Introductions Thread

[Tokyomarie]

I've just registered and don't see an introductions thread here on the high school board- the one I frequent the most, though I'm really just an occasional poster.

 

Let's do an introductions thread to help those of us on the high school board get connected again. Some of you have new user names and if you're willing to share your old user name, that would be helpful. A bio would help us old-timers and new-timers as well to get a sense for who we all are.

[FloridaLisa]

Hello All!

 

We are a homeschooling family with 7 children living in beautiful North Florida. I found WTM around 1999 if I recall, just after I pulled my oldest out of a sweet Christian school. WTM, along with a few other books, has completely shaped how we approach education in our home. Not that we follow it to a T; rather that it provides a solid view of how homeschooling can look through high school. I currently have two that are doing high school work.

 

Lisa

Married to my high school sweetheart for 23 years.

Ds 16

Dd 14

Ds 13

Ds 11

Ds 8

Ds 3

Dd 12 months

 

Many blessings!

[Tokyomarie]

I'm Marie, and have been Tokyomarie in many places since I got online in about 1996. I and my family lived in Tokyo from 1989-2000 and we now live in Michigan.

 

I afterschooled all through the '90s when my girls were attending Japanese public schools to keep them moving in their English language development. We brought them all home full-time when we came to the USA.

 

I first joined TWTM boards in 1999? after reading the book. I attempted to implement a classical style education when we came home full-time but due to the learning challenges that 2 of my children have I wasn't able to do it as outlined in TWTM. We ended up settling on an eclectic approach with a strongly classical bent.

 

I have one college graduate who finished college in May 2007 with dance and Japanese double majors w/business management minor. She is soon to be married. My second daughter is a college freshman with a world music major, with violin as principal instrument. I have one child learning at home yet, a 13yo 7th grade boy.

 

I've run the gamut of learning styles and issues with my children. All are bright to gifted, two also have learning challenges. We use mainly Sonlight Curriculum for history and geography, tweaking it as needed and using it in a roughly four year pattern, and have individualized all other curriculum to the need at the moment. For those who frequent the SL boards, I am Citizen_of_Heaven there: a name chosen during a moment of identity crisis and wish I could change but can't.

 

That's all for now. I'm only an occasional poster on TWTM but I read the High School board daily. I know I will like this format much better than the old, since I've used it in other places. I hope that those of you who are not so familiar with it will come to enjoy it in time.

[Kareni]

Hello!

 

I'm a regular reader of the board (and have been for more years than I care to count!) but a less frequent poster. I look at these boards as my support system and am very grateful to SWB for them ... whatever they look like.

 

I currently have one high schooler that is homeschooling. (Though it does sound funny to say "homeschooling" when all of her classes are outside the home.) She's taking classes at the community college as well as a couple of AP classes elsewhere.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[LinRTX]

I have homeschooled for 18 years now. My oldest is twenty-two and is graduating in May with an EE degree. He is actually on a job interview today.

The second is a college freshman who is taking her basics and is very interested in web design.

The third is a highschool freshman and the fourth is in second grade. I mainly just read the boards and post rarely.

[Laurie in ON]

I have been reading these boards for several years although I don't post very often. My husband & I have two high school aged daughters and have used the WTM as a guide since 1999. I greatly appreciate the ideas and advice that I glean from these boards!

[Brenda in MA]

Hello,

 

I'm also a regular reader and occasional poster on the TWTM high school board. I occasionally look at the other boards, but mainly post here. I have 2 boys, 11 yo & 16 yo, and I've been around on this board since 2000. We started out with a strict WTM approach, but then drifted to SL for our basis for history and literature, mostly because my older son just loves a good story. We still use some WTM suggestions and methods in our hs.

 

I consider my cyber support here crucial to the success of our hsing efforts, and I'd like to thank each of you for your contributions to this community. I'd like to offer a special thanks to SWB for making these forums available!

 

Brenda

[Cheryl B in VA]

I read the boards many times a day but only occasionally post. I have a sophomore, a 7th grader, and a 3rd grader.

[LoriM]

Hi, I'm LoriM (and have been on the WTM boards for about 8 years now, with no other psuedonym), wife to an active-duty USAF officer stationed in North Carolina and mother of two teen girls. My older dd graduated last summer from high school and community college, and is a junior at our local university. My younger dd is a junior at home this year, and will attend the community college starting next January. I work at the community college, and am teaching two statistics courses at the local university this spring. My degrees are in math and statistics, and yet I really enjoy all the subjects I've been fortunate enough to revisit along with my children through the years.

 

I'm also an avid quilt artist, and like ridiculous television (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Bones, Firefly, Monk and Psych, and my latest favorite--How I Met Your Mother), and am a moviegoer. I listen to soundtracks from Broadway shows in my free time, or audiobooks.

[Guest kaypolley]

Well, I hope I am doing this right! Just found the forum!

I have used WTM for ? years. So long, I just had to buy the new edition when it came out 2-3 years? ago. :)

 

Always been attracted to classical homeschooling. We have six boys, with one in college, and the rest are 12th, 8th, 4th, 1rst, and preschool.

Have been home educating for 10 years.

 

I am looking to get more serious after a lackadaisical fall. In great need of inspiration and wonderful ideas I am sure I will find here.

 

Peace,

Kay

[Ms. Riding Hood]

We've been hs'ing for seven years, just doing things that work for us. I do love TWTM, and find lots of inspiration there. My oldest is a junior with a serious science bent and high hopes for MIT engineering or physics--and yes, Apologia has served him well! I also have a challenging 8th grader, a highly emotional 5th grader, a cute little 2nd grader, a four-year-old and a 5 month old baby. Yowsa!

 

I, too, love these boards and can always find great advice and answers, comfort, congratulations, encouragement, you name it. We live in a rural area and are the only homeschoolers; well, there are a couple of others but nobody associates and there is no support group. So this is my place to turn! Thank you to SWB for sponsoring our forums!

 

One thing I love about these new boards: the ability to see some of your pictures and get to know a little more about each person in the profiles.

[Ms. Riding Hood]

And I've just gotta say how funny that all of us are "just visiting". I bet the regulars on the high school board will be the last ones of all to make it to the various stages--larva, worker bee, etc. I mentioned this in another post, but some people on this board should just be elevated straight to Queen regardless of number of posts! Doesn't actual wisdom count for something?!?

[Susan M in WA]

Hi - I am Susan M in WA. I have been on the boards for many years but I don't post very frequently. We moved from SC to WA about 4.5 years ago. I am homeschooling two teenage girls - 15 and 17 and we are in our 9th year. We followed WTM more closely when they were younger, but we have drifted in a lot of directions the past couple of years.

 

My 17 yo will go off to college next fall and has two acceptances from the two she applied to, so our next task is finding enough scholarships. She is in her last two quarters at the Community College dual enrollment program.

 

My 15 yo has several passions and we are in the process of balancing her formal schooling with her interests because she seems to blossom with real life experiences.

 

These boards are a source of cyber support for me especially when I need to see the many ways that homeschooling can work. I love seeing the flexibility that various families incorporate in their homeschooling adventure.

[Sharon in MD]

I've always been Sharon in MD and live in the Metro DC/Baltimore area. I've been coming to the boards for a pretty long time; I don't think I really want to figure out how long!

 

I'm a pretty frequent poster here....usually just on the high school board and occasionally on the accelerated board. We only have one kiddo, an almost 17 year old son, who heaven help us will get his driver's license soon. I started searching these boards when we were getting serious about what to do for high school and found a community of like minded serious homeschoolers who were striving for excellence.

 

I have been so thankful for the many kind women on the boards who have helped me with thinking through so many curricular and other questions. I try to limit myself to a few peeks a day, because I can really lose too much time over here. (like today:o) I feel like it is important to share our knowledge with each other....love the hive mind analogy.

 

Our son is hoping to go into engineering, so we are starting to look at colleges and I'm trying not to panic! He's also an Irish Dancer and classical pianist and loves drama.....

 

That's probably enough for now.

[Beth in SW WA]

Hi gang,

After 6 years of private Christian school, we brought our kids home this year for a hybrid form of classical education. I read SWB's book over the summer and cried myself to sleep because I felt I had short-changed my kids by giving them a mediocre education at what I thought was an excellent school. They were not challenged -- but worst of all, they were not inspired to learn or grow.

 

We have hired a Latin tutor and Writing tutor. The rest we hammer out at home together. The kids work fairly independently. I am a strong proponent of self-education, for many practical reasons.

 

We also have 2 little girls we adopted from China who will most likely attend a local classical school which is also a homeschool co-op. Our 4-year-old reads at about the 4th grade level -- so I'm not sure what shape or form her education will look like.

 

I love reading the high school board because I'm gearing up my oldest for high school and I like to see the big picture -- especially from the fine folks here who have BTDT! -- and done it successfully.

 

I feel so blessed to read the posts here. I told my husband that the smartest women I know are on TWTM boards.

 

Thank you, SWB, for all you have done to help us in our journeys....

[periwinkle]

I told my husband that the smartest women I know are on TWTM boards.

 

Most of my vitals are in my signature. I've been lurking on TWTM boards for 7 years, I think, posting more often in recent years. I decided to start fresh on the new boards with a new board name.

 

It's nice to see the introductions.:D

[percytruffle]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been reading and posting on the wtm boards for many years. I am mostly at the hs board, but enjoy hanging out at the general board sometimes too. You all are great company!

 

We have two dc.

 

Our dd, 19, graduated last year and is at the local community college pursuing a degree in Biology. She is looking to transfer to a four year Christian college this fall or next spring. She has been very successful so far. Last year she was inducted into the national honor society of two year colleges. She is a paid bio and chem tutor at the cc. Her senior year of hs was split between cc courses and a few courses at home. Apologia science prepared her well! Her current interests are genetics and bio-psychology.

 

Our ds, 17, is a junior this year. Next year he will follow his sister's footsteps into the community college part-time. His anticipated major is still open and includes history and business as options.

 

I am a NY state certified art teacher and a practicing artist as well as being a homeschool mom. I also herd cats on the side.

 

My dh is an optics engineer and travels to many exotic places. Sometimes we are able to accompany him.

 

We are a fun bunch who like dry humor, a good cup of tea, and a lap full of furry felines.

[periwinkle]

What a beautiful signature quote!

 

I just took a job caring for 140 cats at a local animal shelter (in addition to caring for our 3 at home). I think I am an official cat herder!;)

 

We absolutely love the Practical Graphic Design book. My middle ds got Printshop Elements for Christmas and is having a blast!

[percytruffle]

Oh, I'm so excited for you ds and glad the book was a hit!!!

 

My, oh my, 140 cats....I used to think about volunteering at a cat shelter, but I knew I'd end up adopting a few too many. We have three also. (...and a dog, poor guy, he can't help it he's not a cat. He's a good boy though!)

[Beth S]

I, too, am a daily reader and infrequent poster. I'm grateful for the WTM book, as well as the helpful advice on this board.

 

We're homeschooling our 5 children: 16yo dd and four sons (14yo, 12yo, 9yo and 5yo) using our version of WTM. :)

[hsmamainva]

I'm Kelly -- my oldest dd (hs Junior) is taking classes at the community college and homeschooling part-time. I have another ds (8th grader) waiting in the wings for high school ... and two other ones who aren't even close to high school age yet!

[Tammyla]

I found the WTM around 7 years ago on the recommendation of a df. We been homeschooling for 8 years, and darn it if high school didn't sneak up on me. :rolleyes: That makes me feel like a newbie again.

 

 

We now live in the Midwest er the "Coldwest", and I have one teen dd and a 10 yo/ds. I call them my Lucy & Linus.

[Colleen in NS]

I'll post an intro here, too, since I read here and occasionally ask questions of you great ladies....

 

I'm Colleen, and I live with dh, ds9, and dd7 in eastern Canada (southeastern Canada?). We've been here for 11 years, and married for 13 (previously lived in Ottawa, Canada's capital city). I'm from the States, and before getting married, I served for several years in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international missions organization. That's where dh and I met.

 

I read the WTM when ds was about 3 or 4, and was very overwhelmed by it. I read it again when he was 6 and when I was clueless about how to go about educating him. Instantly I was onto the plan and have been ever since, with modifications here and there. I am SO grateful for SWB's books, teaching CDs, these message boards, you ladies here......WTM has gone from being a mere plan to being more understood by me - the whys and the hows.

 

I basically homeschool and manage the home. I am contemplating taking up tutoring in reading, since I did it for two years a few years ago. But I'm not sure yet, because I don't want it to overtake the homeschooling. However, it's good money around here.....how do you other classical educators manage school, home, and working at home anyway as your kids get older? Ds is heading into logic stage work next summer.....

 

ciao.

[Cynde]

Hi Everyone,

 

I've been on TWTM boards for 8 years now. Yikes! I've always gone by my first name, Cynde. These days, I'm usually only on the high school board. I homeschool our two kids: ds in 12th grade and dd in 11th grade. I feel like we just completed a huge milestone as ds completed his college applications last month. Now we wait, check the mailbox, wait some more, check again - you get the picture. I can't believe that next year will be my last year to homeschool since dd will graduate. Like Lori M, we are an Air Force military family who moves a lot. We are currently stationed in VA.

 

"See you" around the hs board,

 

Cynde

[Gwen in VA]

I have been haunting the high school boards for several years now. I do some subjects (mostly history) a la WTM, but mostly I have found this place to be a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration for the homeschool journey!

 

My hd and I, both engineers, have been married 21 years and have four children whom we have homeschooled all the way.

 

Our oldest (dd) is a freshman at Washington & Lee majoring in chemistry and art history, with an eye towards going into art conservation. Her gpa last semester was 4.2/4.0, so she is doing well! She is loving college, both the academics and the activites/friends, and she feels that homeschooling totally prepared her for college. She especially values her ex-homeschooled friends, who she says are her most interesting friends! She took many AP classes through PAH and SO. In high school her main extra-curriculars were volunteering at historical museums (over 1200 hours), reenacting, and fifing.

 

Our second ds is a senior, with acceptances to U. Chicago, U. Pitt UHC, and U. Dallas at the moment. He is waiting to hear from three other colleges, and we are praying for extensive merit aid! Like dd, he has done many many classes through SO and PAH, including 6 AP's. He has been active in CAP and debate. Homeschooling him has been the biggest challenge of my life, but it has also been very rewarding.

 

#3 will be entering 9th grade and #4 will be entering 7th, so I will be hanging around these boards for many years!

 

I really appreciate this vitual support group -- thank you all!

[Osmosis Mom]

In case I need one, that is! I am Nadia and we are in NH, hoping to move back to MA sooner rather than later... I have seven kidlets, one of whom just finished the college application process. She is planning to attend college in the fall and I hope to be able to post by summer where she decideds to go.

 

The other kids are 9th grader dd, 8th grader ds, 4th grader ds and 1st grader twins as well as our little new baby brother. I guess I am an eclectic schooler with my main point being that my kids are learning and thriving...My oldest was very self-motivated to go off on rabbit-trails while my second-oldest is much more book-focused and goal-oriented. I am sure the trip on her hgih school years will be a lot different -as will it be getting my soccer-crazed ds interested!!

 

Nadia

[Anne in Hawaii]

I've read the boards for years but only post occasionally. I have a 15-year-old ds and a 13-year-old dd, so this board gets more and more important to me every day! This is our 6th year of homeschooling.

 

We've lived here in Hawaii for about 5 1/2 years, and the Navy brought us here. We looooooove it.

 

I've learned so much from all of you ladies. Mahalo!

[Jean in Wisc]

I've been on the boards for, oh, maybe 7 years. That is when we switched to Classical Education. I have 3 poohs--my dd is a freshman in college; my sons are in 11th and 8th grades. I guess that makes it 14 years that we have been homeschooling!

 

I described myself rather tongue in cheek on another board the other day. It rather wrapped up who I was--so I'll post it below. LOLOL!

 

"I can sew, knit, cook, bake, and garden. I've grown herbs and made potions and lotions. I can make candles and soap, can and freeze produce, and make bread from flour I've ground myself. I homeschool children, supervise the running of the farm when hubby works 24/7, paint the walls, and repair the leaking sink. I can teach English to an entire class of children who do not speak a language I can understand--I speak fluent charades. I can raise turkeys and chickens and butcher them. I can give shots to cats and cattle and donkeys. I can embroider. I can host an open house for 100 people, entertain 30 teens, and lead a Bible study for a small group of women. I can teach 70 6th graders about the night sky in a building where there is standing room only and I can whistle enough like a cardinal to get them to answer me.....

 

I am not a specialist in anything. My knowledge of everything is self-taught and incomplete. If I need to learn something new, I get out a book and try to figure it out.

 

I usually feel as though I am trying to be an Amazon woman doing Atlas' job. Someday I'd like to retire and rock my grandchildren."

[ncmomo3]

I will post here for an intro., though I only have 7th, 6th and 5th graders. Because I am trying to get my proverbial ducks in a row now, I spend most of my time here in high school to troll for all the wonderful insight, inspiration and wisdom of BTDT, that you ladies have. We are in our 4th yr. of hs'ing.

Hello to all!!

[DollyM]

Hi - I'm DollyM. Not sure how long I've been here ... around 10 years, I think. How long have these boards been available? LOL.

 

I first posted about using zip lock baggies to contain self-directed activities for preschoolers (widely copied on the web, never accurately duplicated LOL). The original motivation for that project was my now 14yo DS, high school freshman. These days he's into epee fencing, video games and Java programming.

 

His 17yo sister graduated early (homeschooled since K) and is now working at the local bookstore, studying classical ballet and going on auditions. She'll be at college next fall ... just not sure which one, yet.

 

I teach writing and literature at our local co-op.

 

We have a golden doodle dog.

 

We go to a reformed presbyterian church. We know and can recite the Westminster catechism.

 

I am a terrible cook.

 

When SWB was on a CNN Parenting Magazine spot, we were the family featured as "real homeschoolers." It's been a great ride. Just a couple more years for me ... and then ... sniff ... it will be over.

 

I'll likely be hanging around here for a couple more years anyway. We've used Rainbow Science, Apologia, Latin Primers, Worsdsmith, Word Craftsman, Analytical Grammar, Vocab from Classical Roots, Smarr, Saxon Math, MUS, Lials, and more.

[DollyM]

Hi - I'm DollyM. Not sure how long I've been here ... around 10 years, I think. How long have these boards been available? LOL.

 

I first posted about using zip lock baggies to contain self-directed activities for preschoolers (widely copied on the web, never accurately duplicated LOL). The original motivation for that project was my now 14yo DS, high school freshman. These days he's into epee fencing, video games and Java programming.

 

His 17yo sister graduated early (homeschooled since K) and is now working at the local bookstore, studying classical ballet and going on auditions. She'll be at college next fall ... just not sure which one, yet.

 

I teach writing and literature at our local co-op.

 

We have a golden doodle dog.

 

We go to a reformed presbyterian church. We know and can recite the Westminster catechism.

 

I am a terrible cook.

 

When SWB was on a CNN Parenting Magazine spot, we were the family featured as "real homeschoolers." It's been a great ride. Just a couple more years for me ... and then ... sniff ... it will be over.

 

I'll likely be hanging around here for a couple more years anyway. We've used Rainbow Science, Apologia, Latin Primer, Wordsmith & Craftsman, Analytical Grammar, Vocab from Classical Roots, Smarr, Saxon Math, MUS, Lials, and more.

[Mad Jenny Flint]

I have a 13 yo boy and a (almost) 9 yo girl. We have been homeschooling for 8 years and have never considered doing anything else. I have been on these boards for about 6 years and mostly come to the hs board for inspiration. I like vicarious learning best of all! I have been creating and revising high school plans for about two years now, as we approach my son's 9th grade year in the fall of 2009. That sounds so far away, but we all know it's not! Like many others have said, it makes me feel like a newcomer to the whole scene again. Looking forward to traveling alongside others here on this ride.

[Cedarmom]

Hi,

I have one son 16 yrs, who I have homeschooled his entire school experience. We do what I call classical lite. That is we do great books, logic, latin etc. but not as intense as some. We are currently using Omnibus. I have been reading these boards for a couple of years and sometimes post on the high school boards.

 

Cedarmom (Lisa)

[Janet in WA]

As my signature indicates, I'm a retired homeschool mom. We homeschooled our younger two sons all the way through high school. They are college students now -- one a senior majoring in journalism with a minor in English, the other a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in music.

[Susan in IL]

I am still Susan in IL and have been around for years. I graduated ds in 2006 and am now a retired homeschooler. I do afterschool the younger one.

[Hilary in MI]

My boys are 11 (nearly twelve) and 13 1/2 and this is our fourth year homeschooling. When we started, I thought it would be for a year. Then, that year went so well that we continued, and so on, and so on! I always thought they'd return to school-in-a-building for high school, but we just can't think of a good reason to stop. :) The kids prefer hsing, so that makes it an easier decision, too.

 

I've been on the boards for the past couple of years and really enjoy connecting with all the other board members. It's a super support system and a wonderful way to share our knowledge. I've been on the high school board, mainly.

 

I love to knit, just learned to crochet, read all the time, and sail as often as possible. We spend summers cruising the Great Lakes, so I love hearing about cruising homeschoolers (we do our formal schooling during the school year--I suppose you could say we unschool in the summers, since learning never ends). Hilary

[RebeccaC]

I have been reading the WTM boards almost from day 1. I seldom post tho. Started hsing in March of 96. I have two sons 14 and almost 16. When I started hsing my oldest son had some very severe LD issues and had a very high IQ. Due to the LD issues here we have not followed WTM to a tee and that is one reason I seldom post. For the most part all the LD issues have been remediated in both my boys but we are still playing catch up in some areas like math and writing. I have found these boards to be a great place to keep up on the new programs out which has been a great.

 

Before kids I was a professional student and worked in the field of archeology in the 80s. Went to school in Israel for a while and studied political science and archeology. Joined the Air Guard to pay for grad school but saw Saudi during the Gulf War instead. Came home and heard my bio clock ticking and decided to settle down and have kids so here I am :D lurking for the most part and loving all the wisdom here.

 

Blessings,

Rebecca

[Phyllis in Canada]

I love the WTM boards, though I limit myself almost exclusively to the high school board now that the other are so busy. My oldest son will just be officially starting high school in the fall. I've been homeschooling since he was in grade 2, so this is my 7th year. I started out almost strictly WTM, but have loosened up significantly since then! I love these boards with all your wonderful suggestions and encouragement.

 

Interesting tidbits about our family include: I grew up in francophone Quebec though we spoke English at home, dh and I (+2 boys) spent several years in Chad Africa with Wycliffe Bible Translators, dh is now in the wind energy business (very exciting!), and I am currently working on my BA (English) via online courses (FUN!).

[ChrisN in NY]

I read this board fairly regularly and post on occasion. Most of the time, someone else has already said what I would say, and done a much better job of it. This is our 17th year homeschooling -- oldest graduated in 2006 and dc at home are 12th, 11th, 7th, 5th, and 3rd.

 

I appreciate the many, many helpful things I've learned here.

 

ChrisN in NY

[Lori D.]

Me = Lori, one of the "old ladies" here at 46. (: 0

Married = 21 years (yikes!) to college sweetie (a poet/philosopher/firefighter)

Offspring = 2 boys, 15yo, and just-turned-14yo

Homeschooling = our 8th year! (our first high school year this year!)

 

From both a literature and filmmaking background (and still love both); I love to work with my hands (esp. "digging" in the dirt, aka, gardening -- but all kinds of handcrafts with tangible results -- crochet, jewelrymaking, etc.); and I enjoy hiking and doing family activities; but I especially love to learn all kinds of new things!

 

PS -- Forgot to add this to my introduction on the K-8 curriculum board:

WILDLY addicted to dark chocolate!! : )

[Guest Katia]

I've been on these boards since 1999, just with a different name. I am Kat and I live in IA, so I stuck the two together about 5 years ago to become Katia. It's so pretty I wish it was really my name! :)

 

My dh and I have been married 25 years. He is a pastor and he usually ministers to very, very small churches. Our current church runs an average of 25 people on Sunday mornings, and 4 of them are our family. Having grown up in a large-ish city (Akron/Canton/Cleveland, OH) I have found adjusting to small towns somewhat difficult.

 

My signature will tell you I have three dc and their ages.

 

Oldest has just completed all his college requirements and will graduate with his BA in Computer Science in May. We pulled him out of public school in the middle of 4th grade to begin homeschooling.

 

Middle is a senior and will graduate in May from our homeschool. She is off to college in the fall as a Harp Performance Major, but which college is still up in the air. She has been accepted so far to three of the five she applied to. One is a music conservatory and they won't accept her until after her audition. The other we are hoping to hear from next week. Her auditions are set-up for mid-Feb. so after that we can make some decisions. Oh, and this dd is also terrific in art and drama/musical theatre, and also plays the soprano, alto and sopranino recorders.

 

Youngest is in 10th grade this year. She enjoys playing the piano and listening to all kinds of music on her MP3. Her current obsession is Japanese anime and manga, which she watches, reads and draws. She is also a really super-fast reader and zips through more books from the library each week than we can carry home.

 

So, I have two more years to homeschool and then this journey of the last 13 1/2 years will be over. I have read TWTM many times, but for some reason I just can't seem to implement it in our home; but I do get so much good information from these boards. I read them a lot but don't post too very often. Well, I guess I go in spurts: I'm on a lot and post a lot or I'm not on much at all so don't post. Cycles are good, right?

[Kris]

I usually don't post to "Introduction" threads because I can't ever think of anything to say -- but here goes:

 

I've just turned 50 and first homeschooled my daughter 20-some years ago using Calvert. We noticed one night, when she was in fifth grade, that it was 10:00 p.m. and she was still working on homework. She didn't know her multiplication tables, but was trying to do long division. Since she was a pretty bright kid, I wondered what was going on, and asked her teacher why she was doing long division when she didn't know multiplication yet. The teacher told me "they couldn't wait for her."

 

I also took that opportunity to ask the teacher why she was getting such good grades on her compositions, even though they were filled with spelling and other errors. I was told that it was the ideas they were looking for, and grammar and spelling "didn't count."

 

I was going to just try to work with her at night to get her caught up, but the end of that week I got a note from the teacher that was so poorly written that I could barely read it.

 

She never went back to public school and I never regretted a minute of it. Within just a month or so with the Calvert program she was caught up and getting A's again.

 

So when I found that my son was on the way, I was determined to homeschool him from the very beginning, but I met with resistance on every front, especially from my son. He wanted to go to school, and he did very well, so I didn't worry.

 

What I found out was that he wanted to go to school because he liked recess! As soon as he hit the grades where he didn't have recess anymore, his "class clown" act caught up with him. He was constantly in trouble and not doing his work. Every week I got notes or calls from the principal. He was doing just enough to get by. It was a constant battle.

 

He had been nominated for the gifted program by his second grade teacher, but never did well enough on the tests to be admitted. He told me later he "didn't know those tests were important" and hadn't taken them seriously. It didn't help that it took almost three years for them to do the testing, and he got discouraged. He was excited about the program, but the delays took care of that.

 

When he was in seventh grade and first semester grades were coming out, I called the principal to see how he was doing (I never did hear from *any* of his teachers at *any* time and my calls and notes to them were unanswered.) The principal told me that he had personally spoken to all of his teachers and that he "isn't setting the world on fire, but he is passing." Imagine my surprise when I got his report card -- nothing but D's and F's. I don't think he even passed PE.

 

I had been telling him that I wanted to homeschool him, so if he wanted to stay in school with his friends, he better clean up his act. He obviously hadn't done that. And I also didn't understand what kind of school considered D's and F's "passing."

 

So that was the end of that. I pulled him out mid-year. I found out later that he had other problems at the school besides just grades -- bullying and things like that that we didn't know anything about.

 

Since my son is a completely different kid from my daughter, I will admit that I was not really excited about having him home all the time. He's definitely very bright, but not at all motivated, definitely lazy, and by the time I took him out of school he hated reading of any kind -- even though he was reading at 11th grade level.

 

I wanted to use the Calvert program again since I was already familiar with it and we were both crushed after he took the placement test and we found that he was working two years below grade level. So my seventh grade son was doing fifth grade work and he was devastated. But I have to say he worked really, really hard and he is now where he should be, age-wise.

 

The only problem he had that we needed help with was his writing skills. He was really struggling and I didn't seem to be able to help him with it. I wasn't sure if I was expecting too much. He went to Sylvan Learning Centers for a few months and is now writing at college level.

 

It did take a few months for us to "get our feet under us." But that was two years ago and he's doing great. We follow TWTM pretty closely and he loves it -- including the books that he is reading!

 

His friends are all in high school now and at least once a week one of them will call to ask him to come back to school -- and he always tells them he isn't interested. He wants to go to college and admits that he spent too much time messing around with his friends and didn't get his school work done.

 

I have always been a loner and admit that I don't really understand him -- and I doubt I ever will. But he is a really great, social kid, and we make sure that he has plenty of outside activities and has his friends over so he doesn't feel isolated. That can be hard to do as we live in such a rural area -- it isn't a matter of walking down the block to visit. But we're making it work and we are both *so* much happier.

 

I guess I managed to find a few things to say. :-)

[Jane in NC]

How lovely to meet you if I have not "known" you already.

 

My only child is a fifteen year old young man who has been homeschooled since seventh grade. Prior to that, he attended a small, nurturing Montessori School. We have always been considered odd ducks since we did not buy into the values of the traditional public school education that is offered here in a small coastal Carolina community. There were no options but one method which in my opinion focused on standardized testing: no science in elementary school, minimal arts exposure. Hence, we chose Montessori with its broader brush. When my son was in 3rd or 4th grade, I discovered the first edition of TWTM and recognized immediately what our eventual path would be.

 

We follow a number of WTM recommendations, particularly with regard to history, literature and Latin. My husband and I both have master's degrees in mathematics, preferring the old Dolciani text books in that subject.

 

My son also studies French (French in Action) and AP Biology (Campbell). I should have enrolled him in some online courses this year, but I am a stubborn old fool who likes to micromanage everything. Next year's plan includes both the community college and online work.

 

My son and I both volunteer at a shorebird/raptor rehabilitation center. We feed owls, hold gannets and loons while their shark bites are cleaned, and herd pelicans when the weather requires they be moved from outside pens to indoor facilities. The owl photo was taken by my son at the shelter. This bird was struck by a car, but after a few days of assisted feeding, was successfully released in the wild.

 

Wish I could have you all over for coffee some morning.

Jane

[Sandra in NC]

I've been a regular visitor to the WTM boards for a year now.

 

I have a 15 yo son who I've homeschooled since age 4. This year, he is taking Stanford EPGY and PA Homeschool classes online; we're doing Apologia Chem and Adv. Chemistry together at home and we use Rosetta Stone for German. Next year, he will take classes at the community college + online classes and I will have to get a job to help pay for college for my older son!

 

My almost-18 yo son was homeschooled until high school when he decided he needed "real" art classes. For 11th and 12th grade, he's been at North Carolina School of the Arts where he enjoys a somewhat independent life. We're waiting to find out what the next step for him is....which college will give him the best art merit scholarship.

[Anne/Ankara]

We have a ds, eighth grade, and dd in sixth grade, both homeschooled from the beginning. Now we are doing more outside classes (Env. Science at a local university), online French (Apex Learning), lots of writing-- the children are book reviewers and editorial board members and columnists for 3 different magazines (Skipping Stones, Bookworm, Kidz 'n Communities).

 

They also enjoy art and music (violin) and physical activities (skiing, soccer, basketball, etc). We travel quite a bit and are looking forward to high school work!

[mysticamethyst]

Well, I did an intro on the K-8 board as well, so this might be a cross-post sorry. I am Tammy, just joined a few days ago, I am a mother of four. My two oldest are boys, Brandon is 14, Dylan is 13. My girls are Meghyn who is 10, and my baby is Grace is really 8, but still my baby lol. My husband Chris and I have been married for 16 years this month, he is a machinist by trade, and I have a part-time wedding photography business that is just starting to get business. I have been homeschooling my children since a bad experience in K. I spend time on all the boards but I am here to tell you high school scares the crud out of me. I look forward to getting to know you all.

 

Tammy

[JennW in SoCal]

Hey there,

 

I've been here on the high school board for several years now. I homeschool 2 boys through one of California's public charter schools that support homeschoolers. It is a bit of a Faustian bargain, but we have a fantastic teacher to report to each month who supports and "gets" homeschooling. The boys both take a couple of classes at the school 2 days a week, the oldest is the vice president of the teen club and the youngest is on a robotics team.

 

My oldest is 16, is learning to drive and will graduate in 12 months. He wants to be a lighting designer and will either head to a community college before transferring to get a BFA, or will do an internship at a local theater and arts complex. He works 10-12 hours a week at our church designing and running the lighting for 3 services and the occasional community concert, and is active in a local theater group too.

 

My almost 13yo is the more academic and bookish one. He loves to draw, loves to read fantasy and sci-fi, and is a World of Warcraft fiend.

 

When I'm not driving one boy or the other to class, rehearsal or some other activity, I play violin semi-professionally -- meaning I actually get paying gigs from time to time!

 

While I have never used many of the curriculum choices that are often discussed on this board, I appreciate all the ideas and take comfort in the fact I'm not alone in this crazy journey of homeschooling!

[Karenciavo]

Hi,

 

My name is Karen and I have one high schooler, ds14, and two younger sons 12 & 5. We have been homeschooling since 2003, before that my older two were in Christian school. I've been married to a great guy named Lou for almost 18 years Lou is a funny, artistic, musical, extrovert and I am the serious, philosophical, introvert; hopefully our children will get a good balance of both.

 

This is our first year of high school and I think it has been going well. I farmed out the science, AP Biology, and like the result so much we will probably look into at least one online class next year. I'm not quite sure what that class would be (Latin maybe?) because TOG is working really well for history, literature, & government.

 

Nice to meet you all,

Karen

[Guest Cheri in Mi]

Hi all,

 

Once again I am posting an introduction on this board. It seems that I have done it several times since I discovered this board when it was first available.

 

I am 42, married 20 years, with three children - twin 16 year old boys (just started driving) and a 14 year old daughter. My boys were hsed until last year when they began attending a private Lutheran high school about 40 minutes from home. Our plan had been to keep them at home through high school, but one really wanted to attend that school and the other was completely unmotivated and did not want to take instruction from me. The situation is not without its challenges, but it has opened up opportunities for them that we just could not duplicate at home.

 

My daughter will begin high school at home next year. I had assumed that all of my kids would do the same thing for high school, but she has no interest in attending school and hsing is still working pretty well for her. I find, however, that after all of these years my interest in hsing is waning, so I want to outsource several subjects to lessen my stress level. I am also fighting a strong urge to return to paid teaching, and am considering teaching part time at our Lutheran elementary school next year. That way I could earn some money and get out of the house more while taking my daughter (and her schoolwork) with me.

 

I'm sure that is way more than you cared to know about me...I know it is way more than I planned to write!

[Melissa in New York]

Hi!

 

I've been scanning the boards since its inception...the original ones, that is (remember the dancing pencil?!) I don't post too often but I love reading suggestions and the learning curves that we all have at times.

 

At home, I have a 14-yr-old and a 15-year-old that are both boys. We've done mostly classical through the years (many thanks to TWTM), particularly during the younger stages. But now that they have the basics grounded in, I'm allowing them to fly with their interests.

 

Looking forward to reading the few years' posts!

 

~Melissa in New York