Homeschooling fifth/third grader for the first time

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I am seriously considering homeschooling my two children for the first time. My son will be entering fifth grade next fall, and my daughter will enter third. They have attended one public school entirely until now, without any difficulties. Both are bright children and socially accepted by their peers. I do have several concerns though, and would like to communicate with others who have taken their children out of school to homeschool.

-- Mary (mnoldy@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002

Answers

Hi Mary, the homeschooling laws differ by state. You might do a search on homeschooling plus your state to find information on yours as well as support groups. I'm sure if you list your state here, you will find someone as well :)

-- mary (mary@nospam.com), May 09, 2002.

Mary,

My children have been entirely homeschooled so I don't really have input concerning taking them from the public school setting but I would be happy to share my experiences with you. My children are 15, 13, and 7.

For state laws, go to www.hslda.org This is an organization that provides legal representation for homeschoolers. Their site has quite a lot of information that will be helpful to you.

-- Lavender, Central Maryland (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.


I'm in Pa. There are several homeschooling families in our area, and I know that our local district is not very easy on them. Some of the schools in nearby districts allow homeschoolers to use the facilities (computers, libraries, music rooms, etc.) and even participate in school sponsered sports. Ours does not allow any of that. My main concern is whether or not I'll be able to fill the day with enough activities AND keep it all interesting and educational. I worry also about getting them enough socialization and a bit of time away from mom.

-- Mary (mnoldy@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.

Mary,

Are you aware that PA offers FREE online classes for homeschoolers?

The issue of not enough socialization is usually not a problem. If you can, look into joining your local YMCA. You can get either a Family membership (costs more) or just memberships for your children. Some Y's will have special activities for homeschoolers and you pay just for those activities.

I have friends who live just over the MD-PA line in Adams co. and they come to Carroll County for homeschool stuff.

Unfortunately, PA's homeschool laws are not nice. Maryland has been very easy to deal with though there are other states that are even easier.

We have no problem filling our days with school, home, or other. The things we do are not necessarily what my children would like to do though. Things like weeding the garden, mowing, and doing laundry are not high on their priority list.

We have taken to keeping tennis rackets and balls in the car and when we go to town and have some time, we stop at the city park and play for a while. We take a basketball along too sometimes.

-- Lavender, Central Maryland (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.


Ok, here we go, that big "S" word again (socialization). Mary, do your children participate in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Church activities for their age groups, visit the library and go to programs sponsored there, play baseball, soccer, basketball, etc.. Then the social skills are being met. My three youngest are currently being homeschooled (boy 11, girl 9, boy 6). The 9 and 11 year old went to what I refer to as "government school" for 4 and 3 years respectively. There are so many benefits of homeschooling: much less sickness, the parent chooses the curriculum and subject matter, more flexibibility with doctor and dentists appointments, many more opportunities for learning experiences (banking, grocery shopping, homesteading activities). I highly recommend that you contact homeschoolers in your area and attend a few meetings. They are a great resource for information regarding local requirements, the attitude of your Superintendent, suggested curriculum, field trips, sports, etc. I also can recommend subscribing to one or two homeschooling magazines such as Practical Homeschooling, Instructor (my favorite) and many others. Do some research and write to the Board of Education for your state to get the actual laws first hand. Here in NY, we need to submit a "Intent to Homeschool" form for each child by July 1st to the Superintendent. We do a IHIP (Individual Home Instruction Plan) for each child by late summer and quarterly reports for each child. You can make your own schedule regarding beginning and ending quarter dates and vacations. (We start in mid-August and end about the end of May). We choose our own year end test (PASS) and administer it at home, although there are other options. Email me if you have more ???

-- Cheri in NY (t.asprion@worldnet.att.net), May 09, 2002.


I have 4 kids and about 10 years ago I decided I was going to home school them. They were 12, 10, 7 and 5 at the time. I tried it during the summer to see if we could all handle it before I took the plunge. I admire each and every one of you that homeschools your children. I, for one, could not do it. 2 of the kids cooperated some of the time, while the other two complained. They all wanted to do it at first, and so did I, but it takes a certain type of person. It also helps if you have a spouse that will help/support you. I did not. Don't worry about the social aspect, your kids can do lots of activities as those mentioned above.

Why not try a week or two of it this summer and see how you all do?

Best of luck!

-- Cindy in IL (Ilovecajun@aol.com), May 09, 2002.


My kids are exactly the same age as yours. last year was our first after some public school. At first they worried about missing freinds, hubby worried that I wouldn't "follow through" and I worried about 'doing it right'.

We too, started in the summer. No real pressure that way. You also have time to iron out rules, 'scheduling'/routines that work for you, change curricula materials if they don't suit you without feeling behind, etc.

Socialization? no problem. The thing with school is that kids really only interact with kids in their age range. And grown-ups end up being turned into bad guys by peer pressure. Homeschooled kids interact with grown-ups more often, little brothers and sisters etc. The teenagers are less likely to to treat the younger kids like they are dumb and so on... The ideas above are great. Church, 4H, any inexpensive comunity ed classes etc...Also do get in touch with families in your area. You are likely to make freinds with at least one or two of them. More oportunities for "socializing'.

Filling up the day? No kid time for mom? I think you will end up more worring about what you might want to drop to make enough time in the day. Some curricula teaches most of the material as they go along, you just have to be familiar with where they are at, to help explain/answer questions from time to time.

Remember not all learning comes from a textbook. Your style might mean you all need more of it than some others, but they can read on their own, chores, art, "home ec" (helping in the kitchen), science happens in the barn, garden, incubator, taking care of pets, and helping dad fix things! Most doesn't need you every step of the way. And if you live in the country there is a lot of outside space that doesn't have you in it all!

We are wrapping up our second year and no one in this family would ever considering going to public again!

Feel free to write back if you would like. I have one freind that is an unschooler, I do some very formal and some very loose, our home school monitor(a teacher that works for the school to support/oversee homeschoolers in the area)homeschools, plus 3 other close freinds. I don't have all the anwers but I can ask1

Good Luck! Hope this helps....

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), May 09, 2002.


We recommend homeschooling 100 per cent! We homeschooled our last girl from 11th through 12 grade and our son basically from third grade on!

Don't set rigid guildeines. Get them reading reading reading books that they really like. Do hands on projects. Yours are at a wonderful age.

If I had it to do over, NONE of our four youngsters would have ever attended public schools! I miss our homeschooling time and feel it was some of the best times my son and I ever shared! And I did it while working for newspapers full time. He went with me to murder trials, to all kinds of court, to housefires, to council meetings, he learned lots about government and lots of other things. We had wonderful discussions about it all!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.


Suzy,

Sounds like you had it all. Full time job, full time mom, full time teacher. Ah wait a minute, how can you be three people?? LOL I'm glad to hear it went well for your family.

We homeschooled our kids back in the 80's when homeschooling was not at all accepted by most people, including our parents. Things have changed here in Wisconsin, and I hope future homeschoolers keep vigilant. The state just hates to see homeschoolers, because it costs the district money. They have tried without success to control homeschooling, but have always met with defeat. It needs to remain that way for homeschooling to succeed.

A new thing here in Wisconsin is "Virtual Charter School". It is a school program delivered by computer to your home. It is funded by the public school system, but implemented by a corporate entity. Sylvan Learning to be exact. Sounds like it will be just what some are looking for. Personally I would not do it. I don't want the state telling me what to do, which is what would happen if they provide the funding. One other quirk about this. They are calling it homeschooling, which is a misnomer if there ever was one. Yes I have written my state representatives and informed them of my views, and the misnomer.

Good luck to all homeschoolers. I think most of you will enjoy it and learn from it as much as your children do. I know we have.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.


We pulled ours out when the oldest was in 4th and youngest k. It was the best thing we ever did. My advice to add is to relax and let the learning happen. Suzi said it best about the reading. Reading, writing, math are most important and everything else just falls into place. If you are active in your church, these I'm sure your children have many "social" situations. My children enjoy visiting and helping the older people in our neighborhood. They like talking to the lady at the post office, the grocery clerk, our mailman, etc. etc. Don't limit your children to their own age group. This is life here.....live it! Enjoy the library -we live there! Hugs and best wishes on the greatest thing you may ever do, Jenn

-- Jenn (no@no.com), May 09, 2002.


We started homeschooling to make a move in mid year smooth for them, they were 2nd and 4th. This is the first year that they are mainstrained, We about 3 years ago, slowly started to intragrate them. Really the youngest who just does better in a structured educational system. My oldest 10th grader is in an independant school (really feels like homeschooling) she meets with a teacher once a week for one hour. Go over her work, ask questions, she gets a tutor for her harder areas. And she is starting the runnig start program in college next fall.

Our area has been so helpful to do what needs to be done. Good for 100% homeschoolers, or those who want some help. We are pleased with how it has gone, for the middle school years, both attended part time public and at home the rest. they took three classes. That was nice.

You will always worry if you are doing the right thing, but I am very pleased that my daughters have become wonderful women. And they probably would have in public school too. They difference is, I know them, and they know me. We enjoy each others company. what a blessing to say that about a 15 and 17 year old!

donna

-- Donna Potts Walling (rwalling@greatnorthern.net), May 09, 2002.


Mary -- you don't mention where you are. We homeschool our 8yob and 6yob. The six year old has never been to a "school" -- we pulled our 8yob in second grade. He's now working on a fourth grade curriculum.

The single most important bit of advice I could offer is relax, and allow your children time to "deschool" -- they will expect "school at home" for a while -- and might even fight change -- but it is important to give them (and you) this decompression time. Your early days of homeschooling will be all the better for it.

If you want to email privately, feel free to contact me. Homeschooling is perhaps the single most positive thing we have done as a family -- and I wouldn't go back to public school EVER.

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.


Hi Mary I am starting homeschooling with my 6th grader this summer. She begged me to let her. I told her that it won't be any easier than public school and probably harder but she persists. At least we have all summer to decide if she likes it!

-- buffy (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), May 10, 2002.

Buffy.

Remember the phrase, "Out of the mouths of babes", your child may not be a babe, but she is probably right. If she wants it she will work for it more than if it were your idea. Good luck. Let us know how it goes for you guys. Did you ever find a cirriculum??

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), May 10, 2002.


Thanks for all the advice/input. I do think we'll try homeschooling over the summer and see how it goes. In the meantime I need to find out how much notice I'll have to give the school should we decide to homeschool. I'd hate to get things going smoothly and then find out the kids have to return to school because I didn't do the right paperwork or something!

-- Mary (mnoldy@yahoo.com), May 10, 2002.


my kids were homeschooled a bit, begged to try school, and entered in 1 & 3 grades. we took them back out after two years, and they just spent their 3 & 5 grade years at home. fabulous year! thought i'd let you know I've done both and have strong opinions about it. I wish I had never let them talk me into trying out school, frankly.

-- marcee king (thathope@mwt.net), May 11, 2002.

As you try out the homeschooling this summer, keep in mind that each of your children may have different learning styles and might not fit into the curriculm you have choosen. Relax, experiment and make a commitment to do it! Alot of people who "try" homesteading with the idea to give up if they don't like it, generally quit. Homeschooling, like homesteading, is a lifestyle. I know you will like it, even with the ups and downs! ;o)

-- Jeri in WI (mboerger@itol.com), May 11, 2002.

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