Looking Back, and Planning Forward

[Dianna]

It's time for a new contest! :smile2:

Another homeschool year is coming to an end. What worked? What didn't work? What are you planning to try next year? Post your experiences and plans here! Tell us about your homeschooling successes, as well as what didn't work out so well. And tell us your plans for next year!

I want to clear off my shelves quickly, so I'll award one prize a day until the contest ends. If you're the only one to post on a specific day, you'll automatically be the winner. If more than one person posts, I'll put all your names in a hat and let my children choose the winner. [Limit one prize per person in this contest.]

So have fun and post away... I'll even pay the postage! For a list of prizes, see our contests page at http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm

Warmly,
Dianna

[duboisa]

Welll, nothing i did this year worked well, because it was my first year.. (1/2 year really). I am looking here for ideas. the main thing I think I am going to do is RELAX. because I have stressed me ( and my kids) crazy over all this. We're going to use Abeka for history, Apologia for Science, and Engish, Literature, and Math are still up in the air!!

angie

[reedross]

What worked? Using 'time-check-off' boxes for my 9th grader to keep track of certain amounts of time spent on certain subjects (to assist in assigning credits to certain courses that I wasn't sure if they would be 1/2 credit or full credit!). Also - I purchased the Apolgia science books for elementary years for my youngest and he LOVES them!

What didn't work? Well, I'm not happy with my boys writing......... LOVE the PROGRAM we use, but finding that since they don't LIKE to write, it's like pulling teeth.......... SO: next year, I'm sticking with the same program (Writing Strands) BUT I'm going to try 'Writeguide.com' for a three month stint of writing coaching!

- April C

[Dianna]

What worked? Using 'time-check-off' boxes for my 9th grader to keep track of certain amounts of time spent on certain subjects (to assist in assigning credits to certain courses that I wasn't sure if they would be 1/2 credit or full credit!). Also - I purchased the Apolgia science books for elementary years for my youngest and he LOVES them!

What didn't work? Well, I'm not happy with my boys writing......... LOVE the PROGRAM we use, but finding that since they don't LIKE to write, it's like pulling teeth.......... SO: next year, I'm sticking with the same program (Writing Strands) BUT I'm going to try 'Writeguide.com' for a three month stint of writing coaching!

- April C

April, I've heard a lot of people complain about Writing Strands. It just didn't work for their kids. It has about a 25% "approval rate" from the feedback I've gathered. So it may not be your boys, but the Writing Strands itself that's causing the problem.

Dianna

[reedross]

April, I've heard a lot of people complain about Writing Strands. It just didn't work for their kids. It has about a 25% "approval rate" from the feedback I've gathered. So it may not be your boys, but the Writing Strands itself that's causing the problem.

Dianna

Really? That's really odd.......... because everything that I've read says the opposite? What's up with that? (LOL) Do you know 'what' they didn't like?
My youngest has dysgraphia and Writing Strands is one of the recommended programs because it guides in little steps.............. what program do you like???

- April C

[MamaSweetie2]

What has worked for me is switching to a unit study program for my middle school child. We have used everything over the years: Calvert, traditional textbooks, Oak Meadow, Alpha Omega, etc. , etc.

We switched to Learning Adventures and have had a positive change in child's attitude and we are really enjoying it!

A new homeschooler asked my dd what is her favorite curriculum she has used over the years and she said she enjoys Learning Adventures the best!

Christine

[WCH]

Abeka 4th grade readers did not work.
Story of the World Book 1 great success.
Wanda

[Dianna]

Really? That's really odd.......... because everything that I've read says the opposite? What's up with that? (LOL) Do you know 'what' they didn't like?
My youngest has dysgraphia and Writing Strands is one of the recommended programs because it guides in little steps.............. what program do you like???

- April C

Well, they don't like the author's poorly-written examples. I have to agree - they're grammatically awkward, and even incorrect at times. They're poor examples for children to aspire to. And I think they also mentioned something else about the step-by-step nature of it doesn't encourage the child to see the bigger picture. Also, the writing assignments themselves seem useless.

Honestly, though, through the 14+ years I've been monitoring homeschooling message boards, it has about a 25% "approval" rating by people who have actually used it. The reviews of it sound wonderful, but the reality of it just doesn't measure up. And the poor examples are the clincher for me.

I much prefer the Wordsmith series, but I don't like Wordsmith Apprentice as much as the other two. However, even the Wordsmith series has some jumps in it that need more instruction. As a base, though, the Wordsmith series is better than Writing Strands.

Links to samples of this series is available on my resources and links page, if you're interested (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/links.htm)

Dianna

[mary helen]

I have used everything also. Sometimes things work wonderful for one, but isn't so great for another child.

I plan to use:

Five in a row for the K -5 student. It worked well with the others and was fun. I want to try Happy Phonics.


I will use Developmental math for all kids. It works. It was hard to find the last two years and I really found no match for it's exchange. I was thrilled to find a publisher that I will order from directly. I plan to use Humpties Grammar.

I have heard many Homeschoolers are Blogging for creative writing. I will give that a try along with pen pals. I will try Copywork series. It is a Mason approach that states that kids learn english, punctuation and rules from copywork of good writing. It just made sence to me.

I will use classic literture guides that is used with the movie of classical literature.

I plan to eventually use Secrets of Great Communicatators as a public speech.

I like ACE, but have a hard time keeping up with all the books. I will use Landmark Freedom Baptist material. It isn't as colorful but it is in one book so I shouldn't lose it. I like Handwriting without tears.

I will not get so uptight about cursive writing like I did years ago. After all I am 42 years old and I basically cursive write my signature. I get upset to hear that cursive writing is began in K-5 or 1st grade now.????????

Some of my all time favorites are:


Easy Grammar, Jenson Grammar, Writing for 100 Days, Developmental Math, Abeka Biology. I likes Learnable Languages, Algebra... on Video or DVD from Keyboard Enterprises, Key to math series, Mastering Mathmatics amd Total Language Plus and Winston Grammar. Alpha Omega Social Studies 3rd grade level was refreshing and I still thing of things I learned in it about differant states.
For the younger set; Adventures in Phonics and Explode the Code worked well.
Sing Spell Read and Write didn't seem to be worth the money I paid at a used price. I am sure glad I didn't buy it new.

Multiplication songs worked for my first two kids but not the later ones.

I found in college, that my girls were prepared. I would not do so much grammar! They wrote essays in college english. I would have pushed more algebra. Typing is a must. My college students first paper was to be typed and double spaced. I told her that meant double spaced between each word. It really meant to be double spaced between lines. I caused her to get a lower grade.
I want to do more fun activities as having several preschoolers puts a damper on going to a lot of places. I want to join or lead a Keepers of Faith club. I want to teach a homeschool cooking class. I want to do a unit study CO-OP Geography class. I want to try Times Tales for the multiplication tables.

Don't skip life skills. My 19 year old made a mistake at 16 when she applied for a job stating that she had no transportation. I ask her, "Wasn't I going to pick her up and drive you to and from work?" She told me, "I, {meaning herself) don't own a car." She thought the question meant: did she have a car of her own.:redface2: Many smart people think literal as she does. I had her go change the answer and she still works at that job today. A long story.... We went to the library and made copies of a book used for tutoring GED students that was nothing but filling out forms of all kinds: Medical history, apartment applications, birth certificate forms, medical histories, drivers license renewals.... the list goes on. She got plenty of practice filling out forms.

[MamaSweetie2]

One currriculum that didn't work for us was Horizons Math 4. I am not going to say Horizons in general, we only used the 4th grade. There were too many concepts taught at once and many times through out the curriculum there were math problems on a concept that was not previously taught. It was very confusing to my child.

Christine

[Dianna]

reedross (April), you're the winner of this contest for April 25th! Please choose a prize on our contests page (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm) and send me a private message with your choice and your mailing address. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Dianna]

WCH (Wanda), you're the winner of this contest for April 26th! Please choose a prize on our contests page (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm) and send me a private message with your choice and your mailing address. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Dianna]

mary helen, you're the winner of this contest for April 27! Please choose a prize on our contests page (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm) and send me a private message with your choice and your mailing address. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Dianna]

duboisa (Angie) and MamaSweetie2 (Christine), you two win a prize, too... just because! :lol: Please choose a prize on our contests page (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm) and send me a private message with your choice and your mailing address. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Jenlaana]

I started fairly late in the year, so my attempts were my first (glad I got some of the bigger mistakes out of the way)

First, what didn't work:

Doing "classes" in timed increments... my son honestly just screwed off while counting the clock and made me as miserable as he could in hopes that I would let him out "early" - once we changed this to just having a list of goals for the day, he stopped even watching the clock, and we were able to work longer when necessary, and less when we finished early
Walmart purchased generic math review workbook - this was a bad choice, lol... the directions were sketchy to the point that even I didn't understand them (5th grade level) and some of the exercises were unbelievably pointless - I ended up skipping a lot and just using it to help get an idea of where he's at, to prepare for next year
Random web games - I had a lot of suggestions from various resources about them, but in the end so many were broken or poorly done or not age appropriate that my son ended up spending his time frustrated or flying through them without a thought. I should have gone through them all myself first, but I just haven't had the timeSecond, what did work:

Putting a rough routine together - 8:30-3pm is "school time", if he finishes his work during that time he can read or watch "educational TV" (National Geographic, History Channel, rentals from the library, etc) but cannot play with toys or watch cartoons
Demo of Switched on Schoolhouse - we're working through every demo exercise, which includes quite a few up through 6th grade - it's given a random review of skills, gotten him to see past the "I hate school" mentality and given him a new confidence in his school and computer abilities
Library library library :) Every Wednesday we go to the library and get out 4 books on "school stuff" and 2-4 books for pleasure reading for him, and he gets through them ALL every week. He's just eating it up. The "school stuff" books are science, social studies and world culture/religion related, which is all stuff that he is really interested in - plus it gives us both something to look forward to
Partially child led learning in all areas outside of math - my son, who hated school, now says that "he would have to live to be a million to learn all the things he wants to know". He still has to learn what I outline for him, but we're not strict about the details. We skim what doesn't interest him, and spend tons of time on what does.Honestly, we've had some bumps and frustrations along the way, but we've finally gotten into a rhythm in homeschooling, where its part my lead, part his. I am excitedly looking forward to next year, when we can really start fresh.


Jenn - mom to Cody (5th grade, 11 yrs old) and Brianna (born 10/10/05)

[duboisa]

WHat part of SC are you in Jenn. You have it SO much more together than me for this... LOL

[MamaSweetie2]

Sounds like you are doing a great job! :-)

[duboisa]

Thanks, but I feel like a chicken running around with my head cut off.

[Jenlaana]

I'm in a little town called Hemingway (aka. middle of nowhere, lol) about 45 min from Florence/Georgetown/Conway. I don't really think we have it all together at all, lol. I just kinda scrapped this year already actually, lol, so with that the pressure came off to perform for anyone, so I don't care too much (does that sound bad? lol) Its given us time to adjust and play with curriculum demos etc without stressing too much about how much he's learning this very second. My HS organization had a great spreadsheet thing that I edited for my own use that has helped me organize things much better than I could have on my own, too.

My biggest concern actually is the social aspect, as I haven't found any local homeschoolers or gotten into any community activities as of yet. I'm really antisocial myself :( or more accurately socially inept so its something I'm dreading, lol.

[duboisa]

(My biggest concern actually is the social aspect, as I haven't found any local homeschoolers or gotten into any community activities as of yet. I'm really antisocial myself or more accurately socially inept so its something I'm dreading, lol.)

This is a situation that I am having a problem with as well.. I didnt worry too much this year b/c my oldest son had been in the "wrong crowd" so to speak, so getting him away from that and delearning all that has been the plan for this year, but next year we are going to have to do something. We are in Elgin, so I can relate to the middle of nowhere thing, I think that I am THE ONLY homeschooler in Elgin, b/c OMG, let me be seen in public during the school day, I get asked a million times, " are your kids sick or staying out of school"... the people around here are nosy nosy nosy.

angie

[evansmel]

I am just very excited to start the upcoming year. Will be my first year.

I plan to use Abeka, I am going to a local fair next week to look at the books and then purchase. I have decided to get the complete package since it will be my first year, just to get the hang of it.

I have loved this website and being able to read others opinion and what worked and did not work is nice to know.

Best of luck to all and I hope everyone has a nice summer.
Melissa:wave:

[MamaSweetie2]

Angie,

Isn't Elgin near Camden? If you click on the Support Group link at the top of the page, there is a list of support groups for the state. There is one called F.A.C.E that is in Columbia, but says it has members from the Camden area.

If not, contact your library. The children's librarian might be able to give you info on any homeschool groups or families in your area.

Hope this helps.

Christine

[duboisa]

Thanks.. I am going to call her today!! Woo HOO i am not alone in the world... Yippee.. LOL

[Dianna]

Jenlaana, you're the winner of this contest for May 4th! Please choose a prize on our contests page (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm) and send me a private message with your choice and your mailing address. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Dianna]

evansmel, you're the winner of this contest for May 8th! Please choose a prize on our contests page (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm) and send me a private message with your choice and your mailing address. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[BeckyB]

What worked:
We used Mystery of History Vol 2, and loved it. However, Vol 3 is not ready so we are going a different direction next year, following Christine Miller's suggestions for Ren/Ref/Explorers as detailed in All Through The Ages.

Rod and Staff English 4. This was so easy to use, and my son, who had never had formal English up to this point, didn't mind it much, and felt it helped him on the SAT 10 test.

Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. This has worked better than anything I've used yet, and I've tried a bunch.

Mind Benders. What a painless introduction to Logic! My son loved these. He hated the Building Thinking Skills books we used a couple of years ago.

Story of the Orchestra. We used this for 1 semester of music appreciation, and it was very enjoyable for both children.

A Child's History of Art. Out of print VM Hillyer book. I love the way he writes to an audience of children, and there was a lot of info on architecture, which fit in well with our historical time period we studied.

What didn't work:
Tried to learn French with Learn French Together. Just didn't devote the time, which sometimes required up to an hour, and as a result, didn't learn it. We are going to do Latin next year.

Christian Kids Explore Biology. At first I really liked this, but as the year wore on, I started using it more as a spine and less as the lesson plan. We are using Apologia Astronomy next year.

Becky B

[MamaSweetie2]

I just wanted to mention this science curriculum I ran across in the Cathy Duffy Top 100 picks.

www.homeschoolscience.com

I purchased the Astronomy Adventure Kit (around $32) to supplement the science in the Renaissance Unit we are doing with Learning Adventures unit study. The kit includes everything you need for the activities, plus a student guide and parent guide. Each kit is for two kids.

I have a K and a 7th grader and both are enjoying it.

Just wanted to pass this on.

Christine

[Dianna]

BeckyB, you're the winner of this contest for May 12th! Please choose a prize on our contests page (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/contests.htm) and send me a private message with your choice and your mailing address. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[Dianna]

This contest is now officially over. I'll start a new one (or two) when we return from Washington DC. Thanks for participating, everyone! :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[shae128]

(Dianna, here is the reply that I tried to post a few weeks ago). Sharon

Well, we are getting ready for the great finale of our third year of homeschooling! We have had a pretty good year, considering we are still using most of the curriculum that we started with this year. Our biggest goal this year was to finally train ourselves to be self- taught with a little guidance. We are not 100% yet, but we are close! I have a son, age 13 1/2 and a daughter, age 9 1/2. They were comfortable being spoon- fed every bit of knowledge that they had obtained, before the great divide! They both have their special strengths and their special needs, so a one for all curriculum was not an option. After a lot of researching and information from great friends, such as you all here on this forum, this year has been a much more satisfying one. The advice that is available on this web site and forum can not be matched. Thank you Dianna for all of your time and efforts. They are appreciated! Thank you to all of the members here for your many post of information and encouragement! I would like to mention a few other sources, that I have found helpful. I love the catalog that timberdoodle sends out via mail and their website. They give a review of all of their products, and they do not list a product unless they try it. I loved the last catalog that the Elijah company published (they have changed their name and the type of services that they offer, but the catalog is still available). We also use many periodicals to cover science and social studies and other elective studies. We watch documentaries, on the science and history channels, my kids love these!

I guess that if I want a chance to win the prize, I had better list our successes and not so successful choices! With our son, we chose to use the Key To series for math. This was the best choice thus far. We had used Saxon and Singapore in the past, and these were not as successful to use with him. He loves that the Key To series is quick to understand, and he finishes the exercises before he has time to loose concentration. For language, we use Emma Serl’s Intermediate Language Lessons and for writing we use Wordsmith. My daughter uses a mixture of Miquon and Singapore math, and we are very happy with these. They really make the child really understand math and not just try to solve the problem for a correct answer. For language, she uses Emma Serl’s Primary Language Lessons. She is dyslexic, so we use Wanda Sanseri’s, Spell to Write to Read program. I cannot say enough about this reading program. She has gone from “I can’t read” to “I can read” in eight months. In addition to all of the above-mentioned sources for our education, we use a curriculum called Konos. This mainly covers any areas of Science and Social Studies that they want to learn about. It is a hand’s on experience. This program can be used for language, and writing, too. Of course we use a lot of magazines and books for reading.

There was one subject that we did not have a lot of success with this year. That was Latin. We started but I soon realized that my son was not ready for this, but I plan to work with him this summer. He should be ready to begin again in the fall. Speaking of the fall and plans for the future, we are planning on trying a new science curriculum in the fall, Apologia Science. There are a few other pages turned down in the timberdoodle catalog, but I haven’t had time to research them fully. But I Will! When I do, I will be sure to let you know about them. I do hope to hear about all of your dos and don’ts!
Thanks for taking the time to read this inf.,
Sharon

[Lisa]

What I found to really de-stress me was to sit down Sunday evening with my 3rd graders materials and plan his work out for the whole week. I would type it up on a program called Circus Notebook (MS has a simlar program) complete with check off boxes. I would then print out each day (front and back to save paper!) Prior to this I would Plan his work EACH morning.

I am now working with him on time management. He has to complete each day's work, but he is free to "work ahead".

This coming year will be a challenge, as I have a rising 4th grader and a rising 1st grader whom I have not even formally worked with. Plus a preschooler and 16mo old. I am open to ideas on who to manage various ages!