homeschool my children

Im committed to it at least up through the third grade, but may be longer. Kids are loving it and learning alot.
Not sure how they will feel around back to school time, though, when all the other kids are in school (and Im at work).
May need to hop on that daytime learning center for working parents I was working on.

If I can get about a)5 to 8 kids together (from K-5), b)a location and a set up, (with computers), c)and 1-3 trusted and verified administrators (or fellow responsible parents), d)a progressive, yet stable curriculum/learning plan, and e) an operational/expenses budget, I may be in business.
Stay tuned:
Start a private, charter or home school co-op for working parents this year

even though I have approximately about another 5-10 years of doing this. Ive acccepted this as our lifestyle at least through their elementary school years, even if I decide later to occassionally use the appropriate schools to reinforce my curriculum. Ive done enough research, to feel comfortable, confident and able.

In my somewhat overzealous desire to prove to myself that I made the right decision to start homeschooling this year, my summer homeschool goals included getting my children’s reading and math ability above grade level.

I decided, however, that it may be best to shift focus on getting them to perform exceptionally well ON their level. It certainly takes the pressure off all of us, and gives us a good solid foundation on which to start (and end), with the basics.

Again, Im using the Making The Grade series as a guide.

and have a good idea of what im in for.
Time to stop sweating it, and spend 99% of my energy now on making this work.

Still working on the clutter issues, and will be making the kids rooms, and to some degree our entire home, more organized and learning-friendly for the kids. My own general autodidactic style is the reason for most of the clutter, with notes and papers, reference mags, books, and texts all over and out of control.
But I can no longer function like this. Its too hot!

I’ve done tons of research, and am very happy with the curriculum I’ve chosen.

My summer session consists of
-Helping them acquire “above grade-level” Reading and Mathematical skills
-Introduction to Spanish Language, and light conversational Spanish
-Achieving Grade Level Writing skills, (and helping them to gain the ability to write confidently and expressively and neatly)
-Proficiency in the Spelling and Reading of words on the Dolch list of most commonly read words
-Mastery of writing conventions, and grammar rules for my six year old

I am taking a somewhat unschooled/unit theme approach with Social Studies, Art, Music, Science and some of the other units required by my state.
(I say “somewhat unschooled” because they’ll be some coercion on my part to at least adhere to my curriculum by at least putting them in environments where they are experiencing the subject matter in their own way, and then we’ll run with it)

Being organized and consistant is key.

I’ve been letting my daughter choose a certain amount of pages in her texts to complete each day, but I want/need something more structured. (so that I can manage and track activities better).

Being that Im a tech-oriented person, this (blogging, that is) is right up my alley. And there is something about publically broadcasting your goals and activities that serve as a great motivator to just get things done, and help others in the process. (Shout outs to the creators of 43things:), and the like)

I checked out some homeschool blogs here:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/homeschoolblogs.php

Mine will be up by Monday.

He was kind of the one who jumpstarted this goal for me, and I considered homeschooling him to supplement what he was missing in day school. (He’s in kindergarten/day care, not public school, and not yet of legally mandated age to be in a school)

He should benefit greatly from my daughters homeschooling experience this summer, as he is only one year younger. But they are different children with different personalities and learning habits. (My daughters very social and able to adapt in a positive environment. My son is much more of challenge-and much like me in personality (shy but stubborn), which is why he’s much more of a challenge :))

Anyways I have the summer to work on it. And I know in my heart that this is definately the best decision for us as a family.
We’ll continue to do it as long as it works.

As of now, he will not be attending any of the current local school choices either this September.

I found ot that I was misinformed by the person I spoke to at the region when she told me it was too late in the school year to homeschool. Parents can decide to homeschool their children at ANY time during the school year. You have to notify your Region by sending them a Letter of Intent within 14 days of starting your homeschool program (you have to be in the actual process of homeschooling your child). Your curriculum then has to go thru an approval process, and amended (if necessary) until approved.

I called the homeschool coordinator making her aware that I was aware that she had misinformed me and I had found out what the law was. She then decided to abide by the law, accepted my Letter of Intent, but “warned me” that “SHE gets to decide if the curriculum is approved”.
No problem. We are now registered homeschoolers.

Went to discuss matters with the school principal, and without going into details here at this particular time, lets just say that the school administration made it very clear why things are the way they are and will probably get worse if it goes unchecked. If they abuse parents like they attempt to, one can only imagine what the children go thru both emotionally and physically when we arent there to witness. Some teachers have much to tell, but the admin wants to keep parents uninformed and at bay.

Anyways,
Went to the Region to find out if I could homeschool her for the rest of the year. The person there told me that it was too late in the year for her to grant me permission to do this, but she was very helpful in giving me info on how to do this legally for next year. In the meantime, I requested an emergency school transfer for her, but the options in my district are severly limited. I just found out that although real estate is hot in this area, I reside in one of the lowest rated school districts in the city. :(