Homeschool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If schools don't start as normal in the fall, is anyone thinking of buying a home school curriculum?

Our public school district's distance learning has been abysmal. I'm guess it won't be any better in the fall. My children attended private school and I just don't see the point of paying $$$$ in tuition for distance learning that is only mediocre. So far, we have abandoned distance learning and have been doing a good job pieces together work from various sites and resources.

In the fall I hope to be more organized. If we will all be home anyway, it seems to make more sense to buy a comprehensive homeschool curriculum that more accuratly meets each child's academic needs and do it at our own pace. Is anyone else thinking of doing this? If so, what programs are you considering purchasing?

Confused. Why did you abandon the private school distance learning? You describe the public school distance learning as abysmal but your DCs never were exposed to it so how do you know? You also describe the private school distance learning as mediocre but your kids also have abandoned that according to your post so how do you know? For us, I have been thoroughly impressed with the online distance learning of my DCs’ private school and we will be sticking with it. The social impact of staying with their friends (even on Zoon) is super important for my teen DCs. Perhaps you may just want to reevaluate your DCs’ current school. I also work FT so homeschooling is not practical but if you have time on your hands and want to save money I can see why homeschool has a a certain appea but I’d be very concerned about maintaining social connections and learning things like leadership skills and working in groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If schools don't start as normal in the fall, is anyone thinking of buying a home school curriculum?

Our public school district's distance learning has been abysmal. I'm guess it won't be any better in the fall. My children attended private school and I just don't see the point of paying $$$$ in tuition for distance learning that is only mediocre. So far, we have abandoned distance learning and have been doing a good job pieces together work from various sites and resources.

In the fall I hope to be more organized. If we will all be home anyway, it seems to make more sense to buy a comprehensive homeschool curriculum that more accuratly meets each child's academic needs and do it at our own pace. Is anyone else thinking of doing this? If so, what programs are you considering purchasing?

Confused. Why did you abandon the private school distance learning? You describe the public school distance learning as abysmal but your DCs never were exposed to it so how do you know? You also describe the private school distance learning as mediocre but your kids also have abandoned that according to your post so how do you know? For us, I have been thoroughly impressed with the online distance learning of my DCs’ private school and we will be sticking with it. The social impact of staying with their friends (even on Zoon) is super important for my teen DCs. Perhaps you may just want to reevaluate your DCs’ current school. I also work FT so homeschooling is not practical but if you have time on your hands and want to save money I can see why homeschool has a a certain appea but I’d be very concerned about maintaining social connections and learning things like leadership skills and working in groups.

Since I pay taxes, I'm entitled to the public school resources and I've checked them out to see what they are doing. It is terrible. Our private school is only doing marginally better- mostly because it is a progressive school that doesn't teach in a traditional manner. It doesn't translate to zoom well at all and my kids aren't that interested in being on zoom. So we've been doing our own thing. Next year, I don't see the point in paying tuition at their private school if I'm going to doing most of the teaching and buying resources anyhow.

[Anonymous]

My son will be in 4th grade and has been primarily homeschooled. He was to attend a charter in Fall 2020, but we've decided to continue with homeschooling and part-time alternative school (if it opens back up and if we feel that it seems safe).

You could certainly buy a full curriculum, but I wouldn't. Most kids have eclectic learning styles and until you know how your kid learns best, how you can best serve as his/her learning guide best, etc. keep your spending low. Too many people get really, super, SUPER excited about homeschooling only to find out that their fancy and costly curriculum is awesome on paper but impossible to implement for their kid. So go slow. Read a lot. Find a homeschool (or unschool) mentor if you can, join Facebook groups, and be open to what comes.

[Anonymous]

Having looked at the three possible options for school in the fall in our district (as outlined by our district), I'm strongly considering it for next year - kids will be in 1st and 3rd. I have a private school I would like to switch to, but I don't want to pay for distance learning there. I was homeschooled for several years as a kid and my kids already read a lot of the books from the curriculum I used as a kid, so it wouldn't be too hard to switch over. I work PT, but given how young my kids are I am pretty sure I could school half the day and work the other half without compromising either. Housework might get the short shrift, though.

I just have to convince DH that I'm not crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having looked at the three possible options for school in the fall in our district (as outlined by our district), I'm strongly considering it for next year - kids will be in 1st and 3rd. I have a private school I would like to switch to, but I don't want to pay for distance learning there. I was homeschooled for several years as a kid and my kids already read a lot of the books from the curriculum I used as a kid, so it wouldn't be too hard to switch over. I work PT, but given how young my kids are I am pretty sure I could school half the day and work the other half without compromising either. Housework might get the short shrift, though.

I just have to convince DH that I'm not crazy.

That might be tough.

[Anonymous]

We are already supplementing math, social studies, science, and grammar (school is providing nothing new & not much period). But my kids attend an immersion school, and we won’t completely homeschool even if school is online in the fall because of that aspect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having looked at the three possible options for school in the fall in our district (as outlined by our district), I'm strongly considering it for next year - kids will be in 1st and 3rd. I have a private school I would like to switch to, but I don't want to pay for distance learning there. I was homeschooled for several years as a kid and my kids already read a lot of the books from the curriculum I used as a kid, so it wouldn't be too hard to switch over. I work PT, but given how young my kids are I am pretty sure I could school half the day and work the other half without compromising either. Housework might get the short shrift, though.

I just have to convince DH that I'm not crazy.

That sounds like you should do it - you know what is involved and you have a flexible schedule. See how it works out! He won’t think you are crazy when we are quarantined again in the fall.

[Anonymous]

I pulled two of my kids from their private school in December, because of concerns about them bringing home the flu to their medically fragile sibling who was already homeschooling.

In March, the school reached out and asked if the kids wanted to rejoin their classes, since they were now online. I looked at what they were offering, and decided that they were getting more out of the homeschooling, so I declined. I feel like the distance learning from their school is pretty good, but I can do better by choosing resources that are perfect for each of them.

If I think it's safe for them to go back in the fall, and there's in person school, I'll send them, because they like their friends. But if my choices are distance learning or homeschool, I'll homeschool.

[Anonymous]

I'm seriously thinking about it. My younger is in preschool, and I'm not sure I want to risk him going there, plus I feel like the social distancing methods I'm seeing at least right now take away half the benefits anyway (kids not even being able to play together and being in chalked boxes at recess??).

My mom lives in town, and if we have the kids in school, I'm worried we won't feel comfortable seeing her because of the extra risk of infecting her.

My older son is in public elementary. I'm hearing rumors they may go to school only once or twice a week and do distance learning the other days. If that's the case, I'll have to be home with him those days anyway, so why not both kids?

I haven't thought it all through, but I think my mom could help out if neither are going to school, and maybe we could coordinate with another family or two to limit exposure but still give them some playmates/classmates.

I used to be a teacher (although primarily secondary), so I don't feel totally unprepared to do a lot of the teaching myself. The hardest part for us is the age difference and level of independence. Also, the preschooler can't really do anything online unless he's just watching some type of video.

[Anonymous]

I read Well-trained mind a few years ago and have supplemented with some of their material and teaching methods.