We won't be pulling our DD (my stepdaughter, 7) out of PS until after this year (we have to get our finances in order so I can quit my job). We haven't mentioned anything yet about homeschooling, and my DH was worried that she wouldn't want to leave school the following year. This morning I was teaching her how to make eggs. She was happily cracking the eggs and mixing them with the egg beater. My DH came in the kitchen and told her that he was going to register her for her new school soon. Her face fell and she said "I don't like going to school." My DH said "why not?" and she said "the kids are mean, and the teacher is boring and it makes my head hurt when we have to read." So he said "well, you'll have a different teacher this year." She looked up at me and then threw her arms around me and said "I wish YOU were my teacher!!!! And I wish I didn't have to go to school!" My heart melted. I think it might be easier than I imagined!
That's great! My 2nd grade dd didn't hesitate one bit to stay home with me. I asked her just a while ago if she felt like she wanted to go back to ps and she quickly said no. She only went to K in ps... but she is a mommy's girl. :love: Sounds like yours is too.
Are you sure you can't teach her this year? You have just the one child? We homeschooled 3 with me not working, I'm guessing with a few changes and some spending habits changes you could do it right now! Why would you want to send her back when she says stuff like that? I wouldn't want to break that lovely spirit!
Yes, it breaks my heart too to send her back. She is going to her third new school in 3 years. Right now she spends every other evening at her mom's, which her mom isn't willing to change. I'd have to HS her in the evenings two days a week which doesn't seem like enough. When I quit my job I'll HS her during the day and send her to her mom's in the evenings two days a week.
At 7, 2 nights a week could work Remember there is always weekends too. At 7, an hour or 2 a day usually covers all you need to, so if you did say 3 hours 2 nights a week and maybe 4 hours over the weekend she would surely get what she needs. Where could she/would she go if she weren't in school during the day if you pulled her? I'm assuming you work days. Is her bio mom welcome to the idea of you homeschooling her? If so maybe they could do some work when she is there. Just some thoughts
Really? Thanks for the info! I'll look into that. Maybe we COULD do it! Now I'm getting excited! We don't really want her bio mom doing ANY teaching. She's not the brightest person. We recently had an issue where she let her watch The Grudge and The Grudge 2 and the result has been nightmares every night for the past week. She isn't the brightest person either, she has been sending her in huge size 7 clothing because she refuses to buy size 6X because she thinks it's for fat kids. If she can't buy her kid the right clothes, bathe her and comb her hair, and make her sit in a child seat in the car then we don't feel she's responsible enough for her education. It's mostly sad.
It really does sound like she would love to homeschool. What she said about wishing you were her teacher is so sweet. Your situation might not be an ideal homeschooling situation, but I think you could do it if it is what you and your husband feel is right for your family right now. And if you decide that you need to wait until next year that's okay too. You have to do what is right for your family, no one else can tell you what exactly that is, but we can be here to give some ideas of what we might try if we were in that situation. It doesn't sound like asking her mom to help would work very well, so you do have some challenges to face if you decide to homeschool, but we will support you in anyway we can. The ladies here are so great wiith giving ideas of what is available and how to make things work for your personal situation. I just finished my first year homeschooling and was so glad to find this group. My son just turned 7 and is doing 1st grade work, we seldom spend more than two hours a day doing organized school stuff.
Yes, this is a great board! Already I feel at "home." I kind of imagined it would take more than just a few hours to do everything, but yes, really it shouldn't. When she's in PS they spend a lot of time getting kids to listen and then explaining things so a group of 30 kids understand, not just one. And it WOULD be hard to stick her in yet ANOTHER new school. She obviously doesn't want to go. I called my DH and he's excited about trying to make it work this year too! YIPPIE!
You can definitely do the 3 R's and some other fun things for a 7 yr old in a few hours on a weird schedule. My son did K this past year and finished it several months before "year end" and this was only working 30-60 mins a day (sometimes less because he's wiggly). He reads above grade level and is doing math that his older sisters didn't see until 2nd grade. And trust me, he is all boy and, while bright, is NOT gonna be a rocket scientist :lol: Most of his was done in 15 mins spurts with big breaks in between (which was fine since I had a 2nd and 4th grader too). Even my 2nd grader could have done an abnormal schedule. If you have childcare that is cooperative, she could even do a few things then that don't require you right there....sort of like homework but hopefully not just busywork or stressful on her (fun crosswords, coloring pages, etc). There are many folks who homeschool as single parents or on different schedules. I know I've read several homeschool books with chapters devoted to it (can't think of one right this second of course). HSLDA's site might also have some info. Welcome!! Rhonda
Remember, we are all here for you, just like Ange said. I will offer a peek into our day.. at the 4th grade level we rarely hit 3 hours a day. I kind of figure it this way.. (this is organized time mind you), 30 minutes for K, 1 hour for 1st, 1 1/2 hours for 2nd, 2 hours for 3rd, 2 1/2 hours for 4th, 3 hours for 5th and so on. I know others who spend literally hours and hours a day on school, but personally, I'm trying to raise a child, not a rocket scientist. We are always learning, it never stops. We watch lots of tv that I consider educational and/or informational. Lots of Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, National Geographic and History Channel. I don't include this in our basic "structured" time.. but it is learning just the same... as is going to the park, zoo, museums etc. Anything we can help you with we certainly will. We can even help you pull together a pretty much free curriculum
Wow, thanks for the support! Now that we are SERIOUSLY looking into it for THIS YEAR I'm panicking slightly because we need a good curriculum. Our religion has some homeschool books but I looked at them and there isn't much for 2nd graders. Being in Illinois I know I need Language Arts, Social Sciences, Math, Fine Arts, Physical Sciences, Physical Education and Health. We'd add our religious studies on top of that. I think I need to head to the library now for some good books on homeschooling (in addition to the great advice received here!). You know, even though it's going to be a lot of work and organization, it feels SO GOOD doing what you feel is the exact right thing for your child!
It will be lots of work.. but remember you don't have to plan the entire year at once.. and you don't need a set curriculum, you CAN build one yourself with a little effort.. and help from your friends here at the spot
Hi and Welcome! I wish you the best of luck homeschooling your stepdaughter! I know a part time reference librarian that works at your library (in Elgin). I bet she could help you out if you need help in the reference section. If you are interested, I could give you her name. Anyway, good luck to you!
ok.. look here: http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum it was the biggest influence in the "I can do this on my own" moment when trying to decide how to go about things. I'm going to make a post with a ton of links for you. Be patient it's on its' way!
These are places (and not the only sites like these there are tons of them) where you will find links to free stuff. http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/ http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/ http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/newtohomeschooling/ Reading: http://www.rhlschool.com/ http://gardenofpraise.com/lesson.htm www.bookadventure.org (this is a free site like the accelerated reader program.. and they can earn prizes!) Stories and books online: http://www.rickwalton.com/folktale/folktale.htm http://www.classicbookshelf.com/library/ www.wowio.com http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/ Math: ok I'm coming up somewhat empty here. I have some, but they are all part of sites I will list later with worksheets on a variety of topics. Grammar: http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html Science: http://www.eequalsmcq.com/Thank you for downloading Life Science.htm (this is a 36 week printable textbook!!!) http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/matrix.cfm Social Studies: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/matrix.html Ok, now these ones you will find a variety of worksheets. www.learningpage.com www.schoolexpress.com www.abcteach.com www.softschools.com www.rhlschool.com www.enchantedlearning.com There are litterally billions of links out there that we as homeschoolers can use. zoo's have live cams, museums have virtual tours, you name it and you can find it online. Google is your friend!!!
We are a secular family.. so keep that in mind here, but this is what our second grade curriculum consisted of... Reading: Books from the library, and bookadventure.org Grammar: Comprehensive curriculum of basic skills grade 2, Specturm Writing grade 2 Math: Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills grade 2, The complete book of Math, Grade 3-4 Science: Magic School Bus books, a set of books we have from Southwestern company, and The Complete Book of Science grades 3-4 US HIstory: The Complete Book of United States History Music is listening to music for the most part.. but www.classicsforkids.com is amazing! Art is simply drawing, coloring, creating things PE is playing outside, riding his bike, taking family walks. I love The Complete Book of... books and Spectrum books from American Education Publishing (same company as McGraw/Hill). They are cheap at Sam's club and even cheaper on Ebay, Half and Amazon.
