Posted by Pauline on March 20 2008 at 10:04:57:
In Reply to: Need some help...re: pulling a child out of cyber school to homeschool... posted by Beth C. on March 19 2008 at 16:32:27:
>>>Would this be similar to pulling a child out of public school to homeschool them?
Yes. Notify the cyber, and file your affidavit. Might also want to specifically mention to the district that you are withdrawing from the cyber, as they are the ones paying the bill.
>>>>I am at a loss as far as how to start this and what has to be completed (as far as curriculum and the homeschool laws).
I´m going to answer this question assuming you are taking a somewhat school-like approach to homeschooling. (Not everyone does.)
As to the law, you can, if you wish, completely toss everything she´s been doing and craft a whole new curriculum. As to curriculum - your best bet is to look at what she´s been doing, keep what works, add anything else you think is needed, and go from there. For things like math, you´ll want to pick and choose your way through the text you choose, to hit the parts that you think are essential for this year, and skip anything she´s already done well on or that you feel can wait until another time.
It may help you to understand that different schools teach different things in the various grades, and there really is no "what your child needs to know in 4th grade".
>>>>Do I just submit an affidavit now and just start homeschooling?
Yes.
>>>>And do I just pick what I want to use for curriculum?
Yes.
>>>>Or do I have to follow the subjects that my child was studying (iow: do we have to do Earth science or can we do any science)?
No, you don´t have to stick with these topics. Assuming you´re not dealing with high school credits (which is a bit more complicated), then you can pick and choose whatever topics you like. Because you are probably both stressed about schooling at this point, I´d suggest going to your local library and picking up a few books that interest her. Try books or videos on animals, or space, or whatever for science. Plant a garden, measure the plants, try a few experiments - what happens if you grow them in the dark, or without soil? Try historical fiction, for history. Read aloud together or listen to books on tape while you knit. Also, see if you can go on any field trips, perhaps with other homeschoolers in your area. Go to the zoo, a nature center, a historical site. Then you can read a bit of background before/after the field trip. By following your child´s interests, you can rekindle her interest in learning.
>>>>Basically, my dd is in a cyber school and it is just not a good fit for her...she is failing some of her subjects. Do I just tough it out, or should I pull her now....
Why stick with something that´s not working? Figure out why she´s failing, and try to find strategies that will help change that.
>>>>does she take a failing for all and re-do the grade next year?
Only if you feel this would benefit her. It´s your decision. Why not see how the rest of your year goes. And don´t forget you can certainly do things in the summer - though you might want to focus on informal learning then - library books, field trips, craft projects. Perhaps a page of math first thing in the morning.
>>>Or should I have her work on the subjects that she is failing (ie: work on science, but not necessarily doing Earth science which is what she failed in cyber school).
Don´t get hung up on the grades. Teach her a combination of what she´s interested in, and skills you feel she will need in the future. Don´t try to do it all - just focus on a few major things. Have fun. Make homeschooling friends. Join scouts. Do a sport. Bake something.
>>>How does this all work when you pull a child out near the end of the year to homeschool them?
Your portfolio will reflect the work you´ve done during this part of the year. Include a cover letter to let your evaluator and the superintendent know that this is the case. Subtract the number of days of cyber you did from 180 to get the number of home educating days you´ll need.
>>>>Or should I just let her fail the courses, finishing out the year and possibly hold her back next year (homeschooling her)?
Why? That seems like a waste of time - and more frustration for both of you won´t make things better.
Talk to lots of local homeschoolers, make friends, seek out interesting activities. Read library books, watch educational videos, take walks in the woods. Enjoy!