Is quitting the right choice?

[apennieformythoughts]

This is our 2nd year doing this homeschool thing. The longer we do it, the more we (my husband and I) agree with it philosophically. We WANT to continue, but there are things getting in the way. First, I need to find a job. I had an interview yesterday and should hear back today or tomorrow if I was offered the position. It's just a part time cashiering job, but it would still require me to implement a new sort of schedule. 

 

It's very hard for me to let go of the idea of "what it should be like." I have a hard time giving ourselves permission to be night owls, because kids should be in bed by 10p (at least), and up by 8a (at the latest). This doesn't work for our family. My husband is an early bird, but the rest  of us thrive later at night and prefer to sleep in. I still feel unaccomplished and worthless for not sticking to a more traditional schedule and feel lazy and like the whole day has gotten away from us. 

 

I am very good at researching homeschooling and finding resources online, but I have a very hard time making this work in real life. I'm disorganized and too loosey-goosey. Some days I feel like I'm doing my girls a real disservice, and i'm afraid throwing a job into the mix would only make that worse. 

 

My oldest daughter has no desire to go back to public school. My youngest is all for it. I'm afraid I will be throwing my 11 year old to the sharks, having been out of school for the past 2 years and all of a sudden being thrown into a larger middle school. I'm afraid that they will be behind and have a hard time catching up (the oldest is behind on math skills, the youngest is still learning to read fluently). But I'm afraid if they are with me they may never catch up. 

 

I have noticed a huge difference in personalities, at least in my oldest. She has really come into herself. She's introverted and shy, until you get to meet her. But her personality is definitely there and developing. My youngest is not introverted, but is shy. If that makes sense. 

 

I just don't know what to do. I feel like a horrible homeschooler who has no idea how to get this ball rolling and doing something proactive, and I have no idea how to balance work with schooling. Any wisdom? 

[linders]

(Gently) Wanting to homeschool is not enough. It requires your effort. Two things in your post caught my eye.

 

- You like homeschooling and want to continue, but you describe yourself as "disorganized and too loosey-goosey". This tendency is unlikely to improve with a new job and schedule.

- Your DC are a bit behind grade level. (I don't know your basis for comparison, so I will take your word for it. However, a 3rd grader without other issues would be better off reading fairly well by now, since success in other subjects begins to depend on it.)

 

The night owl thing doesn't bother me, unless your family's schedule doesn't allow for homeschool opportunities like co-ops, classes, and such. And I agree that 6th grade can be a killer at school.

 

I see two options (other than returning to school):

 

- You make a commitment to be organized. This is a choice on your part - there are many curricula out there that can provide daily schedules, but in the end, keeping them is up to you. And if you do this, you may need to lose the night owl habits to successfully juggle your homeschool commitment and your job.

 

- You consider an online school, at least for the 6th grader. You still need to be there (I've watched homeschooling self-destruct when a parent thinks they can just turn on the computer and leave), but it takes the organizational aspect off your shoulders. You could send the 3rd grader to school or keep her home, but the latter will require more commitment on your part.

 

I would also urge you to look for a math tutor for the 6th grader, if you are not up to it yourself. This is a critical time to cement basic math skills before moving on.

[apennieformythoughts]

I consider your advice very helpful! I appreciate it when people give me the un-sugarcoated truth. My eldest is probably doing math at a very basic 4th grade level. It is both her and my weak area. Right now we are using Life of Fred and the first book in the Learn Math Fast program. I am trying to teach both of them at the same level, because my 8 year old (who has no desire to read, which impedes the whole "LEARN TO READ" thing) has a very mathematical brain and is on grade level, if not a little higher in that area. Just because she thinks it's fun. My oldest can read and write very well (other than some spelling and grammar errors), but has no aptitude for numbers, so she doesn't even try. Which has always been my attitude towards math as well. I learned to read at 3, and it boggles my mind that my 8 year old has no interest. She can read, but not much higher than a 1st grade level. I read to her every day, and we do a lesson in AAR, but she has no desire to read anything on her own. She'll watch videos on how to do things all day long. She'll do puzzles. She won't read. Unless I absolutely force it on her, which is when it becomes obvious she isn't retaining much. And I get frustrated and start to play the comparing game, telling her that kids her age read by now, and she won't ever be able to understand her favorite sites if she doesn't read, and telling her to "read it herself" when she asks me to read something. Which isn't nice or helpful. So, our days become pretty... non-existent. The oldest reads and writes on her own, the youngest does crafting all day, we try to do a math lesson and a reading lesson for the youngest, the oldest is in piano, and the youngest is in gymnastics. I just get so overwhelmed.  :sad:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gently) Wanting to homeschool is not enough. It requires your effort. Two things in your post caught my eye.

 

- You like homeschooling and want to continue, but you describe yourself as "disorganized and too loosey-goosey". This tendency is unlikely to improve with a new job and schedule.

- Your DC are a bit behind grade level. (I don't know your basis for comparison, so I will take your word for it. However, a 3rd grader without other issues would be better off reading fairly well by now, since success in other subjects begins to depend on it.)

 

The night owl thing doesn't bother me, unless your family's schedule doesn't allow for homeschool opportunities like co-ops, classes, and such. And I agree that 6th grade can be a killer at school.

 

I see two options (other than returning to school):

 

- You make a commitment to be organized. This is a choice on your part - there are many curricula out there that can provide daily schedules, but in the end, keeping them is up to you. And if you do this, you may need to lose the night owl habits to successfully juggle your homeschool commitment and your job.

 

- You consider an online school, at least for the 6th grader. You still need to be there (I've watched homeschooling self-destruct when a parent thinks they can just turn on the computer and leave), but it takes the organizational aspect off your shoulders. You could send the 3rd grader to school or keep her home, but the latter will require more commitment on your part.

 

I would also urge you to look for a math tutor for the 6th grader, if you are not up to it yourself. This is a critical time to cement basic math skills before moving on.

 

[G5052]

I consider your advice very helpful! I appreciate it when people give me the un-sugarcoated truth. My eldest is probably doing math at a very basic 4th grade level. It is both her and my weak area. Right now we are using Life of Fred and the first book in the Learn Math Fast program. I am trying to teach both of them at the same level, because my 8 year old (who has no desire to read, which impedes the whole "LEARN TO READ" thing) has a very mathematical brain and is on grade level, if not a little higher in that area. Just because she thinks it's fun. My oldest can read and write very well (other than some spelling and grammar errors), but has no aptitude for numbers, so she doesn't even try. Which has always been my attitude towards math as well. I learned to read at 3, and it boggles my mind that my 8 year old has no interest. She can read, but not much higher than a 1st grade level. I read to her every day, and we do a lesson in AAR, but she has no desire to read anything on her own. She'll watch videos on how to do things all day long. She'll do puzzles. She won't read. Unless I absolutely force it on her, which is when it becomes obvious she isn't retaining much. And I get frustrated and start to play the comparing game, telling her that kids her age read by now, and she won't ever be able to understand her favorite sites if she doesn't read, and telling her to "read it herself" when she asks me to read something. Which isn't nice or helpful. So, our days become pretty... non-existent. The oldest reads and writes on her own, the youngest does crafting all day, we try to do a math lesson and a reading lesson for the youngest, the oldest is in piano, and the youngest is in gymnastics. I just get so overwhelmed.  :sad:

 

Only you know the whole picture, but if you can't motivate your children, it isn't going to get better.  As they become teens, other challenges will loom, and this is something that you need to deal with.

 

I've always worked and homeschooled, and work full-time now with high schoolers.  But even though mine dislike school, they know that they'll be in big trouble if they don't do it.  Not liking a subject isn't an excuse in our house.  Skipping subjects or not reading aren't options in our house unless you're very, very ill.  I'm very tough on them and always have been.  There are consequences even now when they cross the line, and they're both doing extremely well in high school.

 

Anyway, just another perspective.

[Carol in Cal.]

You are responsible for your children's education.  You decide.  Can they get a better education in school?  Can they get a better one at home?  What needs to change to make that home education happen?  No matter what you pick, you are responsible, and you have to make it work somehow or you're crippling their future.

 

A suggestion:  Get scripted books for math and reading/grammar.  Teach reading to your younger one and grammar to your older one, a lesson every day.  Teach math to each of them but use the scripted format. That way you can fall back on the TE for areas that you are uncertain about.  Read to them together every single day from a wide range of books, out loud, for about 2 hours split into two sessions.  Pick books that are above their grade level--that will teach them vocabulary, and also later on when the younger one picks up those same books they will be easier for her to read because she is already familiar with them.  Talk about the books together.  Pick a range of novels, poetry, science, natural history, history, biography, literature, social studies, etc. 

 

Just start with that, and see where you end up.  One lesson each in math, a lesson in reading for the younger one, a lesson in grammar for the older one and lots of reading aloud.  Play educational games like Equate or Perspective or logic games like Chess or the Family Pastime cooperative games pretty often, and go on a field trip at least every two weeks to a local nature, science, or history site or museum.  Then slowly add writing.  Stay at that level for a few weeks.  Then take stock.  Is it all getting done?  Can you add more? 

 

 

 

 

[FloridaLisa]

I wouldn't consider it throwing in the towel to send your dc to school.  But I would take a realistic look at what is going on right now, what you can and are likely to change and where you'd like your children to be at the end of this year and in 10 years. I agree with the others that researching wonderful books and lessons is the fun part. It's like putting together your Pinterest boards. The hard part is doing the pinned summer bucket list or coking the *real food* meals. 

 

If you think it's best to homeschool, then you should take stock of what's working and what's not and make the changes. Start with your top 2 major changes and then implement from there.  I don't think any of us ever hit our ideal, but we should all be giving our level best to give our kids a solid education.  You definitely do not want to look back 10 years from now and regret making hard changes. 

 

Lisa

[OneStepAtATime]

Have you considered getting an evaluation to determine if there are any learning challenges?  You might look at the book The Mislabeled Child by Brock and Fernette Eide.  For the reluctant reader you might be looking at stealth dyslexia or a developmental vision issue or even something else but without delving into what the difficulties truly are you are just shooting in the dark as to how to address the problem.

 

Struggles in math could mean a weak foundation.  For the one who is having difficulty in math, I agree that hiring a tutor might help, if the tutor is trained in using different methods to approach math.  Sometimes children need something other than what has already been presented to them for the material to finally click.

 

 Also, you might have her take the free assessments through CLE to see where her gaps are.  Start with Level 100, do an assessment each day or every other day and just keep moving forward until she hits serious snags.  Anything she trips up on make note of for further review.  And if you chose to switch to CLE, it is pretty easy to implement.  TM is scripted and the workbooks are easy to use.  Spiral approach so nothing is forgotten from lack of use.  

 

But the organization and implementation issues are going to be a problem.  I have issues with both areas as well.   :grouphug:  

 

Reading the books Smart but Scattered and ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life (no, I have never been diagnosed with ADD but the book is still great) really helped me to see how to organize things better and get things done in our homeschooling environment much more effectively.

[duckens]

 

apennieformythoughts says:

 

The longer we do it, the more we (my husband and I) agree with it philosophically. We WANT to continue.....

 

My oldest daughter has no desire to go back to public school. My youngest is all for it.

 

(the oldest is behind on math skills, the youngest is still learning to read fluently).

 Be wise enough to make different choices for different kids.

 

a) Send the younger back.  Unless the school is really bad, they will not tolerate her late reading skills without major intervention.  This may mean testing, but most likely will include simply extra time.  Some kids just need more instruction or more intensive instruction to learn to read. 

 

There is also the potential for positive peer pressure.  If her friends are all reading "Buddy the Dog" books, there is a good chance that she will pick one up, too.

 

b ) Keep the older at home.  This will cut your homeschooling workload in half, plus your 11yo is at an age that she can do SOME things more independently.

 

Make it clear that she needs to work seriously on her math.  BE SPECIFIC.  Don't say, "work hard!"  Say, "This much must be accomplished by the end of each week; your scores (in flashcards, on worksheets, and on tests) must all be above this specific percent, or you will do remedial work.

 

Make it clear that if she cannot meet these academic standards, you will have no choice but to send her back.

 

-------------------------------

I would be unafraid of discussing this with your children, too; especially the older one.  Make it clear that they do not get to make the final decision. That is up to Mom and Dad.

[Laura Corin]

I would be imposing limits on screen time. If videos are unlimited then the urge to read for information is minimised. One hour a day of screen time (total) and a proper concentration on giving her the skills for reading. Then get some great highly illustrated books from the library on the topics that interest her

[Scarlett]

(Gently) Wanting to homeschool is not enough. It requires your effort. Two things in your post caught my eye.

 

- You like homeschooling and want to continue, but you describe yourself as "disorganized and too loosey-goosey". This tendency is unlikely to improve with a new job and schedule.

- Your DC are a bit behind grade level. (I don't know your basis for comparison, so I will take your word for it. However, a 3rd grader without other issues would be better off reading fairly well by now, since success in other subjects begins to depend on it.)

 

The night owl thing doesn't bother me, unless your family's schedule doesn't allow for homeschool opportunities like co-ops, classes, and such. And I agree that 6th grade can be a killer at school.

 

I see two options (other than returning to school):

 

- You make a commitment to be organized. This is a choice on your part - there are many curricula out there that can provide daily schedules, but in the end, keeping them is up to you. And if you do this, you may need to lose the night owl habits to successfully juggle your homeschool commitment and your job.

 

- You consider an online school, at least for the 6th grader. You still need to be there (I've watched homeschooling self-destruct when a parent thinks they can just turn on the computer and leave), but it takes the organizational aspect off your shoulders. You could send the 3rd grader to school or keep her home, but the latter will require more commitment on your part.

 

I would also urge you to look for a math tutor for the 6th grader, if you are not up to it yourself. This is a critical time to cement basic math skills before moving on.

Since on line was mentioned as an option for your 6 the grader I will suggest k-12....it has a strong math program and lots of help.

 

But I agree you still need to be there the majority of the time. You have to be involved but it takes away all the pre planning and most of the organization.

[apennieformythoughts]

A big part of it is my self motivation. I know this about myself, I knew this about myself going in. I have all the right reasons for homeschooling and no implementation skills. Getting advice from the boards is helpful, but then I find myself copy and pasting things into my *homeschool advice* document and not actually following said advice. I do need to get a schedule that works and then STICK TO IT. That will be step one of slaying the beast. 

 

Homeschooling is what we want to do, but we are not against returning them to public school, if that would be better. We had good reasons for starting on this path, but if we never see the results we want, maybe we should admit that we can't do this. I don't know. My husband is supportive, but I get a "whatever you think is best" answer from him, which makes it even more confusing and pressing for me. 

 

Thank you for the advice! 

[lmrich]

When will you be at work?

 

[apennieformythoughts]

When will you be at work?

 

 

I don't know yet. I just had the interview on Monday (and only have one app out there to begin with). The lady said she would be in touch either yesterday or today, and I still haven't heard anything. I have been a stay at home mom for over 6 years, so it's kind of nerve wracking to me, but it will be a huge help to our family if I am bringing in some sort of income. I really hope I hear back. I said that I was pretty flexible, but I would prefer an afternoon/evening schedule if possible. It would more than likely be part time. 

[73349]

Have you considered putting yourself on a reward system?

 

If you make a weekly schedule (once you know your work hours) and a checklist of Musts (and maybe some Maybes), you can reward yourself every day you stick with it. Then when you are doing it practically every day, move your reward out to weekly, and then monthly.

 

It works best if you have someone else who will know (such as using an accountability thread or posting your list where your spouse can see what got done). I can see that I might be letting things slide too much if I didn't have a schedule and at least a weekly list. If you're not up for making those, you might need something boxed.

[apennieformythoughts]

Well, I did hear back. I got the job at 20-30 hours/week with the hours being between 2-10p. My husband also works full time out of the home, but we do have the care lined up if we choose to continue homeschooling. 

 

I like the idea of doing a list of musts and maybes. That might help me better than a rigid schedule. I would be able to school in the morning, work in the evenings, play online in the evenings. I don't get down on myself much about the house... I'm ok with dropping that ball sometimes. 

[sassenach]

Well, I did hear back. I got the job at 20-30 hours/week with the hours being between 2-10p. My husband also works full time out of the home, but we do have the care lined up if we choose to continue homeschooling. 

 

I like the idea of doing a list of musts and maybes. That might help me better than a rigid schedule. I would be able to school in the morning, work in the evenings, play online in the evenings. I don't get down on myself much about the house... I'm ok with dropping that ball sometimes. 

I'm going to be honest.  It's going to take a major change on your part in order to responsibly educate your kids and work that many hours a week.  I've only seen homeschooling and working work for very organized and motivated families.  Those seem to be your big 2 issues.  I would lean towards enrolling them in school.

[fairfarmhand]

Well, I did hear back. I got the job at 20-30 hours/week with the hours being between 2-10p. My husband also works full time out of the home, but we do have the care lined up if we choose to continue homeschooling. 

 

I like the idea of doing a list of musts and maybes. That might help me better than a rigid schedule. I would be able to school in the morning, work in the evenings, play online in the evenings. I don't get down on myself much about the house... I'm ok with dropping that ball sometimes. 

 

Honestly, I think you are going to need to drop playing online. Your evenings will be better served by grading papers and planning for homeschooling. Seriously. If you are going to work that many hours and homeschool, you will have very little free time.

 

This is going to take serious loads of self-discipline.

 

This is going to take serious piles of motivation.

 

This is going to take scheduling, writing out lists, and following through.

 

Every day.

 

Every week.

 

You may be able to reward yourself on a Saturday morning by playing online, but it's going to be work work work for most of the week.

 

ITA with posters who advised scripted lessons and textbooks with a solid plan for each day.

 

1 lesson math

1 lesson english for BOTH kids each day.

They also probably will benefit from a spelling lesson each day and a structured method for science and history

 

1 reading lesson per day for 3rd grader. Perhaps she gets a 30 minute screen time reward but only after she completes her reading time.

 

Just not doing it is NOT an option for either of your kids.

And just not doing it is NOT an option for you either.

 

You'll either need to knuckle down and have the discipline to do it or put them in school. I really can't see any other alternative because they need to be schooled. Your kids are past the ages where "loosy goosey" is a good option.

[apennieformythoughts]

They are doing math and reading every day. I make sure we stick to at least that. But other than me reading a book or two to the youngest, and her doing her All About Reading lesson, she chooses not to read on her own. When we have quiet reading time, she will look at books, but doesn't really read. And when she checks books out from the library, they are always crafting or drawing books. She will flip through those and do the projects, but she is really good at following instructions based on the pictures. 

 

We also do a math lesson a day. The youngest is on grade level with math, the oldest is struggling. It was her struggling with math and feeling stupid that was the catalyst for us choosing to homeschool. We took the younger one out so we would all have the same schedule. And my oldest spends a lot of her spare time reading, writing, and drawing on her own because that's what she is interested in. 

 

So I try to at least pay attention to their weak areas each day, but my youngest really fights with the reading because she just doesn't CARE about books. Which is sad for me, and I don't know how to light that fire. My oldest was still in public school when she learned to read. 

 

They aren't sitting around doing nothing, but that is pretty much our schedule. Reading and math, trying to get them to grade level. But I don't see me succeeding with the reading. It's HARD teaching someone how to read! 

 

I'm really appreciating all the no- nonsense advice. Talking to people in real life gets me all the sugary sweet advice, which I appreciate, but I'm not exaggerating our struggle, so I don't feel like pat answers necessarily help. 

[Carol in Cal.]

 But other than me reading a book or two to the youngest, ...

 

My view is that this is not nearly enough.

I think that every day you should have at least two read aloud sessions, maybe more.

 

Read science, history, biography, a chapter book that you serialize from one day to the next, poetry, picture books, and something silly, every day.  Bible if you're Christian.  Honestly, your oldest is not too old to listen in.  More than anything else, this is what will increase their working vocabulary, interest them in varied subjects, and get your younger one engaged with reading if that is possible.

[sbgrace]

I think I'd curriculum switch if you decide to keep homeschooling. Nail down every day workable basics first. Pick things that are easy to implement and stick with.

 

It sounds like the youngest needs to make faster/better progress than AAR. What about Dancing Bears? It works for kids that struggle. Maybe CLE reading after that, if there aren't dyslexia signs.  I'd wait on spelling until she is at grade level on reading.

 

I'd use CLE math with the oldest. Strugglers and math haters seem to do really well with it. Start wherever she is in their pre-testing. She does a lesson every day. I'd do Saturday too as often as I could.  What are you using for math with the youngest? It's working? Is it easy to implement?

 

For composition and grammar, Essentials in Writing is video based, and very easy to implement. I'd do it for both of them. They can start at grade level regardless of prior progress. Even your older writer could probably use some specific instruction in expository type pieces I imagine.

 

It sounds like the oldest needs spelling. My spelling stuff requires teacher interaction, so I'm not sure what to suggest. I use Apples and Pears, and plan to do Spelling Power next fwiw. The Evan Moore Daily Language Review workbooks are great for editing practice, among other things, and are just 5 minutes or so a day. They have been great here. Do you have handwriting for the younger?

 

Get those basics done at least 5 days a week. Make yourself start right after the first meal of the day. Make yourself get all the subjects done (them completing, you grading/reviewing previous work while they do work without you) before doing anything fun/leisure.

 

When you're in a routine, add things like science and history. Whatever you pick, make it open and go.

 

I'd consider sending the younger back to school so your more limited home time can focus on the older.  Maybe you could use this year to catch her up in language arts (reading and composition) so she can go back to school. Set a measurable goal for her, and when she meets it she'll be caught up enough to go back to school. Would that motivate her perhaps?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[apennieformythoughts]

I think I'd curriculum switch if you decide to keep homeschooling. Nail down every day workable basics first. Pick things that are easy to implement and stick with.

 

It sounds like the youngest needs to make faster/better progress than AAR. What about Dancing Bears? It works for kids that struggle. Maybe CLE reading after that, if there aren't dyslexia signs.  I'd wait on spelling until she is at grade level on reading.

 

I'd use CLE math with the oldest. Strugglers and math haters seem to do really well with it. Start wherever she is in their pre-testing. She does a lesson every day. I'd do Saturday too as often as I could.  What are you using for math with the youngest? It's working? Is it easy to implement?

 

For composition and grammar, Essentials in Writing is video based, and very easy to implement. I'd do it for both of them. They can start at grade level regardless of prior progress. Even your older writer could probably use some specific instruction in expository type pieces I imagine.

 

It sounds like the oldest needs spelling. My spelling stuff requires teacher interaction, so I'm not sure what to suggest. I use Apples and Pears, and plan to do Spelling Power next fwiw. The Evan Moore Daily Language Review workbooks are great for editing practice, among other things, and are just 5 minutes or so a day. They have been great here. Do you have handwriting for the younger?

 

Get those basics done at least 5 days a week. Make yourself start right after the first meal of the day. Make yourself get all the subjects done (them completing, you grading/reviewing previous work while they do work without you) before doing anything fun/leisure.

 

When you're in a routine, add things like science and history. Whatever you pick, make it open and go.

 

I'd consider sending the younger back to school so your more limited home time can focus on the older.  Maybe you could use this year to catch her up in language arts (reading and composition) so she can go back to school. Set a measurable goal for her, and when she meets it she'll be caught up enough to go back to school. Would that motivate her perhaps?

 

 

Thank you so much for this advice! I looked up Dancing Bears (I've never heard of it before), and really think that it will help her. She can read some, and she's really good at memorizing words that she's seen before, so she retains them that way. But she will do this thing, let's say I show her the word hurricane and ask her to tell me what it says. She'll guess hamster, since it isn't a word she knows. But then, if I make her sound it out, she does know what sound the letters are supposed to make, so I don't see any signs of a disability. Except she would probably pronounce it like "hu-ar-ik-ann-ie" or something, she would try to sound out each letter individually. 

 

I'm using Life of Fred and Learn Math Fast for both of them. We're only on Butterflies in LOF. They don't seem to have too much of an issue with these items, but it is slow going for my oldest and I, both because we don't enjoy math. My youngest loves math because it reminds her of a puzzle. Hates to read, loves math. How did I end up with this child???? LOL! 

 

I love the curriculum suggestions. This weighs so heavily on my mind. My husband is so laid back about whatever I decide to do, that I feel like I get no real input from him at all and it's all my decision. There are pros and cons to both choices. Another con about putting them back in school is that we have care available if I can get the girls situated before I leave for work. But if they go back to school, I would have no one to pick them up, and after school care ends before my husband would be able to get off of work. That would be another hassle we would have to deal with, where now I can school in the mornings, bring them to my friend who also homeschools (or her husband can pick them up on the days he works split shift and heads home), go to work, and my husband can pick them up when he gets off of work. I also trust the two of them to be home alone for up to 2 hours at a time, and my oldest longer than that by herself, but what with it getting dark earlier now, they still need care more often than not. Our friends are down to one vehicle right now, so they wouldn't be able to pick them up for me if her husband is at work, and they live 20 miles out from where my oldest would be attending middle school anyway. 

 

I'm stressing myself out so much with this. This is why I think a list of musts might work better for me than a schedule. I do well at following lists. If I can clearly see what I need to do, maybe more would get done? 

[apennieformythoughts]

And I also really appreciate this advice because I know that a lot of people would say that we're just unschoolers, and we should be ok with that. I'm fine with unschoolers... I can't be one. If I tried, we wouldn't be schooling. I am not ok with my child not knowing how to read yet. It doesn't sit right with me. I'm not ok with how my daughter isn't at least multiplying with ease, or at least have her basic facts down. I'm ok with being laid back, I'm ok with following interests, I'm not ok with not doing much of anything, and that's what it feels like. I touch on the math and reading, but not as much as I need to be, knowing their weaknesses. Thank you all again. 

[fairfarmhand]

And I also really appreciate this advice because I know that a lot of people would say that we're just unschoolers, and we should be ok with that. I'm fine with unschoolers... I can't be one. If I tried, we wouldn't be schooling. I am not ok with my child not knowing how to read yet. It doesn't sit right with me. I'm not ok with how my daughter isn't at least multiplying with ease, or at least have her basic facts down. I'm ok with being laid back, I'm ok with following interests, I'm not ok with not doing much of anything, and that's what it feels like. I touch on the math and reading, but not as much as I need to be, knowing their weaknesses. Thank you all again. 

 

You sound like you have thought quite  a bit about your struggles and that's good. I also appreciate that you are accepting people's suggestions and not taking this personally. We're all on your side and want you and your daughters to succeed.

 

I do think that you with your personality will do better with a checklist, rather than a schedule.

 

It will help you to move to open and go curriculum.

 

I have a checklist for my dd.

 

It's actually in a computer file, and I write it out like this, with five boxes for each week, one box for each day. Its a word file.

 

Math: Do lesson ______

English: Do pages ___ to _____

Reading: Read one chapter of ______

 

etc.

 

That gives her concrete action steps for each day, simplifies planning for me, and shows BOTH of us what a good day of school looks like.

 

My dd is 12 and in the 7th grade.

 

We use Teaching Textbooks for math. It's a computer based program that teaches the lesson and its' self correcting, so she's not waiting on me for corrections.

 

Bob Jones English, Bob Jones Spelling, Apologia Science, Story of the World History, The Middle Ages, And I used Pentime Handwriting for years with good success.

 

This is pretty much the same lineup we used last year when she was in 6th too.

 

 

 

Have you given your younger daughter comic books like Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes to help her be more interested in reading?

 

Also, when my 2nd dd struggled with reading, I;d make worksheets that gave her instructions to help her practice.

 

It'd go like this:

 

On the left side of the paper, draw three trees. Near the trees, draw a yellow house. On the right hand side of the paper, draw a sun and two clouds. In the middle of the paper, draw a boy and a girl. etc.

 

She sounds like she would benefit from Peggy Kaye's book Games for Reading.

[texasmama]

A couple of things:

 

I have worked (part time and full time) most of the years I have been homeschooling.  Full time work while homeschooling was horrible for all of us.  Part time work while homeschooling was doable.

 

My kids stay up late, and we get started with homeschooling about 9 am. 

[AimeeM]

I just want to say that I really admire how well you understand your own limitations, and that you know what you want for your children - and that you know what types of education you're okay with, and what you aren't. IMO, this is what will ensure your children WILL receive at least an appropriate education... either with you, or in brick and mortar school. The children I've seen with sincerely crappy educations, tend to come from homes where parents cannot admit their own limitations.

I wish you well in whatever you decide.

I will say that Dancing Bears reading is working very nicely for my struggling 5 year old reader - and the pages do not seem "young". Apples and Pears spelling (their sister spelling program) worked beautifully for my dyslexic oldest kiddo (and she LOVED it!).

I agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion of CLE for skill subjects. I love their math (even for my "good at math" kids); we're using their Algebra 1 and their grade 1 right now. I've heard equally wonderful things about their reading program (for content and reading comprehension - I don't think I would use their phonics instruction program with your struggling reader), and their language arts program. 

 

If I were you, I would get Dancing Bears, Apples and Pears, CLE Reading, CLE Math, and CLE language arts. There's nothing wrong with doing literature based for science and history right now - they can be on your mentioned "maybe" list, or simply circulate the literature into your read aloud rotation (that's what we do for DS5).

 

Dancing Bears takes 10 minutes a day. Apples and Pears takes 15 minutes a day. CLE Reading is only one semester, and would probably take maybe 30 minutes a day. CLE LA 30 minutes a day. CLE Math about an hour for your struggling-in-math kiddo. CLE is written to the student as of grade 2 I believe, so your strong math student could work more independently in that, just as your good reader could work more independently in the CLE Reading. Both Dancing Bears and Apples and Pears would be entirely dependent on you, though.

[Incognito]

I love Life of Fred, but I really don't see it being a great fit for actual math for your family.  Fun math - yes.  But actual spine for math - find something deeper.

[sbgrace]

I would drop Life of Fred. It's just not anything remotely close to a full math curriculum, and way too far below grade level. I think your time would be better spent somewhere else. It doesn't sound like Learn Math Fast, which I don't know much about, is working for the older either. I did just do some reading up on it. It sounds like it moves too quickly for some kids, and lacks sufficient review for others. 

 

I really think you might consider switching to CLE. You might make a lot quicker progress, it works for a lot of math haters, it has built in review, and I think it would be more likely to get done day in and out.

[SarahW]

It sounds to me like the younger is highly visual. Look up threads tagged "vsl" and see if it fits.

 

The older sounds like the opposite, In that case, teaching them together would be a disaster, even if they are on the same "level." Sorry.

[In2why]

They are doing math and reading every day. I make sure we stick to at least that. But other than me reading a book or two to the youngest, and her doing her All About Reading lesson, she chooses not to read on her own. When we have quiet reading time, she will look at books, but doesn't really read. And when she checks books out from the library, they are always crafting or drawing books. She will flip through those and do the projects, but she is really good at following instructions based on the pictures. 

 

We also do a math lesson a day. The youngest is on grade level with math, the oldest is struggling. It was her struggling with math and feeling stupid that was the catalyst for us choosing to homeschool. We took the younger one out so we would all have the same schedule. And my oldest spends a lot of her spare time reading, writing, and drawing on her own because that's what she is interested in. 

 

So I try to at least pay attention to their weak areas each day, but my youngest really fights with the reading because she just doesn't CARE about books. Which is sad for me, and I don't know how to light that fire. My oldest was still in public school when she learned to read. 

 

They aren't sitting around doing nothing, but that is pretty much our schedule. Reading and math, trying to get them to grade level. But I don't see me succeeding with the reading. It's HARD teaching someone how to read! 

 

I'm really appreciating all the no- nonsense advice. Talking to people in real life gets me all the sugary sweet advice, which I appreciate, but I'm not exaggerating our struggle, so I don't feel like pat answers necessarily help. 

 

I have a reluctant reader.  I tried lot of tricks.  I bought great books.  I got rid of screen time and I rewarded reading.  I let him stay up later at night, and we had reading time during out school day.  He didn't become a better reader.  Finally, a switch went off for me.  He doesn't like reading because he isn't naturally good at it and the only way to get better at something is to practice.  Now at 11 he read aloud to me for at least 45 minutes every single day.  He still struggles, he still doesn't like it but we do it anyway.  I tell him that practice makes better and when he is better he will like it.   I still choose books that I think he will like, usually animal focused, but even if he doesn't like it we do it.  I also had to let go of some of my preconceived ideas go.  I was always against abridged versions of books but now I can live with it.  I want him to have a knowledge of the classics even if he never reads more than a couple in their entirety.  If we read Animorphs once in awhile....oh well.  He is reading and is almost at grade level. 

 

I don't know if that would help you since you have less time with working.  But if you do decide to continue you will have to spend the time.  There is just no way around it with some children.  Other children (only one of mine) seem to be able to learn no matter what and are natural sponges.  But that isn't always the case no matter how great we try to teach.  

[kiwik]

I would get the younger one checked out for visual problems in case reading is physically difficult.

[sbgrace]

I would get the younger one checked out for visual problems in case reading is physically difficult.

 

Yes. I should have mentioned that. If this hasn't already been assessed, see an optometrist who is listed on the COVD.org site. Many COVD doctors will do a regular vision exam, but also check for developmental vision problems that regular optometrists don't evaluate. My son needed vision therapy, and it made a huge difference for him. http://www.covd.org/ Locate a doctor by zip code is in the top right.

[ElizabethB]

You can have the youngest watch through my free online phonics lessons, break up those over 20 minutes into two parts.

[SarahW]

When it comes to reading, if the younger is vsl then she will prefer videos over books. Though you read with your eyes, reading is difficult for visual types.

 

I don't know much about AAR, but if it works for your dd, that's great. However, I have found with my own kid that a few things have helped in encouraging him to love reading, and it's not a reading program.

 

1) Quality literature read tag-team. I pick something a little difficult for him, and get two copies of the book so I can read along as he reads. I help anywhere he gets stuck. Keep it short and sweet.

 

2) Quantity. Reading is work until fluency is built, and building fluency takes a lot of reading. So make the quantity fun. Many people will turn their noses up at "twaddle," including me. But as long as the quality lit is happening, embrace some twaddle that your kid enjoys. Just encourage them to move on when they're "over it" kwim? With my kid, and many other visual folks, the books enjoyed the most are graphic novels, aka comic books. Now, I'm honestly bigoted against comic books, can't stand them. But my kid loves them. He reads them. He chooses to read them in his free time, though he sometimes needs a little nudge. He reads Batman, and I even get him free minecraft comic books for his kindle ( :svengo: ) but there are lots of options. He's read Pippi Longstocking, greek myths, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Boxcar Children, Tom Sawyer, and many more in GN books. His fluency and comprehension of the "quality" lit has improved dramatically since I started bringing GN books home from the library for him.

 

I wouldn't fret too much if your dd doesn't constantly have her nose in a thick picture-less book. My DH is also very vsl and when he was a kid he read nothing but a kid's illustrated encyclopedia, and to this day has problems reading most (non-GN) fiction. But in his twenties he read Nietzche (in German) and Plotinus (in English), which are his 3rd and 2nd languages, respectively, and understood them. The main goal is to build fluency and vocabulary, and then work on speed and comprehension. How that's done can vary.

[apennieformythoughts]

Thank you for all of the recommendations! 

 

One question: would CLE be a good fit for a secular family? We have our spiritual beliefs, and I identify as Christian, but I prefer material that isn't heavy on religion. I am not opposed to using it however. I just don't want something that is heavily pushing religion. 

 

I do believe that she is very visual. I don't think there are any learning disabilities or actual vision problems though. I just think it's her personality that she doesn't like to read, and it's going to just have to be a matter of doing it because you have to and not because you want to. Which is crazy to me because I live with my nose buried in a book. 

 

I am more than likely going to be making a curriculum switch in the near future! 

 

[Elisabet1]

This is our 2nd year doing this homeschool thing. The longer we do it, the more we (my husband and I) agree with it philosophically. We WANT to continue, but there are things getting in the way. First, I need to find a job. I had an interview yesterday and should hear back today or tomorrow if I was offered the position. It's just a part time cashiering job, but it would still require me to implement a new sort of schedule. 

 

It's very hard for me to let go of the idea of "what it should be like." I have a hard time giving ourselves permission to be night owls, because kids should be in bed by 10p (at least), and up by 8a (at the latest). This doesn't work for our family. My husband is an early bird, but the rest  of us thrive later at night and prefer to sleep in. I still feel unaccomplished and worthless for not sticking to a more traditional schedule and feel lazy and like the whole day has gotten away from us. 

 

I am very good at researching homeschooling and finding resources online, but I have a very hard time making this work in real life. I'm disorganized and too loosey-goosey. Some days I feel like I'm doing my girls a real disservice, and i'm afraid throwing a job into the mix would only make that worse. 

 

My oldest daughter has no desire to go back to public school. My youngest is all for it. I'm afraid I will be throwing my 11 year old to the sharks, having been out of school for the past 2 years and all of a sudden being thrown into a larger middle school. I'm afraid that they will be behind and have a hard time catching up (the oldest is behind on math skills, the youngest is still learning to read fluently). But I'm afraid if they are with me they may never catch up. 

 

I have noticed a huge difference in personalities, at least in my oldest. She has really come into herself. She's introverted and shy, until you get to meet her. But her personality is definitely there and developing. My youngest is not introverted, but is shy. If that makes sense. 

 

I just don't know what to do. I feel like a horrible homeschooler who has no idea how to get this ball rolling and doing something proactive, and I have no idea how to balance work with schooling. Any wisdom? 

Don't quit. And I do not say that to everyone.

 

In your case, middle school is the nastiest. The kids are at their worst. Their education won't be better. They will have to get up even earlier than 8 to get to school in time. 

 

No one becomes an adult needing the skills to be a middle schoolers. Your daughter will not miss out on anything at all by not ever being a nasty, mean, middle schooler at a big public school. Ok..so she will miss out on stuff like bullying and having her self worth torn down on a daily basis. And educationally...she won't miss anything at all by not being there.

[dragonflyer]

I think you have gotten some great recommendations on covering the basics, so my question would be:

 

What would bring joy to your schooling?  If you could add just one subject that would be fun and motivating so that you look forward to school what would it be?

Would you be excited to school if you know at the end you are going to do a drawing/history/science lesson and it will bring richness to the basic fare?

Sometimes even grown-ups will eat their vegetables if they know they get dessert at the end.

[apennieformythoughts]

Don't quit. And I do not say that to everyone.

 

In your case, middle school is the nastiest. The kids are at their worst. Their education won't be better. They will have to get up even earlier than 8 to get to school in time. 

 

No one becomes an adult needing the skills to be a middle schoolers. Your daughter will not miss out on anything at all by not ever being a nasty, mean, middle schooler at a big public school. Ok..so she will miss out on stuff like bullying and having her self worth torn down on a daily basis. And educationally...she won't miss anything at all by not being there.

 

 

This is one of my biggest concerns. I was bullied in school, and I still struggle with low self-esteem and low self confidence. I do not wish this on my children, because it does create very self defeating talk as you get older. It's crushing, and take a lot of work to slog through. It should come as no surprise that I see a therapist, and when I was talking to her about these things, she said that I shouldn't project my own feelings and experiences onto my daughter. Because yes, she might have these negative experiences. And by all means, if there is any bullying, pull her out or deal with it. But she might not have these experiences, and I could take it as an opportunity to build her confidence and help give her skills to navigate those situations and she may be just fine.

But I'm also scared to risk it. Because I don't want to destroy her. And SIXTH GRADE. That's brutal, man. 

 

However, maybe I could be amazing at making her strong and confident and still admitting that I shouldn't be providing the education. Or, I suck it up and do things even when they are boring or tedious, just because I'm an adult and it has to be done. I think that my family would benefit from homeschooling more than a PS scenario, but I also know that the way it is right now needs some work. 

 

I'm very insightful, which makes change hard. I know what my problem is. I have no idea how to fix said problem. 

[apennieformythoughts]

I think you have gotten some great recommendations on covering the basics, so my question would be:

 

What would bring joy to your schooling?  If you could add just one subject that would be fun and motivating so that you look forward to school what would it be?

Would you be excited to school if you know at the end you are going to do a drawing/history/science lesson and it will bring richness to the basic fare?

Sometimes even grown-ups will eat their vegetables if they know they get dessert at the end.

 

I love history. But my children still have a hard time discerning where their interests lie. Art would probably be a great place to start though. 

[sbgrace]

This thread talks a some about the religious content in CLE. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/335357-like-cle-mathbut-secular/ There are a number of secular homeschoolers who use it.

[HSmomof2]

Haven't read all the replies, but I was in a similar situation this year with my 6th and 4th graders. I, too, was hesitant and concerned with my DS starting 6th grade at a fairly large middle school. He was slightly behind in math. I needed to work more and didn't think I could do a good job homeschooling. I'm also much better at planning than implementing the plan.

So, my dc went to public school this year. And middle school has not been the nightmare I imagined at all. Ds is making friends, likes his teachers, loves being in band, and from what I've seen, the school is very well run. His math teacher is available to help him when he's needed extra help. I think the independence has been good for him. Dd is doing well in 4th grade. Her teacher is great, she doing choir and in class with two friends that used to attend our co-op. We have been pleasantly surprised by the public school experience so far.

[bethben]

but she has no desire to read anything on her own.   :sad:

 

I have always made my children read to me for 15-20 minutes a day regardless of if they wanted to or not.  If you're an unschooler, then ignore this advice or if your child is having learning issues, also ignore.  Learning to read is hard work.  It's hard work to decode words.  I didn't have any children at that learning to read stage who willing opened a book to read in their free time.  Eventually, with 15-20 minutes a day, it gets easier to read and they don't have to spend so much effort at learning to read.  Then, they may (or may not) read for fun but at least it's easier.

 

Beth

[AimeeM]

Thank you for all of the recommendations! 

 

One question: would CLE be a good fit for a secular family? We have our spiritual beliefs, and I identify as Christian, but I prefer material that isn't heavy on religion. I am not opposed to using it however. I just don't want something that is heavily pushing religion. 

 

I do believe that she is very visual. I don't think there are any learning disabilities or actual vision problems though. I just think it's her personality that she doesn't like to read, and it's going to just have to be a matter of doing it because you have to and not because you want to. Which is crazy to me because I live with my nose buried in a book. 

 

I am more than likely going to be making a curriculum switch in the near future! 

We are Catholic - so a far cry from the Amish in the Amish math programs... but we still love CLE. I know many secular families who use it because there simply isn't anything that compares. 

[Ausmumof3]

I haven't read all the replies but my first year was more like you describe. I think it does take a while to get your learning philosophies down solidly and focus on what works for you and that's ok.

 

Personally what has helped for me is making it clear to the kids that we will be doing maths writing and reading every day no matter what. The other things can be picked up later or through natural learning but I needed to do those things to feel happy.

 

Scripted maths like Singapore works well for me. It means I know I'm covering all that is needed.

 

If your dd is only reading at grade 1 level that is why she isn't interested in reading much. It's hard work at that stage once you get a bit more proficient she'll enjoy it more. In the mean time I would make her read every no matter what. That worked for my reluctant reader and although he wasn't grateful at the time he's reaping the benefits now. I also find limiting video time and reading aloud a lot helps to get them reading.

 

I think part if the problem is the first couple of years we mums think it all has to be fun. Once you realise that some things will be less enjoyable but still have to be done it's easier.

 

Homeschooling still gives you flexibility to spend more time on your passions but you do need to tick off the basics.

 

Also it helps me to have a set start time for school. Even if morning jobs aren't all done we start.

[warneral]

I agree drop life of Fred and make sure you have a solid math program for older dd. I love math mammoth and it only requires occasional help from me.

 

As far as younger dd, require 30 min of her reading per day before she can finish her school day. my kids get 30 min of screen time per day after they read at least 30min per day.

 

Best wishes

[Carol in Cal.]

I love history. But my children still have a hard time discerning where their interests lie. Art would probably be a great place to start though. 

 But is there something that would bring joy to YOU?

 

When DH lost his job and I was working fulltime and still homeschooling, I told him that I thought he should pick up the responsibility for one of the scripted skills subjects and make sure that it got done every day--either math or grammar (thankfully DD already knew how to read or I think I would have just put her in school). 

 

His response was that he would be willing to do history. 

 

I was so mad!  I love history, and teaching history and talking about books were my favorite things about homeschooling.  I missed being home all the time so much, but doing those two things kept ME going. 

 

Needless to say, I turned down that offer.

 

Anyway, it sort of goes to show that you might benefit from having something that gives you joy, too. 

[In2why]

We are Catholic - so a far cry from the Amish in the Amish math programs... but we still love CLE. I know many secular families who use it because there simply isn't anything that compares. 

 

Yes, CLE math is wonderful.  I am not religious and I love it.  I tried Saxon....too dry and my son was miserable.  Then Teaching Textbooks which was great since it was independent and my son did well with the online format, yet there were gaps in basic fact knowledge and not enough practice for him.  I looked at a few other programs and then tried CLE and I can't imagine switching again until we get to higher math perhaps.  I also recommend the Key to Series for any child struggling with certain concepts.  We did the Key to Fractions workbooks over the summer to solidify common factors and LCD but I am amazed at how much learning is in such a small workbook and how well it explains the concepts.

[PeacefulChaos]

I'm sure you've gotten plenty of useful ideas.  I just don't have the time to read through them all :lol: so sorry if I'm repeating...

 

Honestly, you sound a bit like me.  I am AWESOME at planning out the school year.  I think it's fun to plan out the school year.  Getting out of bed in the mornings to actually implement the school year, however, is not my strong point.  

 

Sometimes I feel trapped by homeschooling.  It was never my plan in life, never my goal to homeschool my kids.  But I do like it.  I do feel like, for us, where we are now, it is the best option.  Our schools aren't great.  I think we could work it out if we needed to, but I haven't yet been in the position where I really felt quite that done with homeschooling. ;)  Usually I'm sort of there by April :lol: but then when I start looking into the next year, my enthusiasm for it builds back up.

 

Anyway, here's what we do:

 

The night before, I write each of the boys' Daily Grams on the whiteboard for them to do after breakfast.  I also make sure to put their subjects for the day on the blackboard (otherwise they'll insist they 'don't know what to do!' --- even though they do mostly the same things every day. :rolleyes: )

First thing in the morning - when the kids get up, that is - which is not very early, about 9-9:30am, maybe even 10 - they eat breakfast and the boys get started with their Daily Grams and Mental Math (we have a workbook for daily mental math).  They don't necessarily just jump into it... but they do get to it at least by about 30 minutes later at the most.  I'm okay with that.  They burn off some energy first and then they do great.  So no complaints, IMO.

I usually drag myself out of bed anywhere between 10-11.  On rare occasions I can be found up as early as 8:30, but yeah... that's rare.  I'm a late night person as well, so I can easily be up until 2am and not even realize that's the time.  I don't start to feel tired at night.  (and no, it's not 'just because I get up late' - my entire life has been like this, and that includes the many years that I got up anywhere from 5:30-6:30 every morning.)  I take showers at night and don't do much besides get dressed on a regular day at home, so I roll out of bed and into clothes and then go out to the dining room, where they are each usually on their first subject of the day (they go in whatever order they choose).  Usually Link does something LA first and Astro does math - is it obvious where their strengths lie?  

 

I don't do everything in the same order every day.  I do all of Pink's stuff (calendar, OPG, ETC or handwriting, math, and reading aloud) together every day.  Her stuff I *do* do in the same order, because she's like that lol.  Especially at this age.  But for stuff that the boys need me for, or the couple of things that we do together, I just do them when it seems like a good time naturally.

DH comes home for lunch every day (he works a block from the house) around 12, so the kids and he all eat then.  I sit with them but don't usually eat at that time.  After lunch, sometimes the kids get a chore to do, other times they go right back into schoolwork. 

We usually finish our school day around 2-3, just depending on the day.  

This is the most comfortable I've been with a school schedule.  I like our curriculum, I like what we're doing, and it's working for us - the schedule, the stuff we're using, etc.  This is the first time I'm actually feeling comfortable with joining an outside class, etc, because we have the time for it.  Link is attending a movie-making class two Friday mornings a month, now, and we came home from class last week and were still able to be done with the school work they had by 3pm.  (Fridays are lighter for us anyway, just a bit.)

Here is what we use, just for reference:

Link, age 10, 5th grade:  Independently: Daily Grams, Mental Math, Total Language Plus, Bible, Math U See (all daily), Music (once a week, reading about the orchestra/listening to music), Art (twice a week, drawing on the right side of the brain), Keyboarding (once a week, Keyboarding Made Simple), Wordsmith Apprentice (twice a week), Latin for Children A (daily - he hates Latin and we'll be dropping it after first semester, when he finishes the book, and moving on to Japanese, which he's wanted to learn his entire life pretty much lol), Spelling City (daily, test on Friday - he's a natural speller so all the spelling programs were just unnecessary busy work for him), History (twice a week, Ancients, doing what is recommended for 5th grade in TWTM), and reading (30-45 minutes daily, we use the reading list on greatbooksacademy.org, and I throw some other stuff in, too).  With me:  Red Herrings/Brain Builders for Logic (three days a week), Math on the Menu/Family Math (once a week), and Science (kits relating to biology, twice a week).

Astro, age 8, 3rd grade:  Independently:  Daily Grams, Mental Math, Total Language Plus (though I'm usually present to help if needed, and he doesn't want to continue with this program once he finishes The Whipping Boy in the next couple weeks), Math U See, ZB handwriting (all daily), music (listening, once a week), reading (from TWTM recommendations, a chapter a day right now), and art (once a week).  With me: SOTW 3 (twice a week), Chemistry (twice a week), Writing With Ease (4 days/week).

Both:  We use Spelling Wisdom for dictation twice a week, and second semester will do diagramming twice a week as well.  All 3 kids do a very laid back art appreciation/artist study with me once a week, using the artist portfolios on simplycharlottemason.com.  

Your kids also sound a lot like mine.  Link doesn't love math - he says it's his least favorite subject.  We took a lot of time on long division, so he's finishing up MUS Delta right now.  Astro took a long time to read, and he still doesn't love it.  I have one stronger in LA and one in math - last winter I finally bit the bullet and signed Astro up for tutoring in reading.  The tutoring coordinator didn't understand what I wanted at first... 'He needs help with phonics?' 'No, not really phonics, he can read pretty much any word if it's phonetically spelled, but his sight words aren't great and he needs to work on fluency.'  'So comprehension?'  '... ... Um, no....'   :rolleyes:  and even that session - February through April - they concentrated more on comprehension than was necessary... but they also worked on sight words and fluency so I was still happy.  When I went in this fall (after trying to decide for sure whether I wanted to do it again or not, since his reading had picked up a LOT - I still made him read to me every day this summer and he was finally at grade level) she hands me the sheet with the goals and it was all about comprehension again.   :glare:  So I pushed it back across the table and said, very nicely, 'No.  This is not what he needs.  I would like to concentrate on writing, and spelling, and other language mechanics.  Doing some reading, of course, is preferable, but I don't think that needs to be our focus any more.'  Then I pulled out his test scores from the end of last year (I went in prepared lol - she has always struck me a bit condescending, I'm assuming because I'm 'mom', not a 'teacher') and pointed out his reading score - well above average - as opposed to his spelling and language mechanics scores - low average.  Then she finally got the point.   :lol:  They had already planned on working on comprehension and sight words that day, so they went ahead with it, and totally proved my point because he scored 100% on both on his first day of tutoring. :D  Since then they've been doing other stuff, which I've watched from the little side room (with the one way mirror), and I'm happy with it because they're actually addressing what he needs.  (It was funny, though, again with the coordinator - she was in the room with me a couple weeks ago and the tutor was working with Astro to write a 'postcard' to a friend about the beach.  We'd just been at the beach the week before.  Anyway, so she's having him narrate what he would say, and then having him write it, and the coordinator says, 'What I might have her do is start letting him tell her, then she writes it the first time and he can copy it, that way he can see her model it for awhile before doing it all himself.' and I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, we do a lot of that at home.'  Hello, WTM!!!!   ... 'by now' I think technically he 'should' be able to do it by himself according to the book, but I'm not keeping track of that, I'm keeping track of progress.  Which he has definitely made.)

 

Sorry that ended up being really long lol.   :D  I hope it makes sense.  Did I mention I'm a little ADD?   :lol:

 

 

ETA: I forgot to add that a lot of people thought I was setting myself up for failure by having the boys in two different history/science cycles rather than doing it together.  Or at the least, setting myself up for more work!  But actually it works WONDERFULLY.  And this is our 4th year homeschooling - I'm glad that finally it looks like we have a whole schedule that really works well for us.  

 

ETAA: I ALSO forgot to say I work part time, 1-2 evenings per week and on weekends.

[Sasharowan]

They are doing math and reading every day. I make sure we stick to at least that. But other than me reading a book or two to the youngest, and her doing her All About Reading lesson, she chooses not to read on her own. When we have quiet reading time, she will look at books, but doesn't really read. And when she checks books out from the library, they are always crafting or drawing books. She will flip through those and do the projects, but she is really good at following instructions based on the pictures. 

 

 

My 8yo was doing this. We tried several reading programs over the years, he was still at sounding out basic CVC words. At 7yo, I took him in for an eye checkup. The dr. said he had a convergence issue with his eyes. We got a 2nd opinion which agreed with the first dr. and DS clicked with the 2nd dr. so we've been going to him for retraining his eyes. We've also started working through AAR level 1. He is finally starting to sound out the words around him in his environment. And feeling much better about himself now that he knows it is his eyes and he needs to work harder but he can do it, instead of thinking of himself as dumb because he couldn't do what everyone said he should be able to do.

[jetzmama]

I have not read the complete thread, so this may have already been mentioned.  If an 8 yo is not reading, it is very unlikely that it is b/c of not wanting to, though that may be the excuse used to 'save face'.   More likely, she simply has a non-traditional learning style and that is OK.   My Visual-Spatial learner began reading at about 7.5yo (and, at 13, reads right about at level, if he has to read).  My Right Brained learner began reading at 9yo (and by 10.5yo was devouring books at the 8th grade level) Their brains just operate on a different time table than the traditional school system that we've been indoctrinated to believe should fit every child.  Search these forums for both of these, Visual - Spatial learner and Right Brained learner.  The links and teaching suggestions already here on the forums are a gold mine.

 

Also, as one who also struggles with the executive skills of organization and time management, it can be done. We operate on a 'flow' system rather than a strict schedule. Meaning we work until we reach a logical stopping point, even if it takes 10-20 min longer than usual for that subject.  If another subject has to get pushed to the next day, or happen in the evening, or be odds (or evens) only to make up for this, no problem.  I have definitely had to reign in the night owl tendencies.  When mama is tired, not only is patience short, but the mental fog makes it all the harder to stay focused/organized in teaching. Burning the midnight oil combined with early mornings will also bring on burnout much earlier in the year than a 10-11 bedtime. 

 

Hang in there! 

[jetzmama]

Another thought on scheduling...

Amy over at the Raising Arrows blog has an inexpensive schedule I downloaded that really helped me to see that the 'flow' system we loosely use really is ok.  It also helped me to refine our schedule a bit to be more productive (since I can tend to be a bit too flexible ;) ).  I'm not tech savvy enough to post a link this morning for some reason, so it is called The Homemakers Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule. She has a trove of other organizational helps, too.