Nart Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I would love to homeschool but if I quit my job I probably will not be able to get hired back. (I work at a school district and would lose all my seniority.) However, I am able to take a leave of absence from my job for two years without losing my job or my seniority. I plan on afterschooling until I can homeschool. So would it be better to homeschool the early elementary years, mid-elementary, middle school? I have two boys that are two years apart. I am leaning toward middle school so they would be in 5th and 7th grades then 6th and 8th grades. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 7 & 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 7 & 8. My thoughts exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 7 & 8.Yup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gratia271 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 No holds barred... Middle school, grades 7 and 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelotmom Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 My thoughts exactly. Mine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoforjoy Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 For my DS, probably K and 1st grade. He was very, very ahead of his classmates, when he was in a charter kindergarten, in terms of his reading skills, and it was just not a good experience. The teacher didn't know what to do with him, and he was bored and made trouble. At this point, he's still reading a few grade levels ahead, but the difference is not nearly as pronounced as it was, and there's more students his age who are reading at his level or close to it. When he was in kindy, it was really a situation where nobody else in his class was reading with any fluency at all, and he was testing at a fifth-grade reading level. So I think he'd have a much easier time in school now than he would have his first couple of years, because those kinds of differences have evened out. If that wasn't an issue, I don't know what years I'd pick. I'd probably lean toward the middle school years, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 (edited) I was thinking first and second to build solid LA skills, but I agree that 7&8 would be even better. :) Edited May 16, 2011 by Veritaserum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 7/8 is what I'd say too. That's all I could do with our oldest, but it worked out beautifully, both socially and academically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomNY Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 7/8 no question:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani n Monies Mom Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Definitely middle school, 7th and 8th. We have friends that teach middle school and were quick to tell us that they agree. It worked out well this way for my dd, who began 9th grade in the local ps this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 K and 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I immediately thought 'middle school', so I will go with 7 and 8, too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollie010 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I would say 5th and 6th to catch any major academic issues before middle school and also to have a time to focus on character before it becomes entrenched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisamarie Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 7 & 8. :iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree: I would click this 100000 times if I had the time.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 7 & 8. Me too, but I wonder if all kids would be conducive to homeschooling for just those 2 years- by then they would be well established in social groups- and there is the whole deschooling process to go through. They would be my favourite years but not necessarily the most practical ones. I would do it sooner rather than put it off to later when it might not happen at all. A job is a job- after 2 years of homeschooling, anything could happen- or you might be willing to make anything happen to continue. Putting it off for 5 years might mean it just doesnt happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMWB Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 . I would do it sooner rather than put it off to later when it might not happen at all. A job is a job- after 2 years of homeschooling, anything could happen- or you might be willing to make anything happen to continue. Putting it off for 5 years might mean it just doesnt happen. That is my thought as well. I would do it sooner rather then later - the future is hard to predict. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganClassicalPrep Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I was going to say middle school- but now I'm thinking the younger years also. I think pulling a kid out for 2 years right in the middle of their schooling would be... disruptive? Both academically and socially. I'd probably afterschool solidly before I'd pull out for a random year, but that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I would say 6 and 7. 8th grade seems to be a little more sane and also would give a kid a chance to adjust to changing classes before it "really counts" in high school. My 6th grade year was a social nightmare so that colors my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Middle school, most definitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 6/7 or 7/8 Each of my girls was home for two years of middle school (one 6/7 and one 7/8), and it was the best time to have them home. They needed more support and structure *and* more freedom than the school could offer. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna in Texas Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 7th and 8th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 :iagree: 7 & 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I'd do K and 1st (good foundation) - get them reading very well and drill those math facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Assuming no learning disabilities that need remediation earlier, I would pick 7 and 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I would say 5th and 6th to catch any major academic issues before middle school and also to have a time to focus on character before it becomes entrenched. This would be around my thought too. Catch them up from anything they lacked in elementary, get them ready for middle/high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBarnes Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I would pick 6th and 7th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I wouldn't decide far in advance but would reevaluate each year as they come. I found myself unexpectedly homeschooling 5th grade--a year I wouldn't have selected well in advance--because I had to get my daughter out of her elementary school. Spending time with a preteen girl was really valuable in many ways beyond academic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iona Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I'm curious why there are so many people picking 7 and 8. I'm a newbie so I don't have the experience you guys do. I wouldn't know which years to recommend. :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 My son is about to go to 5th grade and I have found so many gaps in his knowledge and understanding that I am currently planning a serious after-schooling program for him. That said, I would really be interested in hearing some thoughts on why so many think 7/8 grades are the best for homeschooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolally Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 (edited) :iagree::iagree::iagree: I would click this 100000 times if I had the time.:lol: :iagree: 7 and 8, absolutely. Especially after reading some recent threads here, elementary schools sound like they're doing much more than I realized. Middle school would be perfect for the situation you described. Then they could head to high school and take advantage of AP/Honors options well prepared. I've read over and over (and I've been a homeschooling research maniac for 8 years now) that middle school is academically a waste of time for many kids, not to mention the social issues with kids that age. Congrats on your opportunity! :001_smile: Edited May 17, 2011 by homeschoolally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Another vote for middle school. Since that is 3 years here, I guess either 6/7 or 7/8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nart Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Thanks for all the feedback confirming what we thought would be the best couple of years to homeschool. I forgot to list the specifics of our elementary school (300 students K-5 neighborhood school with good test scores) and our middle school (6-8, over 1000 students), but I think it supports homeschooling for middle school. I also think that it is easier to afterschool younger students and it takes less time. I am amazed at what my 4 year old has learned in the past five months since we started daily 15 minute reading lessons and occasional formal math lessons. Although he is an active boy, I am not so worried about kindergarten since it is half day and the way he is progressing he will be above grade level when he starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Me too, but I wonder if all kids would be conducive to homeschooling for just those 2 years- by then they would be well established in social groups- and there is the whole deschooling process to go through. They would be my favourite years but not necessarily the most practical ones. I would do it sooner rather than put it off to later when it might not happen at all. A job is a job- after 2 years of homeschooling, anything could happen- or you might be willing to make anything happen to continue. Putting it off for 5 years might mean it just doesnt happen. :iagree: with peela, pretty much all the time, but especially about this. my first thought was "this year, and next year, because you just never know." it would also depend on why you were doing it. for me, the relationships we built together in the early years of homeschooling mattered far more than any academic advantages they gained. (which were also significant). so i'd choose "the next two years" as its almost the end of the school year here.... hth, ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntchaos Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 :iagree: with peela, pretty much all the time, but especially about this. my first thought was "this year, and next year, because you just never know." it would also depend on why you were doing it. for me, the relationships we built together in the early years of homeschooling mattered far more than any academic advantages they gained. (which were also significant). so i'd choose "the next two years" as its almost the end of the school year here.... hth, ann :iagree: As a past middle school teacher...middle school is rough but, I think this goes back to when does your child need to be home schooled? For me, it happened at the 4th grade year because his 3rd grade year was so awful. You need to base it on your child's needs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappyhappymama Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 If you absolutely have to choose only two years, and know you will return to work, then I would agree with the consensus of 7th & 8th grades. However, since you have two children, which of the two would you spend their 7/8 years with? I'd presume the eldest, and if so, I'd find it very difficult to go back to work and not want to homeschool the younger child for those two years as well. I'm not sure why most everyone else chose 7/8, but for me, it would overwhelmingly be to help my child focus on academics and a great foundation for high school, while shielding them somewhat from the social aspects of middle school. Personally, as a bright/gifted student in public school, I found middle school to be tortuous. In elementary school, there were some opportunities to work ahead of grade level, and teachers who were with me all day and so were able to give me at least a few minutes individual attention. By high school, I found my niche and was no longer so concerned about what other kids thought of me. But in middle school, being smart was a BIG social drawback and the resources and support from teachers were few and far between. Those two years, above all others, convinced me to homeschool my own children. All that said, I will say again that I would have a very difficult time homeschooling my children for two years and then willingly returning them to public school (barring extenuating circumstances). So I think I agree with Peela and others that I'd probably opt to homeschool for the next two years and during that time re-evaluate whether I want to return to the workforce at all, while my children are school aged. I'd hate for you to wait until your children are middle school aged, homeschool them for two years, then decide you want to continue, and wish you had done it all along. There will always be a need for school employees, but our own children are only with us for such a short time. Just my two cents. I do realize that not all of us have the luxury of remaining out of the workforce indefinitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 If it were only two years, I'd pick 7th and 8th like many of the others. Those years are just do difficult developmentally, emotionally, and academically seem to be "holding pattern" years for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I would love to homeschool but if I quit my job I probably will not be able to get hired back. (I work at a school district and would lose all my seniority.) However, I am able to take a leave of absence from my job for two years without losing my job or my seniority. I plan on afterschooling until I can homeschool. So would it be better to homeschool the early elementary years, mid-elementary, middle school? I have two boys that are two years apart. I am leaning toward middle school so they would be in 5th and 7th grades then 6th and 8th grades. Any thoughts? Middle School hands down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I enjoyed third and fourth the most since the work was getting more interesting as they could read - and they still were young enough to want to mummify chickens and other fun projects! Otherwise - middle school so YOU can make sure they can write/read/do math before they hit high school. Plus those can be the hardest years to live through in a public school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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