The really nice thing about homeschooling is that even if you find that your oldest isn't quite ready for high school level courses in the fall, he can learn at where he is and still finish high school on time. There is SO MUCH wasted time in a school day (even at the hs level). Since you know he may be a bit behind in certain areas, I probably wouldn't go with a correspondence program (like Abeka Academy) until he's more comfortable at home and working at the level he should. (Abeka and others are great books to use for homeschooling though and can be done without using the Academy option). They do have a DVD program though for those harder subjects. If you opt for something like Abeka Academy down the road, you can transfer in the credits. For math, many middle schoolers/high schoolers like Teaching Textbooks. It's a bit pricier than some but goes at the child's pace and has computer components and solutions for EVERY problem from start to finish. It also has a textbook (some use both, some use just the book...whatever works best for the student). The authors are even available to personally answer questions. Mine are younger but will probably go to TT after we finish Horizons (it only goes thru 6th grade). Below are the links for TT and Alpha Omega (the publisher of Horizons and LifePacs...they also have an Academy option). http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/ http://www.aop.com/ We don't use an Academy option at this point because my oldest will be in 5th grade. We'll evaluate that when she's older. Hope that helps.
WOOHOO!! You know, since school is almost out anyway, I'd spend the next few weeks getting to know my kids again -finding out what going on with them and why school was so bad for them. I'd maybe so some unit studies (you can search on this forum for more about them) on things they are interested in this summer. Bring the fun back into learning before you jump in full force! Do lots of hands-on stuff and take as many field trips as the current gas prices will allow. Have fun!!
Well, I read some of the post and I got to the one where you withdrawal the boys from school. Before you completely leave the school system I would find out why your son who is big boy, didn't want to go to school, there has to be more to it then just not likely school, is someone picking on him, if so why? Are one of the teachers being mean to him? I would want to know why? now you did it yes do deschooling, let them clear there minds from everything. Do fun things with them, like baking cookies, (when you are baking cookies thats school but don't tell them) they are doing math by measuring. Also, teach them how to clean and wash. There are alot of wonderful and fun things to do, field trips. Hope it works better for you all.
Just wanted to chime in and say HI! I pulled my sons out of school on Monday this week. Yep, they could have finished the year, no problem. But I figured, why prolong the misery? This gives me three weeks of all the other kids in town in school, and I can see what this hsing business is about.:lol: I have not ordered a curriculum yet, but I am close to having made my selections. When I do order, we will work through the summer, albeit a light schedule. Then, we've allowed ourselves lee-way to evaluate how this is going, and if we should continue, or re-enroll in public school in the fall. So far, it's been fun, but again, we haven't done anything "heavy" yet. We've spent 3 days this week at the park for lunch, and the kids have logged several hours catching spring peepers (the FROG kind ). The atmosphere at home is more relaxed, natural. I have my moments. Wednesday morning I cried, because I was afraid of "what i'd just done!". I've mourned the expectations I had of my children going to school, and that rosy picture of what it's supposed to be like. And I've had my moments where God has had mercy on me, and i've felt the deep sense of peace in my decision. I've met some other homeschooling moms, by chance, and connected. All in a week. Open your heart, your mind, great things will come of this. Watch the stress melt away, and your kids remember what it was like to learn for the simple joy in it. And if you can, find other homeschoolers to lean on, that you can meet with and bounce ideas off of. Good luck to you!
Earlier today I told my dd that I want to sit down with her one of these days and ask her what SHE wants to get out of school next year. Is there something she would like to learn? Is there a craft we haven't thought of? I told her I want ideas from now so that I can plan over the summer. When we first started out I wanted to be on a schedule so bad and I'm finally learning to go with the flow. My dd is 12, and will be 13 this summer so hormones often play a part in how are days are going. She is my "baby" so I've learned to not take the mood swings personally but they can have an effect on school. This summer I want to continue our math workbook and also there is a series called Summer Bridge that covers different subjects over the course of the summer and they are fun at the same time.
You know what? Make monday special - go out to lunch if you can and have ice cream! Don't even think about school for a week Have fun with your kids!!
I am so glad you took them out! Yikes! I agree, go and have some fun. Get them completely out of the school mindset. I would have them work with you to all find curriculum that will work for them and you. They are old enough to have some say in what they are doing and that way they will feel some ownership of the whole thing.
I haven't completely caught up with the thread (I have an early morning and will be gone this weekend), but - I totally agree, at 8th grade tops and already having taken the TAKS, I'd yank 'im in that case. (Others mentioned only finish if he's in high school, and that was my thought/sentiment as well!) As for what levels to use - it will depend on the hcild and the curriculum. A lot of curriculums have a placement exam to take, and if not, you can most likely contact the publisher and talk to someone who can guide you to which level would probably be the best to begin with. Some publishers will grant you 30 days (or some such time period) to see if it's the right level, etc, for you. Must go! Congrats and welcome!!
A friend of mine was in almost exactly the same situation as you are. What she did was she chose to take both of her sons out right away(she has one highschooler and one 5th grader) and enrolled them in Malibu Cove High School. I have my kids enrolled in MCHS's elementary division (Seascape Private School) so I actually recommended the school to her. But anyway, she enrolled them right away but didn't have to start homeschooling them until August when the regular public schools start. That gave her time to familiarize herself with her boys curriculum and they were totally ready to begin in August. One of the reasons I recommended Malibu Cove High to her was because her sons, like yours, were at different levels in each subject and MCHS tailors each of their curriculum programs to the different academic levels of the child. It's worked out really great for her. She had initially planned to homeschool for only one year but decided to keep at it this year too. Her sons are very happy with their schooling and they have advanced well above what they were doing in public school, in just one year. Not to mention that their self esteem has gotten much, much better. Anyway, I hope this helps.... Robin K.
Ok..I confess I didn't read all the great post... Talk to the school. They might let him do independent study and provide all the materials since it is so close to the end of the year. If he is being bullied then there is no reason why the school shouldn't help out. Of course...that doesn't mean they will. I'm sure you stated where in TX but....I'm in Bryan and we have a support/education program for new homeschoolers. You could also contact THSC for something in your area. www.thsc.org (806) 744-4441
Yay! I'm so excited for you. How was today? I know it's scary. The last day my kids attended ps, I dropped them off at school and went to a homeschool support group meeting that I happened to see a notice for at the library. I cried through the whole thing. That was in Nov. 2004, and what a great decision. We visit the schools in our area a few times a year doing volunteer work for 4H and I am so thankful that my kids are home with me. (They are thankful when they leave too! I think it's a good reminder for them.) There have been so many good suggestions already, but I thought I'd throw in another: I would suggest spending alot of time at the library just browsing. No video checkouts at first, just books. What are they interested in? Maybe you could consider a family read aloud classic from Mark Twain or CS Lewis (even though they are older.)
This may be fine short-term, if this is what you choose. But with programs like this, they consider you a student of that school, not a real homeschooler (though you're doing all the work!). They can regulate what you use and when to use it. If you want to be in charge of what your kids use and how long or short of a time to take, and change curriculum to something else if it isn't working, and have your own schedule---then I wouldn't use one of these schools. They have a time limit of when you HAVE to be done, etc. So you're really under THEIR thumb of how you run your school. This is NOT to put down this poster, because I know it's personal choice. Just another viewpoint of things to consider....
Malibu Cove High School Hi everybody, I just wanted to chime in here and clear up a little info that Deena mentioned. I totally agree with you about staying away from schools that take over like you were saying in your post ( i.e: charter schools, in my opinion) but actually, Malibu Cove High School isn't anything like that. I use their elementary school division and both schools are very flexible. What they do is basically tailor your child's curriculum to his or her needs and interests based mainly on your suggestions as the parent. I feel that they are there to help you with your homeschooling all the way. They allow you to choose your subjects and you can even request specific publishers or books if you want to. They are kind of like the best of both worlds to me because they include a daily schedule for you to guide yourself by but you are not required to follow it. In other words, your child can totally go at his or her own pace. You do not have to finish stuff on time or else! We received two books that were a little too easy for my child and they exchanged them without any problems at all. I never felt that I was under anyone's thumb. To the contrary really, it feels like they are totally at my beck and call!:lol: Just helping me along the way. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you're looking for a little direction and help with homeschooling so that you don't feel like your doing it all alone (which is how I felt) then MCHS might work out great for you.
First day..... I had printed off some worksheets for the boys to do today. The youngest one did all of his, the oldest did not I have to say that I work at the public school here....LOL. And I still have 3 weeks until summer gets here for me. So for the next 3 weeks, the boys will be doing some basic worksheets while I'm at work, things I know they can do, just reviewing type stuff. Then through the summer months, I'm going to really zone in on what type of curriculum to use. My boys are 15 and 12, so they're able to stay home from 8-2 while I finish out the school year at work. It was nice this morning to not have to deal with the stress of fighting about going to school. And the boys managed quiet well without me home today. Some independece wouldn't hurt either one of them LOL. I was always a SAHM until they got in school, then I went to work at the school they attended. So, basically, they've always been with me, I was either home with them, or right up the hall at the school. I'm excited, I felt a little sick to my stomach all weekend, wondering if I had done the right thing. And I now feel like I have Wait.....ask me again when I try to teach my oldest one algebra ROFL! I'm an official Homeschooling Mom!!! WOOHOOOOOO Guess what! We didn't spend 2 hours doing homework tonight either Life is good
That's 2 of my favorite things about our first full year homeschooling.......no fights in the morning because we're all rushing around AND no pointless, mindless homework to bog down our evenings!!!! Congrats on your first day!!
