Homeschooling?

Question

I missed 2 months of school last year. When we went doing anything important which was always id ask for my school work and just go to a different room. Ok, so im going into 8th grade im a strait A student and I want to be home schooled. Im not worried about missing out on a social life I hate the rude, immature, germy, jerks at my school. I have never been to a dance I think they will have a bad influence on me. And in public school they just waist my time!!!! I do have a volunteer life outside of school though. My mom is not totally opposed to it however she is not a teacher. But she wants to know how much she would need to do. Can she just give me the book and I teach myself and she corrects???? How much does it cost???? Who do we contact???? Will I have to take a fine are or gym class outside of school???? Can you skip grades???? How much time will it take up???? Is it a turn of for univercitys???? HELP!!!!

Answer 1

"Can she just give me the book and I teach myself and she corrects????"

It won't be a problem. Your mom doesn't have to be a teacher. You have a few options.

The first is to sign up for an online school.

Pros:
Accredited
They have teachers
Some flexibility -get a laptop and you can always have your work with you-
No work for your mom

Cons:
Cost -thousands of dollars-
You're glued to your computer all day.

Or you could get a curriculum. There are several to choose from that I can't help you with, but the execution largely depends on you.

I think that in 8th grade, you can be counted on to do work largely independently. In that case, you can just get the book, do the work, and she'll go over with an answer key. I taught myself math that way for a long time.

"How much does it cost????"

That completely varies. With $500 for an online AP class, my mom will be paying about $1200 this year for my 10th grade education. If you look at how much you're paying in school taxes, it comes out to much more. Utilizing libraries is a tremendous help. If you decide to use textbooks, get them off eBay. I got my AP US History textbook in incredible condition -the book jacket was slightly bent around the bottom- for $20, and it normally runs for about $90. If you join a homeschooling group or co-op, you can also get books off of them. I got Saxon Algebra 1 for free from a friend, and will pass it on should anyone request it. Let's say you do that. I'll break it down for you.

Textbooks off eBay, average $20 each. $100-$120 for textbooks.

Notebooks, pencils, erasers, scientific calculator. Approx $100.

Science projects for the year. Approx $200.

Library fines $30.

It would run you about $450 if you do it that way. There would be other costs -for example, if you sign up for a class- but as you can see, it's quite cheap.

"Who do we contact????"

You have to send a letter of intent to homeschool to your local board of education. That's it.

"Will I have to take a fine are or gym class outside of school????"

Depends on your state. Here in NY -one of the most restrictive states- you have to fill out what is called an IHIP, which is an overview for the year, and quarterly reports in each subject. You can join a sports team if you want or honestly you can just fake it.

"Can you skip grades????"
Yes.

"How much time will it take up????"

Depends on you. Between 2-4 hours a day to get everything done.

"Is it a turn of for univercitys????" (It's spelled universities.) To the contrary, universities are actively recruiting homeschoolers because they have more diverse portfolios, make better students and are much better at thinking critically and independently.

You can take standardized tests every year and the SATs, that puts you on the same footing as your schooled peers.

Answer 2

You need to find yourself a local (or close enough) support group that can help you learn more about what's available where you live, how the laws work, etc.

Other than that, it costs as much as you are willing to make it cost. You can do your own thing or pick an online program. If you're in high school, you can't "skip" grades unless you actually do all the work you need to so that you get all the credits. (This is a whole other ball of yarn you'd have to take up with the homeschool support group.) If your state has any specific graduation requirements for coursework, then you'd have to follow that so that your mom could issue you a diploma. How much time it will take will depend entirely on you and your program. It might take you only 3 hours a day, or you might want to really spend considerable time on your education and spend a typical school day on the work. And most homescholers don't have a problem getting into university.

Answer 3

Luckily and surprisingly, I've actually received a lot of positive feedback about homeschooling my kids. You'll be able to discern the difference between "comments" and "criticisms" and respond accordingly. Many people "comment" because they don't know much about homeschooling or have a few misapprehensions. You can decide if you want to use this as an opportunity to educate them. Some people hand out criticisms starting with "I think..." If you don't feel like getting into a debate with them or you know they won't listen to anything you say anyway, you can just respond with "This is what my husband and I agree is best for our children" and change the subject. I would suggest trying to focus on the positives of homeschooling rather than the negatives of school, even though they do have an inverse relationship. Some people will take your decision to homeschool as an indictment of their own parenting choices. You can't help that; you can just try to respectfully walk away or change the subject.

Answer 4

Well I don't blame you one bit on not wanting to socialize with most of the kids at school. You can get your socialization elsewhere. This people tend to not understand that yes you can be socialized just fine without being stuck in a room full of kids only your age.

Look up the laws in yoru state on homeschooling. It is legal in all states. Some are more stick than others on testing or no testing, etc.

Your Mom doesn't have to have her teaching degree to teach you at home. It really doesn't take much time and I know other parents that homeschool once they get back from work in the evenings. That is the nice things about homeschooling is you can do it any time of the day or night and on the weekends if you want.

For extra stuff to do their are plenty of opportunities for homeschoolers to go on field trips, do sports, etc.

It can cost as little or as much as you like.

If you are more of a self learner like my daughter then I don't see any problem even if you Mom is struggling with the idea.

You can skip grades or whatever. You go at your own pace.

Universities and colleges really look nowadays for homeschooled children. They tend to be disciplined, open to new ideas, make good grades, and do well on tests. Well rounded individuals. You shouldn't have any problems getting into a University of your choice as long as you continue to do well in your schooling and can pass the entrance tests they give to college.

I wish you the best and hope it all works out for you.

Don't let anyone discourage you from doing what is right for you and your family.

They don't live your life- you do. Stand up and be proud of whatever you decide.

Answer 5

Hi. First off, all mom's are teachers. We just don't get paid. Next thing, she should find other homeschool moms to talk to. Get ideas and suggestions from them. Each homeschool family does things different. If you are self dissaplined, which sounds like you are, then yes, sometimes you just doing your studies and her grading them is enough. BUT she should remain involved with what you are learning, think of field trips or mini day vacations that will be of something you are studying. (like a cave tour, factories, farms, so forth) Depending on what state you live in, will depend on what you need to do with the school you are currantly enrolled in. In Texas, a letter from your parent stating that you will be homeschooled from a certain date forward is all you need. You can look up state laws via the web. I would keep up any sports activities you are interested in. Find one that you like and enjoy doing them. It's healthy and involves other people. Yes, you can skip grades. It's not uncommon to do so. If you are as good in your grades as you say, you may be able to handle perhaps a grade higher. It won't hurt to try it, and if it doesn't work for you, then just go back down a grade. The time varies for each homeschool family. I homeschool my two sons and we do a few hours not more than four days a week. Sometimes we take one subject and focus on it on one day and get it out of the way for the week. The next day do another subject. Just one way to make it more interesting. Universities love homeschoolers, so don't worry about it. As far as the cost goes, your basic supplies, and whatever the books cost. Ebay is a great source as well as VegSource.com. Find a homeschool group in your area, some are willing to sell books at discounted prices or even borrow them. Christian book stores and major bookstores will also carry homeschool material.
Good luck, we've enjoyed it very much. I think you will too.

Answer 6

Homeschooling is great for self-motivated kids, and you sound as though you may be one of those. But I'm a little concerned at your anti-social attitude. Home school isn't a place to hide out and learning how to get along with your peers is an important part of school.
Your mom wouldn't have to do a lot - there are some very good online homeschool sites, but most school districts are connected with home schooling groups, and your local school board would be the place to get answers to your questons.
Homeschooling isn't a turnoff for university, but there are some courses that are difficult to do at home - sciences, for example. Most people don't have a chemistry lab or a biology lab in their back bedroom, so you might have to make arrangements to take some classes at a local school, simply because you don't have the facilities for them at home. Same thing with something like shops or mechanics courses.
But contact your local school board and find out what the regulations are where you live.

Answer 7

I wouldn't recommend skipping grades, although since you can work at your own pace, you could finish grades more quickly if that is what you choose to do.

You do not 'have' to take outside classes. That is entirely up to you.

Many colleges now seek homeschooled kids.

If you start school at 8 or 9 in the morning, you should finish about lunch time most days.

There are quite a few programs where you can do the work yourself and have your mom correct it. One is the ACE program, also called School of Tomorrow. One is Alpha Omega Publications. There are others I've seen mentioned on here, so maybe if you search past answers you'll be able to find other programs.

Answer 8

One book that will answer most, if not all, of your and your mom's questions is _The Teenage Liberation Handbook_ by Grace Llewellyn. I suggest checking to see if your local library has a copy, then both you and your mom read it. You also need to become familiar with the homeschooling laws in your state (it's legal in all 50 states, but each state has their own laws as to how you carry it out). HSLDA's website is a great source for an overview. I don't think any states require a teaching certificate, generally just a high school diploma or GED for the parent.

Answer 9

#1 I am homeschooled and I have all AP classes.
#2it can cost anything from $0-1000.
#3I think you may want to consider online school ecspecially since you have never done this before I think it would give you some understaning on what it really is!
#4No you do not have to take gym but a sport is reccomended!
#5Yes you can skip grades!
and you have the BEST flexibility!
#6 it takes as long as you want it to take!
it can take anywhere from 2-4 hours at the most!
#7 Universitys ae looking for homeschoolers!
ecpecially harvar,yale,oxford,and all the major schools!so of course its not a turn off for the universitys its a turn on!
I deffinitley reccomend homeschooling!
let me tell you thins though,it takes a lot of self discipline and self control!

hope that helps!

Answer 10

Many of the answers so far are good. One more thing to consider is that you missed two months of school last year. If the cause is something that will happen repeatedly, you may be far better off homeschooling.