OT: Homeschooling Tips?

[Mom to Jordan]

Niks mom,

Even if you home school, the state must provide speech for your son if he qualifies. It is law under the disability act. You might have to agrue to get it done, but they have to serve him. Good luck with your child's education.

Jordans' mom

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks for letting me know! I will ble glued to this thread for more tips!

 

[TNKBELL]

I hs my now 6 year old DS and he was in speech therapy for 1 year when he was 4, at the time our insurance covered most of it, but our local public school would have provided this if we wanted. I don't think you will run into too much trouble if you request help from your local ps. Good Luck!!

 

[thinkpinktink]

We have hs our ds since mid break of kindergarten. I would like to share one bit of advise that was given to us. When you have a bad day or bad moment take a break go for a walk or a drink (coke). Take a moment to relax and think about the situation. Everyone has bad days and it will happen in hs, however this advise has been used by us throughout each year and is great. Sometimes when my son was younger we would pack up the books and head to the park, just to be outside, as he finished each subject he and I would take a small break and play together. This has really bonded us. Just remember to have fun and enjoy, we are headed into high school next year and the year's go by fast.

 

[sanibelover]

As for asking for help from the local school district, don't be surprised if they say no. Our superintendant sends a letter every year to homeschoolers which says "direct services and materials are not available to you through the district." meaning:
If you choose to homeschool, you are on your own. Don't ask us for help.

I know many school districts are willing to work with homeschoolers, but ours is not at all.
This is in CT.

 

[sha_lyn]

sanibelover....
It is federal law that they must provide some services, such as speech therapy. As mentioned before, it is a part of disability act.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

It's called Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA 97) or PL 105-17. Let your district know that you are aware of this law and expect them to comply!

 

[sanibelover]

That's good to know, but my insurance coverage is pretty good for this and I'd rather not have to fight and get the service grudgingly. Also, there is the whole argument that it's better not to recieve services, then they can't start legislating your homeschool, but that is a WHOLE other thread!!!

Thanks for the info. It ceratinly could come in handy!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I already tried to do speech therapy through our insurance, and was very disappointed in the quality of care. The speech therapist that my son has at school is excellent. I am glad to hear that there is a law that will protect us. He really does need the speech therapy.

 

[misslauri]

I am also playing with the idea of HS, but since my kids are 7 months and 3 years, I have some time...

But, I used to work for a number of art establishments, and they treated home school just like public school when it came to tours, theatre shows, etc. Don't be afraid to call your local theatres/museums/zoos and ask about student/classroom discounts, you will often be able to get it even if you have a class of one! Also, HS kids can take field trips that aren't available to classroom kids because of the number of students... if there is a big construction project ask the architect if s/he can spare a half hour to talk to your child, or a bank manager, grocer, local reporter, you will be surprised at how many people will be accomodating.

Also, don't worry about the "social implications" of HS, if you get your child involved in activities they'll have plenty of opportunities to make friends. Heck, my best friend in the whole wide world (of 22 years now) I met on the soccer field when I was a kid. We never went to the same school.

Besides, think of all the money you'll save getting to go to Disney during off-peak times! (Ok, that part was kind of a joke...)

 

[sprite]

I am in my second year of homeschooling my y year old dd (2nd grade) and my soon to be 4 dd. We use the Calvert School curriculum and love it. It is not nearly as expensive as K12. We plan on using it through 8th grade, at which point I'll have to decide whether to put my dd into public school, or research a highschool program (Calvert only goes to 8th grade).

If you are lucky enough to have virtual charter schools in your state, Calvert is usually an option.

The website is www.calvertschool.org Calvert School is a private day school in Baltimore and the homeschool curriculum is the same as what they use in the brick and mortar school. It is heavy on critical thinking and writing. We just love it. The lesson manual is great, easy to follow and everything is already put together for me. (Some people enjoy making their own curriculum, but I don't have time because I also have to work.)

As far as speech therapy - if your child has an IEP I think the schools are legally obligated to provide those services. I'm 99% sure about that, but call the board of ed in your district and ask. They should have a homeschooling office or someone who is in charge of oversight of homeschoolers. My dd receives speech therapy at the local elementary school. I take her twice a week.

As far as HSLDA, I have to say I have heard some negative things about their organization. From what I understand they lean heavy to the right and many homeschoolers feel that they cause more problems than they solve. I would do some research before sending them any money. (Just my opinion).

Every state has their own rules and requirements, do a quick internet search and you should find the information.

I used to be a public school teacher, my husband still is. Making the decision to homeschool was very difficult, but I am so glad we did. The best part of it is the time I get to spend with my kids. Quality and Quantity

 

[mom2rb]

My best homeschooling tip is GET HELP. If you try to do it all you will crash and burn. My boys go to Spanish, piano, reading/writing, and gymnastics. I do math, science, history, and more reading. If I have my kids all the time, I start to crack and feel like I am ruining their lives forever. If I stick to the fun stuff, like growing crystals, watching tadpoles turn into frogs, doing math problems in the car and making a game out of it. We have a great time.

I have found most of the help pretty cheap. Mothers on the street that stay home and have skills. I trade babysitting for the piano. Homeschooling is great but I know that I can't do it all and as long as I get help we are fine.

We went to Disney September of 2003, December 2004 and we're going back September of 2005. That part is way cool.

 

[sha_lyn]

far as HSLDA, I have to say I have heard some negative things about their organization. From what I understand they lean heavy to the right and many homeschoolers feel that they cause more problems than they solve. I would do some research before sending them any money. (Just my opinion).

I've heard they won't take up cases that do not involve Christianity in some way. Even from members who have paid into them for years.

 

[laceemouse]

sprite, thanks for the info on calvert. I will check them out. My main concern is that DS has fine motor skills problems and HATES to write. He is in fourth grade and will not do cursive at all. I want a program that focuses on reading and lays off the worksheets. At first I would probably not make him write at all, then work him up gradually. As far as HSLDA goes, we are pretty right winged at our house, however, I feel they should stick up for all HSers regardless of why they are HSing. JMHO. I will check them out better before sending any $$$$. Thanks you guys, have a Disney day Lacee

 

[sha_lyn]

We used calvert for K and I was amazed at the amount of writing/worksheets it had. It was not a good fit for DD.

You might want to look at a "Living Books" approach and use the younger recommendations ... ie narration vs copy work. Instead of him writing, you have him narrate/dictate to you and you write it down for him. He can them copy part of it if needed to help with his handwriting skills.
Hand writing without tears is suppose to be very good for those with fine motor skills.

 

[sprite]

sprite, thanks for the info on calvert. I will check them out. My main concern is that DS has fine motor skills problems and HATES to write. He is in fourth grade and will not do cursive at all. I want a program that focuses on reading and lays off the worksheets. At first I would probably not make him write at all, then work him up gradually. As far as HSLDA goes, we are pretty right winged at our house, however, I feel they should stick up for all HSers regardless of why they are HSing. JMHO. I will check them out better before sending any $$$$. Thanks you guys, have a Disney day Lacee

Lacee - You can call and talk to Calvert's educational counselors about your fine motor concerns. The number is on their website. I have heard several people say they let their children type the compositions and Calvert accepts them. It is really only a concern if you are going to use their Advisory Teaching System (ATS) We use it to avoid county reviews and have a record if my dd has to go back to school. You can use their curriculum without the ATS and adapt it to your own child's particular needs. (That's one of the best parts of homeschooling!)

You might try joining the yahoo groups for Calvert, Sonlight, K12 etc. and asking the groups more specific questions. I am in the Calvert group and find it very helpful.

You definitely want to try and find what you think will be a good "fit" for your family. Calvert just happens to be ours. Have fun researching


Leah

(we're right wing here too, just living in a left wing area so I hear all the negatives some people here would argue I'm not really a homeschooler because I use a "packaged" curriculum. The refer to me as a person who "schools at home". Just silly, really.)

 

[Nik's Mom]

Workbooks do not help my son. He just doesn't seem to learn or like them. Is there a program out there that involves more hands on activies, rather than workbooks. I was reading about a program called "My Father's World". Their material seems real hands on. Is anyone familiar with that program, or can you suggest any programs with the hands on emphasis. I like what I see about sonlight, but if it's heavy on workbooks, it won't work for us either.

 

[laceemouse]

Nik's Mom, I have not heard of "My Father's World" but I will do a search on it. I am gathering lots of info right now, but I think DS needs some better testing than what the school has given him so we may start with that with a private doctor. DH is checking to see what our insurance will cover. I like the look of Sonlight because he loves to read and I think he would like the books. We would have to start SLOW on the writing though. Handwriting Without Tears looks good, says it is good for lefties which he is. I like the way Sonlight has a lesson plan laid out. I know Calvert and others do to. I think I need that structure for ME. Have you read up on the different methods of home teaching? I just bought and read "So, You're Thinking About Homeschooling" by Lisa Welchel and found it very informative. Now I am sorry I have not HSed all 4 of mine, though I think DS needs it most. He is just floundering in PS. Good luck, I am still in the researching phase too so I know how you feel. Thanks to all of you for the good info

 

[laceemouse]

Sprite, where do you live? DH and I are conservative evangelicals. Though many in our little burb vote like we do, most of the rest of the state goes the other way. Oh well, to each his own. And yes, I will use a pre-packaged curriculum too.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I just bought "The Absolute Beginner Guide to Homeschooling" and don't like it at all. I'm returning it today. It has so many grammar errors. I can't trust a book like that. I'm going to check out Lisa Welchel's book.
There is so much info on homeschooling. I'm having a hard time picking a a program to use.