We are "practice homeschooling" today in preparation for making the switch next year.

[wildeyed]

So far, so good. We did some stretching to get warmed up and to start the day off right. Then dd7 did two math sheets, we played a math card game for enrichment, then she read a short essay on bravery and wrote her own little essay on a time she was brave. She is contentedly reading a chapter book right now and it is only 10:30 in the AM. That is at least a whole day's work at the public school, and it wouldn't have been as challenging, either. Wow this is efficient. This afternoon we plan to meet up with a local homeschool group at the nature preserve for a group tour.

I know this will be more difficult when I have both kids home day after day (dd has a brother, age 5), but it seems like we will cover soooo much ground so fast, it may not be as challenging as I was thinking, especially once I have actual curriculum to work with, not just random bits from here and there.

Anyway, just though I'd share :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. It does tend to take less time...

This gives us plenty of time for music/art classes and sports that give my son organized social activity.

I hope you enjoy homeschooling! :hi:

[wildeyed]

3. I am looking forward to that.

Right now it seems like we rush all the time trying to fit activities in. But if they can finish their academic requirements in the AM, we have the entire rest of the day to play and learn, hands on, which is best anyway, especially with young ones.

:hi:

[Maat]

2. I love homeschooling ....

we're here to support you.

[wildeyed]

4. Thanks, Maat.

I have agonized over this decision for so long, I feel a big sense of relief now that the decision has been made. I don't know if we will do this forever, but I am looking forward to having so much quality time with my kids.

[Maat]

5. I agonized, also.

First, I put her in a two-day per week at school, three-day homeschooling program (combo program), through a charter school. That worked with a great teacher; then, a new director took over the charter school, and we had no control over the curriculum, and no time to catch her up in math.

In January of this year, after a year in the combo program (which was a lifesaver compared to the conventional classroom), we began total homeschooling, and I love it.

It takes awhile for the kid to adjust, though, to either program, because having Mom as a teacher, that you have to do things for, can be an adjustment, but, now, my kid loves it.

And, I don't have to worry about her daddy (my husband of 24 years, the "Principal") kicking her out because she accidentally brought a plastic knife to school!

Edited to add:
We were spending at least a couple hours a night doing homework and explaining things, when she was in the conventional classroom (it happened to be a private school, but that's no matter). We decided that, if we were going to have to do that, we'd do when we all weren't tired! It's been a blessing.

[wildeyed]

6. Yes, I know exactly what you mean.

I already spend so much time working with my older kid on academics,we might as well be homeschooling and do it at an appropriate time when we are not all overtired.

She goes to school for six hours a day and learns very little. I try to make up for that in a hour or two before or after school, plus she has gymnastics and music lessons. It gets hectic and her academic curriculum is very disjointed. I have dd wait listed at a charter school that I believe could provide her with an appropriate curriculum. If she gets in, my inclination would be to give it a try. But at this point we only have a 50/50 chance and I feel really good about the homeschooling too, so win/win, no matter what happens :)

My younger, due to start K this year, probably has a four year spread in his abilities. He is way out front in some areas and delayed in others. This is not uncommon in my family and seems to even out by third grade. But in the meantime, I can't see a traditional K being a good experience for him, so I plan to keep him home too. That way I can work with him in his delayed areas and provide appropriate academic material in his areas of strength.

[Maat]

7. I hear you.

It will work out, and you'll be glad you did it.

I like the charter school, because once I passed the flake test (my teacher seemed to be strict on the phone before I met her), my educational facilitator (teacher) at the charter basically gave me free rein. But the charter school has this big warehouse with lots of textbooks. I selected mine (I can adjust assignments, go out of order, anything I want), but it did give me an idea of what I needed to cover. Dad handles math and science (I go over things, but he, having a Master's in Chemical and Materials Engineering) keeps an eye out on that.

Anyway, try what suits you. You'll be glad you are doing this. I experienced the same problems, so I understand. Also, mine is a bit of a figeter; but, she absorbs the material fine. I just let her sketch while I'm talking. Believe it or not, she absorbs more than the typical kid would; but, I determined, having a Master's in Psychology and years of experience as a social worker (I'm retired), that I wasn't going to have her 'assessed,' given some half-baked diagnosis, and put on some irrevelant and dangerous medication. So, this works.

[funflower]

8. You'll be sooo glad you did this.

Our kids are "older" now (teen and pre-teen) and they are so ALIVE intellectually compared with most of their conventionally educated peers. They're interested in EVERYTHING don't have any preconceptions about what they "can" or "can't" do or what subjects are supposedly the province of girls or boys or whatever. They're also confident, happy and a joy to be around (OK, at least most of the time)and aren't slaves to fashion or whatever the latest "cool" thing is (no, they aren't nerds - really). Homeschooling was one of the best decisions we ever made.