-=> MT> that would give us a 7 month planning
-=> MT> and setup time, to put a plan together,...and get ourselves 
ganized.
-=> Maybe we're looking at "deprogramming" time differently.
-=> That doesn't
-=> mean do-nothing time; it just means that the parent/teacher
-=> needs to
-=> loosen up, not require as much, and understand that the
-=> child may need
-=> time to change his/her expectations, habits, etc.  I
-=> certainly wouldn't
-=> give a child seven months of NO schooling!
No, No...that is not what I meant.  It would give us 7 months to "work" with 
different homeschooling curriculums in a relaxed, but progressive ( 
non-threatening-goal-oriented program).
As a matter of fact...she has a rather extensive "proficiencies" based 
science project due in April. (The 'parental' signed documentation reads more 
like a legal contract.  These folks (teachers) are *scared* of the new 
"proficiencies" as they are called) (In the end...it will be nothing more 
than a "pressure cooker" for the kids,...and the school system will once 
again escape accountability)
-=> MT> get her
-=> MT> inputs and committment to the success of the plan.
-=> Definitely!  It's never too early to start getting children
-=> to buy into
-=> HSing.  I've discussed my plans and goals with my
-=> 7-1/2-year-old, and
-=> would with my 5 year old if he showed any tendency to stay
-=> in one place
-=> long enough to listen.  When either of them complain about
-=> having to
-=> learn something, we discuss WHY it is part of the
-=> curriculum.
-=> MT> I think that we need to have Julie sit down with her friend and "see"
-=> MT> the kinds and types of material that are used in homeschooling.  I
-=> would
-=> MT> like to see it as well.  Perhaps I "really" need to dialog with her
-=> Mother,
-=> MT> and sit down with the parents "guide" for a given subject...to see
-=> what is
-=> MT> needed/required.
-=> MT> Do you have any inputs or suggestions?
-=> Yup.  First of all, what works for Julie's friend won't
-=> necessarily work
-=> for Julie.
Good point!
  -=>   Did you see the long message I wrote a couple
-=> days ago about
-=> having a student research his own curriculum?  That would be
-=> good for
-=> Julie as well.
No, unfortunately I did not see your post.
  -=> In the meantime, try to attend some HSing
-=> fairs, which
-=> are a wonderful chance to examine curricula.  Also ask
-=> Julie's friend's
-=> mother what local HSing groups she knows of, and attend some
-=> meetings.
-=> You'll be drowned in helpful information.  ;)
Great advice!  Thanks!  I will do just that.  This isn't something that I 
want to leave until this summer to pursue,...I think we would lose valuable 
time for preparation, and educating ourselves on what is available.  I want 
to be able to do a "trial run" this summer.  If it serves nothing more than 
to "fill in" on some of the gaps left by the pub school system, then it will 
have been well worth the effort.  I am keeping in mind that it is Julie that 
wants to pursue the homeschool thing.  This (at least initally) will be some 
motivation for her.
The thing that concerns me a little,...and I have dialogued with Julie about 
it a little,...is that "she" is suggesting it.  This is the time in a young 
girl's life,...where there tends to be a lot of socialization.  She is pretty 
well accepted by her school peers, and enjoys the friendships. It is the 
school curriculum that she dislikes.
For what it is worth, my kids were "subjects" in this See-Say method of 
reading.  Or as some call it...the "whole-language" concept.  Their 
comprehension was low,...and they could not sound out any word of moderate 
difficulty.  We invested in the "Hooked-on-Phonics" program (not really 
cheap),..but were really amazed after a few weeks, how much they improved. 
If homeschooling is "anything" like it, in result,...it should prove to be 
worthwhile in a BIG way.
Thanks for your inputs,...now off to find out what is "out there".
Mark
--- GEcho 1.11+
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