Homeschooling Parents

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Rico

I am not the least bit afraid of math. In fact, I am the one who handles the household finances. I manage to support 6 of us, including three vehicles, for around $1800 a month take home pay. We haven't had our lights, water, gas, or phone shut off in so many years I can't remember the last time it happened. We eat meat almost every supper, and we aren't on food stamps anymore either. Plus, we actually have a small amount of money in a savings acct. I know how to handle my math. That isn't the problem.

I do, and did my entire marriage as well, all of this. I was still terrified of anything beyond finances. If you're not that's great!

Originally Posted by Rico

The problem is that I don't know if I am going to have the patience to be able to deal with this situation if it turns into full blown homeschooling for her. I take my children's education seriously and should have followed my gut instinct last year and done what I am doing now. In the back of my mind I have always had the thought that she, out of all my children, would be the one most likely to end up getting homeschooled. Now things seem like they are headed in that direction, and I am not so sure I am up to the task.

This may be where I was getting the idea you're feeling like you're in over your head. Again, I'll say that you're doing what's best for her, regardless of how comfortable that is, and as long as you keep that focus and make adjustments as necessary, you're going to be ok.

Homeschooling *is* difficult. And being 100% responsible for your child's education can weigh on you. But it's also wonderful and amazing. Y'all will be ok either way. And maybe a year at home will get her on track to go back. I know several students who didn't even stay home a full year, just a few months was enough for them to pick up the pieces they'd missed and go back into the classroom. But, I know others who just stayed home indefinitely too, and thrived. You'll make the best choice for her, that I'm confident of.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

It did get addressed last year, by her 2nd grade teacher. She pretty much warned us we'd find ourselves in the position we are in. I tried explaining to her that she needed to find what worked for my daughter. We worked with her, with the help of her teacher. She was running a "C" average until this last semester in the 3rd grade. I'm not going to take any chances with her getting left behind so here we are. Again, this isn't anyone's fault, PO. I know it's hard for you to accept that because you are so dead set against public schools

Just wanted to address this before I get bogged down in work this week.

I am not totally dead set against the public schools. I've seen and experienced bad on both sides. There is good and bad in every sector of society.

I'm open to whatever works for the family. If a family has no organizational skills they would serve themselves better by NOT homeschooling.

God bless!

[Rico]

Well, she took a diagnostic test (kinda long, if you ask me, but it tested 8 different areas). Here are the results:

Fractions and Decimals- 30%
Graphs and Probabilities-40%
Multiples-40%
Shapes and Symmetry-40%
Place Value-80%
Whole Numbers and Fractions-60%
Number Patterns-60%
Whole Numbers-70%


Not very good. One thing I did notice is that she squints when she reads, so it's off to the eye doctor. This company's program runs $64 for the math CD and is through SOS. She has another assessment to take on Language, but I told her to take a break for now . I need to digest all of this.

HELP!!

Ok. Got that out. Uh boy!

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Rico

Well, she took a diagnostic test (kinda long, if you ask me, but it tested 8 different areas). Here are the results:

Fractions and Decimals- 30%
Graphs and Probabilities-40%
Multiples-40%
Shapes and Symmetry-40%
Place Value-80%
Whole Numbers and Fractions-60%
Number Patterns-60%
Whole Numbers-70%


Not very good. One thing I did notice is that she squints when she reads, so it's off to the eye doctor. This company's program runs $64 for the math CD and is through SOS. She has another assessment to take on Language, but I told her to take a break for now . I need to digest all of this.

HELP!!

Ok. Got that out. Uh boy!

I dunno what the curric they're using is like, but that looks like she's at least learning concepts in order, if a little behind. That's a good thing.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I dunno what the curric they're using is like, but that looks like she's at least learning concepts in order, if a little behind. That's a good thing.

This was a test of stuff she should already know. Passing score is 70% in any given area. They mixed the areas up in each test. She is more than just a little behind. She is failing in 5 areas.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Rico

This was a test of stuff she should already know. Passing score is 70% in any given area. They mixed the areas up in each test. She is more than just a little behind. She is failing in 5 areas.

Ok, ok, so I used "little"...loosely. I'm a hopeless optimist sometimes.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

This was a test of stuff she should already know. Passing score is 70% in any given area. They mixed the areas up in each test. She is more than just a little behind. She is failing in 5 areas.

Her scores look pretty normal for someone a little behind. You just need to tweak those areas. Anyway, I'm not helping you any more because you are not listening!!!!

If you purchase that $64 CD I'm going to kick you in the FANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are not going to like SOS!!!!



I'm out. You're on your own!

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Rico

This was a test of stuff she should already know. Passing score is 70% in any given area. They mixed the areas up in each test. She is more than just a little behind. She is failing in 5 areas.

You need to rephrase. She needs assistance in 5 areas.

Use the info you have. Go find some workbooks or flashcards or hands-on Math kits and just start with the basic concepts and work your way up. It's not really that complicated. And don't move on to a new subject until she's mastered the one you're working on!

If you will find a store in your area that sells homeschool curriculum and supplies, you should go visit--you will get TONS of ideas if nothing else.

Around here we have a Christian Bookstore called Mardel's that sells everything from Bob Jones University Textbooks to Switched on Schoolhouse to Abeka, to the miscellaneous "build-your-own-curriculum" books. They have several aisles of nothing but science kits, craft kits, flash cards, math kits, models, etc. THAT'S where you need to be looking.

Get out your phone book, make some phone calls, and then get in your car and go visit a store. Or PM me where you live, and I'll personally locate a store for you to visit.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Her scores look pretty normal for someone a little behind. You just need to tweak those areas. Anyway, I'm not helping you any more because you are not listening!!!!

If you purchase that $64 CD I'm going to kick you in the FANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are not going to like SOS!!!!



I'm out. You're on your own!

Sister, I appreciate your advice, but this is my decision to make, not yours. To be honest, I am weighing everything everyone is suggesting, including you. I've already told you I am going to do the games things, haven't I?

The goal is for her to be able to go back to public school come August. I am hoping to get her caught up first, before I make any decisions on homeschooling her for the whole of next year. I haven't made any final decisions on what program I am going to use yet. I hope to have that decision made in the next 3 or 4 days.

In the meantime, I will keep you all posted on what's going on, what programs I am looking into, etc., etc. I appreciate everyone's help.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

You need to rephrase. She needs assistance in 5 areas.

Use the info you have. Go find some workbooks or flashcards or hands-on Math kits and just start with the basic concepts and work your way up. It's not really that complicated. And don't move on to a new subject until she's mastered the one you're working on!

If you will find a store in your area that sells homeschool curriculum and supplies, you should go visit--you will get TONS of ideas if nothing else.

Around here we have a Christian Bookstore called Mardel's that sells everything from Bob Jones University Textbooks to Switched on Schoolhouse to Abeka, to the miscellaneous "build-your-own-curriculum" books. They have several aisles of nothing but science kits, craft kits, flash cards, math kits, models, etc. THAT'S where you need to be looking.

Get out your phone book, make some phone calls, and then get in your car and go visit a store. Or PM me where you live, and I'll personally locate a store for you to visit.

Ok. So, what you are saying is that I should get something that deals only with fractions and decimals, work that area until she gets it down pat, and then move on to graphs and probabilities, etc.? Ya know, that sounds like a good idea. Is there any specific order I should go in, based on the categories listed in my previous post? In other words, should we cover whole numbers first before moving on to fractions and decimals, etc.?


BTW, I am going to visit some Christian bookstores later this week for this home church thing we're starting. I will make sure to check into what kind of homeschooling supplies they have.