[trailgurl]

Im homeschooled. personally I love it! I get to see my horse everyday, since I keep her at home, I get out of school early. I have lots of friends still, so i'm good in that department. I don't have any homework, and my teacher(my mom) actually believes me if i say i couldn't go to school because i was sick:P

[westerngirl14]

Originally Posted by Solsalia

This is good to hear. I'm thinking of homeschooling my 1st grader. Problem is I have 3 younger kids at home and would I get it done?

Do you have younger siblings?

You have to make it a point to get it done; EVERY school morning. Get started. Once you get in the routine, it gets easier.
And also, because you're at home, their's GOING to be interruptions. I mean, come on ( cooking dinner, doing laundry, ect)..... A mother's life still goes on! My mom successfully homeschooled my 3 older siblings and they are graduated, and have their GEDS too, and lead good lives. My mom is still teaching me and my 3 brothers ( one older, 2 younger), and we all love it... I've been home schooled my whole life; and I don't know any different!

Basically, home schooling at home takes discipline , the desire to learn, and the desire to GET IT DONE. It's a big responsibility, but the rewards are tremendous.
Kudos to all who are thinking about it!

[Acantha]

Two of my friends are enrolled in a charter school, but they both learn at home. It's completely free (they even provide books, computers and musical instruments!), and they both have taken classes (like science and art) at the actual school. They both like it a lot. They have an adviser that checks in on them every month and takes samples of their work.

Call around to charter schools and see if they offer anything like this. You can get your kids involved in non-school activities--both my friends do theatre, as do the rest of our friends. Sports are an option too, providing your kid likes them. Look in the newspaper and talk to the school about getting your kid involved in non-school groups.

[K Riding Girl]

i've never been homeschooled - and i dont thnk i would like it, i LOVE my friends and i wouldnt have met them if i hadnt gone to my school

[Horsegal9412]

Originally Posted by Solsalia

I need some of your guys advice on homeschooling.

Your likes, your dislikes.

Does it seem to work better for your learning?

What material do you use?

How is your social life and your exercising, do you still stay active?

Thanks a bunch in advance!

I've been homeschooled since 8th grade (before that I was in public school). My mom didn't like that during a serious bomb threat (middle school) and shoot out threat (high school) (they are connected) they wouldn't let me call her or anything i wasn't allowed to have my cell at all either (even turned off) and they were teaching Evolution and I am a Christian who believes in Creation but any way I was upset about not seeing my friends everyday I was sorta on social withdraw but then we got involved in different co-ops and choirs and barns and I still hang out with all my friends and I found to LOVE it!! I get done early I can ride when ever i want. I don't have to worry about what teach I will get and my mom doesn't have to worry about what I am learning.

I don't think I learn "better" but i think I'm learning fast I can go as fast or slow as I need and not get ahead or left behind.

we use a multitude of programs. math: teaching texted books. science books are by Jay Wiles and creation view.

I still ride and go to my 4-H meeting have parties with my friends (public school and homeschool) we have a co-op that we go and take classes with other kids and the parents teach the different classes its A LOT of fun hope this helps

EDIT: Oh I forgot to say that I have 2 other sister who my mom also homeschools there is one family I know that has 9 kids (ages 2-22) and she homeschools(ed) them all and they are all really smart kids and AMAZING musicians

[LogicalDaydream]

As a "gifted kid," a lot of my friends were pulled out of school because their needs weren't being met by the public system.
My parents were able to send my to a small private school, so I never did get homeschooled, but the option was on the table.

My homeschooled friends are extremely well adjusted. Some of them were mainstreamed in high school, weren't behind in curriculum at all. None of them had any particular difficulty making friends.

This is an excellent resource: http://giftedonlineconferences.ning.com
It's directed towards "gifted" kids, but that's just a label... what it is is a community of parents who are fed up with the education system not meeting the needs of their children.
Within the website there are groups dedicated to planning curriculum, enriching different aspects of your child's life (be it artistic, academic, or athletic), etc. I recommend taking a look, particularly at the Gifted_Homeschooling group... see if it's what you're looking for.

[Solsalia]

Thanks for all your info! You guys are awesome! I noticed in volunteering in my daughters classroom that there are kids that are a lot faster then what the grade level is teaching them and some that need more time. I have the table that reads a little story and some of them zip through it so fast with no problem and are BORED with it. Some struggle. I usually have 3 to 5 at the table for 15 min at a time. I believe there are 23 in the class room. The teacher CANNOT teach them all w/o volunteers like some of us parents are fortunate to do. I get mondays since my mom is awesome and takes the 3 younger boys for me for the day and night. I think 2nd grade we will focus on homeschooling. Thanks for the link! I will definitely check it out. Any other links or programs?

[Horse_Girl9804]

Your likes, your dislikes.
I like that I can sortof make my schedule fit my day/week/life.
I hate it that my parents are always saying "that's how they do it a public school".. Mostly my dad is the problem with my school so it really isn't just homeschool specificly. It's annoying when mom says do this, then dad wants me to do something else. And I do feel (sometimes) that I have more schoolwork than a public school kid.. Like read a whole book every week, report due Friday (isn't that bad most of the time). My dad is very strict about getting up and breaks.. So I'm up at 6 and get a 5 minute break every hour. School from 8-3 or 4.

Does it seem to work better for your learning?
Sure... My only public school experience was in Germany, so I can't compare. In general, yes its better for my learning. I can do stuff "outside" the box.. I do my required 4 hours of math/english/science/geography/history, etc.. Then I do Chinese, German, working on a machine (it makes high quality air-gun pellets), engraving, and riding.. I get to take days off here and there to learn other things...

What material do you use?
My mom uses Saxon, I forget, the Christian learning books... She goes through Gateway. She uses whatever works best for us. Borrowing and trading books with other homeschool familes.

How is your social life and your exercising, do you still stay active?
My social life.. Well almost all my close/best friends are adults. I have friends my age (3) that like spending time with. I'm super involved with horses, so my friends have to be horsie or don't have much time for them.

[Horsegal9412]

A lot of my moms books come from Rainbow Resources
http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php
they sell the books and everything you need for that particular set

[PigHorse]

I am homeschooled and love it!
Your likes, your dislikes.
I like math alot! Especially division.

Does it seem to work better for your learning?
I can't say, I have never been in public school.

What material do you use?
Pretty much whatever mom gives me to do!

How is your social life and your exercising, do you still stay active?
I am outside most of the day. Usually in the evening is when I study! I don't meet alot of kids and really don't care to. When I do I am not shy and don't have any trouble knowing what to say or anything I am just a quiet person and like quiet people and alot of kids that I meet aren't. I am more comfortable talking with adults.

Do you have younger siblings?
Yes, I have 1 younger sibling but I have 7 older siblings. We were all homeschooled.