Need help with homeschooling

None ^ | 5/21/2007 | self

[taxcontrol]

Folks, I have 3 kids, and for the past two years, they have been enrolled in a private christian school. Prior to that they were struggling very hard in public school.

However, their school as asked that they not return due to being two years on academic probation. My kids have brought a 30 F up to a 70 F in two years in their weekest subject - Math. However, this does not meet the schools' requirement for continuing with the school.

So, my wife and I are giving serious thought to homeschooling but we dont know where to begin. There is so much information and some of it not very useful. Is there anyone who can point us in the right direction? We were hoping that there would be some kind of structured DVD / video and workbook type program that:

1) Provides STRONG support for students who need lots of repetitive exercises ... esp math (we have to go over some basic building blocks still)
2) Works with phonics and spelling - 2nd weakest area
3) Can work in an environment that has 3 kids - 2nd grade, 6th grade and 7th grade.
4) Has a strong christian theme

Thank you

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

5. No leftist agenda from the teachers. (At least, none that I can tell. I have to keep a close eye on her, though. ;-)

LOL!

[LadyNavyVet]

We’re finishing up our seventh year of homeschooling. Lots of good advice already on this thread. Saxon is a great math program that spirals, IOW, keeps bringing back previously taught concepts over and over. They have a test on their website (saxonhomeschoolharcourtachieve.com) to place your kids at the right level. For your older two, there’s a great science curriculum for middle school and high school students on DVD by Apologia Educational Ministries (www.highschoolscience.com). Also pick up a copy of the Rainbow Resource catalog (www.rainbowresource.com) to get an idea of the wide variety of material available to you.

Attend your area convention, but don’t be overwhelmed. I attended a convention the summer before I started homeschooling and was a little intimidated by the sheer number and types of materials available. There are many, many options out there, so be ready for some trial and error for the first few years. If your church doesn’t have a homeschool group check out large, conservative Christian churches in your area. One or more of them will have a homeschool group with experienced homeschool families who would welcome the chance to help a newbie. Good luck!

[Squidpup]

http://www.iqkids.net/phonicsgame.html

The Phonics Game (a little “breathless” description below but we use it and our kids enjoy)

“Here’s a reading program that teachers call ingenious, parents call a miracle, and kids call FUN! The Phonics Game helps struggling students succeed, and good readers read better. The package includes six double-deck card games, three videos, and seven audio instruction tapes that make learning fun and fast! Children learn the 44 sounds of English and how to use them. The fun, interactive games will have them reading and decoding multi-syllabic words in as little as 18 hours! Best of all, it’s a game! Simple enough for children, yet challenging for teens and adults. The six games sequentially build phonics skills and vocabulary with spelling lessons on tape! ..”

[shag377]

Definately try the Saxon program. It has multi-step approaches that work well with struggling students.

Also, do not rule out dyscalcula(sp?), basically Math LD problems. It may be something to consider and not out of the ordinary.

Let me know what you come up with.

[Sloth]

Maybe you’ve seen this — an indictment of the stuff taught in “Everyday Mathematics”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI

[Sopater]

Bob Jones has distance learning programs for homeschoolers. Their resources are available on hard drive, satellite, and DVD.

As for math, I would recommend Saxon Math. It is very comprehensive and uses the more traditional linear style math instruction rather than this new-age math system. Saxon also offers free assessment tests to help you determine what level curriculum your child needs to take.

God bless.

[kings9111]

My wife came to the US in 04 from Russia and is now homeschooling our daughter (11th grade A student). Since moving here, she has learned English but our daughter began learning English while still in Russia. I am giving this info to say “you surely can do it if it is your desire to do it!”

We are homeschooling through A Beka Academy (https://www.abekaacademy.org). We opted to enroll her in the FL school even though we are from NJ. It cost us about 1000.00 for the year (for all the books, answer keys, teacher guides and DVD’s). They hold all her records and check all her finals, reports and term papers. They also issue her a diploma.

You could opt for the whole course by books only, but we like the idea of being accountable to the the school - a safeguard against becoming lax.

I read a book by Bruce Shortt called The Harsh Truth About the Public Schools - I don’t call them public schools anymore - I call them government schools! A scary book that everyone should read. (and very well documented).

I pray for you to honor God in you decision!

Joe (joe@kingcarpenter.com)

[SuziQ]

Many kids who have Aspergers homeschool successfully because of the lack of distractions at home. Calvert is a good program, and I have friends who have used it for years. A lot of homeschoolers swear by Saxon math, especially for the early years so that the kids get a very good basic grounding.

The Saxon website does have a section where the kids can take an online test to determine the level at which they would perform best. Our son attended Catholic schools til grade 5, but never really got a good grounding in the basics. We began homeschooling him in the 6th grade, using Saxon for two years, and Jacob's Algebra for a year. He returned to school in the 9th grade, and took Algebra again in that grade, then Geometry in the 10th. Hubby started working with him in Alg. II, but we decided to try the Community College. He tested into College Algebra at the college, and will take that course in July.

If you are unsure of yourselves in this, going with a boxed curriculum with oversight from an organization is a good idea.

[pamlet]

OH my goodnes...

I just don’t understand the whole “messing with math” idea..

What in the world is wrong with teaching the basics?

Our sons did Saxon .. first in Christian School ..later homeschooling for the younger one. Basic repetitive mathmatics... they loved it ... we loved it because we could understand it...

[Red Boots]

Saxon math is great, has a lot of repetition, and will get the job done. I've had 3 kids follow it and I'm impressed. They have a phonics program too, though I've not used it.

Does your county have a vision charter school program ? Delta county has a great one, and Mesa county is starting one. I assume some districts on the front range have it, but I don't know.

You have to set up a learning program with a resource facilitator, and meet with them once a month.

This is great for new homeschoolers who are worried about exactly how to go about it, or that they won't have enough discipline to follow a plan. Your tax dollars, through the district, will pay for classes and outside activities in your children's plan.

I've heard great reviews of this program from homeschoolers who've participated.

[deaconjim]

My wife and I use Accelerated Christian Education (ACE). Our kids love it, and they work at their own speed and they can stay on one thing until they get it right. The kids work on their own (with our supervision) and are usually through with the day’s work by lunch time, leaving the afternoons for them to be kids.

The material is very Christian oriented, with Bible verses on every other page in all subjects. I highly recommend it.

Their website ( www.aceministries.com ) has a placement test which identifies exactly what your child needs. You can buy only the workbooks (PACE’s) that your child needs. My wife and I have found that the cost of homeschooling is less than that of public school.

We are currently in our second year of homeschooling, and we will never go back. The kids are much happier, they learn more, and we are much more satisfied with their level of education.

[I still care]

I homeschooled my kids and my youngest just graduated.

It’s much better if you can find support. Try and find a local homeschooling group - and I cannot stress this enough- try to find a local curriculum fair. Our Orlando FL one is next week.

Here is a master site to find one - there seems to be one in June in Colorado.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8259/hmscconf.html

It’s a giant fair with people giving talks and seminars, and hundred of distributors showing homeschooling materials. By far it’s the best place to make curriculum decisions. All curriculum is different, and the best way to evaluate it is to take a good look at it all with your family. Lots of times kids will really cotton onto one, knowing instinctively which will help.

[celmak]

My wife and I homeschool, I’ll be back @ 5.

Wow, looks like you got all the help you need, and then some!

[deaconjim]

Thanks for the ping. Rose says hi.

[RochesterFan]

We home schooled from grades 3 through 8, then our two children went to public high schools. Following high school, both completed B.S. degrees (Chemistry and Meterology) and one just graduated Law School last weekend and the other just passed her qualification exams for her Meterology Ph.D. (just the research and thesis remain.)

The home schooling taught both our children to be self-directed learners with proper study skills. They told us that these skills were critical for their future academic success. They learned to master the subjects they studied.

My wife now teaches chemistry, physics, and advanced mathematics at a Christian high school. The biggest problems she encounters in her students are the following

1. Very poor study skills. Homework is shoddily done or not at all. Those who do not put in the time do not master the material. One just cannot 'cram' science and math. Spend the effort to teach your children to at least attempt homework and to formulate specific questions about what they don't understand.
2. Poor work ethic. Too many parents have not taught their children that a responsible person gets their work done before play time or other leisure activities. Academics need to have a higher priority than sports, cheer-leading, social activities - and yes, family vacations.
3. social promotions. Too many are passed on to higher level courses without mastering the fundamental concepts that are prerequisites. A student cannot master algebra without mastery of arithmetic. Forget calculus and physics without algebra. Use diagnostic tests to diagnose critical skill deficiencies and repair them before (or at least while) going on.
4. poor test-taking skills. There are specific skills that one needs to learn to do well on tests. Children need to learn to carefully read and analyze question, budget their time, learn how to eliminate spurious choices to zero in on correct answers on multiple-choice tests, and how to identify when a mistake in a solution produced a solution that is much harder than one should expect on the test.

Do not look on the typical school district demands for detailed curricula and reports as an imposition. Look on these reports as in the best interest of your child. Use these reports and standardized tests as diagnostic tools and documentation tools. Ask yourself, what could my child show a college admissions officer to demonstrate their capabilities.

Look for like-minded folks and schedule group lessons. These will complement your own skills and provide opportunities to teach your children to work well in groups.

Best wishes for your children's success. I can tell you with certainty that hard work and persistence pays huge dividends.

[EverOnward]

Alpha Omega out of Arizona has wonderful homeschooling materials. The math workbooks break down concepts into simple steps.

Also A BEKA Book has wonderful a wonderful literature program.

You could google both these companies on line.

Best of luck!

[celmak]

My wife and I have been homeschooling our 2 girls (10 & 11) for 5 years now. Though both are ahead in reading, writing, history etc. the youngest had trouble with math.

I'm involved with FLL (go to usfirst.org), and I coach 3 teams; this is a great way to expose them to technology and the sciences. I also teach a couple of courses at the homeschool network we are involved in. Our homeschool network works with many children with learning disabilities, and so do I.

One thing I have noticed is that competition really can get a child with a learning disability to get involved. I would suggest getting something like "Quarter Mile Math (QMM)." QMM has worked for my youngest and now she is doing well.

[tuffydoodle]

You’re welcome. Tell Rose Hi back.

[metmom]

Math- Saxon Math-IMO, the absolute best program going.

Switched on Schoolhouse- AlphaOmega Publications.

English- We used Rod and Staff Publications. It gets pretty intense by 7th grade though. Their reading and phonics for first through third grades is very good. The phonics can be used for older grades as well, as it is very thorough.
http://www.rodstaff.com/index.html?google

Some people like the AlphaOmega Lifepacs. My daughter used them for one year in high school in socail studies and liked it better than Abeka, which is VERY intense. I do like Abeka science, though.

A good resource for the best priced books I have seen.
http://www.rocksolidinc.com

[metmom]

Actually, DLR has the Homeschool Ping list. I do the *Another Reason to Homeschool* list that deals with articles concerning issues in public education that are simply another reason so many of us have decided to homeschool.