Homeschool~ Between years testing, who else has to test their kids?

[DuckyBoys]

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I just posted about that in the Swine flue thread. I do feel safer because we don't go to school and I work at home.

But anyway - there are lots of resources for your wife if she really wants to get started. I give away a ton of free homeschool unit studies on my website:
http://www.the-simple-homeschool.com/

 

[Sillystunt]

I have been thinking of doing it! I am not sure though if i can commit myself. I found a charter school, Jewitt school for the preforming arts that i might enroll my kids in. The schools down here in Fl are horrible, i am shocked!! teachers are dumb and ignorant. My daughter is in 10th and in public school. Now my boys are toddlers and if that swine flu has to be given, i guess i will have to commit!

 

[Eggs4Sale]

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You're lucky you're in Arizona. My earlier post says all the hard work you have to go through for the state in order to homeschool.

I'd like to point out some weird things:

The National Guard was running radio ads targeting homeschoolers in particular. Why do you think they would want homeschoolers? Why would they pay for an ad that wasn't generic and for everyone?

I have spoken to an Army/ National Guard recruiter (during ballet lessons), and he is VERY praising of homeschooled kids.

Arizona schools offer homeschooling packages. Some give you the curriculum and a computer, and you do the work at home and a teacher checks your homework. Some may like this choice. I don't. It is up to them if your child passes or fails, and they choose the curriculum. Also, they receive a LOT of money if your kid is registered at their school.

I have a brochure here for Mesa, AZ's "Mesa Distance Learning's K-12 Program", which is through Mesa Public Schools. They give you everything but the computer. Now, this is ideal for the person who likes the public school system but is having problems with their kid being in the school for social reasons.

I belong to a homeschool group, we do lots of field trips, Science Club, and I just started a study group with another lady to do a particular curriculum together, because going it alone can be daunting. My son takes violin and receives college credit for it. We're using the Merit Badge program of the Boy Scouts as part of the homeschooling. The merit badge counselor was stunned by how much more knowledgeable my son sounded about Coin Collecting and Photography than the other boys that had done it.

If you have a kid that likes to read, you have a kid that will teach themselves. If you have a kid in the public school system that doesn't like to read, it will not improve because they are forced to read only things that would put you to sleep.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

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Exactly!!

I always hated history class because the stories of our ancestors were told in dry, long winded, boring text books.

As an adult, I've found books, some Historical Fiction and some non fiction, that I've really enjoyed pertaining to history.

My kids love learning history because we made it fun!

We're still working out how to make Math fun...for now, we incorporate math with shopping.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

In Idaho there are NO requirements. While some people may think this is their right and more freedom etc. you should see what it allows some parents to do to their children. YES there are probably some, even many, good and decent homschool situations. But with the no testing requirements there are a lot of kids here not being educated at all.

 

[saddina]

We're still working out how to make Math fun...for now, we incorporate math with shopping.

What age/level? I may have some stuff you can use.

This week we're doing money math (adding and subtracting decimals) and pizza math (adding and subtracting fractions), the kids are 7 & 9 and are doing good with it.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

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My kids are 6, 8, and 10

I'm open to any and all suggestions on help with Math!

 

[saddina]

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My kids are 6, 8, and 10

I'm open to any and all suggestions on help with Math!

I love those ages! I really don't know how hubby can teach Jr high (no offence to anyone, but with the hormones and mood swings i just want to shake them untill the brain turns back on).

What are they on now? adding/subtracting, multiplying and division, fractions and decimals? Let me know where to start and I can send you some goodies (yeah I know it's summer and I'm supposed to be off, but I really love my work).

 

[Ferngully]

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I homeschool my 2 for various reasons. This is our second go round of homeschooling. The first time I sent the letter of intent to the school board and at the end of the year you had the option of having your child take the FCAT test with the kids at the school or have a sample of your work reviewed by a licensed teacher and a form filled in saying your child was performing at a level comensorate with their ability. We chose the letter. They only teach to the test, and start amping the kids up about it in kindergarden. If it isn't on the test i.e. science and history then it is not taught.

This time I enrolled them under an umbrella/charter/private school for free. We choose our own curriculum. We only need to report the number of days each quarter to the school for them to pass the info onto the state. There is no testing by the state involved so my special one does not have that added stress. I no longer have my teacher friend living in the area.

The children are currently doing a variety of work. Some of the academics are from a site called time for learning. It is very entertaining, inexpensive, computer based and we can adjust the grade level work and repeat info as much as needed. The plus side is the unit and chapter tests and the record keeping they do. I can print out reports and hand them over to anyone who may question their abilities. I pay 36.99 a month for 2 kids on that one and it goes up to 8th grade. I believe they are approved for many, many states to use. As a matter of fact many private schools in buildings use their sister site compass learning. Same academics. This year added academics we are including, as extra on our own, are high school chemistry and forensic science for my 12 year old. For my 9 year old, we find creative, fun ways to reinforce the lessons she does on the computer and to also help her in the tasks and therapies she needs for her special needs.

Sillystunt if you are genuinely interested in homeschooling their are many options you may choose from. Our state even has high school online and you can receive a diploma from your local school. I could help you find the links to all the info you need. For some the first year is difficult as you find your way and what works for you curriculum wise but after that it sort of becomes second nature, relaxing and enjoyable

 

[saddina]

I love the time4learning.com site too, it has some really good stuff in there. Several of my students use it during the summer to review (including my kids).