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How could I ease us all into this? - 11/20/2008 9:00:36 AM
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csl7037
Posts: 2050
Joined: 3/24/2008
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I just posted in the Public/Private school folder that I'm really concerned about the direction my kids' private school is going right now. Without this school our options are just really not good. I've always thought of homeschooling as an option (there's a very large support group in our area - probably because our school's are not so hot). But it terrifies me! They're in 2nd and 4th right now so, the older they get, the more viable it seems as an option. I'm afraid it might be our only option if things don't turn around quick at school.
But for now, I have to say I feel like my kids' education is lacking in some areas. Is there a good resource for ways to fill in those gaps the rest of this year. How can I find out where they really should be and, if they're not, get them there so that they don't fall behind (and just in case we were to end up trying a different school).
But how can I "test" us the next few months to see how we would manage as a family with homeschooling. My 2nd grader is a pretty "easy" child, he does what he's asked and cooperates for the most part. But he's got a tendency, when it's done, to just hit the video games. It's a struggle to keep him moving and not let him waste time frivolously (he probably gets that from me). My dd, on the other hand, is very strong willed and not terribly studious. She does just what she's gotta do. When she gets motivated or inspired by a project she'll go full bore but not for long. She and I butting heads is my biggest concern. That and keeping us all on track.
Is there a way to know if we could handle it? And my other big concern is keeping them on track. My fear with homeschooling is that if you're not up to par you may not realize they're behind till it's too late . . . but I'm finding out the same can happen in school!
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/20/2008 10:37:29 AM
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his_chosen
Posts: 1092
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Your kids are at the perfect age to switch over to home schooling. If you are as concerned as your post suggests, you could start home schooling this year. Figure out what books belong to you (workbooks--you paid for 'em, they are YOURS!) and that will give you a bit of a framework. File your notice of intent to home school (check with HSLDA to see what your state requires). THen, when there is a natural break (Christmas break would be perfect), make your break.
It will take time to adjust to home schooling. Like I said, it is NOT school at home. Your daughter sounds like the perfect self directed learner. Let her learn about whatever. As long as she's reading and doing reports, who cares what she is learning about? It's all about learning to love learning.
As far as staying on track--I glance at a scope and sequence and use that as a guide. If you are serious about home schooling, it's doubtful they will end up behind.
I hope this makes at least a little bit of sense. I'm trying to type this as I attempt to keep certain offspring on task.
_____________________________
You have a choice. You can throw in the towel or you can use it to wipe the sweat off your face.
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/20/2008 11:01:03 AM
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misaham
Posts: 747
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
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We pulled our kids out mid-year (last year), and I agree, it takes some time, but it is well worth it!! I wish that we had done it sooner.
_____________________________
<<-------- My Adorable Kiddos!!
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/20/2008 11:37:48 AM
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cynthia
Posts: 8071
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Beautiful Puget Sound Region
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Homeschooling families look different from one to the next. Even in the same family one child's schooling may look different from another. My son, 9yo, needs constant supervision. If I get up to do something, he will leave if he's alone and I'll have to find him. Basically I am in the same room with him all morning long for school. He is done at 12:00. You may have to sit with your children all morning long while they complete their work. They will do it if you are sitting there supervising them.
_____________________________
My husband and I have a motto:
We are the leader. We are one.
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/20/2008 3:04:02 PM
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sen10tious
Posts: 359
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: csl7037
But how can I "test" us the next few months to see how we would manage as a family with homeschooling. [...] Is there a way to know if we could handle it? And my other big concern is keeping them on track.
Well, how easy is it for you to trust the Lord? With the exception of the kindergarten years, I'm not a big fan of "testing it out" because almost always the testers are still thinking like classroom educators, not like homeschoolers. That creates an invalid test. And if your test keeps alive any 'if-this-doesn't-work' thoughts, then you haven't truly given 100% effort.
It is going to be a continuing and growing process to get to where you want to be, but if you still want to give this lifestyle a test, then I'll suggest some testing guidelines:
Don't evaluate yourself on the basis of the number of workbook pages you have completed in a week; evaluate your children's learning by how well they can explain what they just read.
Don't evaluate yourself on the basis of the numbers of hours spent studying; evaluate your children's accomplishment by how many new ideas and facts they understand.
Evaluate your ability to trust God for finding disciplines that will help your children love to learn and gain understanding. These can be both researched suggestions from others and your own God-given creative strokes of inspiration. Success will manifest in your children's improved character before it shows up in their grades, but it will eventually improve grades too. If you get this one right, most of the "keeping on track" problem will take care of itself, no matter how screwy the tracks are laid.
_____________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/22/2008 12:17:36 PM
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csl7037
Posts: 2050
Joined: 3/24/2008
Status: online
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Here's a question - it's a concern that dh has raised....
We have trouble now sometimes explaining things on the kids' homework to them. My ds has started fractions in 2nd grade, for instance. If I struggle with getting him to understand that, what makes me think I could do this??
I've been reading about Switched on Schoolhouse. Is anyone familiar with this curriculum? I think my kids would take well to something like that. Even if I beefed up their outside activities (added Art classes, for instance, to cover all the "extras" they're getting in school now), it seems like I could homeschool for about a TENTH of what we're payingin tuition which would be a really nice break! Even if I only did it for a year, it would give us a chance to reign in some expenses and get a handle on some things. We can continue to pay the tuition we're paying but it's tough. And if we're questioning what we're getting for all that money, it gets harder and harder to justify.
I could see a lot of opportunity to homeschooling these two at this age. I would have the following hopes/goals/concerns...
Hope: Avoid a huge expense that would only bring frustration and include fears that they're not getting the education they need if the school is in turmoil. (I'd be hoping for a big turn around, ie new Administration, to be put in place at the school and that we'd have the opportunity to retun in a year or two.)
Goals: Kids and I could spend this time re-connecting, establishing family relationships before they get any older. Building some stronger foundations.
We could work on some character and discipline issues.
Concers: This would take an extraordinary level of patience, discipline and diligence that, frankly, I've never been very good at. I'd be blindly following the curriculum because I really don't know what they should be doing at their level and how to know they're really on track. I'm not at all sure I can teach and explain the skills and information they'll need to grasp.
At the school they're at, I really think ds would have a good year next year. Third grade there was great for dd! But I thought the same about 2nd and one teacher left and he's having a really difficult year. I'm really worried about 5th grade at this school. A lot of kids and families are struggling! I guess my biggest fears staying, besides the turmoil I think the school is in, would be for dd. If it was only ds to think about, I really think we could weather any storm next year and wait it out with him through 3rd (maybe even through 4th) - as long as the teacher she had last year stays...but I can't afford to do that with dd going into 5th. Maybe I should just think about homeschooling dd but I think that would be HARD and I think ds would feel left out. I guess it's an option, though.
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/22/2008 6:29:29 PM
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cindybode
Posts: 1560
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Northwest PA
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Most of the packaged curriculum available assumes that the parent does NOT know the material. Explanations are usually clear and simple. If you can follow directions, you should be fine. I've never used Switched on Schoolhouse, but I've heard good things about it and it sounds like there isn't much you need to do with it other than just making sure the kids do it.
If you've never been good at patience, discipline, or diligence, then maybe God has some things for you to learn too.  Seriously, if you love your kids, you'll be fine. I'm not saying every day will be perfect, and I'm not saying that it won't take awhile to figure out something that works for your family (because it will), but you are just as capable as any of us here.
_____________________________
If you lock in any creature, from rats to chickens to pigs to people, 10 to 30 or more in a box and force feed them you'll create little monsters. Confinement Education School Operations (CESOs) just don't compare to naturally pastured free-ranged kids.
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/22/2008 6:49:19 PM
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cynthia
Posts: 8071
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Beautiful Puget Sound Region
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quote:
ORIGINAL: cindybode
If you've never been good at patience, discipline, or diligence, then maybe God has some things for you to learn too. Seriously, if you love your kids, you'll be fine. I'm not saying every day will be perfect, and I'm not saying that it won't take awhile to figure out something that works for your family (because it will), but you are just as capable as any of us here.
Yep. If you need work in those areas, don't assume the Lord will not use homeschooling to grow you in these things. I have grown tremendously in many areas due to homeschooling. One of the most frequent reasons people give for thinking they are unable to homeschool is lack of patience. I am not the most patient person you will ever meet, but the Lord gives me what I need as I rely on Him and my patience has grown a lot over the years, not only from homeschooling, but that has helped.
_____________________________
My husband and I have a motto:
We are the leader. We are one.
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/25/2008 8:40:28 AM
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csl7037
Posts: 2050
Joined: 3/24/2008
Status: online
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What if the kids don't like the homeschooling idea? My dd seemed all for it at first till she realized I meant instead of going to her school. 
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/25/2008 9:11:05 AM
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PrincessDonna
Posts: 10169
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Cow country, Upstate NY
Status: online
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Have you asked them what things they will miss about going away to school? And also found out what things they are excited about with homeschooling?
We are in the middle of transition from Christian school to home and I found those helpful. It is good for him to know that it's okay to miss some things while being excited about the changes at the same time.
_____________________________
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
~Psalm 145:19-20~
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RE: How could I ease us all into this? - 11/28/2008 11:49:37 AM
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goodnsimple
Posts: 51
Joined: 7/28/2008
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You might want to start with the one child you feel is most at risk for the rest of the year, and then start the other at the beginning of next.
We pulled ds11 for this year, and are thinking seriously about keeping ds8 home next year, for completely different reasons.
I was very worried because ds and I fought over homework every night. temper, tears, frustration all around. But we were spending 2-3 hours of agony every evening...I figured if we were going to fight, we might as well do 3 hours of fighting during the day and not ruin EVERYONES evening.
Well, let me tell you. I have had a BLAST! I had forgotten, with all the trouble, how much I love this kiddo. (Not really, but you understand)
He was just as frustrated with not fitting in the ps mode as I was with his performance.
It has been much more time consuming than I thought. But I am learning a ton, (even fractions!!) We are learning to really appreciate each other. (he does love to catch me in a mistake)
I am also saving money.
with him home all day, I don't go shopping for entertainment.
we save on tuition. (we did try a private school for a semester)
I use some core texts...and supplement with a ton of free stuff online.
because I am home more, I tend to cook, rather than order out.
Read everything you can get your hands on, from the library and online about homeschooling...then close your eyes and JUMP!
God bless you!
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