Ok guys, talk to me about home schooling...

[qponqueen]

I home-schooled my son through the middle school years because he is high-functioning autistic, and the kids are just too cruel at that age. Here in FL it is not hard at all, and I am no Einstein. Some states have on-line schools where you can sign up for as many classes as you choose. In FL it is free. DS took his Algebra that way, as I stunk at Algebra. I also had him watch an hour a day of educational TV while I did my housework. Any subject was fine, as long as they learned something. Then an hour of reading...again...his choice. Anyway when he got to 9th grade level, I put him back in school, and it was the best choice. By then, it was clear that he was smarter than me, and he was ready to socialize more. By the High-school years, most kids are more mature and are not interested in picking on the weird kid. He just graduated last week....All A's! When he was very young, I never thought he would even TALK, much less accomplish this! I am very proud. Good luck in your decision.

Originally Posted by qponqueen I home-schooled my son through the middle school years because he is high-functioning autistic, and the kids are just too cruel at that age. Here in FL it is not hard at all, and I am no Einstein. Some states have on-line schools where you can sign up for as many classes as you choose. In FL it is free. DS took his Algebra that way, as I stunk at Algebra. I also had him watch an hour a day of educational TV while I did my housework. Any subject was fine, as long as they learned something. Then an hour of reading...again...his choice. Anyway when he got to 9th grade level, I put him back in school, and it was the best choice. By then, it was clear that he was smarter than me, and he was ready to socialize more. By the High-school years, most kids are more mature and are not interested in picking on the weird kid. He just graduated last week....All A's! When he was very young, I never thought he would even TALK, much less accomplish this! I am very proud. Good luck in your decision.

That is great! and very inspiring. My hope is to do 7th and 8th grade here at home and then have her go back for high school.

I have to call my superintendents office today to find out about paperwork! wish me luck.

[kurlisola]

After 1 full year in kindergarten, I'm seriously back to reconsidering homeschooling for Solen. I'm trying it out this summer & seeing how it works. If all goes well, I won't re-enroll him in the fall. I just don't like the socialization he is getting in public schools.

Originally Posted by kurlisola After 1 full year in kindergarten, I'm seriously back to reconsidering homeschooling for Solen. I'm trying it out this summer & seeing how it works. If all goes well, I won't re-enroll him in the fall. I just don't like the socialization he is getting in public schools.

The socialization issue is HUGE for me. I just truly feel that she will benefit greatly from one on one instruction and being enrolled in other activities that are more structured.
I just called and am waiting for a call back from the woman who will be the one to get the paperwork ready for me...

[northernmama]

what kind of summer programs are you all doing for your kids? I have one going in 3rd grade and one in 2nd grade and would love to do something for most of the summer with them, but have no idea where to turn.

[renee_anthony]

I am sure some of you Home School your child(ren) and I wanted to get some information from you.

1. What are good online resources?

2. Do you teach your child(ren) yourself, or do you use the computer/satellite method? If you use computer/satellite, can you point me in a direction for more information?

3. How do you substitute the lack of interaction w/ kids in a classroom?

4. If any use the K12 program & are located in a state that doesn't have the virtual school, how do you like the program?

Thank you in advance.

[justmeagain]

Thanks for the questions.........I will watching this post as I will be home schooling too....

[zansammommy]

Originally Posted by renee_anthony I am sure some of you Home School your child(ren) and I wanted to get some information from you. 1. What are good online resources? 2. Do you teach your child(ren) yourself, or do you use the computer/satellite method? If you use computer/satellite, can you point me in a direction for more information? 3. How do you substitute the lack of interaction w/ kids in a classroom? 4. If any use the K12 program & are located in a state that doesn't have the virtual school, how do you like the program? Thank you in advance.

I researched HS for two years before I started teaching my four year old son.
My first suggestion is go to the library and read all the books you can. There are many different ways to homeschool and you will find one or more that works for your family. I would also go to HSLDA hoeschool legal defense www.hslda.org) they can answer any questions you have about your state's laws (all states are different). There are many yahoo chat rooms. I typed homeschooling in goggle and got many hits. I would try and got to a fair, most of them are in the late spring early summer.

I personally teach my son myself. I use Sonlight curriculm (Sonlight: Christian Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Program, Resources, Education, Homeschooling Materials & Books) It is classical based focusing on books. Sorry I can't help about a stallite school because it is something I don't 100% agree with for my family.

Most hs families are into alot of things. My sister lives in her minivans on Mondays because they have swim lessons and co op classes and something else. She leaves her house at seven and doesn't return till five. My son is still little so we got to MOPS, field trips ( I belong to a local support group and started one myself for preschool to second graders) and come the spring we are going to take classes at the zoo. As a hs the child doesn't have to wait for the rest of the class to get the lesson so it frees up alot of extra time to do other things.

Hope that helped some, please ask any other questions and I will try and help.

[momalot]

I homeschool our kids (we have 9, 6 still at home, 3 school age right now). I also write about homeschooling for our paper (archived articles can be found at Appeal-Democrat.com : Learning at Home ) and I blog for our paper about homeschooling at Learning at Home - Appeal-Democrat.com . Both the blog and the column are partly about some of our experiences and partly about he process of homeschooling. The blogroll has several sites I look at often and that you may find helpful.

Right now we are in a part curriculum, part unschooling phase. We have a heavy emphasis on "life skills", learning how to run a home, balance a checkbook, things like that. We go on a lot of field trips (you can travel when everyone else is stuck in school and save money that way, plus the crowds are lighter), and we network with other friends who homeschool. We also have our kids in dance and karate classes. Between all of that and what we do at church, we are busy, busy. Don't worry about the socialization. I've addressed that in several columns and blog posts b/c so many people get uptight about it, but really, it is a non-issue unless you live a gazillion miles from civilization--then you'd be homeschooling anyway :)

[renee_anthony]

let me add another question, those of you who are teaching your kids yourself, are you finding any road blocks with what you are teaching your children vs what you were taught in school. how do you handle the differences?