| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CascadeFootHillsFarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 10:11:43 AM
I need some warm fuzzies ladies! I am really interested in homeschooling and I am nervous. I have read all the homeschooling posts on here, read about sites and books you have suggested. I see I have the chance here to make it exactly what we need for our family. I have tried to join a yahoo group so I can find other hs parents in our area.
I went to check out an extension school that offers some classes for hs kids. The classes have around 6-12 other homeschooled kids in them and parents have to be there the whole time. It is run through a school district and you can participate as little or as much as you want. If you are part time, maybe only going to a couple hours worth of classes a week you don't have to do the state testing. Have any of you done that?
Our kids are 5 & almost 7. I have not broached the subject with anyone at my son's school. I know I have to sign a letter of intent to educate with the district and fill out a care plan for our daughter's health issues (if we go to the homelink progam at all).
I am 1 hour NE of Seattle, Wa. Any one around here that wants to talk please write me too! I want to do field trips with others if possible and also get into 4H.
Please write! I need to expand my support system here if I am going to take this on.
Thanks so much.
Stephanie
"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle." Irish Quote |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Apr 16 2011 : 06:57:35 AM
I tossed out grades, grades levels, and all that stuff. The only time I use grade level is when I enroll her in Awana, Sunday School, etc. Just use the one that would be her age.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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| SheilaC |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 5:51:29 PM
one other thing--I was really obsessing about grades/grading their work until I realized that--who are the grades really for? the parent, so that they can see how their child is doing. Well, I see every day how they are doing, why worry about assigning a numerical grade?
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
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| SheilaC |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 5:48:43 PM
This was our first year homeschooling too. 3 kids, 1st, 3rd, and 5th. Honestly, it was not very hard to get going in it! The hardest thing was picking a curriculum, and since we decided literally 3 wks before we had to have our ed plan in to the dept of ed--we took the easy way out and just chose a complete curriculum and went with it. This upcoming year I have a much different plan, have had time to check stuff out, talk to people, etc.
We are loving homeschooling. The kids are too. We are done with "school" by lunchtime at the latest every day, and we do school Monday, Tues, Wed, and Thurs. We found and joined a coop type group, which meets every other Friday for classes and alternate Fridays for field trips. Great group of people, the kids get the "classroom" type learning (great stuff like art, knights & castles, archery, wrestling, etc) and are in classes with kids from 5 up to 18 yrs old. Good dynamic.
We have gotten involved in a great 4H group which really supplements "school" in MANY aspects, including opportunities for group presentations, and SUCH a wide variety of other alternate learning opportunities. Right now my kids are in 4H groups for maple, horse, and poultry.
It amazes me how many opportunities there are out there for homeschoolers. Our local ice rink has a homeschool skating time every Wed from 12-2, really inexpensive, and great fun. The ski resorts (Stowe, etc) have special inexpensive homeschool skiing programs, local theaters have homeschool/school rates for performances, museums, etc give you the school rate, the state historical society has a once-a-month homeschool program on state history, etc etc. And the more homeschoolers you meet, the more opportunities you hear about!
You'll be amazed at the support available to you. People hear you are homeschooling and usually say things like "oh, I have a friend/niece/coworker, etc who homeschools! Really I think the environment these days is so much more pro-homeschooling than it may have been in the past.
So--there're my ideas from first year of homeschooling, out in Vermont.
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
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| TJinMT |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 4:19:13 PM
The whole learning styles thing - there is alot of info out there on the internet, books written about it, etc. Just oversimplifying it, my daughter - the more kinetic learning - is a squirmy worm! She is bouncing and moving and jumping and it doesn't seem that she's paying any attention at all. She's not talking nonstop but she's definitely THINKING nonstop, and she learns best when I don't try to force her to sit and be still, but rather use her movement etc WITH her... sometimes I'll have her sit on a bouncy ball instead of a chair... we do alot of creative activities and use them to teach (some of which I mentioned before) instead of all worksheets, that sort of thing. The amazing thing is, the kid is LEARNING despite it appearing that she's not paying the least bit of attention. She's faster than her brother sometimes and he's 15 months older and quite bright himself. She just is very physical and active.
My son is more visual - and while he's talking nonstop, he stays pretty still physically. He will sit and read a book for ages, and he's been that way since he was very small. He learns best by seeing things done, he's intuitive that way. He figures things out with his eyes.
It's so funny, a perfect example - reading the Little House on the Prairie series at night - my son will lay there almost perfectly still, staring up at the ceiling or watching me read, his little eyes just lit up with imagination. My daughter will be upside down, playing with her stuffed horses, walking her feet up the wall, bouncing (all of which I'm trying to get her to stop, but there it is)... and when I stop to ask a question about something I just read, or we talk about it the next day, it's 50/50 on who knows the answer. They're both paying attention, they just present it differently.
Just start reading, get online and find local homeschool groups, get some books. Trust yourself! You know and love your kids the best. You'll know when something is working or not working. They won't miss out by not being in school, especially with all the issues of peer pressure, bullying, drugs, sexting, etc etc. You can do it!!!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 3:53:24 PM
Another thing is there's lots of different homeschooling techniques and what not.
Personally and not that I look down on others not doing it my way at all, in fact I admire them, but I know myself, and I know I have ADD, so I am going with a program that offers a teacher. I do all the work with the children at home, but a teacher will grade the work, keep records of the work, and provide all the end of the school year (even though I am going to go at our own pace with the program I chose-Calvert, allows you up to 12 full months per a school year, so you can choose to do it like a public school or year around) records they will need for future. I am glad I don't have to keep and MAKE all that documentation! Cause with my ADD I know it would overwhelm me. I also really don't have the patience to set and look through book after book to come up with a well rounded good over all education. So with Calvert they provide you with all the requirements the states want, plus you can add enrichment courses (like electives in public school). Calvert is not the only program out there that provides this, there is Pear Blossom, and many others. There's even a public school option where your local public school gives you your curriculum and gives you your teacher as well, it's FREE for the public part, or you can choose the "private" part for 75 dollars in my state.
Any way, we are highly considering going through our local public school private school home schooling program, called MVPS (many states have it), which I only pay 75 dollars yearly for, and then I will do it through use of Calvert's Curriculum but using the MVPS teachers, and saving me about 900-2000 dollars a year!
Again I don't think this is better then those who come up with their own curriculum or even those who "unschool", which believe it or not many people are PROUD to "unschool" their children. Again I admire the folks who can think like that and stick with it and follow through. I don't have that kind of brain to wrap around it and do it. And don't want to disservice my children so I knew I had to have some kind of more structure for myself and children. Wish I could unschool though. Cause you know what many people have been brainwashed in today's schooling. It was only less then a 100 years ago that most people were unschooled, and seems to me that generation did just fine!
My grandmother was taught by her father to read, write, do math etc. When their town in the deep Ozarks finally had a teacher come, they tested grandma. She tested at a 9th grade level, which at the time was the highest level the teacher was qualified to teach! The teacher made her his assistant teacher and tutor for the other children in school, she was only around 10 years old! When she grew up she became a dental assistant, had 5 kids and then became a successful entrepreneur. Became a widow at a young age, with still three small children living at home (youngest one 3 years old) and learned to make it on her own in a time that day care and baby sitters didn't exists!
Today I see kids who went to school since they were 3 years old (pre-k) and get pregnant at 14 and don't know what the heck they are doing, have a ton of kids end up on welfare, and illiterate-sadly one was a girl I have known my whole life, had 6 kids by the time we were 18. I'm of course not meaning that for ALL public school children. I'm just saying......seems to me there was something that kids a few generations were taught that can't be taught at school-pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and doing what you got to do, along with learning the basics you need to make it in this world of education.
So while I think what you are saying it's probably very important to look at things very seriously and honestly. Also keep in mind there's many many options of homeschooling. It's not what most people who don't look into it and know think it is. There's a ton of different options on how to do it. Each family has to find their way and what will work best with their life style and such.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 3:25:17 PM
Homeschooling is really challenging to a parent as well, to get the most out of it, the parent needs to have an educator mindset. It's not as simple as just going to museums and passing a child a book. Its far too easy to go from "homeschooled" to "unschooled."
I'm going to test myself a bit by tutoring my oldest child (8) outside of school hours for a more quality education, but I still have her teacher covering her basics at a state standard. To be totally honest, I have a lot of projects, and i really look forward to the morning hours I have a quiet house.
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| Catherine L |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 11:56:32 AM
I agree, get in touch with Home School Legal Defense. They even tell you what to say if someone comes to your door. We homeschooled for 12 years and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I remember learning once in a homeschool conference, that one hour, one on one with a student, is the same as three hours in a classroom. Cathy
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 11:27:49 AM
oh just one more ps, if you want to tell any one you are thinking of changing schooling for your son, instead of saying homeschooling, you could just say you are putting him in private school next year. hehe
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 11:25:36 AM
I would NEVER put my own child if on a insulin pump in school either. I went to public school with health issues and the school nurse and teacher were beyond inept in it. I know with the insulin pump it can literally be life and death! And some are so stupid. Even with me as a adult, I have to be very forceful to get people to understand I HAVE to eat NOW, or I could die. In fact, I have flat out had people tell me well it's not like you will die if you don't eat now, and um, YES I could! That's the problem, now get out of my way and let me have what I need! And I'm a adult, I can't imagine as a child having to be as forceful with people as I do as a adult, cause most people take adults more seriously then a child, so I can just imagine if I am ignored and question about such how much more so children would be. And it's even the same adults for me again and again me having to explain this means my life. So I can just imagine getting a teacher that is less then educated on type 1 diabetes. I had enough problems in school with them allowing me to take my meds, and go to the potty (diabetics have to pee more often) when I needed as was. Finally one teacher did let me start going after I peed my pants enough times in her class, but oh the embarrassment I had to endure about such, just cause of bathroom time rules! Any way, I'm right there with you.
Don't be embarrassed about your son being more sensitive either. So was my little brother. He's a marine now, been to Iraq and Afgahnastan(sp) numerous times each. But, had a lot of problems through high school cause of his sensitivity, and to be quite honest from his last visit I still see he has problems from his sensitivity, it breaks my heart he couldn't of been homeschooled, I think he would have not have some of the problems he has right now if it hadn't been for public school cause of what a good heart and sensitive he was. He was such a sweet sweet boy. He's still a sweet man at 28 years old, but...I can see the damage to his soul that school and bullies did to him. And it makes me almost cry, cause he of all boys didn't deserve it. He was the sweetest baby brother I had. (and I have a lot! 18 of us kids total!) The schools didn't effect the others like they did him and I. Any way, there's mine. Now I'm off to ask some of my own home school questions in a new thread. lol My daughter is 4, and we are just going to start with her. So need some info myself even though I've been researching this stuff since I found out I was pregnant with her!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| CascadeFootHillsFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 10:35:23 AM
I want to say thank you, sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I thought I subscribed to my thread and never rec. any emails about anyone writing to me! We have been so busy the last couple weeks that I have not checked and then today I see a wealth of love and support, for me and many others that want to homeschool our kids. I am thrilled there are other parents on there with little ones that are going to start soon & I am excited to hear about the pre-k mommy TJ talking about earthworms and cooking lessons. That is how we are too!
I am doing research on what I need to do to get ready. I am very nervous about picking the right "help" for me. My kids are very different. I don't know how decide what to start with. It makes me think I don't know them well enough but I know that is not true. I don't know how they learn best. TJ, you also commented on "visual learner and my kinetic learner". Can you tell me what those mean. Any other moms that can tell me about how differnt kids learn would be really helpful. Does this last paragraph make any sense?
I know I have to go buy books for the kids to use....there are so many choices. I just thought of a positive thing. The kids are so different....if it doesn't work for my son there is a good chance it will work for my youngest daughter! That is how opposite they are...that is a positive!
I am still in shock about getting so much info from all of you. Thank you so much.
My gut tells me it is the right choice to make. I have a small support group here in our little town. I have not pulled him out of 1st grade, we'll finish out the school year. I don't want the school to know we are thinking about it. I am afraid they may treat him differently.
He is such a sweet boy. He has school anxiety for sure. This last year his baby reflux has showed up again and he is having trouble going to sleep. I know it is school related. He's not getting bullied. He does not like the crazy kids and the loud noises, the teachers correcting the trouble makers ALL day long. He needs quiet to read and he likes privacy and order. He doesn't get any of that in his class.
So there, just spilled it. He's more sensitive & our 5 year old is outgoing, free & super bubbly. She is also the one with medical issues. She has in insulin pump that we trust with her life. I can't see depending on the health assistant at the school to catch warnings and take care of her like we would. The HA there is so busy and so stretched. So that is another reason all together.
I have to run now. I will re-read all the posts, share them with family and figure out how to subscribe for sure!
I think the info you gave me will help many other families as well.
Thank you farmgirls,
Stephanie
"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle." Irish Quote |
| kcmiller |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 12:46:18 PM
I have a DS(7) and a DD(6). We have done handiwork with them both. The DD is naturally adept to it all, while my DS struggles some, but the joy they both get in finishing a project makes it worthwhile.
**How can I keep from singing?**
http://4kacademy.blogspot.com/ |
| DebraJean |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 12:40:44 PM
Thank you, TJ. I love it!
Cooking and nutrition are definitely in my planner! Our son has always expressed an interest in cooking (his dad and I both cook). We have had many conversations of late regarding the nutritional value, or lack thereof, of a variety of foods.
Also, he has expressed an interest in knitting. I think what he really wants is to learn enough to produce something on his own. I taught myself to knit, and I (like to) believe that made an impression on him. He also has a lot going on inside of that head of his, and he already has self-esteem issues. (Okay. Don't we all?) I see the benefits of teaching children (and people of all ages) some handiwork to help calm them, to help them focus on just that one thing in front of them, to help them clear their minds for awhile. I think if my son were to make something as simple as a garter stitch square - a coaster for his bedside table, a small accomplishment he could see everyday - he would be a very happy, very proud boy.
Anyone else out there teaching handiwork to boys and girls alike?
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaïs Nin |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 11:12:05 AM
My kids are still young, the mornings are the best time for us. They're alert, interested, and in Montana the winter months and early Spring are pretty cool or cold outside in the AM. We do sit-down type work for about an hour... at this pre-K level, we're doing alot of things to develop motor skills, like craft building, scissors, stringing beads, painting birdhouses, etc. I work numbers and the alphabet into everything. We do workbooks as well; pick out several pages and go from there. We do some copywork, often in the form of writing letters to family out of state, or diagrams - a few months ago when he was still 4, he drew a healthy cell and a diseased cell, and wrote THESE ARE YOUR CELLS underneath. !
We just try to make almost everything a learning situation. Education-rich environment, I think they call it! That way, learning becomes a lifestyle instead of something you're trying to force them to accept a few hours a day. Wanna help Mom cook? Sure! Measure out 4 tablespoons of flour... stir this twenty times... which spice smells better to you for this dish? Or... let's dig up 7 earthworms and move them to a smaller garden! Etc! Obviously with older kids the details change, but, the point is that making things interesting like that are what make education and learning come alive for kids.
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| DebraJean |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 10:24:34 AM
"Today we are blowing off and going to NASA." What kid wouldn't like that?! Really? Two to two-and-a-half hours per school day? See, this is exactly the kind of information I would like to gather.
I know one plus of homeschooling is to be able to set one's own schedule. I've often wondered how much time at school, if we really break it down, is actually spent learning. I have become really, really frustrated with what seem to be the buttresses of mainstream education: On the one end, we have busywork. (Why am I still seeing this in the fifth grade?) And on the other end, we have test prep. (If standardized testing isn't the bane of our education system, I don't know what is.)
But I digress. Every child learns differently, and I am very interested to know how you all schedule your days. For instance, do you usually start first thing in the morning, emulating regular school hours as close as you can, or are you more open to letting class follow, for example, natural biorhythms?
I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you! There is nothing like learning from sisters!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaïs Nin |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 06:51:39 AM
I have "school" work on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and spelling test on Friday morning.
On Tuesdays, we go to a homeschool co-op. She takes ancient history, character building, art, science, writting. She didn't go to the science class this week and just played with the other girls. They have a gym at this church and the kids can use basketballs and stuff. Some play baseball outside.
Fridays, we meet some other homeschool families for a picnic and play at different parks. That way you don't always have to drive a ways to the park.
We do math, english/grammer, writting,spelling, reading, science, and history most days. We do two to two and a half hours. But I don't watch the clock. Some days we do more, some less. Today we are blowing off and going to NASA.
You can get alot of these questions answered at www.thehomeschoollounge.com
Please don't hesitate to ask anything. Everyone here is wonderful about helping.
I have only been homeschooling since Nov 2010.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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| DebraJean |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 11:41:12 AM
Wow. Now I have even more positives to add to my list, and I have a long list of reasons to homeschool our boy, not least of which is that he has shown me countless examples of errors on his worksheets, in his workbooks, and in reading texts. My head hurts from all of the face palms I have applied there. It's become a game almost for him to find the mistakes in his school books, the very same books people are paid to proofread for errors. When he brings home printables from edhelper.com, and other websites I have access to, all I can do is smack my forehead again and ask myself why I don't take the reins of his education into my own hands.
I thought I was sending him off to learn things I couldn't teach him here at home, especially how to interact with other kids. He is an only child and we do not have any family around. We honestly thought it would be a disservice to our child to not have him attend school with other kids. But now, some of those sweet elementary school kids, the ones who overlook your quirkiness and have no biases or prejudices, are staking their middle school claims on the prepubescent totem poll - bullying, forming cliques, etc. The shift has begun, and it is difficult to watch, let alone have to endure as a student. Oh, and by the way, the current principal is a buffoon. He replaced a wonderful, intelligent, compassionate man who went on to another school and who has been sorely missed.
But, back to the matter at hand, I would love to know what kind of daily hs schedules you farmgirl teachers follow, or would it be best to begin that discussion as a separate topic?
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaïs Nin |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 07:07:23 AM
We chose to homeschool for several reasons. In fact, the longer I looked into it, the more reasons I found!
The initial reasons were regarding teaching our kids creationism and world history etc from a Christian, biblical viewpoint, instead of evolution and secular humanism. Then there was the whole drug and sexual culture that is so much worse now in schools than it was when I was a kid (and it was bad enough then!). Here in Montana we're fighting huge battles with legalized medical marijuana which is a complete joke and we have incredible problems in our schools with it now.
The whole "socializing" thing... when else in our lives will we spend 8 hours a day with only people our very specific age? Not really a natural society. When kids are separated from their families all day long, they naturally turn to their peers for approval and acceptance... and then you get into the whole issue of trying to fit in and be like all the other kids, going along with things that aren't right because of that pressure, the emotional, mental, physical and even financial toll of trying to keep up with the Jones' kids. We want our kids to have FRIENDS of course, and they do! We're in two different mom's groups (both MOPS actually), Awana, Sunday School, and Bible Study Fellowship - all of which have a variety of kids of varying ages and backgrounds. And of course neighborhood kids, family friends, etc. But families are meant to be the support structure, the approval and acceptance, that kids need.
Then there are the issues of large, even huge class sizes... how can one teacher spread herself over 30-35 kids? I feel so sorry for the teachers!! They have all this mandated stuff, testing etc, and all these kids with totally different learning styles, intelligence levels, energy levels, etc to teach. At home, I can spend as little or as much time working with my kids as they need to learn. I can tailor my approach to my visual learner and my kinetic learner, both, because there is TIME for it. I'm not trying to handle discipline for 30 other kids at the same time, nor try to figure out if kids need intervention, who didn't eat breakfast, who might be bullying or being bullied, whatever. If my bright little kiddos are interested in one particular topic (like the Little House on the Prairie books, or trains, or dinosaurs, or Lewis and Clark, or fish!), we can use it as a Unit Study and learn other subjects from it... like math, history, English, creativity.
Because of our ability to be flexible and tailor learning to the kids instead of trying to tailor the kids to learning, they LIKE learning. They enjoy it! They feel empowered to ask for more information about different subjects, which they are excited and enthusiastic about. It's "cool" at homeschool to like to learn, to like to read, to find out information! Is the same true for public schools???
Homeschooling is also great when your family travels alot - ours doesn't, but learning is portable! It's great for kids who struggle in mainstream education for any number of reasons. And homeschooled kids score higher on standardized testing, and are being heavily recruited by colleges now because they are good students who enjoy learning. They've learned self-disciplinary methods that alot of their public schooled counterparts have not.
Anyway, there's my 50 cents!! I'm sure there are hundreds of reasons to homeschool...
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 06:50:42 AM
Jessie... It's all about bein relaxed and takin it slowly at first. There have been numerous studies that show children who are allowed to free form learn and discover longer do much better in life. The studies that were done by Harvard have even recommended that the kindergarten age be raised to 7!
My middle DD was really laggin behind in reading and spelling, then all of a sudden she not only caught up she jumped ahead. I allowed her to move at her own pace and to work out her issues with reading and spelling on her own.
I have decided that my youngest is gonna get those 'Your Baby Can Read' videos and when she shows an interest I will start working with her. I have found for the most part that pushing them or yourself too hard is bad for the whole process.
I like to teach alot of things during life in general, reading and math in the grocery store, spelling from the shopping list, so forth. Life provides constant opportunities to teach nearly everything if you just let it flow.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| Sitnalta |
Posted - Apr 12 2011 : 9:03:40 PM
I hope this thread keeps going as I *attempted* homeschooling my oldest (preschool type things) this year and it was a huge bust. We are going to give it another go next year with kindergarten. Hoping things work out better. She soaks it all in but I just can't seem to stay focused.
hugs
Jessie
"Wonder Woman hasn't got a cape, she just turned her apron around"
Farmgirl Sister #235 |
| DebraJean |
Posted - Apr 12 2011 : 8:03:13 PM
I am so glad I am on the farm with you all! We, too, are considering home-schooling our soon-to-be sixth grader. We want to commit to this for one year, then take it from there. I am very curious as to why some of you have chosen to pull your children out of the public school system, although I have my guesses; I know we have our reasons. I will do a search on the site but just happened to stumble upon this forum tonight. Is there one particular place I should be looking? Sounds like I have a lot of reading to do! I'm with you, Stephanie! I am so confident we can do this, Sister! But it is scary, too. I am both excited and nervous. (((Hugs!)))
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaïs Nin |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Apr 07 2011 : 1:44:33 PM
Hi there! Our kids are only almost-4 and just-5, but we've been doing preschool-type homeschooling and are starting Kindergarten curriculum in a month or so. My kids LOVE it... they're fascinated by everything, and make it such a pleasure. Well you know, usually! 
I've already noticed one of my favorite characteristics of homeschooled children showing up in my own... a confidence and friendliness with people of all ages. Not being socialized into a specific age group, they're as willing to play with babies as they are to discuss cells and how your circulatory system works with adults (really!). The best part is that we still have their hearts! They're not relying on peer groups to find acceptance and approval - with all the risks that are implied there - because they find it with their family.
I've found, much to my surprised chagrin, that I'm nowhere near as patient and longsuffering as I had formerly assumed... ... so I'm finding homeschooling to be a growing opportunity for Mommy, too! And the sheer joy of looking at life through the eyes of a curious, intelligent child is just amazing. Instead of looking at a plant growing and thinking, "Yeah that's great, I'm about 25 days from harvest..." I'm instead discussing soil structure, earthworms, photosynthesis, pollination, and what we're going to cook with it when it's ripe! It's another opportunity to experience the joy of learning that *some* of us missed when we were growing up in public schools.
The hardest part of homeschooling, to me at least, is deciding on curriculum! The irony is that I used to work for a school district, and curriculum decisions were always a big issue there, too. Which is a reassurance in a way... there is no "ONE" right answer. If something doesn't work for you guys, try something else!!
Congratulations on starting this journey!! It will be amazing!!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| Annalisa |
Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 12:23:46 PM
Hi there,
I have homeschooled for 14 years (really has it been that long now?!)and overall I have loved it. We have 6 children (17,15,13,10,8,6) and have always said we take it a year at a time. This is the first year I have one in day school while homeschoolng the other 5. It has been the most rewarding thing to be able to see first hand those "AHA" moments as my children learn to read or grasp math or scientific concepts. Good luck to you and just take it a year at a time. And don't worry if you don't remember everything you've ever learned...you get the teacher books! :)
Having lots of kids doesn't make me any different than mama's with one or two...I just cook in bigger pots. |
| 4forMe |
Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 07:08:55 AM
I homeschooled my 7th grader last year out of necessity and I learned so much from http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums. You will gain information and support. I still read there to stay on top of what my kids should be learning.
Sewing, knitting, gardening mom of 5. |
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Mar 22 2011 : 5:36:29 PM
I do not homeschool, but I have considered it and still consider it to be an option for us. I have several friends who just started homeschooling and they are loving it. One of them is a member of a homeschool group through a church which offers classes once a week on things like art, small engine repair, and cooking. Her kids are just loving it. The other takes her kids on road trips for archeological digs, and stuff like that.
I know that TX is a great state to homeschool in, but don't know about WA. I'd also recommend checking into a homeschooling defense group. Some states are real butts about it.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Mar 22 2011 : 12:30:07 PM
Just started homeschool this year. We love it. We don't deal with the local district. You don't need them. You will be busy enough on your own!!
http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/
www.everythinghomeschooling.com
www.amblesideonline.com
Joining a homeschool group is a great idea. I love the three that I am in.
Visit the sites above too. You can get all the legal info that you need. Thankfully, Texas is as hands off as you can get. LOL
You can email me for advise or just to chat. I have pictures on my blog now and again of something we are doing!!
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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