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We are running on a trial this month but have decided almost certainly to withdraw ds1 and ds2 from school in the fall (public charter) at which they'd be placed in Kindergarten and Second grade. I will file my affidavit of intent to homeschool at the end of the month if they even sort of seem to continue responding positively to the increased family time together and the learning at their pace. Ds1 is really advanced in math (age 7 doing division and fractions and a grasp of theory that goes beyond many kids his age--he just finished third grade math at school) and pretty much on the higher end of normal in reading, curious about science but we don't spend much time reading or focused on him (one reason i WANT to homeschool) with the three littler ones. His enthusiasm has not been met with much challenge and encouragement from his tired parents, but we are trying to change that now. ds2 is 5 and pretty normal--he'll say a bright thing or two but he is mostly just interested in gross and yucky things, breaking stuff, physical challenges, and making jokes rather than giving a straight answer--he however is really sweet and sensitive and free-thinking and responds really well to even fifteen minutes of one on one time--he might not try to do it "perfectly" like his big brother but he is PROUD when he does it and he is creative. I am starting now in the summer because I want ot start the quality family learning time, I am ready, they are ready, and we want to make sure we are going to all be better off (i am SURE we are).
I started just working a little more on fractions and division with ds1, giving him spelling words that relate to the human body, having him spend quiet time reading chapter books and creative writing (which he loves), writing the names of US states, capitol cities, and other countries and familiarizing himself with geography by flipping through atlases and playing find the country games...
ds2 is on lesson 3 in Teach your child to read in 100 lessons and he is working on recognizing numbers (i know i am a bad momma that i never MADE him do this sooner, but let him romp and play) we are also doing number concepts simply by having him copy a three i drew and draw three smily faces, etc
we are working toward five in a row later this week when i can find the right apology for the library that has not appreciated my lateness EVERY time i check out stuff...
I don't really think I can afford a full curriculuum (i can't even spell it for goodness sakes and I am a thesis away from my master's) dh is already working 8am until 11pm most days at two jobs for the basics. I like the structured stuff a lot and want to join a local co-op which likes every member to have filed the affidavit before enrolling (so it will be a month or so) but have agreed to let me attend events at my wish). I am also looking into a pretty standard enrichment program that would be one day per week. I am most concerned about how to choose spelling words, how to teach history, how to know i have touched on the basics before moving on (like doing measurements or time before long division), and I want to know that they'll get AT LEAST as good but better be BETTER overall education in the midst of our crazy cluttered overcrowded loud lots of kids apartment and the small world of extras we have here (gosh i miss chicago museums and cultural pockets).....
did i even ask a question here? hmmmmm
thanks for any direction from experienced mommas
I started just working a little more on fractions and division with ds1, giving him spelling words that relate to the human body, having him spend quiet time reading chapter books and creative writing (which he loves), writing the names of US states, capitol cities, and other countries and familiarizing himself with geography by flipping through atlases and playing find the country games...
ds2 is on lesson 3 in Teach your child to read in 100 lessons and he is working on recognizing numbers (i know i am a bad momma that i never MADE him do this sooner, but let him romp and play) we are also doing number concepts simply by having him copy a three i drew and draw three smily faces, etc
we are working toward five in a row later this week when i can find the right apology for the library that has not appreciated my lateness EVERY time i check out stuff...
I don't really think I can afford a full curriculuum (i can't even spell it for goodness sakes and I am a thesis away from my master's) dh is already working 8am until 11pm most days at two jobs for the basics. I like the structured stuff a lot and want to join a local co-op which likes every member to have filed the affidavit before enrolling (so it will be a month or so) but have agreed to let me attend events at my wish). I am also looking into a pretty standard enrichment program that would be one day per week. I am most concerned about how to choose spelling words, how to teach history, how to know i have touched on the basics before moving on (like doing measurements or time before long division), and I want to know that they'll get AT LEAST as good but better be BETTER overall education in the midst of our crazy cluttered overcrowded loud lots of kids apartment and the small world of extras we have here (gosh i miss chicago museums and cultural pockets).....
did i even ask a question here? hmmmmm
thanks for any direction from experienced mommas
