*** Homeschool List ***

[mello]

All you Sonlight users that post on their forum -- do you have the same screen name?

I'm "Kewz1" here and there!

Kristen

I'm meloc over at sonlight. It's our favorite curriculum! I was really active there on the boards (they're great) for about 3 years, then got into ebaying and didn't have as much time for it, then found the Dis, and now I'm hooked here lol! But I do venture over there every so often. It'll be fun to look for you all!

 

[mello]

Isn't it funny the questions people ask you?

Lisa--we don't have a classroom per say. Up until this year we have just been at the kitchen table. However, I am a bit tired of having my entire home taken over by school, so this year I am going to try doing school in the basement. It is unfinished, but we have a carpetted area down there with play things for when the younger two need to wander and nice big windows as well as a kitchen table and chairs. I am hoping to "inherit" this really cool cabinet from my mom's house that she is selling for all of our supplies to go into.

I'm at both the funny question and school taking over your house! I can relate to both!

I just told dh we need to re-organize the school-room-turned-play-room in the basement and I want to try actually using it again. I had it all fixed up like a classroom when we first started 4 years ago, and we schooled down there for about 2 weeks. Then we started migrating upstairs where it was : more comfortable to be, and I wound up getting the boys each a plastic tote so they could take their school stuff around the house with them. Then I got me a bucket. Then my stuff spilled over onto a kitchen chair. It has now all of it settled right in the kitchen. We, too, have to clear the table and chairs before we can eat. But it's worth it anyway!

 

[MommytoMJM]

We are planning on homeschooling our special needs daughter.....

 

[thinkpinktink]

We are starting our 9th year of hs this year. We start high school this year and we are moving. We were hoping to get to WDW again this year but due to moving we don't feel we can afford it or take that much time out from school this year. So we have rescheduled our trip for after Thanksgiving next year. I would love to have a forum about hs and WDW at the same place.

 

[The Sorrentino's]

No more homeschooling for my two youngest. Since we moved, they will both be in regular school with the two older ones. They are excited about getting out and going to "real" school (as they put it). I guess I'm off the list .

Cadence

 

[mslil65]

I have not read all 7 pages of this forum, so please forgive me if you all have moved on from the original post!
I'm thinking about homeschooling...although I really don't know if I am cut out for it! My son is three and I have no intentions of sending him to preschool...so I guess for now, technically we are already homeschooling! Three of my nieces were homeschooled...one just graduated college and the other two are currently attending. I think of how great homeschooling would be...and then I wonder if I wouldn't go crazy trying to figure out what to do or teach or if I'm teaching him enough, etc. I would love to learn more about homeschooling!

 

[kimbac3]

I have not read all 7 pages of this forum, so please forgive me if you all have moved on from the original post!
I'm thinking about homeschooling...although I really don't know if I am cut out for it! My son is three and I have no intentions of sending him to preschool...so I guess for now, technically we are already homeschooling! Three of my nieces were homeschooled...one just graduated college and the other two are currently attending. I think of how great homeschooling would be...and then I wonder if I wouldn't go crazy trying to figure out what to do or teach or if I'm teaching him enough, etc. I would love to learn more about homeschooling!

There is so much out there to help you homeschool. From state and local support groups to full service curriculum. It does seem overwhelming at first but you are lucky because you are going to ba able to start with Kindergarten and move up to the more complicated stuff.
As far as knowing if you are teaching him enough, you can test him using standardized testing ( depending on your state you may be required to do that) or you can set your own goals to meet. There is also a series of books called "What your ___ grader needs to Know". They can sort of help ypu chart your course or see if your on target.
Don't worry there are plenty of us here to help you, and if your neices were homeschooled you probably have a relative that can help too. We homeschoolers LOVE talking about it - even more so when someone is interested!
If you have questions.....ask away!
Kimba

 

[PrincessCyann]

Any news on when (and if) there will be an official homeschool board?

Until then, I thought I would ask my question here in this thread This year we are going with straight homeschooling rather than utilizing the homebased cyber school we were with last year. My question is, can anyone recommend a 4th grade reading/english curriculum?

Do most of you stick with one, such as A Beka or Calvert? Do you think that works out better than my a la carte method I am planning on using?

Do you purchase the test packets too, or make up your own?

I still haven't handed in the affadavit or objectives, because I am trying to get my ducks in a row (and get a reading program). As for objectives, are you pretty broad in scope, or specific? I thought that they could be broad, but I read somewhere (try as I might, I cannot find it again, lol) that someone mentioned the entire table of contents of the books being used must be listed. That seems a bit much though. I know, requirements vary by state, but in general--broad, or specific?

Ds actually can't wait to get some days counted, lol, so I better get moving with the paperwork

 

[meandtheguys2]

Any news on when (and if) there will be an official homeschool board?

Until then, I thought I would ask my question here in this thread This year we are going with straight homeschooling rather than utilizing the homebased cyber school we were with last year. My question is, can anyone recommend a 4th grade reading/english curriculum?

Do most of you stick with one, such as A Beka or Calvert? Do you think that works out better than my a la carte method I am planning on using?

Do you purchase the test packets too, or make up your own?

I still haven't handed in the affadavit or objectives, because I am trying to get my ducks in a row (and get a reading program). As for objectives, are you pretty broad in scope, or specific? I thought that they could be broad, but I read somewhere (try as I might, I cannot find it again, lol) that someone mentioned the entire table of contents of the books being used must be listed. That seems a bit much though. I know, requirements vary by state, but in general--broad, or specific?

Ds actually can't wait to get some days counted, lol, so I better get moving with the paperwork

We use a bit of everything. I like picking things individually. It works well for us. The language arts program we are using is "Learning Language Arts Through Literature" and we really like it!

I don't know about Pennsylvania, but OH just requires an overview. Good luck to you!

 

[Skatermom23]

Any news on when (and if) there will be an official homeschool board?

Do most of you stick with one, such as A Beka or Calvert? Do you think that works out better than my a la carte method I am planning on using?


Just thought I would jump in here and give my two cents! I no longer homeschool but I did through 5th grade with both my kids. We used Calvert and personally I think it is the best thing out there. The kids never "missed" anything and when they went back to school in 6th grade, they were so well prepared. I especially loved Calvert 4th grade.

 

[nuzmom]

PrincessCyan: I'm a fellow PA homeschooler. My objectives are BROAD. It's good to say "investigate" or "explore" a subject. If you're interested, I can send you what I used last year (3rd grade).

I really hope this link goes through, if not, let me know and I'll PM it to you. This is a GREAT PA homeschool law site. It has a very good affidavit and objections section.

http://www.geocities.com/hardingpj/homeschoolresources.html

My DS9 completed Modern Curriculm Press Phonic courses through last year. This year, I'm wanting to focus mostly on Grammar and Creative Writing. We started and will continue with "Easy Grammar". It's not really "easy", it's just easy to teach. We also have the "learning language through the arts", but just because someone else had it and didn't use it and gave it to us.

I, too, am very anxious to get my "stuff" turned in. Our school called and the portfolio is ready for me to go and pick up and I like turning in my obj & aff at that time. I haven't even started them yet!!! TOO MUCH WDW PLANNING!!!!

good luck with your decision.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

I'm telling you, The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell is a life saver for those of you thinking of, or are new at, homeschooling. A great resource!

 

[PrincessCyann]

Thanks for the tips That link has a ton of information, thanks so much for sharing it.

Now if only there was a WDW based curriculum, lol, now that I think would make learning all the more fun

 

[Praise2Him]

I thought I had already posted to this, but now I can't find it, so...

please add me to the list of homeschoolers!

Last year was my first year to HS DD14. We love it!

Lisa

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

we school year round but take a week off every 6 weeks or so. My kids are 10, 7 & 6 and I think sometimes I learn more than they do!

Homeschooling is an adventure!
Tara

I like that approach!

What do you do on your week off?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have the "perfect" school room set up in our basement, complete with Pottery Barn Kids table and chairs, magazine rack, bookshelves galore, cute little baskets with liners and the shelves and a big armoire, and a calendar that still dated "March" because that's the last month I used it. Since we have been doing school at the kitchen table, I am able to accomplish way more upstairs(laundry, dishes,diaper changes,snack breaks, bathroom assitance...) so our countertops on one side of the kitchen are covered in stacks of books along with our homework basket. As cluttered as it is, I prefer this over my "perfect" school room. Some of the best advice I've heard is that as homeschoolers it isn't necessary to recreate a formal school-like environment because homeschooling isn't conventional and learning occurs in less formal ways.

I see what you are saying...the reason we have a "school room" is that we are cluttered..and I couldn't stand it . We won't necessarily keep ourselves in there...but I had seen somewhere that for children to learn to write properly--best position is seated with feet on the ground...so I got to thinking...how comfortable is it doing work out our table--not very comfy at all. So we bought a pint sized table set for the office--and moved all the junk in there. We might bring it out on occasion--but at the start...it at least gives DD the "school" feel for when she starts asking about going to the big brick building. I think it will help with our "transition" period as all of her church pals go to the building while we get to stay home and do whatever we want.

 

[Brier Rose]

I know I put my name on the list on another board, not sure if this is the same list, so.....add us to!

I homeschool my DS 6 with the Abeka DVD Curriculum, and my DD 13 will be doing school online this year through The Morning Star Academy.

First day of school is Sept. 7. Can't wait to get started!

 

[Tracy0315]

Add us to!! We will be starting our 5th year. DD will be in 9th and DS will be in 3rd.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

What is everyone's opinion on the new charter/online schools?? Like K12 academies or Connections??

Do you consider students in them homeschoolers??

 

[OceanAnnie]

I have not read all 7 pages of this forum, so please forgive me if you all have moved on from the original post!
I'm thinking about homeschooling...although I really don't know if I am cut out for it! My son is three and I have no intentions of sending him to preschool...so I guess for now, technically we are already homeschooling! Three of my nieces were homeschooled...one just graduated college and the other two are currently attending. I think of how great homeschooling would be...and then I wonder if I wouldn't go crazy trying to figure out what to do or teach or if I'm teaching him enough, etc. I would love to learn more about homeschooling!

Check out the yahoo groups! Do a keyword search using your state/city & "homeschool". We joined several. It's nice as a resource and for field trips and play dates at area parks and events.