MaryEllen

This forum is just too quiet. How 'bout taking about what we, most likely, spend the most time and energy on - educating our kids?

I haven't started to hs yet. Our dd is not quite 3.5yo. I did hs our ds, but he graduated last year. We did 'school at home', using textbooks etc.

What style of homeschooling do y'all use in your homes - school-at-home, unschooling, CM, Unit studies, or something else?

Why do you like it at this time (I know things change)?

ladyre

I am a new hs parent. I chose to hs because my dd did not transition well when we moved and the changes to her personality were a little disturbing. Over the summer break she became more like the child she was prior to our move.
I designed her 5th grade curriculum myself. We have already dropped some of the things that weren't working (Spanish since neither of us speak it) and are still working on 4th grade math concepts (even though she brought home As & Bs last year) that she just didn't get the first time (division and measurements).
I love hs because it lets us set our own schedule and I feel that she is learning a lot more and a lot better from me than from the public school system. She is able to take the time to set up and complete experiments to answer some of her questions that explore science topics. I am letting her have a voice in her education and that is keeping her interested.
It also s that it allows her to pursue the interests outside of school that she really enjoyed because our day starts later and now she can participate in the local chess and fencing clubs that meet in the evening without it affecting her the next day.

chickiepoo

I've always wanted to HS my children. My ex would not allow it. His family is pro public school. I'm not. My two oldest go to the public school. Too bad my senior will be learning from the school of hard knocks when he graduates. They are taught nothing really, when it comes to everyday life...after high school!
My youngest just turned four. I'm glad to say that I have NO ONE to answer to(but myself) as to how Steven is taught. I am curious as to how he will do in school though. His personality being as it is. It'll be interesting to watch and participate.
I've always thought I would HS Steven also....ummmm....well....I don't know now. I'm kinda lookin' forward to him being out of the house for a little bit everyday.
Is that selfish of me? Maybe. Maybe not. It also depends on if I have to go back to work.
I don't have to make any kind of decision now. I still have a year or two. Of course, in WA State, I don't have to declare schooling intentions until he is 8. So, we'll see what happens.
I personally want to go back to school myself.

Ellie

ladyre

Chickiepoo,

Where in WA are you located? My sons grew up there (Anacortes). It is a great place to raise chidren, because until the recent ruling, the State laws favored parental rights over children's rights.

Homeschooling seems like it would be a big time committment, but it really isn't. If you sat down and thought about it, you would realize that you are probably already doing it with your son. Teaching him his numbers and alphabet are homeschooling, as is teaching him to follow directions, dress himself, and behave in a proper manner to family, and strangers.

As your child gets older, if you keep him at home, you will just need to add the necessities (mathematics, grammar, history, science, etc.) to what you are already teaching him. And if he never goes to school, he will not have bad habits to un-learn.

McGraw-Hill has many different types of workbooks available to purchase for very resaonable prices so that you can have a way to see and track what he is learning and not have to reinvent the wheel as far as math problems and grammar lessons are concerned. They offer a lot of workbooks for the full range of school subjects. For the beginning years, my local Dollar Tree even has a selection of workbooks - how can you beat a text book for a dollar?

There are other companies that publish school books and there is a lot of available through the different homeschool associations at the local, state and national levels.

On one occasion, my daughter had all of her homeschooling for the day (music and grammar) completed before the school day had begun for her in public school. She felt that it was worth it to get up that early. While we try to stick to a set schedule, my being self-employed does interfere at times. That is why I built a catch-up day into the weekly schedule. If we were unable to get to something during the week, we use the next free day to study whatever it was we missed. A side benefit is that my daughter is reading a lot more than she was when she was in public school. She has written and oral reports due every month. And is starting to realize for herself that she is always learning. Whether it is by cooking, or a regular book type lesson, or just reading a story, or riding in the car talking about what is on the news that day. She is starting to recognize that it is all education.

Take your time with making the decision, because you have to do what is right for you and your family. But, if you think about it - you are probably already home schooling.

And it is not selfish to want some time away from your child(ren)! The best part of home schooling is I get to spend all day with my dd; the worst part of home schooling is I have to spend all day with my dd. When I need a break, she has to visit, or my dh takes her off for some father/daughter time.