Thanks. Turns out we have 8 kids just in our neighborhood who are home schooled. AND our church does have some good resouces. Also, one of our church-lady :-) friends is also one of the head administrators at the HS. The HS is fine, but the middle school has turned into a prison culture. It’s no way to treat academically gifted, socially responsible kids. We want to make certain the program we pick is a good one — cuz it’s only going to have to be good for one year - for my daughter to finish 8th grade. She’s totally absorbed in her friends’ activities and also in competitive swimming — both of which would be unaffected by homeschooling.
We are fortunate to have all the options readily available — PC, supportive homeschooling familes (younger kids though) and a daughter who hungers for learning. We just want as always to present the best choices and options to her.
She took the SATs as a 7th grader and scored in the top 5% of all HIGH SCHOOL students. Yikes. We know she has a bright academic future if we can just make the right paths available to her.
If you happen to watch the TV show BONES, my daughter is a lot like the character who plays “Bones” the forensic anthropologist, except she is very socially adept and not nearly as literal.
If you don’t mind me asking, what curriculum do you use? Which did you choose to NOT use?
Thx.
We’ve tried Abeka, Bob Jones, and a couple others I can’t remember. They were ok but our boys have a tough time only using a book. And for the higher math learning from a DVD can be tough when Mom or Dad can’t remember. This year we are using an online public school our county offers and an online private school.
Seems more interactive and catches their attention a bit more. Also keep em active in sports, and church activities. All in all the socialization isn’t the problem many of the anti-home schoolers preach. You have more control over who your kids spend time with which is a good thing IMO.
Many people will critisize homeschoolers saying your child isnt around other kids their age. To that I make the argument that at no other time in our life are we segregated by age so why is it so good for our kids.
All in all its much better but more expensive. metmom is a good source so ask her like the other folks have suggested.
I think for just the remainder of the year, see if you can borrow some Saxon Math and give the Alpha-Omega LifePacs a shot, along with the local library.
College and university libraries are sometimes open to the public. In NYS, if you’re a resident, you used to be able to borrow from the SUNY college libraries. That was some years ago and I don’t know if that’s changed, but it’s worth a shot. You’ll probably get better resources.
Who does your daughter swim with? Our kids did the Y and my son decided to do this year also, his last.
My sister is in Gwinnett and has homeschooled both her children during Middle School. Her sentiments were similar to yours, the Middle School was the problem, HS seems to be going fine. (P.S. Her daughter swims also with Swim Atlanta.)
You say you only need a one year curriculum. Well, that may be so, but you may find this is something that really works for your daughter.
There are so many programs available it could make your head spin. I have heard good things about Apologia (science), IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing), and Teaching Textbooks (mathematics) to name a few. For history we use the WinterPromise programs, though Sonlight is also popular.
Do not stress out over programs too much. Take it easy, and find your groove. Pulling children out of school and then replicating school at home is not always successful. Everyone I know advocates learning through literature. Check out your local library and let your daughter pick out a subject and check out everything she can to learn about it. Then have her write (and present orally to you and your spouse) a report to show what she learned.
But, before you do anything, find out what you need to do legally. Your state may have requirements for you to homeschool. Every state is different.