Homeschooler's chatter - week of 1/26
- Thread starter Valgal
- Start date
Kara
New member
So is the homeschool convention worth it? Ours is about 1/3 of my yearly annual homeschool budget and so I'm not sure I want to (or can) spend the money.
We're happy with our curriculum and for the most part, things are going very smoothly. We also have a homeschool supply store with very experienced veteran homeschoolers as owners where I can look at curriculum and ask questions.
We're happy with our curriculum and for the most part, things are going very smoothly. We also have a homeschool supply store with very experienced veteran homeschoolers as owners where I can look at curriculum and ask questions.
Melissa Bennett
New member
They have had 2 weeks off and their books will be here tomorrow so we will ease back into the schooling on Monday. I homeschooled my oldest for a short time when he was in 6th grade. My hubby wants to help too which will be good.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
YepBrook
Sweet Shoppe Designer
For me, it's worth it. The convention is a mini-vacation for Aaron and I. It is always a great recharge for me at the end of the year. It's very encouraging to see the sheer number of homeschoolers and it helps me to be motivated for a new year. The speakers give me great tips for parenting, organizing my day, ideas for teaching... I usually have pages upon pages of notes.
I will say, we won't go into debt over it if the budget is tight. It's not THAT worth it. We didn't go last year because we were buying a new home and didn't have the extra money. I really missed it, though. We are going this year even though I pretty much know I will stay the course with our current curriculum next year, but I still like to look ahead at the books and plan for supplemental books. Most of the vendors at the convention have sales and I save on shipping so that helps me justify it!
I will say, we won't go into debt over it if the budget is tight. It's not THAT worth it. We didn't go last year because we were buying a new home and didn't have the extra money. I really missed it, though. We are going this year even though I pretty much know I will stay the course with our current curriculum next year, but I still like to look ahead at the books and plan for supplemental books. Most of the vendors at the convention have sales and I save on shipping so that helps me justify it!
MamaBee
Sweet Shoppe SugarBabe
Around us, our conventions are small... they are Friday night and all day Saturday... and cost under $80 to get in. I would love, love to go to a huge one... like Teach Them Diligently Homeschool Convention or the Great Homeschool Convention...
I just like going to conventions to hear ideas or a different way to do something... meet people that have a common interest... out Wisconsin one, kiddo stays with Grammy so it's like a date weekend with hubby. We did go to the Christian one, and it was at a resort. Kiddo had his own classes to go to while we were at the conference...
I just like going to conventions to hear ideas or a different way to do something... meet people that have a common interest... out Wisconsin one, kiddo stays with Grammy so it's like a date weekend with hubby. We did go to the Christian one, and it was at a resort. Kiddo had his own classes to go to while we were at the conference...
Valgal
New member
So how was everyone's week overall? I'm pretty happy with the science we accomplished but I am DYING for the rest of our books to come in. I think the math might come today. I bought a downloadable planner off Etsy (did I already mention that?) and I'm hoping to get her all organized this weekend. Probably need to run out for more ink.
MamaBee
Sweet Shoppe SugarBabe
This is the first year we joined our local homeschool co-op (different than the classical community we are part of every Tuesday)... I'm not sure I'm getting a lot of out of it, but nice to know what is going on... we will have to decide if we are going to join next year - if we do, than we have to do "one" thing for the group, be it schedule three field trips, man the library, or do a committee or board position. Even though this is the first year, my hubby is helping out with the webpage... that has been a learning in a half. haha
Our week was kind of normal, for once! The last few weeks we have been totally off the rails because I was helping a local private school, which closed, sell off their curriculum. The organizer wanted to target homeschoolers and I was responsible for advertising, which morphed into kiddo and I helping with organizing the books and helping at the sale.
This week, we didn't get everything finished on Thursday (suffering with a cold) and then yesterday was a bit abnormal because there was an educational showing of The Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle stories at the university in Green Bay. Plus we are getting ready for a vacation, so things have switched to researching about Florida and packing up school things to do on the road. Then, I take are of the science and art supplies for our classical group, so I have to have the next two weeks gathered and ready to go, in case our flights are delayed and we don't make it back in time - so that means that we will be growing four different types of crystals today... :w00t:
Our week was kind of normal, for once! The last few weeks we have been totally off the rails because I was helping a local private school, which closed, sell off their curriculum. The organizer wanted to target homeschoolers and I was responsible for advertising, which morphed into kiddo and I helping with organizing the books and helping at the sale.
This week, we didn't get everything finished on Thursday (suffering with a cold) and then yesterday was a bit abnormal because there was an educational showing of The Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle stories at the university in Green Bay. Plus we are getting ready for a vacation, so things have switched to researching about Florida and packing up school things to do on the road. Then, I take are of the science and art supplies for our classical group, so I have to have the next two weeks gathered and ready to go, in case our flights are delayed and we don't make it back in time - so that means that we will be growing four different types of crystals today... :w00t:
crystalbella77
New member
Going to catch up and read replies, but thought I'd go ahead and post. I have to say I am sooooo excited to see this thread. I need more homeschool support! This year has been really overwhelming!
My name is Crystal and I am on my second full year of homeschooling. My kids are Gabriel (10), Ezra (8), Stella (6) and Jasper (5 months). I was homeschooled in High School and so was hubby and we both had really good experiences and hoped we could do it with our kids. I was super duper ill for a looooong time a few years ago and so they were in public school and the last couple of years we finally made a go of it. We love it a lot, but with the new baby it's been challenging. Pretty sure we are going to be going through the Summer this year to stay on track. :/
Right now we mostly use a hodge podge of things, but I would like to do some kind of correspondence once the kids hit middle school. Or something online based maybe. That's just next year!! EEK! For Stella we are using Heart of Dakota, but I wasn't following the guide completely so I sold that and just kept the books to do how I wanted to do them. I think next year I will go with that again. I like the set up and the set up of their instructors guides really really well. I just want to go through and redo their covers. They are so old fashioned looking and it bothers me LOL!
I am looking forward to having a support group!! I need it desperately at the moment!!! Off to read the other posts!
My name is Crystal and I am on my second full year of homeschooling. My kids are Gabriel (10), Ezra (8), Stella (6) and Jasper (5 months). I was homeschooled in High School and so was hubby and we both had really good experiences and hoped we could do it with our kids. I was super duper ill for a looooong time a few years ago and so they were in public school and the last couple of years we finally made a go of it. We love it a lot, but with the new baby it's been challenging. Pretty sure we are going to be going through the Summer this year to stay on track. :/
Right now we mostly use a hodge podge of things, but I would like to do some kind of correspondence once the kids hit middle school. Or something online based maybe. That's just next year!! EEK! For Stella we are using Heart of Dakota, but I wasn't following the guide completely so I sold that and just kept the books to do how I wanted to do them. I think next year I will go with that again. I like the set up and the set up of their instructors guides really really well. I just want to go through and redo their covers. They are so old fashioned looking and it bothers me LOL!
I am looking forward to having a support group!! I need it desperately at the moment!!! Off to read the other posts!
Kara
New member
No joke. It's crazy how influenced I am by a product's appearance. There is a certain science curriculum that is getting rave reviews but I can't bring myself to use it because I can't stand the font they use and the overall page layout.
Our week went well. There's so much that I want to do, though, and just not enough time! It looks like we may be visiting Washington D.C. sometime before fall so I want to expose the boys to some American history so that they have some context before we go. So, we're adding that to our already full schedule!
Smandysen
New member
OK....here goes!
DD16 is a junior this year. Her last year in public school was 6th grade. We move frequently (every 18-36 months) so homeschooling is a great option. This year she took her first college course (Photography) and did well. Next year she wants to take all courses through the college... she is so done with homeschooling! We have thoroughly enjoyed having her home and the flexibility it has offered us, but she is ready to move on. (I'm just not quite ready!) She is also a synchronized skater and has many hours on the ice and at competitions. The homeschooling lifestyle sure helps in this area!
Our son graduated in 2012 and is now married with a little girl and is finishing up technical school. He was homeschooled for a few years here and there, but wanted to finish his high school in public school. It worked for him.
DH and I have been married 22 years and have loved being parents. We are looking forward to our next stage in life, although we aren't wishing for these next few years to pass too quickly!
So excited to be here and get to know everyone!
DD16 is a junior this year. Her last year in public school was 6th grade. We move frequently (every 18-36 months) so homeschooling is a great option. This year she took her first college course (Photography) and did well. Next year she wants to take all courses through the college... she is so done with homeschooling! We have thoroughly enjoyed having her home and the flexibility it has offered us, but she is ready to move on. (I'm just not quite ready!) She is also a synchronized skater and has many hours on the ice and at competitions. The homeschooling lifestyle sure helps in this area!
Our son graduated in 2012 and is now married with a little girl and is finishing up technical school. He was homeschooled for a few years here and there, but wanted to finish his high school in public school. It worked for him.
DH and I have been married 22 years and have loved being parents. We are looking forward to our next stage in life, although we aren't wishing for these next few years to pass too quickly!
So excited to be here and get to know everyone!
YepBrook
Sweet Shoppe Designer
No joke. It's crazy how influenced I am by a product's appearance. There is a certain science curriculum that is getting rave reviews but I can't bring myself to use it because I can't stand the font they use and the overall page layout.
Our week went well. There's so much that I want to do, though, and just not enough time! It looks like we may be visiting Washington D.C. sometime before fall so I want to expose the boys to some American history so that they have some context before we go. So, we're adding that to our already full schedule!
Apologia? Haha... their graphics are terrible. Especially in the workbooks! It hurts my soul. LOL
YepBrook
Sweet Shoppe Designer
Welcome, Sherilyn!!!
MamaBee
Sweet Shoppe SugarBabe
Valgal
New member
No joke. It's crazy how influenced I am by a product's appearance. There is a certain science curriculum that is getting rave reviews but I can't bring myself to use it because I can't stand the font they use and the overall page layout.
IS it Apologia?
The cover of their book slays me, but the content is so good and it's the only science I've ever liked for my kids. OMG, I SOOOO hope that's the one you're talking about because that will CRACK ME UP.
I just wanted to pop in to say hi! We're homeschooling for the 4th year...wow! Time flies. Ryan is 11, Caroline is 9, and Baby Owen is 5 months. I'm a pretty relaxed homeschooler now, though I used to be more uptight. 
We use a mix of curriculum. We use BJU for most of Language Arts. I really like their reading, phonics, English, and spelling. I use Horizons math for C and Saxon math for R. We use A Reason for Handwriting, History of the World, and I create journal prompts each day. We've also been sloooowly working through Roadtrip USA--this is our 3rd year using it. Ha!
We use a mix of curriculum. We use BJU for most of Language Arts. I really like their reading, phonics, English, and spelling. I use Horizons math for C and Saxon math for R. We use A Reason for Handwriting, History of the World, and I create journal prompts each day. We've also been sloooowly working through Roadtrip USA--this is our 3rd year using it. Ha!