Emergency homeschooling

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

Thanks for all the suggestions! 
 

deleted for privacy 

If you quoted me and wouldn’t mind deleting I’d appreciate it. 

 

Edited October 28, 2021 by 2ndGenHomeschooler
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[cbollin]

For the case where a students in middle or high school needs outside tutor for help and/or accountability: Home Life Academcy now has some options for that kind of situation where traditional pick your own stuff and teach your children is not quite right and the students and parents need more.  It is called Home Life Learning here's link to learn more https://homelifelearning.com/

they also have accredited school (Archway Online) but that may not be better fit for situation for OP.  but if it helps someone else or if there are any adults who need to finish high school (not the OP's situation) https://www.archwayonline.com/

 

 

Edited October 29, 2021 by cbollin

[Jean in Newcastle]

First thing I would do is to tell them to do some testing on the teen to see where they are in math and reading.  If they are far behind in either of these it will change the dynamics significantly.  https://christianlight.org/shop-curriculum/diagnostic-tests

These diagnostic tests in the link are inexpensive and will give an idea of where the teen would place and if there are holes in knowledge. 

For the six year old, I would just focus on some phonics, math and read-alouds if time. 

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

1 hour ago, cbollin said:

"if teen has help and accountability".....   made me remember that my cover school now has some options for that kind of situation where traditional pick your own stuff and teach your children is not quite right and the students and parents need more.  here's link to learn more https://homelifeacademy.com/homelife-learning/

they also have accredited school.  But the "home life learning" is not that one, but link to it is on that part of website.  and yes, leans Christian.

 

edit: more direct link https://homelifelearning.com/

 

Using an umbrella school isn’t really a thing where we are, I don’t think. Are these state specific? Or National? I’ll add it to my list of things to research tonight. 

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

1 hour ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

First thing I would do is to tell them to do some testing on the teen to see where they are in math and reading.  If they are far behind in either of these it will change the dynamics significantly.  https://christianlight.org/shop-curriculum/diagnostic-tests

These diagnostic tests in the link are inexpensive and will give an idea of where the teen would place and if there are holes in knowledge. 

For the six year old, I would just focus on some phonics, math and read-alouds if time. 

Yes, my recommendation for the 6yo was going to be to keep it really simple. Do you think two days a week are enough to teach a six year old to read? I always aimed for 3-4 days a week with mine. 
 
I hadn’t thought about CLE for the teen but maybe something like that or Paces would be good for this year. Paces wouldn’t be my first choice but as an emergency fill in might be ok. I will definitely recommend diagnostic tests for math and reading/English. I’m pretty sure the teen reads ok but I’ll ask about that. 

[Jean in Newcastle]

6 minutes ago, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

Yes, my recommendation for the 6yo was going to be to keep it really simple. Do you think two days a week are enough to teach a six year old to read? I always aimed for 3-4 days a week with mine. 
 
I hadn’t thought about CLE for the teen but maybe something like that or Paces would be good for this year. Paces wouldn’t be my first choice but as an emergency fill in might be ok. I will definitely recommend diagnostic tests for math and reading/English. I’m pretty sure the teen reads ok but I’ll ask about that. 

How fast the six year old learns to read is really more a matter of developmental readiness, in my opinion.  If he's ready to read, then a couple of days a week should be fine.  Especially in the one-on-one setting of homeschooling.  (I did more days too with my kids but I've tutored kids for just a couple of times a week and was still able to teach them to read in that time.) 

[cbollin]

On 10/26/2021 at 6:46 PM, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

 

Umbrella schools are State specific.  In my state homeschoolers can either register with local school board or use an approved "cover school" to be legal.  The one I used (and linked to) has all kinds of options.  I used  the "legal covering" with the state where parents still select and teach whichever materials parents want to.   It also has programs for people in other states who want stuff like record keeping, or even help with homeschooling with tutoring (from materials they select)and these days they branched out more.  But the idea that they had was to still be "homeschooling" but helping teens and parents who didn't have tutoring or co-op options.  I don't know if the cost is in budget for the family in mind.  Thought it might be something to research if it helps the teen who otherwise is on their own. I know one of the cover school tutors did something like that a few years back for someone who had very little education in their homeschool but wanted to at least go to community college and needed serious catching up.  I haven't actually used that service but it popped in my mind when I read your post and thought I'd share the idea to look up.

 

Edited October 29, 2021 by cbollin

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

14 minutes ago, cbollin said:

State specific.  In my state homeschoolers can either register with local school board or use an approved "cover school" to be legal.  The one I used (and linked to) has all kinds of options.  I used  the "legal covering" with the state where parents still select and teach whichever materials parents want to.   They also has programs for people in other states who want stuff like record keeping, or even help with homeschooling with tutoring (from materials they select)and these days they branched out more.  But the idea that they had was to still be "homeschooling" but helping teens and parents who didn't have tutoring or co-op options.  I don't know if the cost is in budget for the family in mind.  Thought it might be something to research if it helps the teen who otherwise is on their own. I know one of the cover school tutors did something like that a few years back for someone who had very little education in their homeschool but wanted to at least go to community college and needed serious catching up.  I haven't actually used that service but it popped in my mind when I read your post and thought I'd share the idea to look up.

 

Thank you! I’ll check into it. In our state we have no homeschool legal requirements so I’m not familiar with these kinds of things. When I talk to my friend tomorrow I’ll get a better idea of what they need. Having a lot of options will be good. 

[cbollin]

On 10/26/2021 at 8:00 PM, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

Thank you!

and I don't think I did a good job typing. They do help with families in states other than where I live. And the tutoring thing is open to other states. I wasn't sure I was clear on that.  maybe I was. I'm kinda tired tonight.  Might not be what your friend needs.  Best wishes in finding right stuff to help them.

Edited October 29, 2021 by cbollin

[PeterPan]

17 hours ago, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

are suddenly going to need to homeschool two children that don’t live with them. Parent of the children is adamantly opposed to public school and will only allow them to be at my friends’ houses a couple days a week for schooling. One child is 6, the other is 15/16. The 6yo has had next to no formal education so far. The teenager is behind most likely but no one is sure how far at this point.

I really don't mean to be rude here, but that has so many red flags. I'd drop that like a hot potato super fast. Too much liability. Call in social services and get somebody's head on straight. 

 

17 hours ago, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

Goal for teenager is a GED at some point.

How about a vocational school (even if it will take longer because they're going in with zero credits) for an actual diploma and training that will lead to a JOB... That will also get this individual access to counseling, evaluation for learning disabilities, and whatever else they need. DO NOT COVER for someone else's mistakes and do not harm the child by keeping them from getting access to the professional services they need.

17 hours ago, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

The 6yo has had next to no formal education so far.

That's easy. Five days a week this dc gets 2 hours of proper interaction for literacy, math, and social skills. They can get a book to teach reading from the library and a used Saxon K5 manual off amazon super cheap, done. Library books and field trips for the rest.

If the parent will not "allow" that and is violating truancy laws, refer to social services. Do not cover for people.

[PeterPan]

15 hours ago, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

Do you think two days a week are enough to teach a six year old to read?

Of course it's not. And it's a super huge red flag. This is a get your friends' head on straight or call social services. 

Like I said, I'm not meaning to be rude. People use people all the time and I've been approached for odd situations. The best way to help the kids is to JUST SAY NO. This has lots of red flags and it's something that is going to harm the kids. Makes zero sense to cover for that.

Edited October 27, 2021 by PeterPan

[Servant4Christ]

My first question is what state? Makes a huge difference in what the state demands.

As for your question re curriculum:

6yr old-

CLE english, math, and reading. I personally prefer R&S, but workbooks seem more doable for this particular situation. Library books, videos, nature walks, basic compass directions and learning about various community workers is sufficient for social studies and science.

 

Teen-

I have little help to offer here, but I will say CLE doesn't have sunrise editions in most subjects once they are this age and the older editions are terrible IMO. However, they are nationally accredited and do have a great homeschool plus program that will allow the child to graduate with a diploma after meeting certain credit requirements and they will provide you with report cards and a transcript for the student. You can use other curriculum for many of the subjects and make it work.

For english, you could use R&S after an assessment test to see where the child places. For math, possibly Learn Math Fast books would work.

Edited October 27, 2021 by Servant4Christ

[Clarita]

16 hours ago, 2ndGenHomeschooler said:

Yes, my recommendation for the 6yo was going to be to keep it really simple. Do you think two days a week are enough to teach a six year old to read? I always aimed for 3-4 days a week with mine. 

I do think the genuine people who say they do 1-3 days of "reading" with little kids mean something more like 1-3 days of hard phonics stuff. The other 2-4 days still have some component of reading, like listening to stories and reacting to them, playing with letters and sounds, stuff that may seem like not formal school to some people but in this situation may need to be approached as formal school. (The comments about not likely getting help at home sort of thing leads me to this conclusion.)

The no "formal" schooling for littles I think only works for families who provide an enriching environment for their children. They may not feel like they put work into it or provided formal schooling, but their days are filled with discussing with their littles about math, reading, language, the community. Which I'm sure you did with your kids and may not have counted as formal school. 

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

21 hours ago, PeterPan said:

 

Edited October 28, 2021 by 2ndGenHomeschooler
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[2ndGenHomeschooler]

1 hour ago, Servant4Christ said:

My first question is what state? Makes a huge difference in what the state demands.

As for your question re curriculum:

6yr old-

CLE english, math, and reading. I personally prefer R&S, but workbooks seem more doable for this particular situation. Library books, videos, nature walks, basic compass directions and learning about various community workers is sufficient for social studies and science.

 

Teen-

I have little help to offer here, but I will say CLE doesn't have sunrise editions in most subjects once they are this age and the older editions are terrible IMO. However, they are nationally accredited and do have a great homeschool plus program that will allow the child to graduate with a diploma after meeting certain credit requirements and they will provide you with report cards and a transcript for the student. You can use other curriculum for many of the subjects and make it work.

For english, you could use R&S after an assessment test to see where the child places. For math, possibly Learn Math Fast books would work.

We are in a no regulation state. Not even a Notice of Intent.  So no legal requirements to worry about. 
 

I hadn’t thought of CLE for the 6yo but that really may be easiest for the ones doing the schooling. I’ll add that to my list. I didn’t realize that the “system” changed in higher grades. Thanks for pointing that out. 

[PeterPan]

You and anyone involved would be very wise to look up mandatory reporting laws. They include neglect. This means if a pastor or any mandatory reporter knows, they are compelled under mandatory reporting laws to report neglect.

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

1 hour ago, PeterPan said:

You and anyone involved would be very wise to look up mandatory reporting laws. They include neglect. This means if a pastor or any mandatory reporter knows, they are compelled under mandatory reporting laws to report neglect.

Thanks. As I said, the situation is delicate, and I have been purposely vague and left out many details. The children are not being neglected. Not physically, or educationally according to the laws in our state. Also, one of the people aware of the situation and lending peripheral support holds a position where mandatory reporting is a huge part of their job. So we are all very aware of where the lines are on the legal end of things. The goal of all of the adults involved is to step in BEFORE things reach those levels. So far, I believe things are being kept in a safe zone, but the situation is being closely monitored. 

[Clarita]

Take a look at this for the 6 yr old. Gentle + Classical Primer (Kinder-1st Grade) – The Gentle + Classical Press | Life, Abundantly (shopgentleclassical.com)

Since your friend has little kids that she has to entertain/take care of as well. This curriculum can easily include the little kids. It's a lot of reading stories. It follow Kindergarten Math with Confidence for math and it has a learn your letters component. Extra math and reading is highly suggested for normal situation.

It's organized by weeks and you could do as much or as little as you want to. She makes little "memory" cards you can print out (scripture, character statements, math facts, social studies statements, poem, etc.) so if the 6 yr old gets 2x a week phonics or more direct reading the parents or your friend could also practice some reading easily by "reading" the statements. It also has really good children's books suggestions, maybe the library could be used to get the books or family and friends could help get the anthology type books. 

The teacher guide is completely free for a digital copy and if you want the pretty cards you can buy them seperately. Of course you can also just write the statements and such on your own piece of paper and then it'd be a completely free. Plus perhaps on the days when the 6 yr old is not with your friend the parents can crack open a storybook Bible and review the story with the 6 yr old or review the scripture and get involved in educating the child.

[countrymum]

The math with confidence series is easy and gently progresses. It is very easy to teach and not too expensive...maybe use it for math for the 6 year old?

I also really like little seedlings for a not too expensive phonics program. It consists of 2 workbooks.   https://www.rainbowresource.com/category/9162/Foundational-Phonics.html  Level 1 starts with letter sounds and moves to short vowel words using the letters learned. It is pure phonics and very open and go and includes copyable flashcards. The teen could probably even do some of it. It is that easy. And has lots of practice. Add the American Language Readers (start with buyingnjust the first 1 or 2) to it for more cheap reading practice that is phonetically sound.https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/042643/Fun-in-the-Sun-ALS-Kindergarten-Readers.html?

 

I am really liking Math Mammoth for my 5th grader. She has free comprehensive placement tests on the math mammoth website. It goes through pre algebra. Not sure where the teen is math wise, but all the teaching is in each worktext and they run about $12 a workbook per semester and then a $12 answer key. So $36 a year. You could use this for the 1st grader as well. 

[kiwik]

I don't think 2 days a week is enough for reading.  I didn't see the original post but it only needs 10 minutes a day.