[Advice/Recommendations for Testing]

6 hours ago, Heathermomster said:

What are the grades of your children?

 

 

Thanks, ooops sorry I forgot that. My oldest is 7th (he's the one that is below readiness) and my youngest is 4th.  

[Live online classes... what do you recommend?]

Thanks everyone for your resposnes - anyone else please share :)

 

[Sending my child to public-ish school = struggling!]

14 hours ago, Freya said:

Well, the adjustment hasn't been very smooth so far. My daughter thinks it's okay, but she is also thinking that she'd like to return to homeschooling next year. The kids are nice enough, she says, but she doesn't really connect with anyone there. I'ts been a bit disappointing. It's a small school with little turn over, so that is unlikely to change. If nothing else, this year will help us to see what we love about homeschooling. We'll see how it works out as the year goes on. Plus, having to do 186 math questions when she gets it after 5 is a bit tedious.

 As for me, I'm finding it exhausting. Between the driving, washing uniforms, making lunches and filling out forms, I'm spending close to the same amount of time on getting my daughter to school as I did on educating her at home. I have some flexibility in my time during the day, which means that even though I have a lot to do, I can take a day off and relax without the world collapsing. I guess that's good, because I'm tired. In a lot of ways, I find homeschooling way easier.

 

Thanks for the response!  I votes if she wants to do homeschooling then year, then definitely do it.   Truthfully maybe in January  

Also about not really "connecting" with anyone there..... I'm not sure her age, but to be honest,in my situation, it took us planning playdates, etc.  You might have her her pick a couple of friends and meet at a paitn your own pottery place (if you can afford it) or go to a trampoline park, or better yet, invite them over for manicures, play board games whatever.  However, I have boys - and I know that the drama is worse with the girls than the boys of course..........

Two things I didn't like about private school; 1) Fundraising, fundraising, and just when you think you're done, there's another fundraiser on the way.  Remember you can always so no to fundraising, which we didn't plenty of times. 2) They will ask parents to volunteer for things like lunch/playground duty - feel free to say no, however, that does help you meet the other kids.

[Advice/Recommendations for Testing]

Thank-you in advance for any suggestions -

This is our first year homeschooling.  We just got the results of last year's standarized test- the ACT Aspire. (YES - they were just mailed to us last week... even though the test was taken last April.)  One of my children scored in the 99% and 98% percentile (even though he only got 60% right on the majority of the test (?!?!?!?!)....... and my other scored in the 53rd, 58th, 68th, and 74th percentiles (but only got about 33% -75% correct on most of it)....   And it says that my son is "BELOW READINESS" in ELA (English Language Arts).

Okay, so now that I know he is below readiness - I have a problem........ what areas does he need improvement to get him up to the correct grade level? It doesn't tell me on test results.... SO..... I was wondering if someone could recommend -

1. A test to administer to my kids to see if they are where they need to be

2.  The results will tell me exactly what they need help on - bonus points if it even recommends which curriculum to use or exactly what to do!!!

 

THANKS for any advice!!!!!!

[Sending my child to public-ish school = struggling!]

HI ~ I'm new to the boards and just seeing this - how is she liking the school? How are you doing?

We have the opposite situation - my kids were at a private school for 7 years! We are now homeschooling and it is the best for us.  However, I think there are many excellent private schools. Elementary was great but at middle school the drama, drama, drama just got too much for us.  

[Live online classes... what do you recommend?]

10 hours ago, specialkmom said:

This is our first year doing any live online classes. My oldest ds has done a self-paced course before and two of my dc have done a dvd alongside a subject before. 

My ds 8th grade is doing 3 classes through Wilson Hill Academy ( Algebra 1, Great Conversations 2, and Greek 1) and 1 through Scholé Academy (Writing and Rhetoric 4). My ds 6th grade is doing 2 classes through Wilson Hill (Language Arts 2 and Ancient Times). 

 

So so far I’m really happy with these decisions. I have several other kids, We just moved back into the US and I needed less on my plate. My ds 8th has taken Koine Greek for 3 years and was ready to move on to Ancient Greek. His teacher is excellent and has such enthusiasm that it made me want to take the class. Algebra 1 is going very well (though we are just in the first month so nothing hard yet). But his teacher has been teaching in this format for several years and does a good job keeping people on track and explaining concepts well. As we get into harder topics, we will see about how that goes if he needs extra help or guidance. Although both my Dh and I could figure it out pretty well. He enjoys his GC2 class (especially as they are reading Tolkien right now). I’m happy with his Writing class because he has to do public speaking and I think between this class and his others, he will be exposed to other’s writing will help him to grow. We’ve been using CAP’s Writing and Rhetoric series for a few years and I feel this class will take the same material and move it up a notch. (Compared to what I was able to do with him before.) 

My other ds 6th really enjoys his classes and appreciates the fact that he can be in a class but not in school all day (if you know what I mean). Typing is the one area we are struggling with as the online classes do require interaction during class as well as most assignments to be typed and turned in. The interaction in class is typed, audio, and visual. So there is a “chat box” where they can ask or answer questions and add to discussion, but they can also activate their microphone or camera to interact in class (when the teacher allows). 

Anyway, so far I’ve been pleased with these choices. But we are only a month into the school year. 

 

Thanks for your response!! I have never heard of either of those, which is surprising because I've spent about 6 months researching live online classes - THANKS for suggesting both of these.  Just curious - I noticed the biology class at Wilson Hill says they" Evolutionary theory will be discussed with care and consideration given to diverse opinions. " So I guess this is not creation-based?

[video/resource to make sense of pre-pre-algebra?]

I'm following the post.. but can I just say, I don't think this is pre-pre-algebra is it? Wouldn't it be pre-algebra or even simple algebra? 

[Live online classes... what do you recommend?]

We are fairly new to homeschooling - this is our first year - our kids were in private school before.  Homeschooling is so much better though, and its great to be away from all of the drama!!!

Anyway, what has been your experience in live online classes? Esp. for math, science and writing... but any subject really :)

Has anyone used outschool?

[MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach?]

HI - I know this is an old post but I just did a search for "Mindplay" and it came up.... I was searching any other moms that might be using this to supplement their curriculum....

Anyway, we purchased Mindplay for both of our children, and we do think it is definitely worth the money and I am happy with it.  We have only been using it about a month though,A and not everyday, but.... I am happy with it.

Some of the sections involve a video of a teacher (well technically they are trained speech pathologists) do the exact same orton-gilligham methods that they use for Dyslexia Therapy that costs $50+/hr.... so in the grand scheme of things, they are getting something for $199 that, if done by a private dyslexia therapist would be thousands of dollars.  That being said, however, I do feel that "real life" dyslexia therapy is preferred, if you can get it for free through a local scottish rite program or whatever.

I will say I watched lots of marketing videos on youtube about Mindplay and... hearing some of the testimonials from school principals/teachers etc. really sold me ? Who knows they could have been fake and actors though HA. 

 

My oldest has dyslexia, my youngest does not (is actually very advanced) but I felt it that to be fair they both needed to do so they both are ?

Anyway, that has been my experience but would love to hear from others - good or bad - thanks

 

 

On 9/8/2015 at 11:39 AM, bluebonnetgirl said:

Has anyone tried Mindplay Virtual Reading Coach?  Would love some feedback.  Thanks so much.

 

[I feel like a failure, UGH!!!!]

Thanks everyone for your advice and support! I decide to delete it since I've gotten enough responses, and wouldn't want this to reflect negatively on the program. Thanks and have a great weekend!!!

[Hi! Just started homeschooling (7th and 4th grade)]

Hi! I'm new ~ just started homeschooling this year ~ wish I could have started from the beginning!! Thanks for letting me join :) 

[Hello I'm new :)]

Hi! So glad I found this board!

I'm new to homeschooling.  I have been active in Facebook groups.... but I really wanted to find a forum outside of FB (Somedays I just need a break from social media!) and I'm glad I found this fourm!!

Have a great day y'all!