Home School

I have been homeschooling my oldest daughter for 7 years (she's in 9th grade this year). My son has never been to school.
There are sooooo many curriculum choices. I would definitely suggest attending the curriculum fair in St. Charles this June:
CHEF Conference & Curriculum Fair
June 23-25, 2008
____@____.com/ www.chef-missouri.com/
St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles

Here are some other links that you might find helpful:

http://www.rainbowresource.com/ (this is a great catalog)
http://www.heartofdakota.com/
http://www.stlhomeschoolexpo.com/index.html
http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/
http://www.vegsource.com/homeschool/
http://www.chfweb.net/
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/RCHEC/
http://www.hslda.org/default.asp?bhcp=1

Let me know if I can be of any help.
J.

2 moms found this helpful

We too are researching homeschooling and the best site I've found so far is www.hslda.org. It's the site for the Home School Legal Defense Association. You would think it would just be all legal stuff, but it has the best basic info on how to start a home school that I've seen so far. I would suggest starting there and then check out bjupre3ss.com and rainbowresource.com for curriculum help.

Hope that helps.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C.,

I don't know where you live, but may be you can ask to a different public school to admit your child, many schools do, I know that ours in Lenexa has many children from an other district, everybody in my area wants to come to this school because it is so good! They have a special curriculum for bright children, they go on Fridays to a special place and also many get etra incentives when they realize they need it.
They can admit your child if she is too good or if you are moving to the area or if her baby sitter lives close or someone that she goes after school is close.
It doesn't hurt to ask and I really believe that we have an amazing school. I worked in great private schools for several years and then I worked in this school before sending my kids and I have to say that this is the best one I have been so far.
Just an idea that you can try...
Best of luck!
M. Abadie
www.MaiaCreations.ecrater.com
www.MyKidsFirst.com

1 mom found this helpful

I honestly do not know the state of MO's stance on homeschooling, but the state of TX is the leader on homeschooling success. (concidence since that was the state that produced the "no child" act, and remember the guy that created it had to leave the Bush admin because of faulty reports--I have a sore taste for the act, because I use to work under the "act") anyway-- Check out web-sites in the Texas area, key words: christian home school web-sites, catholic home school web-sites --- Woodlands Texas. Better yet; Tina Robertson at ____@____.com is a home-school leader I was checking into prior to moving from TX to MO. She may have great information for you as well. One thing you have surely learned, from what I call "every child will be left behind" is the over-achievers are and will be bored because they are not challenged by the public system.
Good Luck, M. N.

1 mom found this helpful

You might want to consider a virtual school approach. We used K12 when we lived in Ohio and really liked it. Using the supplied textbooks, materials and computer, you educate your child at home. The child is assigned a teacher and has regular email/phone contact with that teacher. We have a special needs son, so we were able to get the services that he needed (speech therapy). He had an IEP just like he would in a "brick and mortar" school. Since it is a public school, there is no charge for the curriculum, supplies or the use of the computer. If you already have a computer for her to use, they will reimburse you for internet access. For us, it was a wonderful way to jump into the homeschooling arena and still have a safety net. Using a virtual school approach, your child can learn at her pace, not the others in the classroom. You have the freedom to supplement the material, go on your own field trips and set your own hours. I got onto the K12.com site and found that the St. Louis school district offers the K12 distance learning option. You might want to check it out further. http://www.slps.org/virtual_school/index.htm
Search around in your own neighborhood and find a homeschooling group. Check with local churches, the library, local publications, internet search etc. to find a group nearby. That is a great way to talk to other parents and really get an idea of how other parents homeschool their children. Just as no child is alike, there is no "right" way to homeschool your child. There are so many methods that you could use. The hardest part is not being overwhelmed with all of the choices. Good luck to you.

1 mom found this helpful

I went to private school for a while when I was in 5th grade. Hated every moment of it and was in public schools prior and after that. I liked the public schools a lot better. 9-12 yr olds always say school is boring and they go through so many changes in their lives at this age. It is the awkward age of growing up and seems to be their tough years socially. I have a hard time with homeschooling. I know there are some good parents out there that can do it well but most of the kids I am around that are home schooled are not socialable and seem to fall behind my kids in their work. When they get older and try to get a job they don't seem to cope very well and quit a lot as they don't know how to get along with others in a social setting.
As far as having a 12th grade reading level at that age isn't that uncommon. Once you learn how to read and become a good reader you will be at a high level. Most kids achieve their high reading level at this age or a few years later. Staying involved in your child's life is most important whether they are in public, private, or home schools. I have found the more involved I am at the schools, the more I learn and watch all the different teaching styles and see how children react. Have your child tested for the gifted programs or advanced classes and if there aren't any for grade school, there usually are in junior high and high school and my son wasn't tested for the advanced classes in high school. He asked about them as he makes A's and his teachers signed the forms and recommended him for the classes. He is in 10th grade and taking advanced classes and AP classes which can earn college credits for. He plans to take 4 AP classes next year and some his senior year. He was always bright and some years were more boring than others but he would have never made it being at home all the time as he has always made good friends at school. We were military for many years until my husband recently retired so he went to several different schools. Some were better than others but my kids have learned to adjust well with going to different schools and have friends that they still keep in contact with over the years that we had to move far away from.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C., I know how you're feeling, my husband and I are talking about doing the same due to our son seeming to get bored at school. All I can say is that I've been researching the whole situation at the best of my possibility and I can only recommend that you do the same. I hope you learn what you need to learn and I hope things work out for your daughter.

-J. M.
www.themomteam.com/mom2
HELPING Moms Stay Home!

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I pulled my 8year old and my 11 year old out of public school last december. It is a HUGE decision but it has been the best one we have made for our children. our oldest has a learning disability - and being at home with one on one learning is doing amazing things for him. as for our daughter, she loves it too. I tailor each of my children's books just for them and their needs (my oldest needs extra help so i can order books just for that). I order most things online. i love homeschooling too. i have lots of information if you would like more. my email is ____@____.com. contact me at anytime. I also have sheets for logging hours, field trips forms, reading logs, etc. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful