I LOVED it when I first found it...and for this first year..I think it was a good choice...but I don't necessarily think I love for next year or the following We are using the CLASS program and the whole they keep grades for you is super ....until you have to start mailing in junk..and some of the tests don't come with answer keys (to protect the integrity of the tests)...I get why they do what they do....but I'm finding that I'd rather them MASTER what I'm trying to teach them. Does that make sense? I'm kind of not a fan of grading for purposes other than understanding how much they understand. Idk if this is making sense..I'm regretting that I paid for them to keep records...and even tho I could NOT use it...I paid the extra bucks for it..so I have to! lol
LOL. I totally understand about feeling like you have to use what you already paid for. But, honestly...you really don't. You could switch it up today and find something that makes more sense to you....with you in charge of the answer keys. My first year of homeschool I was all over the map trying to find the *exact right* everything. It was a scary process flying off the grid, and it was hard to trust myself at first. Then, I found a group of unschoolers...who are SERIOUSLY unconventional and had radically different ways of approaching education as a whole...and I started to rethink everything. The proof was there. Their kids were awesome. They were going to good colleges, art schools, creating their own businesses, becoming independent entrepreneurs, doing amazing things for their communities. They were doing as well, and better....than kids with traditional educations. I'm not suggesting you unschool. From your posts, you seem like an awesome mom with your own teaching style. I am suggesting that you trust yourself! Let yourself make teaching a custom design for you and your kids...make it as enjoyable and sustainable as possible. If something doesn't make sense to you...trust yourself....pitch it, and find something you LOVE Best of luck!
Thanks CrazyMom...I wish I had the gene that allows one to consider unschooling! lol...but it just goes against my DNA! I think the problem is ...I see life a little different than most...I want them to enjoy what they do...even when they were in public school...since they started ..I've always given them the option of "Mental Health Day"...days where you just weren't feeling school..but you weren't sick. No one could believe that I allowed such a thing...and they thought for sure they would abuse it and just never want to go to school...turns out..they RARELY ever used MHD. I would have to suggest they take one when they seemed stressed to the max...and much to everyone's disbelief they never had attendance issues or suffered from poor grades. Always honor roll, and character awards. With homeschooling...I guess it's grades that I'm not a stickler for...I'd rather KNOW they got the information..than watch them struggle..give them a "c" and move on with an "oh well I guess that's just not strong point" attitude. I've found they can literally do ANYTHING if they are given enough time to understand it. The problem however is that I don't think my dh or anyone else in our families will be as accepting of my "we're not that into grades" attitude as they kind of were of my "we take days off when we feel like it" lol...my dh was the only person on board for homeschooling as it was! lol
I gave Elle two "Mental Health" days per semester in high school. She used them, but didn't abuse them. I think it's a brilliant idea. Shows compassion and trust. Everyone needs a mental health day! It also gives them an important lesson in time management and taking responsibility for their choices. No matter how you do it...you're probably going to get a little blow back from your family. People mean well. They're just scared of things they don't have any experience with. They're concerned because they love you...and love the kids. That want to spare you the hard consequences they baselessly fear. Keep that in mind and try not to feel judged. (easier said than done some days!) Lord knows I got endless flack for unschooling! But now that Elle's gotten into one of the best universities in the nation, is going into a vigorously marketable STEM field (that she passionately loves), and will likely graduate without debt due to scholarships, grants, work, and conscientious money management.....I've noticed that family attitudes are changing. Funny how that happens! LOL A lot of the same family members who were doubting my choices are dealing with traditionally schooled kids who are having a hard time asserting their independence and managing priorities. I have to admit, it's gratifying to see them change their tune about my "reckless choices that would cripple my kid socially and keep her from going to college" LOL! Butterfly...it's not always easy to choose the path less traveled. But it's SO worth it. Trust yourself. Be confident that your intuition as a mom is right. Who better than you and your hubby to know your children and what works best for them? When you talk to family about homeschool, be upbeat and share articles about how well homeschooled kids do compared to traditionally schooled kids. Be confident. Tell them not to worry. There truly is more than one way to educate kids. They might be skeptical at first...but eventually they're going to see the evidence that you've made exactly the right decision for your family...in your well adjusted, bright, well-spoken kids! Do what works. No matter what you do...people will talk about your choices. At the end of the day...does it matter more to please others, or do what you know in your heart is best for your kids? Trust yourself. You got this
Anytime! Man, I remember those first uncertain couple of years. It's hard to feel like people you love and respect...disapprove of what you're doing. Can be pretty stressful. http://www.home-school.com/Articles/the-facts-are-in-homeschoolers-excel.php Here are some great articles and studies to share with folks who are concerned. They also might give you a boost of confidence that you're on the right track
TB, I've generally liked CLASS stuff, but I've never used the record-keeping part of the Academy. The answers have always been in the TMs, for me. We're using CLE, mostly, and they have a record-keeping option, but I'm not thinking about using it until high school. If then. The only one you need to be on the same page with is your DH. If you two agree on the "grades or not" thing, nobody else really matters, and you can "pass the bean dip" for anybody else. (You can do a search on this here on the Spot.)
