We change our homeschool routine from Thanksgiving to New Year's. This year I gave them each a list and said "This is what you are responsible for getting done by Christmas. Mark each thing off as you do it." Yesterday Zachary did all the spelling work for the month. Amelia did a day's work from each subject.

-- Jo (mamamia2kids@msn.com), November 29, 2001

Answers

good ideas JO! I think more and more about homeschooling. I think the schools are very tough on kids these days. I wish I knew for sure what the right thing to do would be. Our schools have many opportunities for the children, but it seems like sometimes the bad can often outweigh the good.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 29, 2001.

We have a schedule we follow.-We start in July and go 5 weeks on, 1 week off, 4 weeks on, 1 week off and it starts over again. I am seriously thinking about starting the 1st of July this next year. Any suggestions?

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), November 29, 2001.

I'm considering Homeschooling again-I homeschooled my kids for Kindergarten/first grade, but then we found a good small elementary school that I really liked. Lately, though, Things have happened there that I'm not at all happy about. My oldest has been identified as both gifted and learning disabled-he has problems writing, (dysgraphia) and his teacher has the attitude that if he would just work a little harder and pay attention, he'd be ok, even though a trained educational psychologist said no, he needs a LOT of help with writing. I got so angry at this teacher the other day I actually saw red! Fortunantly, I got a grip before I blew my stack and I was able to walk away then calmly talk to the principal about the situation-things are a little better now, but I'm really worried about Jr. High school.

When I homeschooled, we changed our routine around the holidays.

-- Kelly (HappyCat@fakemail.com), November 29, 2001.

In the past, we've taken all of Thanksgiving week off, and from Eldest's birthday(12-10) til New Year's off. Gives us time to do important things without rushing so much. We also take the children's birthdays off. In turn, we don't take all those teacher workshop days and such with the public school kids, and we usually work through the spring break--in short, we make our own schedule that works for us. I think Jo's idea is wonderful. When mine were younger(and I wasn't schooling as many) I made up lesson plans each day(or sometimes for the week). When that work was done, the time was theirs--gave them a good incentive to actually get it done. Eldest would sometimes get up early and have it all or mostly done by breakfast!! (Those were the days;)

-- mary (mlg@aol.com), November 29, 2001.

To those of you who spoke of returning to homeschooling let me say just one thingg. DO IT!!! We homeschooled and sent the kids to public schools, according to our circumstances at the time. It is obvious that they were "better kids" when they were homeschooled, that is their behavior slowly became what we as parents expected it to be. The pressures were off the kids and they succeeded much better in their studies at home. They did not have to worry about bullies or groups that poked fun of them for who knows what reason. Kids are so cruel to each other. This type of "socializing" is not what children need. All 3 have grown up to be very responsible adults, thanks in part I am sure to homeschooling.

Here is an article I recently found:

//www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=25463

Hope you all find it as interesting as I did.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), November 29, 2001.

We homeschooled our kids and are sooo glad we did. Our first year was in 1983, I believe it was. People's first concern was for the social aspect of our children's lives. There was no social problem. Our two kids didn't have any trouble talking with anyone of any age. They are both grown now and having families of their own and are still talking to people. LOL I believe homeschooling really made a difference in their outlook on life and their attitude towards others. They didn't have to deal with peer pressure and the consequences that go with it. It worked for us.

-- Janet in Kansas (whisperingpines@terraworld.net), November 29, 2001.

Every other month (October, December, February, April, June, August) we take a full week off. The Alternate months can include one-day or two-day holidays and have a two week vacation taken at any time. Even having taken these days off this still leaves you with days that can be taken off and yet still complete 180 days of schooling.

For most of our homeschooling years we have gone year round and this is our first year to use this schedule. I believe this one will work out best for us because our son does better by not taking a large amount of time off at once (month or more).

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), November 29, 2001.

Dear Kelly, Your child is what is called "twice exceptional", as a teacher of the gifted I only have the priveledge to have 1 "twice exceptional" child they are a wonderful children to work with. I did my Masters project on "twice exceptional children". If you want I can send you a copy of my project as their is some things you need to read on how to deal with the teachers and some addresses of groups to contact. Please e-mail me off list and I will send you a copy. I only wish I was your childs teacher. Sally

-- (mallardhen67@hotmail.com), November 29, 2001.

To those of you who are considering homeschooling, but are a little apprehensive, I say go for it,you will never be sorry.I home schooled my kids for about 5yrs and it was wonderful. I know a lot of concern is they dont have the activities that they do in school ie: sports music socialazation, I dont think any of this can compare with the love of a parent teaching their child and the bond that forms by being with them all the time. Roxanne

-- Roxanne (Roxanne143@webtv.net), November 29, 2001.