Homeschool group for fall 2009

[Valerie L]

I'm going to start homeschooling my son in the fall and have heard from others there is a need for a group in this area. I've done this road before and indeed loved the group we were in years ago....with my older children. To get this rolling, I am holding a meeting to talk about homeschooling: is it right for you, will your kids be under socialized (not unless you want them to be!), can I teach science when I can't even make my own Italian dressing, where do I get books......?
I'm looking to start a group that would like to be active together on field trips, play days, and even share some talents in small class settings. Whoever would like to be involved in a homeschool group can help shape it to be what ever our imaginations would like it to be.
If you're interested in checking out the possibilities, come to the meeting at Good News UMC on June 17, Wednesday at 6:30. They have a pot luck at 5:30 and all are welcome for that as well. There is child care available at the church for any kids not of nursing age during the meeting.
You can e-mail me with questions or call me.
joyful2bHis@yahoo.co.nz
231-9999
I hope to see you there!
Valerie Lofton

 

[Kurt]

Great idea - what ages are you dealing with?

 

[Valerie L]

Great idea - what ages are you dealing with?

This is open to any parents of school age kids (k-12) who want to homeschool. It's a meeting to talk about how any parent can homeschool and organizing a group of parents who want to support each other through the homeschooling time.

 

[Gidget]

I homeschooled both of my boys here in LA. Both are now LSU graduates.

I support your efforts - good luck!

G

 

[Susan Horn]

Homeschooling was a fantastic experience for our family. Not our original plan or first choice, but in hindsight the best thing we could have done. We basically deschooled, then unschooled and did unit studies, and took advantage of Okaloosa County's Blended School program as well as community theater, educational day camps, and lots of on-the-cheap travel.

If I can do it, anyone can!

 

[Gidget]

Homeschooling was a fantastic experience for our family. Not our original plan or first choice, but in hindsight the best thing we could have done. We basically deschooled, then unschooled and did unit studies, and took advantage of Okaloosa County's Blended School program as well as community theater, educational day camps, and lots of on-the-cheap travel.

If I can do it, anyone can!

That's great Susan!! I love your quote - "If I can do it, anyone can!" That's exactly how I feel about our experience. Unit studies are great. One question can lead to an entire unit!

My oldest got interested in the Linux operating system from reading an article in Technology magazine from MIT - did his science fair project on it and became a Linux expert. I don't know if he would have ever had that experience if it weren't for homeschooling = as they don't even teach keyboarding around here till 9th grade

G

 

[organicmama]

I'm going to start homeschooling my son in the fall and have heard from others there is a need for a group in this area. I've done this road before and indeed loved the group we were in years ago....with my older children. To get this rolling, I am holding a meeting to talk about homeschooling: is it right for you, will your kids be under socialized (not unless you want them to be!), can I teach science when I can't even make my own Italian dressing, where do I get books......?
I'm looking to start a group that would like to be active together on field trips, play days, and even share some talents in small class settings. Whoever would like to be involved in a homeschool group can help shape it to be what ever our imaginations would like it to be.
If you're interested in checking out the possibilities, come to the meeting at Good News UMC on June 17, Wednesday at 6:30. They have a pot luck at 5:30 and all are welcome for that as well. There is child care available at the church for any kids not of nursing age during the meeting.
You can e-mail me with questions or call me.
joyful2bHis@yahoo.co.nz
231-9999
I hope to see you there!
Valerie Lofton

Valerie,

Yes, there are homeschoolers out there looking for a homeschooling group. However, it is not clear whether the group you are starting is faith-based or an all-inclusive homeschooling group.

Thx~OM

 

[Gidget]

I hope it is all-inclusive. When my sons were younger the ONLY homeschool group around here wanted members to sign a "declaration of faith". It wasn't something as general as a belief in a high power either. You had to believe a certain way or not be accepted. We opted out which was unfortunate because it limited the socialization. Even if we had believed exactly as they did, we would have still opted out due to the non-inclusive aspect.

Good luck
G

 

[organicmama]

I hope it is all-inclusive. When my sons were younger the ONLY homeschool group around here wanted members to sign a "declaration of faith". It wasn't something as general as a belief in a high power either. You had to believe a certain way or not be accepted. We opted out which was unfortunate because it limited the socialization. Even if we had believed exactly as they did, we would have still opted out due to the non-inclusive aspect.

Good luck
G

That's why I asked. There are a handful of homeschoolers here looking for an all-inclusive group. I feel the same way that you do, I don't want my kids around only people who think only one way, even if it's exactly like us, but I do want them to be around open-minded people, of all backgrounds.

And, Valerie & other posters/lurkers, if it is faith-based, I wish the group the very best of luck. Organizing a group like this is very time-consuming and your willingness to do so is wonderful.

Blessings~OM

 

[Gidget]

I agree organic mama (love that name). Even if the group is faith based that is great - I would have totally joined the faith based group if we didn't have to sign the declaration. It was a large group of families that offered a lot by way of music and field trips, etc... My "unofficial" smaller local group had nothing but families who homeschooled using a faith based curriculum and we all did great together. What was wonderful were the kids - they could give a flying fig what anyone believed or didn't believe! They just wanted to be with other kids and have fun!

I am still VERY close with a few of those families. I always tried to focus on what we had in common instead of what we didn't. I feel like the larger group missed out by being to inclusive.

G