Changes in the homeschool

[mommy4ever]

So, we are finishing up their current grades

DD11 has done pretty good, but had some troubles settling in, but loves homeschooling. DD6 has thrived. I go today to the school board with their portfolios. Then we close off the year.

Then I am making changes. DD6 is moving to a new board. One that will align her completely with the provincial standards but still allow me to use the curriculum I want I am fortunate that here, we receive funding for this. It will help cover music lessons and sports, and all costs of curriculum. We can spend more I'm sure, but I plan to stay within that budget. We already have most of what we need for her for next year in terms of curriculum as most was a grade 1/2 level. I only need another science unit I think and we are good for the year.

DD11 is moving to a new school board as well, but a different one. She will be doing a different program, where they will supply nearly everything, including online lectures, although, most of the work is on paper. We have had trouble finding curriculum that she enjoys, so this is what we decided to do. This will give her access to teachers if needed. We will also get funding, which will cover the cost of getting her a laptop to work on, so she can work in a quiet space, as well as her piano lessons.

DD13 has been stressed at school and has asked to come home. She will do the same program as dd11.

So I am handing over some of the planning to a new school board for dd11 and dd13. It will also keep them on task and more accountable. I am feeling a little pull of reluctance on this, but dd13 wants to go on a path that will her credits to earn a diploma so she can go to University. Unfortunately, here, universities aren't as open to homeschool families as in the US. There are a few Christian colleges that do, but I think it's 2 across the country! This will also ease the minds of the grandparents too. Dh was cool with whatever, but I sensed relief on his part when I showed him those programs.

With dd6, I am maintaining full control of her learning, with some assistance to be sure we are covering everything she needs to learn to be at par with the province. They will work with me, and understand I am using a classical approach with her, and really the only extra thing I have to do is in social studies, I need to include a few worksheets there. But from what I have seen we are on par anyway Just a little tweaking and she will be fine to slip back in a classroom if it ever had to happen. She will likely be advanced in a couple years though, but that's ok!

So all in all, it should cost us nearly $0 to educate the girls next year, well, not really, it'll be our tax dollars at work where we can SEE where it's going.

I am at peace overall with the choices made. Thrilled to have dd13 coming home, so no more leaving at 7:15 to go to school. She has 9 hour days at school with the busing. There has been so much violence in the schools, that this is a happy medium. She will have success with it as she was involved in the decision. She is excited at some of the option choices she has too. As I said a little sad to not be able to educate the older 2 classically, but that's ok. I'll be very involved and see their progression and KNOW if there is an issue. Unlike at a school.....

[peanut]

It's a hard decision to know what is best for our kids. There are many ways to learn...almost as many as there are people. I live by the adage 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" I learned an awful lot in the process...coming at subjects and topics from different angles at different times, and in different ways, made all the difference to my two very different girls.

Hang in there! And be flexible. Who knows what this fall will bring? Hopefully it will all work out for you.

[danni]

We are doing it alot like you. The youngest(gr 2) is all traditional homeschooling and the twins(14 yrs) are doing a combination of online, correspondence and traditional courses. We did the same thing this past year and it worked out pretty well.

I picked up the science and socials units for the youngest and she wanted to start them right away. So the boys will be taking the summer off but Emily will be doing some stuff. She is really excited to do the work when the boys leave for cadet camp. She gets mommy all to herself. LOL!

[mommy4ever]

I FINALLY got the paperwork done the facilitator would never call back. So I emailed it to the board directly. And the head cheese called me back. We went through the last bit of paperwork and submitted it. Now it's at the bottom of their pile, processed in the order it was received. At the rate the facilitator was going, it would be August or September. So, I should be receiving their things in early August And off we go.

Now to just enjoy the summer. No worries for the fall. Well, not no worries, but no concerns which school board they are going to.