Homeschool Nation - Oregon

Feb. 23, 2007

"My homeschool" contest!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to come up with a contest that would promote homeschooling, and help out those who may be thinking about homeschooling, as well as those who are just starting out. Now we all know how intimidating it is starting out and seeing how much curriculum is available, hearing about all of the different approaches and resources that are out there, and worrying that you just couldn't possibly teach your children at home. Afraid that you won't do a good enough job homeschooling.

This is what I would like to do for this contest. Leave a comment here talking about how your homeschool runs everyday, and what and why you chose the methods you use. Then talk about the best advice, or resource you had when you first started your homeschooling journey. I am hoping that any moms new to homeschooling can read your answers and be encouraged. Even those who have been homeschooling for years can be encouraged by reading your comment.

Spread the word about the contest, and mention it in your blog, with a link back! The more the merrier! The contest will be open for 2 weeks just to make sure everyone gets a chance to enter. We will randomly pick someone at the end of the 2 weeks to win a free 1 year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse magazine.

~side note for oregonians visiting for the first time~ This blog is used mainly for the purpose of spreading news about homeschooling groups, events and activities in your area. If there is an event, or an activity that you would like to have advertised on the Oregon homeschool nations blog, please feel free to email me (Oregonhsn@hotmail.com) with your information, and I will gladly post it for all to see! If you would like your homeschool support group promoted, email me with that information as well.

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Comments

Feb. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by cammiemelisabray

My kiddos are still young (my oldest is 4 1/2). So, we don't do much sit down, official schooling yet. But, we do a lot of learning. I teach my kids as we go about our day and I involve them in my activities. They love it. I daily read from the Bible and do a craft/activity to go along with it. I am teaching my oldest phonics at a slow rate and as she shows interest. Also, if my kids are showing interest in learning about a particular thing (frogs for example) we will do some research and learn about it.

We homeschool because it is our God given privilege. We love our kids and see it our mission to raise them to know Jesus as their LORD and savior. We are not comfortable trusting anyone else to do this job.

I love being with my kids all day and watching them grow. I am daily reminded of how much I would miss out on if I sent them away.

Homeschooling is a joy and is so good for children. I personally think it opens up more opportunities for them, because as a mother I will observe their individual interests and be able to help the pursue their dreams.

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Feb. 25, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by DanielleW

Our hs day is pretty simple. We are just starting out in Kindergarten. We are using several different things to help us in our learning process.

DS usually does math (ABeka) and dictation (SL) first to get the busy seat work done and out of the way. This is a recent change and it is working very well for us.

Then he works on a page in his Phonics handbook (AB). After that I read to him for the rest of school.

We read a Bible story, We are working our way through the Bible and just started Jesus. This used to be SL but it wasn't working for us, so I dropped it and found a different book that is working for us much better.

We read something for history and geography.(SL) We just finished reading about jungles...lots of pictures. We also read a chapter from a chapter book (SL) This took a little time to get used to but now we are both enjoying it emmesly.

We also go over several scripture verses a day and work on one to learn for the week.

We do other things that are not every day. Like an art project or sicience experiment or even music. But if it was a great day of learning, I try to through something extra fun in there and make sure I get in there and do it with him. Which I think he likes more than the project. LOL And even on days when learning wasn't so great. That is always a great way to reconnect.

My biggest advice or word of wisdom is that not everything works for every child. You are NOT a PS teacher, nor do you have to pretend to be one. If it isn't working, find something that does or modify what you are doing.

I've changed the way I do things several times and each time it is a change for the better (mostly)

I hope that is what you were looking for.

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Feb. 26, 2007 - 14 years under our belt...

Posted by 4evrHischild

We've been homeschooling for 14 years, and the way I figure it we have 14 years to go ~ Lord Willing. We've tried many different things over the years. Just when we found something we loved that worked well with one child, another child came along that learned in a whole new way. This year our focus has been on character, our days are very relaxed because, frankly we just needed a break to re-focus on God and the reason we home school in the first place. Homeschooling isn't about what or how much you get done on any given day, or raising the brightest students. It's about raising children who will glorify God and give their lives totally and completely to Him. One of the best resources I think is a book called Talkers, Watchers and Doers by Cheri Fuller. It can help you discover what type of learner your child is and keep you from making some curriculum choices that just won't fit ~ like we did. A great piece of advice is don't try to be something you're not. Don't try to copy someone else's style. Don't compare your school to anyone elses. God gave you a unique blend of children and your homeschool won't look like anyone elses.

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Feb. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ladyjane

Greetings Home School Community!

We are in our 11th year of home schooling our four children. How we school today looks somewhat like it did back in the early 90's. Our day is fairly relaxed and yet has some structure at the same time. After breakfast, the children have a chore or two to complete as well as taking care of their bedrooms and personal grooming. Then they have their own Bible time and next we get going on read alound, some language arts and math. When we first started home schooling, (which I count as birth onward) the main thing we did in our home was read books. From the time each of our children were only a month or two old, I would read out loud to each baby on my lap. What would I read you ask? All kinds of things, from God's Word to Francis to The Tales of Beatrice Potter. I believe this not only encouraged a love of good literature, but enabled each of them to develop great listening and comprehension skills. As a word of encouragement to moms just starting out, I would say to "keep things simple!" Eleven years ago when we started home schooling there was a great myriad of types of curriculum, games, books etc.. to choose from in the training of our children. Now there are even more! It can be overwhelming. Some Bible and character training, phonics, a simple math workbook and LOTS of great read alound books will be a wonderful start for your young student. I also kept on hand (and still do) an assortment of paper, paints, glitter, stickers and other craft items for creative time. My children have always loved cutting pictures out of magazines to use on posters, cards or whatever. Reiman Publications is a terrific resource for wholesome, down-home-country magazines featuring tons of articles and pictures of rural people, animals and God's magnificent countryside. Games are definitely a "can't live without" item in our home. My children have learned so much playing board and card games. As a last word of encouragement, and most important of all, lean on Jesus in your home school journey. I say "your home school journey" because it is and will be uniquely your own. Every day in our home is different than the one before. Just when I think I have this whole home schooling thing all figured out, God throws me (us) a curve ball. I have found that depending on Him and being in The Word is the only way to go about beginning each and every day. Enjoy your journey!

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Feb. 26, 2007 - Our School days

Posted by AutumnTerrill

Our classroom consists of 3 students. A 12yo-boy, 10yo-boy and 4yo-girl. We use a literary or unit study approach (for now, these things sometimes change over time). I really like Sonlight but right now we are doing a Unit study on the Chronicles of Narnia (Further Up and Further In) We spend about 3 to 4 hours a day on school, but that has only just begun to increase as the boys are now in 5th and 7th grade. We used to only spend about 2 hours a day.
I try really hard to spend one on one time with my pre-schooler doing Learn to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. She is doing well but I am the one that is rather inconsistent with it.
The best advice I received as a new homeschooler was the advice I found the hardest to 'believe' and use; be flexible and don't stress about the small stuff.
Now my best advice to others is basically don't try to do everything the book says to do, follow your children's needs and different ways of learning. If your child is truly struggling with a curriculum or seems very disinterested, try something new or a new way of approaching them with it. (after you have determined that it isn't just a rebellion issue, there is that too of course)

The biggest job we have is to shepherd their hearts though. The school work is secondary...and is much easier to get done when the heart is in line with God's heart for them.
So if you find yourself 'wasting' a whole day on character issues and obedience issues, consider it a day well invested instead. You are doing your job. It only takes a week to learn a concept that most people will know by 18 (sometimes only a few days) but how many 18 year old's are there that have a character of integrity, respect and a true love for God and others?
That is what we truly want for our children, isn't it?

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Feb. 28, 2007 - Getting to the end of my journey...

Posted by DonnaC

I still have another year & a half to go and our homeschooling journey of 13 years will be over. Our son is 17 and a junior this year in our homeschool high school, homeschooled since "Kindergarten" days. I usually say we have homeschooled him from birth.

He's quite independent these days. I just have to stay on top of lesson plans so that he knows what his assignments are. I've used a lot of varied curricula over the years, but think the best times were when we were doing mostly the Charlotte Mason methodology. From the beginning until he was about 11 or 12, I thought he'd never be able to work independently! LOL But he got there and yours will too!

I want to encourage those who may have an only child. Our son is not a social outcast even though he's been homeschooled AND ended up as an only child. (Our second son died after being with us for 2 years.) (Find support from others who are homeschooling only one student at my message board: http://share.donnac.com -- there are almost 200 families represented there!)

The best thing I can tell you is to relax and breathe. The first 3-4 years are the hardest, even though the material is probably the easiest to teach. Believe in yourself and realize now that there is no "perfect curriculum" for any particular subject (even math!). You will probably end up buying something that doesn't work well for you or for your child(ren). It's a learning experience for you just as much as it is for them! It's not the end of the world! Hang in there and know that with the internet now, there is sooo much support for you at the touch of a few keystrokes! Avail yourself of this support! You can do this!

Blessings to you on your journey!
In Him,
Donna C
author of Homeschooling Only One
http://donnac.com

Edited by DonnaC on Feb. 28, 2007 at 9:59 PM

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Feb. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mamaduso

This is my 5th year of homeschooling. I have a 9yo girl, 8yo girl and 5yo girl. This is the first year that I feel really comfortable with homeschooling. I feel more confident. I would say my biggest advice is to allow your husband to be a part of the decision process in choosing curriculum. This has helped me a lot. I has taken the load of responsibility off me.

This is what we do each day (well, most days). In the morning after breakfast and the girls are dressed and ready we start with prayer and whatever character/bible lesson we are working through at the time. I go back and forth on this. SOmetimes it is studying character with a scripture book or it is working through a catechism book. Then we move on to history. History is always read aloud and they do a coloring sheet and will then do a map sheet (Story of the World and activity book). This happens to be our favorite part of school. The oldest then goes to do her independant work which is reading, math, copywork or writing activity (right now it is learning to write poems). Grammar and spelling are done with me. Middle child does her math, language book, and cursive writing. I read stories to my youngest and we work on phonics and counting and numbers. All the girls go to awana so we work through their books too.

I have really enjoyed learning more of Ruth Beechicks methods and have tried to incoporate them into our school. School is very simple around here.

Things to improve for me is training my kids to do more regular chores.

More advice is to relax (because I didn't) and to not do too much in the early years. Focus on reading/writing/math and let your child direct other interests.
Susan

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Mar. 1, 2007 - Adventures in Homeschooling

Posted by 3boyz

It has been four and a half years since I first started homeschooling and I still remember how scared and alone I felt. My husband knew what homeschooling was, his sister did it, and thats what he wanted for our children as well. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom and agreed. I mean ... how hard can it be to get a package in the mail from the school, have the kid fill it out, and send it back in. Right? Obviously, I had no clue what homeschooling was and boy, was I in for a shock!

I started researching homeschooling when I was pregnant with my oldest son 8 years ago. I was a high risk pregnancy and on full bed rest. I couldn't do anything more than lie around anyways so I put my time to good use on a computer! I was overwhelmed with all the options out there and had no clue what to do or how to even start. Homeschooling was far from what I had imagined it would be.

After awhile I got tired of reading the computer screen, so I started ordering every free catalog relating to homeschool materials I could get my hands on. This was one of the best things that I ever did in the beginning. I was able to write notes in the columns of the catalogs and was able to see what I did and did not like. I was able to narrow my research field down quite a bit by this.

Next, I found some online sites where I could ask questions. They helped as well but it took awhile until I found the right fit for me and then I was able to find the right people to ask questions to.

The book that helped me the most in the beginning was The Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling. I hate the name of that book but it answered every question I had simply and had lots of websites listed for me to research and find even more answers.

Over the years, I found mentors to help me on my journey. People with kids a year or two ahead of mine, who have similar likes and views on curriculum, who have similar goals, whos children are similar to mine. I know that a lot of the advice and recommendations they give will fit as a result but that doesn't mean I never made a mistake. I have and it has cost me a lot of money.

You are going to make mistakes. Lots of them -- it just depends on how you handle them whether those mistakes are failures or successes in themselves. Mistakes that are successful are ones that you learn from and walk away knowing more than you started out with.

The next best piece of advice was to start slow and not worry about what any one else is doing. I still have to remind myself of this one. Just because so and so is using such and such and I am not doesn't mean I need to. Start out with the basics then add to it. If thats too much start with 1 subject first and go from there. Build up as you get comfortable.

And remember --- you are never behind until the race is over. We all start out at the starting line when our children are ready to begin school and we will all meet again at the finish line ... their graduation. But during the race, the adventure of education takes place. Its not how fast you got there but rather the journey you took to get there, the character you showed, the wisdom you gained. Everyone is losing until someone crosses the finish line. In this race, the only person you are competing against is your expectation. Yes, there are things everyone needs to know when they graduate high school. But speaking 4 languages, becoming a professional artist, able to play 3 instruments, and finished 1st place in the spelling bee isn't a requirement.

In the beginning, homeschooling was something we had to do. It was something I had to remember to schedule in. Now, its simply a part of our lives. Even if we drop the math book for the day and in its place we play a game. We still look for the opportunties to teach ... we just no longer see them as schooling but as life.

For us, we use a combination of Ruth Beechick, Charolotte Mason, and Classical theories to our homeschooling. Some days are more unschooling than others but each day is unique to our family. The boys are learning and growing at their speed and thats what counts!

I wish you all the best of luck in your own adventures!

Blessings,
Misty in AZ

Edited by 3boyz on Mar. 1, 2007 at 5:56 PM

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Mar. 1, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>

Posted by midwifemom

I am in my second year of homeschooling. I have a 3rd grader and a 6th grader. I think the best advice that I got was from a book. Don't stay married to your curriculum. If it's not working, try something else. I started out with free, slightly used Abeka curriculum for both boys. Over the summer, I read every homeschool book that I could get my hands on. I have ordered a catalog from every company that I have come across. This year I felt the freedom to try a few different things. From there I have found good things and bad things about different curriculums that we have tried. What have I liked best so far? Taking an outline from a textbook and finding my own resources to teach that topic. Example: our science book was covering insects. It was not very exciting or thorough. So I go an Eyewitness video on insects from the library. We made insect masks. Checked out a bunch of books on insects at the library (one on poisonous insects, one on good insects for pets, etc.). I found a multitude of free worksheets on the Internet on insects. I decided to try doing my first lapbook on insects. We have done this in numerous areas for science and a few in history. Also on holidays, I will put together a unit study on that particular holiday. Those are the days that "school" is the most fun. I firmly believe in making learning as enjoyable as possible.

Edited by Oregon on Mar. 2, 2007 at 5:29 PM

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Mar. 2, 2007 - You can home school your way....

Posted by

We've been home schooling 'formally' 10 years but, of course, from birth we were teaching them everything. We have a 14 yr. old son and 11 yr. old daughter and are in the midst of working on high school with one and starting into jr. high with the other.

Over the years we have gone from using all one curriculum to using a wide variety of curricula and even making up things off the top of our heads. All sorts of teachable moments come up during our days as well.

I'd say many years we were over-the-top too busy with activities as well. If anyone wonders or asks about home schooling and 'socialization' go to the scientific research not 'urban legends' and someone's opinion off the top of their head. Opinions and stereotypes abound about nearly everything but what is the truth? Type in 'home school socialization research' in your search engine.

One day at the dance studio a mom, that sort of knows our family, asked our son, "So you are still home schooled? Does your mom take you places?"

Our son was polite in his responses but he sort of wondered how this woman thought he got to the dance studio 30 minutes from our home 3-4 times a week! Not to mention the fact he was playing baseball, going to church, doing childcare for MOPS and in a home school support group!

I always say, "We are not living in a 100 acre wood with Christopher Robin." Even in the 100 acre wood there is a lot of socializing going on or there would not be Pooh books!

The other day a home school Mom of two teens said a woman asked her girls about home schooling and said,"What about the Prom?" We laughed. I went to high school and never went to a dance or the Prom. Do we want our young people at the Prom? Many schools here are cancelling all dances due to the lewd dancing going on at their school dances. Hmmm...'socialization'?!

BUT there are many co ops and families that, if they want a fancy dinner/dance, they organize one and YOU get to be the chaperone and set the rules. No one said your students can't dance or dress formally outside of a public school. YOU steer the course.

We hear so much about 'choice', 'values' and 'Have it your way." I'd have to say home schooling pretty well fulfills all of that and more!

Last week we attended a play at the Seattle Children's Theatre. Then we had a small group tour conducted by a managing librarian of a local library and received some excellent instruction on Internet research and the global access our local library system allows us via our library card and home computer.

In the past week: We were at AWANA, church, Sunday School, a 4H Horse Club Ride, Youth Group, to the vet (Where our daughter saw a dog about to give birth.), our daughter spent the night with a friend and went shopping with a group of girls for another home school girl's birthday party. Our son had two friends over to spend the night. Our daughter was so busy she forgot she had planned to go ice skating with another friend! I had her call and apologize about that and Lord willing, they will be skating together this weekend. All I can say is we are very busy and if this isn't socializing what is it? We are having a great time AND we get a lot of school work done without too many interruptions.

Another home school dad gave his son and ours a 2 hour inservice on using Power Point for our church this week. Your activities can be as varied and far reaching as you want them to be or not.

School currently includes: Algebra 1 with Teaching Textbooks, Powerful Paragraphs and my assigned writing (thank you notes and letters), Spelling Power, A variety of horse books with book reports, Apologia Physical Science with labs, Eagle's Wing's Considering God's Creation Science, Saxon 87, Government Today, The Light and the Glory History for Children, and Grace for the Moment Devotions. Our son is completing the Youth Evaluation Survey for career research. There's a whole lot more we'd like to do, I hope we will be doing or we have in the past.

Currently several of us church moms are starting a home school support group. You can start your own group, join a group, network on line... have it your way and we are here to help at Home School Nations!

Marie
Washington State Home School Nations Blog Coordinator

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About Me

sharing encouragement and information in regards to homeschooling in Oregon. and maybe an occasional word of wisdom!