Well.. we did it..

[chantald]

We just became homeschoolers..

The timetable was pushed up considerably.. if you have read my previous question about homeschooling, the plan was this September and the start of 3rd grade. The school forced our hand.. and we decided enough was enough.

My letter of intent was delivered and signed for, as was my records request. I have my IHIP ready to go and library books on request to study space, at DS's request.

My Singapore math books and a few other LA books are on order..I printed out our daily schedule and went over it with him..

I'm still feeling overwhelmed.. how do I write the reports to account for his "learning" but I guess I'll figure that out when the time comes.. my first report is due in March..

Now, I just want him to decompress and start to enjoy learning and feel good about himself.. can I build some activities into the day that are fun but sneak some learning in or should I just let things flow and "make up" a report for the school when it's due??

[southernmommie]

There are a ton of online resources to encourage you. Good luck momma. Make it fun for the both of you.

[Citymomx3]

Originally Posted by chantald

We just became homeschoolers..

I'm still feeling overwhelmed.. how do I write the reports to account for his "learning" but I guess I'll figure that out when the time comes.. my first report is due in March..

Now, I just want him to decompress and start to enjoy learning and feel good about himself.. can I build some activities into the day that are fun but sneak some learning in or should I just let things flow and "make up" a report for the school when it's due??

Congratulations on your decision to homeschool!! :

You can take a look at what I send. It's in the sidebar of my blog. I keep the paperwork extrememly simple. I've been sending the same thing for 4 years.

[moominmamma]

Congratulations!

Originally Posted by chantald

Now, I just want him to decompress and start to enjoy learning and feel good about himself.. can I build some activities into the day that are fun but sneak some learning in or should I just let things flow and "make up" a report for the school when it's due??

I would do the latter. Not only is it likely to serve his need to decompress best, but you'll probably find that it's incredibly enlightening to you to become aware of the learning that takes place in everyday life, naturally and unaffectedly.

Of course, I think a few fun field trips would be a great way to celebrate your homeschooling freedom over the next month -- and they'd probably give you plenty of reporting fodder.

Miranda

[Lemon Juice]

congrats :

[phathui5]

I think that if you take a few notes everyday on what he's doing, you'll find you have plenty to put in a report when you need to.

[MamaMonica]

Congratulations!

[tanyalynn]

Congratulations!

Originally Posted by chantald

Now, I just want him to decompress and start to enjoy learning and feel good about himself.. can I build some activities into the day that are fun but sneak some learning in or should I just let things flow and "make up" a report for the school when it's due??

My vote, fwiw, is just enjoy some time together. This type of decision almost seems more stressful to the parents than the kid, so letting _you_ off the hook from trying to sneak in "learning" and avoiding the potential problems from that seems best for now. And I bet, if you sit down at the end of each week, you'll look back and see a lot more learning and growth than you would've expected, and maybe more than you could've set up to happen. I'd say the time off to decompress is for both of you.

[Lillian J]

I agree with others that he'll be better off with some plain ol' decompression time, and that you'll gradually begin to notice the ways he learns things on his own all the time. And you very well might see him just wanting to "veg" for a while - which is absolutely fine. Just try to think of times in your own life when you just needed some time alone with your own thoughts. But don't expect there to be a time when he suddenly bursts into a mode of wanting to learn things that are particularly valued as school subjects - he'll be seeing learning more as a very loose continuum rather than as one specific body of stuff that needs to be studied.

For fun activities to introduce after you've both had time to deschool, you might want to get a copy of Linda Dobson's book, The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12 - because it consists of fun, yet "educational," ideas submitted by lots of seasoned homeschoolers who enjoyed them with their own families.

And there are some great threads here in MDC on "educational games," and "math games."

Just jot down quick notes for yourself on everything he does, the reading you do aloud for him, places you go, things you discuss, things you look up online or in an encyclopedia, social time, films he sees and conversations you have about them, etc., and you'll have enough to report. During the first year we were homeschooling, when I was keeping a loose journal for a school program, I used to speak of it in terms of "we read..." when I was referring to my own reading aloud, because that's really the way it felt. Here's a thread on "educationese" for you.

Have fun! Lillian

[melissabb]

Congratulations!!:

I too pulled my son from 3rd grade. Best, best, best thing I ever did! Enjoy every moment of it!!!

Congrats again!!

[chantald]

Thanks!!
I like the suggestions everyone posted and the links. Thank you. I am jotting down notes.. like last night he volunteered, VOLUNTEERED!!, to tuck his little sister in and he read her a story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[A Mom's Love]

So happy for you! :

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by chantald

Thanks!!
I like the suggestions everyone posted and the links. Thank you. I am jotting down notes.. like last night he volunteered, VOLUNTEERED!!, to tuck his little sister in and he read her a story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lillian

[ParisApril]

I too pulled me DD from school this year. We are really enjoying HSing. She is just starting to relax now and she has been out of school for 2 months now. Kids shouldn't be stressed out, yk?

[Autumn Breeze]

nice to hear! we're considering pulling ds out of school (1st) if not before the end of the year, he won't be returning next year.