Posted in Homeschool investigation

We had our homeschooling conference this week-end and we came back motivate and very informed.   We also came back with our Math curriculum.   After investigation and watching a demo DVD from the company, we had decided to go with Math U See.   So we got the Primers books, the CD with the song book, the blocks as well as the wooden boxes to keep them in there.

This morning, Alexandre wanted to check it out.   He already did one lesson and a half and loves it.   Well I must admit that the Primer is for his age right now and he knows his numbers.   But it is a good beginning...

Seeing what Alexandre was doing, Dominic didn't want to be left out and ran to go get his preschool book.   Isn't it cute?   Rob was impressed and thinks our family will love doing this.   Dominic is in the age that he wants to do everything his big brother is doing.  So that's help for sure.

Now I just have to figure out what I will do for French and English.   We were thinking of doing Sonlight but we saw something called "Come Sit By Me" which uses Canadian books.   It is a bit life Five In A Row.   I think Sonlight is wonderful but I think that for the first year "Come Sit By Me" would be just perfect for us.   I need to do some more thinking... obviously!   And check out my option for French.

However, we saw a demo of Rosetta Stone.  WoW!   Can't find the words for it...  It is amazing.   We are thinking it could be good to go through the English (for me and the boys) and the Spanish.  Also the French would be good for the kids as well.   Rob connected well with the salesperson and he will present this to some of our clients who are having trouble with their French.  If these clients order some then we could get a software for free or cheap maybe...   That would be great!

Posted in Homeschool investigation

I just realized while typing my last entry that I never shared what happened on my trip to the French bookstore.   I had an appointment with a lady there to go through the different things I could use to teach french to my son.   Well I got there last Tuesday on time to discover that she couldn't make it and someone else helped me instead. 

I must admit that I was quite impressed with what they had and to know that I could go anytime to get something if needed...  Lots and lots of books and educational materials.  WoW!   Anyhow, I got an idea of the prices but I must admit that it is not the same as English curriculums...

Later that week, while Alexandre was at school, we drove to the Costco on the Quebec side to see if there would be anything we could get.  We found some french books for teaching Dominic and others ones to read (Atlas, sciences, history, and our wolrd).   We got those and some groceries.

The homeschool conference in our city is approaching fast.   Two more weeks and it will be there.   I can't wait to go!!!   We had originally set our timeline of decision for the conference but with what we discovered in the last few weeks with school, we are more and more inclined to try homeschooling in the Fall.

What happened?   Well for one thing it's the lots of television (movies) that they are watching.  I lost count since the last two months...   Some things not so bad but others questionnable.   And the same movie twice within three weeks because a kid in the class missed it the first time...  The teacher gave him the choice to watch it and he said yes.  Give me a break here!   Also, the fact that there is little or no supervision during recess when the weather is bad outside and the kids stay inside.   Only two teachers are going from one classroom to another...   What if something would happen???   Why not putting a 6th grader there to look after the little ones (let me remind you my son is in Senior Kindergarden and that he is 5 years old).   Another thing that I've discovered is that dictation is done at school but the teachers are not correcting the mispelled words since it is not part of the curriculum in Ontario.   I don't understand this... Really stop sayiing our kids can't write properly and show them the errors they made...   My neighbor has to show her daughter the errors she made during dictation...  Can you believe it?  

These three things that I learned or discovered lately, make me want more and more to try homeschooling.  Am I scared?  Totally at times.  I wonder how I will be able to do it and if Alexandre will learn anything.   Do I think it is worth it?  TOTALLY.   POSITIVELY.   I see many kids in my church who are homeschool and I think I should go for it.   I read a lot about homeschooling and I know it won't be easy the first year.   I sure hope that it will go nicely and that I will be proud of his progress.

Posted in Homeschool investigation

I came back last night at around 8:45pm or so (eastern time).   I had a great time with other pastors wifes and we had great teaching as well on the them of being light of the world.

During a free time, I went for a walk and discovered a little scrapbooking/stamping store in Vankleek Hill, ON.  The lady was showing me a lot of new stuff and I felt as though I needed to encourage her a little bit.  So I bought some embossing powder that has three color in it.   I was happy to have found it.

I brought one lady to the conference...  we didn't know each other before hand.   The Friday afternoon, she was saying that she was going up with someone she didn't know  and another lady asked her who it was so she gave my name...   The lady said "Oh I know her, she goes to my church!"  Curious I asked who it was and it was one of the homeschool mom I asked information about homeschool.    Turns out that the lady in my car is homeschooling as well.   So we talked about this and I learn that she is doing Math U See with her kids...   Personally, I think it was a total God thing that I was her "chauffeur" so that I can talk to her.

Many other women at the conference were homeschooling.   One lady in a small group encouraged me a lot.  I also met a woman who works with Focus on the Family and who will be speaking to the RVHEA conference later in April.  Interesting don't you think?

Oh BTW  HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!

Posted in Homeschool investigation

As a good mother, if I want to homeschool I want the best for my kids.   We are considering Sonlight but at the same time are wondering if we should wait one year and give Alexandre a base in English with the phonics.  So we are looking into this.

French being an important part of our family (we are French Canadian), we want to continue also in that direction.   So this morning I called a French bookstore in our city and talk to a lady who agreed to meet with me to look into my options for 1st grade and give me prices.   So next week, I will go there for that.

We are thinking of going with Math U See for the maths.   Look great!   We got the DVD and both of us were like "man I wish I had that when I was a kid".   I can explain in French if needed.

So as you can see, I am doing some homework...  I will also get the different curriculum books from the Ministry of Education of our province to make sure I cover all what is needed for the grade level Alexandre will be at.