Online School / Home School Advice

I have a friend who uses connections academy with her son (age 11). The reason she chose online school is only because he has Asperger Syndrome so he is very advanced in some subjects and not others and got bullied at school because of his personality. She seems happy with their choice, but spends a lot of her time teaching him, even though he has a remote teacher.

My daughter goes to public school (3rd grade) and I believe in going to school at the elementary level. I would only consider an online school for her for high school, and only if she was in multiple activities that involved other kids.

We homeschool our 3 kids, but I use the eclectic approach drawing from many different resources. I love the "What your __ needs to know" books, but I also get workbooks from the dollar store, flash cards, wonderful websites such as www.donnayoung.org, www.superteacherworksheets.com, or www.thehomeschoollounge.com. The library is wonderful, we're experimenting with "Five in a Row" where you read the same book Monday thru Friday and discussing different aspects of the stories using social studies, geography, math, and science. Younger children can 'row' along, listening to the story and do a little participation.

I hate the thought of spending a ton of money on a curriculum when I can make my own.

Good luck!!

Here are some to check out:

http://www.aoacademy.com/

http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm

http://www.amblesideonline.org/

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/

http://www.holtgws.com/

http://thegraceacademy.org/courses/high.php

http://www.classicalscholar.com/

We use www.appliedscholasticsonline.com and we love it! My daughter was tested and then a personalized program was written for her. The materials weren't expensive, we were able to get much of the stuff we needed emailed to us through "online" books. I like having a certified teacher available to me through email, but I still retain a lot of control over what I want her to learn. It's customized, so if I wanted to be less involved and more in a "I get the lessons and give them to you" kind of way then I could do that.

It costs me $40 a month plus additional materials. At the end she will get a recognized diploma from a school, not just a homeschool certificate.

Otherwise I have used the "What your pre-schooler needs to know" series that has one for every primary grade. We also use the library every week, they have GREAT sources! At your childrens' ages I wouldn't think you'd need an online school. At the preschool age they just need to learn the basics--colors, shapes, numbers, days of the week, writing, reading etc. It should be FUN and you want them to learn without them even knowing they are in "school." You can accomplish this through games throughout the day.

Try to connect with a homeschooling group in your area. Not only will it provide support, but it will also provide lots of fun group activities for your kids so they can meet other children.

Have fun! It's a journey you and your kids will love!

k12 has 2 options you should check out before you commit ANY money to them:

1) An extended free trial (their friee trial is only 24-72 hours long -HA! I can't even get my adrenaline down in that time period to to judge accurately, I need at least a week)... BUT if you call in when the trial expires they'll extend it for about a week.

2) Their month to month option is ungodly expensive (about 5x what you would pay for most other things, or twice as much as you would pay for other online type schooling)... BUT if you're willing to drop $30 per subject per month sign up and use that month to test them out. Then at the end of the month cancel penalty free.

I'm not personally a big fan of k12, but I don't hate it like most of the people I know do. Probably because we paid out of pocket, so it was totally at our discretion what and for how long and when we used it. Most virtual academies are VERY strict about those things (like being in school, without the benes of other kids and a playground), and most of the teachers *from what I hear* are rather obnoxious (obviously biased sources, because out of all the people I know IRL and online who have used it -about 250-, only 1 family has every really loved them. . The parent isn't "teaching" (yes they are), but instead is "coaching". Essentially the teacher-option (from what I hear) is the worst of both worlds, at least for younger grades.

As I said, we did NOT have that option. So they were *okay*. Fairly mediocre and VERY expensive, and not interactive at all in the k/3 levels for curriculum. Just workbook pages on a screen with some flip book style graphics. Those pages can be printed out to leave you with a hard copy lesson plan book... but they have to be printed individually. Takes about 4 hours per each subject. VERY tedious. But worth the effort... because if you ever stop paying them, all those records and info go *poof*.

K12 SOUNDED really great when I was first looking at them, but they were a real letdown once I really tried to start using them. The biggest disappointment for US, is that my kiddo is a real hands on/ interactive learner. Some of the edu sites, edu games, and other programs are SO amazing I have to pry him away with a crowbar. This program, though, the most interation he had was clicking the arrow to read the next page (they say parents are supposed to read every page until 3rd, and then it's about 1/2. So not even starfall.com capable of narrating.

But yah. My bias is that I didn't like them, because they didn't work for us. They do work for some families, just not most of the ones *I* know. Their biggest asset, I beleive, is the hand holding during that first couple months to a year where we're uncertain if we can really do this.

But just because *I* don't like them, doesn't mean they aren't perfect for someone else. Hence the strong recc for doing a free trial.

I have read through the responses so far and some I agree with and some not so much. My oldest went to public school through 3rd grade then home schooled through high school. My middle started out home schooling from kindergarten and went into public school in 8th grade. My youngest went to private school for kindergarten and 1st, we home schooled for 2nd & 3rd, went to private school for 4th & 5th, and we are back home schooling again. So as you can see I have experienced many scenarios. I honestly feel that home schooling at the elementary level is very beneficial but does take time. However, that time builds a bond between you and your children, allows them to develop who they are instead of who their peers or teachers think they should be, and gives the opportunity to work on their strengths and weaknesses not the general classroom's. If you continue working it will be challenging (I started working part time when my youngest was 5.) but not impossible. You will need to rely on how much your daycare is willing to do with them. It won't be fun for anyone if you are working all day then try to cram school work in the evenings. I've also tried schooling programs on DVD and I'm not really a fan. Some kids can learn that way, but at the lower elementary level I feel they need the teacher-student interaction on a regular basis. As they get older they become more independent.
The age your kids are now the most important things to do is reading and basic math. If they develop good reading skills they can learn a lot independently. It may sound silly to some, but art projects are also important. A child needs to learn how to use scissors, paint brushes, etc for development of motor skills. (I was amazed at how many students in my daughter's 5th grade class couldn't cut with scissors.) I use A Beka curriculum. They have curriculum for preschool age as well. You could get workbooks for both of your older children and they could do school together.
Good luck! Home schooling takes time and commitment but is well worth it.

Are you going to be staying home with your children after this third child is born? Home schooling is tough even for those who stay home -- I can't imagine working full time and then coming home to home school.

Dyreka home schools her children. You should really talk with her. She has it down to a science.

I am not a home schooling mom. My children are both in high school in public school. I firmly believe that you can get an excellent education out of any school system in the US provided that you are involved in your child's education.

Good luck!
LBC

Hello. I home school and I use Calvert. It gives you everything you need, all books, teacher's manuals, pencils, paper, school boxes... for the entire year.

Its very easy to use. The teacher's manual makes it so you don't have to spend hours preparing for the next lesson. Its challenging enough for the student, yet not so hard that they get frustrated.

The curriculum is very well rounded, from math and reading to art and history, plus it has computer lessons as well (learn how to make a spreadsheet and stuff like that). The younger grades have song time, where they can dance and play.

They have advisory teachers there also that can help you, and if you wish, they can also grade your student's work as well, so there is an actual teacher.

www.calvertschool.org

Good luck and have fun!
S.

I home school all my kids but unfortunately I am unfamiliar with the programs you're looking into. I am Catholic and wanted a very Catholic program so I went with Seton. I would suggest you look at the reasons you want to home school and base your curriculum choice on that. When I started home schooling, I wanted a classical education with my faith mixed in so I sought out programs to fit my needs. Look in your area for homeschool families see if there are any groups that you can join. If you find a like minded home schooling mother she could really help with curriculum advice. With our group we, every so often, have a curriculum share night where we bring what is working for us and allow others to look it over.

Good luck!

Virtual School is a great option for older kids who are very independent, but it may not be worth it to you for the younger ones. The counselors at school should be able to help you navigate the online school system and if not, then go to the Vice principal and if not then go to the principal and if not then go to the School Board. You catch my drift. If it regards educating your youngster, there is help out there for you! It is up to you to get out there and assert yourself!

I am not in Oregon, but in Washington there are requirements that you have to have to home school your children. Classes and such. You should investigate to see if Oregon has any requirements.

Also see if there are groups of home schoolers in your area that you can join for mutual support and ideas, etc...

I was a private school teacher and frequently when I took my classes to museums and such, home schoolers would tag along on field trips. You should see if that is possible in Oregon.

Be sure that your children have after school activities like sports, etc. They need large group activities with other children.

Also find teacher supply bookstores so you can find curriculum materials. Try to find somewhere close to you, so you can look it over in person. Then you really know what is in the books.

Reading will be relatively easy, math too at the start. Be sure to include science, geography, history etc...

Also see if Oregon has state Curriculum Guides. That will tell you what your children are expected to learn for each year. Enriching an online curriculum guide with additional books, experiences, and fields trips will make home schooling fun. That is what people who home schooled before there were online guides did.

Teaching can be lots of fun. Good luck

You'd be amazed at this age how much you can learn just by reading and exploring. :)
My kids are ages 13, 10, 9, 7, 4 and infant. We homeschool and have for the past four years. It's an awesome experience.
I have not tried K12 but have heard of it. I know that our local convention always has a K12 booth. You could check to see when the homeschool convention in your area is and see if they have a K12 booth you can explore. You will also get to see other options.
Now is a great time to check out options because your kids are still young.
I would suggest while you explore options, especially after the baby is born and you are getting used to life again, that you read, read, read with them. When your up to it go outside and spend some time exploring. Play games and go to the library. It will help you get an idea of what your kids will need in a homechool program. You might be surprised and find you can wait a couple of years before a formal program is started.

I live in Oregon too and I home schooled kindergarten and sixth grade. What do I believe. Children need peers. I sent my children to private schools that are cheaper than the prices quoted by the "famous on line programs". I took them travelling to 15 countries and 38 states. We read broadly. I am well educated so I could teach them about art history and artists as we visited museums.
We went to plays....you are close to Ashland. We went to concerts at the Hult Center in Eugene. During the years in California we went to ballets, dance performances, and concerts every week. I started them on ballets and concerts at the age of three.
I know herbs so we took plant identification walks and preserved plants. Whatever interested them from mushrooms to anatomy was what we did along with reading a broad spectrum of literature.
Basically though I wound up doing some public school and some private school and some home schooling. If you need to earn a living the home schooling will suffer.