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KerryK
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| Posted: March 31 2007 at 10:53am | IP Logged
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Hi,
I first posted an introduction last summer, when I was beginning to look into the idea of hs'ing my kids, and had just read Real Learning. My kids were (and still are) enrolled in our local catholic school here, where I also have been teaching preschool. I am not happy with the school, either as an employee or as a parent. I've been wanting to pull the kids and homeschool instead, but have been "discussing" this with dh for several months.
This year, my DS (10) is the only boy in the fourth grade. He is in there with 12 girls. Our school has low enrollment because it is in a rural area, and this sometimes will happen. It has been a very difficult year for him. He is active, very bright, and very intense. Needless to say, he sticks out like a sore thumb in there! After several conferences and run ins with the school, I think I finally have DH *almost* ready to pull him out. My DD is in kindergarten there, and not having problems, but I don't think the school is really helping either of them thrive (and I work there, so that should say something!)
We've been hesitant to pull the kids because we are members of the parish, and DH is studying to become a deacon for that parish. We hate to make some kind of statement about the school by pulling our kids out, but what can you do when the school isn't doing it's job?
In any case, I feel overwhelmed and excited about finally getting the chance to try this out. Most of the posts I've been able to find regarding beginning homeschooling have been written about little ones...what about jumping in mid-year with a fourth grader? It sounds terrifying to me. I just don't know if we can do this school thing until June, though. Does anyone know if any resources that could help me begin hs'ing a fourth grader? There are sooooo many...I just need help narrowing it all down.
Thanks!!
Kerry
Mom to
Matthew (10)
Mary (6)
and baby Samuel 2/26/07!
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: March 31 2007 at 1:04pm | IP Logged
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Hi Kerry,
I was in a spot very similar to yours a few years ago. Though I had homeschooled before, it had been awhile. I was teaching at the school my ds was attending (4th grade!) and just felt something was not right when every teacher since kindergarten advised medicating ds for ADD. I finally decided enough was enough and that the problem was not with my ds, but with school.
So I pulled him mid-year. In order to buy some time until I got my own ideas together I got some materials from CHC for just the basics, (Language arts, spelling, writing, map skills) and a math workbook from Walmart, plus we went to the libary alot. This was simple enough and allowed ds to relax and enjoy school again. We used that approach until I was ready to wean us from curriculum altogether. I'd say a few months.In that time I was reading and researching and brushing up on every homeschool book, website, email group and message board I could find. It was during that time I found the book Real Learning and this group. I've never looked back.
I wish you luck. Honestly it was hard at first to leave the school behind because it was not ALL bad. Ds and I both had made good friends and had enjoyed alot of our time there. We were both leery of losing that. But happily those good friends still support us today (if they hadn't, then they were not that good of friends anyway). And the good times we had there are so incredibly eclipsed by these days filled with joy, love, and blessings overflowing.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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KerryK
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| Posted: March 31 2007 at 1:49pm | IP Logged
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Theresa,
Thank you so much for your reply. I feel kind of alone right now, and it made me feel better. School has become such a trial for us here that I really think we need to get out and begin to enjoy learning again.
That makes sense, to go with some structured curriculum stuff just to get started. By the way, I've been peeking at your blog for months, and I love it, it is inspiring to me!
Kerry
Mom to
matthew (10
Mary (6)
Baby Samuel 2/26/07!
and 8 angels in heaven
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ALmom
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Be careful how you answer people who question why you pulled them out. The bottom line is that you are doing what you think is best for your son (or your children) and there is no need to go into where/how the school failed you. That will only cause hard feelings, and it will be easier if you focus on whatever good he gained, but this is best for now or where God is calling you at this point. Especially in a small parish with a school, and realizing that in the midst of a difficult time we don't have complete perspective and might say what we will later regret, it is best to say little - focus on the positives of what you plan without criticizing the school. But be confident in your choice!
Janet
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: March 31 2007 at 2:08pm | IP Logged
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KerryK wrote:
That makes sense, to go with some structured curriculum stuff just to get started. |
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Yes, it can buy you some time to plan without having to worry about whether or not ds is missing anything.
The reason I suggested CHC is that it is Catholic, and if you just get the few workbooks it is very inexpensive and a breeze to follow (just do the next thing each day). That way if you end up using it only for a few months you are not out alot of wasted money and effort. And then again, you may find it suits you. (But if you like my nutty blog, then I'm thinking you may be eventually moving on to other things!LOL!)
What Janet says makes sense to me, too. When I left my school it was on a very positive note, "We're off on a new adventure, folks!" and that helped to keep from hurting feelings.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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KerryK
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| Posted: March 31 2007 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, ladies. I know you are right about this...the last thing I want to do is hurt anyone's feelings, or badmouth the school. I hope I can make them understand that I'm doing what's best for ME...I'm not trying to make any statements about what's best for anyone else. This is my husband's biggest worry right now, offending someone, particularly our pastor, who did get offended when friends of ours left to homeschool (for similar reasons).
I can even finish the year out teaching, since I only work two mornings a week, and my DH will be at home with the baby and can be there for my son, as well. I plan to let my DD finish out her kindergarten year, she really loves her teacher and would hate to leave that classroom. Then, next year, I hope we can all be home together!
You guys are great, thanks for helping me think this through.
Kerry
Mom to
matthew (10)
Mary (6)
new baby Samuel 2/26/07
and 8 angels in heaven
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Willa
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When I brought my kids home from Catholic school, I wrote a letter emphasizing the positive things about the school and describing the good aspects of my kids' experience there. I tried to make it clear that we weren't withdrawing the kids because of problems (there were a few, but I didn't mention them, since that wasn't the point)-- but because we were trying to do what was best suited to our kids and our own family. This WAS our primary reason for switching to homeschooling.
That is after all, our right and responsibility as Catholic parents -- to discern and do what God wants us to do for our childrens' education.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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theogles
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Oh, I definitely agree with Willa. In fact, before any changes happen, I would probably have dh speak privately with your priest and have him explain that God has put this upon your hearts and that you both have been praying about it for some time. I would even ask for his prayers.
We had 3dc in ps and I was VERY active at the school. I went and talked with the principal before we withdrew them. Even went so far as to mention all the positives of the school  but that it was truly our desire to follow God's will. Incredibly enough we were able to leave on great terms!
As for picking up in the middle, I agree with using some workbooks to get you through until summer. And lots of GOOD literature.
As for you, some hs books you may want to try are "The first year of homeschooling" by Linda Dobson, "Homeschooling the Middle Years" by Shari Henry, there was also one called something like "Anyone can homeschool" and there was a very short book (about 80 pages) about Charlotte Mason called something like "A guide to Charlotte Mason." I found all of these at our public library. And we have a fairly small library.
Best of luck with all of this. If you have any other questions about this, feel free to pm and I'll be happy to help in anyway I can.
Blessings,
Therese
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Paula in MN
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I agree with what everyone has already stated. You do not want to burn any bridges!
I live in a small town. I, too, had a long discussion with the (then) Principal at the elementary school. As soon as I mentioned the word Catholic - he smiled and said "I understand."
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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KerryK
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Thanks for the ideas, Therese. I think DH will really like the idea of meeting with the priest privately first. So far, we have managed to maintain positive relationships with everyone involved, and we'd like to keep it that way. This isn't easy when you feel like a mother lion trying to protect her cub (and when you're four weeks postpartum, to boot!)
Thanks for the book ideas, I'm feeling better having a little direction.
Kerry
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Kerry
Mom to
Matthew (10)
Mary (6)
New baby Samuel 2/26/07!
and 9 angels in heaven
The Eyes of My Heart
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Bookswithtea
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Everyone here has given great advice. The only thing I would add is to not let yourself get too overwhelmed with curriculum. There is so much out there...too much, maybe. It can be hard to tell what you will like.
Your children will also be de-schooling, and the transition is a time for gentleness. The spellers and grammar books with CHC are a great suggestion. I think I would suggest Math U See rather than the math CHC recommends. If your ds enjoys picture books, Cay's Catholic Mosaic would be great for hands on religion. And just read lots of wonderful books (the Real Learning list is wonderful) and go outside a lot. I would recommend not doing any table work past noon at the latest. Your younger student would benefit from most of these same suggestions, except I don't recommend spellers or grammar books with a 1st grader. The hardest part of curriculum shopping is remembering that less really is more. Most of my hs friends (and I, as well) have reams of stuff to sell used that we purchased hastily in the first few years of hsing.
God be with you as you make final decisions.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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KerryK
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| Posted: April 13 2007 at 2:24pm | IP Logged
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Thank you ladies, for all of your help! I did it!!! We've been off for spring break these past two weeks, and today we called the school and (nicely) told the principal that we were going to try homeschooling our DS, but keep DD in kindergarten there. She was very supportive, especially when we made it clear that we were not trying to bash the school or anything, but just doing what we have to do for our family.
So I am officially homeschooling...I never thought it would happen!! I'm so thrilled, but suddenly terrified. I'm not ready for this, but I know I'll find lots of support and good ideas here.
__________________
Kerry
Mom to
Matthew (10)
Mary (6)
New baby Samuel 2/26/07!
and 9 angels in heaven
The Eyes of My Heart
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Erica Sanchez
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Congratulations, Kerry, and welcome to homeschooling!!!
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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JuliaT
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I am so excited for you, Kerry. I am glad that the principal was supportive. That makes a big difference.
Congratulations!
Blessings,
Julia
mom to 3(7,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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lapazfarm
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Good for you, Kerry! Welcome to the wonderful world of homeschooling!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Carole N.
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I am also very excited for you! Homeschooling will be an adventure, and you are well on your way to a great start.
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Carole ... in Wales
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marihalojen
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It's a wonderful world, Kerry, I'm certain you'll have a great time! 
__________________
~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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KerryK
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| Posted: April 14 2007 at 9:03pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, ladies, I am excited and nervous...and trying to get a crash course on homeschooling right now!
__________________
Kerry
Mom to
Matthew (10)
Mary (6)
New baby Samuel 2/26/07!
and 9 angels in heaven
The Eyes of My Heart
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Lorri
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Is your ds completely out of school now? Since it is mid-April, would you consider just letting him decompress and do no school at all for the rest of the school year? It may sound crazy, but it may be just what he and you need. You could always start your school year sometime in the summer. Many people (like me!) school year round. It gives us much needed structure every day, plus lightens the load during the traditional school year. Just remember that homeschooling does not have to reflect what's going on in the local school - either the school year or what is being taught and how. You don't have to recreate a school environment at home.
Good luck and enjoy!
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Lorri
mom to    
The Mac and Cheese Chronicles
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Karen E.
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Kerry,
Welcome to homeschooling!  You've come to the right place for support and ideas. Keep the questions coming!
__________________
God bless,
Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Overwhelmed by choices
