tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post3478536861290105040..comments2023-10-30T09:41:15.375-06:00Comments on just showing up: Just to clarify I'm not running for the hills...Brianna Heldthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08224838737334231065noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-43274388023975437382008-09-24T17:43:00.000-06:002008-09-24T17:43:00.000-06:00hey. haven't had a chance to read through all your...hey. haven't had a chance to read through all your comments, but I have Before Five In A Row that you could use with your kids right now, if you want to borrow it and look at it.<BR/>I can't wait to see you!Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04181218500760233960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-13699105634422744042008-09-12T22:05:00.000-06:002008-09-12T22:05:00.000-06:00rachel i agree. learning seems to work so much be...rachel i agree. learning seems to work so much better when it comes naturally at a pace consistent with a child's development.Brianna Heldthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08224838737334231065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-50225674063915365942008-09-12T19:45:00.000-06:002008-09-12T19:45:00.000-06:00Kinder is not required in Cali, but that law is ba...Kinder is not required in Cali, but that law is back dated from when kinder was developmental and not instructional. If a parent decided to opt out of kinder they would have to be working their tails off at home. Kids are expected to know so much at the end of a year that was once focused on fine and gross motor skills and play centers. <BR/><BR/>I personally think kids are being pushed too hard too fast in school, but that's just me.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045685748766431789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-40683464174240828832008-09-12T14:27:00.000-06:002008-09-12T14:27:00.000-06:00I love that you have the option of combining both!...I love that you have the option of combining both! I think more people would do that if they could have the balance.....we do public school right now- and so far it is working for us- not sure for how long though- we move a lot and although we are in a good school district now- it may not always be the case....good for you for not only keeping your options open but for researching both with an open mind......Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17042120171525403080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-53243639079951096022008-09-12T08:35:00.000-06:002008-09-12T08:35:00.000-06:00Just to qualify..I don't agree with everything in ...Just to qualify..I don't agree with everything in the link. :) I usually don't agree with everything I read , but he just brought up some things to think about for me. I believe ps can be a great choice for some families..for us, homeschooling rocks! We love it, our kids love it..mygirls are so so close, we have such a close relationship with them, we have awesome family days hiking, boating, going to the zoo, etc, when the weather is gorgeous and the crowds are small-there are lot's of reasons our family homeschools..I think public school or homeschool can be great-it all comes down to intentionality in parenting..I think, for me, it would be harder to be as intentional w/my kids in ps just bc of the time factor. the unfortunate thing is, no matter what we pick as parents, something is being sacrificed. <BR/>WE did look at five in a row, and come sit by me (sort of the canadian version for fiar) I personally ended up liking sonlight better-lot's of variety and great books. that's just me. all the best. darcidarcihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11729565512380024608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-946194472380993472008-09-12T07:23:00.000-06:002008-09-12T07:23:00.000-06:00hello, just read something this morning and though...hello, just read something this morning and thought i'd pass it on to you..hope the link works.<BR/>http://greggharrisblog.blogspot.com/2005/11/priceless-treasure-why-i-choose-to.html<BR/><BR/>he also wrote a great post about 'delight directed study' which I aspire to. :) have a great day. darcidarcihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11729565512380024608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-3754630744519016912008-09-11T21:11:00.000-06:002008-09-11T21:11:00.000-06:00I have enjoyed reading all these comments. We are ...I have enjoyed reading all these comments. We are just starting with the public school thing, but so far (it has been almost a month!!) it has worked great. I enjoy the conversation the kids and I have had and they are learning things I don't think I could have come up with! You have read Going Public, so I won't write all of their positive points. Who knows what each year will hold, but for now (and I am pretty sure next year), it has been great. And I agree with the commenter above, it is a great opportunity to be with your neighbors, meeting people and just letting yourself be in a place where God can use you.shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979460784361297277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-60493611954942749042008-09-11T19:56:00.000-06:002008-09-11T19:56:00.000-06:00One of the reasons I love public school is that I ...One of the reasons I love public school is that I let the teacher run the classroom (I just want to be mom--but that's me) and I get to volunteer my little tush off. I am in the classroom, in the lunch room, in the library--wherever I want to be and wherever I am needed to serve. It is the best of everything for me. As a stay-at-home mom I am 100% involved in my kids' day even though they're in school outside of our home. So sending your kids to public school doesn't have to mean you "don't see them all day." Also, as far as homework in concerned, I just tell the teacher if it's too much. That's what being a parent is all about. Knowing what is best for your kids and being able to communicate that with the schools. I've never had a problem with any teacher regarding this. My kids really don't have tham much homework. But if it ever is one of "those days" when they're tired or grouchy, I just write a note to the teacher. And if this ruffles the teacher's feathers, then that's not a very understanding teacher!<BR/><BR/>Volunteering at our local public school has been the best ministry I have ever been blessed to be a part of.cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08752124632581149407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-74413085096801004782008-09-11T18:13:00.000-06:002008-09-11T18:13:00.000-06:00man! if i weren't nursing and typing one handed i...man! if i weren't nursing and typing one handed i'd have a longer response, but... i love all your reasons for why you'd like to homeschool. and in my very little experience we've had with fiar, we love it. it covers so many areas of learning and is all tied together with great books. love it!lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01427686196942704352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-21140422804765756922008-09-11T17:07:00.000-06:002008-09-11T17:07:00.000-06:00"going public: your child can thrive in public sch..."going public: your child can thrive in public school". it's AWESOME! i need to post about it.<BR/><BR/>and yes, yes it is! for me it is, because i want to do both. always so indecisive....Brianna Heldthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08224838737334231065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-75944727457305038162008-09-11T16:44:00.000-06:002008-09-11T16:44:00.000-06:00what's the book you read about public school?isn't...what's the book you read about public school?<BR/><BR/>isn't this a difficult decision?!Kristen Borlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15486728360253790578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-90375920345764967972008-09-11T16:05:00.000-06:002008-09-11T16:05:00.000-06:00i forgot to say, that once i started looking throu...i forgot to say, that once i started looking through FIAR, I started getting really excited about this homeschooling/classical/education thing. it all made sense to me.joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498524595394532044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-8056172615788743802008-09-11T16:04:00.000-06:002008-09-11T16:04:00.000-06:00brianna, no the kids don't get bored reading the s...brianna, no the kids don't get bored reading the same book every day. especially if you space out the additional learning activities. for instance, let's say you talk about the artwork on one day and do some of the science stuff another day. it doesn't all happen on the same day. plus, someone else already mentioned it, but kids usually like reading the same book a lot--at least mine do! i've "heard" that some parents even get so tired of reading the same book that they hide it--i seriously can't imagine the kind of parent who would do that! :) anyway, i wish you were here and you could see the book. why don't you email your snail mail address and i'll photocopy some pages for you. do you know the story of ping or have it or madeline?joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498524595394532044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-86650633541968755352008-09-11T15:06:00.000-06:002008-09-11T15:06:00.000-06:00Hey! catching you on the blog...(not just lurking ...Hey! catching you on the blog...(not just lurking this time, hehehe)<BR/>I know in CA that Kindergarten is not a state requirement at age 5 (not sure about CO). If it's not a requirement, you have some time to work out the details and do a "trial" year. Especially, if Anna is already reading. Just a thought...<BR/><BR/>(I think it was in the Well Trained Mind that they were saying the only difference between a 1st-grader that attended formal K and one that didn't was that the former knew how to stand in line, raise their hand when asked a question, etc. Technical stuff, that she can learn in one day, if homeschool doesn't work out for you!)<BR/><BR/>Really though, mostly importantly, "what does God want for my family?" That is what we prayed and He answered, VERY CLEARLY. :)<BR/><BR/>RebekahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-5612392787212823052008-09-11T14:45:00.000-06:002008-09-11T14:45:00.000-06:00Just trying it out for kindergarten couldn't hurt ...Just trying it out for kindergarten couldn't hurt anything-- this isn't a one time decision; you always have options along the way :)Emily B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08356629496671448820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-31889058973963290682008-09-11T14:41:00.000-06:002008-09-11T14:41:00.000-06:00So cool that your public school has that option! W...So cool that your public school has that option! We do a University Model school- 2 days class- 3 days home. We love it!!! I adore how close my children are to one another. They love spending time together. I also love how much time I get with them and how flexible our life is now. I am with you- I would miss them so much if they were gone every day! It may change but for now I love part time homeschool. :0) AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07003498790728707635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-68080279977048830252008-09-11T14:28:00.000-06:002008-09-11T14:28:00.000-06:00rachel, you CAN homeschool thru the district i bel...rachel, you CAN homeschool thru the district i believe but i think that's called "independent study", where you use the same textbooks etc. part of why i'm considering homeschooling is to give my kids a literature-based, classical type education, so i wouldn't want to do that.Brianna Heldthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08224838737334231065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-3216105755067508392008-09-11T14:10:00.000-06:002008-09-11T14:10:00.000-06:00I had no idea you had to buy your own curriculum. ...I had no idea you had to buy your own curriculum. It makes perfect sense, but I guess i just thought you checked out curriculum from the school district... <BR/><BR/>I was reading Joy's comment, and we used a similar literature program where we used a book for a week as a core and then worked different themes through it. Kids can totally reread the same book for a week. It promotes fluency, vocabulary development, sequencing, and so much more. Of course, pleasure reading other books is great too, but that seemed like a fun way to learn for my students. It was super great for the struggling students to gain confidence with material they were familiar with.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045685748766431789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-5621588770646444432008-09-11T13:14:00.000-06:002008-09-11T13:14:00.000-06:00the FIAR is best in the whole wide world!!! All 3...the FIAR is best in the whole wide world!!! All 3 of my kids enjoyed it on some level and it was something that the whole family participated in. All the books selected are good, quality books. If you go to the website you can see that they have additional religious curriculum and if you wanted to start Anna now, there is a Before Five In A Row that I halfheartedly did with Eliot. I was interested in doing Lapbooking (also on the website) but Zak isn't using it in first grade and I didn't find out about it until recently. A great choice - no you won't get board. How many times does a mother read "Goodnight Moon" or "Green Eggs and Ham"? At least with this curriculum you can bring out different aspects of each book and each picture that really makes reading to your kids come alive.Jacquelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10952038602431921394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-16552121477787306192008-09-11T11:37:00.000-06:002008-09-11T11:37:00.000-06:00Brianna, I am so glad that Anna is older than Kyle...Brianna, I am so glad that Anna is older than Kyle! This way, I get the benefit of following how and what you decide to do for school.<BR/><BR/>My ideal would be a part-time school/homeschool too. I see the benefits of both choices and have many wonderful friends who do each mode of education. <BR/><BR/>My pros/cons are almost exactly the same as yours. I want my children to get a good education. I just don't think giving a six year old an hour or two of homework is appropriate or beneficial. <BR/><BR/>Glad that you are hasing out your thoughts on your blog. It's really helping me! ;)<BR/><BR/>MonicaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-69378994779761645032008-09-11T10:47:00.001-06:002008-09-11T10:47:00.001-06:00laundry, oh my goodness that is so much homework!!...laundry, oh my goodness that is so much homework!!! so glad things are going better!Brianna Heldthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08224838737334231065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-35078896869938155262008-09-11T10:47:00.000-06:002008-09-11T10:47:00.000-06:00joy, do you feel like it gets old reading the same...joy, do you feel like it gets old reading the same book every day? i was on their website but there wasn't much on there in terms of info. is that the curriculum you'll use next year too, do you think? i'm trying to figure out which would be better for us, that or sonlight.Brianna Heldthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08224838737334231065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-55925911854984688702008-09-11T10:42:00.000-06:002008-09-11T10:42:00.000-06:00Your reasons are the same as our reasons. After o...Your reasons are the same as our reasons. After our daughter started getting homework in Kindergarten and was up to 1 to 2 hours of homework by 1st grade, I just said enough was enough. Our whole lives revolved around school and homework. It was literally destroying my relationship with my daughter because I was always the homework enforcer. Now that we home school I have a great relationship with my kids, because I am not trying to force and arbitrary schedule of learning on them and we learn during the day instead of trying to cram it in at night after a long day at school.<BR/><BR/>A friend of mine uses 5 in a Row and loves it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252293.post-69607260458947349272008-09-11T10:39:00.000-06:002008-09-11T10:39:00.000-06:00yes! that 's what we're using at sloca--and i love...yes! that 's what we're using at sloca--and i love it so far! i just love the way that all of the "subjects" (geography, history, science, art, etc) are pulled out of a story. for instance, in the book about Ping, aside from the obvious things, learning about China, we learned about the importance of family, discernment, buoyancy, reflection, etc. In our next book, Lentil, we learned about jealousy, patriotism, the sense of taste, acoustics, what it means to become an expert at something. I could go on--this week is Madeline. anyway, i am very pleased with FIAR.<BR/><BR/>i think there are very good reasons to homeschool and very good reasons to put our kids in public school. at least for us, the decision for this year did not come easily and i'm sure next year, we'll face the same thing.joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498524595394532044noreply@blogger.com