tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post2714667744722406245..comments2024-03-18T21:44:03.542-05:00Comments on The CoffeeShop Blog: First Week of School, First Week of Homeschooling!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859207161677168946noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-62443487129376066532011-01-19T14:55:59.830-06:002011-01-19T14:55:59.830-06:00I'm a new follower of your blog and have learn...I'm a new follower of your blog and have learned a lot so far. Thank you!<br />I was very interested in your post on homeschooling. I am throwing aroung the idea of doing this for mine for K5. thanks for the links and tips.Debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324506166406888086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-61330463749683366402010-09-18T17:03:08.910-05:002010-09-18T17:03:08.910-05:00Do you do blog carnivals? It occurs to me that thi...Do you do blog carnivals? It occurs to me that this would be a wonderful addition to the <a href="http://blogcarnival.com/bc/cprof_8446.html" rel="nofollow">Classical Homeschooling Carnival</a>.Ritsumeihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283473059747130843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-80930624340426460532010-09-18T16:51:07.032-05:002010-09-18T16:51:07.032-05:00Good grief, *write a story*? In kindergarten??? My...Good grief, *write a story*? In kindergarten??? My goodness, I think I'm done worrying that I'm pushing my little guy too hard!! <br /><br />Funny how hard it is not to "peek" into the public school, regardless of all the reasons I have for not sending the munchkins there, and just "get an idea" of what they're doing... regardless of how incompatible the public school way is with the way we (my husband and I) have chosen for our family.Ritsumeihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283473059747130843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-41132979933545900672010-09-15T10:06:06.519-05:002010-09-15T10:06:06.519-05:00Oh Rita, I've been meaning to write you for a ...Oh Rita, I've been meaning to write you for a long time and honestly I don't know why I picked this post to sing your praises because my little one is only 9 months old, and I'm no where near homeschooling but I just have to tell you that I think you are amazing. I share so many of your same views and you are constant inspiration for me! So much in fact that I have started my own photo editing and photography business. I'm trying to start out slow because it's a little overwhelming. But I don't think I would have ever done it without finding your site. You are amazing. I'm a little baffled by how you manage to do photography, be a wife, be a mother, write tutorials, keep this site up and running, work on projects for people and homeschool. It kind of makes me feel super inferior and like I'm not doing enough, but I just think of you as sort of a "Super-Mom". You must have special powers! :) Thank you for everything Rita!!!Jamiehttp://www.jmscustomdesignz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-24733457970742483902010-09-14T13:44:32.344-05:002010-09-14T13:44:32.344-05:00Congratulations! We're in our 8th year of hom...Congratulations! We're in our 8th year of homeschooling. It is frustrating at times, but I would have it no other way! There's nothing like being there to see the spark in your child's eye as he grasps a concept for the very first time! Don't stress yourself. Just have fun with them! Concentrate on the basics, reading, writing, arithmetic. If you provide them with ample books & guidance, you will be amazed at what they will learn!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14595225170737708309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-40158411914052578822010-09-13T19:53:39.485-05:002010-09-13T19:53:39.485-05:00Kudos to you! I have been homeschooling my daughte...Kudos to you! I have been homeschooling my daughter since she was 3 and 1/2. I used to think that kids needed to learn everything as early as possible. What I've found out since is that they will learn what they need to learn when their brains are ready to learn it. If you try to push that knowledge in there before it's ready you're going to fight a losing battle and the child is going to end up hating school! I've since learned to back off and let us both enjoy the schooling experience. <br /><br />I remember memorizing my multiplication tables in 4th grade. My daughter's math curriculum has been working on that for over a year now and she's just now in the 3rd grade. I reminded myself that I did just fine in math having learned my tables "late" and am not going to stress if she has trouble with hers. <br /><br />I'm surprised that kindergarteners even have the attention span to write a whole short story. I imagine there's a lot of stress involved for them in the process, unless the child is a natural writer and just takes to it. I agree with you that children are being pushed too fast these days. Every mom I know is excited to get their kid into "preschool" as early as possible. I think they should just be able to run around and have free play and lots of imagination time. Not to mention lots of alone time while mom gets things done around the house. It's good for them.<br /><br />So, keep up the good work with the homeschooling! If he doesn't get a concept right away, that's not the end of the world. You have the rest of his career to make sure he does get it. And when/if he goes to college, no one will ever know (or care) when he learned it.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08038052536284974596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-20709050613835597432010-09-11T19:04:20.573-05:002010-09-11T19:04:20.573-05:00Congrats on your first week of homeschooling. This...Congrats on your first week of homeschooling. This is our first year of homeschooling too. My daughter is also in Kindergarten. :)No Reimer Reasonhttp://noreimerreason.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-74919833737935189732010-09-11T17:52:42.510-05:002010-09-11T17:52:42.510-05:00I'm starting this week. . .my 5 year old is my...I'm starting this week. . .my 5 year old is my youngest, so finally everyone will be doing schoolwork. ..though he pronounces it "ghoulwork." Nice to see your post, and I hope you enjoy homeschooling as much as I do!teresacookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01636362409943179155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-85956002102007170152010-09-11T08:18:27.886-05:002010-09-11T08:18:27.886-05:00I'm with you, Rita...kids are just pushed way ...I'm with you, Rita...kids are just pushed way to hard in Kindergarten. When I was in Kindergarten, we only went half days and we learned songs, the alphabet, and how to listen and be nice to each other. Now they go all day every day, no naps, and yes, they are expected to be good readers by the end of the year. My son just turned 5 in August, and we are waiting to send him to Kindergarten until next year. It is just too much for him right now and I want him to enjoy as much of his youth as he can!!Corrinehttp://www.timelessblessingsphoto.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-84886594753248055432010-09-10T23:58:11.849-05:002010-09-10T23:58:11.849-05:00I've been homeschooling my oldest for three ye...I've been homeschooling my oldest for three years now and just added my youngest to our homeschooling. He is in first grade and we are using Math Mammoth as well. I just wanted to let you know that we both LOVE it! I was really struggling with what curriculum to use for math and going back and for between Horizons and Singapore when I found MM. I was a little nervous at first, since it was so affordable I didn't think it could possibly live up to my expectations, but it is the perfect mix of the best of both of those. We have been using it for a month so far and are moving right along with no problems at all. <br /><br />Good luck with your schooling and welcome to the journey!Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13613498386964470037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-16708888213823083592010-09-10T23:09:50.498-05:002010-09-10T23:09:50.498-05:00My gracious! What perfect timing, I've been st...My gracious! What perfect timing, I've been stressing about these very things for my 4 year old. Our public schools here even have ACTUAL homework for kindergarten. RIDICULOUS! Seems that the decision to homeschool is being made for me--why send them off for most of the day if you end up devoting just as much time to homework as you would have to teaching them yourself?Mommytutuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01203384906098968361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-54353895369028059232010-09-10T13:40:04.235-05:002010-09-10T13:40:04.235-05:00If you find that homeschooling is not exactly for ...If you find that homeschooling is not exactly for you and public or private 5-day-a-week school isn't either, there is another option. The University-Model School. I'm a 1st grade teacher at our local UMS, and my oldest son started Kindergarten there this year. We go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and homeschool the other days using the curriculum and assignments provided by the school. It's AWESOME. I love it (as both a teacher and a mom). Check out the National Association of University-Model Schools http://www.naums.net for more information and to find out if there's a school in your area. :)Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16218766072752022234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-19863063554945446012010-09-10T11:12:51.436-05:002010-09-10T11:12:51.436-05:00I just decided to homeschool my 5 year old boy as ...I just decided to homeschool my 5 year old boy as well. I went to the school to unregister him and they looked like I was mental. But, the funny thing is that the Kindergarden teacher he was supposed to have gave me a call the next morning. She just wanted to call and tell me she unschooled her two children through first grade and loved it. She said she didn't want to change my mind, but if I needed any help or ideas to just call her. She told me that you don't need to sit down and do busy work with them. Just live life and explain everything along the way. It made me feel so much better to hear this coming from the teacher that my son was supposed to have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-20219384530102002432010-09-10T11:04:42.556-05:002010-09-10T11:04:42.556-05:00The one thing that gets me is the attitude of the ...The one thing that gets me is the attitude of the other parents, not the actual school. My youngest missed the cut-off for 3 year old preschool by two months, meaning he is STILL TWO. SO many people have approached me about trying to get him in early! I have never done 3 year old preschool (let alone 2 year old preschool!)for any of them because I just don't understand it. I think my kids can learn all that stuff from me, save for the social time with other little ones, but I can handle that easily enough as well. We did send the older three to 4 year old preschool with the idea that I would be there with them most days, but 4 year old preschool is now what Kindergarten used to be. Kindergarten is CRAZY now in my opinion. (especially for boys) My daughter did fine but she told me about all the little boys getting in trouble all the time. They expect a 5 year old boy to sit still for a 7 hour day??? No wonder they were restless! <br />I am just shocked and a little sad about the attitude in our society. One mom told me "I don't care if her cries, he has to grow up some time!" Her little one is only THREE! Grow up???? Are you kidding me?<br />I am ranting. Sorry. I know not everyone shares these views, but I just don't understand the hurry. One morning, I woke up and my baby was in Junior High. They grow up too fast already! I never heard of anyone who lost out on a job offer or a scholarship because he didn't go to preschool. We need to be honest. This is for the parents, not for the kids.<br />Even though I didn't choose it, I say, good for you for homeschooling. I am sure you and your son will benefit.Jamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01041679649470035426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-8667709040550299812010-09-10T10:39:16.496-05:002010-09-10T10:39:16.496-05:00Rita, when you first said that you were going to c...Rita, when you first said that you were going to consider homeschooling, I couldn't wait to follow your journey. I don't have any children yet, but in this last year, homeschooling is something that I've sparked an interest in. It's so inspiring to read your journey, and also the comments from others who have done it/are doing it too. Thanks for being real with us, and I hope you keep writing about your experiences!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03952849759762849283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-19998324947204992402010-09-10T10:23:01.251-05:002010-09-10T10:23:01.251-05:00I give kudos to anyone who homeschools their child...I give kudos to anyone who homeschools their children. I think for me, personally, I never considered it because I think to myself-if I fail teaching them, they fail. That's a huge responsibility and that's pressure I don't think I could handle. I can't imagine how stressful/frustrating being a teacher can be and I'm thankful for those that truly have a passion for it. There is something seriously wrong in our country when the drop-out rate is as high as it is. I can't quote the exact % because I can't remember but this was just on the NBC Nightly News recently. I am the last person to know what to do about it but if anyone who decides to teach {whether it be someone with a degree in the school system or a mom/dad at home} does it with passion, I can't imagine what the success rate COULD be. I think it's easy to lose the passion, especially when you're under-payed, not personally invested in the outcome {as with homeschooling}, or not feeling appreciated. I can only hope for a brighter future for my children and my children's children.Victorianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-21854024193005762182010-09-10T09:19:17.587-05:002010-09-10T09:19:17.587-05:00I love reading all of your comments and thank you ...I love reading all of your comments and thank you so much for the support!<br /><br />And Carol, thank you so much for your honest comment. However, I have been studying stats on education and it has been very enlightening. <br /><br />True, we did start to increase the workload, homework, and start date of intense learning during the 70's and 80's to "keep up". But stats are showing that this is not helping at all. Rates of anxiety and depression are up in students and we are lagging behind even more. And many kids know less than they knew back in my day when we "slacked". :-)<br /><br />There are many other factors of course, but many experts agree that we are pushing our kids too hard and that is why they are burning out and failing. <br /><br />I don't have the answers but I plan on letting them do plenty of playing, long past K!Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05859207161677168946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-24207774062298373162010-09-10T07:00:15.037-05:002010-09-10T07:00:15.037-05:00Please raise the bar, people. I work in schools an...Please raise the bar, people. I work in schools and the children are writing short stories at the end of the 3rd quarter. Granted the conventions and spelling need to be honed, but the ideas flow and the ability is there. In the 50's - 80's, there was not as much information to be digested so we slacked. Yes, slacked off from instilling the pursuit of knowledge. And look now at how the country is lagging so very far behind other nations. I agree you can teach at home and support it. But, make sure you do teach the components and not just the exciting material (archeology, etc.). Never rely on the 'wisdom' of a student teacher. I was one and the stars and moon seem so very close, and then reality sets in and the push to help everyone become successful sets in. At that point, the teacher does think, "what the heck did the kinder. teacher do with him all day? Play?"<br />I truly wish you the best, but fully hope that you will listen to your SIL. --- CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-17475550022839685722010-09-10T05:47:12.790-05:002010-09-10T05:47:12.790-05:00Congratulations on homeschooling!
We homeschool...Congratulations on homeschooling! <br /><br />We homeschooled our son all the way through highschool. He is now in college. One of the benefits is a close, respectful and trusting relationship with him.<br /><br />One mistake I made was not getting enough time away to myself. I advise you to take care of yourself and your experience will be a happier one.Anita Bowerhttp://anitabower.aminus3.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-81495090048142635712010-09-09T22:56:41.229-05:002010-09-09T22:56:41.229-05:00Homeschooing can be a real challenge, but it's...Homeschooing can be a real challenge, but it's totally worth it! We've been homeschooling from the beginning, and my oldest is now 14. No one knows your child better than you! I used to get weird looks, but thankfully it's starting to become widely accepted, although there will always be those who are skeptical. I always tell the skeptics - I taught them to walk, talk, dress, sing, take care of themselves, how to treat others, etc.... there is no reason I can teach them the rest! :)<br /><br />You'll do just fine!Amy Dunganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06125706233425564277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-29600804678775619162010-09-09T22:31:42.734-05:002010-09-09T22:31:42.734-05:00As a former K teacher, I can also reassure you tha...As a former K teacher, I can also reassure you that very few could write short stories by the end of K! A more reasonable expectation is to write ONE sentence that begins with a capital letter, ends with a punctuation mark, and has spaces between words. However, we did *not* expect the words to be spelled correctly except for our site words. And even with that expectation, not every child could do it by the end of the year.<br /><br />Kindergarten should be more relaxed and more of an introduction to school. We had a half day program and never had time for the fun toys/games that sat on the shelf all year because we were so busy fitting in academics. *sigh* <br /><br />I'm looking forward to homeschooling my kiddos. :)Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02213319729819680703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-76991818867308497222010-09-09T22:08:50.872-05:002010-09-09T22:08:50.872-05:00my oldest turned 5 over the summer and we're h...my oldest turned 5 over the summer and we're homeschooling too! wonderful to know we're in such good company :o)adiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13222986571997116211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-24159243923103775942010-09-09T20:52:05.507-05:002010-09-09T20:52:05.507-05:00Well, I guess each of my boys would fail in writin...Well, I guess each of my boys would fail in writing if placed into public school. NOT ONE of them wrote (physically) their own short story by the end of kindergarten. BUT, they told excellent stories to me and I wrote them down, then let them illustrate. I agree don't push it! I have a degree in Elementary Ed. and homeschool my 4 children. At times it is so hard not to compare my children to what I hear the public school teachers saying. But I need to remember to step back and look at what I know my children are learning. I am with them each and every day and I know exactly what their capabilities are and what their weaknesses are. That is the key.<br /><br />I think you will love homeschooling. What a great opportunity to learn right along with your child and also to build a lasting, close, strong relationship with your son.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983747923969997503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-70073157511847059982010-09-09T19:24:13.746-05:002010-09-09T19:24:13.746-05:00Well...I know you did not ask for this advise and ...Well...I know you did not ask for this advise and I try really hard never to give advice without a request but...This time I just had to say something. This is my families 11th year homeschooling. We started out using The Well Trained Mind (love it!). Over the years our schooling has changed slightly in its method (we now incorporate more Ambleside Online stuff) but the one thing that has stayed the same is that I try really hard not to compare my kids with what the "schools" have their students do. I tailor each of my childrens curriculum/lessons to their abilities. However, that being said I have always felt that writing was our weakest subject...until I discovered Bravewriter. It is not a curriculum but a philosophy of writing. It freed me from the guilt and STRESS I was placing on my self about teaching writing. It taught me that I am perfectly capable of teaching writing and that despite what "Johnny down the street" can do in 1st grade my children were right where they needed to be. And I think it is great that you are keeping your options open...BUT never underestimate your abilities to teach anything to your own children...after all you taught me how to make the best of my not-so-great-photos and how to load photo actions into PSE6 and PSE8 and you don't even know me :) And teaching me anything technical is NO easy job!<br /><br />Good luck and have fun with your homeschooling adventure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204235978624182047.post-66386251617105557202010-09-09T19:23:49.164-05:002010-09-09T19:23:49.164-05:00Having recently begun my 9th year homeschooling an...Having recently begun my 9th year homeschooling and watching my son prepare for his college applications while I still have 2 others in elementary, I can tell you what I have found. Each child will learn at their own pace. Each child will want to write when they are able and ready. You, living and working with your child every day are the best judge of his abilities. Just like your child will not go off to college not being potty trained (whether he learned at 2 or 4) he will not go off not knowing how to write. My son hated writing till the ninth grade. I never forced him. But now, that it is becoming more required he is able to do it. Keep reading and the grammar and mechanics will sink in. A love of learning is much more important than a deadline.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00906799169846087501noreply@blogger.com