*** Homeschool List ***

[estherhead]

2 fights & 3.5 hours later- our first day of kindergarten is checked off the list! Fight one was with DD (5) who said one hour in, "I didn't know it was going to be so boring, I'm going upstairs to watch TV." I'm pretty sure she thought it was going to be all art and that first hour of math was a bit shocking. Fight two was with DD (3) who was very upset that she was not going to be allowed to play in the schoolroom except during school hours. She was having a blast! But all in all, it was a great day. Math, phonics, handwriting, language arts, and history. We'll do science and art on Tues & Wed with my sister's five year old. And I enrolled her in piano lessons for music.

I wanted to comment on the Calvert disscusion above as I know how tricky curriculum choosing can be. My sister did Calvert for kindergarten and first grade and then switched to K-12 and I did Clonlara. So I have a bit of experience, even though this is my first year as teacher.

I ended up picking K-12. I felt Calvert was stronger in math but K-12's phonics ROCK! And I loved their language arts. And I liked that it is computer heavy. My dh & I are both on computers day and night so I want my kids to get that from an early age. Finally, it's so laid out that even if I don't look at it the night before I can easily follow it. So for me that was a good choice. If you like Calvert, I'd check out K-12 as another option and then pick which one suits your needs. They are both structured, STRUCTURED. Compared to Clonlara for sure.

 

[mello]

on your first day of school! Just remember that your first few days will likely take a lot longer than your typical days will be once you're all eased into things and work the kinks out! It may take a few weeks to "find your stride", so be encouraged!

Our DDs have been in private school for the past 4 years, and the cost was getting to be to much. Prior to that, our oldest DD attended K-2 at an award-winning California public school. We moved to another town (to buy house) when she entered 1st grade but kept her at that school through an interdistrict transfer. The school district we live in now is not as good, and the specific school in our neighborhood is the largest elem. school in the district (900 kids as opposed to the 450 we were used to). When our 2nd DD was ready to enter K, we felt she needed a full-day program. I was working F/T at that time, and I didn't want her spending 1/2 her day at the after-school daycare. We switched to a private, Christian school and were amazed at what an improvement it was over the public school that we'd thought was such a good one. We considered starting to homeschool last year, but our 1st & 3rd graders had the opportunity to have 2 of our favorite teachers. Now we're starting our 1st week of homeschool: today = a day of organization & preparation and tomorrow = 1st day of school.

 

[Kerlynne]

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/coins.asp

 

[disneymom3]

2 fights & 3.5 hours later- our first day of kindergarten is checked off the list! Fight one was with DD (5) who said one hour in, "I didn't know it was going to be so boring, I'm going upstairs to watch TV." I'm pretty sure she thought it was going to be all art and that first hour of math was a bit shocking. Fight two was with DD (3) who was very upset that she was not going to be allowed to play in the schoolroom except during school hours. She was having a blast! But all in all, it was a great day. Math, phonics, handwriting, language arts, and history. We'll do science and art on Tues & Wed with my sister's five year old. And I enrolled her in piano lessons for music.

Holy toledo! You did an hour of math??? My 5 yo would have been in a heap on the floor by then. Wow--that is stick to it-tiveness!

One thing to consider is that if DD3 is enjoying learning from the activities in your school room, you may want to let her continue that. I think of it as "not turning off the faucet while they are still thirsty." Of course, this is coming from a mom who does school at the kitchen table and in the middle of the living room floor so take it for what it's worth!

 

[estherhead]

Holy toledo! You did an hour of math??? My 5 yo would have been in a heap on the floor by then. Wow--that is stick to it-tiveness!

One thing to consider is that if DD3 is enjoying learning from the activities in your school room, you may want to let her continue that.

Yes, I was just trying to get through the curriculum but I think I may shoot myself if we go through that for a whole year, so tomorrow we will shorten that! It being my first year I'm just working stuff out, finding things that work and obvioulsy things that don't. For day one, it wasn't too bad (in retrospect.)

As for the 3 year old, no WAY! I have cleaned that schoolroom 5 times this week, once when she painted herself and 3 friends black! Black paint from head to toe (and all over the room.) Then two days later I had to peal blue tape off 100 wooden blocks that she had taped to the walls/desks/chairs. Oh, and the plaster of paris. And the dumping of all 35 puzzles into one big pile and mixing them all together. You don't even want to know.

I'm very into exploration and free play, but not when it is RUINING MY LIFE! My 3 year old is even more creative than I am and that is saying something. And she is a climber. And I cannot live in the schoolroom. So I just bought a lock for the outside door. Hopefully she won't figure that one out.

Sorry, not trying to rant but my 3 year old (she's the baby) has just gotten a rude awakening this week that the spoiling is ending. No more whining. No more manipulating. No more talking back. BRING ON THE TIME OUT CHAIR!

DD1 learned today: her 7 continents, her left from right, the long E sound, and onomonpeia (sound words.) DD2 learned why it is a bad idea to say "No" in a mean voice to mommy. LOL! I think DD2 may get more out of kindergarten than DD1!

 

[disneymom3]

Yes, I was just trying to get through the curriculum but I think I may shoot myself if we go through that for a whole year, so tomorrow we will shorten that! It being my first year I'm just working stuff out, finding things that work and obvioulsy things that don't. For day one, it wasn't too bad (in retrospect.)

As for the 3 year old, no WAY! I have cleaned that schoolroom 5 times this week, once when she painted herself and 3 friends black! Black paint from head to toe (and all over the room.) Then two days later I had to peal blue tape off 100 wooden blocks that she had taped to the walls/desks/chairs. Oh, and the plaster of paris. And the dumping of all 35 puzzles into one big pile and mixing them all together. You don't even want to know.

I'm very into exploration and free play, but not when it is RUINING MY LIFE! My 3 year old is even more creative than I am and that is saying something. And she is a climber. And I cannot live in the schoolroom. So I just bought a lock for the outside door. Hopefully she won't figure that one out.

Sorry, not trying to rant but my 3 year old (she's the baby) has just gotten a rude awakening this week that the spoiling is ending. No more whining. No more manipulating. No more talking back. BRING ON THE TIME OUT CHAIR!

DD1 learned today: her 7 continents, her left from right, the long E sound, and onomonpeia (sound words.) DD2 learned why it is a bad idea to say "No" in a mean voice to mommy. LOL! I think DD2 may get more out of kindergarten than DD1!

You are cracking me up! I have a three yo like that--good news is he is almost 4 and life does get better. When he was two, I never thought I was going to make it out alive. I remember talking to a good friend of mine and he got into some additional mischief or another and I said to her,"I may have to go beat that child." (Totally kidding--the most he ever got was a bit of a swat on the diapered behind.) She said, "Well, get off the phone first because I am a mandated reporter!" (She's a social worker.) It IS getting better..... but it's been a long haul.

 

[stamper]

Hi, I have been off for a few weeks. I am a Mainer. Where are you, I am in Raymond.

Tammy

Hey Tammy!! I'm in Oxford...not too far from you!!

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

I've got a 7th grader (2nd year HSing) and a 6th grader (1st year HSing) and am using Switched on Schoolhouse. They each are using their grade appropriate Language Arts and Math, but they are working together on 6th grade History, Science, and Bible. I combined these classes in an effort to help me with keeping up with what they are doing, providing extra drills, etc. - in a nutshell - to simplify my life. I also have a DD5 kindergartener at home.

The thing I'm finding, and I don't know if it's just us, is that I don't feel like there's enough practice before quizes and tests are presented. Does anyone else agree? I'm spending a lot of time tracking down supplemental materials for the girls to use and I am absolutely exhausting myself with the amount of energy I'm putting into this.

Any opinions, suggestions, or life saving techniques would be much appreciated!!

 

[4girlsmom]

on your first day of school! Just remember that your first few days will likely take a lot longer than your typical days will be once you're all eased into things and work the kinks out! It may take a few weeks to "find your stride", so be encouraged!

mello, thank you so much for the encouragement. That was exactly what I needed to hear. We got a late start today because I spent the morning moving furniture around. (Ow, my back.) Everyone did Math and Language Arts, DD#1 did Geography, and DD#s 2&3 did Science. DD#1 painted pictures with DD#4, so that was Art. My DH will take them swimming (P.E.) and do their Bible work with them tonight. It was pretty much a free-for-all on the first day, meaning I didn't follow a schedule. I loved spending one-on-one time with each girl and noticing their different learning styles. I'm glad I had this day to learn about how best to go about teaching each one, who needs extra challenge work, etc. When we got started, my "baby" (2 1/2) said, "I don't want you to be the teacher. I just want you to be my mommy." But as the day went on, she realized she was included and didn't mind a bit.

 

[momto2girls]

I'm definitely interested in a homeschooling board! I will start homeschooling my daughter for Kindergarten next year. Please let me know where to sign up!

 

[TNKBELL]

I'm definitely interested in a homeschooling board! I will start homeschooling my daughter for Kindergarten next year. Please let me know where to sign up!

You just did! Thanks

 

[DreadpiratK]

Cute homeschool story: Out oldest DS (15) started his first college class last night (calculus). This was his first time ever in a real classroom setting, so when he got home I asked him what he thought. His first comment was "did you know 62% is passing?" He was so appaled at this, it was really funny. If he gets less then 85 at home he has to do it over, so this was a real revelation for him.

 

[Mrsduck101]

I posted a few pages ago that we were using an online virtual academy through our state (Ohio). Well we hate it! So, today I sent in notification to the superintendent of our school district. I am going to wait a bit to notify the charter school we are leaving to avoid any truancy issues.

Anyway, I am putting together our curriculum and I am looking for some suggestions for grammar and handwriting. My kids are 7 and 9. I am going to do a Five in a Row style with them together. Then I want to add math(probably math-u-see), grammar, spelling (probably spectrum), handwriting, and I need to teach some OH history. My dd (9) learned cursive in 2nd grade ps, but could use some extra practice. My ds (7) really wants to learn cursive. They are both good with phonics, so I think they just need review with that, but they are both way behind in grammar. The ps the attended was very weak in grammar.

Any ideas? There is so much out there and I could really use some advice.

I have noticed as I research the curriculum that my kids are behind in some areas because the ps they attended taught to the proficiency tests and left so much out

 

[meandtheguys2]

Ohio History- I went to the rest area and collected plenty of information on OH History, for free! We used an Abeka 4th grade (I think) state workbook to assimilate the info. Worked really well combined with some travel ops around the state.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

Cute homeschool story: Out oldest DS (15) started his first college class last night (calculus). This was his first time ever in a real classroom setting, so when he got home I asked him what he thought. His first comment was "did you know 62% is passing?" He was so appaled at this, it was really funny. If he gets less then 85 at home he has to do it over, so this was a real revelation for him.

 

[crazymomof4]

Has anyone here used the Driver Ed. program of their local public school?

We are approaching "that" age w/ DS16 and keep hearing about the $250 driving schools. Doesn't anyone use the Driver Ed. in the school system anymore?

Since we pay taxes, I'm pretty sure that we would be entitled to take advantage of the school's driver ed. program, just not sure how to go about it.

I'd like to hear someone else's experience with this.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have some families that use the PS but because they are so far behind and have so many to get to some of our families have been getting groups together and have hired an instructor. Good luck, we thankfully have a couple of more years before we are at that point.

 

[disneymom3]

Cute homeschool story: Out oldest DS (15) started his first college class last night (calculus). This was his first time ever in a real classroom setting, so when he got home I asked him what he thought. His first comment was "did you know 62% is passing?" He was so appaled at this, it was really funny. If he gets less then 85 at home he has to do it over, so this was a real revelation for him.

Too funny!!! DD was appalled at me after we started using Spelling Power and she and a friend were talking about spelling at the park. (Friend is public schooled and I think DD uses her to check up on me sometimes! ) At any rate, DD came home from the park and said, "Did you know that if Emily gets spelling words wrong, she just MISSES them?? And then the next week they just get new words and it doesn't matter if they learn those words or not?" When I explained that the whole point of spelling was actually learning the words you don't know how to spell, she was a little more resigned, but I am not sure I convinced her!

 

[Mrsduck101]

Ohio History- I went to the rest area and collected plenty of information on OH History, for free! We used an Abeka 4th grade (I think) state workbook to assimilate the info. Worked really well combined with some travel ops around the state.

Great idea! I have to drive a bit for a rest stop, but it's worth it

 

[4girlsmom]

What field trips do you have planned or have you enjoyed in the past?

I would like to plan some theater trips, a symphony, a science-related trip when we go to Hawaii next month, and some other science trips. (We're studying Botany.)