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Expert
Posts: 1549
  
Location: Southwest Louisiana | Thinking hard about homeschool my two starting the next school year. They will be in the 4th and 5th grade. ?Any advice or good places to start? We are in Louisiana. |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
 
Location: North Dakota | You can definitely teach them at home just make sure they progress as fast as they should! My children are in schools because we live in the best school district in our state!!! If it was a bad school district I would home school!! My neighbor is a religious psycho so her kids are home schooled, I see her two boys sitting on the sidewalk by the road half the day!! They are shy and don't know how to communicate with my children! Make sure you expose them to other children so they can function in the future! I feel so sorry for my neighbors kids because they truly hide them from life! If you decide to home school order a good program like abecca, they have great work books and text books to follow!!! |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Are there any local homeschool groups or co-ops? That's where I would start. There are some good FB groups too. Both my sister and SIL homeschool. It's a big commitment but they love it. Their kids actually have more social time than my 2 who go to school, and are thriving. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | There are literally hundreds of boxed curriculums. Abeka is one. You can mix and match curriculums for different subjects too, depending on your child's needs. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1409
| On our 9th year. 1st year was Abeka, because it was easy to follow and was the most popular with good reviews . 2nd and 3rd year part Abeka, Apologia, Mystery of History, and other various books. The past 6 years have been with Classical Conversations, the best choice we have made. There are Classical Conversation communities all over the USA just google it. Have fun and relax with it and figure out how each child learns. Our area has had to many social events that we had to slow that part down when he was younger. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| I teach High School (Public). Just make sure when you home school that you are covering the state standards and that the courses you teach are approved for college entrance. If not, your child may not be able to continue their education past High School with out having to jump through a lot of red tape. There are other programs available as a compromise. We offer a program where students study at home but also have to come in and work with a teacher a couple times a week. There are also 100% ONLINE schools as well.
Just as a side note, I don't believe there is anything that can replace an actual licensed teacher. They are teachers for a reason and have training to do what they do. Yes, there are bad apples, but that happens in every profession. lol I would hate to think that a parent could buy a BOX of materials and do the job I do.
Edited by FLITASTIC 2016-01-15 11:09 AM
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 11:05 AM I teach High School (Public). Just make sure when you home school that you are covering the state standards and that the courses you teach are approved for college entrance. If not, your child may not be able to continue their education past High School with out having to jump through a lot of red tape. There are other programs available as a compromise. We offer a program where students study at home but also have to come in and work with a teacher a couple times a week. There are also 100% ONLINE schools as well. Just as a side note, I don't believe there is anything that can replace an actual licensed teacher. They are teachers for a reason and have training to do what they do. Yes, there are bad apples, but that happens in every profession. lol I would hate to think that a parent could buy a BOX of materials and do the job I do.
Believe it or not, there are parents who do as good a job or better than you can do. Your hands are tied with large classes and policy. You can't tailor the curriculum, provide all the opportunities (like labs and field trips), or have the one on one time that a teaching parent can. Not all parents are good teachers, not all kids are going to thrive in that environment, but not all kids reach their potential in the public school system either.
My kids are in private school--one of them would be a train wreck if I tried to teach him myself. They're just 2nd and 5th right now, but my favorite teacher they've had so far doesn't have a college degree. And she's a GREAT teacher, like the kind that changes lives. Intelligent, self educated, and a student of psychology. She loves figuring out what makes each kid tick and bringing out their potential. |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
| Three 4 Luck - 2016-01-15 11:24 AM FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 11:05 AM I teach High School (Public). Just make sure when you home school that you are covering the state standards and that the courses you teach are approved for college entrance. If not, your child may not be able to continue their education past High School with out having to jump through a lot of red tape. There are other programs available as a compromise. We offer a program where students study at home but also have to come in and work with a teacher a couple times a week. There are also 100% ONLINE schools as well. Just as a side note, I don't believe there is anything that can replace an actual licensed teacher. They are teachers for a reason and have training to do what they do. Yes, there are bad apples, but that happens in every profession. lol I would hate to think that a parent could buy a BOX of materials and do the job I do. Believe it or not, there are parents who do as good a job or better than you can do. Your hands are tied with large classes and policy. You can't tailor the curriculum, provide all the opportunities (like labs and field trips), or have the one on one time that a teaching parent can. Not all parents are good teachers, not all kids are going to thrive in that environment, but not all kids reach their potential in the public school system either.
My kids are in private school--one of them would be a train wreck if I tried to teach him myself. They're just 2nd and 5th right now, but my favorite teacher they've had so far doesn't have a college degree. And she's a GREAT teacher, like the kind that changes lives. Intelligent, self educated, and a student of psychology. She loves figuring out what makes each kid tick and bringing out their potential.
Edited by TyE 2016-01-15 11:46 AM
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | My area has a homeschooling group that meets for field trips and experiments. Parents who are good in a certain subject help the group get through tough spots. I am a teacher, but will be the first to say that not all kids fit the program of the local school system. |
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Expert
Posts: 5293
| Well shoot, why did I bother to get that Masters and almost done with my PhD. lol Dang it, I could have saved myself some serious cash... |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 12:05 PM Well shoot, why did I bother to get that Masters and almost done with my PhD. lol Dang it, I could have saved myself some serious cash... Yeah, let's jump off the Sarcasm Cliff of Extremes to avoid getting the point.
Edited by Three 4 Luck 2016-01-15 12:35 PM
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Addicted to Baseball
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright, TX | As was said you could look for a local co-op, you can join some FB HS discussion pages.
You can also look through Cathy Duffy Reviews online and read her curriculum reviews. She has info on hundreds of types of curriculum and her top 101 picks. I started with her top choices and made some decisions based on how I knew my kids learn. I didn't pick a canned program where all subjects are covered by one company. I picked a different curriculum for each subject.
I disagree with a blanket statement that parents can't replace teachers. Teachers are also bound by many limitations that prohibit kids from grasping all they can. Whether they are at the top of their class or the bottom, one-on-one teaching and at their pace, with their individual learning styles would be a blessing to every child. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | angelica - 2016-01-15 8:37 AM
You can definitely teach them at home just make sure they progress as fast as they should! My children are in schools because we live in the best school district in our state!!! If it was a bad school district I would home school!! My neighbor is a religious psycho so her kids are home schooled, I see her two boys sitting on the sidewalk by the road half the day!! They are shy and don't know how to communicate with my children! Make sure you expose them to other children so they can function in the future! I feel so sorry for my neighbors kids because they truly hide them from life! If you decide to home school order a good program like abecca, they have great work books and text books to follow!!!
"Religious psycho".
That's an interesting term.
I was homeschooled thru a Christian based system. It was lonely at times. But I had a great relationship with my mom and a horse to ride. I wouldn't have changed a thing. |
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Expert
Posts: 1549
Location: Southwest Louisiana | I'm not that worried about the socialization part. Both of the kids play rec sports (baseball, softball and possibly football next year), and we are looking for a horse for my daughter now to start getting into rodeo. They are also involved in 4-h and we go to every shooting event around. I'm pretty sure they can still do 4-h even without being at a public school.
?Thanks for the help and ideas. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| TyE - 2016-01-15 11:27 AM Three 4 Luck - 2016-01-15 11:24 AM FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 11:05 AM I teach High School (Public). Just make sure when you home school that you are covering the state standards and that the courses you teach are approved for college entrance. If not, your child may not be able to continue their education past High School with out having to jump through a lot of red tape. There are other programs available as a compromise. We offer a program where students study at home but also have to come in and work with a teacher a couple times a week. There are also 100% ONLINE schools as well. Just as a side note, I don't believe there is anything that can replace an actual licensed teacher. They are teachers for a reason and have training to do what they do. Yes, there are bad apples, but that happens in every profession. lol I would hate to think that a parent could buy a BOX of materials and do the job I do. Believe it or not, there are parents who do as good a job or better than you can do. Your hands are tied with large classes and policy. You can't tailor the curriculum, provide all the opportunities (like labs and field trips), or have the one on one time that a teaching parent can. Not all parents are good teachers, not all kids are going to thrive in that environment, but not all kids reach their potential in the public school system either.
My kids are in private school--one of them would be a train wreck if I tried to teach him myself. They're just 2nd and 5th right now, but my favorite teacher they've had so far doesn't have a college degree. And she's a GREAT teacher, like the kind that changes lives. Intelligent, self educated, and a student of psychology. She loves figuring out what makes each kid tick and bringing out their potential. I'm sure you are a great teacher Flitastic, but WOW! Very well said Three 4 Luck. Checkout classical conversations and their High School, Junior High "box." You might be surprised.
Edited by rodeomom3 2016-01-15 2:44 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 12:05 PM
Well shoot, why did I bother to get that Masters and almost done with my PhD. lol Dang it, I could have saved myself some serious cash...
Flit homeschooled people don't give teachers enough credit.
Homeschooled people don't have to design their own curriculum, they purchase one that has already been designed by teachers.
The state approved curriculum is also designed by teachers
A homeschooled parent is essentially a teachers aid.
There are pros and cons to teachers versus parents teaching.
There are pros and cons to the classic school system. I do believe this sets people up better in life for the harsh reality that awaits.
The op must ask herself why homeschool?
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Expert
Posts: 5293
| cheryl makofka - 2016-01-15 1:22 PM
FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 12:05 PM
Well shoot, why did I bother to get that Masters and almost done with my PhD. lol Dang it, I could have saved myself some serious cash...
Flit homeschooled people don't give teachers enough credit.
Homeschooled people don't have to design their own curriculum, they purchase one that has already been designed by teachers.
The state approved curriculum is also designed by teachers
A homeschooled parent is essentially a teachers aid.
There are pros and cons to teachers versus parents teaching.
There are pros and cons to the classic school system. I do believe this sets people up better in life for the harsh reality that awaits.
The op must ask herself why homeschool?
This is just as an example.. Our top seniors at my school graduate having taken several AP ( Advanced placement ) courses ( College classes taught to HS students). Most are taking and doing well in advanced calculus and other high end math/science classes. Now unless the parent is unique in their education with a mechanical engineering degree or math degree, there is no box that is going to help a parent home school teach their kids calculus. ( JMHO). But I am sure if the parent(S) are college graduates with technical degrees it would work out fine. I teach Advanced placement courses myself. I think most parents are totally capable of teaching the basic graduation requirements. However, if the student wants to go on to college they are going to be competing against my students who do have that higher academic background. Are all teachers good? ABSOLUTELY NOT....... NOT EVEN CLOSE. But on my campus they are far and few between. For the most ( I would say.... 95%) are outstanding and serve the students of our campus very well. THat was my only point, not to be snarkey. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 3:33 PM cheryl makofka - 2016-01-15 1:22 PM FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 12:05 PM Well shoot, why did I bother to get that Masters and almost done with my PhD. lol Dang it, I could have saved myself some serious cash... Flit homeschooled people don't give teachers enough credit. Homeschooled people don't have to design their own curriculum, they purchase one that has already been designed by teachers. The state approved curriculum is also designed by teachers A homeschooled parent is essentially a teachers aid. There are pros and cons to teachers versus parents teaching. There are pros and cons to the classic school system. I do believe this sets people up better in life for the harsh reality that awaits. The op must ask herself why homeschool? This is just as an example.. Our top seniors at my school graduate having taken several AP ( Advanced placement ) courses ( College classes taught to HS students ). Most are taking and doing well in advanced calculus and other high end math/science classes. Now unless the parent is unique in their education with a mechanical engineering degree or math degree, there is no box that is going to help a parent home school teach their kids calculus. ( JMHO ). But I am sure if the parent (S ) are college graduates with technical degrees it would work out fine. I teach Advanced placement courses myself. I think most parents are totally capable of teaching the basic graduation requirements. However, if the student wants to go on to college they are going to be competing against my students who do have that higher academic background. Are all teachers good? ABSOLUTELY NOT....... NOT EVEN CLOSE. But on my campus they are far and few between. For the most ( I would say.... 95% ) are outstanding and serve the students of our campus very well. THat was my only point, not to be snarkey.
I have a question Flit, you seem like a really nice guy, but what hours do you teach? I see you on here all hours of the day, just wondering.  |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| cheryl makofka - 2016-01-15 3:22 PM FLITASTIC - 2016-01-15 12:05 PM Well shoot, why did I bother to get that Masters and almost done with my PhD. lol Dang it, I could have saved myself some serious cash... Flit homeschooled people don't give teachers enough credit. Homeschooled people don't have to design their own curriculum, they purchase one that has already been designed by teachers. The state approved curriculum is also designed by teachers A homeschooled parent is essentially a teachers aid. There are pros and cons to teachers versus parents teaching. There are pros and cons to the classic school system. I do believe this sets people up better in life for the harsh reality that awaits. The op must ask herself why homeschool?
Flit, my friends who homeschool kids who are getting into the higher maths and sciences have to bring in tutors. They arrange a small group to help with costs.
Edited by rodeomom3 2016-01-15 3:51 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 927
Location: Iowa | I work in a public high school. My son goes to a private Christian school. There are reasons we make choices. Everyone is different and every child is different. If you think your child would benefit from this, then go for it. I've seen 90% of our homeschool kids do above grade level when they take their assessment tests for school. |
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