BellaOnline Forums Education Homeschooling ideas for homeschool review?

Every few weeks I check the words searched for at the homeschooling site. A lot of the time I find people are looking for reviews of curriculum and books. A lot of these are items I have never heard of, sometimes they are items I have heard of but haven't personally used.

I would love to do more reviews, so feel free to contact me via my bio page (go to http://homeschooling.bellaonline.com and click on that terrible picture of me) or via the board and let me know what you want me to review.

I can't promse anything since most of what I review I have to pay for, but I do get review copies of books every once in a while, and it doesn't hurt to ask a company for a sample to review!

So, let me know what you are interested in and I'll do my best. Also, remember that when I get freebies to review I usually give them away in some sort of contest afterward!

The book I am reading now is called The Mislabeled Child, it's not available yet but the advance copy I am reading is very thought provoking. The premise of the book is that a label isn't just a label, for instance ADHD isn't "just" ADHD and despite what the schools and doctors may tell you there is no one way to treat every child wtih ADHD symptoms. It's all about getting the correct label to empower your child!

Meg

Look for my review of In The Hands of A Child lapbook curriculum (if you can call it a curriculum) next monday!!

Meg

Hey, Meg: I'm having lots of luck making requests of the smaller publishers. You might look up Prufrock Press. They do a lot of things for gifted students and are willing to provide review copies.

Thanks for the heads up <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Do they have actual curriculum and books?
meg

I have a child that struggles in school, he is ADD/dyslexic and works his fingers to the bone. No excuses allowed, we help him as we can (ourselves, tutors, etc.) and remind him that school may be harder for him and he is ultimately responsible for finding a way to make it work for him. I hate not being able to fix it. He gets no help from school because his levels tests are fine. His class grades (grade & middle school) do not matter. Makes me sad that I cannot make it easier for him, yet he is growing into a fine young man because of what he is learning now.

He has gone from being shy & quiet to somewhat of a class clown, however he has only been sent home once from school for minor trouble (him & his best friend punching each other in the arm the last day of 6th grade... immediate step 4). Which he was grounded 2 weeks for because we teach him he has to follow the rules while there. We also teach him to ask for help, question when he is confused, etc. It is such a hard fine line to walk.

I would like to hear more about how a parent can help a child like mine that does not have the funds for private school and has limited options in a small town on public school.

http://www.schwablearning.org/ is a huge resource for me. Also my uncle got David Boies to send my son an autographed book, he even sent a personal note telling my son he understands that it will probably be years before he even feels comfortable tackling the reading of it but to remember he struggled just like him. That made a HUGE impression on my kid, he is so proud of the "book he hasn't read yet".

Sorry, I guess I started venting without meaning to... I guess I am just tired of hearing that I expect the school to raise my child when that is the last thing I want! I want them to help him learn, and they don't seem to have the time.

I work days, hubby graveyard, and am starting college this fall. How could I homeschool him? I am afraid of pulling him from the frying pan into the fire!

Meg,
This is a very interesting idea but....will you do reviews on a curriculum not just one book? I have been hsing a AS dd and a Inatt. ADD dd in the secular vein. I have seriously been considering Calvert but am questioning if their 'Classic' version(since they have several options from online academy to just plain online) will be 'visual' enough for two children that absolutely cannot learn in the audial sense.

I would like to know what you think or if this is possibly review-able.

Aviv [color:"purple"] [/color]

Aviv, I'm a bit confused about what you are asking.
When it comes to curriculum I review what I am sent (be it a piece or the whole curriculum) or what I have purchased to use with my own kids.

I contacted Calvert twice about doing a review but I have never received a response. Calvert isn't cheap and it's not something I am planning on using with my own children, so I'm not going to use my money to buy something for the purpose of a review.

If you are seriously considering that program I'd suggest calling Calvert and telling them of your situation. Ask if you can put down a deposit to review the materials in your home and if you can send them back (and forfeit the deposit). It's not ideal but it's better than buying the whole thing.

Meg

Am,
if you *want* to homeschool your son there is ALWAYS a way, despite your schedule.

How old is he? That's my first question.

Second, if an online charter school was available would you use it? Could you enroll him in an online charter school such as k12 or Connections Academy? You can pay for them yourself (NOT cheap) or go through the organization your local school district contracts with. If you contact me privately I can help you narrow down if and what your local school district provides.

Third, what state are we talking about? Different states have different legal options.

Fourth, there are dayschools that are not associated with public schools around for homeschooled students. The legal term of these schools depends on where you live.

I'm sure you can find something that will work if you think it's the best choice. Homeschooling parents are resourceful because we have to be.

If you need anything, contact me privately! I could go on but I have a splitting headache and a toddler smearing applesauce on his sister.

Meg

I misconstrued your meaning at reviewing homeschool materials. Hence the question of whether you were doing just one book on the subject versus a curriculum. I apologize for the confusion.

Aviv, have you contacted calvert about a sample?
Meg