Home Schooling

[imasharp]

I am interested in knowing about home schooling parents. I am going to start this year with our 2 boys. I am excited. I would just like to hear from others with experience. I would like to know the ups and downs, what kind of ciriculum you used and any other good information that you could share. Thanks. Christy

 

[CeCe]

It can be very rewarding. My child is in special education. I removed her from the PS system out of necessity. Because her needs are unique, I don't use a specific curiculum. We're pretty much eclectic.

I have heard good things about Abeka, though. And there's a good bit of free stuff available on the web. Worksheets, lesson plans, stuff like that.

Without question, learn the laws of your state. That way the PS system can't "bother" you. HSLDA is something you might want to look at if you have any concerns about interference. Find out if your state requires an annual standardized test (most do). You can purchase and administer it yourself in some states, but I recommend you have someone else do that if possible. That way you can't be accused of altering the results. I use the Woodcock-Johnson.

I enjoy it very much. It's been a blessing for us. Praying

 

[CeCe]

You probably already know, but just in case here's a site that lists state laws.

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

 

[iqchicken]

Sorry for jumping into the women's discussion, but I was homeschooled until 6th grade and I can tell you some plus' and minus'.

Good:
- The benefit of a relaxed environment where you can teach what and how you want them to learn
- Free from external influences that would otherwise exist at a public school
- quicker paced learning so that your kids will be farther ahead then kids their own age in public school
- no bullies will punch them
- they won't learn "locker room" talk
- their training will be more biblical based depending on what program you are going to do


Bad:
- Your kids will be in the house all the time!! Are you sure about that? hehehe
- They will be a bit shocked if they haven't ever gone to a public school before.. it was a huge shocker going from home school straight to 6th grade public school
- They won't have the friends they would have had in public school who a lot of the time continue on to highschool with them

All in all it depends on your planning and your situation. Have they already been to public school?

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

I have heard good things about Abeka, though. And there's a good bit of free stuff available on the web. Worksheets, lesson plans, stuff like that.

I was not homeschooled, but I attended private school from kindergarden through graduation. My school used the A Beka program and I have to say...it's wonderful! It's developed out of Pensacola Christian College in Florida and it is really and truly a good program for elementary school especially...although the upper school books are quite good too! Everything is taught from a Christian perspective - this is especially good in the sciences/history/reading areas. I would definitely encourage you to look into it. Their website is http://www.abeka.com/Default.html. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it. Again, I was not homeschooled, do not homeschool, but I do know about the A Beka curriculum.

Best of luck!

 

[WitchBaby]

Homeschoolers never really have good social skills once they get out into real life...

 

[feral]

My mother is a teacher in the career-tech at the high school level. Each year she has one or two kids who were homeschooled. They are always her best students, with the best grades and the best behaved. However, they are usually shy, sometimes scared, and have a hard time going from the complete protection of homeschool to the mad realms of public high school. Sometimes they can't hold up against peer pressure, because they;ve never had practice.

 

[coolhandluke]

It's completely false that all homeschool kids have bad social skills. I have a few friends that have been homeschooled/are being homeschooled, and they are some of the most outgoing, well-adjusted, active kids I know. The thing is making sure they get involved with stuff. Sports...and stuff like that. Group activities, so they can get involved, and get used to working with kids their age. But yeah, not all homeschooled kids have bad social skills.

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

The athletic conference that my school was a part of had "home school" sports teams. Every sport that we played, there was a home school team that we played against. Here, it was called the B.E.A.C.H. team - although I don't remember what it stood for! I went to a Christian school, and we really got to know the teams that we played against. Before each game, both teams prayed together, and after each game, we had a reception of sorts - a drink and a snack usually, but more than that, we were able to "Fellowship" with the athletes from other schools. It was awesome talking to them. And the homeschool kids DID NOT have bad social skills. As a matter of fact, they were the most friendly and supportive. They had the best attitudes - if they lost the game, it wasn't a big deal to them, as long as everyone had fun. They made a point to congratulate us on good plays and encourage us. Not many players from other schools (all Christian) did that. Don't get me wrong, they were always nice and friendly, but bad attitudes were much more common in other teams if they lost (and our school was no exception).

I definitely suggest getting homeschooled children involved in sports or other activities where they are with other children of their own age. Just because you don't go to school together doesn't mean that they can't socialize with other children. Gosh, if that was the case, I don't know where I'd be today. Any "recreational" sports team, dance class or anything outside of school that I participated in, I was the ONLY one from my school, and the ONLY one who didn't go to the same school as every one else. It didn't matter a bit, I can assure you. I kept myself involved and met new friends that way.

 

[paulewog]

I'm not a parent, but I have been homeschooled all my life.

- They will be a bit shocked if they haven't ever gone to a public school before.. it was a huge shocker going from home school straight to 6th grade public school

Not necessaily true, nor is the social skills part. I was homeschooled all my life, and am now in a public, junior college. I went there all last year, and am going full time this year. It wasn't a huge shock, and I am very shy by nature, too...

Both my brothers have gone to public colleges, also, and neither of them had problems with it. Other than getting kind of sick and tired of all the unchristian stuff there....

- They won't have the friends they would have had in public school who a lot of the time continue on to highschool with them

Do you really get good, Christian friends in a public school?

A Beka is good. Until high school, my mom used mostly A Beka, a few Bob Jones book, and Saxon for Algebra. In high school, we did the A Beka video program thing, which is good, and there are some really, really good teachers there.

I do have one other point to make - about public school "experience." Ok, let's just say that it's true that you might not get as good social skills, or perhaps not as many athletic opportunities.

Which is more important

(1) Becoming a stronger Christian and learning more about it through your school books, parents, etc., and getting a very solid education on top of that;

or...

(2) Having a few public-school-friends and maybe better athletic opportunities.

I don't know, I wouldn't even want my [future] kid being taught the trash they teach in public schools around here.

 

[Kyubi-no-Youko]

Homeschooling has it's ups and downs, as has been said. I had been HSing for 2 years when I found a group in my area that teaches homeschool kids (middle to highschool level). The entire class contained about 10-15 homeschooled children and it was a very friendly, relaxed environment. Kind of like a study group with a qualified teacher. They also had a homeschool choir, which I was part of.

I recommend finding a group like this...or even getting friends together who are homeschooling. I enjoy HSing very much, but I miss some of the interaction. I especially missed debating and discussing books and so forth (which is why I come on debate boards and why I'm joining an analyzing literature class. ^^)

 

[MariaRegina]

I am interested in knowing about home schooling parents.

My dearest joy in Christ,

Christ is Risen!

I homeschooled my son. He just graduated from college at 18 magna cum laude with an AA in Spanish and with a full scholarship to the university.

The college professors said that he was one of their best students and that he certainly had no problems with social skills. He never dyed his hair green, never had body piercing done, or tatoos, and didn't feel the need to rebell against his parents and church. It's been wonderful.

He went to community college free because here in California if you are under 18 and haven't graduated from high school, there is no charge, except for health fees.

Some homeschooled children are 11 when they start attending college (11 units/semester maximum). They usually take computer classes or the easier classes first. They go right from 5th or 6th grade into college because they can read and write better than most public school students. Most home schoolers are two grades ahead of the PS students.

YSIC
Elizabeth

 

[DWJD]

I'm not a parent, but I have been homeschooled all my life.



Not necessaily true, nor is the social skills part. I was homeschooled all my life, and am now in a public, junior college. I went there all last year, and am going full time this year. It wasn't a huge shock, and I am very shy by nature, too...

Both my brothers have gone to public colleges, also, and neither of them had problems with it. Other than getting kind of sick and tired of all the unchristian stuff there....



Do you really get good, Christian friends in a public school?

A Beka is good. Until high school, my mom used mostly A Beka, a few Bob Jones book, and Saxon for Algebra. In high school, we did the A Beka video program thing, which is good, and there are some really, really good teachers there.

I do have one other point to make - about public school "experience." Ok, let's just say that it's true that you might not get as good social skills, or perhaps not as many athletic opportunities.

Which is more important

(1) Becoming a stronger Christian and learning more about it through your school books, parents, etc., and getting a very solid education on top of that;

or...

(2) Having a few public-school-friends and maybe better athletic opportunities.

I don't know, I wouldn't even want my [future] kid being taught the trash they teach in public schools around here. I totally agree.

Paulewog:
Sweet! so have I and I'm going to be in grd 11 this year. (well, mom and I debate that cuz I'm a fall baby.) I use saxon and quite enjoy it. (well as much as you can enjoy math!)



concerning the discussion

There are 5 kids in my family, and they've all been homeschooled/are being homeschooled. My oldes brother is 21 and going to med school this fall. He homeschooled all his elementary life and grds 10-11 and decided to do 12 at pub. my 2nd oldest brother went to pub. high for grd 10-12. He wants to do evangelical stuff.
I plan on homeschooling all the through highschool. I'll get all the credits I need through a program called Clonlara.

Addressing social issues. You know, it depends on a lot of other things. I mean you may lead a very social life anyways. But I don't think kids need to be around their peers all the time anyways. Never in "real life" will you be surrounded by just your peers. I don't have a gazillion aquaintence friends, but I do have quite a few, "for life friends" along with an adequate amount of hang with friends. I definately don't think I'm lacking in social skills. I am by nature a bit more of a person who is a bit more shy and doesn't always have to be surrounded by friends. For social life, yeah, homeschooling isn't a place where you'll be able to pick up hundreds of friends, but I'll ask a question, isn't school meant for education? People for thousands of years "homeschooled" and did quite well in life.

I have nothing against public schoolers or teachers or anything like that. Waht I do have a problem with is the curriculums and all. They now teach a whole bunch of **** along with their educational stuff. Evolution, anti-christian stuff (kay, well they don't teach it, but they aren't all yeahm stand up for your faith thing), pro-homosexual, and all. I think with homeschooling, it allows your kids to concentrate on subjects they truly enjoy, you can give them a very thorough education and all.

More maybe later.

 

[Beckijhn]

We homeschool - YEAH!!!

My kids will homeschool through high school. It's awesome. I could write you a book but I'll only write a chapter here. LOL (I have 15yod, 12yod, 10yos)

Two things I'd do: 1) check out/join HSLDA and 2) find out about Christian homeschool support groups in your area. When we moved here it took a while to find one we clicked with. We had about 20 students (3 years ago) and have over 100 now. It's GROWING!!!!

Curriculum for elementary - I'd start with Christian Liberty Press. ebiz.netopia.com/clpress and check out their curriculum kit. We do a few things different (after lots of experience with many different curriculum) but you have to see where your childs strengths and weaknesses are.

Like Elementary math we loved Horizons, which I think is an Alpha-Omega product, then we went to (Saxon) - if you run Horizons through 6th grade, Algebra 1 is usually the next step.

Their Science is Abeka - Awesome, but don't get bogged down with all the facts, science repeats itself every year (in public, private or homeschool) with a bit more detail added. We skipped out of Abeka to Apologia after 6th grade. (Apologia.com)

History - we used CLP (Christian Liberty Press) as readers until 7th grade and then went to Streams of Civilization.

Spelling - Spelling Power. One big book goes 1st through high school

Language arts - Easy Grammar, Writing in Narrative, spelling (as mentioned), and book reports (oral for as long as needed, then written - check out donnayoung.org for forms). We also write on whatever subject is interesting or whatever topic we're studying. My oldest daughter likes Learning Language Arts Through Literature though my younger two don't use it. (LLATL) it's a 'complete' language arts program that starts with early readers (2nd grade?)

Then there are the other subjects like pe, art, etc. Most of those come from the support group (we have two subjects a year, one a semester, one day a week)

WHEW - anyway - I have a couple of really good sites that you many like. Donna young (previously mentioned) is awesome for young elementary with lots of sheets and helps to use. I also have a great forum. If you would like the addy please PM me. They are a great bunch of people with a lot to offer.

 

[inlovewithjesus]

Thank you for starting this post. I was actually going to start the same one. I am going to be homeschooling my 11 year old daughter this year. I have been looking at the Alpha and Omega curriculum. I will have to check out the A Beka program as well. Does anyone have any experience with Alpha and Omega?

It was so great to hear from someone who has been homeschooled! Praise God for your devotion to Him. I am so frustrated with what my children have learning in public school, I cannot wait to get into so good solid biblical teaching with them.

God Bless

 

[MariaRegina]

Thank you for starting this post. I was actually going to start the same one. I am going to be homeschooling my 11 year old daughter this year. I have been looking at the Alpha and Omega curriculum. I will have to check out the A Beka program as well. Does anyone have any experience with Alpha and Omega?

It was so great to hear from someone who has been homeschooled! Praise God for your devotion to Him. I am so frustrated with what my children have learning in public school, I cannot wait to get into so good solid biblical teaching with them.

God Bless

Dearest In Love with Jesus:

May you always remain in love with Jesus.

Please join a good Christian support group. You may have to try several before you find your niche. Remember you can start your own if nothing is available in your area.

Also join the HSLDA. Check google for their website. HSLDA provides good legal service in case the social workers come and pay you a visit. This is especially important if you have neighbors, friends or relatives who oppose your homeschooling efforts. It is well worth the $100 per year per family. If you belong to a support group, they will usually give you a $15 discount to join HSLDA.

God bless you and if you need any more information, just PM me.

Re: A Beka

Some boys don't like all the busy work. My son hated it.

You will find that each child of yours is unique. What one child likes another will detest. The difference between the sexes is obvious here.

My son liked the MPC books available at the local education bookstore. Their phonetics, math and spelling books are great. They have K-8 in their curricula.

Wordy Wise can be tedious but will give your children great SAT and PSAT scores needed to enter college.

Hope this helps.
Elizabeth

 

[Beckijhn]

Hi InlovewithJesus,

My son and younger daughter loved Abeka Science. That's about all the Abeka we've used so far. We don't use any one curriculum. I haven't used AO at all.

It's exciting!!! I hope you guys have a ton of fun!

 

[inlovewithjesus]

Dearest In Love with Jesus:

May you always remain in love with Jesus.

Please join a good Christian support group. You may have to try several before you find your niche. Remember you can start your own if nothing is available in your area.

Also join the HSLDA. Check google for their website. HSLDA provides good legal service in case the social workers come and pay you a visit. This is especially important if you have neighbors, friends or relatives who oppose your homeschooling efforts. It is well worth the $100 per year per family. If you belong to a support group, they will usually give you a $15 discount to join HSLDA.

God bless you and if you need any more information, just PM me.

Re: A Beka

Some boys don't like all the busy work. My son hated it.

You will find that each child of yours is unique. What one child likes another will detest. The difference between the sexes is obvious here.

My son liked the MPC books available at the local education bookstore. Their phonetics, math and spelling books are great. They have K-8 in their curricula.

Wordy Wise can be tedious but will give your children great SAT and PSAT scores needed to enter college.

Hope this helps.
Elizabeth

Elizabeth,

Thank you so much for your advise. We do have a christian support group in our area, and I am going to join it. I am going to be looking into the Alpha and Omega on-line private school option. My husband has been a little reluctant to homeschool, he went to private catholic school, so he sees this long distance private christian school, and he really wants to do that even though it is a little more money. Although, he sees how homeschooling would be a good option, he is still a little skeptical.

One question, what is Wordy Wise?

Thank you again, it was a great help! God Bless, and I will always stay in love with Jesus!

YSIC, Lisa

 

[inlovewithjesus]

Hi InlovewithJesus,

My son and younger daughter loved Abeka Science. That's about all the Abeka we've used so far. We don't use any one curriculum. I haven't used AO at all.

It's exciting!!! I hope you guys have a ton of fun!

Beckijhn,

Thank you, I really appreciate your input! I think that we will use the AO for now. I told my dh that I really need his help in this decission, and he really wanted to use that one, he would like to do the private on-line school. He has that whole minds set that private school is the best way to go. So, since there are no private schools in the area, he really loved this.

I really cannot wait to get started. I signed up for this workshop for AO and it is next week, but now that we have decided, I just want to sign up, buy the materials and get started!! And so does my dd, but we get a 10% discount if we buy it at the workshop, so I will probably wait a week.

God Bless you and thank you all for taking the time to reply to me with your great advise! And I cannot wait to chat with you all about homeschooling later!

YSIC, Lisa

 

[Beckijhn]

Wordly wise is vocabulary.