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Ellyndria

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Everything posted by Ellyndria

  1. It's not just doing well in the AP class. Doing well in the AP class doesn't count aside from it being on your transcript. There is a separate AP test to take at the end, and it costs money to take the test. I took about three AP tests when I was in high school, but not everyone who was in my AP classes decided to take the test...I didn't take a test for all of my AP classes either. If you go to a bookstore and look at the section where they have all the study guides for the SAT, GRE, CLEP, etc, you will also find a ton of study guides for the different AP exams.
  2. I'm glad you asked, because I've been wondering too. Would love to hear more feedback on this program.
  3. My husband is teaching himself Japanese. He only took one class with a teacher probably around 10 years ago... the rest he has been doing on his own (ok, he hasn't actually been studying it the past 10 years! But he starts up again now and then. He has a goal right now though, he is studying to take some sort of leveled test later this year.) He has spent a lot of time (and money) researching different Japanese texts and cds. For texts and workbooks, he uses a series called Japanese for Busy People. The same authors wrote a new series called Japanese for Young People, which is a three level series aimed mostly at middle and high school students, but it says there is an optional starter level for elementary students. It also says it comes with CDs. However, the CDs that my DH uses are done by Pimsleur. They are quite pricey, but DH says they are the "best ever." He uses some other resources too, but these are the main two.
  4. So, just having started researching homeschooling and curriculums a few weeks ago, I have never heard of this term before, but I keep seeing it mentioned here. What is a "living book" and what makes a book a living book? Thanks.
  5. I just wanted to thank everyone for the replies. I did buy the WTM book... searching for the book was what led me to this website. I haven't read it all yet, but I'm working on it. I guess I still have a lot of thinking to do, but in the meantime I'm having fun reading up on different curriculums.
  6. Tide Free here... or I'd use other "Free" type detergents. What I've learned about Dreft is the only thing special about it is it preserves the flame/fire retardant chemicals that are put on some baby clothes...which can be a health hazard in themselves. So yeah, I'd rather wash out those chemicals with a normal detergent.
  7. Hello all! I've been lurking on these boards for a couple weeks now, and I've learned a lot. There seems to be so many interesting curriculums out there, and the idea of using these and teaching DS so many things seems very appealing. (Although I don't know how I'd ever decide what curriculum to use!) I have doubts, of course. First of all, I'd never considered homeschooling until DS turned 3 about a month ago. The plan has always been public school, and DH wants DS to go to preschool at age 4 for a year before kindergarten. I always figured I'd just do preschool here at home, and I am doing so for this year, but went along with the idea of preschool for a year just to get him used to a school setting and being away from me for a few half days... especially since so many kindergartens seem to be full days now. :( Private school has always not been an option for us. Aside from people online, I've never known anyone who homeschools. I guess my previous thoughts on homeschooling were always just, "Why?" but after doing a lot of reading this past month, I now know many whys. Anyway, the only reason I really started reading up on homeschooling, is because when DS turned 3, I started browsing some homeschooling sites just to get ideas of what I could do for preschool at home. I was also browsing Amazon for preschool workbooks and came across a bunch of homeschooling books. So I've been busy reading. Now on to my doubts: I actually have no doubt in my ability to teach DS...I always did well in school myself, I "get" math and science (biology was my major), and even if I've forgotten a lot of things, it would be fairly easy to relearn. My doubt about myself comes in the form of motivation. I get on "kicks"...whether it's about cooking, cleaning, nail polish, online games, needlework, makeup, or childcare, (really, anything!) where I'm very absorbed with reading about or doing said activity for a couple months to a couple years... and then I get on a different kick. Homeschooling is a very big commitment, I couldn't afford to lose interest or get absorbed with something else...how would I stay motivated? Has anyone dealt with this? The other major concern I have is... socialization. Now, I realize that this is not an issue for a lot of homeschoolers, that it's not all about being in a large group of same-age peers and such. I am an introvert myself, though. I don't go out and socialize much, nor do I feel the need to. I'm happy with just a few friends, and most of those I keep in touch with online because we move around a lot, so I really don't go out and do anything with anyone. We also have no family nearby. So my DS's exposure to other kids and other people is very little and that's my fault. He's kinda afraid of other kids :( even though he seems interested in them. He reminds me of me when I was little. I also didn't have a lot of kids to play with. I could say I turned out fine, but did I really? I am ok in social situations, I just don't seek them out much. I'd rather be doing other things...I have way too many interests. I also liked going to school myself for the social aspect of it. That's how I met and made friends when I was younger. So I don't really know how I would provide DS with the opportunity to make friends beyond sending him to school. DS is also an only child...for now. I don't know whether we'll end up having another or not. I know there are homeschool groups, but I looked into the one where we live now, and it doesn't seem like they do a whole lot. I have no idea where we will be moving to next, so I don't know how any future groups would be either. DH wants DS to start attending a martial arts class in a couple years, but it doesn't seem like that would be a big enough opportunity.. we're also not really big into participation in group sports so we're not gonna push him to do any unless he shows an interest. The third thing I worry about is my "me" time. I know it is selfish, but I need quite a lot of "me" time everyday to recharge. I obviously don't have a lot of it with a 3 year old around.. I mostly accomplish this by staying up late after he goes to bed, so my sleep suffers. I've sorta been looking forward to the break I'd get when he went to school :( just because I'd have more time again to pursue my own interests. As far as DH's thoughts on it all... a couple times over the past year DH made the comment, "I wish we could homeschool him, those kids are so smart." So he is not completely against it, but DH worries about the social part too and wants him to go to school so he can make friends. He also knows about my motivation issues and my great need of time for myself. So if anyone has made it past the wall of text, thanks for reading. How did any of you deal with these kinds of thoughts?
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