Many people, even myself, think about homeschooled children as these weird, awkard little people who don't know how to interact with others. I have looked upon my own kiddos and have Abbie, who is very active, loves people, loves to chat, and is overall, the social butterfly and in her very humble opinion, is famous at Vista since everyone knows her.
Ellie is the quiet kiddo who can sit around the house all day in pj's and be completely happy for hours...days...weeks?
Bryn is still evolving but I think she will fall somewhere in the middle of these two.
I do worry about socializing them. How will they make friends? Who will their friends be since they'll be at home while everyone else in school?
There are a few things we do have in our favor.
1. They will be involved in a homeschool gymnastics class and I have asked for them to be in a class where there are ages close to where they are.
2. They are at church on Sunday and Wednesdays.
3. My future plan is to find a coop for us to join to hang out with other kiddos who are homeschooled.
4. I know many moms who homeschool so for me, it will be having to be diligent to pursue these relationships, even if it means me stepping out of my comfort zone.
One article I read said that kiddos who have awkard parents, whether they are in public school or homeschool, will be awkard. Here's hoping I'm not awkward. Feel free to check back in year to see how we fair.
"What most people mean by "socialization" is simply socializing. And they regard children are not in school as being deprived of this opportunity. However, studies show that homeschooled children participate in more activities than the average child." (Free Range Learning)
"A homeschooler who interacts with parents and siblings more than with peers displays self-confidence, self-respect, and self-worth. She knows she's part of a family unit that needs, wants, and depends on her. The result is an independent thinker who isn't influenced by peers and is self-directed in her actions and thoughts." (Social Skills and Homeschooling: Myths and Facts)
The Home School Mom had a great article about homeschooling and socialization, highly recommend you take a couple minutes to read over it.
Please hear, I am not against public school. I am not pulling my kiddos out of public school (charter) because I am against it. I do, however, don't want misconceptions formed that my kids won't be socialized because I have made a personal choice to teach them.
Each family follows the path that God gives them. He has chosen homeschooling and whether it be for the rest of their education or for a season, either way, I will be faithful. He knitted these littles together in my womb, he knows them full well. He knew their bent, their design, their personality, and he determined that it would be best for all of us to be home. And so, I walk in faith that he will socialize them as he sees fit and I am to be faithful to the good works he has prepared in advance.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Homeschool Curriculum Choices
I have spent a lot of time researching and talking to other HS moms and have made a choice for curriculum for our girls. I will include those we did not choose because they might work for you!
Abbie: 3rd Grade
Bob Jones University (BJU) 3rd grade reading (mostly for the book portion)
BJU Math
Cursive Handwriting book
Writing Strands Level 3
Explode the Code Level 4
First Language Lessons Level 2
Ellie: Kinder
BJU Math
D'Nealian Handwriting Book (went with this method since they've been doing it in Kinder. Didn't want to switch her up).
Explode the Code Level 1
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
For Both of them:
Five in a Row (FIAR) This will incorporate our "formal" reading and tie in History, Geography, Language and Science. I do want to add in experiments during the week.
For next fall I will add an formal history using The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times and Science using Apologia Exploring Creating with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures. They each will have their journal for this.
If you're new to looking for curriculum, try the publishers website then search on Amazon which will typically give you a better deal and if you're Prime, FREE shipping. Also, Mardel does run sales on their HS curriculum (that's where I bought Explode the Code for pretty cheap) but overall, they tend to be higher in price. If you get their emails, there are coupons and you can usually get 1 item for 25-30% off.
My favorite place is Home Educator's Resource in Lewisville. They sell new/used HS books and such. Even found some of my FIAR books from here for $3! They are super nice and so helpful there. I asked a million questions and they answered every one!
Curriculum that I did not use but have looked at:
Math:
Abbie: 3rd Grade
Bob Jones University (BJU) 3rd grade reading (mostly for the book portion)
BJU Math
Cursive Handwriting book
Writing Strands Level 3
Explode the Code Level 4
First Language Lessons Level 2
Ellie: Kinder
BJU Math
D'Nealian Handwriting Book (went with this method since they've been doing it in Kinder. Didn't want to switch her up).
Explode the Code Level 1
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
For Both of them:
Five in a Row (FIAR) This will incorporate our "formal" reading and tie in History, Geography, Language and Science. I do want to add in experiments during the week.
For next fall I will add an formal history using The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times and Science using Apologia Exploring Creating with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures. They each will have their journal for this.
If you're new to looking for curriculum, try the publishers website then search on Amazon which will typically give you a better deal and if you're Prime, FREE shipping. Also, Mardel does run sales on their HS curriculum (that's where I bought Explode the Code for pretty cheap) but overall, they tend to be higher in price. If you get their emails, there are coupons and you can usually get 1 item for 25-30% off.
My favorite place is Home Educator's Resource in Lewisville. They sell new/used HS books and such. Even found some of my FIAR books from here for $3! They are super nice and so helpful there. I asked a million questions and they answered every one!
Curriculum that I did not use but have looked at:
Math:
Math U See
Saxon
Teaching Textbooks (TT)
Right Start
Math on the Level
Life of Fred
History (not yet at least):
Notgrass
Notgrass
Reading:
The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading
Writing:
The Complete Writing: Writing with Ease
There is so much out there that one can get overwhelmed. I chose to pick and choose in lieu of a boxed set. My goal is to start leaning toward more of a classical curriculum and some of these choices do allow this, though not all. It's all about balance and what is right for your family.
And finally, if you're thinking of HS, read these two books now.
A Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (This book covers pre-k through HS)
Friday, October 18, 2013
A New Season
There is new season upon the Vinson family and not just fall, which happens to be my favorite, but a season of change. Lots of changes. And for one who does not like change, this is sanctification in warp speed for me.
Over the summer Brian and I began to discuss homeschooling, a topic that is not new. We have many friends who homeschool and love it (at least, they seem to!). And the seed began to grow, that we will homeschool our girls. Of course, I met this with a bit of resistance and began to research curriculum after curriculum. I talked/wrote many moms who homeschooled to see what they did, what they liked or didn't like and began to create lists of ideas for every subject and then began to delve into those to find what I think would work best for our girls.
I made a pros and cons list for home school vs. charter school still not certain that the Lord would really ask me to take them out of school that we love, love, love. I will be an advocate for Vista because it's awesome. We are not pulling from this school for any reason other than the Lord has spoken a command over our family and our response is to obey.
I began to feel an angst in my soul that I can not explain other than if you've experienced the Lord asking you to do something and you didn't really want to do but he wouldn't let up till you did. I finally resigned to the fact that he was asking me to do this. And yes, I have a teaching background, but teaching your own kids? Ha! After saying yes, it came down to the timing. We had thought we would start next school year but began to feel better about starting in January and began to second guess ourselves. Curriculum is bought, we know the Lord has asked us, why are we waiting? We then decided to start the first week of November and let the girls be home for the holidays and begin our new way of educating.
Here is one thing I do know, just because the Lord has asked me to do this does not guarantee it will be easy. Part of me is really excited, the other part terrified. I can easily walk the what-if road of all the things that could go wrong. God has been very clear about this calling and he has graciously answered my request for clarity so I know that I am right where I need to be.
The girls are excited. We have our "school" room set up, desks, book shelves, lamps. It is fun to see it all put together and I pray over their desks as I clean them, that the Lord would bless them, bless the girls, and be part of this whole homeschool thing.
I would be remiss not to mention the moms who have been so incredibly helpful (they may not even read this blog, but a huge thanks is still in order!): Nissi, Amanda, Jess, Emily, Kristen, Dawn, and Robin who has poured more time into mentoring me than I dare mention!
Over the summer Brian and I began to discuss homeschooling, a topic that is not new. We have many friends who homeschool and love it (at least, they seem to!). And the seed began to grow, that we will homeschool our girls. Of course, I met this with a bit of resistance and began to research curriculum after curriculum. I talked/wrote many moms who homeschooled to see what they did, what they liked or didn't like and began to create lists of ideas for every subject and then began to delve into those to find what I think would work best for our girls.
I made a pros and cons list for home school vs. charter school still not certain that the Lord would really ask me to take them out of school that we love, love, love. I will be an advocate for Vista because it's awesome. We are not pulling from this school for any reason other than the Lord has spoken a command over our family and our response is to obey.
I began to feel an angst in my soul that I can not explain other than if you've experienced the Lord asking you to do something and you didn't really want to do but he wouldn't let up till you did. I finally resigned to the fact that he was asking me to do this. And yes, I have a teaching background, but teaching your own kids? Ha! After saying yes, it came down to the timing. We had thought we would start next school year but began to feel better about starting in January and began to second guess ourselves. Curriculum is bought, we know the Lord has asked us, why are we waiting? We then decided to start the first week of November and let the girls be home for the holidays and begin our new way of educating.
Here is one thing I do know, just because the Lord has asked me to do this does not guarantee it will be easy. Part of me is really excited, the other part terrified. I can easily walk the what-if road of all the things that could go wrong. God has been very clear about this calling and he has graciously answered my request for clarity so I know that I am right where I need to be.
The girls are excited. We have our "school" room set up, desks, book shelves, lamps. It is fun to see it all put together and I pray over their desks as I clean them, that the Lord would bless them, bless the girls, and be part of this whole homeschool thing.
I would be remiss not to mention the moms who have been so incredibly helpful (they may not even read this blog, but a huge thanks is still in order!): Nissi, Amanda, Jess, Emily, Kristen, Dawn, and Robin who has poured more time into mentoring me than I dare mention!
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