tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540669395193449983.post4345915849335249376..comments2023-10-18T08:10:55.352-07:00Comments on David and Jennifer: Homeschool Deal-ee-oJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11916045765118761573noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540669395193449983.post-52410834575789480952011-05-23T10:38:02.902-07:002011-05-23T10:38:02.902-07:00I think you are brave! I will get a little of the...I think you are brave! I will get a little of the experience over the summer, so I guess I'll see if it's something I can handle. Carter was having trouble at school finishing his work, and his teacher asked us to have him tested. She thought that he was probably bored with the things that they were learning. We did get him tested at a local college, and he did not have ADHD or Aspergers, just a super-high IQ. Our schools here have no gifted program at all, so they don't really know what to do with kids like him. We're going to try having him in a regular third grade class but doing math and science with a fourth grade class for next year. So I have to make sure he hasn't skipped anything important in the third grade level over the summer to make sure he's ready for next year. Hopefully, this plan will work. I don't want him to be bored, and I don't really want him to skip a whole grade or two and spend all his time with older kids. He's already growing up too fast! If you want really good math curriculum, look into Singapore Math. I wish that we had options of charter schools or private schools, but there just aren't any around. The closest ones are 30 minutes or more, and I just can't do that every day with two (almost three) other kids to take care of. I hope that everything works out well for you. I am interested to see how things turn out for you and Ruby.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02611066506561865011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540669395193449983.post-29331027011026362802011-05-19T09:28:41.973-07:002011-05-19T09:28:41.973-07:00movies and student led time? that is ridiculous. ...movies and student led time? that is ridiculous. <br />i think it's awesome that you are homeschooling. i don't know if i am disciplined enough to do it! we'll see what conner's school experience is like once he starts 1st grade!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161807020761602637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540669395193449983.post-39117607381935963172011-05-19T07:58:47.536-07:002011-05-19T07:58:47.536-07:00I am sure people think I am a little crazy, so I a...I am sure people think I am a little crazy, so I am glad you understand. What you are describing with Ben was a big part of our decision. Although she wasn't having any problems, she wasn't progressing like I thought she should. ( and I am no overachiever) Teachers feel that proficient is acceptable. Even good teachers are not able to meet the dynamic needs of a diverse group of children. We tried supplementing after school, but the day was already too long. Why can't they effectively teach my child in the 7 hours they have her?<br />Also, she was well behaved so she was forgotten. And she started to figure out ways to avoid work. With our current state budget crisis forcing job cuts and increasing class sizes, I saw the problem only getting worse. I figured as a college educated woman I couldn't do much worse. It really is scary sometimes to have the responsibility fall on my shoulders, but I can at least now say that I have tried. I spend about 2 hours max, and she is happily enjoying her education and childhood.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11916045765118761573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540669395193449983.post-69576899946821874272011-05-19T06:58:48.041-07:002011-05-19T06:58:48.041-07:00I can totally relate to wanting them around more!!...I can totally relate to wanting them around more!! As Leah gets ready to start kindergarten it makes me want to curl up in the fetal position! <br /><br />My biggest beef with the school is curriculum. I feel like most days Ben isn't being challenged and is learning at school to do things half brained. The teacher is so disctracted by one trouble student who acts out a lot {somehow in every classroom there is always one!} and really devotes half of her time on keeping him on track and the other 30+ kids suffer. It makes it impossible to get into any subject with any depth. They watch a lot of movies and have a lot of student led time... which just equals a lot of chit chatting for all those 9 year olds! :) I know I sound a little bit like a Nazi Mama right now... and I do tend to go in that direction, ha!... but I really feel like my intelligent child is getting dumbed down every time they go to school. <br /><br />And... middle school IS soul destroying! <br /><br />We've checked into private schools but really can't afford the $3000 a month on one income. Our local charter school has a worse reputation that public. <br /><br />Sometimes I wish I cared a lot less! :) It would be easier to be oblivious. At the moment we are making it work with dedicated afterschool focus and staying aware of what they are doing in class. <br /><br />Then again, Ben is almost always in a sport and I feel like he could really use more free, run around like a kid time. <br /><br />I'm so interested to hear how things work out with your experiment! Keep us posted. You are so brave. I feel so nervous to take that step. {and then again, nervous about our status quo.}Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13664909994659795939noreply@blogger.com