Homeschooling

[bookgirl]

I do apologize! I was not intending to insult and/or diminish the importance of teachers. Both my mother and grandmother were teachers.

I have no problem with teachers.

What I meant was: I don't HAVE to know everything about everything.

In the same way that a teacher knows how to utilize the resources he or she has at hand, I also know how to utilize resources.
Teachers do not have the time to figure out each problem on each child's math paper, so they use answer guides.
A history teacher knows the time period he is teaching, and if a child asks a question that is related, but outside of the syllabus, the teacher knows how to use resources to find the answer if he doesn't already know it.

I am continually learning as well. Sometimes right along with my children. I have learned more about History while teaching my children than I did in school, and I bet it is the same for a lot of teachers who are doing research for their classes.

I am aware that I am not equipped to teach a classroom of children, as I have never been taught how to do that. I respect teachers, especially today, especially in our town, because it is often a thank-less job.

I am sorry that my comment was hurtful to you. Please forgive me.

I'm sure it was just a miscommunication all around. I've left the thread and just happened to get an email when you posted. Please don't think another thing about it. It's such a hot topic I think for a little while there everyone went on the defesive. Hope you guys have a great time sharing info, that's really the goal of the boards, not a debate. Thank you for posting that, I actually feel much better and hope that nothing that I said was hurtful either

 

[aes74]

Okay, here is my BIG homeschooling question. I am fine with the education part, the socialization, would even be interested in it, but I swear to you, I am afraid if I homeschooled my oldest daughter I just might strangle her. When we do homework together, it is all I can do to be patient with her. She is a great kid, but whines and whines with her work. "It's too much. I'm too tired. I don't know how. It's too hard." Every excuse she can think of. She does not do this with her teacher, she is a model student at school with great grades, so obviously it is just me. Have any of you had to deal with this? She is very well disciplined in every other area at home...but there is just a certain dynamic between us when we start to do schoolwork, that is just too much to deal with.

 

[ohiominnie]

I am afraid if I homeschooled my oldest daughter I just might strangle her. When we do homework together, it is all I can do to be patient with her. She is a great kid, but whines and whines with her work. "It's too much. I'm too tired. I don't know how. It's too hard."

I am never surprised when ppl say this. I have friends who go through this same thing and they doubt they could ever homeschool their kids because of it. But think of it from your dd's point of view. She just spent 8 hours in school. Then she gets home and is expected to do more work?? I do appreciate the fact that we can get more school done in a shorter amount of time because I can speed things up or slow things down depending on my kids' needs. Typically we can get school done in 4-5 hours leaving lots of time for other activities (and my favorite) unorganized play.

There are days when my dd and I struggle (my son is muh more laid back and we don't have those issues) It seems to be very cyclic with my daughter though and although she hasn't hit puberty (she's 12) I wonder how much of her attitude on certain days is hormonal.

 

[aes74]

I am never surprised when ppl say this. I have friends who go through this same thing and they doubt they could ever homeschool their kids because of it. But think of it from your dd's point of view. She just spent 8 hours in school. Then she gets home and is expected to do more work??

That is a good point. So how do I find out the difference? If it's just us, or if it's the long day?

 

[perdidochas]

Okay, here is my BIG homeschooling question. I am fine with the education part, the socialization, would even be interested in it, but I swear to you, I am afraid if I homeschooled my oldest daughter I just might strangle her. When we do homework together, it is all I can do to be patient with her. She is a great kid, but whines and whines with her work. "It's too much. I'm too tired. I don't know how. It's too hard." Every excuse she can think of. She does not do this with her teacher, she is a model student at school with great grades, so obviously it is just me. Have any of you had to deal with this? She is very well disciplined in every other area at home...but there is just a certain dynamic between us when we start to do schoolwork, that is just too much to deal with.

That is something to take into account. That is one of the main reasons my family doesn't homeschool. We prefer to supplement on things the curriculum doesn't emphasize enough--namely science (I'm a former science teacher) and math (my wife is a math teacher). Our kids' school doesn't focus enough on math facts (i.e. learning 2+2=4, etc. to the point of automaticity).

 

[ohiominnie]

That is a good point. So how do I find out the difference? If it's just us, or if it's the long day?

It's hard to say, really. I guess if the homework is the ONLY thing you clash about, then it's probably the long day of work causing it. If you clash about everything then maybe it's just your two personalities. That doesn't mean homeschooling can't be done.....you'd just have to set up your expectations of how school will run and reward good behavior in getting the work done. I have read though that kids who are used to a brick and mortar school setting need some time to detox from that environment and structure before they are really ready to embrace the homeschool method.

Think about this.....if you hide "learning" in something fun, do you clash? i.e. if you look at caterpillars outside and then talk about how they change into butterflies, etc etc and maybe look up metamorphasis information on the internet, does she fight you? If not, then it's not the learning from you she's opposed to, it's probably more "busy work" that she's opposed to.

I've never had the problem of homework issues though. My dd was pulled from kdg after months of her coming home BEGGING to learn something (she was bored out of her mind at school) and then after receiving a serious death threat from aenother child. So instead her my dd fighting me about more learning, she was excited to actually use her brain after getting home from a mind-numbing day in school!!

 

[ohiominnie]

After receiving several nasty PM's about my last post, I need to explain my dd's problem with our school district. We do not live in a an affluent district that has money for all sorts of special programs. My daughter is gifted. She tested gifted her kdg year. She was doing multiplication problems in her head in kindergarten. She was reading at a 3rd grade level in kindergarten. She was placed in the gifted program....which amounted to being pulled out of class for ONE HOUR every TWO weeks. Woo-hoo!!!

She would come home from school every day and explain how boring school was. She would come home with stories such as this: "today was boring. We spent the entire morning talking about what could live in a river and what couldn't live in a river." Then she would add "Jeremy said a bunny could live in a river. Victoria said a raccoon could live in a river. They can't live in a river, they are mammals and have to breathe air."

So, yes, for her it was mind-numbing. It was a waste of her time. She wasn't learning anything. The teachers were teaching to the middle of the class and weren't addressing her needs. I am not saying every school district is like that. I am not belittling the public school system as a whole. I am simply saying that MY daughter in OUR school system was not being given what she needed. I know there are lots of great systems out there that can accomodate special needs kids. Typically they have a lot more money coming into them than our little bumpkin school district does.

If any of you that PM'd me had to go to a conference for 4 hours a day for 9 months a year to hear things you already knew, would that not be mind-numbing for you too????

 

[jaycns]

Wanted: Spelling Program

Currently using: Spelling Workout

Have already tried: Abeka and Spelling Power (which I might try again with my 10 year old. We tried it last year and he may not have been ready for the program yet).

So....what do you all use for spelling? What have you heard about others using successfully? Any and all input welcome!!

TIA!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Waiting here, too! We tried "Natural Speller", and it was OK. I didn't like Abeka, and this year we are just using Spectrum. Neither good, or bad.

My boys are engineers all the way. They try on their spelling. They practice, memorize, etc., but it doesn't stick.

Oddly enough, they have awesome memory for other subjects. Memorized multiplication tables, speeches, poems, etc., no problem at all. I think it is genetic. My MIL, and my dad are both the same way. He was a doctor, and she was an accountant.

 

[jaycns]

Waiting here, too! We tried "Natural Speller", and it was OK. I didn't like Abeka, and this year we are just using Spectrum. Neither good, or bad.

My boys are engineers all the way. They try on their spelling. They practice, memorize, etc., but it doesn't stick.

Oddly enough, they have awesome memory for other subjects. Memorized multiplication tables, speeches, poems, etc., no problem at all. I think it is genetic. My MIL, and my dad are both the same way. He was a doctor, and she was an accountant.

You just described my boys!! Especially my oldest he has memorized countless lists, speeches, math facts, poems, etc, etc, etc....but hand him a spelling list and the retention limit is about 2 weeks.

He can study for a test. According to his spelling testing he is an A student. However, being more concerned with if he is retaining it then if he can cram it into his short term memory, I see a problem with him having such short term recall of his spelling words.

My middle son doesn't even do well cramming in the short term (but he can recite the start of the Declaration of Independence) . It's not a matter of him being unable to use his memory skills but rather to apply them to spelling words.

My youngest has yet to take on spelling. He is only 5.

 

[meandtheguys2]

You know, I tease about it being genetic, but I know so many intelligent people who can't spell worth diddly.

 

[jaycns]

Has anyone heard of Wizard Spell? http://www.wizardsspell.com/index.html

I just saw this online and it looks intriguing....but I would love some feedback on it before jumping in with my money!

TIA!

 

[jaycns]

You know, I tease about it being genetic, but I know so many intelligent people who can't spell worth diddly.

I know more then a few myself! Doctors, businessmen, lawyers, biologists, professors. It doesn't seem to be any reflection on intelligence level or to show a deficit in attention given to their studies but rather to show some sort of problem with the uptake and retention of the spelling of words.

In all honesty, I would consider myself a weak speller. However, I was a straight A spelling student. I fear my son is taking that same path. Great cramming skills. Not so much on the skill to retain the spelling of those same words in the long run.

I know that poor spellers can develop devices to mask and cope with the problem.

I will not tolerate my kids masking the problem. I would eventually (though not ideally) settle for coping with it. I am aiming for overcoming it.

 

[momto2girls]

Waiting here, too! We tried "Natural Speller", and it was OK. I didn't like Abeka, and this year we are just using Spectrum. Neither good, or bad.

My boys are engineers all the way. They try on their spelling. They practice, memorize, etc., but it doesn't stick.

Oddly enough, they have awesome memory for other subjects. Memorized multiplication tables, speeches, poems, etc., no problem at all. I think it is genetic. My MIL, and my dad are both the same way. He was a doctor, and she was an accountant.

I bought Natural Speller and wasn't too impressed by it. My older DD is only 6 so I'm not too worried about spelling yet. We are using Explode the Code and it has a spelling component in it. So far she is picking up on spelling really easily. I hope she is just like me. I've always had a photographic memory for spelling. I used to win a lot of spelling bees.

 

[aes74]

Think about this.....if you hide "learning" in something fun, do you clash? i.e. if you look at caterpillars outside and then talk about how they change into butterflies, etc etc and maybe look up metamorphasis information on the internet, does she fight you? If not, then it's not the learning from you she's opposed to, it's probably more "busy work" that she's opposed to.

Yes, on reflection, I would say it is mostly during homework, especially if it is a worksheet. And it's the end of the day.

I don't know. I just worry that I couldn't be everything I would need to be in one day. A fantastic mom, great, stimulating teacher, housekeeper, errand runner, cook, etc. It makes me feel overwhelmed to think of it. I don't want to shortchange my kids' education at all. I know there are fabulous people who can do it all. I am worried I am not one of them.

 

[momto2girls]

Yes, on reflection, I would say it is mostly during homework, especially if it is a worksheet. And it's the end of the day.

I don't know. I just worry that I couldn't be everything I would need to be in one day. A fantastic mom, great, stimulating teacher, housekeeper, errand runner, cook, etc. It makes me feel overwhelmed to think of it. I don't want to shortchange my kids' education at all. I know there are fabulous people who can do it all. I am worried I am not one of them.

Hey, we all have doubts at times. I, for one, obsess over making the right choices for my kids. If homeschooling isn't for you, that is perfectly fine. We all should feel free to make the best decisions for our own families.

If you are fine with the school that your daughter attends, leave it alone. If the situation ever changes, you can reevaluate homeschooling at that time.

BTW, I see from your siggy that you live in the Tampa Bay area. I lived there for 13 years.

 

[Ellester]

Wanted: Spelling Program

Currently using: Spelling Workout

Have already tried: Abeka and Spelling Power (which I might try again with my 10 year old. We tried it last year and he may not have been ready for the program yet).

So....what do you all use for spelling? What have you heard about others using successfully? Any and all input welcome!!

TIA!

On the recommendation of many in our Co-op, we've just started using "Sequential Spelling". My dd8 actually seems to like it, spelling is usually so not her thing. It was developed to teach dyslexics, but is applicable to all. We bought ours from Sonlight, they've got a bulk deal with the publisher since they are now carrying it in their catalog. It was also a minimum investment, the cost is what scared me away from Spelling Power and now I'm glad we waited for Sequential Spelling. I haven't heard anything negative about the program yet.

http://www.avko.org/Webstore/Sequential_Spelling.htm

 

[jaycns]

On the recommendation of many in our Co-op, we've just started using "Sequential Spelling". My dd8 actually seems to like it, spelling is usually so not her thing. It was developed to teach dyslexics, but is applicable to all. We bought ours from Sonlight, they've got a bulk deal with the publisher since they are now carrying it in their catalog. It was also a minimum investment, the cost is what scared me away from Spelling Power and now I'm glad we waited for Sequential Spelling. I haven't heard anything negative about the program yet.

http://www.avko.org/Webstore/Sequential_Spelling.htm

Thanks so much! I just placed an order...for under $20 it was worth a try!!


THANK YOU!!

 

[bless7ings]

Just wanted to add this about Natural Speller.

I had it for quite a while until it finally dawned on my how it was to be used or could be used. One thing you'll find out about Kathryn Stouts material is it is NOT a canned curriculum. It is meant as a guide on what the basics are to cover and how to go about it. It can easily be incorporated into another program that you are using so you don't have so many differant programs. It easily fits into unit studies. Take for example her Comprehensive Composition. I don't know how long I have had that and not used it, but than this past school year I had a history based study with writing that went with it, but I needed a writing source guide. I took out all my resources and found that hers was the best fit. Why? Because it was not a program that had to go a, b and c and was really seperate. Her program told you what you needed, how to go about it and then you incorporate it into your program. Back to Natural Spelling. Everyone was raving about Spellig Power, so I looked into it. I then looked at the Natural Speller and realized it was basically the same, it just didn't have the nice sheets(which I incorporated into the Natural Speller- she basically said the same thing in her directions, but being visual, you had the worksheet with Spelling Power already made up. So you more quickly saw what she was doing. Once I got comparing and tweaked the Natural Speller to fit me and the kids I liked it better because it gave the most popular 1500 words in the English language to spell. Unlike Spelling Power witch gave over 5,000. At first we are thinking this is the ultimate I must have this, it will give my kids a comprehensive spelling list, but what happens to some of us moms and kids... it's daunting and we never finish it because the list goes on forever! So, if I can get through the Natural Speller with the 1500 most used words in the english language I am better off then not getting through that list of 5,000 that are all mixed together.

Hope that makes sense and can help someone.

 

[5starmom]

use Sequential Spelling as well. We used Spelling Workout for a few years and then decided that we needed to focus on spelling a little more. SS has been great for us...my dd who is an avid reader but an awful speller has had a lot of improvement.

It *is* time-consuming, IMO, compared to some of the other spelling programs. You must test every day. However, the *method* of testing and then immediately correcting and testing on the same or similar words all week long REALLY helps reinforce the words!

Tip: There have been times that I've been, frankly, sick of giving the tests. So I have recorded myself going through the test and corrections on a little handheld tape recorder and let them do it themselves! LOL Not for all the time, but when I need a week off.

We just use those small legal type notepads with the pages that flip over and the kids use one page per day, flip it over so they can't cheat on the next day's test--then at the end, turn over the notebook and start on the opposite sides of the pages. Works for us.