Homeschoolers

[funmudder]

its so true isn't it?

My 9 year old grasps and understands theoretical ideas, like time bending in space and other things that hurt my brain, better than most adults I know. Where as, my 13 year old simply can not do math in his head. He has to write it down or he won't get it. Once written there are few problems he gets wrong, but ask him to divide 120 by 5 in his mind and he will look at you like you as if you asked him to recite the Bible front to back or face death. :lol
Same child can rattle off from memory ancient mythological greek and norse stories and how they compare to the nephilim in the Bible with stunning, detailed accuracy.

Every kid is made different, every child has a niche God created them for. Its a blessing to be able to support them learning in the feilds that charge their imagination, isn't it? As long as Alex can actually divide and understands the mechanics, does it really matter that he needs a pen and paper to do it?

nope. :thumb

[HSmomto4]

We have 4; the oldest are homeschooled (13,7, and 3). The youngest is only 2 so she doesn't do much :) We us the well trained mind mostly. I like the classical form of study and my kids are big readers.

[amaj4u]

I homeschool my six, Boy 13, girl 11, girl 9, girl 6, girl 4, boy 2.

I use abeka, sing spell and we do a lot of "science" off the top of our heads to supplement.

I don't use many different, because I get overwelmed too easily.

I have a question for discussion for everyone.

I have a friend who also "homeschools" but there is no education going on. Kids can't read, do basic math or anything. We are talking about grades 8,6,3,1 (not ages). Does anyone know someone like this? I feel horrible, like I should do something, but I don't know what. What will happen to these kids? I know kids learn differently. I have 6 and all are so different on abilities and interests. I try to encourage that as much as possible, but with this family there isn't any learning going on. SUGGESTIONS???????????

[HSmomto4]

Where do the other kids go (public/private)?

I don't know how people with many kids homeschool all of them -- I struggle with giving the two the instruction they need. While one is waiting for me to explain a math concept, the other is waiting for their next "assignment". Back and forth all morning and I don't feel that either is really getting good instruction.

I only have 3 doing school work right now, but I can tell you what works great for us. In the morning I take 30 min or so with one child at a time and go over all their schoolwork for the day. I start with the oldest and while I am working with her the youngest is doing a coloring sheet and my 7 year old is working on her handwriting. Then I take my 7 year old and go over all her work for the day while my oldest starts her math and my pre-schooler gets to play with blocks with her younger sister. Then I go over my 3 year olds work with her while my oldest daughter works on English and my 7 year old does Math. I spend about an hour and 15 min working with them and then I am DONE for the day. Of course I am always there for questions if they need help, but I do not sit with each child all day. They have to do their work by themselves.

[funmudder]

I have a friend who also "homeschools" but there is no education going on. Kids can't read, do basic math or anything. We are talking about grades 8,6,3,1 (not ages). Does anyone know someone like this? I feel horrible, like I should do something, but I don't know what. What will happen to these kids? I know kids learn differently. I have 6 and all are so different on abilities and interests. I try to encourage that as much as possible, but with this family there isn't any learning going on. SUGGESTIONS???????????

This is so sad. I have a family like that in our group. She calls herself "a radical unschooler" and....her son is a bright kid, but is developing serious antisocial issues. Because she just lets him do what he wants, he has no ability to 'deal' when he is told no. Seriously, he will demand they go home if anyone crosses him in the slightest, and she goes along with it. He did learn to read, but only so he could play his online games better. He does know computers inside and out, but can not hold a conversation with another kid his own age. It's difficult, and getting worse. At this time, all 3 of my older sons have expressed that they no longer want to even be around him :idunno

Unfortunately, it would not be much different if he were to start going to public school. Because of how his home is run, he wouldn't be pushed to learn, or expected to behave any more than he is now, and teachers calling would make no difference to his mom. He would just be another distraction in a 30+ classroom.
Sad as it is, there is still a much larger number than we want to admit, of illiterate kids graduating high school today. They do not know much more than your friends children. Without the parents backing teachers, its just a change of setting for the continued lack of learning :doh


We started talking to this boy about what carrers he would want to look into, and the courses he would need to know, and that helped a little. He actually started asking for books on the feild he talked to us about.

Maybe that would work with your friends kids? Talk to them about what they want to be? Suggest books, maybe offer to help them learn to read???:idunno

[firstoftwelve]

I have 3 boys, ages 6,4 and 19 mo. This was our first year homeschooling. I used abeka for my first year, but I think I'll be branching out for next year.
I have a son who just devours math and I feel like abeka is too slow and repetitious for him. He's just not being challenged. Anyone have a diff't program to reccommend?
I do like what they do for language and reading and spelling though, so i'll probably stick with them for that.

Im also looking for a fun science curriculum that'll have experiments and hands on stuff - again, any ideas??

[wife]

1stof12

I know that A Reason For Science is supposed to be fun. My kids go to a enrichment program for science and other stuff. A guy from NASA is going to be there Friday!!!

[funmudder]

Saxon math is highly recommended by our group :D

[vmoon]

Hey!:heythere I homeschool my 14 yr. old. We use Alpha and Omega. Next years we're gonna use Switched on Schoolhouse.

[HSmomto4]

I have 3 boys, ages 6,4 and 19 mo. This was our first year homeschooling. I used abeka for my first year, but I think I'll be branching out for next year.
I have a son who just devours math and I feel like abeka is too slow and repetitious for him. He's just not being challenged. Anyone have a diff't program to reccommend?
I do like what they do for language and reading and spelling though, so i'll probably stick with them for that.

Im also looking for a fun science curriculum that'll have experiments and hands on stuff - again, any ideas??

Your math lover will love Math-U-See because he can move very fast! We have almost completed the first book in 3 months. Once they master the skill, you move on so you could do a chapter every 2 days.

What do you want to study in science? We do a science experiment every week so I know lots of programs that have fun experiments.