I Know We Have Had This Thread Before, but There Are so Many New

[jenniferlynne]

I know we have had this thread before, but there are so many new people on here now. I was just wondering how many of you all homeschool. My son is 6 and in the 1st grade. My MIL is not supportive of homeschool at all. She keeps saying that I am ruining him. I had trouble getting him to pay attention last year, but he is doing really well this year. We are having a lot of fun.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I do not homeschool, I admire those of you who do though.....that's got to be a tough job! My DS is in Kindergarten this year and my goal is to earn enough $$ with PC to put him in Private School.

 

[jenniferlynne]

Yeah, I would like to just homeschool through middle school then send him to a Christian school for high school. I better start selling more PC, because it is not cheap!!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Yeah, I would like to just homeschool through middle school then send him to a Christian school for high school. I better start selling more PC, because it is not cheap!!

Tell me about it! I looked into it this year and it is anywhere from $6500 - $11,000 in my area.....and that's for Kindergarten and the first few years of elementary.....one school tops out at over $20K for seniors (well, it's one of the top private schools in the nation, but still ).....and that's just tuition....not including fees and registration, and applications and uniforms and whatever else they add on......I'm truly making a push at this biz so I can afford it and still have the ability to stay home.

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Fourth yearThis is our fourth year homeschooling!!!

My daughter turned 10 today and is in the fourth grade! My son turns 11 tomorrow and is in the fifth grade! We will start school Monday, after their sleepover and birthday party.

My three year old will be doing pre-k work this year. I would like her reading by next school year. At least little baby books and Dr. Suess type books!!

My family was a little afraid of the idea because they didn't understand. After I explained the reasons why we do it, they now think it's great. Of course my kids are wonderful and very social. Unlike many public school kids who stay about a mile behind their parents in the mall or stores because they are embarrassed of them. And I don't mean all public school kids, because it's how you raise them. But I want my kids to be loyal to each other and most of all to us as their parents.

The main reason we homeschool is to teach them the Word of God and pray one day they will be born again. :love:

We also have more time to spend on certain things they are having trouble learning. We have fun field trips planned each year with our homeschool group and of course holiday parties!

Lord willing, I will homeschool all the way through the 12th grade!!

Debbie

 

[jenniferlynne]

Ok, suddenly $3000 per year doesn't sound so bad. I think that is about what it is at our nearest Christian Academy.

 

[chefkristin]

I am paying $2000 for full day Kindergarten. It isn't even a private school. So for $3000- I think that is a deal!!:thumbup:

 

[blessed4life]

This is our fourth year homeschooling!!!

My daughter turned 10 today and is in the fourth grade! My son turns 11 tomorrow and is in the fifth grade! We will start school Monday, after their sleepover and birthday party.

My three year old will be doing pre-k work this year. I would like her reading by next school year. At least little baby books and Dr. Suess type books!!

My family was a little afraid of the idea because they didn't understand. After I explained the reasons why we do it, they now think it's great. Of course my kids are wonderful and very social. Unlike many public school kids who stay about a mile behind their parents in the mall or stores because they are embarrassed of them. And I don't mean all public school kids, because it's how you raise them. But I want my kids to be loyal to each other and most of all to us as their parents.

The main reason we homeschool is to teach them the Word of God and pray one day they will be born again. :love:

We also have more time to spend on certain things they are having trouble learning. We have fun field trips planned each year with our homeschool group and of course holiday parties! :

Lord willing, I will homeschool all the way through the 12th grade!!

Debbie

Hi Debbie and all,

I also homeschool! This is our thrid year and my daughter (Jaikyla) is 9 and is in the fourth grade. Actually, we just started this school year yesterday and it's going very well thus far

I LOVE being able to work one on one with her and most importantly, teaching her the Word of God, and morals and values we would like for her to have as she blossoms into a young Christain woman!

We have a great homeschool supprt group! This is the 1st year with a support group and we are both VERY excited about all the field trips, enrichment classes, and meeting new families and making new friends

We are also starting our own girls club...Girls of Virtue-a keepers at home club! She was doing girl scouts, but decided that she would like to have her own club where we can focus more on building Godly character!!

Okay, I could go on and on! Anywho, we love it and look forward to homeschooling through 12 grade, as the Lord so blesses.

 

[jasmar139]

This is my ninth year homeschooling. My oldest DS graduated last year, and I have a 15 yr old DD and 10 yr old DS. I agree the first year was the hardest, trying to get them use to it, as well as getting in the sync of it myself. In high school, we decided to go with a correspondent school, so that they can get an actual diploma.Jennifer, I think we have the same director, even though I haven't been able to go to meetings this year due to my part-time job. Is Cindy your director?Robin
Indiana

 

[Jewel]

I homeschooled my kids for 1 1/2 years. I had to put them back into public school a couple years ago, b/c of some personal and business issues. I couldn't give them the attention they needed. Now my daughter is in middle school and in the Honors program! Her teacher last year said it was b/c we worked so far ahead at home. My MIL was the same way. (Actually worse all the time, in every decision we make) I think it is wonderful that you can do that.

 

[krzymomof4]

This is my ninth year homeschooling. My oldest DS graduated last year, and I have a 15 yr old DD and 10 yr old DS. I agree the first year was the hardest, trying to get them use to it, as well as getting in the sync of it myself. In high school, we decided to go with a correspondent school, so that they can get an actual diploma.

Jennifer, I think we have the same director, even though I haven't been able to go to meetings this year due to my part-time job. Is Cindy your director?

Robin
Indiana

Hi Robin,
Jennifer is my recruiter so I can answer for her. Cindy is our director. Didn't we meet you a year or so back at one of the kick off meetings?

 

[Darcia]

This is my third year homeschooling and I also want to impart the word of God. My ds is 7 and is in 2nd grade. I also enjoy the flexibility and the ability to dig deeper when necessary.

 

[priscilla]

I unschool my almost 4 y/o, and plan on continuing as long as it is mutually beneficial. We are part of a secular homeschool coop which offers great classes, but basically everything we do is an education!

Robin

 

[SilverCeladon]

I unschool my almost 4 y/o, and plan on continuing as long as it is mutually beneficial. We are part of a secular homeschool coop which offers great classes, but basically everything we do is an education!

Robin

What is unschooling? I have heard that term before but don't know anything about it.

 

[MamaChef]

This is our 2nd "official" year of home school. My DS is in 1st grade this year, and our DD is 3yrs. Outside of being frustrated with how the public schools are portrayed in the news, I've thoroughly enjoyed actually getting to SEE my son learn! It was hard to see how having everyone up at the crack of dawn to get the kids to school, have them there all day, and then only get to see them for a few minutes before bed...after getting homework done was going to allow us to really be a part of the kids lives. At our co-op's meet n greet a couple weeks ago, several of the mom's mentioned that they didn't want someone else getting the best hours of their child's day as their reason for homeschooling. We've been lucky to have support from both of our families in our decisions...my parents are VERY much hs'ing supporters, they homeschooled both my brother and I when we were younger.

 

[pckelly]

This is my 2nd year homeschooling and actually my husband and I are talking about putting him back in a county school here (I don't like the city schools here). We are going through some financial difficulties and I need some more income coming in. My hubby pays ALOT in child support and PC is alot, but it fluctuates and I need some regular income coming in. My heart is broken because I love homeschooling, I love being with him every day!! But I have to do what I have to do to take care of my family. If I work another job, then my PC money can towards debts and another car!! We only have one car, so we really need another one. If you are considering homeschooling, I say GO FOR IT, if you can, you just can't beat that time with your kids for anything!!
Maybe I will get to do it again someday!!

 

[iamtamnur]

We homeschool as well. We do it for educational and not religious reasons. My oldest is 14 (DS) and in 9th grade and this is our first year homeschooling high school. I also have a DD (13 ~ 8th GR.) and two other DS's (8 ~ 3rd GR. and 5 ~ 1st GR.). I love, love, love spending time with my kids and appreciate that I am able to homeschool them. The oldest two started in public school but the youngest two have known nothing other than the homeschooling way of life.

 

[Carissidy]

Nice pic jennifer! And I am envious of your ability to home school!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

I have known many families from my church that home school and with their very organized routine their children were very successful. I am a teacher with a masters in education. I have also seen the the opposite side, with parents having no idea how to teach and students mainstreaming back in, way behind. My advice is to ask questions when you need help. There are many groups for home schooling that are very supportive. Also, because you pay taxes, your child has access to reading specialists,Speech, PE classes and Music classes, in the public schools. They can come during short times. If you are able to home school and are organized with it, go for it!!We home schooled our son for awhile (5th grade year) because the district we lived in wasn't doing their job. Now he is my district.As a Christian, I want those of you who are discouraged in the sec. world's teachings, to have some assurance, that some of us make known our beliefs and continue to uphold moral standards while teaching in the public schools. Students CAN bring a Bible to read during reading time!! No law says they can't. When kids ask, I say yes. I still put the Christmas tree up in my room, we listen to Christmas music (the real stuff!) and I read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It gives me a chance to teach the true meaning of Christmas.

 

[MicheleC]

Julie,

Thank you for sharing with your students. It is a blessing to have teachers like you in our public schools. I have gone back and forth on homeschooling and had some discussions with my husband this summer but while the idea is attractive to me I don't feel that pull to make the change at this point. Of course we are fortunate to have a wonderful Christian School and be able to afford it. I only work two school days a week at an accounting job and more than pay for their schooling which leaves me with extra money from the job and extra time to spend at the school and on other ministry work in our church and community. I LOVE being the mom that can go on all of the field trips and go help in the class on a regular basis. :love: I end up spending about 8 hours a week in the two kid's classrooms.

Linda,

You need to move out to Helena, MT where private school is affordable! For TWO children in school I pay $500/month and that includes all activity fees, registrations, etc. There are very few extras asked for. A couple of times a year we try to do something special for the teachers but that is it. Of course you do have the fundraising side as well which plays a big part in keeping the costs down. We do three fundraisers a year which isn't so bad.

 

[smallfarmmom]

We are in our 4th year of homeschooling. We have a 4th, 2nd, K and then a 3 year old and a 23 month old to keep busy

 

[tx_deputyswife]

This is our 6th year hs'ing. Our oldest (17) is winding up a few high school courses while also attending the local jr. college, and working almost full-time. My middle child (13) attends school again because my ex....well, it's a really long story. And my youngest (3, almost 4) is doing a mix of K and 1st grade work.

 

[jenpottratz]

I believe this is our 4th year homeschooling too

All my boys (ages 5, 6, & 8) are active in homeschooling now. I also have a daughter (age 2) who would just love to be doing what her brothers are doing.

I also do daycare during the day so it can be challenging at times. I'm excited this year because of the different things we are doing. Our first science unit is insects (gasp!). We are getting an ant farm, a ladybug farm and a mealworm farm.

The boys are oh so excited Maintaining it all and a successful PC business is a challenge - but I've always been one to enjoy a challenge (most of the time). Take care and good luck to all of those out there!

Jen

 

[janetupnorth]

Tell me about it! I looked into it this year and it is anywhere from $6500 - $11,000 in my area.....and that's for Kindergarten and the first few years of elementary.....one school tops out at over $20K for seniors (well, it's one of the top private schools in the nation, but still ).....and that's just tuition....not including fees and registration, and applications and uniforms and whatever else they add on......I'm truly making a push at this biz so I can afford it and still have the ability to stay home.

YIKES!!!! You have got to be kidding!!!! I just wrote the check to put my daughter in the local Lutheran School (vs. public school) and it cost me $389 for the ENTIRE year including 2 milks a day! That is registration, technology fees, books, you name it. All we had to get was school supplies (about $15-$20 worth, a paint smock, and gym shoes).

 

[janetupnorth]

This is our 6th year hs'ing. Our oldest (17) is winding up a few high school courses while also attending the local jr. college, and working almost full-time. My middle child (13) attends school again because my ex....well, it's a really long story. And my youngest (3, almost 4) is doing a mix of K and 1st grade work.

Hey, what do you use for your 3 year old? What curriculum or books?
My 3 year old (almost 4 too) learns a LOT from his big sister (6) and wants to "do homework" when I'm helping her. He even walked up to her kindergarten teacher from last year and said, "Can I come to kindergarten this year?" She said, "Not for 2 years, you're too young." He said, "Well, I can count...In Spanish...uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis..." (Said it really fast). We were both shocked and then laughed hysterically. My 6 year old taught him to count in Spanish (behind Mommy's back 'cause I didn't know about it!) and he wants to learn more.

I work full-time but spend as much time with my kids and would LOVE some ideas for him for the evenings/weekends (when we're not running around playing!) He's going to learn verses in Cubbies this year, but he's ready for a little bit more...

 

[jenniferlynne]

There is a lot of great curriculum (sp) out there, but I use Calvert (www.calvert.org). It is a little pricey, but you get pretty much every thing you need. You may have to buy a few things for the crafts if you choose to do those. Plus, every lesson plan is planned out for you. My son loves it! He thinks it is so much fun. He bugs me to death wanting to know when we are going to do school. Right now they offer preschool through 8th grade.

 

[pamperedmom24]

I love Calvert!!I homeschool my two daughters 9 and 7 using Calvert. I also purchased the pre-k program this year for my 3 year old who loves it!!! Calvert school is well worth the money, I don't have to stress over their work, everything is laid out for them. Also, with 4 kids I will get plenty of use out of the books.

I chose to homeschool because I can. There are alot of moms who would love to but cannot for financial reasons. How could I be at home and send my wonderful girls to someone else for 6 hours everyday. Homeschooling is not for everyone, but I am very happy with the decision our family has made. If my kids were in a traditional school during the day they would have to give up all but one of their activities. I don't have time in the evening to carpool everyone to a million things and also make dinner. We have broken up 3 activities per week, per child and the times are distributed throughout the day. Believe me they are very social children!

 

[jenniferlynne]

You are the first Calvert user I have found! It is great and worth the money. I'm surprised more people don't use it. We went exploring with binoculars today. It was fun.

I see you are from Maryland. That is where the actual Calvert school is isn't it?

 

[priscilla]

What is unschooling? I have heard that term before but don't know anything about it.

Unschooling is also known as child led learning. I do not choose a curriculum for him, I follow his interests and inclinations. If he asks me what two and two are I will help him figure out the answer is 4, but I do not have defined "math class". When the time comes that he shows an interest in learning to read I will help him, but we do not do any formal reading education.

This is the best quote I can find that describe unschooling:

"Unschooling is trusting in a child's natural curiosity to teach them what they need to know. The parent is there to answer questions, talk, infect the kids by their own curiosity about life! (though curious about what you're interested rather in what you think would be good for the kids to be interested in!), bring in cool resources (that the kids can feel free to ignore if it just isn't the right moment for their interest to ignite).

The hard parts are:

trusting natural curiosity to draw your child to what they need to learn when. (Math is fascinating. Kids only get turned off to it by the boring way school approaches it.)

trusting a child's natural schedule rather than the school imposed one (eg, that the child will read eventually even if they aren't doing so at 7 because reading is always a pleasurable activity not an imposed tedious one, they will multiply even if they aren't doing it at 9)

trusting that it's okay for kids to learn things out of order! It doesn't bother kids at all to pick up interesting tidbits about Thomas Jefferson, knightly armor, Egyptian mummies, WW2 combat planes. They make their own connections as they get more and more things in place. (Later, an orderly approach will be fascinating to them as they can make even more connections.)

seeing real learning that is right there all around you, for example, the things that need sorted, the cookies to divide, the planning for a party that are all real live math. And it's especially tough to trust that those few minutes of real engaged figuring are worth 20 pages of worksheet practice."


Robin

 

[lockhartkitchen]

Thanks MicheleC,

I'm loving my class this year. I have some difficult children last year that weren't being raised in a Christian home. I decided to start the year off with Team Lockhart. Our theme song: We're all in this together. (High School Musical). Corny I know, but the kids are loving it. We sing everyday. Our class room jobs are team based. Linebackers- watch the end of the line; I really wanted to start the year with a strong connection with each other. I am blessed with a wonderful class. No, I'm not in the "honeymoon period" being only day 3 of school. They thank each other, are polite and helpful.

I miss being with my kids, but my job is needed for the insurance. My husband works from home so my kids have never had to have daycare. I got to take my 2nd grade daughter to school on the first day of school for the first time, because her room is across from mine.

FYI- I do hope my students graduate from HS smart. The checker at the store tonight should ask her school for her refund!! 10 minutes to scan a milk, cat food and corn nuts. HA HA!