I am interested in enrolling my ds in American school. Is anyone here using it? If so would you please post pros and cons? Is it worth the money? TIA!

marlowfamily-Wow your child does this with an LD? That is wonderful! My son not only has dyslexia, dysgraphia, but also processing issues. He gets overwhelmed very easily (always has) and just shuts down. You should be proud of your son! I left a message and hope for a call back Monday from Kolbe!

In bio, lit and geography he has a huge amount of vocab. He is using Quizlet but he is not retaining any of it. He puts the word in and it gives him definitions then he clicks it. He does this with all his vocab. After that he never looks at them again. He has about 50 terms total to do. How do I help him with this or do I just tell him to "suck it up buttercup". I don't remember ever having this much vocab till college.

Thanks guys! Sometimes mom needs a kick in the butt too! I will call kolbe and see if they can help with some questions I have. He is using the jr high lit. He refuses to do the vocab before he reads( this will change).I am not sure he is getting much out of it. The biology is done at co op as well as the sign language. Maybe it's my teaching style. He says he is not a baby and he gets it but he really isn't "getting" it. I don't want to hand hold but he needs it. Any advice?

Oh I am giving him accomidations. He has bookshare for textbooks. The only thing he will use it for is lit. For math he has a calculator and multi chart. He can type but won't ( he has dysgraphia so handwriting is awful). The only thing he cares about is going in the shop and building stuff which is wonderful. He still needs basic skills though.

So far this year is a complete bust for us. We are using kolbe lit, keys to algebra, apologia bio, oak meadow geo, sandier writing and sign language. The only things that seem to be going well are keys to algebra and sign language. The rest he is not retaining at all. He really needs middle school work but because he is enrolled in kolbe everything has to be highschool curriculum. How do I make this work? His lack of motivation and his argument about the fact that he doesn't need to learn this stuff because he is going to be a builder or work on cars. I know he has dyslexia but I know he is coasting. I don't have the same expectations for him as other highschoolers but if he doesn't get it together it will come around and bite him in the rear end!

Not sure if this is where to post this but I hope someone can help. My ds is taking bio at co-op but he is having a difficult time following along. He has dyslexia. We have the text and the book on bookshare. He get frustrated because the book is wordy for him. I often have to go back over the reading and explain it to him. He is not retaining much. Anyone know of any resource that may help him?

Unless you are enrolled with Calvert I would switch the order in which you are using the books. I had to do that with my 6th grader. I did not like that we had to science almost every day. Wayyy too much! We had to slow it down and finish it in 7th grade.

My ds is in 9th year and has dysgraphia & dyslexia. We are using OM for lit and he is completly stumped. He is having a very difficult time answering the questions, doing vocab, and writing a simple paragraph. He is reading Earthsea on the I pad through book share. He says he doesn't understand it (I am reading it as well and had to do so twice so I could understand it). He listened to it twice and still is not "getting it". I know it is not his type of book. I guess my question is how are you handling lit with your highschooler?

Everyone! I can not thank you enough for replying! Off to look at the suggestions! I am sure I will be back with more questions!

His problem is memory, so if I show him how to do fractions, for example,he can do them fine. He just struggles remembering math. This issue is a problem across the board. We have went over the basics a million times. We spent 4 years trying to learn his mult. Tables. I just give him a calculator now. This is what makes math difficult for him.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think that my main problem is finding course work that fits him! He is so very behind academically but he can fix anything! He wants to take the small engine repair adult ed class in the fall at our local community center. Then he wants to do the tec program in his 11th and 12th grade years. I think that if I could get his basics up to par (math and writing) he could do dual enrollment at our local cc. They have a program there that he is interested in. Its just a certificate program but I know that as he grows he may change his mind. He does not like school at all. My dad just retired and is willing to work with him once a week (he and grandpa are close). This is what I have so far: Math-? (He hated TT and Saxon), I would like to get him up to Algebra 1. English- OM-? History- OM (geography) Science- Environmental Science Foreign Language- sign language (co-op) Religion with younger brother (7th grade) Small engine repair in fall at community center Bowling-once a week with other home schoolers

My ds will be starting 9th grade this fall....and I am in a panic! He has an LD and is behind. I am trying to decide if I should enroll him in American school or do a transcript myself? I called American school and the person on the other end didn't know what an IEP was, after I explained it she said that kids with LD take the general diploma instead of a college prep one. He plans on going to the tec program at our local cc. My other choice would be oakmeadow for him, I would have to do it myself, as it is too pricy for us to enroll. I looked at kolbe and seton and they just not a good fit for him. What would you do?

Still freaking out about high school. I just prefer to hide under a rock for now!

I have always paid the bills. We have a business so I do the books. I guess they go hand in hand. Tough though when you have to rob Peter to pay Paul. We both are very conservative with our money so it helps that we are on the same page.

Anyone?

Has anyone used this with a 7 th grader? My guy is very hands on and I think would enjoy it. I am also considering Noeo science physics 3. If you did use it was it meaty enough and did you enjoy it. Can a 7 th grader do it himself? Did the experiments work?

Thanks everyone! I really do hope that this helps someone! Today we are meeting with our small school group and we can' t wait! Thanks again!

Well today is the last day of ps school for my kiddos. Through sending them to public school they have learned a few things and so have I. I'll start with my kiddos DS (14)- Boy has this been a shocker for him!! He actually did ok with his studies, which is unbelievable to me. He struggled in math big time but everything else was fine. He got an IEP on time. They tested him and he is elementary level on all subjects. I wasn't surprised by this. My dh questioned how he could be doing so well with his studies but be so behind. The staff couldn't answer the question because they were giving him few accommodations at that point. My dh and I worry that they were just pushing him through. My ds said that I was MUCH harder on him and he felt that most classes were a joke. Not good from a parents point of view. As for socially he did ok. He did express to me that he didn't like the person he had to be at school. Everything was about sex and that his peers were really mean to one another. We noticed that in the last few weeks he had stopped eating (this kid usually starts at his feet to fill up several times a day!), had lost weight and stopped being part of the family. I questioned him about it and he confessed that he is absolutely miserable all the time. He hated school. He doesn't want to go back next year. My dh explained to him that he will have to do some changing over the summer for him to stay home. He has got to be willing to get out there and do somethings, stop giving me grief about doing things, and start enjoying his lessons a little more (ok at least not act like someone is pulling his fingernails out during the lesson). He has until Aug 15 to make up his mind and so does my dh. If he does I will enroll him in American school, adult ed for small engine repair, and his grandpa (they moved 8 miles away from us) will teach one day a week. I also have a friend whom my son likes that will take over math if I choose. So that is were I stand with the oldest. DS(11)- MISERABLE is all I can say. He hated going to school everyday. Hated the homework and the drama his classmates always had. He found that the kids he used to hang with had moved on. He actually said that the kids at the co-op we used to go to weren't mean and he couldn't figure out why these kids were that mean. He was behind in math and spelling but ok with everything else. We will focus on Math and spelling next year. He is staying home and not looking back. He used to drive me crazy all the time complaining that he didn't get to see his ps friends and that the grass was greener on the other side. Lesson learned: No its not! Myself: I learned that academics aren't everything. I focused too much on it and lost sight of who my kids were. It is nice to laugh with them again. It took a while. I did some sole searching and I am ashamed of myself. I missed them so much. I have to give them a break and myself. No wonder they gave me so much grief. I need to stay away from looking up every latest and greatest curriculum. During this time I have sold or gave away a huge amount of wasted curriculum. I thought it was the curriculum but it was me and my attitude that was the problem. My kids happiness is the most important thing to me (yes they still will have to do all the assigned problems and no I will not drop a subject!) but we need to enjoy things a little more. We will not go back to co-op but we will meet with our small group of hs friends. After seeing the wonderful job the school did with the little time they had my kids, I know that I am light years ahead of them. I AM doing a GREAT job with academics (ok not math). I also remembered that I HATE homework too!! I hope this helps someone. Not everyone will have the same experience as we did. If you think for one minute that you are not doing a great job take a look in the mirror and know YOU ARE! You love them most but just don't lose sight of way you are hsing

Everything went well for my youngest, but my older ds had a bit of shock today. He's really behind in all subject except history. They are really tired but all in they are ok. My oldest is going to get his neck rung because he already has an assignment that he "forgot in his locker" . Thanks everyone for checking in.

Thanks for all the encouragement today. It was a tough day. My oldest just thought I was kidding until he had to get up at 6:30, then there was some begging and tears. My DH had to remind them of why we were doing this. My younger one was whinny but not like the oldest. I called the school and they asked if we could come in this morning and enroll them and they will start tomarrow . My oldest one and I ment with the counselor and he got registered for classes this year and next. I already do not care for the guidance counselor but I will keep my mouth shut for now. I am exhausted. I will keep you all informed. I hope tone back planning for next year soon. Thanks again for all the advice and letting me vent, and being accepting of my choice. Tomarrow I will call my best hs friend and tell her, boy she's going to be upset.

Yep, my boys are 11 & 14. I hope they want to come home in the fall. I feel like I am throwing them to the wolves but I figure the next eight weeks will give them a good idea of what they are missing out on. I am going to focus more on being their mom and taking care of myself. Tomarrow will be a tough day. My DH promised me 2 birthday cakes and a good bottle of wine.

Due to my dc's poor attitude and my burnout I have decided to place my children back into ps Monday morning. I have tried everything under the sun but nothing will stop the fighting and disrespect my dc's have done to me lately. My DH said that they have to go back and I am to rest for the next 8 weeks of school. I feel like such a failure and it will not be a happy birthday for me. Thanks to everyone who has offered advice over the years.

Following! Got a kid with an LD who just wants to be done with school. I did call our local community college and found out the do accept the diploma. My ds is interested in one of the tech programs there. I am just worried about selling him short!

I have been known to had back a poorly done math assignment by tearing it up and throwing it in the trash. Then I turn to the child and say I need your math lesson turned it neatly and completely. I want it readable and with all steps shown. I also want your answers checked, because I am the grader, not the one who does the initial checking. It only takes a few days of this and the attitude changes. (I even do it if I don't get to checking until the next day -- and then the child has two full days of math to do in one). I know this sounds mean but I am going to do it. It will be a learning curve (for all of us). Next, I would create a specific learning environment. School work is done in public space, not in their bedrooms, etc. They sit at the kitchen table (or wherever) and they work under parental supervision. Be present. I would also write contracts with them. Have expectations clear and concise. In order to earn back their privileges, x,y,z must be completed. Keep a log and have them sign it......whether it be hourly or daily or by subject.....whatever. They need to see "proof" of their behaviors, both positive and negative. I going to write a contract today! I have figured out how to enforce some of the things I want done. For example: You will get up with the alarm clock. period. I will NOT wake you. If you sleep in that is your business but know that it will transfer to Sat school. Sat school is for 3 hrs only starting at 7 am (hey I am a early bird and do not sleep in!). If you miss I will add that week on to the end of the year. Hey we can do school until next school year, if you want. I can thank my sis for that one. I want to start school at 8 but it usually starts at 9 and then they want lunch at 11 for and hour, needless to say that I am flexible but I am sick school dragging on all day. We run a business and I frequently have my whole weekend catching up on paper work and doing lesson plans, cleaning house, ect. There is no time for anything I would like to do. I know that is part of being a mom but it doesn't make for a happy mom. I frequently have to tell my ds11 that no I do not have time for x because I have so much to do. I guess by now I thought that they would be old enough so I could enjoy life (not that I didn't when they were younger) a little more. I know it sounds like it is all about me, me, me but I have lost myself and all I do all the time is think about hsing and it is eating away at me. I I feel like he is lazy (and maybe he is)but I know with a LD the executive function is a large part of the problem. I know executive functioning is part of it with my oldest. He is the most disorganized kid ever! He would leave his head at home if I didn't remind him. I know this plays into the gifts he has but gracious, it is exhausting for me. The answer is to drop the co-op and teach stuff yourself and sit there and enforce it, being willing to sit in that chair, lay down the law, be consistent, enforce checklists, etc. till the work happens. I have thought about this...I think for now we will keep it. I have a copy of the syllabus that they use in class. I am going to be the teacher until he shows a great improvement. Period. I am taking the reins for now and you can have them back when you can prove to me that you will step up. PS. It's ok to say you're burnt out. It doesn't mean they have to go to school. You don't know how nice it was for you to say this. Really! Thanks!! I am burnt out and us hs moms aren't perfect but we think we should be. At least I do. 1. Have you considered that possibility that one or both of your kids is 2e? You made a comment that one of them is very smart. 2e kids are a whole 'nother ball game, and if you think this is a possibility, there are professionals and support groups that you can lean on to learn better how to deal with it. I never really thought of this. I am going to do my research. Thanks for bring this up! Also, if this has affected your relationship with your kids (which it sounds like it has), I would recommend spending some time with them away from home, away from electronics. You need some time where you are not having to be the disciplinarian/teacher to just enjoy them. I know it has. I just can't enjoy them anymore. Everything is such a battle. I realized that I do not smile anymore or laugh during school. My attitude is dark toward it. I just can't seem to enjoy it or them. This doesn't help the learning at all! And I wouldn't just write off the idea of putting them in school for the rest of the year. It is only for 2 more months. And that way, they know you are serious. And when you start off again in the fall (assuming you don't want to keep them in school), you can lay down the law with credibility. I am still thinking about this. My dh and I decided that we would start back to school next tues. So during this spring break I have a lot of thinking to do. They do not get their electronics back until they learn a poem call Attitude by Chuck Swimdole (thanks to another poster for this!). So it will be a while. Then they only have 1 hour a day and even then it might be only weekends. My dh and I haven't decided, yesterday my oldest decided to go out and build a deer blind in the shop and my youngest painted, played with legos, went outside! My sis had them for the night so we will see when they get home how it goes. I think I will have to hire a lawyer for the contract though because these kids are SMART!