To Homeschoolers: Need HomeSchooling Help

[KensLuv22]

My DH & I decided to home school my 16 y/o DD who is in the 11th grade this year. I received the affidavit and other information from the school board that I have to fill out and return to them.

What should I put for our Educational Objectives??

Is there a place that you go to online for your logs and other materials?

Last question.....


Am I nuts????

[tracissavings]

I can answer the last question easy ... YES lol .. no you aren't. Im a former homeschooler mom and it aint easy... I myself wouldnt try to do it on a high school level but thats just me...

There are TONS of free places online to find homeschool stuff - I could post a ton of links here but my ds downloaded a virus on my other pc and I havent had time to clean it off ... when I get that done I will post here for you..

[ihvfaith]

Homeschooling is great!!!
I have homeschool my son.
He is in 7th.
This is a good place
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I got it off of a post here.
I don't remeber who posted it.
I use switched on school house and
it comes with everything I need.
It is a computer program.

[teraberry]

I'm just starting to homeschool my 5 year old, but know lots of people at church who have older kids. Many of them recommend Sonlight materials. [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

By that age I know a lot of people I know have their kids on autopilot practically and the kids go through their work on their own for the most part. Many also start taking college classes at a community college. It all depends on the level your child is at.

Don't get anxious about it. If you're anxious it won't work. I think the whole advantage to homeschooling is the ability to install in your child a true love for learning. Then they will continue to learn without force of help. I know many homeschool kids who really thrive on academic challenges, and can't get enough reading. Make it an adventure for the two of you to share.

If you want someone to talk to I can gladly give you an email or phone number of a homeschooler from church who has great older kids she homeschooled.

You're not nuts, but I'm curious why you made this decision with an 11th grader?

[eaparham]

look for your State Department of Education website. Every state has a set of standards for every grade in school. That will tell you what the state expects her to be able to do. I'm fairly certain the guidance councelor or someone from the school district could help you out with that.
Then I would recommend looking for teacher sites on the web, there are alot of great ideas for lesson plans.

[mayfly]

ok, my 2 cents-

for you first year, the easiest way to start would be this recommendation-

Buy the years curriculum of Switched on School house. It is by Alpha Omega, and is a complete computer program, covering everything needed for that grade. Its very comparable in price to basic hands on curriculum.

From my understanding there is a "teacher" on the program that teaches the concepts to the student. Needing extra help is no problem, the CD's are made to handle almost every question the student would have. There is a seperated section for the parent to log into, complete with code word, for you to look and see the assessment of your students work, what needs to be improved, strengths, etc. I have not done it myself, but I have heard nothing but rave reports.

With this program you may also be able to sign in as a satellite school, essentially you are privately schooling, not home schooling your child.

I believe the CD's are approximately $40-50 ish per subject. This would cover a complete subject.

Usually by the time a student reaches the higher grades homeschool becomes much easier. My 7th grader is a piece of cake compared to my 1st and 4th grader. Although 1st year of homeschool is notorious for being the hardest, because of trying to match expectations with teaching styles, and students learning styles. That is another reason why I recommend the CD's, a huge headache you wouldn't have to deal with.

Have fun!


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[KathrynJB]

I am homeschooling my teenage son, and I think it's one of the most wonderful things you can do for your child and your family. We love it.

This web site will give you a lot of information, including message boards that will help you meet the requirements of your state. But frankly, if your son is 16 and you're planning to finish at home, I wouldn't submit it. In most states with a parent's permission your child can leave school at 16. I'd consider that.

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At his age, your son, with support, can probably take a lot of responsibility for his own learning. If I can help with other resources, etc. please feel free to e-mail, etc.

Kathryn

[Corganiacs]

out of curiosity, why are you homeschooling your child?
especially with a junior in high school? (same question as teraberry)

[KensLuv22]

Thanks for the advice, so far!

Why have I waited until now?? My daughter, Amber, absolutely hates school!!! This girl comes home everyday stressed to the limit. She needs and wants more individual time and can't get that at school. So, it's either home school or she becomes another statistic and drops out. NOT! I won't sign for her to do that. We have already set the ground rules that she has to follow at home and if they aren't followed, she goes back to school.

We are going to be following the curriculum that the school has already started instead of going with our own lesson plans. This is kinda confusing to me already because according to the information I have received doesn't jive with what she is taking in school now. She isn't required to take music and health this year, but from what I understand we have to teach it to her while being homeschooled??

Me thinks we have a lot more research to do.


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[heyitsmesheila]

Thanks for posting this. This has been really helpful.

[KathrynJB]

You don't have to do every subject in a structured way, unless you want to. If your daughter enjoys singing, playing an instrument, or listening to music, that's probably enough (and more than she'd probably get in school at this point anyway.)

You can teach "Health" in general, real life. Conversations about drugs and other substance abuse, letting her plan and prepare healthy meals for the family, taking care of younger siblings and letting HER teach them about stuff....This is "Health" in the Real World.

Have you found any support groups for homeschooling? They can be helpful. Your daughter may also get to know some homeschooled teens this way, which will be good for both of you.

Finally, while I know you're deciding to homeschool to deal with a potential crisis, try to see this as a gift. One of the best things about homeschooling, especially homeschooling teens, is Time. At a point where teens are usually very separate from their families, in the few years you have before she moves onto her adult life, you get to spend time with Amber and really get to know her as a person--and she gets to know her family again.

It's really quite wonderful.

Kathryn

[teraberry]

I felt SO overwhelmed with the thought of homeschooling initially. It seemed like such a huge responsibility and so many choices. Then I realized the whole point of homeschooling is to help your child love learning - you can't do that if you're frazzled, so I decided to love it to and let my kids see me having fun with it. It's contagious.

FYI- every state has different guidlines for homeschoolers. I live in Arizona, probably the most homeschooler friendly state. We do the affadavit and then we're totally free to do as we wish. No rules on what subjects we have to do, testing, etc. We also have some great local homeschooling groups that meet monthly to show curriculum, hang out, etc. There's lots of resources here. Someone mentioned Switched on Schoolhouse, which is based here. If you want a sample CD you can get one from them by calling there 1800 number, which should be on their website (do a google search).

Anyway, I commend you on your decision. I personally think high school is about the worse learning environment (with some exceptions). There's so much pressure on students in most schools to be popular, athletic, pretty, the best at this or that, and add that to the possilbe pressure to drink, do drugs, skip class, etc. It takes all day and then they get home and have to do more homework. It's just too much stress for a kid. Tell you daughter to hang in there and that I hated high school too. Let her know you love her!


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[heyitsmesheila]

I thought of a couple more questions..........What kind of schedule do you follow? And do any of you that homeschool work outside the home? If so, how do you coordinate the schedules?

[KensLuv22]

Thank you so much everyone for the support and encouragement!

I am still a little overwhelmed, but getting through this a little bit at a time. I got my affidavit notorized today and will be going to the school tomorrow to get all of the books that we need. Since we are going to be following the school's curriculum, it probably will be much easier on all of us. (I hope so. )


Sheila, if I was working, I would not even attempt this. I wouldn't even know how you could do it, unless you hired someone else to homeschool your children. If I wasn't so broke, I would probably do that!! LOL!!

[ihvfaith]

We follow the same days as our school system.
I work sort of, I own my own store so son goes with.
So it is not a conflict. I have a computer at the store
also so he just works there.