question on homeschooling

[annie3001]

thank you everyone for the advice and encouraging words.

i need a sit-down with the hubby and talk, afterall, it involves both of us on some levels. he is extremly smart, so i will be looking for guidance.
thanks again!

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
^ And that is precisely why we're trying it out in the summer... Worst case scenario it's a bust, kids hate it or we can work it, then they start PS in August and maybe are a little ahead. With that as the Worst possible outcome we figured why NOT try it?

Papa and I did have many months of talks about it... pros and cons... different types... before we decided to try the one we did. Sounds like you're planning the same. Hope you find one that suits.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

There is a community of homeschooling parents on our sister site, SufficientSelf. You should totally check it out.

 

[KinderKorner]

There is no rule at all that says homeschoolers have to do school in the mornings. Also doing school doesn't take 8 hours as it does at school. It took me 2 hours usually. With 4 at the most. I taught myself mostly as well. My mom worked full time. Of course a 4 year old couldn't do that. But I started teaching myself at age 10. I did just fine. Graduating at 17. I took my college entrance exam and got a 98. 50-70 is average.

I would give it a shot. It sounds like it's something you would enjoy. And it surely brings the family closer together. Find a good local homeschool group around you. They will help you get started, and be a support group. They are out there. You just have to locate them. I live in a small town of 3 thousand. And there was over 100 homeschoolers in my area alone.

 

[PotterWatch]

As others have said, one of the great things about homeschooling is the ability to make it work around your schedule. There are many different ways to homeschool and they aren't all as structured as many people think they have to be. Find a couple homeschool groups in your area and go meet some of the families. Talking to people in real life, especially ones you might be interacting with as the years go by is always a good idea. Find out if there are any homeschool conferences anytime soon in your area. They tend to happen shortly before or after the traditional school year starts. Conferences are a great way to learn more about homeschooling in general and get specific ideas about what you may want to try.

The best advice I can give to new homeschoolers is to take your time and realize that if something isn't working for your family, whether it is schedule, curriculum, etc., you can change your mind! Nothing is set in stone! Do some research and become familiar with the laws for your state as well. There is sure to be a homeschool group for your state who can help answer questions about legalities. Good luck finding a path that works for you!

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
x2 I had planned to attend the one happening here in May but Mems passed and saying goodbye was much higher on my priority list. But another HS mom I met at Creative Hands (place you go to paint/glaze pieces that's next door to DSs karate where DD and I killed time instead of at karate where it smells like a sweat sock) recommended it... she'd been going for YEARS. Tons of information on different programs, sales too, tons of other parents in your area, not to mention this one actually had HS parents and kids helping to run the whole thing. Definitely worth looking to see if there's on in your area.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
This is but one way to homeschool, a more school-at-home approach. There's a wide spectrum of HS styles, from very structured & following a prepared curriculum to very spontaneous using the materials & opportunities life offers. And all variations in-between. The important thing is to find what works best for you & your child.

Now to answer your initial question, YES, you can both work & homeschool your child. There's much less time wasted at home so you needn't keep your kid seated at a desk for 8 hours a day plus homework afterwards. You can accomplish within a few hours what it takes kids all day to do in a school institution.

Here's my favorite HS books:
The Homeschooling Book of Answers, covers all the common questions beginners have about HSing, gives answers from a variety of perspectives. http://www.amazon.com/Homeschooling-Book-Answers-Important-Homeschoolings/dp/0761535705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279170332&sr=1-1
Home Learning Year by Year, gives a good outline of what to teach & when http://www.amazon.com/Home-Learning-Year-Homeschool-Curriculum/dp/0609805851/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279170293&sr=1-1
The 3 Rs, shows great ways to teach language & math concepts using everyday circumstances http://www.amazon.com/Three-Rs-Ruth...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279170097&sr=1-1

 

[PineappleMama]

Oh, I forgot to mention in my state at least there is Public School Online/At Home... I didn't go for it, mainly because I loathe the TAKS (starting next year STAAR) tests that take up so much of the year... and that is a requirement for any publicly funded school in Texas... but if you don't mind those/don't have those then that's something you might snoop at.

 

[justbugged]

I worked mornings while homeschooling my kids. I was away from the home about 5 hours on the days I worked. The kids would sleep until just before I got home. We used the un-school method. The kids were asked to read anything they wanted to as long as they read something. Both kids had 2 years or more at the local Community College. My oldest just graduated this year with a Bachelor of Science degree in technical writing. She had her AA at 18 and her AS degree at 20. I would occasionally mention that if they were to choose to not learn it would be okay, but I wouldn't be stupid. That always got my daughters dander up. She knew that she was academically smarter than me, and she is.

A couple of things I found that we needed to do was get rid of the TV in the house. It is to easy to turn it into a babysitter. Also no or extremely limit gaming systems. The parent’s job is to facilitate the learning environment, so that there are things to learn. We need hands on stuff not just visual stuff. We bought books with the money we saved without having a cable bill. Learn what your child's learning style is Do they learn by hearing, seeing, or feeling/doing? Concentrate what they have learn using their style and gifts.

Don't panic when nothing has seemed to be learned for the day. Most people learn in spurts. Common things can be used as teaching tools. One year we took the kids to Paris and ran them through the Museums, and up the Eifel Tower. That was art appreciation class. They understood more because they were right there with the real stuff in front of them. Anything can be used to teach. I loved homeschooling my kids. The down side is; that they are always with you, the best part is; they are always with you.

If you have to work that is real, and can be used as away to teach a work ethic to your child.

I wish you the best.

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
AMEN to that... shame that PS doesn't agree, leastways not ours. One other reason we're giving it a go... the damage that was done back in 2nd grade, we're STILL trying to fix... here's hoping.

And x2 on the Everyday Things... DD is learning about fractions (2nd grade) and she doesn't even realize it's work because she WANTS to learn about cooking... don't want the deviled eggs too salty or spicy so we put in 1/8t each of pepper and salt... and so on... she was very proud of her deed, especially when the whole plateful were gone in under five minutes! That wasn't in the curriculum or anything, just taking advantage of curiosity that's already there, but darned if I wasn't pleased with that lesson.