~Amanda~ Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 :001_huh: I about about to pull my kids out of PS (we homeschooled last year). I know they need a decompression period... what should we do? just read and hang out? at what point do I start back up with the basics of math and grammar? should I try to do anything with science or history? At this point, they are a little more than halfway through the school year....so its a pretty long break to take to wait til "next year" to start. I can spend the time sort of smoothing out things they were meant to learn, but missed out on (because PS sucks) ... what about next year? I'm trying to decide how to determine their levels in some areas (Math and spelling) whether I want to combine them for science and history, and at what point I want to start the history? I did ancients last year. K will be going into 7th grade, J into 6th. Should I just pick up with middle ages? take a year to do state history? I'm driving myself crazy with these questions, and we've only just made this decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart'sjoy Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hmmmm? I guess the oldest would get my first energy with the 3 R's. Then I'd probably pick either science or history for 3-4 weeks and load up on library books possibly assigning 1-2 to my older ones. I'd read aloud and ask questions of each. If my kids liked projects. I'd pick may be 1-2 over the 3-4 weeks to enjoy. I guess my biggest goal would not be content but getting everyone back working together/ independently. I could always add content after the train is moving.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Well, first, congratulations and kudos! I pulled my daughter out of 4th grade in Feb., so I can relate to what you are going through. Hang in there, the first weeks can be tough, but for us, there was a big shift after 3 months. A lot of people had suggested that we decompress and not really do school for 3 or 4 months, and maybe they were right, but for me, that would have just added to my stress - I couldn't let go of the worry about getting behind. But, after 3 months, we are hitting our stride and I am relaxing about a lot of things, as I figure out what works & doesn't for dd, and how she learns. I spent a lot of time figuring out the math thing, so I can make this suggestion: make sure you take advantage of the math placement/diagnostic tests that are available for math programs you are considering. I had DD do math placements for 3 different programs (Math Mammoth, Teaching Textbooks, and Singapore). Each test helped a lot - not just with deciding where to start with curriculum, but also with figuring out where the holes were in her math knowledge. I ended up picking MM as our main program, partly because of how easy it made it to address the holes. I was able to print out free worksheets from MM in the areas that the placement test showed that DD had holes, and we worked through those before officially "starting" with MM 4A. Also, as we worked through the MM4A workbook, particularly in the first chapter, we hit a lot of hard concepts in mental math that dd had no experience with, and she was really overwhelmed. Again, I went back to the free worksheets in the 2nd-3rd grade levels, on the same topic, and had her work through those first before tackling the level 4 material. It has worked out really well, and now we are able to move forward through MM pretty consistently. Hope this helps a little, and good luck! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) Take some time to research methods and materials. Determine what you want your homeschool/life to be like and what it is now. Find the flavor, if you will, of your home. Then look for materials that fit that flavor. I have been doing this going on 8 years now and tried many many things for all subjects and different ways of teaching. I have found that at different times in our life, different ways and books fit us better than others. Of course, I have also found a TON that no matter what do not fit. You will find what works for you. One other thing I have learned is the answer is not always the same for each child. My olders are more traditional and the youngers are more Waldorf inspired via Oak Meadow with a little Memoria Press grade level packages thrown in. Homeschooling gives us the chance to do that. Also, you do not have to use all of one method. I use OM for many things but Rod and Staff and Christian Light Education for math, and All About Spelling for spelling/phonics. You learn where to place the most emphasis based on what your goals are for your kids. Welcome and HTH! Edited February 2, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I would get them started by doing an "unschooling" schedule by choosing a history book of their choice, a science book of their choice from the library (topics of their choosing). I would add in math right away. Make sure you do a placement test with whatever program they will be using. You can add in grammar through grammar games (here, here, here, and here) Then maybe in a month or two slowly start the program you plan on using next year (or would have used this year) Just take this year slowly. Don't rush it though. Play learning games. Enjoy them and slowly get them back into the routine. You can unschool science and history through library books of their choosing then start that back up next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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