If you child, loves school tell me about it...

[robin4kids]

It is a simple question. There are some kids that LOVE homeschooling. What does your day look like. How do you teach? What curriculum do you use? What is your secrete?

[scheelimama]

Well, I'm not sure my kids LOVE it, but they mostly enjoy it and my 6 yr old prefers it over public school. My 5 yr old wants to go to "real school" though. Neither have been in "real school".

Our outside activities include weekly ballet at a ballet studio, but only with other homeschoolers, and every other month, our coop does a literature class once a week.

At home we are using Sonlight LA K/1, Core K, Science 1, Reading Eggs and Artistic Pursuits and we play some fun games. We also do lots of crafts, and try to relate some of them to the Core K curriculum. This week we were talking about ancient Egypt and made egyptian neckpieces from cardboard, foil, heart shaped gems and glitter glue. I also let them watch plenty of educational videos through Netflix.

[Marimami]

My DD attended preschool and part of pre-K at a school I loved, but it wasn't a good fit for her. I say this because she does have an idea of what school is like. She's almost 5.5.

It's been a year since we pulled her out of pre-K, and none of us regret it. She claims that she's going to homeschool forever. So, I'd say she loves it!

She pretty much leads us in her learning. This year she has wanted to learn about horses, Mayan civilization, space, birthing, elements, and a bunch of other things I'm not remembering.

DH is the primary homeschooling parent (I work full time from home). They read tons of books together. She does a lot of arts/crafts. They do science experiments all the time. She asks to practice reading and math occasionally. They play games. They build things. The only curriculum we currently have is Handwriting without Tears because she used it in school and requested it. We might get Singapore math eventually but for now math is largely informal, games, etc. They spend a good bit of time outside, in the yard, on walks, parks, etc. They go to museums, zoo, etc. They go on field trips with homeschool groups. They do a lot of baking and cooking.

She takes horseback riding lessons, participates in a laid-back gymnastics class, yoga, and piano weekly. We are members of several local homeschooling groups and she generally gets together with one of those groups 1-2 times a week. We also do girl scouts.

She doesn't use the computer at all for any learning on her own, but we will find resources online to share with her like NASA or animal birthing, etc. We have thus far raised her primarily screen free, but we are considering loosening on that somewhat in the next year or so for non fictional videos.

Holli

[chfriend]

My kids asked for school with me in August. We've been doing it ever since. They do love it.

The materials are matched to their interests and levels. Participation is optional; being nice to me is not. We go from as early as they can manage to get up until I have to leave for work in the mornings. Dp works 2 mornings a week and after they go to bed. We eat breakfast during school time.

We're doing Singapore math with Noble Knights of Knowledge and Rightstart manipulatives, as well as a Waldorf-ish "multiplication clock." Extra Life of Fred in the evenings.

Sequential spelling (12 or 13 words a day; 5 year old copies them rather than figuring them out)

Sounding out days of the week, weather, time and months while I write them.

Progressive Phonics; more reading in the evenings.

HWT

"Project time" with dp while I'm at work (science, history, lapbooks, art, crafts, you name it)

Music: singing with me

They love it because:
1) They are choosing it.
2) I'm aware of how they learn and what 'works' for them.
3) They love the structure of knowing how exactly how the morning will go.
4) They love seeing the progress over time of learning new things.
5) We set a visual and auditory timer for 10 minutes at the beginning of each "subject." Short, focused lessons move things along and keep them from getting bogged down.

[zjande]

The 1st child I homeschooled was my daughter. She hated "school time". Hated every single time I suggested she do her (home)school work or absolutely anything academic at all. It was such a great big enormous struggle. I sighed the world's biggest sigh when she got her GED & was done with high school. She truly hated schooling.

Then, I began homeschooling my son. He's a completely different story! He's like a happy little sponge, readily absorbing any & all schooling I give him. He's perfectly content with his homeschooling & completes his assignments with few complaints. He's 11 now.

My "secret" to why one kid loves homeschooling over the other? Their genes! I just think my son's personality is such that he's so much easier to school than his sister was.

FWIW, the curricula we use are Story of the World, Growing with Grammar, and a mixture of Saxon math & Challenge Math. That's our core. I blend in little things like spelling tests, vocab, nature studies, copywork & writing assignments from several different sources. We're structured, meaning we do schooling every weekday, but are flexible (we'll blow off a school day for a local homeschooler's event), eclectic, and Charlotte Mason inspired.

I don't know if any of that is helpful.

[4evermom]

My ds loves homeschooling because it isn't school and we don't try to replicate it or do any formal work. He doesn't like when people decide he should know something and try to inflict that knowledge on him. But he is interested in many things and loves when we facilitate his interests. He'll ask dh questions on car rides and literally shut him down if he starts to go off on a tangent. He'll say "That's enough about that. Now tell me about ___." Pretty hilarious, imo.

We don't teach. We answer questions. We point out things or take him places that we think ds will genuinely find interesting. We don't use a curriculum. We don't have any formal "school" time. If ds is happy and engaged in something, even computer games, he is learning. If he is cranky and dissatisfied, I know he needs some new materials, an outing, a project, or interaction from someone. I don't pick out those things based on an agenda of what I think he should be learning, just whether I think he'll like them. And that makes him even more receptive to my suggestions because he trusts that I'm not trying to manipulate him (he is extremely sensitive to subtle manipulation). It's all working out. Some things are happening on a different time table than schooled kids but it's all happening.

[elizawill]

we love it here! i'm sure my kids enjoy some things over other areas, but overall we all are very content homeschooling. imho, it isn't what style, method, or curriculum you follow that is proven success (for my family anyway) but what makes it work for us is the flexibility we have to adapt, adjust, and create a tailor-made groove designed perfectly for our family. additionally, i consider myself homeschooled. i am learning right alongside my children everyday. at times, i'm following my own interests like crafts, knitting, reading, cooking, etc. but i also am re-learning with them in their own studies and hobbies. it has been a very long time since i've studied most of the subject matter we cover - so it's been lovely to read fabulous books and learn about topics right alongside them. plus, we are constantly trying new projects and visiting new places that i feel we might otherwise abandon if we did not homeschool, ykwim?

homeschooling has been a great fit for us.

[newcastlemama]

My ds is 5.5 and we just started Heart of Dakota K curriculum. He really wanted to "do school" and this is a good fit for both of us. It gives us a rountine and he feels good about compleating the tasks. The lessons are short too. I am not stirct about getting it all done. Like today he wanted to practice handwriting and math before we left for a daytrip so we will just do the other stuff tomorrow. Our day is he gets up around 8:30 watches some cartoons, eats breakfast, gets dressed. We generally do his "schooly" stuff between 10-12 (he stops to play with dd a lot in there) We have lunch, run errands, take rest time, and just do regular stuff (go to the park, ride bikes, walk, play, make playdough, visit people, do computer games, read stories ect) I consider us Charlotte Mason inspired here--I do believe that "education is a life".

He loves being homeschooled and does not want to go to school. Our family really likes the freedom of homeschooling....I think he really likes that he can spend the night at grandma's any day of the week or go to work with daddy for a while (he is self-employed).

I agree it is about finding what works for your child and family. I read about what some peole do and think it is cool but that does not mean it would go well over here. I love homeschooling too like Elizawill said. It is so fun!

[AAK]

Originally Posted by robin4kids

It is a simple question. There are some kids that LOVE homeschooling. What does your day look like. How do you teach? What curriculum do you use? What is your secrete?

My kids say they LOVE homeschooling. . .but I am not sure that is it or if it is just preferable to public schooling. Anna was in ps through half of 3rd grade. Kayla was pulled out just this year (after the winter break) in the middle of 1st grade. Kayla really seems to "LOVE" hs. For real. And, to top it off, her stomach aches are gone--I think school was a big stressor and her tummy problems were related to stress.

Our day for Kayla is like this: get up/dressed/etc--practice piano--start "school" by 9:30. I work with her for math (currently singapore) and have her read to me. She does explode the code independently and something fun to work on spelling (often a word search or something printed out). After that, she plays for a bit. She tags along with big sister on science experiments, but we also kind of unschool science and social studies. I try to follow her lead and help her learn about those things. Our girls are very into "little house on the prairie" so with Kayla we have been learning about "the olden days". Fun little stuff--looking at books, making butter, sewing, etc. Comparing our life with Laura's life. etc. Science for her will really take off with the garden as she LOVES to garden. In the afternoon, the girls play a lot. I also encourage them to build with legos or play a game/do a puzzle. They love doing all that so no biggie. We bake a lot, we do a lot of art.

Anna also gets up/dressed/etc--practic piano--and starts school by 9:30. However, we recently switched 'method' a bit with her. She wants her "assignments" for the week known on Monday, so she can work ahead if she wants and have Friday off. I don't know if this will work very well at all. She is more of a procrastinator than a get it done early girl. She currently uses Easy Grammar, Spectrum Spelling, Singapore Math, and Physics Level 1 from real science for kids (gravitas publishers). In reality she cruises through this stuff VERY fast and is allowed to pursue her own interests after that. She loves science and will work with her various kits. She loves to read and is always reading something--often we both read it and discuss. She writes well but I don't push it much yet. We have been using library, etc for US history. This is a lacking point on my part. I don't know how effective I have been with this subject. She also attends the gifted program with the school district 1 day/week and takes a couple classes through the homeschool extension 1 afternoon/week. She is technically though a homeschooler.

Generally speaking, if it isn't done before lunch (for "book" type learning) it isn't going to happen. Afternoons are reserved for play, exploring, learning through doing, and my housework.

Amy

[Aeress]

Curriculum- we are very eclectic, using lots of books to plan/guide us. The girls are learning to play the recorder and the human body, along with reading and math.

Bella is 8 and does some worksheets for math.
Gillian is 5 and usually writes her work down, like trying to write more legible 2's, 3's and 5's. ( I called it practice writing) I try to do all hands on with the younger kids.
Erin is 2 and tags along.

Our curriculum is generally based around KWL-
What the kids KNOW, what they WANT to Know and what they have LEARNED. So, most ideas come from discussions with the kids and the occasional hint from Mom.

We start at 9 and go till 11 (am) and then sometimes from 2-4.

The girls take tap and ballet and art class. Beginning next week, they will work with other homeschoolers on science.

The older girls attended pre-k at the local public school and Bella did K there as well. They have asked to homeschool for next year.

[dotnetdiva]

My child loves school. I make sure to choose curriculum that we love to do, yet still be the most effective way to learn the subject. I go out of my way to make things hands-on and fun. My daughter sees my love of reading and learning. I have a very positive personality. We all get excited when learning new things.

I blog everyday, about our daily activities and curriculum stuff. Here's my blog: http://satorismiles.com

[heatherdeg]

Mine is 6yo and was in daycare and preschool until he was 4-1/2yo (where he was CHRONICALLY in "trouble"--even being removed from classes )

He's a social ANIMAL and associates school with playing with other kids. So of course, he wants to go to school. This is exacerbated by the fact that we go to the local public school 3x/week for OT. I do my best to point out what the kids are doing in the classrooms (objectively) but he doesn't care--he wants to be where the kids are. Whether we do enrichment classes or not... he wants to go to school. Of course, he has had moments where he's told that he can't bring a toy to therapy because they don't allow them at the school (confirmed by the door guard upon ds asking to verify ) and his cousins (7yo twins) love to tell him how horrible school is but he doesn't see them often (our choice... I don't think a 7yo singing songs about their genitalia and making songs out of profanities is worth spending time with)

He has recently had zero interest in learning ANY. THING. And I'm not pushing him. He can tell time well enough, counts to at least 100 and reads many years over his age level. OT has him writing better than the first graders work on the wall. I think we're good.

He'll come around. He has a 7yo friend that hs's and knows he's lucky. We'll be spending more time with him.

As far as curriculum, we're eclectic and it's always evolving. We're looking into Montessori math at the moment and use a collection of different resources and go by the Core Knowledge scope/sequence (which they are going to offer for free now... see this announcement)

We don't follow it to a T but we use it to help narrow the playing field and kind of gauge where we're at. We use the "What your X grader needs to know" book, too (which I think is "Core Knowledge Lite").