Considering Homeschooling My Boys

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  • April 6, 2011 at 8:37 pm
    Tracey
    Member

    I have been very interested in homeschooling for sometime and have decided it is time to get serious about it and really plan things out for a September start.  Somehow I found this website and have been coming back to it every day for the past week.  I love the CM concepts and know that it is the kind of education that I would like to have recieved.  Also, both of my boys love being read to — it’s probably my favourite time of day, snuggling up with my boys and a good book.

    My boys are: a ten year old with dysgraphia who struggles in the classroom with any kind of written assignment and a gifted 6 year old with ADHD who finds it very difficult to function in a classroom with 25 other busy children.  The one-on-one approach, short-lesson style of CM really appeals to me, the Biblical foundations and character building are esential in any type of HS program I choose to implement.  I believe that they could both benefit from a very similar program where my 10 yo would do well with simple copy work for letter formation, neatness, and basic spelling reinforcment.  My 6 yo’s hand writing is slightly better than average for his age, but his reading and spelling are closer to the grade 5-6 level. 

    Given their learning differences, do you think it would be appropriate to place them esentially at the same grade/level with the only exception perhaps being Math?  Though the 6 yo is doing excellent in math, and it wouldn’t likely be much of an effort for him to catch-up to his older brother within a year or two if he so chooses — especially with a one-on-one approach.  Has anyone else excelerated a child with skills so advanced for his age/grade? 

    I haven’t been able to get a hold of CM’s series — my library doesn’t have it.  It is it available on line?  My husband is quiet concern about measuring success and I know by that he means actual grades and report cards.  How would one do this exactly?

    Finally –(Sorry, lots of questions)– I like the TruthQuest history series, but as I live in Canada, does anyone have a suggestion for a Canadian History equivelent? 

    April 6, 2011 at 9:21 pm
    suzukimom
    Participant

    Welcome!

     

    I can’t answer some of your questions… but thought I’d mention the Canadian History…   I don’t know much about Truthquest – but here is my Canadian History plan for the first few years…

    http://maplehillacademy.blogspot.com/2011/02/canadian-history-plan-updated.html

    And there is a Yahoo group called cmcanada that you may find helpful.

     

    Also, Ambleside Online does have the CM series Online.

    hope that helps a little!

     

    April 6, 2011 at 9:23 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    Hi Tracey,

    Welcome!  I think you’ll find this forum incredibly helpful and encouraging, I know I have.  I’ll take a stab at some of your questions.  I think you could combine in everything except Math and Lang. Arts.  Your gifted younger could accelerate as quickly as able in Math, but I would still try to keep the lessons short (15-20 min. or so).  I’m not sure what your oldest is capable of in LA, but it might be a good thing to start with copywork and oral narrations, and once he gets comfortable with that move into dictation and written narrations. 

    You could place them in the same history/geography/bible module—-and just pick the individual books for them at their own level.  The free curriculum guide outlines this with a family spine and books by grade level for each historical period. 

    You can view the CM series online at http://www.amblesideonline.com.  They have it both in the original and modern day language.  I don’t do grades yet, so can’t help much with that.  Math would be easy, just figure percents—same if you use a spelling program.  We love Truthquest, but I don’t know about Canadian History—-I believe there was a thread on this recently, if you want to try a search.  HTH some.  Blessings as you start, I believe it will be a great blessing to your boys and your family:)  Gina

    April 6, 2011 at 11:57 pm
    Tracey
    Member

    Thanks, ladies.  Especially thanks for the links to the Canadian curriculum and the CM series! 

    What math curriculums do you/have you used?  Do you recommend one over the other for particular grade levels?  My boys would be starting in grade 2 or 3 math, and grade 5 math. 

    April 7, 2011 at 1:09 am
    LindseyD
    Participant

    Hi Tracey! And welcome!

    I can whole-heartedly recommend Math-U-See. We have used it for two years, and have seen much success in math. Both my kids love it and look forward to math each day. The only other math program I have ever used is Horizon…workbook pages, no manipulatives, and we never learned a thing. For your grade 2 or 3, I would start with Alpha in MUS. The first book is Primer, but your son might find it too easy. Alpha is the next book up. You can evaluate your boys on the MUS site to see which book would be best. MUS reviews a lot and definitely wants the child to master a concept before moving on. If using the manipulatives and completing the workbook pages aren’t enough, you can also get on their site and print out extra worksheets and let your boys do timed tests. Their customer service is also great, as I’ve spoken to them many times.

    I pray you find all the resources you need! And I pray God gives you the strength and encouragement to keep going. 

    Happy homeschooling,

    Lindsey

    April 7, 2011 at 2:07 am
    suzukimom
    Participant

    I heartily recommed MEP – Mathematics Enhancement Programme.  It is free, except your paper and ink.  I have posts with more info on my blog (the same one with the Canadian plan…)

    April 7, 2011 at 12:34 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    We’ve always used Math-U-See and love it (math is about the only subject I haven’t switched curriculums with:)  It’s thorough, but not super time-intensive.  We watch the video together, I help with the new concept, and then they are pretty much independent.  HTH:)  Gina

    April 7, 2011 at 1:17 pm
    havefaithplease
    Member

    Hello and welcome!

    I also highly recommend MEP.  We’ve used iet for two years now and love it.  Along with MEP my boys also watch short video lessons (for free) at http://www.khanacademy.org/ .  For the visual learner, the Khan Academy is great.  The lessons are short and easy to understand.  

    Blessings,

    Carrie

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