ELeVan ~ Honaker Farm Journal

[elevan]

Thanks everyone for your support. And thanks to those who homeschool or know homeschoolers who have sent me ideas and support privately.

I have pretty much spent this entire day reading and researching and I know that we're making the right decision for B.

 

[redtailgal]

Good for you for considering K's needs. You know him best and not all kids will do better in a homeschool situation. He may need to be part of a crowd in order to learn, some kids learn best from their peers.

A word of caution, though. I've seen and tutored a few kids that have a sibling in public school or a sibling that is homeschooled. You need to make VERY sure that they understand that this is because they learn differently, and not because one is less intelligent or "slower" (hate hate hate that word). This quickly leads to resentment between the children.

One the other hand, having one child in public school and the other at home, opens a LOT of doors for both boys. With some proper "politic-ing", B could particpate in the art classes, music classes, and library time with his brothers class. He could also be invited on some field trips, as well. This would help close the gap that may develope between the boys, and give them time to share some friends, as well.

In my 15 years of homeschooling, I have learned to politic like a pro. I tutor, I allow my boys to tutor. I have chaperoned, done library work, brought in animals........I brought in the Hawks several times, rehab snakes, and even helped a buddy of mine bring in a full grown lioness and two tiger cubs. I made myself the "cool mom", all the kids loved me and the teachers found me helpful.(I'd even help grade papers). lol, once, there was even a class field trip to MY house. If there was something tha could be done and I had time, I volunteered. It sounds like a lot, but I spent roughly two hours a week at the public school. Be patient, be postive and considerate, but you must also be resolute in your standing. If you choose to homeschool, you will still be paying the taxes to the school system.........and your boys have just as much right to it as any other child.

If it doesnt work out, there are a lot of options when homeschooling a butterfly. My youngest NEEDS alot of friend, my oldest......well, he could care less. I made sure my boys were involved in the sport of their choice (baseball). Once a month, we have an all day party and they invite their friend over.......16-20 of them usually. The kids come up with a meal plan, I give them the shopping list and they decided who will buy what and bring it. I cook it, they clean up. They usually provide the dessert, but the rule is that it is homemade.......I love to watch them swap recipes! They watch movies, play football and then after it's dark they have a bonfire and roast marshmellows.

With the youngest son's need for social activities, I give him "homework" that is based on that. When he was little, I had him interview people........a monthly treasure hunt of people. I would ask for three people that like blue, someone who is scared of snakes, someone who has an opinion different than yours, etc. He made LOTS of friends at the park and in the neighborhood.

There are alot of obstacles with homeschooling, but every one of them can be overcame, and each success is a lesson learned for you and your kids.

 

[elevan]

I told them both tonight that B would not be going to the regular school next year. B was upset over certain "losses" as he saw them and I allayed his fears over each one...things like missing out on picture day (I can set up an appointment with a photographer for the same day)...the wedding of Q & U (well since I'm going then he is too and besides that's next week)...and so on. K only asked "Why" and I told him it's because B is learning better from me than his teacher and that got the response of "Ok".

And I know you're just making a point...but B will NEVER attend Art with THAT Art teacher beyond this school year.

 

[Lute]

I was homeschooled! Since the last part of third grade. Sadly, it was because my teachers were not the smartest people. My third grade teacher (which is why my mother started right away), said I would never graduate. What a meanie!

But I wound up graduating 2 years before the rest of my friends. When I did, I sent a fax to that meanie (she was still teaching in the same school) of my diploma and told her to bite me. If I ever meet her on the street... ooooo....

I was different from B though. I had an accident when I was 4 that created a learning disability with short term memory loss. I'm slow to learn a lot of things but as long as I do things regularly I'll always remember to do it, which is why I'm the one that takes care of the chickens in the mornings.

He'll be better than me. I can tell. He and K are so smart. I'm jealous. (and I'm 25!)

 

[redtailgal]

It's such a shame to hear stories like that.

When I had my youngest tests for Dyslexia (I had noticed something was different with him).................he didnt only reverse the words.......he reversed the whole sentant.

.siht ekiL

He was labeled profoundly dyslexic. I was told that I should enroll him in the special ed class at the public school, where they would use intensive training to get him reading at the fourth grade level. They said that he would never be able to read above the fourth grade level. When I decided to homeschool him (I had been homeschooling his brother for 3 years at this point), I was told that I didnt have the special training needed to work with "slow children". My son is not a slow learner.......he learns very quickly, when the material is presented to him in a way that he can process it.

He is a sophomore in High School now. He is taking A mix math course with Geometry, Calculus and Trig. He is reading Shakespeare (and understanding it). He is also taking some home based business classes to prep him for college..........which he will start part time next year, making him able to graduate his first year of college at the same time he is graduating Highschool.

His last reading evaluation test when he was 13 years old.........he scored college level reading comprehension, and vocabulary. The difference in my method and that of the school.......I never told him he couldnt exceed, I never gave him a crutch or excuse. I let him work hard and believe in himself.

 

[elevan]

When I picked up B at school today he was disheveled and eating lunch in the office. Why? Because his teacher finished lessons early and decided to send them to recess BEFORE lunch...I pick him up after lunch so that he doesn't go to recess - he isn't supposed to go to recess. While at recess he got into a fight. Another boy started shoving him and instead of telling the teacher he fought back. (they both got into trouble)

 

[redtailgal]

Sigh.

That poor kid. He cant win for losing.

I got into trouble for fighting back alot, too. Telling the teacher doesnt always work, and honestly, sounds like this woman has it in for him. He may feel like fighting back is his only option.

I hope that you told him he has a fan in the crazy redtailgal!

 

[elevan]

I gave B an assignment to take some pics of the animals today. So here they are:

In order for him to take those pics I had to move the pics that were on his camera off...from December I'm a bad mama for that one. But he had some really good shots on there that I thought I'd share as well:

DH

I look like an old lady in this pic but it's me

K being silly

More pics can be seen on his FB page .

 

[marlowmanor]

I gave B an assignment to take some pics of the animals today. So here they are:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...37129316_317148539315_8812972_766215481_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...7244316_317148539315_8812973_1097567556_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...37414316_317148539315_8812974_229153576_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...7479316_317148539315_8812975_1137937699_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...37729316_317148539315_8812976_655353964_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...37949316_317148539315_8812977_329976044_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...8124316_317148539315_8812978_2079783104_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...8239316_317148539315_8812979_1484007597_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...38479316_317148539315_8812980_646793124_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...8929316_317148539315_8812982_1207770347_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...39084316_317148539315_8812983_724614674_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...9444316_317148539315_8812985_1645589259_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...2169316_317148539315_8812999_1773890776_n.jpg


In order for him to take those pics I had to move the pics that were on his camera off...from December I'm a bad mama for that one. But he had some really good shots on there that I thought I'd share as well:

DH
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...0664316_317148539315_8812947_1320929694_n.jpg

I look like an old lady in this pic but it's me
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...630739316_317148539315_8812948_80733335_n.jpg

K being silly
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.ne...2689316_317148539315_8812963_1825038995_n.jpg


More pics can be seen on his FB page .

His animal pictures are really good considering he is 5 (I think or is he 6?). He even has a headless goat in the 5th picture! I can guarantee if I gave Logan a camera and let him take pictures they wouldn't be as good as these. B definately has an eye for photography.

 

[elevan]

His animal pictures are really good considering he is 5 (I think or is he 6?). He even has a headless goat in the 5th picture! I can guarantee if I gave Logan a camera and let him take pictures they wouldn't be as good as these. B definately has an eye for photography.

He'll be 6 at the end of May.

Yeah the "headless" goat threw K when he was looking at them..."Mom! Where's Ranger's head???!!" "It's ok. Your brother just caught him with his head turned"


eta: His pics are taken with a really crappy camera. One of those kids cameras that are indestructible. We'll have to see about getting him a "real" camera soon.