I was so interested to see your post. I've wondered if there are Jewish homeschoolers frequenting these boards. I'm just an afterschooler, but find excellent resources on this site. I have not found too many Jewish homeschooling resources out there from a reform or even conservative perspective. Now that my older DD has begun Kindergarten at our local PS, and is no longer is Jewish preschool, I am hoping to incorporate more Judaica into our working time together.

Hi, Mama3. I am relatively new to this board and a frequent lurker. Like you, I work full-time (more or less) outside of the home. I have a 5.5 year old DD, who will start public school Kindergarten on Monday, and a 2.5 year old DD, who attends a private pre-school. I have not considered homeschooling to be a viable option for my family, but I have grown increasingly committed to and excited about the concept of afterschooling. My husband is supportive, but this is my undertaking, so his involvement is limited to keeping my DD2.5 busy while I am working with my DD5.5. Even though I am not a homeschooler, I have wanna-be tendencies and have found this site to be a treasure-trove of insight. I have a big cabinet filled with the wonderful materials that I would like to share with my girls and a calendar within which to schedule tasks. The pencils are sharpened and the reward stickers are ready. I really want to do this... Now I just have to make it work! I do not have a magic solution to offer, but rest assured that you are certainly not on your own. Our new schedule looks like this: -Wake Up at 6. -Girls and I out the door at 7:15. -Pick up DD2.5 at 3:15 and DD5.5 at 3:45. -Home to veg out, play and (keeping it real) watch a little t.v. to relax. -Dinner at 5. -Baths at 5:30. -Quiet (haha!) time from 6 to 7 for both girls. This may include reading aloud, educational computer programs (such as HeadSprout and BrainPopJr) and anything not related to Hannah Montana. ;) -Daddy home at 7, usually. -After a few minutes with Daddy, DD5.5 gives him kisses goodnight, and she and I go to her room to "work together." If Daddy is working late, all bets are off. However, starting next week, even if I am busy with DD2.5, DD5.5 will have to go to her room to look at books on her own (I'm not sure if this will work, but it's my goal). Within 6 months or so, I expect (hope) that DD2.5 will be capable of "working together," too. After spinning my wheels a bunch, I have narrowed down the subject matter of our afterschooling for the time being to reading, beginning math and critical thinking. I would love to broaden that to include a Little House unit study, here and there, or art projects, but, realistically, we just don't have the time with our current schedule. Not only that, but I know that I have to consider how much my DDs can handle in their day. I do not want to over tax them, and I do not want them to feel like they are in school 12 hours each day. For that reason, I have begun relying upon educational games (sight word bingo!), rather than workbooks (which are like pulling teeth lately). My bottom-line goal - do the best I can with the time and resources that I have, recognizing that my DDs will receive an education outside of my home, as well. Here are my takes on your questions: So... - How to work formal schoolwork into the day? We fit 30-45 minutes of formal schoolwork in before bedtime, 4-5 times each week. - How much is enough at one sitting? We do 30-45 minutes. - What to do with the toddler while his brother studies? This is where Daddy comes in. If he's not available, she's going to have to do things that she can handle on her own. HeadSprout, worksheets, etc. - What to do with dd, who is proving resistant to Bob Books? My 5.5DD resisted Bob Books for a while, too. HeadSprout.com has been wonderful for her. As a result of HeadSprout, together with our nightly reading, she will begin Kindergarten a fluent reader. And, even better, she will now pick up a book on her own without any prodding from me. - What is a minimum budget for all the afterschooling materials? I've managed almost exclusively with my local public library so far but I see I must stock up on stuff. I have a weakness for online purchases, so I can't be of much help here. However, check out the materials for sale here on WTM. There's also lots on EBay. Lately, Target has had terrific workbooks and flashcards in the dollar section. As I mentioned earlier, I have found the WTM bulletin boards to be a wonderful resource. I also frequent the following board, which consists predominantly of afterschoolers and offers insight from a different perspective: http://afterschoolers.yuku.com/ Take care! Michele

just one more test

Struggling with avatars!

My daughter has really enjoyed HeadSprout, and her reading is starting to take off. I was wondering if any of you know of any engaging software to help teach kindergarten math skills, such as beginning addition and subtraction. I am trying to use the computer as a supplement to what we are doing one on one. Thanks for your help! Michele Olivia (DD/5) Lilian (DD/2)

I appreciate all of your wonderful feedback. It has given me direction when I couldn't find it on my own! I may not be a homeschooler, but as a parent who wants the best for my kids, I look forward to checking these boards every morning for the terrific insight and information. :) Michele

I am trying very hard to get into an afterschooling groove. Unfortunately, my greatest success so far is acquiring materials. Materials for math, reading, writing, thinking skills, counting money, journals, pens, reward stickers, etc. I could go on and on. Every day I read about new interesting materials. I am all over the place, and I feel like I need to just pick a few things and stick with them. I am a working mom, and my DD is 5 and entering ps kindergarten this fall. I know that the most important thing at this point is for her to have fun, and I know that I have gotten ahead of myself. I would like to create a simple afterschooling (aftercamping, at least during the summer!) curriculum. Should I pick a few things to focus on (for example, Sing, Spell, Read and Write, HWOT and hands-on math games a few times a week each), and file the hoards of workbooks away for the time being? I am not a natural teacher and this has been obvious to me lately. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am all ears!:bigear: Michele - Mom to 5yo and 2yo DD's

My 5 year old DD has just started HeadSprout (again). We tried last year, but that was overeager on my part, and it was too early. I think now is the right time, and I'm following her lead. I am hoping that she doesn't burn out (the other night she insisted on doing several episodes). So far so good, but I think I'm going to limit it to one episode 3 or 4 times a week to keep it fresh. It seems as though the program does a terrific job of keeping things interesting. I plan on continuing HeadSprout during her Kindergarten year - it can only make the K transition easier. This is our first consistent on-line curriculum. We have jumped on to Starfall a few times and I have checked out BrainPop. I am anxious to take a look at the other programs that you mentioned. We have a few Clifford and Pony-type games, but they don't hold her interest, and don't contain enough learning time. Although I hope for her to do lots of hands-on, old fashioned learning, I believe that the role of computers in the classroom (and in life) will only grow, so online work is a must. Her little sister (2 years old) is anxious to do everything that big sister does, so I imagine she'll get on to the computer as soon as her motor skills will allow (maybe at 3). For some really terrific software and resources for various ages, you may want to check out The Critical Thinking Company at www.criticalthinking.com Have a great day! Michele

I went into labor on my own with my first (5 hours of labor, 30 minutes of pushing and a 9lb baby). My second was a scheduled induction (due to the anticipated size of the baby). In hindsight, we could have gone without the induction (because my second DD was only 8.5 pounds). However, at the time, the doctors feared she would be a 10-pounder. The induction went very well, the labor was quick, and, since there wasn't time for the epidural to take, I experienced a (more or less) painkiller-free birth (so that's what it feels like!). I had no negative effect from the induction, and this was an even easier birth than the first. As for comments that others would never induce for convenience reasons, only you are walking in your shoes. I believe that your post describes more thoughtful reasoning than the convenience factor. It is a personal decision, and as a PP mentioned, there's no right or wrong. No judgment here. Much luck!

Thank you for the reassurance, ladies.

Good morning! I am worried and am looking for guidance. My 5-year old has had two instances of "opting out" during intelligence testing (why we are doing this testing is another post for another day!). Her scores were abysmal, and the feedback that I received from the administrators is that she disengaged during the tests, refused to participate (politely), put her head down, excused herself to go potty...basically tried to get out of it. I am not sure how to handle this (if at all). My gut tells me that she has the ability (she is up to speed - her reading is coming right along, she is beginning to understand mathematics), but not the behavior. I certainly hope that "this too shall pass," but right now I'm concerned. Help! :confused:

My dad underwent a successful ablation for erratic rhythms. I believe it is generally a quick, not-too-invasive procedure. It represents amazing technology and we were in awe. Good luck to you - I hope you have an amazing result.

Mine are turning 2 and 5 this month. I am just starting out with afterschooling! Michele:)

Has anyone tried it, and, if so, please let me know your opinion. I'm considering Rocket Phonics, HOP and OPG for my 5yo. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Michele:)

I really appreciate the feedback. I'm going to take a step back (and put some of the workbook materials I've purchased on the shelf). We have plenty of time in the future for structure, and (as you suggested) she really doesn't have the attention span for it. We do our afterschooling before bedtime, so she has had time for relaxing (a little tv, I admit it), dinner and a bath. It is a long day. A few kisses for Daddy, and we're off to her room. I'm going to aim for more playful activities. I do think we need to incorporate phonics now, but we can do that in 10-20 minute or so sessions. I love the idea of cooking as a learning activity - she would love to help me in the kitchen! Michele:)