Considering HS- Questions you've answered a hundred times

[Nanner]

I am sure you guys get a lot of this, but I have a Kindergartner in PS who I am considering HS next year. I am not sure where to start, but plan to call a couple of real life friends to ask questions of. In the meantime, maybe you guys can give your advice/ experience on the following:

First off, I am in SC, if that helps any. (I know there are different laws for different states).

- My dd will be 7 in Sept. and is definitely ahead of her Kindergarten work, and I bet she would be closer to a 2nd grade level. She reads well and can add/subtract 2 digit numbers in her head, and also do some multiplication. So, do you HSers just do the 1st grade curriculum anyway? We could probably do a week's worth in a morning! So, do I just do that, then supplement that with what she is interested in, but just send in the actual 1st grade work? (Please excuse me, I am totally clueless!)

- What do you do for socialization? She has done dance and gymnastics before, and is enrolled in T Ball now. But I need more *free* ideas to get her around kids her age. I know my HS friends meet at a park once a week, but what else do you do?

- For that matter, what exactly do you do all day?!! I will have a 16 mos old and a newborn at the start of 1st grade. PLUS, I have to work from home at least 2-3 hrs a day for us to pay our bills (but I can do the work at anytime of the day). I feel like we could do the work she would get in 1st grade easily, but what do I have her do while I am busy with the babies/work that is not isolating or pointless? I worry that I will be overwhelmed and/or be shortchanging dd. Can you give me ideas on things she can do on her own that are cheap and educational? Like, do you have your kids spend time doing an art project on their own each day? I know she loves watching Spanish at school, so I could have her watch a little of that each day. What else???

These are my main worries. On the other hand, I think my dd is a good candidate for HS and she would be really excited about it, as she does not like school (b/c it is boring, she says). And I think it would be a great way for us to spend time together and also a better education. I also have a degree in Early Childhood Education, so I suppose I am qualified

Please share your wisdom in a Homeschooling-For-Dummies format!!!!
TIA

Sara
dd 9-10-00
ds 4-21-06
edd 8-14-07

[lilyka]

Lots of pepole don't use curriculum. but if that is the path that works best for you and your child then by all means just get whatever level best suits her. SOme curriculums ofer placement tests and some avoid grade levels all together in favor of a more neutral way of ordering things.

socializing - man there were so many offerings between or community and our homeschool group that we have to be very careful not to over extend ourselves. seriuosly just jump into your homeschooling community and city programs and the possiblities are endless. if you happen to be in a small rual town check the next bigger town over.

what do we do all day . . . we start with chores - getting dressed, making bed, eating, grooming, that sort of thing, then school work which takes about 1 hour for my k/1st grader and 2-3 (or 4 or 5 depending on her mood) for my older dd. the rest of the day they pretty much play. we run errends, go to the gym, whatever. I usually go to work at 4 and they do more fun stuff with thier dad.

funny you mentioned having a degre in education. be aware of your thoughts and feelings towards education. this could actually be more of a hinderance than a help. Home educating is completely different that institutional education. You really have to let go of school and embrace home.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by Nanner

My dd will be 7 in Sept. and is definitely ahead of her Kindergarten work, and I bet she would be closer to a 2nd grade level. She reads well and can add/subtract 2 digit numbers in her head, and also do some multiplication. So, do you HSers just do the 1st grade curriculum anyway?

I guess it's rather presumptuous to try to speak for everyone, but I would think that no one does that. If you can forget about what you've known as curriculum and simply focus on what she has yet to learn, it will all go a lot more smoothly.

I'm burned out from totally hibernating today and spending entirely too much time on the computer - but maybe you can peruse my (noncommercial) website (see the link in my sig) and find some ideas, especially in the Homeschooling Gateway to the Internet section.
-Lillian

[Just Me]

- My dd will be 7 in Sept. and is definitely ahead of her Kindergarten work, and I bet she would be closer to a 2nd grade level. She reads well and can add/subtract 2 digit numbers in her head, and also do some multiplication. So, do you HSers just do the 1st grade curriculum anyway? We could probably do a week's worth in a morning! So, do I just do that, then supplement that with what she is interested in, but just send in the actual 1st grade work? (Please excuse me, I am totally clueless!)

Send it where? Unless using a distance school type thing, you don't have anyone to send stuff to. Its just you guys As for the rest, pick a curriculum you wish to use, we like Singapore Math's My pals are Here math, and there is a placement test on the Sonlight website (though we use Ambleside Online's curriculum) so you can figure out which book to order. Forget grade levels. You go by your child's ability and aptitude, and interests.

- What do you do for socialization? She has done dance and gymnastics before, and is enrolled in T Ball now. But I need more *free* ideas to get her around kids her age. I know my HS friends meet at a park once a week, but what else do you do?

Not free, but def cheap, is Brownies. And your HSing friends may meet up at the park once a wek, but you can also arrange "field trips" with a couple, and playdates. plus she is not being withheld from neighbourhood children. they still play after school if you go to church, there is also Sunday school. And activities at the YMCA are also cheap
- For that matter, what exactly do you do all day?!! I will have a 16 mos old and a newborn at the start of 1st grade. PLUS, I have to work from home at least 2-3 hrs a day for us to pay our bills (but I can do the work at anytime of the day). I feel like we could do the work she would get in 1st grade easily, but what do I have her do while I am busy with the babies/work that is not isolating or pointless? I worry that I will be overwhelmed and/or be shortchanging dd. Can you give me ideas on things she can do on her own that are cheap and educational? Like, do you have your kids spend time doing an art project on their own each day? I know she loves watching Spanish at school, so I could have her watch a little of that each day. What else???
Educational TV, puzzles, lego, art, free reading, free printed off the PC word find puzzles, educational CD roms (Reader Rabbit, Jump Start, Carmen San Diego,Clue Finders, Scooby Doo (yes, they are educational!) Magic School Bus...look on Ebay). Also, helping you about the house and with the babies IS educational. It called Home economics.
These are my main worries. On the other hand, I think my dd is a good candidate for HS and she would be really excited about it, as she does not like school (b/c it is boring, she says). And I think it would be a great way for us to spend time together and also a better education. I also have a degree in Early Childhood Education, so I suppose I am qualified

Please share your wisdom in a Homeschooling-For-Dummies format!!!!
TIA
I too have a degree in early Childhood Ed and Dev. It has helped a very small bit. HSing a child is not like anything in a large group setting though. But it does allow you to see the stepping stones and allow them to progress naturally as our training says they should, but that group academic settings cannot necessarily cater for

Also, there really is a book called Homeschooling for Dummies on Amazon LOL

[Roo_Online]

- My dd will be 7 in Sept. and is definitely ahead of her Kindergarten work... So, do you HSers just do the 1st grade curriculum anyway?
No, I would not do 1st grade curriculum for a child who is past the level of that curriculum. Chose work that is interesting and compelling to the child, whatever level that may be, not what some unknown committee or school board decided is appropriate.

Start thinking beyond "grade level." For first and second grades, I put together my own curriculum. Now I loosely follow the Ambleside curriculum, though I tweek it so much that it still something I put together specifically for my family.

I recommend that you read the book "Understood Betsy" either alone or as a read-aloud with your DD. It's a book for children, but it's also a great parenting and homeschooling manual. You'll see what I mean when you read it. It's about a little girl who is sent to live with relatives in Vermont and she attends a one-room schoolhouse. Great book! I think it will help you start to think outside the box of grade level. I know it sounds like a silly suggestion, but read the book.


- What do you do for socialization? ... I know my HS friends meet at a park once a week, but what else do you do?
Keep in mind that other homeschoolers are also looking for social opportunities. If meeting once a week isn't enough for your DD, then you can always organize something more frequent. Since you have more than one child, encourage your children to socialize with each other as well as with peers.


- For that matter, what exactly do you do all day?!! I will have a 16 mos old and a newborn at the start of 1st grade. PLUS, I have to work from home at least 2-3 hrs a day for us to pay our bills (but I can do the work at anytime of the day).
One piece of great advice I received when I had my second child is that being part of a family, caring for the new baby, learning to cooperate and contribute to the family are all educational experiences for the older siblings. You are not short-changing her education if, after you give birth and have a newborn in the home, if you aren't doing schoolwork often and instead are just concentrating on getting through the day with all the challenges of a baby around. Your oldest child can help you, and that is valuable experience for her that will benefit her. You don't have to feel guilty about that. And, you are setting the example to her on being a mother.

Also, if she can read on her own, I'd let her read as much as she wants during your post-partum days.

I also have a degree in Early Childhood Education, so I suppose I am qualified
As a mother interested in educating her children, you are qualified. Congrats on your decision to do it.

[Nanner]

Wow, thanks for all the info and suggestions!

I know that I have been my dd's main teacher up until Kindergarten, and yet I have never used a workbook or anything along those lines. She picked up math and reading seemingly on her own, though it was actually picked up along and along as we went thru our days. And, she has learned math almost exclusively thru me giving her problems when she asks while we are in the car, or sitting at dinner, etc.

I guess I was wondering whether HS a first grader continues like this, or whether you have to turn in worksheets, and such. Anyway, I am glad to hear that it is not a bunch of stuff to keep up with and that it can be managed with other siblings and responsibilities.

Thanks again!

Sara
dd 9-10-00
ds 4-21-06
edd 8-14-07

[elizawill]

hi, i live in SC too. there are 3 options for homeschooling in our state. i'm a 3rd option homeschooler, which is the easiest and least invasive from the state. you can visit: www.carolinahomeschooler.com and find discussion boards, information, support groups, associations, etc. all related to our state. dianna is the moderator, and she's super helpful and a veteran homeschool mom. i'm part of the lancaster homeschool group and it's AWESOME! i would definitely recommend a good homeschool group in your area. i'm part of the palmetto association, but there are lots of associations to choose from as well. as for curriculum, it will solely depend on your teaching style and your daughter's learning style and your personal thoughts on how you think school should run in your household. for curriculum reviews from other homeschool moms visit: www.homeschoolreviews.com

this site is my favorite, and i wouldn't purchase anything until you've read reviews here first. i personally use core knowledge unit lessons (free for download and their website and separated by grade) then i use happy phonics (game approach to phonics) and explode the code (workbook approach to phonics) and saxon math K (but i do the meeting book different because it's too long and boring otherwise). i also have TONS of filler curriculum that i can use as needed. hope this helps.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by Nanner

I know that I have been my dd's main teacher up until Kindergarten, and yet I have never used a workbook or anything along those lines. She picked up math and reading seemingly on her own, though it was actually picked up along and along as we went thru our days. And, she has learned math almost exclusively thru me giving her problems when she asks while we are in the car, or sitting at dinner, etc.

I guess I was wondering whether HS a first grader continues like this, or whether you have to turn in worksheets, and such.

Ohmygosh! You're so lucky to have already had the opportunity of seeing how perfectly natural learning can be for a child - it takes some people years to notice those things, and some never do.

YES! - You and she can go on like that all the way through, although you'll both be bringing lots more subjects and materials into the mix over time. But she won't be needing worksheets or "work" in order to learn - as you've already seen. I mentioned last night that you might get some ideas on my site - and now what comes to mind is the links there over in the left column to some of the articles in other sites - like the one to the Natural Child Care Project's articles on natural learning - or The Things We Steal from Children. Just browse and click - it's a totally noncommercial site, and just there to help people get oriented. And here's a wonderful catalog for materials that promote a love of learning - FUN-Books - although you won't be needing to buy all that much. The library and the Internet can provide an awful lot of free materials over the next few years...

Have fun! Lillian

[Ruthla]

I don't use a formal curriculum at all. I personally think that textbooks and worksheets are a waste of time. I see no harm in worksheets if the child enjoys doing them, but they're by no means "essential" for teaching! We go to the library about once a week, and pick out books that interest DD. Sometimes we research a particular topic, sometimes we pick up a bunch of historical fiction, and sometimes she just gets fantasies to read. We have access to the internet to answer questions as they come up. What more do we need?

[leanne0425]

Originally Posted by Nanner

I am sure you guys get a lot of this, but I have a Kindergartner in PS who I am considering HS next year. I am not sure where to start, but plan to call a couple of real life friends to ask questions of. In the meantime, maybe you guys can give your advice/ experience on the following:

First off, I am in SC, if that helps any. (I know there are different laws for different states).

First of all your friends will be able to help you with your local homeschooling laws but you can also check the requirements yourself at www.hslda.org/laws


- My dd will be 7 in Sept. and is definitely ahead of her Kindergarten work, and I bet she would be closer to a 2nd grade level. She reads well and can add/subtract 2 digit numbers in her head, and also do some multiplication. So, do you HSers just do the 1st grade curriculum anyway? We could probably do a week's worth in a morning! So, do I just do that, then supplement that with what she is interested in, but just send in the actual 1st grade work? (Please excuse me, I am totally clueless!)[/QUOTE]

Like others have said, forget about grades. There is no harm in letting your daughter take the placement tests freely available for many math programs,there are so many out there so, don't expect to find the perfect one straight away, many of us change as and when we need to. Ones that were recommended to me and would probably work for you too are:-

Miquon Math ( this dosen't have a placement as they recommend you begin on the first book no matter the age)
SIngapore - Mastery approach ( you learn a concept then move on to the next with a review later )
Horizon - Spiral approach ( constant review and build on concepts already learned)
Saxon Math - Gentle incremental ( many find this too slow and repetative but excellent for those who need the extra practice to understan new concepts.
you can find placements for these at www.sonlight.com just click on the products tab then go to placements on the left topic bar.

These are just a FEW of those available but seem to be the most popular ones.

- What do you do for socialization? She has done dance and gymnastics before, and is enrolled in T Ball now. But I need more *free* ideas to get her around kids her age. I know my HS friends meet at a park once a week, but what else do you do?

- For that matter, what exactly do you do all day?!! I will have a 16 mos old and a newborn at the start of 1st grade. PLUS, I have to work from home at least 2-3 hrs a day for us to pay our bills (but I can do the work at anytime of the day). I feel like we could do the work she would get in 1st grade easily, but what do I have her do while I am busy with the babies/work that is not isolating or pointless? I worry that I will be overwhelmed and/or be shortchanging dd. Can you give me ideas on things she can do on her own that are cheap and educational? Like, do you have your kids spend time doing an art project on their own each day? I know she loves watching Spanish at school, so I could have her watch a little of that each day. What else???[/QUOTE]

Well apart from school we do anything we like, it all depends on what he chooses to do. Learning how to help you look after her younger siblings is excellent life skills practice too, as far as other things she could do while you are busy, you can find lots of very cheap educational video's on ebay, as long as it's only for a short while I'm sure she would love watching them. Pens, paper, paints, crayons, a wipe off board and markers ( get lots of colors and let her imagination go wild), there are lots of web sites that offer free educationaly games too, take a look on www.kidzone.com, if she is allowed access to the PC she will learn so much on these, how is she with her handwriting? they have free tracer pages available on the kidzone site, let her play with manipulatives and things like Legos too, the shapes and fractions kits you can get make great toys, and they learn while they play ( always the best way)

These are my main worries. On the other hand, I think my dd is a good candidate for HS and she would be really excited about it, as she does not like school (b/c it is boring, she says). And I think it would be a great way for us to spend time together and also a better education. I also have a degree in Early Childhood Education, so I suppose I am qualified

Please share your wisdom in a Homeschooling-For-Dummies format!!!!
TIA

Sara
dd 9-10-00
ds 4-21-06
edd 8-14-07[/QUOTE]

It sounds to me like she is perfect for homeschooling and I think you would enjoy it too, just remember to relax, you're not following any pre-dictated schedule it's all up to you what you do.
If you want to have some kind of curriculum to follow here are a few good web sites that may give you a few ideas

http://amblesideonline.org/ - Charlotte Mason approach - free online
www.mfwbooks.com/index.htm - christian based curriculum
www.sonlight.com
www.http://www.winterpromise.com

some curricula can be pricey so my advice would be to really shop around, find where your local homeschool support group is and ask if the are any curricula fairs within your area, these can be great, go along to one if you can, many of the publishers will be there and you can spend as much time as you want to looking through what they have to offer, it's always better to see before you buy when you can. Send for some free catalogs and take a good look through them too, you can get a good feel for the kind of things your daughter will learn with these and you can choose which level you think would be best for her. Search on the internet, you'll be amazed at what you will find, maybe join a few more homeschooling forums, where you can ask whatever you need to. This is an excellent one where everyone is a homeschooling mom and they will answer whatever questions you may have :-
http://www.thehomeschoollibrary.com/ - it's free so just register then introduce yourself in the welcoming comittee.

Most important thing to remember is there are no deadlines, you are free to do whatever you want to ( within your local laws of course), Grades don't matter anymore, you'll know when your child is learning and when they are ready to move on. RELAX, and you will love the experiance, you'll learn together, and be so much closer as a family......Have fun

[oneKnight]

Originally Posted by Roo_Online

- For that matter, what exactly do you do all day?!! I will have a 16 mos old and a newborn at the start of 1st grade. PLUS, I have to work from home at least 2-3 hrs a day for us to pay our bills (but I can do the work at anytime of the day).
One piece of great advice I received when I had my second child is that being part of a family, caring for the new baby, learning to cooperate and contribute to the family are all educational experiences for the older siblings. You are not short-changing her education if, after you give birth and have a newborn in the home, if you aren't doing schoolwork often and instead are just concentrating on getting through the day with all the challenges of a baby around. Your oldest child can help you, and that is valuable experience for her that will benefit her. You don't have to feel guilty about that. And, you are setting the example to her on being a mother.

The most important things I learned being homeschooled, did NOT come from any textbook. What happens when your kid grow up, moves out, and their toilet breaks at 2am? Who's gonna teach them how to turn off the water valve till it can be fixed during the daytime? Even little kids can start learning that kind of stuff. As they grow up they can learn how to actually fix the toilet, change a flat tire, do taxes, etc. Grow with them, don't spend all day repeating the same math problems till they're bored out of their minds!

My grandma did multiplication table flash cards, and for each correct answer we got a penny. My 2-years-younger sister and I competed, on the same skill level. "Grade level" really means nothing.
We had simple math tests. After they got easy we'd do 30 addition problems and use the microwave's timer function to race the clock. Change it up, make it fun.
Read books, but also make it a game to read store signs when you're out shopping, read lables on products, etc.
I guess my point is, education isn't "structured" by grade levels and preset demands. Many valuable skills are not taught in "school" and many school-learned skills can be changed up to be less boring.

[Nanner]

Thank you so much for all the advice! I talked to my LLL leader last night who is also a friend and a HSer. She gave me a lot of good advice also, similar to what all of you have said. I amazed at how easy it is to get started and how little you have to send in to anybody!
Anyway, thanks for the encouragement, I am excited and feel more confident now.

Sara
dd 9-10-00
ds 4-21-06
edd 8-14-07

[jatolonen]

Thx

I am new to the forum & am also considering HS, but I know hubby will resist. I got a lot out of reading everyone's posts. Thanks.

Mother of three girls
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