he will stop. Well, it wasn't teasing and it didn't stop. That is when I called the principal for 7th grade and explained that I know this child from 4th grade, and he live 2 blocks from us and I don't want him anywhere near my dd. After a "lovely" talk the principal agreed to talk to the kids. Or course, she still put blame on my dd (who has NEVER been in trouble and if she was causing it I would have have punished her). That is how that school went. My dd was in the gifted program and was a teacher's helper and had some great friends, but I couldn't take the crap that went on there. Never again will either of my children see the inside of a middle school.

 

[Momvic5]

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this thread. I don't think I have ever posted here, but I have enjoyed reading it from time to time. I homeschool too. This is our second year. While the first year was great, this year has been a struggle. I guess I am needing a few words from the wise.

I have 3 children (1st, 3rd, and 6th grades), and sometimes I feel like I just bounce from one kid to another these days. I love homeschooling and feel like I am blessed to be able to do it, but lately I have been wondering if I am going to be able to keep up with all that they need to cover in a year. It is not the material. It is finding a way to divide myself between the three so that everyone stays on target and task. I feel like one of three is always waiting on me to finish with another, and in that time of waiting, someone is off task and distracting another. We have long days sometimes due to this.

What are your secrets? How do you accomplish everything in a day with each child? .....Boy...I think I might be first in line for cloning....

 

[MiniGirl]

Hi everyone,

I have posted a few times that we are considering homeschooling our oldest next year. (She'll be in 3rd grade.) Well, we are going to do it, so now the fun begins. The amount of curriculum out there is absolutely overwhelming. However, before I pick which one to use, I'd like to find out more about what kind of learner my dd is. Is there some sort of test or evaluation that I can give her or do with her that will show us that? I think it would help me in narrowing down the curriculum we decided to use.

I am also open to your suggestions. I would like a curriculum that weaves character traits and our faith (Christian) into all aspects of learning.

Thank you for your time.

 

[disneymom3]

Minigirl, I would look at My Father's World if I were you. www.mfwbooks.com
They have a varied theme based curriculum and tie their science into your Bible work as well as where it fits in History. They also tie history into Bible times much better than other programs I have seen.

They cover this briefly in GS leader training and more in depth in a class called how to be an effective leader with your daughter in the troop. I have not taken the second class but plan to, and have a friend that shares what she was taught.It just that basically mom is "mom" and not someone they feel the need to impress or "win over". Part of the training in the effective leader class was to avoid correct your own child, or assigning them task. Let another leader do it if possible. IMHO it really works.

So anyway the point is the children often act differently for other adults than they do for their own parents.

That is sooooo true. DD and I do our middle school group at church on Weds nights. She started out in my small group and it was a mess! She came home so incredibly crabby I couldn't stand it. We switched her to a different group and things improved. Then last week, we did something differently and she was in my group for that. Again, came home as crabby as can be! And yet, I homeschooled this girl for 6 years and all but one of those (2nd grade) went beautifully!

Ok, about the bullying thread.....the more I read the more I think it is abusive for these parents to continually send their children into these environments 8 hours per day!!!! If the allegations are true (which may not be) then I would yank my kid out of those schools in a hot minute! How can they allow their children to be tortured like that on a daily basis???

Dawn

I know, Dawn. I so don't get that mindset. Either it's like they don't think they (the parents)have any choice or that this is normal or that the kids have to deal with reality. Reality is not living in an abusive situation. We tell grown women to leave that kind of marriage and wonder why they don't. but people voluntarily subject their children to the same thing.

Hi Everyone!

What are your secrets? How do you accomplish everything in a day with each child? .....Boy...I think I might be first in line for cloning....

Ummmm, feeling just like you do! I know I have lowered my expectations for what I accomplish each day with each child. I also make sure that science and history are the same for all of them.

I have a question to get your opinions on. I am moving my middle one who really struggles with math into Math U See. He will be in teh alpha level. He is in second grade, his brother is in Kindergarten. I have tried to keep them separate so that the 2nd grader who struggles with school does not notice how quickly his brother moves through stuff. Now with math this next year, they would be basically at the same level. I was going to do them both at the same time. I have a friend who does this with the same curric. and the same age boys. Then I was thinking that the older one is really going to struggle with that especially if his little brother picks stuff up more quickly. So, now I am thinking....we are going to do math and reading w/a little bit of writing over the summer. I am trying to figure out if I start the 2nd grader in Alpha as soon as I get it (two weeks) and then start the other son on Alpha in the fall, do you think it will be too crazy doing Alpha at two different spots? Or not any more crazy than just running two totally different programs?

 

[bear74]

Hi everyone,

I have posted a few times that we are considering homeschooling our oldest next year. (She'll be in 3rd grade.) Well, we are going to do it, so now the fun begins. The amount of curriculum out there is absolutely overwhelming. However, before I pick which one to use, I'd like to find out more about what kind of learner my dd is. Is there some sort of test or evaluation that I can give her or do with her that will show us that? I think it would help me in narrowing down the curriculum we decided to use.

I am also open to your suggestions. I would like a curriculum that weaves character traits and our faith (Christian) into all aspects of learning.

Thank you for your time.

If anyone has suggestions for Kindergarten I would appreciate it. I too am overwhelmed

 

[Laura.bora]

Hi everyone,

I have posted a few times that we are considering homeschooling our oldest next year. (She'll be in 3rd grade.) Well, we are going to do it, so now the fun begins. The amount of curriculum out there is absolutely overwhelming. However, before I pick which one to use, I'd like to find out more about what kind of learner my dd is. Is there some sort of test or evaluation that I can give her or do with her that will show us that? I think it would help me in narrowing down the curriculum we decided to use.

I am also open to your suggestions. I would like a curriculum that weaves character traits and our faith (Christian) into all aspects of learning.

Thank you for your time.

Two that you might look into - and I just want to say that I haven't used these yet, we plan on using them when we start this July. For history, Truthquest (truthquesthistory.com). And for Science, Considering God's Creation (Eagleswingsed.com).

 

[Momvic5]

Ummmm, feeling just like you do! I know I have lowered my expectations for what I accomplish each day with each child. I also make sure that science and history are the same for all of them.



Disneymom3~
Last year I did use the same science and history programs for all three children, and I think that is why the year went much smoother. Then my brain went into overdrive and worry mode kicked in, and I couldn't figure out at what point in our history program that I was going to need to stop and reteach the same material for the younger two. This year they are each in their own program, and it is very time consuming on my part. We are in three different time periods. For science, we are still sharing a program. It works well for us right now, and I don't think anyone is behind or missing anything. However, this may change soon as my oldest DS is going into 7th grade, and he is a big science guy. I will have to kick it up a bit.

I don't know anything about Math U See, but I have heard excellent things about it. I think you will do fine working at two different spots in the curriculum. It might even be easier since you will be familiar with what is coming up for your younger son. Starting the program over the summer will also help because it will give you time to prepare for how you might want to approach it with each of your sons.

 

[Praise2Him]

Hi everyone,

I have posted a few times that we are considering homeschooling our oldest next year. (She'll be in 3rd grade.) Well, we are going to do it, so now the fun begins. The amount of curriculum out there is absolutely overwhelming. However, before I pick which one to use, I'd like to find out more about what kind of learner my dd is. Is there some sort of test or evaluation that I can give her or do with her that will show us that? I think it would help me in narrowing down the curriculum we decided to use.

I am also open to your suggestions. I would like a curriculum that weaves character traits and our faith (Christian) into all aspects of learning.

Thank you for your time.

Read "They Way They Learn" by Cynthia Tobias. It should be very helpful in identifying her learning style.

We didn't start homeschooling until 8th grade, but I taught in a Christian school that used ABeka and it's pretty good for younger grades. I know a lot of people that like it.

We use Alpha Omega Lifepaks for most subjects and are pretty happy with them.

There's so much to choose from that it's really hard to decide!

 

[sha_lyn]

We use Alpha Omega Lifepaks for most subjects and are pretty happy with them

Several of my Christian friends use lifepacs then switch to SOS-Switched On Schoolhouse (doesn't start until 3rd grade)

 

[Ellester]

I have a question to get your opinions on. I am moving my middle one who really struggles with math into Math U See. He will be in teh alpha level. He is in second grade, his brother is in Kindergarten. I have tried to keep them separate so that the 2nd grader who struggles with school does not notice how quickly his brother moves through stuff. Now with math this next year, they would be basically at the same level. I was going to do them both at the same time. I have a friend who does this with the same curric. and the same age boys. Then I was thinking that the older one is really going to struggle with that especially if his little brother picks stuff up more quickly. So, now I am thinking....we are going to do math and reading w/a little bit of writing over the summer. I am trying to figure out if I start the 2nd grader in Alpha as soon as I get it (two weeks) and then start the other son on Alpha in the fall, do you think it will be too crazy doing Alpha at two different spots? Or not any more crazy than just running two totally different programs?

I don't think you'll have any problem running Alpha at two different levels. We are currently on Alpha for dd6 and Gamma for dd9. It works great for us, other than when dd6 wants to sing her original composition: "math song" at full volume to "help her think". That gets dd9 all in an uproar, she sometimes ends up retreating to her upper bunk to finish her math!

MiniGirl: Congrats on making the decision! I agree that the curriculum choices can be overwhelming. Take it slow and don't go too crazy until you get a feel for what will work for your daughter AND YOU. We Sonlight and really love it. Konos is a good character trait curriculum, but can be lots of work for mom. Some love it, but it's too much work and too many trips to the craft store for me personally. We have friends that swear by Abeka or Alpha Omega as well. My Father's World has a very similar philosophy to Sonlight's. Try to get yourself to a curriculum fair and take time just browsing and looking at all there is. Do you have a Rainbow Resource catalog yet? If not, get one and start a wish list.

Momvic5: Welcome aboard! We Sonlight, so history, science, and social studies are all together. My kids are a little younger, so it is a little easier. But it does feel like I just don't spend enough time with the younger ones. They do learn quite a bit by osmosis though, so that helps. I'm trying to work on a little more concrete schedule so they each get what they need each week. I'll let you know how it goes!