How to start off a new year-first timer

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by yankee girl, Apr 26, 2004.

  1. yankee girl

    yankee girl New Member

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    Okay, In August should I just start by reviewing what my son did this year in public school. If he doesn't use it he forgets it. I was thinking since I will still be working some that the days I'm at work I could just have his grandmother do review work. Then by the beginning of Oct when I'll be able to stay at home(unless anything else goes wrong) I will be able to get into new stuff.

    What do you think?????

    Tammy Lynn, NC
     
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  3. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    Hi Tammy Lynn and welcome!

    I'm Tina and I have 3 boys. I have been homeschooling for almost 5 years! I soooo enjoy it NOW. My first was wild and crazy. I made it so:eek: I had decided to do EVERYTHING I wanted to do.

    My advice is always the same to newbies. Keep your goals simple and realistic. Your first year is not the year to do learn how to play 2 instruments, run a marathon, take up a foreign language and do all your academics. lol

    Als remember we aren't dictated by anyone or the public school schedule. Our school year starts and begins when WE say it does.;)

    Matter of fact, a lot of homeschoolers (hsers) including myself school year around because the old saying is true *what they don't use they lose*. Its much easier imho to keep things going year around on a steady pace.

    BTW, you didn't say what grade so I don't know if your up against any particular developmental issues,etc.

    Your goal sounds realistic to me. Also since I don't the age/grade level I don't know whether to advise you to deschool some. That is try to find your own routine. Get yourself acquainted with his learning style and your teaching style.

    Do you need something laid out? Are you structured and does NC require testing and accreditation?

    Please let us know a little more so we can give you suggestions that might help:D

    Once again, welcome here!

    Blessings
    TinaTx
     
  4. yankee girl

    yankee girl New Member

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    Hi

    My son is in the third grade right now in ps. We do have to test at least once a year. (we have to keep it on file and only send it in if requested.) He is very bright - just not as mature as most third graders even though he is 9 (oh by the way he is ADHD).

    He likes the Magic Tree House series so we will go to the library and get them this summer to read.

    You are right if they don't use it they forget it. I just know that he needs a break from school right now. I want to be structed by sort of laid back.

    Thanks for any help and advice.

    Tammy Lynn, NC
     
  5. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    Ok..gotcha...much better instructions so I know how to steer you:cool: My son is in 3rd grade too.


    Yes...your right. He needs some downtime. Especially if he struggled this last year. Just read to him! I wouldn't even bother reviewing him, you can make that part of your homeschooling.

    Does he like reading? He may find it difficult. Just do read alouds and take turns reading with him. Get your *snuggle factor*:D going with him. We all get on the couch with one big blanket and the boys just *take it in* and relax as I read.

    When your working, get grandma to go the library and get good books on tape. Like Jules Verne or Chronicles of Narnia. Even some funny ones like Junie B. Jones. Classics like Black Beauty, Pinnochio, Call of the Wild, Treasure Island. We did tall tales today. We did Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan and John Henry..We sang songs too (moms not a good singer:eek: ,but I had fun looking for the words in a book at the libary). We sang Davy Crockett and one for John Henry...Anyway you get the idea?

    Ok.....as far as curriculum...There are curriculum providers that put it all together for you, and hold your hand: Abeka, Calvert,Covenant Homeschooling,K12, Sonlight....let me think of some more..These are totally laid out for you. Let me see I like ALL of these curriculum providers. lol

    Others that might suit you and your sons learning style for Language arts is *Learning literature through language arts*. Then you add your own phonics, handwriting and math.This is taking a literature approach which some children do better at.

    One advantage of boxed curriculums is that its put together for you and the convenience is worth it to some. One disadvantage is that just about all children are on different levels, i.e. their skills are all over the map, instead of the *one size fits all* way of packaged curriculums. I always advise newbies most of the time to go with something put together and they can tweak the parts they don't like. Homeschooling can be hard enough your first year, without having to do lesson plans. Then you can peruse whats out there. However, if you have the resources (your time and energy) to pick and choose then they do well if they get familar with whats out there.

    Also, I like Rod and Staff very well for language arts and math. You didn't say if you wanted christian or not. They are definetly christian but very inexpensive and thorough. The teaching manuals are good too. The good thing about these books is that they are textbooks.So you do all your work on paper. So you keep the books for the next child, or resale them after your use.

    Veritas Press has some good reading for literature, but tends to be ahead in their reading list that they suggest. I just get what I like instead of going by grade level. They have good literature guides.

    As far as testing, I'm gathering your allowed to test him. I would do so. Since by the end of the year, he will be use to your way of teaching he won't *freeze* up with a stranger. I would do this since you don't really need to show anyone unless they ask.

    You could put his completed work each day into 3 ring binders each labeled for a different subject,(Reading, Writing, Math,History,Science,Etc) and keep up with it as you go so that you always have a portfolio of his work. This way if anyone every asks you have everything put together and in order as you go along in your year.

    Ok..BLAH,BLAH, BLAH.......:rolleyes:

    I do tend to get long winded. I'm glad Amanda doesn't set time limits on my speeches:D

    Does this help?

    TinaTx
     
  6. yankee girl

    yankee girl New Member

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    YES, Thanks it makes a lot of sense. He likes to read -if he gets to pick out the book. This year he had to read certain books the ones about adventures he liked, but there were few of these. He loves to go to the library and check out books. My son is a snuggler so that won't be a problem. :) :)

    I have requested several catalogs from several curriculum dealers. There are sure a lot out there.

    I will definitely keep the portfolio-didn't think about that. Only thing we have to do is attendance record and test. I can do the testing which will help.

    Thanks again for your help I'm sure I will be asking many ??'s.

    :D Tammy Lynn, NC
     
  7. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    Tammy Lynn

    This is the PERFECT time to be perusing curriculum. There are curriculum fairs going on everywhere. It would be the perfect time to compare curriculums and see the workbooks/textbooks. It hard to see anything over the net real good at times. Find your local homeschool group and they should inform you of the time/places. I have one going in May, July and August here close. So they are everywhere.

    HOWEVER, going to the curriculum fairs without having some idea of what you want is like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach.:p lol So go armed with some information or a shopping lists.

    Also, if you can go several days in a row that helps too. Some are two or more days. One day to take it all and get over the feeling of being *overwhelmed* with all the choices and the second day to actually kind of take a look at what you liked the first.

    Most first year homeschoolers, including me:eek: stocked up on so much curriculum my first year I'm still using it my 5th year:eek:

    We'll be around for questions.....

    :D
     

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