I just moved to a new country (from US back to Canada, yes I'm Canadian) and I have decided to homeschool my daughter (5 1/2 years old). She's been going to school since she was 3 1/2 so she's used to the routine of going to school. But since I've been so incredibly busy with painting and unpacking, I haven't been able to start homeschooling her. It's barely been 4 weeks.
My daughter, however, interacts with kids that go to school regularly while she stays back. I feel that some how this may be affecting her emotionally (though I don't sense it, it's just a thought). She may be feeling left out but I'm not sure. I did teach her on a trial basis one day and she really liked it. I structured it like school so she could feel part of her schooled friends and doesn't miss her old routine previous to the move. There were lessons and work in the morning, then mid-morning there was a snack time, and then back to work until afternoon. She really enjoyed it. I just want to know if..
2006-09-25 16:08:40 · 13 answers · asked by down2earthsmiles 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Home Schooling
...I wanted to know if I was doing the right thing. How could I get the homeschooling started right after this big move? I have considered The Calvert Curriculum which will save me a lot of time planning (the package contains everything you need for the entire year including school supplies, materials, books and texts, the lesson plans and instruction in how to teach it and even a script when needed to teach it well.)...however it's kinda costly, about $400 for kindergarten and about $700 for grade one. My daughter sort of lies in the middle of both grades...well more on the grade one side. She knows everything needed to know for kindergarten but her reading needs to be practiced (I haven't practiced ever since I've moved here!).
Her reading is at the beginning stages. She can make out most of the common sight words and other 3 letter words...
What should I do?? Should I try Grade One? Do you know of any other convenient curriculums? Is it even necessary? Recommendation?
2006-09-25 16:16:53 · update #1
I'm pretty much finished unpacking and am almost settled (most likely by the end of this week)
2006-09-25 16:19:31 · update #2
I'm ready to start homeschooling her by next week.
2006-09-25 16:20:00 · update #3
i think it's a great idea, but frankly, by taking her out of the school system, i'm afraid you're going to make her socially withdrawn. maybe you should do a few extra afterschool hours at home so she'll be far ahead in class. best wishes.
2006-09-25 16:12:56 · answer #1 · answered by jqdsilva 3 · 2⤊ 7⤋
She's only 5 and 1/2. She doesn't "need" formal sit down schooling for more than a couple of hours max if any.
There is so much to be learned by doing things. Baking cookies, measuring the ingredients and using the time is a fun way to learn math. Basic life skills like tying her shoe and riding a bike or other simple things are great too. Helping mommy as she organizes the new home is a super learning experience.
The basics of learning:
Mastery of math facts (flashcards ... they are inexpensive)
Writing skill -- paper and pencils, tracing and copying for a 5yr old is plenty of work. One page of large letters per day -- or words if she is ready --- one page of writing at her current skill level.
Reading. (phonics based) Good books are abundant at 2nd hand stores and online.
She can get a very good education with only these three things.
If you want a good phonics book I recommend "The First Reader" by Eagle Forum. You can find it online. It comes with a writing workbook.
You might also want to investigate the Robinson Curriculum. It is a self-teaching program that your daughter can use all the way through 12th grade. It costs only $195 --once!!! The only other thing she will need is a good math text. We use Saxon math.
www.robinsoncurriculum.com
Self-teaching is great because the student can progress no matter what is keeping mommy busy. All that you will need to do is encourage, supervise and hold her accountable. It really works well. We've been using RC for 8+ years.
2006-09-25 17:41:34 · answer #2 · answered by Barb 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was homeschooled from ages 6 to 11. I am anything but withdrawn! I am now in college and I loved being homeschooled. I studied nine subjects a year, many of my own choosing, and as a result of one-on-one schooling had a consistently high GPA throughout my high school (I was publically schooled by then) career.
My advice: definitely be sure she's involved in some extracirriculars. I don't know if Canadian places have this, but here in VA a lot of places like a gymnastics place, the figure skating rink, and various music instructors had special times and prices for homeschooled kids. It's a great way to connect with other parents who homeschool and for your daughter to not feel left out. I took French, acting, violin, figure skating, gymnastics, and had a study group, all with homeschoolers.
I still maintain friendships with many of my friends from my time as a homeschooler. And colleges are very understanding towards homeschoolers nowadays. She could probably qualify for lots of scholarships!
Bottom line, you'll discover what works and what doesn't as far as structure. Experiment! That's very important. And feel free to ask me anything you like about homeschooling. I hope it goes well! It's a great program.
2006-09-25 16:28:58 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda G 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that you have a thing to worry about, call it a break. Even the school systems have 3 months off in the summer, so yours isn't hitting in the summer, so what?
Smile and enjoy the journey and don't worry. There are very successful children who were unschooled their whole lives, who had not a bit of formal instruction; a few weeks or even months off of schooling is not going to be harmful. Relish in your FREEDOM to choose when and when not to do 'school'. We 'school' year around, this way, when life gets in the way...we can always make up for lessons not started or finished.
Remember, even if school isn't going on LEARNING is always taking place, even if it doesn't seem like it. Your daughter may come up and start talking about things that you did not 'teach' her in. I agree with Selfteach in that at this age she'll benefit better by just learning from life.
2006-09-26 00:17:05 · answer #4 · answered by FreeThinker 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I home schooled my son as well when he was this age. yes at first he felt left out . Then I got together with other moms who home school took him to the park and on outing and trips .It was truly wonderful My son has experienced so much more than most kids .He has seen Rodin's thinker and famous artists he can go though a supermarket at total things in his head. I also enriched his time with Church and Karate classes’ community activities gone to kid’s museums .Little bodies can’t sit still that long.
Things you can do right now.
Sing songs with her while you’re unpacking
Like the song 2 and 2 are 4 4and 4 are 8 8and 8 are 16 and 16 and 16 are 32. The spider song Ask her to count the box's add and subtract them when you unpack them or bring some in from outside. When it comes time to vote you talk about the issues even little kids understand a lot tell her when you take her shopping to write the prices down like the order the numbers come in have arts and crafts Go to the library .Get books to read
My son now 26 soon to be 27 says now he is happy I did home school he now knows to interact with adults and talk politics as well as most subjects.
My opinion is with 28 to 30 kids in a class how much do you think your kid will actually learn in the classroom usually they just learn some other kids nasty little habits at this age. Not to mention you can vacation anytime and not be at the whim of the school
I wouldn't trade my home schooling time with my son for any thing and I worked 2 full time jobs did home school while my husband was in Chiropractic school. Parents who leave others to teach there kids are lazy because they want to hang back and be involved in there on things instead of the kids and they are the first one to complain about the schools.
When my son did go back in high school he kept his grades up and tested way above his peers. We only taught 2 and ½ hours a day.
People who make comments like it will make the child socially withdrawn have never home schooled there kids.
The thing to remember make every spare moment a teaching moment and home school is easy. You can always fill in the interaction with others of your choosing.
2006-09-25 16:47:16 · answer #5 · answered by dianehaggart 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Karl, definitely a 70s influence. They seem like a cool band. I just picked up their album. Anyway, good song. Not their best, but a good one. 1. Yes 2. Sort of, although they remind me a lot of My Morning Jacket, who's a current act. 3. Well, you got the album name already, but I'd say Alt/Folk Rock? I don't know, classifying bands never works out for me.
2016-03-27 09:49:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, don't worry that you are damaging her education by taking a month-long break. That's one of the benefits of homeschooling (taking breaks on YOUR schedule). Most homeschoolers are years ahead of their peers by the time they are teenagers, so I'm sure she will be fine.
If you're concerned about her socially, listen closely to what she is saying to find out if there's anything she ISN'T saying. Ask her if she's lonely, bored, whatever it is you're concerned about. Now that your home is set up, find other homeschoolers in your new area to connect with. Go to park days, field trips - once she makes friends with other homeschoolers, she'll see that taking a break from school is no big deal (and meeting with other moms will give you the face-to-face support YOU need, too!)
Best wishes!
2006-09-26 03:21:04 · answer #7 · answered by homeschoolmom 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's great ! Don't stress about it. Children are very resilient. She will let you know how she feels. They are so honest!!! You can do a search on the Internet for free stuff for homeschooling. It's really okay for her to be in between grades. My children are also. I stick to the lower grade but keep adding things from the higher grade that I collect from the Internet so they don't get bored and have a little more challenge. You have to stop thinking like public school. The greatest thing about Homeschool is how flexible you can be. Your child will really tune in to the one on one. I'm not going to use on line homeschooling until they hit algebra. I'm not eeeven going to attempt that!!!
2006-09-26 01:52:59 · answer #8 · answered by Diane 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
talk to her she may look like she enjoys it but she may not she may be 5 but still has feelings this change won't be that big to her tough she will probably start to ask why she is homeschooled rather than in a regular school at age 10 or 9. enroll her in lots of outside activites singing, soccer, any class! It will help her feel more like a regular kid (if she asks questions) maybe see if she has any friends that are homeschooled that may make her feel better! good luck sorry about the spelling I type fast ( just if a word looks wierd)
2006-09-25 16:15:35 · answer #9 · answered by Bella Italiana 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if your going to homeschool your children make sure you do it on a regular schedule. homeschooling does NOT make the child socially withdrawn. if you interact with your child he/she will develop your manners, attitudes, and they will mature much quicker because they are around mature people. they will develop social skills just as well if not better than those who attend public school because he/she will ''pick-up'' on your social skills rather than kids their own age (which kids dont have good social skills till after they graduate and have to interact with people from totally diferent ages rather than just their own age group) if you are worryed about your child missing their friends find some after school activitys to do so that she will not be "lonely"
2006-09-25 16:27:46 · answer #10 · answered by SwordDancer 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋