Homeschoolers Forum

TxBec | 07/23/2002 | TxBec

[TxBec]

I have been thinking lately it would be nice to have a thread (maybe even a forum later?) for the homeschooling families, because you know how many of us there are. This would not replace us pinging each other with all the great articles we find. It would be a place where we could discuss what curriculum we use, vent when needed, share our successes, compare notes, alert each other to cool things we find on the internet, and vent some more. I'm sure we all have found other sites with forums that we use, but since FReepers are such a cool breed, where better to start up a forum? What do you think?

[TxBec]

Ok. Here's the ping list as of right now.

2Jedismom;
homeschool mama;
BallandPowder;
ffrancone;
WhyisaTexasgirlinPA;
WIMom;
OldFriend;
dd5339;
vic3o3;
MasonGal;
Marie Antoinette;
GingisK;
cantfindagoodscreenname;
wordsmith;
tiredoftaxes;
agrace;
SLB;
stands2reason;
Brad'sGramma;
hsmomx3;
PrairieDawg;
kassie;
SuzieQ;
spookbrat

FReepmail me if you want on or off

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Looks like I win for the longest name, lol! Thanks for pinging me!

[SLB]

They'll both be reading Great Books and Historical Fiction that tie in to the era being studied.

What historical fiction doyou plan on using? FWIW - I have been reading the G.A. Henty books and find them to be a great source. There are some that have application in today's world as they are about Afghanistan.

[OldFriend]

There must be some games to enhance small motor skills. Usually boys are later with this skill and that does affect the handwriting. Playing with marbles might help and be fun without stressing the 'handwriting skill' part!!! A little peg board might be fun too, as long as there are no wee ones to 'eat' the pegs.

[plinker's2sense]

I'm a homeschooling Mom with twin 16 yr. old sons. Please add me to your ping list. Thanks! :^)

[SpookBrat]

David Osborne homeschools. I'll bet he wants to be on the list. Maybe...

Hey David.....speak now or forever hold your peace.

[SpookBrat]

Hmmmmm....I'll have to think about that and come up with something. You might be on to something there. I thought his fine motor skills were ok, but maybe not. I'll try to test him today and get a feel for where he is. Maybe string some buttons or something.

[OldFriend]

Just be sure to make it fun......and avoid the word test like the plague!!!

[Aquinasfan]

Please add me to any homeschool ping list. We're homeschooling two girls in Taxachusetts.

[Aquinasfan]

My seven-year-old who just started taking piano lessons is now teaching me how to play. She promised me that tomorrow I can try "Yankee Doodle." ROCK AND ROLL!! (She usually cracks up when I do that).

Homeschooling is so much fun 8-)

[Carolina]

Re: fine motor skills:

For my boys, I used modeling clay. I had them make balls, snakes. And as they progressed I bought them modeling tools. The kneading action helped strengthen their hands.

I also had them polishing silver and their daddy's shoes.

[SuziQ]

We're getting ideas for Historical Fiction and other reading from "The Well Trained Mind" by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. It is a terrific book on doing Classical Ed. at home. Another source of info for Historical Fiction is the TRISMS (Time Related Integrated Studies for Mastering Skills) programs we'll use for both our son and daughter when they've finished Amer. History. The programs come with extensive reading lists for Historical Fiction.
Check out TRISMS at http://www.trisms.com

[SLB]

We have kind of put our own home school core together. We found that what works for one does not necessarily work for another. The one thing we have instilled in all 5 of our children and our son-in-law (yes, we are still "educating" him) is the importance in reading and making certain they read quality books, not gibberish. Our daughters just finished reading the unabridged edition of Robinson Crusoe.

Charlotte Mason is probably the best guiding light for what we are doing. She was right on target with learning models as far as we are concerned.

[TxBec]

You may want to look into Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum by Laura M. Berquist. She has an extensive reading list and even has it broken down by grades. I'm working on a spreadsheet with them, so I can check what the library has versus what I have versus what I need to buy...

[TxBec]

A little bird has told me that on August 3, if you have a Staples store nearby and are interested, you can claim a "Teacher's goodie bag" with assorted supplies. I'm not sure if you can just tell them "I homeschool," but it might be worth looking into.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I really like this forum.....lots of good info.....thanks!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I have neighbors who are always asking ME to homeschool their children......lol

[Artist]

Thanks for starting this, and please add me to your list!

[Artist]

I thought you all might be interested in this....

[TxBec]

done!